Sammy Fretwell
@sfretwell83.bsky.social
Environment writer, The State newspaper, Columbia, SC
Trump's EPA, SC agency under fire for approving 'do-nothing' plan to protect national parks from South Carolina air pollution
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Trump’s EPA blasted over failure to stop SC from polluting iconic national parks
South Carolina industries are among those causing air pollution in Smoky Mountain National Park and other protected areas. But critics say the state’s plan to address the issue is too weak.
www.thestate.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Trump's EPA, SC agency under fire for approving 'do-nothing' plan to protect national parks from South Carolina air pollution
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Well-known 'mountain man,' writer and storyteller dies after brief illness at his South Carolina home
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Popular ‘mountain man’ dies after a lifetime of study and education in SC’s Blue Ridge
A popular mountain man has died after a lifetime of studying and writing about nature
www.thestate.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Well-known 'mountain man,' writer and storyteller dies after brief illness at his South Carolina home
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Infections rise sharply as flesh-eating microbe moves through creeks of coastal SC
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Infections rise sharply as flesh-eating microbe moves through creeks of coastal SC
Vibrio, a toxic microbe found in warm coastal waters, is on the rise in South Carolina as the earth’s climate changes.
www.thestate.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Infections rise sharply as flesh-eating microbe moves through creeks of coastal SC
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Judge orders wealthy beach house owner to tear down seawall regulators say he built illegally near Charleston.
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SC court tells wealthy homeowner to tear out seawall at high-end beach house
SC state Administrative Law judge calls removal of Isle of Palms seawall “warranted.’’ But judge also tosses out $289,00 fine against homeowner.
www.thestate.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Judge orders wealthy beach house owner to tear down seawall regulators say he built illegally near Charleston.
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Another look at the Scout motor vehicle plant's effort to offset environmental damage at its construction site in South Carolina.
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Trees fall, taxpayer costs rise under plan to offset Scout project’s damage
Trees are being cut in a national forest under a multi million dollar plan to make up for environmental damage at the Scout Motors project
www.thestate.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Another look at the Scout motor vehicle plant's effort to offset environmental damage at its construction site in South Carolina.
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Offsetting wetlands and stream damage at massive electric vehicle plant is costing SC taxpayers a bundle
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Taxpayers spend $60 million to make up for environmental damage at Scout site
Environmental damage from the Scout electric vehicle plant near Columbia is costing South Carolina almost $60 million
www.thestate.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Offsetting wetlands and stream damage at massive electric vehicle plant is costing SC taxpayers a bundle
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Environmentalists target SC city over forever chemical discharges that have polluted river where people fish. Nation's highest PFAS levels found in river, one study says.
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Nation’s highest chemical pollution in SC river sparks call for cleanup
Environmentalists demand action as Sumter’s wastewater plant contaminates the Pocotaligo River with toxic forever chemicals, threatening public health.
www.thestate.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Environmentalists target SC city over forever chemical discharges that have polluted river where people fish. Nation's highest PFAS levels found in river, one study says.
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Natural gas pipeline route surfaces in South Carolina after months of secrecy. Land targeted for protection is along the route.
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Gas pipeline would cut through land targeted for conservation, map shows
A map obtained by conservationists shows that a new pipeline will cut through a natural area of swamps and rivers that have been targeted for protection in recent decades.
www.thestate.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Natural gas pipeline route surfaces in South Carolina after months of secrecy. Land targeted for protection is along the route.
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Could radioactive wasps signal larger problems at SC nuclear weapons complex? More information sought.
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Radioactive wasp nests spark demand for answers at SC’s Savannah River Site
The discovery of radioactive wasp nests at SC’s Savannah River site have sparked questions. Some researchers and activists are urging the government to provide more details.
www.thestate.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Could radioactive wasps signal larger problems at SC nuclear weapons complex? More information sought.
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Multimillion dollar land protection deal announced in South Carolina. Rare birds will benefit, conservationists say.
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Forest land near SC coast to be protected. It’s a nesting site for rare birds
A conservation group says it plans to protect 8,000 acres near Georgetown before the property is developed. Rare kites nest on the property.
www.thestate.com
July 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Multimillion dollar land protection deal announced in South Carolina. Rare birds will benefit, conservationists say.
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Overfishing is a continuing concern along SC's coast. My colleague, John Monk, details one fisherman's troubles with the law.
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SC commerical fisherman gets prison for lying about overfishing
Evidence against commercial fisherman Don Rynn included video clips, witnesses in the commercial fishing business and experts testifying how overfishing certain species hurts everyone.
www.thestate.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Overfishing is a continuing concern along SC's coast. My colleague, John Monk, details one fisherman's troubles with the law.
www.thestate.com/news/local/c...
www.thestate.com/news/local/c...
Officer who helped prosecutor in dog attack describes bloody scene at South Carolina nature preserve
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Cop who helped prosecutor in dog attack recounts harrowing scene at SC preserve
A Lexington police detective helped save a federal prosecutor from a vicious dog attack on a running trail at Harbison State Forest.
www.thestate.com
July 16, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Officer who helped prosecutor in dog attack describes bloody scene at South Carolina nature preserve
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Dogs attack and injure federal prosecutor in South Carolina nature preserve. He describes them as pit bulls or pit bull mixes.
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Pit bull-type dogs attack prominent SC prosecutor out for a jog at Harbison Forest
Veteran federal prosecutor Winston Holliday has battled some of South Carolina’s most notorious criminals, but over the weekend he found himself fighting for his life against two pit bulls.
www.thestate.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Dogs attack and injure federal prosecutor in South Carolina nature preserve. He describes them as pit bulls or pit bull mixes.
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Utilities accused of picking pipeline plan that will cause more disruption to the environment and private property in South Carolina.
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www.thestate.com
July 3, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Utilities accused of picking pipeline plan that will cause more disruption to the environment and private property in South Carolina.
www.thestate.com/news/local/e...
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V.C. Summer nuclear plant gets extension of operating license as SC seeks more energy
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Nuclear plant at site of failed SC construction project to operate for decades
A nuclear plant in Fairfield County has federal approval to keep operating for decades.
www.thestate.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:45 PM
V.C. Summer nuclear plant gets extension of operating license as SC seeks more energy
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