Tree Servicein North Charleston, SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kuntai (North Charleston) Limited Corporation (Kuntai), an automotive parts manufacturer, today announced plans to establish operations in Orangeburg County. The company’s $1.5 million investment will create 41 new jobs.

Kuntai specializes in car floor mats and is a supplier for high-end original equipment manufacturers.

Located at 152 Regional Parkway, Building F, in Orangeburg, Kuntai’s new facility will allow the company to produce floor mats and will be used as a base to further expand its business in the North American market.

Operations are expected to be online by October 2022. Individuals interested in joining the Kuntai team should email resumesto the company.

QUOTES

“Kuntai (North Charleston) Limited Corporation is excited to open its new floor mats factory in Orangeburg, South Carolina. We chose South Carolina as our new facility location because of the business-friendly environment, its skilled workforce and proximity to our customers. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship and will definitely consider South Carolina for all future projects.” -Kuntai (North Charleston) Limited Corporation General Manager Vincent Zhang

“South Carolina is home to more than 600 automotive-related companies, and we are proud to add Kuntai to that impressive roster. We congratulate them on their $1.5 million investment that will create 41 new jobs and welcome them to South Carolina and Orangeburg County.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“Kuntai’s decision to establish new operations in South Carolina is a testament to our world-class workforce. We are excited for these job opportunities in Orangeburg County and look forward to a strong partnership with Kuntai for many years to come.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“We are grateful that Kuntai has selected Orangeburg County for its cutting-edge manufacturing operations and its state-of-the-art facility. This announcement by Kuntai brings 30 international companies representing 17 countries to Orangeburg County. The creation of 41 new jobs will create significant impact for our citizens and the investment in our community. We thank the Kuntai leadership and investors for believing in our people and location – making this another great day in Orangeburg County!” -Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr.

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC - The South Carolina Stingrays, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Washington Capitals and AHL's Hershey Bears, have agreed to terms with forward Lawton Courtnall for the 2022-23 season.

"Lawton is one of the best skaters in the league," said Head Coach Brenden Kotyk. "He played in every situation for us and was a great teammate. He still has another gear that no one has seen yet, and when he gets there, he will be scary."

In 68 games during the 2021-22 season, Courtnall racked up 28 points on 13 goals and 15 assists. The native of Westlake Village, CA burst onto the scene by scoring two goals in his Stingrays debut to help the team win 4-2 on opening night.

Now entering his third season of professional hockey, the 6-foot-0, 210-pound left-handed forward has suited up for 122 career games and recorded 41 points on 21 goals and 20 assists from 2020-22 splitting time between the Wheeling Nailers and the Stingrays.

"The main reason I wanted to come back to the Stingrays is I felt there was unfinished business," said Courtnall. "The staff has done a great job this off-season finding new talent that will complement the core group of guys that are returning. My goal is to bring a Kelly Cup back to the city of Charleston."

Prior to turning pro in 2020, Courtnall spent four seasons at Western Michigan University. Courtnall appeared in 138 games with the Broncos from 2016-20, accumulating 36 points on 17 goals and 19 assists.

Courtnall's father, Russ, played 15 seasons in the NHL and played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. His sister, Ally, won a National Championship at UCLA in soccer. In addition, his other sister, Brooklyn, is on Team Canada's U-20 team that qualified for the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup that begins next month.

The Stingrays will open the 2022-23 home campaign on October 22 at the North Charleston Coliseum against the Norfolk Admirals at 6:05 p.m.

Season ticket plans are on sale now! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-2248.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - More than 800 people have signed a petition to save a running track that is likely to be eliminated because of new editions at a North Charleston facility.

Improvements coming to the Danny Jones Athletic Facility will include a new aquatics center and a gymnasium. But with the new additions, City of North Charleston spokesperson Ryan Johnson said the footprint of the building will increase, leading to space constraints on the site, which will eliminate the track itself.

Johnson said the football field currently at the site will remain.

An area running club, the Park Circle Pacers, has 300 members, including 100 active members. They practice at the Danny Jones track regularly for their Tuesday evening workouts. Members of the group say that losing the track would be a huge loss for not only them, but for the whole community.

A walking and biking trail will surround the site, but members say that’s not enough.

Member Erin Atkinson said the track provides safety features that you can’t get while running on the street or sidewalks.

“The hazards that I see every day, between sidewalks not being cleared, having debris or trash there, motorists not paying attention, or sometimes being hostile towards runners or walkers,” Atkinson said. “Having an area like this where you can just focus on your workout and getting in some fitness without having to worry about your safety is key.”

Brian Johnson is a cross country and track and field coach at Academic Magnet. To Johnson, losing the track would make it harder for his team to get to a facility to practice since the track is close to their school now.

“So many times, you have teenagers traveling to go practice somewhere,” Johnson said. “That adds a liability.”

Michelle Huntley isn’t part of the running group but lives a half mile away in Park Circle. She said when she walks or drives by the track, she sees people utilizing it morning, noon, and night.

“You just don’t see that with other recreation facilities, something that’s used so frequently,” Huntley said.

The city said the projected completion time for the project is late 2023.

“To lose this track would be a travesty,” said Lionel Adams, at-large director for the Road Runners Club of America. “We just can’t see this empowering everyone to run if this is missing.”

Members say they plan on speaking at the next North Charleston City Council meeting.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

North Charleston’s Dixie Majors baseball team captured the 2022 World Series title with a 10-7 win over Louisiana on July 27. The win marked the 10th World Series title for North Charleston’s program, all under the direction of Kenny Wilkinson.

“Really proud of this group of guys,” said Wilkinson, a member of the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame. “We had 18 guys and honestly all 18 contributed in some way to our success. As a group, they did their part and did what was asked of them. They were an unselfish group. A real pleasure to coach.”

North Charleston went 6-1 in the tournament, reeling off five straight wins after its only loss.

Caleb Singleton, Doom Dennis and Aryan Patel each had two hits and a RBI in the championship game. Singleton had multiple hits in the team’s last three games of the tournament.

Singleton and Patel are Berkeley County products, having played at Goose Creek High School and Hanahan High School.

The roster also includes Berkeley High School graduates Eric Green and Jesse Free.

“We swung the bats really well all week and we got production up and down the lineup,” Wilkinson said.

Nick Vaughn was the winning pitcher, notching his second victory of the tournament. Jacob Crabb earned the save in the title game. Crabb also had a win earlier in the tournament.

“We used all eight pitchers, a few of them multiple times, and they all did a great job,” Wilkinson said.

North Charleston grabbed control early in the game with a four-run second inning before Louisiana used a three-run homer in the third to close the gap to 4-3.

Three runs in the fourth pushed North Charleston’s lead to 8-3. After Louisiana scored twice in the fifth, North Charleston tacked on three runs in the bottom of the inning. Louisiana scratched for two in the sixth but Crabb shut the door in the seventh to secure the win.

“This team just battled all week,” Wilkinson said. “Every time they got knocked down, they got up and answered the bell. This is not an easy tournament to win. Our guys really deserve a lot of credit.”

This year’s tournament was played in Nashville, Tennessee. North Charleston will host the 2023 World Series next summer.

NORTH CHARLESTON — A new barbecue restaurant is coming to the city’s southern end, but that doesn’t begin to describe what you’ll soon find at 2029 Carver Ave., steps away from Reynolds Avenue.

Char siu (Cantonese barbecue pork), Chinese sausage, roasted duck and fried cabbage are some of the dishes Shuai and Corrie Wang of Jackrabbit Filly will serve inside King BBQ, set to open in early 2023.

Since turning their popular Short Grain food truck and pop-up into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2019, the Wangs have made Jackrabbit Filly a place that feels cozy and comfortable, yet dynamic and full of surprises. The restaurant seamlessly blends Chinese and American cuisine in a casual and lively setting, with dishes like karaage, dumplings, fish tartare and drunken egg noodles in ginger tomato sauce among the local favorites.

King BBQ will be different, with a menu unlike other barbecue restaurants in the Lowcountry. The restaurant’s name comes from the couple’s surname, which translates to King in Chinese. When written in Chinese, Wang is said to resemble the forehead of a tiger.

“The concept is more Chinese-style barbecue with a heavy influence of North Carolina, so mustard and vinegar ’cue,” Shuai Wang said.

That means roasted and smoked meats paired with sides that riff on classics; German potato salad and North Carolina red slaw, for instance. Diners will be invited to order at the counter and settle at a table inside the 3,000-square-foot space or outside on a covered patio, perhaps with one of several dive bar-inspired cocktails.

Shuai Wang called Kings BBQ a “Buffalo Bills bar,” so in addition to Chinese barbecue, expect the Labatt Blues to be flowing.

The restaurant is housed in a building that was once separated into two units, 2027 and 2029 Carver Ave. It previously housed several businesses, including The News & Courier’s North Area Branch Office in the 1950s.

You might recognize the building’s owner, Ed Sutton, one of nine potential running mates floated by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham on July 18. Sutton owns several buildings in the Reynolds Avenue corridor, a part of North Charleston that has seen an influx of development in recent years.

“We’re kind of seeing a resurgence of interest in the area,” Sutton said. “It’s been really interesting to see this transition and renewed interest.”

Sutton will soon redevelop the 3324 Rivers Ave. space previously occupied by Gold Mine Pawn Shop, a 9,000-square-foot project he said could include a restaurant. For now, his focus is on King BBQ, a “total overhaul” that will be designed by the Wangs.

“I love the neighborhood,” Corrie Wang said, describing King BBQ’s setting. “I just think that we’re opening a friendly place that’s going to make everybody happy.”

Current Jackrabbit Filly chef Brandon Olson will lead the King BBQ kitchen as chef de cuisine. The promotion is an example of the Wangs giving employees opportunities for growth — a Jackrabbit Filly server will take on King BBQ’s general manager role, while a bartender will be promoted to bar manager.

Ahead of King BBQ’s opening, the Wangs will harken back to their Short Grain days by popping up at Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co. every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (or sold out). The first pop-up will take place Aug. 23.

If it’s anything like those Short Grain events, we recommend visiting early and often.