roofer in Moncks Corner, SC

A Moncks Corner factory that’s been manufacturing medical products for half a century will be closing its doors.

Becton Dickinson and Co., known as BD, plans by 2025 to shut down the 274-worker Berkeley County plant where it makes urinary catheters, according to a layoff notice filed with the state labor officials.

Company spokesman Troy Kirkpatrick said in a written statement that employees were told a year ago that the Power House Road location would be closing.

He said it was a “difficult, but necessary, decision to transition all manufacturing from Moncks Corner to other existing ... manufacturing facilities that also produce catheters.”

“This move will help BD leverage existing resources and available capacity, centralize products and, ultimately, streamline operations in order to operate more effectively and efficiently,” Kirkpatrick said.

He added that the Franklin Lakes, N.J.-based medical technology company expects the shift “to occur in waves” over the next two years.

“Once the transfer is completed, we plan to close the Moncks Corner facility,” he said in the statement.

The company also said it’s working with the state and is coordinating with its other sites “to support our employees with future employment opportunities.”

The “delivery solutions” business that includes the catheter business is a laggard within BD’s broader medical segment, with sales rising about 4 percent to $2.36 billion for the first half of the current fiscal year compared to a nearly 13 percent revenue gain for the entire group.

Under its “2025 Strategy,” the company said one of its priorities is to simplify, in part by reducing “complexity across our manufacturing network.”

The 117,000-square-foot plant had been run since the early 1980s by C.R. Bard Inc., which Becton Dickinson acquired in 2017. Just months before the deal, the catheter industry pioneer disclosed plans to invest $16 million and add 50 jobs in Moncks Corner.

A blockbuster deal for Boeing South Carolina is getting supersized.

United Airlines announced Oct. 3 that it’s cashing in an option to buy an additional 50 787-9s from the planemaker, increasing its number of “firm” orders to 150 Dreamliners under a replenishment of its global fleet.

The company also said it has secured a new option to buy 50 more of the long-haul wide-bodies.

“The new Dreamliner order provides United additional flexibility as the airline modernizes its global fleet over the next decade,” the Chicago-based carrier said in written statement.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

“We’re building a bright future at United, and this order takes our already successful ‘United Next’ plan into the next decade and beyond,” CEO Scott Kirby said in the statement. “Our planning and focus on the long term have helped us surge past other airlines that stood still. I’m convinced our strategy is the right one as we continue to add new, larger aircraft to take full advantage of our growing flying opportunities both internationally and domestically.”

The latest commitment sets up United to be the world’s largest Dreamliner operator. Including the new option, it could eventually amass up to 250 of the South Carolina-built planes.

United announced its initial order of 200 787s, including 100 options, in late 2022. It was considered the largest-ever wide-body deal by a U.S carrier.

The order was capped by a high-energy deal-signing event at Boeing’s final assembly plant off of International Boulevard.

The first of the new planes are scheduled to be delivered over eight years starting in 2024. They’ll join United’s existing fleet of more than 70 Dreamliners.

The newly ordered 787-9s, one of three models that Boeing builds, can fly up to 7,565 nautical miles and seat up to 296 passengers.

“United’s unprecedented commitment to the 787 ... family is a testament to the market-leading operating economics and reliability of Boeing’s wide-body jets,” said Stan Deal, CEO of Boeing’s commercial aircraft business.

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD) – Over 30 animals suffering in extreme temperatures and living in “deplorable conditions” were seized over the weekend from an abandoned metal trailer in Moncks Corner.

According to H.O.P.E. Acres Rescue, who took the animals in, the trailer was in the parking lot of the Tractor Supply store.

The animals were described as “covered in muck, their own feces, extremely dehydrated, malnourished, and each with their own medical ailments.”

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The owner of the trailer, Justin Culley, received a citation for inhumane care and treatment of animals, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.

More than 20 additional animals were found on Culley’s property, also living in deplorable conditions.

H.O.P.E. Acres Rescue currently has the following animals in their care:

Culley is listed as the owner of Culley Farms Mobile Petting Zoo & Events.

The business released the following statement on social media Wednesday night, calling the allegations false and inaccurate:

“By now surely everyone has heard about the incident with our animals. The news is spreading defamation and inaccurate claims. Nothing wrong was done. Our business is being blasted and our name is being run in the dirt and nobody even knows the situation. We do not abuse our animals, we love our animals with all our heart. Anyone who knows us and sees us regularly knows the care, compassion and effort we put into our animals. They are clean with shiny coats, well fed and are met with love and joy by everyone around them. We are heart broken because of what has occurred. All of our animals are treated as if they were our children. We take pride in our animals and enjoy sharing the joy of animals with our customers and anyone else who would take the time to spend with them at any event we attend. The news has made outrageous claims that our animals were abandoned, malnourished and covered in feces. None of this is true and those who know us know this to be false claims. The situation was twisted and manipulated to make it seem as if we are abusive and neglectful. We simply had a flat tire on the trailer, plain and simple. The trailer was backed into the shade, jacked up with the tire off and disconnected at tractor supply where I felt they would be safe so that I could run around the corner to Mavis tire. The tire was mounted, balanced and I returned back to the trailer to a nightmarish scene. The animals were not seized, I voluntarily released the animals into their care under a temporary release. They also only took a portion of the animals, leaving us with many of our animals ranging from rabbits and pigs to ducks and chickens along with all of our domestic animals. Do you think they would leave us with any animals if we were so unfit? You can see from pictures of our animals exactly how well kept and healthy they are, with the exception of the horse who was given to us in even worse condition. We have had her a short period of time and has been on weight gainer for the last month. We want nothing but the best for our animals but also want to cooperate with the local enforcement. Our animals will be released back to us. We take pride in what we do, we love what we do and we love our animals with every ounce of our being. We have bonds with our animals that half of you would never understand. We spend more money every week feeding each of them than most people even earn in a week. We devote all of our time and efforts into providing the best environment we possibly can. I know every animals name, their personality their demeanor and could tell you every detail about every single one of them. We would never knowingly gamble with their lives or jeopardize their well being.”

Editor’s note: This story is breaking and will be updated.

Idalia is likely to be a wind and rain event for Berkeley County, starting late Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday morning. Expected rainfall is 4 to 8 inches. Other potential impacts from Idalia, including risk for tornadoes and storm surge, remains low at this time for Berkeley County.

County officials have been meeting and discussing preparations for any potential impacts to our area. Crews with Berkeley County Roads and Bridges have been out ahead of the storm, checking on flood prone areas, storm drains and culverts throughout the County. SC Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.

Citizens are encouraged to prepare for Idalia by making a plan and building an emergency kit. View our 2023 County Hurricane Guide in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

CLOSURES: All Berkeley County Government offices, the Courthouse, Cypress Gardens, Berkeley Animal Center, and all County Library branches will close at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30. All facilities will remain CLOSED on Thursday, August 31, and reopen on Friday, September 1.

OPERATING CONDITIONS: The County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) currently remains at OPCON 3 (normal operating conditions), with no activation at this time. On Wednesday at 8 a.m., Berkeley County will transition to OPCON 2 with a partial EOC activation. OPCON 2 means a disaster or emergency is likely to affect the County, and emergency operations plans are implemented.

SANDBAGS: Sandbags are available at the following sites on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites are self-serve. More locations will be added, as needed.

CITIZEN CALL LINE: The Citizen Call Line (843-719-4800) is currently operational 24/7 for non-emergency calls ONLY. Callers will hear an automated response with Berkeley County storm prep information. **For all emergency calls, please call 911.**

POWER OUTAGES: Please do not call 911 for power outages. Please report outages to the appropriate provider below:

REPORTING STORM DAMAGE: If your residence or business sustains storm damage, please report it HERE. Those without Internet access can report storm damage by calling the Citizen Call Line at 843-719-4800 and leaving a detailed voicemail.

Reporting storm damage will help Berkeley County staff gauge the extent of damage in the County and report the findings to state and federal officials. These reports will determine appropriate federal and state funding for damage caused by the storm.

For the latest news and updates on Idalia, follow Berkeley County Government on Facebook and at www.berkeleycountysc.gov. Also, sign up for all County news and alerts through the County’s Notification System HERE.

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– Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office –

County leaders and Emergency Management officials continue to monitor Idalia, which is likely to be a wind and rain event for Berkeley County, starting late Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday morning. Expected rainfall is 4 to 8 inches. Other potential impacts from Idalia, including risk for tornadoes and storm surge, remains low at this time for Berkeley County.

LANDFILL / CONVENIENCE CENTERS: All facilities are closing at 4:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 30, and will remain CLOSED Thursday, August 31. To prevent potential overflow later in the week at the Landfill and Convenience Centers, Berkeley County officials are encouraging those (who are able to do so safely) to drop off any storm and yard debris at the Landfill and Convenience Centers on Friday and Saturday, when all locations will operate by their normal hours. The Landfill and Convenience Centers are for Berkeley County residents only. A valid ID is required and will be checked. Facilities only accept residential waste, not commercial waste. The Landfill accepts commercial waste.

FACILITY CLOSURES: Please see schedule below for dates and times of County facility closures:

OPERATING CONDITIONS: The County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) moved to OPCON 2, partial EOC activation, at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. OPCON 2 means a disaster or emergency is likely to affect the County, and emergency operations plans are implemented.

CITIZEN CALL LINE: The Citizen Call Line (843-719-4800) is currently operational 24/7 for non-emergency calls ONLY. Callers will hear an automated response with Berkeley County storm prep information. **For all emergency calls, please call 911.**

SANDBAGS: Sandbags are available at the following sites on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites are self-serve. More locations will be added, as needed.

POWER OUTAGES: Please do not call 911 for power outages. Please report outages to the appropriate provider below:

REPORTING STORM DAMAGE: If your residence or business sustains storm damage, please report it HERE. Those without Internet access can report storm damage by calling the Citizen Call Line at 843-719-4800 and leaving a detailed voicemail.

Reporting storm damage will help Berkeley County staff gauge the extent of damage in the County and report the findings to state and federal officials. These reports will determine appropriate federal and state funding for damage caused by the storm.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.

The public is encouraged to view the 2023 County Hurricane Guide in English, Spanish, and Portuguese at www.berkeleycountysc.gov.

For the latest news and updates on Idalia, follow Berkeley County Government on Facebook and at www.berkeleycountysc.gov. Also, sign up for all County news and alerts through the County’s Notification System HERE.

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– Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office –

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCIV) — Kay Beilstein, who has been living along Merrimack Boulevard since 2017, sees the construction of new townhomes right next door to her for about a year now - and is afraid of what they could possibly bring to her front yard.

"Because we live in the Lowcountry, we get a lot of rain," she said. "There's a lot of flooding in some areas and (when) these neighborhoods get built, they don't really take into consideration where that water is going to go."

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Beilstein says when it has rained in the past, water comes on to the streets washing dirt on to the roads. She believes the new development won't help the problem.

"Right now, (the water is) going to go right on to my property and flood my garage and driveway," Beilstein said. "Hopefully, not the rest of my yard, but it depends on how much rain we're going to get."

In response to these concerns, Moncks Corner officials said, "In reviewing the plans, it appears that on-site and off-site stormwater concerns were adequately addressed."

Kay Beilstein, who has been living along Merrimack Boulevard since 2017, sees the construction of new townhomes right next door to her for about a year now - and is afraid of what they could possibly bring to her front yard. (WCIV)

The approved plans show the entire subject property will catch, detain, and release the drainage to the two ponds the property will have installed. This is accomplished with catch basins in the proposed roads, fine grading around the building pads, and underground pipes running from various points around the property, leading to the central and southern stormwater devices.

The vast majority of water from the site is designed to flow south (away from 119 Merrimack Blvd) to the central pond, then to the southern pond, before discharging at the southern edge of the property into an existing 45-foot drainage easement, according to the approved plans.

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Despite this new development coming, Beilstein hopes it won't change the area she loves.

"I'm not looking forward to it," she said. "I do really enjoy my neighbors and my home, but I feel like the town hasn't really taken into consideration that they're ruining our neighborhood for a little bit of money."