Lawmakers move to dissolve SCHSL

A new bill has been passed and is awaiting Governor McMaster’s approval, and it could change how minors use social media and screen time overall. The South Carolina Social Media Regulation Act passed the General Assembly and was ratified by the State Senate. Aimed to protect minors and set restrictions on large tech companies, the goal would require those companies to provide tools to limit addictive features. If passed, this would allow parents to restrict their child's access to social media platforms mostly during the later hours, from 10 P.M. to 6 A.M. Another goal of the bill is to limit social media during school hours. This bill was passed by lawmakers to make companies give more power to parents. The goal is more parental control and to protect minors from harmful or explicit content when they are online. This also limits how much data social media companies can collect on minors and limits platforms that earn more than 25 Million dollars from doing so. This won’t be the lawmakers' only move as they plan to further push to make tighter protection for minors. The bill raised concerns for places such as small-owned businesses that rely on social media to promote products. An additional concern is reaching customers through social media. It would be addressed as only targeting for one demographic and would not damage any small businesses. Under the new proposed law, social media companies would be charged for handling minors' data, such as collecting and sharing. If improperly reported data comes the social company is charged. They would need to make reports from third-party auditors detailing features and the minors' activity. Failure to do so cost them. Governor McMaster will review the bill being passed once it hits his desk, and if signed, the new law will take effect. The bill passed both the House and Senate and was sent to the Governor on February 4, 2026, but it will take effect as soon as Governor McMaster signs it off.

FORT MILL, S.C. - Silfab Solar confirms the leakage of harmful chemicals in Fort Mill. On March 3, 300 gallons of potassium hydroxide were spilled, followed by a leak of hydrofluoric acid on March 5. While both incidents have no confirmed injuries or pose a threat of imminent harm, the temporary shutdown of Flint Hill Elementary has officials expressing frustrations, in some cases even calling for the shutdown of the facility. The York County, SC Facebook account posted, “We are incredibly disappointed that another issue at Silfab Solar has occurred; York County does not have regulatory authority but will continue to coordinate with those agencies who do.” Two subsequent leaks two days apart raise speculations about the competency of Silfab Solar. Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) exposure may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a serious and possibly life-threatening emergency that makes it hard to breathe. Mistakes like these may not have caused harm this time, but continued issues like this present danger to not just Fort Mill and Lake Wylie, but also the general area of Clover. If the leak had escaped into the air, it would have caused an evacuation radius of over a mile. Parents were outraged at the incident and took it to the school system. According to a WCNC article, one parent shared, “Today was not a hypothetical. Today actually happened, and your schools were caught completely flatfooted,” WCNC reported. Fort Mill Superintendent Grey Young assured that no chemical properties were found on campus. Testing was run by Citadel EHS, but this did little to reassure parents and homeowners in the area, some even going as far as pulling their children from the district completely. According to comments to the press by a Silfab official, the March 5 leak was confirmed to actually start Feb. 27. Silfab officials knew the leak started a week ago, but claimed it was not large enough that it required any notification to county or state regulatory or emergency officials. Plant Manager Greg Basden says they’ve “got nothing to hide, a drip of that magnitude far from qualifies for notification.” Silfab reached out to parents of students affected by the leak to apologize. Most parents agree the knowledge of the leak alone should have been reason enough to raise concerns from employees. Silfab has agreed to continue to halt all production and operations while U.S. EPA and SCDES assessments are conducted. Fort Mill School District administrators were still outraged and called for the immediate shutdown of the facility. Representative David Martin has been advocating for the facilities stoppage for years, claiming, “I don’t really trust what I’m being told from Silfab.” Martin has been to Columbia to advocate for a bill made directly in response to Silfab’s operation. House Bill 4293 allows local governments to have the authority to cease industrial projects that are violating zoning regulations. The Roaring Eagle will continue to rigorously look into and follow this situation.

YORK COUNTY, S.C.- Every February, communities across the nation recognize Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the history, culture, and achievements of Black Americans. In York County, that history is deeply rooted in the land, schools, churches, and historic sites that continue to tell powerful stories of resilience and contribution. Historic Brattonsville This important historical location is in McConnells, S.C. This living history site features a dedicated African American interpretation, which focuses on the history and experiences of enslaved people. The site also includes original slave quarters and the Enslaved Ancestral Burial Ground, where 481 people of African descent are buried. Throughout February, visitors can attend a special Saturday program titled “By Way of the Back Door: The Life and Times of Molly,” which explores African American life through the perspective of a woman who lived at Brattonsville from 1780 to 1865. Roosevelt School Black history is also closely tied to the Roosevelt School in Clover. During segregation, the school served as an all-Black K–12 school and was originally known as the first Clover Colored School. Although the building was destroyed during integration in the mid-1960s, its legacy remains strong. The school once served as the hub for Black education in Clover before segregation ended. Today, a historical marker stands at the former site, which now includes three baseball fields, a playground, a basketball court, and picnic tables. Green Pond United Methodist Church This church has been a very important part of Black history in the area, serving as one of the earliest and longest-lasting places of worship for African-American residents. At that time, Green Pond was widely the only church serving African-Americans in the Clover area and has remained an all-Black church, continuing to serve as a main gathering place for worship, fellowship, and mutual aid in the community. Stellie J. Jackson served as the pastor of Green Pond Church, giving spiritual leadership and guidance to the congregation. Under his leadership, the church continued its mission of strengthening faith while also supporting the social and educational growth of the community. For generations, the church has been a religious home. It has also served as a symbol of resilience, community unity, and the struggle for dignity and recognition. Green Pond Church Cemetery Another significant site is Green Pond Church Cemetery, the first cemetery for Black residents in Clover. The cemetery holds the remains of many formerly enslaved individuals. African Americans lived and worked in the Clover community before the Civil War, first as enslaved people and later as sharecroppers, farmers, laborers, and skilled workers who helped build the local economy. Even during the hardships of slavery and the Civil War, African Americans played an important role in shaping the region. Following the Emancipation Proclamation, formerly enslaved individuals in the Clover area began building independent lives. Many worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers while striving to reunite families separated by slavery. During this time, African Americans established their own churches, schools, and neighborhoods, laying the foundation for strong Black communities that would continue for generations. Black History Month serves as a reminder not only of the struggles Black Americans have faced but also of their strength, perseverance, and lasting contributions. York County’s historic sites stand as meaningful landmarks for future generations.

COLUMBIA, S.C.- The Clover High School wrestling team became the SC 5A Wrestling State Champions for the first time in the school’s history. The Dirty Birds defeated James Island 34-31 after a long, hard season. Head Coach Michael Fitzgerald started this program 24 years ago. While the program has experienced ups and downs, including some individual state championships, this is the first team win. Fitzgerald credits the team’s success to getting the right people on the coaching staff and building from there. Fitzgerald shared his feelings about the win as well. “Winning the state championship, the first wrestling state championship in school history for wrestling, definitely was a big moment. It couldn’t have been done without my assistant coaches, our wrestlers, the parents of our wrestlers, the administration, and the support from the faculty and staff. So it’s a true team victory across the board”. In the press conference before the state championship, Fitzgerald spoke about the season. “We were intentional about scheduling tough matches in front of our wrestlers, learning through losses and stacking wins.” As a result, they won important matchups throughout the season to make it to the championship match. Fitzgerald shared, “We are ready to embrace the opportunity we have here on Wednesday.” According to Fitzgerald, there were multiple standouts on the team and all worked hard throughout the season. Winning against the likes of Boiling Springs and Blythewood, picking up wins in dual matches, and beating a few perennial power schools in North and South Carolina helped build the confidence needed to take the state title. Wrestler Owen Tatum believed their winning factor throughout the season was having a great coach like Fitzgerald and being willing to go the extra mile to get their win. Throughout the season, the team focused on their belief in each other, acknowledging that the only thing they could control was themselves, and worked to improve every day. That focus helped them understand each other’s abilities during practice and gave them the confidence to push through each match and work to make each other better than the day before. They put in the work all the way to the end of the season. Wrestler Keller Brunnelson spoke of the team mindset heading into the match, “Overall, we are pretty confident, everybody is just focused to go out there and really put their best foot forward, going out there and wrestling with the mindset that we’re gonna leave it all on the mat.” And leave it all on the mat they did, and they brought home the trophy to prove it.

YORK, S.C. - An invasive species known as the yellow-legged hornet has been confirmed in York County, raising concerns among state officials, beekeepers and environmental experts. The hornets, which are native to Southeast Asia, pose a serious threat to honeybee populations and local ecosystems. Officials with the Clemson University Department of Plant Industry confirmed a yellow-legged hornet nest in McConnells, located in York County, in early December 2025. The discovery marked the first confirmed detection of the invasive species in South Carolina. Yellow-legged hornets typically range in size from .07 of an inch ro an inch in length. The head is mostly black, with some front-facing yellow or orange and black eyes. The thorax is black or dark brown. It also has alternating bands of dark brown/black and yellow/orange on the abdomen. The most distinctive feature are the black-brown legs that become yellow on the ends. The yellow-legged hornet was first identified in the United States in November 2023, when it was discovered near Savannah, Georgia. Since then, the species has spread to other areas in the Southeast, prompting increased monitoring and response efforts from state and federal agencies. While the hornets are not considered highly dangerous to humans, officials say their presence poses a significant risk to honeybees. Yellow-legged hornets are known to prey on bees by hovering near beehives and attacking returning workers. Over time, repeated attacks can weaken or destroy entire colonies. Bees play a critical role in pollination, which is essential for the growth of many crops, gardens and native plants. A decline in bee populations can have widespread consequences, including reduced agricultural yields and disruptions to local ecosystems. “When bee populations decrease, the effects ripple throughout the environment,” officials said. Reduced pollination can impact farmers, home gardeners and natural plant life, potentially leading to long-term ecological and economic consequences. The discovery of the hornets in York County has prompted concern among local officials and agricultural track and contain the species. Clemson officials are encouraging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected sightings, particularly near wooded areas or beehives. Experts advise residents not to approach hornet nests, as the insects can become aggressive if disturbed. Instead, sightings should be reported to local agricultural authorities or Clemson University’s Department of Plant Industry for proper identification and removal. Officials say early detection is critical in preventing the hornet from becoming established in South Carolina. Continued monitoring and public awareness will play a key role in limiting the spread of the invasive species and protecting the region’s bee populations. As efforts continue, state agencies emphasize the importance of cooperation between residents, beekeepers and environmental officials to address the growing threat posed by the yellow-legged hornet. To learn more about this species, including making traps and reporting sightings, visit https://blogs.clemson.edu/regulatory/december-2025-yellow-legged-hornet-update-movement-of-ylh-beyond-lowcountry-confirmed/

YORK COUNTY - York County Council approved an impact fee for Clover School District on Dec. 15, setting the amount at $8,000 for single-family homes.

The Impact Fee Ordinance is up for its third and final reading on Dec. 15, 2025, after passing its second reading unanimously on Nov. 17. However, it only applies to the Urban Service Boundary.

York County Council listens to D2 residents: Approves impact fees 

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