News Summary
South Carolina Highway 391 has reopened following a significant water main rupture that caused extensive damage. A temporary detour was established during the closure. Concurrently, the Newberry County fire department warns residents against outdoor burning due to increased wildfire risks. A tragic motorcycle accident resulted in the death of a local resident. Additionally, the Kiswire company announced plans for a new facility in the area, which will create new jobs and generate substantial investment.
Newberry County, South Carolina – South Carolina Highway 391 has reopened to traffic after being closed on Sunday due to a significant water main rupture that caused extensive surface damage. The closure initially affected both directions of the highway near Sligh’s Store, stretching from Counts Road North to Bedenbaugh’s Gin South.
During the closure, a temporary detour was established using Counts Road in both directions. Motorists are advised to follow posted detour signs and remain cautious of potential traffic delays in the area as the road fully reopens.
Amid these road issues, the Newberry County fire department has issued warnings urging residents to refrain from outdoor burning due to the active wildfire conditions affecting the region. Dry and windy weather has already led to over 100 fires reported across South Carolina.
Notably, the situation worsened when a “large woods fire” broke out near Firetower Road and Highway 391, prompting assistance from the Little Mountain Fire Department to support the Prosperity Fire Department in firefighting efforts. One of the most significant incidents has been a 1,200-acre fire in the Carolina Forest region of Horry County, which even required neighborhood evacuations for safety reasons.
In reaction to the escalating wildfire risks, the South Carolina Forestry Commission has implemented a statewide burn ban. Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency to facilitate the deployment of resources and logistics for fire response. Residents are warned that violations of the burn ban could result in criminal charges and potential jail time.
In an unrelated incident, a tragic motorcycle crash occurred on S.C. 391 in Newberry County, resulting in the death of 75-year-old Elwood “Woody” Duernberger. He was riding a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle when a 2012 Chrysler 200 crossed the center line and struck him. Duernberger was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and succumbed to blunt force trauma at the scene. The driver of the Chrysler was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured. The collision is currently under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol as well as the coroner’s office.
In recent years, motorcycle fatalities have raised concerns in South Carolina, with 103 motorcyclist deaths reported by mid-October 2019. This highlights ongoing safety issues around motorcycling on the state’s roads.
In economic news, Kiswire has announced plans to open a new steel cord facility on CR Koon Highway, which is anticipated to create 50 new jobs in the area. The Newberry County Council has already approved the first reading of an ordinance that extends fee agreements related to Kiswire’s current operations. The facility is projected to exceed $80 million in project investments, surpassing earlier estimates.
Kiswire currently employs 238 full-time workers and 37 part-time staff in Newberry County. In the recent council meeting, modifications to the employee handbook were approved, such as enhanced leave hour carryover and updated guidelines regarding the use of personal devices for work purposes. Several employees were acknowledged for their years of dedicated service during the meeting.
Additional actions taken by the council included approval of a resolution concerning the transfer of municipal election authority for the Town of Prosperity, as well as zoning changes for two parcels on Highway 391 from General Commercial to Rural. Moreover, a parcel near Chappell’s crossroads was rezoned from Rural to General Commercial. The council also allocated $60,000 for capital purchases by the Board of Rescue.
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Additional Resources
- WACH News
- Wikipedia: Newberry County, South Carolina
- The State
- Google Search: South Carolina wildfires
- Newberry Observer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wildfire
- ABC Columbia
- Google News: motorcycle accidents South Carolina
