Pool Repair in Summerville, SC

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. —

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has charged two men after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at a "cartel-run" nightclub resulted in the arrests of more than 70 people.

In the early morning hours of June 1, ICE raided a nightclub run by a suspected member of the Los Zetas cartel during an operation in Summerville, South Carolina.

Los Zetas, now formally recognized as Cártel del Noreste (CDN) was formally designated a terrorist organization by the Trump administration in February 2025.

Before the operation, ICE received a tip that "El Alamo VIP", an underground illegal nightclub, was the location of weapons, narcotics, and human trafficking.

The operation led to the arrests of 72 people, including some with serious prior offenses, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Authorities said six juveniles were also recovered and turned over to state social services for protection and care.

One of the most high-profile arrests during the raid was Sergio Joel Galo-Baca. HSI said Galo-Baca is a foreign fugitive with an active Interpol Red Notice for homicide in Honduras.

During the raid, authorities encountered 44-year-old Terone Lavince Lawson, who was a security guard for the nightclub.

SLED said Lawson was observed selling drugs while he was under surveillance.

Authorities found the following inside Lawson's vehicle:

According to SLED, Lawson had been previously convicted of second-degree burglary (violent) in 2008 and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature in 2003, which bars him from owning a firearm.

On June 5, SLED charged Lawson with the following:

Lawson was booked into the Charleston County Detention Center under a $110,000 bond.

On June 1, SLED charged 59-year-old Benjamin Reyna Flores-Rosales with the following:

Authorities did not state what Flores' role was at the nightclub.

Flores is being held in the Charleston County Detention Center under an ICE detainer.

According to SLED, both arrests are part of an active investigation involving allegations of human trafficking, narcotics, and other crimes at El Alamo VIP.

SLED worked in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.

The case will be prosecuted by the 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, "Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, fugitives and law breakers are on notice: Leave now or ICE will find you and deport you."

Surrounded by friends, supporters and longtime community leaders, Dexcter Mack formally announced his candidacy for the Summerville Town Council District 1 seat Tuesday, May 20, at Doty Park during a community gathering highlighting his decades of service and vision for the town’s future.

The event opened with a prayer, thanking God for “servant leaders like Dexter” and asking for continued peace and unity in Summerville.

Speaker Sam Clark, a former principal in Dorchester School District Two, reflected on Mack’s character and his long history of uniting people across the community.

“If you know Dexter, you know that he has a heart for people, and that's so important,” Clark said. “The world outside of Summerville is so divided, but it's men like Dexcter who bring all factions of every community together. It's really important to talk to other folks throughout the community about how important it is to bring a unifier to the town council.”

Dorchester County Auditor J.J. Messervy followed Clark, offering a personal tribute.

“Dexter has prepared for this moment for literally his entire life,” Messervy said. “His good deeds and servant’s heart are well known all over Dorchester County, especially in the town of Summerville.”

Messervy highlighted Mack’s community work, including founding the District One Civic Association in his home district and the Summerville Councilman Ball, which has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships to local students. Mack also contributes to the annual Steve Harvey Turkey Giveaway and supports the Village to Village Foundation, which provides vehicles to residents in need. In recognition of his service, Mack was named Dorchester County’s Employee of the Year.

During his address, Mack spoke about faith, service and his commitment to the community.

“First and foremost, let me give all glory and honor to my Sustainer, my rock, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Mack said. “This journey, this campaign, is not about me, it's about all of us. It's about our future and the future of the town we all love so dearly.”

Mack pledged to make residents his top priority and to offer “first-class constituent service.”

“As your next councilman representing district one, I pledge to be responsive, reliable and ready to act,” he said. “We will reinvest in our parks and recreation. We will tackle traffic head on with smart, efficient solutions.”

He ended his remarks with a call to action and unity

“When we stand together, nothing is impossible,” he said. “We're going to make district one bigger and better, and we're going to do some great things.”

The event concluded with a prayer from Dorchester County Sheriff Sam Richardson and a reminder from Messervy about contributing to Mack’s campaign.

Equity Industrial Partners (EIP), a fully integrated, New England-based developer and operator of industrial and office assets, has completed a ground-up 384,800 SF industrial building for tenant RoadOne IntermodalLogistics at 1932 Dawson Branch Extension located in Summerville, S.C. EIP worked closely with the tenant on this build-to-suit solution for one of the largest intermodal trucking providers in North America, as well as General Contractor Frampton Construction.

“Our existing, long-standing relationship with RoadOne was a major factor in RoadOne’s choice to work with EIP on this design-build project,” said Bruce Levine, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner for Equity Industrial Partners. “Our overall plan for Kelly Branch is on target now with this first of three phases, delivered and all infrastructure improvements now in place for remaining developments.”

In June 2023, EIP acquired the Kelly Branch Tract, a vacant 95-acre parcel situated in Summerville, South Carolina. RoadOne’s building is the first of three phases planned for the site and demonstrates EIP’s commitment to delivering tailored solutions that align with tenant needs. The building consists of 100 dock doors, 1 drive-in ramp, and 5,600 SF of office space. Phase 2 is currently being permitted for an additional warehouse or manufacturing facility that will be delivered for a +/- 300,000 square foot requirement.

“We at RoadOne have enjoyed the expanding relationship we have developed with EIP. As our lead development partner on the East Coast, EIP has been highly responsive and cooperative to work with and we consider them a strong partner in our business, “ said Ken Kellaway, CEO of RoadOne.

ABOUT EQUITY INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS

Founded in 1995, Equity Industrial Partners (EIP) is a fully integrated, New England-based developer and operator of industrial and office assets. With a sustained track record of sourcing the right investment opportunities; fostering deep partnerships with tenants, investors and lenders; and attracting and retaining tenants through a superior leasing, property and facilities management platform, the company is able to translate hundreds of years of combined knowledge into the successful acquisition and development of its portfolio. EIP currently owns and manages more than 25 million square feet of property across 24 states in the continental eastern U.S. For more information, visit https://www.equityindustrial.com/.

Leasing is now open for The Charles, a luxury residential development nearing completion in downtown Charleston's Harleston Village.

Developed and managed by The Beach Co., the 15 three-story townhomes and eight flats are at Broad and Barre streets, next to The Jasper and overlooking the Ashley River.

Floorplans are a mix of two- and three-bedrooms with private street-level entrances. Rates weren't immediately available.

The development harkens to the historic aspects of the neighborhood with handcrafted wrought iron gates, brick verandas, mahogany doors and copper lanterns. Dan Doyle, president of The Beach Co., said the first residents are expected to move in "later this year.”

Tenants will have access to the deluxe amenities next door at The Jasper, including a rooftop pool, fitness areas, locker rooms with showers and saunas, private wine storage and a demonstration kitchen with catering space for private events.

One in 58 million

A New York real estate investor has purchased a 288-unit multifamily community in Summerville, for $58.5 million, or $203,125 on a per-key basis.

URS Capital Partners, under the name 1005 Sonoran LLC, closed on its acquisition of The Palms At Edgewater, on April 21, according to Dorchester County land records filed earlier this month.

The 24-acre rental complex is at 1005 Sonoran Circle, near Highway 17A and Dorchester Road. It was constructed in 2023 and includes typical apartment amenities, such as a pool, fitness center and pickleball court.

Floorplans include one- to three-bedroom units ranging from 778 to 1,200 square feet. Monthly rental rates start at $1,371.

The builder and seller was a North Carolina-based joint venture operating as SV Developers LLC.

Safety first

Berkeley County has opened its new Goose Creek Magistrate and Public Safety Substation.

The 12,102-square-foot building is at 652 Red Bank Road. It will house county magistrate services as well as outposts for emergency medical services and the sheriff's office.

The new substation also has three courtrooms, each with jury boxes. Three judges, six clerks, three constables, two bailiffs and a security officer will be assigned to the site.

To mark the opening, the city unveiled an official goose statue through its Adopt-A-Goose arts program rather than cut a ribbon.

Fill 'er up

A national real estate financing firm has snapped up the final vacay in a small downtown Charleston office building.

Colliers said it rencpresented the landlord, 2783 Atlantic Owners, in leasing 2,625 square feet of space to Berkadia Commercial Mortgage at 121 Calhoun St., just east of Meeting Street.

With the transaction, the 7,450-square-foot property next to the Courtyard Charleston Historic District hotel has reached full occupancy.

New York-based Berkadia will occupy the second floor. The firm provides lending, investment and property research services.

The building's first floor is home to bridal boutique White Magnolia, while the third is occupied by content creation group Creators Corner.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - An 85-acre property dedicated to serving and supporting generations of adults with developmental disabilities will soon see a shift in its structure and resources, opening an opportunity for hundreds to lay their heads and receive care.

The Coastal Center is one of five regional support facilities offered by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. The property, located off of Miles Jamison Road in Summerville, is home to more than 120 residents and has served others for generations.

State legislators and Lowcountry leaders made the first step in “turning the dirt” for a project on Friday to use a portion of $153.8 million in state funding to upgrade buildings and introduce new amenities.

Lisa Morelli serves as President of the Parents and Guardians Association, which includes family members who have loved ones living on the property due to a disability. Her brother is an active resident.

“As parents, guardians and siblings, we are on campus quite a bit. When you are on campus and you see things like the plumbing needs updating, or a roof needs to be updated, you immediately understand the livability for our siblings and loved ones needs to be improved,” Morelli said.

The groundbreaking comes one year after the center pushed at the state capital for help with “long-awaited” construction and changes to the facility, which was built in the 1960s.

Senator Sean Bennett believes the age of the building and its location led locals and statewide leaders to forget about the center’s existence, which drove it further into crisis.

“I came to visit and saw some of the conditions of some of the cottages out here, I was appalled,” Senator Sean Bennett said. “Children would have soccer games and tee ball games, and the community would participate in this place. It’s been kind of, almost, shut off.”

The multi-million-dollar renovations will include at least 17 buildings on the campus. This includes improvements to HVAC, fire safety, electrical systems, communications, new equipment and technology.

Any money not used out of the jar will go to improving conditions at the four other regional facilities in the state.

Facility Administrator John Dooney said he joined the team as a retired Navy veteran, insistent on fulfilling a purpose of caring for others.

“We’re it. The residents who live here, we take care of them. That’s a part of it, health and safety and improving their quality of life,” Dooney said.

Dooney expects the renovations to expand resident capacity by 20% and to provide room for job opportunities. The center employs roughly 300 full-time staff members and an undisclosed number of volunteers.

The group emphasized how the facility is more than simply caring for the people inside.

“This is their home. This is not an outpatient facility, this is not a hospital. The folks that live here are a part of the community. They have challenges, they have special needs, but they are still a part of the community,” Bennett said.

“Their survival is by our hands. They cannot care for themselves, they cannot feed themselves, they cannot cool themselves. My sister is 81 years old and her survival rate is by the help given by our hands,” Annette Green said.