In this episode, host Shawn Smetana welcomes Aly Petruch, Charleston County’s Sustainability Coordinator, for an inside look at some exciting community sustainability initiatives. Aly shares details about the upcoming Bees Ferry Compost Facility tour, offering listeners a chance to learn how Charleston County turns everyday organic waste into high‑quality compost that benefits local soil health and reduces landfill use.

The conversation also highlights the County’s upcoming Energy Efficiency Workshop, where residents can explore practical ways to lower energy consumption, reduce utility bills, and make their homes more resilient and environmentally friendly. Aly breaks down what participants can expect and how small changes can add up to meaningful impact.

Tune in to hear how Charleston County is advancing sustainability, empowering residents, and creating opportunities to get involved in building a greener Lowcountry.

Compost tour signup: https://publicinput.com/p86763

Resilience and Sustainability Department: https://www.charlestoncounty.gov/ccrs/

In this episode Senior Project Manager Sheila S. Parker and project engineer John Martin join us to highlight Charleston County’s latest quarterly update on the Fort Johnson Road intersection improvements. They break down current construction progress, what’s underway at Secessionville Road, and how the new roundabout at Camp Road will enhance safety and traffic flow for James Island travelers.

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Van Koughnett, Director of the Tri-County Biological Science Center, to discuss the new 21,480-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is set to expediate DNA processing by dramatically reducing turnaround times and streamlining local forensic analysis.

This project marks the first regional collaboration on DNA testing in state history, bringing together law enforcement agencies and coroners’ offices across three counties. Tom shares insights into the center’s advanced laboratory spaces, its critical role in examining physical evidence, identifying bodily remains, and providing expert testimony to the judicial system.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/news/2024/charleston-berkeley-and-dorchester-county-leaders-break-ground-on-tri-county-biological-science-center.pdf