Morning Answer Daily

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Are you wondering if your city or community is holding a Fourth of July celebration?

Here’s a list of Carolina events with dates, times and links for more information.

Anderson

• July 3
• Big Water Marina in Starr
• Fireworks begin at 9:30

Greenville

• Wells Fargo Red, White, and Blue Festival in downtown Greenville was canceled this year

Click the title of this article for more events throughout the Upstate and WNC

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Starting July 1, every South Carolinian will likely pay a little more at the gas pump.

The statewide gas tax increase, which was implemented in 2017, will increase another two cents per gallon as it does each year through 2022.

In total, the tax will rise to 26 cents a gallon statewide on Thursday.

The money, headed to the South Carolina Department of Transportation, will be used to pave about 1,000 miles of roads across the state.

“We got to pay taxes, anyway, I mean that’s part of the government,” Allen McBee said. “I don’t like it but, hey, somebody got to pay. The state's got to run.”

GREENWOOD, S.C. — Problematic pills are popping up across the Palmetto state.

South Carolina’s Opioid Emergency Response Team (OERT) says 500 people have overdosed from a little blue pill called counterfeit Roxicodone, also known as fake roxis.

The agency says many of the deaths are people ages 20 to 29.

Most have gotten it from a family member or friend who, apparently, did not know what they were giving out.

(Video above: Overdose death leads to 'mass production' of counterfeit pills in Greenville County, DEU says)

It looks just like the real prescription of Roxicodone, but it is not.

Instead, officials say it is packed with cocaine and meth or fentanyl...

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — A South Carolina man is facing an assault charge after authorities say he and two women attacked someone, then bragged about it on social media.

Montiez Damien King, 31, is charged with third-degree assault and battery by mob, according to jail records.

The charges stem from an incident Monday at approximately 6:40 p.m. at the Marathon Gas Station on Dorchester Road.

The victim told police she was pumping gas when King pulled up behind her vehicle and called to her, and then two people with him charged at her, an affidavit states.

Police say the victim was beaten and that her wig was ripped off during the fight.

When she attempted to get into her car to drive off, King’s car blocked her, court documents state, leading her to strike the driver’s door of his car....

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden directed military forces to conduct defensive precision airstrikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region on Sunday evening, according to a news release from the Department of Defense.

"The targets were selected because these facilities are utilized by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq. Specifically, the U.S. strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, both of which lie close to the border between those countries," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in the release...

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. — Anderson School District 5 has begun its summer feeding program, providing free meals for all Anderson School District 5 students under 18. The meals are available Monday through Friday from June 21 through July 30.

"We know that, when school lets out, we have a lot of children who are at risk of going hungry," Anderson School District 5 food services director Sharon Hunt said. "So, the summer feeding program is designed to help fill that nutritious gap during the summer. If those children aren’t fed then it can affect their learning when they go back to school."

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Paris Mountain State Park is helping families enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise all while making summer memories.

Saturday marks the first Creek Ranger Family Hike, according to the park's Ranger Cathy Taylor.

The park, located off State Park Road north of the Cherrydale area of Greenville County, plans to hold the hikes on most Fridays through Aug. 13, Taylor said.

The adventures start at 10 a.m. this summer and last until noon.

Hikers take a nature walk with a ranger and wade into Mountain Creek, or they can use one of the park’s nets to search for dragonfly nymphs and salamanders. They may even get a glimpse of some of the other animals that call Paris Mountain home.

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. — An Upstate deputy has been fired after he was arrested.

Staff Sgt. JT Foster, with the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, said the deputy was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

Joe Hovis, with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, identified the trooper as Donnie Lee Blassingame.

Hovis said troopers were called about 9:15 p.m. Saturday to Highway 24 and Michelin Boulevard about a crash.

He said Blassingame was driving one of the vehicles involved.

No one was injured.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — This time of year marks the deadliest out on the roads, according to Highway Patrol. Troopers call it the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.

The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

“We have more visitors in South Carolina, there’s more traffic, kids are out of school, more people are vacationing," Highway Patrol Master Trooper David Jones said. "The 100 Deadly Days of Summer historically and over the years past, has been our deadliest time of the year.”

This past weekend alone, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety says 11 people died on the roadways. That doesn't include one deadly crash in Greenville County that happened around 1:30 a.m. Monday...

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. — A man was killed in a crash involving a tractor-trailer on Interstate 385 Southbound in Mauldin Monday morning, according to the Greenville County Coroner's office.

The coroner said the crash happened near exit 31 around 1:30 a.m. It involved at least one tractor-trailer and an SUV.

As of 8 a.m., crews continue to clean up a hazardous materials spill after the crash, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

The WYFF News 4 photographer at the scene said the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control was there...

Forecasters predict a tropical system will bring heavy rain, storm surge and coastal flooding to the northern Gulf Coast as early as Friday and could impact the Upstate as early as Saturday evening.

The poorly-organized disturbance has a tropical storm warning in effect Friday for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida — extending from Intracoastal City, Louisiana, to the Okaloosa-Walton County line in the Florida Panhandle, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — WYFF News 4 Investigates has been looking into the shortage of nurses in South Carolina. Our investigation found that there are more nursing positions open in the state than any other position.

Dr. Tracy Hudgins is the academic department chair for Greenville Technical College's department of nursing. She said students can earn an associate degree in registered nursing in 24 months and be ready to enter the workforce. She said most students have job offers before they graduate.

"We're seeing the job offers come sooner and sooner," she said.

WYFF News 4 Investigates dug into data from the National Center for Education Statistics and found that Greenville Technical College awarded the 5th most certificates or degrees for nursing in South Carolina in 2019...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The main investigators said hit and killed a Greenville County teacher as she crossed a road on the Swamp Rabbit Trail appeared in court Wednesday morning.

Mantavious McMorris was arrested Tuesday night and appeared at a morning bond hearing before Judge LaTonya Simmons.

Carli Brewer Soukup, 33, of Taylors, was hit and killed about 1:30 p.m. on June 6 on Sulphur Springs Road.

McMorris initially walked into court and said “Hi!” Waving, followed by “motherf------s.”

He was then escorted back out of the courtroom area.

McMorris was escorted back into the courtroom 15 minutes later.

Soukup's mother, Wanda Brewer Ickes, read a statement on behalf of Soukup and her family...

ANDERSON, S.C. — More than 70 years after he was killed in battle during the Korean War, an Upstate soldier is finally coming home.

A plane carrying the remains of Corp. William James McCollum landed Tuesday morning at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

A hearse carrying the remains left Charlotte just before 11 a.m. on its way to Anderson.

The hearse is part of a convoy that includes members of the Patriot Guard from both North Carolina and South Carolina.

Other groups are expected to pay their respects at overpasses as the convoy makes its way down I-85 on its way to the funeral home, specifically at Exit 63, in Spartanburg County, and Exit 27, in Anderson County...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — A statue in Falls Park in downtown Greenville was vandalized Saturday, according to city officials.

City officials tweeted Saturday morning that Parks & Recreation staff discovered "Bernardo Oriental," one of the statues in the Wings of the City collection, knocked off its pedestal.

Officials said parks and public works employees spent hours reattaching the statue.

Greenville Police are investigating and officials said the City intends to prosecute those responsible.

Controversy over the statues started weeks ago, when a petition was created to remove them.

Some consider the work graphic, sexual and demonic – others say it’s a diverse showcase of cultural identity and art...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Vice President Kamala Harris is headed to Greenville.

The White House Regional Communication Director Ike Hajinazarian tweeted the news Friday morning and then Harris' office sent a news release about the trip.

"As part of the Month of Action, next week, the Vice President will launch a nation-wide tour to reach millions of Americans who still need protection against the virus, highlight the ease of getting vaccinated, encourage vaccinations, and mobilize grassroots vaccine education and outreach efforts," the release said...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — You might want to set your alarm to wake up early Thursday morning.

People across the northern hemisphere will have the chance to experience an annular or partial eclipse of the Sun around sunrise.

Sunrise is at 6:15 a.m.

A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth, fully or partially blocking the sun’s light in some areas...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Troopers have released a picture of the truck they say is wanted after a Greenville County teacher was hit and killed while riding her bike near the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Carli Brewer Soukup, 33, of Taylors, was hit just before 2 p.m. on Sulpur Springs Road, the coroner said.

Troopers said Soukup was stopped at a crosswalk and a truck was traveling east on Sulphur Spring Road, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Soukup entered the crosswalk and was hit by the truck, troopers said.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Police in Asheville say they are looking for help finding a man who broke into several occupied homes, assaulted residents and stole items all while not wearing any clothes.

Police said the home were broken into on Sunday in West Asheville.

In each of these cases, residents were assaulted and had items stolen from their homes, police said. They said no one was injured...

BOILING SPRINGS, S.C. — The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office is now offering a $25,000 reward for information to help solve a 2007 homicide.

On the 14th anniversary of the death of Crystal Bradshaw, 28, the sheriff's office is begging the public to come forward with information.

A billboard with Crystal's face and information sits on Boiling Springs Road near the Ingles.

Sheriff Chuck Wright says Crystal Bradshaw, 28, was found dead in her Boiling Springs home on June 3, 2007. They believe she was killed in the late hours of June 2...