Mortgage Broker in Cane Bay, SC

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A family living in one Berkeley County community said they have not been receiving their mail on a regular basis, even after contacting postal officials. That’s when they reached out to News 2’s Raymond Owens.

“We moved here about a year and a half ago and over the past year or so we have had problems with sporadic mail delivery,” said Cane Bay resident Tim Jacintho. “It doesn’t show up when it’s supposed to; it now has gotten to where we’re getting mail maybe two or three days a week.”

He said a lot of people depend on the mail for prescription medications, Social Security checks, and other items. He said everyone is frustrated with the situation.

Jacintho said he and other Cane Bay residents have reached out to the Summerville Post Office with their concerns.

“She’s been telling me what’s going on- they’ve had a lot of turnover with contractors, and they’re shorthanded. She said that the growth in the Cane Bay/Nexton area, which they serve, has put too much stress on the post office. They don’t have the staff or the facility to handle it.”

He contacted Congressman Nancy Mace’s office, and his state representative and state senator. He has not heard back from them. He said Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb returned his message.

“He, like, within a few hours, and said no thanks for reporting it. He said he can’t really do anything. It’s at the federal level.

Finally, he reached out to News 2 for help.

“I reached out to you because certainly I’m frustrated with the situation here and I know that my fellow neighbors and residents are also very frustrated,” he said.

News 2’s Raymond Owens called Congresswoman Mace’s office. Their office called Jacintho back and told him they would look into the problem.

We also called the postal service – their spokeswoman said she is researching the issue to learn more and will get back to us. They later provided the following response:

“The Postal Service appreciates its customers and always strives to provide the best possible service. We apologize for any inconvenience that may have been experienced by customers living in the Cane Bay and Nexton communities. Local management is currently working with all stakeholders to ensure any delivery concerns are resolved. We can confirm the Summerville Post Office, like many businesses, is experiencing staffing challenges; however, through successful hiring efforts we have increased our workforce significantly. The Postal Service will continue flexing our available resources to match the workload, in addition to hosting more hiring events until all positions are filled. Interested applicants should log on to http://usps.com/careers frequently to check for new postings. We appreciate the patience of our customers and the efforts of employees as conditions change on a day-to-day basis. We urge any customers with concerns or questions about their mail delivery service to contact their local Post Office, so that we can look into and resolve their concerns promptly. Customers may also visit our website at www.usps.com/help.”

News 2 will continue following this story and bring you updates as we learn more.

Cane Bay head football coach Russell Zehr is counting heavily on a veteran backfield to lead the way for the 2023 Cobras.

Of course, the success of the backs depends on the play up front and Zehr is hoping his offensive line can grow up quickly. The Cobras are a run-oriented team offensively and that ground game can only be productive if all cylinders are clicking.

“We have good experience and good talent at the skill positions, particularly in the backfield,” says Zehr, entering his 13th season as the head coach. “That’s probably our biggest strength. We have some guys who have played a lot and they are comfortable in our system.

“But, we only have two starters back along the line and, to be honest, we still have three question marks there. I hope they can grow and come together. If they can, we will be a good offensive team. Just not there yet.”

Cane Bay’s leadership along the front comes from returning seniors Andrew Tumbleton at tackle and center Jayden Ferguson. Both will be third-year starters.

Senior Mark Stewart is the starting quarterback. Stewart was the backup for most of last season but started the last four games in place of the injured starter.

“He gained a lot of experience last season and he is ready to lead us as the full-time guy,” Zehr said.

Senior Langston Rhodes is a returning starter at fullback, having topped 500 yards last season. Senior DeShawn Tompkins and junior Brycen Johnson are returning wing backs. Both were starters a year ago.

Leading the receiving corps is senior Braylen Green, a receiver/tight end threat. Junior Qua’Shawn Pelzer and sophomore Colby Larocca also factor into the passing game. Larocca also is getting snaps as a possible backup to Stewart.

There is less true experience on the defensive side but the unit has potential. Senior Will Coker is the lone returner along the front, but junior Joshua Frost and sophomore Garrett Andy are showing potential at end. Also working inside early on are senior Steven Heard and junior Tijeh Eaton.

Senior Parker Osborne is the most experienced linebacker, with senior Brayden Pate and sophomore Dominic Russell getting early season looks at the second level.

Corner Jonas McKeen is a veteran of the secondary, along with senior safety Keaton Cooley. Sophomore MJ Davis is showing well at the other corner.

“How quickly some of these young guys can grow up and play with confidence will determine our season,” Zehr said. “We just have a lot of question marks right now. Hopefully as we play more, the guys will become consistent for us.”

The Cobras open the season on Aug. 18 with a home game against defending Class AAA state champion Beaufort. Other non-region tilts are against Ashley Ridge, West Ashley and James Island - all on the road - and a home game against May River.

SUMMERVILLE — The streaks are still alive.

Winning for the eighth straight time in the series, Cane Bay fought back from an eight-point deficit in the second half to clip rival Stratford, 22-17, Oct. 7 on the Cobras’ homecoming. The win was also the fourth straight this season for the Cobras (5-1, 2-0 Region 6-AAAAA).

“It’s usually a fight to the end and that’s what this was,” Cane Bay coach Russell Zehr said. “They have a heck of a ball club. They did some things we weren’t ready for, but hats off to our kids and coaches for the adjustments. We got lucky and made a few plays at the end to win.”

One of the wrinkles Cane Bay had to deal with was Stratford’s regular quarterback, Jalen Barry, moving out to wide receiver. Jachin Davis, a young kid with a strong arm, saw all but one possession at quarterback for the Knights.

Davis’s second touchdown pass of the game, a 33-yarder to Barry, gave Stratford 17-9 lead with 7:54 remaining in the third quarter.

Cane Bay responded with a 70-yard scoring drive in just over four minutes. Cobras running back TJ Wright exploded through the right side on a 13-yard touchdown burst.

Stratford stuffed the 2-point conversion, though, and the Cobras had more work to do to keep their winning streaks intact.

Stratford moved inside Cane Bay’s 35 on its ensuing drive and quick-kicked on fourth and long to the Cane Bay 5 with under 11 minutes left in the game.

On third down, Cane Bay running back Bryson Johnson ripped through a hole up the middle and raced home for 89 yards and the go-ahead score. Lawson Thorn’s extra point made it 22-17 with 9:29 remaining.

Cane Bay’s defense picked off two passes on the way in, including the clincher on a fourth-and-short at Stratford’s 31 by Keaton Cooley to seal it. Defensive back Miles Singleton picked off the first one at midfield with under seven minutes left.

Stratford dropped to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in the region.

Each team made field goals on their first possessions, with Stratford’s Matt Haas making a 42-yard goal and Thorn answering on the other end with a 30-yarder in the first quarter.

Cane Bay defensive back Jordan Horlback snagged an interception and returned it 10 yards to make it 9-3 with 3:30 before halftime.

Davis responded by finding tight end Brett Marrs behind the defense along the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown just over a minute later. Haas’s extra point sent Stratford into the locker room with a 10-9 lead.

The Cobras travel to Goose Creek Oct. 14 while the Knights host Wando.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Students at Cane Bay High School are training to become EMTs.

It's a unique opportunity for kids to graduate high school, then be ready to take their national certification to be an EMT.

"It can be crazy at times. It's just like the real world. I got in that ambulance and I was like, 'this is cool, but there's no way it's real.' Then I go in a ride along [with Berkeley County EMS], and it's the same thing," said Corey Schauer, a senior.

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Corey Schauer is one of 11 students at Cane Bay High training to be an EMT.

"You learn a lot, I feel, in this class. We are not even halfway through, and I feel like I have learned more than I have in high school," said Schauer.

Seniors spend 90 minutes a day learning the ins and outs. It's everything from coursework and CPR to hands-on, real-world training.

"I love the adrenaline rush and helping people. Being able to say, 'yeah, I saved someone’s life' – that’s amazing," said senior Shelby Miyatki.

Students also get to go out on calls with Berkeley County EMS.

WCIV

Four students who graduated from the program became Berkeley County EMTs and now help train students following in their footsteps.

"Going to school here, and getting a job here. It's a pride thing I suppose. This is where I've been. I was a student, now I get to be a provider," said Garrett Fanin, Berkeley County EMT and graduate of the Cane Bay EMT program.

"You get to serve your community. I love my job like meeting new people, helping them in their worst moment, and just comforting them. It's the best feeling," said Lindsay Thigpen, another current Berkeley County EMT and graduate of the Cane Bay EMT program.

EMTs like Fanin and Thigpen prove to the students that success in EMS may only be a few months away.

"[Thigpen] was here just four years ago, and now she's graduating from paramedic school. She's very much succeeding in the world. It's awesome to think that could be me one day," said Shelby Miyatki.

When the students at Cane Bay graduate and pass the test to be an EMT, they can make around $46,000 a year right out of school.

Then, they have the opportunity to further their career in EMS or move on to another career in the medical field.

"To see them out there and successfully complete what they set their goal – they set it and reach it. It’s a proud moment for me, but I know it's exciting for them," said Miguel Lucero, EMT instructor at Cane Bay High School.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Last Tuesday, there was a meeting within the Berkeley County School District to discuss changing attendance lines within the county because of overcrowding in the Cane Bay area.

Although the measure was not voted on, the problem of overcrowding remains within the area.

Last Tuesday, there was a meeting within the Berkeley County School District to discuss changing attendance lines within the county because of overcrowding in the Cane Bay area. (WCIV)

Berkeley County as a whole has experienced a 34 percent increase in population over the last decade. That’s the second highest rate of any county in the state.

This is partially due to the popularity of the area’s school system and community. It’s why Cane Bay resident Ashley Hill moved to the area two years ago.

“The reason that I like it here so much is because we have a sense of community and how Cane Bay trails, I get to experience that and golf cars and stuff like that,” Hill said.

But the space has started to become crowded. Since 2010, the Cane Bay population has grown from 1,321 people to 12,362 residents.

Right now approximately 75 percent of the land is permitted for expected build-out.

“They are going up so quickly,” Hill said, “It has grown tremendously. The traffic around here has gotten a lot more aggressive. I believe that even with school days, I mean, just trying to figure out how to get into the elementary school or the middle school because they're so close to each other, it makes it difficult for the people who are trying to go to work.”

Cane Bay currently has 5,941 building permits issued and 510 are under construction.

That means the number of residents may grow even more than the current population of 12,000.

There are also 7,950 entitlements for expected build-out in the Cane Bay area.

So that begs the question: Are Berkeley County officials prepared to deal with the growth in the community?

I took that question straight to Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb and here was his response:

“In the last several years, there's not a whole lot that we've rezoned or approved, but it's really the entitlements that that are out there.”

Cribb says that he hasn’t approved many building permits during his three years in office. But despite that, there are still thousands of permitted builds that have yet to take place.

So I asked him what his plan for the future was.

“If you look at what's going on in the world right now, anybody pretends to know what's going to happen is they're playing make believe,” Cribb said.

He said that the current market place, partially due to the coronavirus pandemic, has made it hard to predict when build-outs will happen and what the area will look like in the future.

Not satisfied with the answer to my question, I went to other officials to get more answers.

I asked the Cane Bay representative of the Berkeley County Council Caldwell Pinckney about the growth in the community.

He said that council does realize the threat the growth in the area has and it will be dealt with eventually. However, he said it has “not gotten to the point where we have had to sit down and talk about it.”

“Even in the most aggressive scenario, [build-outs are] years away. So two or three years, there's no way you could build out all that out in two or three years,” Cribb said.

When asked if a building moratorium would be considered to slow down some of the developments in Berkeley County ,both Cribb and Pinckney said it wasn’t on the table at this time.

Cribb does say that he believes the main solution, and the focus for him right now, is the roadways around the Cane Bay area.

“You put $65 million to widen 176, $82 million for Nexton I-26 interchange, so people would have their own interchange and doing improvements in the community.” Cribb said, “The biggest thing is, for us, almost three years now I have been relentlessly pursuing what I can control. And it's any new things that come in, and frankly, how can we improve the quality of life for the people that have moved out there who are the ones that created the growth.”

Cribb also said he is working with water and sewer officials to prepare for the influx of houses coming in the area.

One question I did pose to Pinckney was if the county would consider utilizing impact fees to help fund the building of new schools in the Cane Bay area. Pinckney said that he does believe impact fees are in place to an extent, but are not covering the whole budget.

But for residents like Hill, they believe that there is a lot being overlooked which only adds to their concern about the future of Cane Bay.

“I'm concerned with the overpopulation. I do not feel like the county has taken any hasn't thought about with all these, you know, kids that are coming in. Where they're supposed to go.”