Month: <span>August 2022</span>

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An update on safety concerns in the dorms at Augusta University.

Around 30 students couldn’t move in Wednesday because mold was discovered in two residence halls.

We have been digging into the company in charge of housing and what we’ve uncovered sounds eerily familiar.

That’s because Corvias, the company in charge of housing on Augusta University’s campus, is also in charge of military housing.

It’s not the same company at Fort Gordon where the I-TEAM has been tracking mold problems for years, but Corvias has been in hot water for mold at places like Fort Bragg and Fort Meade.

On Wednesday, the school told us they discovered mold in some rooms in Elm and Oak Halls. So, they gave 30 students the option to stay at the Marriott until Saturday.

Four took them up on the offer. Others went elsewhere. Since then, a few have been able to get in ahead of schedule. Tomorrow at 11 a.m., the final 25 will be able to move in.

According to the Corvias website, the company handles housing for 14 colleges in five states, but the vast majority of them are in Georgia.

Here is a video out of Georgia State in Atlanta from September of last year, where students reported mold and even mushrooms growing in their Piedmont Central dorm.

Back in 2019, Georgia State’s student-run newspaper uncovered mold too. In the end, 60 students ended up having to be relocated.

Students at Howard University in Washington, D.C. currently have a petition for their private school to break up with Corvias.

This is after students there reported mold.

Some even slept in tents outside the campus center for more than a month to protest the living conditions in the dorms.

We reached out to Corvias Friday but have yet to receive a response back from the company.

We’ve also requested a number of documents through the Freedom of Information Act to hopefully shed more light on this.

Copyright 2022 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

DINGESS, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Mingo County school officials have an extra challenge on their hands ahead of the start of the school year.

Superintendent Johnny Branch said mold had been discovered in five classrooms at the school, citing dampness and a leaking roof as the cause.

He said a commercial water damage response service assessed the situation Wednesday with full removal work expected to get underway Friday.

Branch released a statement Thursday which read in part:

A major roof repair project is currently underway. Any affected carpets, rugs, or other items, as appropriate or necessary will be removed and replaced. This is the process normally followed. The district tries to take a comprehensive approach to clean, disinfect, and to address conditions in hopes of preventing reoccurrences. The district is also collaborating with the Mingo County Health Department. The Mingo County School District is committed to the health and safety of all Mingo County students and staff.

Parents’ minds are not exactly at ease.

Candita Crabtree has six kids enrolled at Dingess Elementary, two with severe asthma and three have mold allergies.

“It’s scary,” she said. “I work full time, it’s very hard. I do hair, so I just can’t come and get them every time if something were to come up, so it is really scary if they were to have an asthma attack at school.”

Branch expects the problem to be fixed in a matter of days.

“I hope they just clean it really good and they do what they need to do so we’re ready for the school year,” Crabtree said.

Branch said school is expected to start on time, with teachers returning Aug. 23 and students coming back on the 29th.

Copyright 2022 WSAZ. All rights reserved.

What was supposed to be an unforgettable girls’ trip turned into a nightmare when three best friends walked into their hotel room to find it was covered in mold.

The women shelled out a whopping $350 per night for the room in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

“We were looking forward to every bit of it. We’d never been away together,” Kelly Bruce said.

When they opened the door, there was mold everywhere — the floor, bed, walls and furniture. 

“I was traumatized by what I saw,” Lashanda Terry said.

The video was posted to TikTok, where it has been viewed over 7.2 million times. 

One of the reasons the friends were so shocked is that they went online to research the Sea Mist Oceanfront before booking.

When they complained, they say they weren’t prepared for the front desk’s response.

“I asked if she wanted to see the video and she was like ‘No, I believe you,'” Bruce said.

In a statement to Inside Edition, the resort said, “Due to a human error made by the management company, a guest was assigned to a unit that was…in the process of renovations. It was not meant to host guests. We extended our sincerest apology to the guest and provided an upgrade to a newly renovated Jacuzzi suite.”

The women shared video of their upgraded suite —  no mold in sight!

The hotel also says mold is an issue at every resort located in a humid climate.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — Over two dozen students at Augusta University’s Health Sciences campus are not yet able to move into their dorm rooms for several days after mold was discovered in both Oak and Elm Halls.

According to a university spokesperson, the mold reportedly grew in some of the rooms after several weeks of high heat and humidity, which was also exacerbated by a faulty HVAC system.

“To remedy these conditions, Corvias, our facilities service provider, supported by Augusta University and other specialized contractors, is thoroughly cleaning the affected rooms and addressing any contributing HVAC system problems as quickly as possible,” said the spokesperson in a statement.

Students affected by the issue are being given the option to live in their current off-campus residences or stay in free, provided rooms at the Downtown Augusta Marriott. Those who choose to stay at the hotel will be given transportation to dining and activities, storage for belongings, and moving assistance. A resident assistant will also stay at the hotel, and campus police will also respond if needed.

The affected students are expected to be able to move-in to their dorms by Saturday, Aug. 13.

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — An inmate’s perspective is shedding light on the mold and staffing problem at the Guilford County Detention Center in Greensboro.  

“They don’t know what they’re doing from one day to the next,” the inmate told FOX8’s Tyler Hardin during a 15-minute phone call. “It’s living on a day-by-day basis.” 

The 42-year-old inmate said he never knows what days will be like since being locked up in February.

He told FOX8 he spent more than 72 hours without a shower or recreation time outside of his cell over the weekend.

“You don’t even know when you’ll be able to come out of your cell,” the inmate said. “You don’t know when you’ll be able to take a shower. You don’t know when you’ll be able to use a razer.” 

He blames it on staffing issues and other problems at the 10-year-old facility.

On July 14, Major George Moore, who oversees detention center operations, admitted to FOX8 there are times inmates are locked down for a day or two. 

“State statute says we have to let inmates out three hours per week, and we do that a lot more than three hours per week,” Moore said.

Detention officers are currently working mandatory overtime two days a month due to the staffing shortage. 

“There’s a lot of hostility,” the inmate said. “You can feel the anger, and you can feel the tension between the inmates and the guards.”

A new issue was discovered last week. Mold was found on the third, fifth and seventh floors of the detention center.

Guilford County Facilities Director Eric Hilton told FOX8 a maintenance worker spotted the mold on the ceiling in the showers. It was later discovered in common areas inmates used. 

Hilton said the worst of it is on the third floor where this inmate lives. 

“Right now, you can see the mold and the mildew growing in the shower,” the inmate said. “I’ve actually had to put a request into maintenance because…there was water sitting inside the shower, and there was mold and mildew and bugs and everything else flying around in the showers.”

Hilton told FOX8 it could take weeks to properly remove the mold. An outside company was hired to thoroughly clean the facility, and mold samples are still being tested. Hilton said preliminary results showed the mold was allergenic and not toxigenic.

The inmate told FOX8 that daily cleanings are no longer happening and instead are once a week or less. 

In a news release on Aug. 5, Sheriff Danny Rogers said that “inmates housed in the affected areas are being relocated (on a rotating basis) to other housing units inside the Greensboro Detention Center while the testing and cleaning processes are completed.”

The inmate who spoke to FOX8 said that is not the case. 

“The inmates here need help,” he said. “They need to get a grip on this place. They need to get it together.” 

The inmate said it starts with getting more detention officers on staff. 

“The officers here are overworked,” the inmate said. “A lot of them are getting sick and tired of it. You can tell.”  

Ediss Mold Remediation Keeps Homeowners Safe from Mold All Year Round

DANIA BEACH , FLORIDA , UNITED STATES , August 6, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold in the home can cause a variety of health problems in people. Some of the most common mold and black mold symptoms include respiratory problems, eye irritation, and skin irritation, and other chronic ailments. Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp, humid conditions that frequent in areas such as South Florida. Mold and black mold infestations can enter the home through open doors, windows, vents, and cracks in the foundation and once inside, mold will begin to grow and spread quickly.

Every year, an estimated 7 million deaths are attributed to indoor and outdoor air pollution and a staggering 4.6 million individuals live with asthma caused by dampness and mold exposure in the home. With such dangerous symptoms and health risks, mold problems in the home must be fixed quickly with thorough mold remediation services. Studies have repeatedly shown that the longer mold goes untreated, the worse the problem will become and the greater the risks. In many cases, people exposed to mold in the home can develop lifelong diseases such as asthma from breathing in mold spores.

For those experiencing any of these symptoms, as well as those who suspect there may be a mold problem in our home, Ediss Mold Remediation provides an assortment of highly effective, health-beneficial mold removal and sanitizing services. They offer fog mold removal, mold remediation, black mold removal, mold removal in air duct vents, and sanitizing services to help any home back to normal.

Ediss Mold Remediation is a professional mold removal and remediation company that has been servicing South Florida for over 10 years. Their team provides superior service, diligence, and expertise in order to safely and effectively remove mold from any home in South Florida. Beyond their mold remediation services, they help homeowners prevent potential disaster by providing leak detection services and dry out services to keep mold at bay. Their team of mold prevention and remediation experts use the latest, most technologically advanced techniques and equipment to ensure that the job is done right and their client’s home stays safe.

If you suspect that you have a mold problem, or if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of mold exposure, call Ediss Mold Remediation today. Our team will be happy to come to your home and assess the situation, getting you back on the road to a healthy, mold-free life.
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(877) 841-1665

Eli Ben-Nahum
Ediss Mold Remediation & Restoration
+1 954-662-6760
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Mold Removal and Asbestos Removal Part 3

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A TikTok that went viral is giving a hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina unwanted attention.

A video of a room at the Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort showing mold has more than 6 million pageviews and 360,000 comments, according to ABC 15, Channel 9′s sister station in Myrtle Beach.

Kelly Bruce, who was on vacation with her two friends, shot the video. She told ABC 15 she was put in a new room after originally being put in the wrong one, which then had the mold. The full video of the mold can be seen in ABC 15′s coverage.

“We were devastated, we were sick, we thought things were crawling on us,” Bruce said.

Bruce and her friends first reaction to discovering the mold was to share with the world what they were experiencing. She said she didn’t think the video would go viral, but just didn’t want anyone else to have a similar experience.

“We didn’t want anyone to see what we saw. No matter what you pay or your accommodations, your health — you should not be exposed to those types of conditions,” she said.

Bruce said the manager of Sea Mist called her and said corporate requested she take down the video, according to ABC 15.

In a statement posted on social media by Sea Mist, the resort said “the guest [Bruce] was offered compensation that she declined,” ABC 15 reported.

The package that the resort will willing to offer was not enough for Brown, she said.

“They would give me back my money. They would give me a three-night stay in their penthouse — in their three-bedroom penthouse as if I would want to come back – no,” Bruce said.

Bruce said she told the manager she would decline the offer until she could speak with corporate. The manager then told her corporate was rescinding the offer, according to Bruce.

“She told me that they were declining the offer as well. I said ‘the offer you gave me yesterday?’ She said ‘yes.’ So, she was saying they were rescinding the offer that they gave me. So I said ‘so you’re not giving me a refund?’ and she said ‘no, they’re not going to give you a refund,’” Bruce recalled.

Bruce said all she wants is her $700 back from the resort as she used the trip to treat her friends who helped her through recent health issues.

In an email to ABC 15, the Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort sent the following statement:

On July 29, 2022, due to a human error made by the management company, a guest was assigned to a unit that was on block and in the process of renovations. It was not meant to host guests. Upon the guest notifying the management company of this error, we extended our sincerest apology to the guest and provided an upgrade to a newly renovated Jacuzzi suite.

Sincerely, Management Company for Sea Mist Resort

In the company statement on social media, Sea Mist also said the room was “to be treated for mold which is a regular issue in every resort in a humid climate. The unit was released in error and the guest was moved to a newly renovated unit.”

(WATCH BELOW: ‘Filled with hate’: Video of woman yelling racial slurs at Charlotte family goes viral)

‘Filled with hate’: Video of woman yelling racial slurs at Charlotte family goes viral ‘Filled with hate’: Video of woman yelling racial slurs at Charlotte family goes viral

©2022 Cox Media Group

Hello, Grand Strand! Kathy Mandell here. I’m back from a quick vacation day with a fresh copy of all the news you need to start your weekend. Many thanks to Nicole Fallon-Peek for covering the Myrtle Beach Daily yesterday. Today is Saturday, August 6, 2022. Here’s what you need to know about what’s happening these days in town.

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📣 Our readers love to celebrate good news! You can now shout out your big announcement at the top of the Myrtle Beach Daily newsletter. Whether it’s a grand opening, new product for sale, birthday, anniversary, engagement, wedding or new baby, let everyone celebrate alongside you! Submit your announcement here.

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Now, today’s weather:

A morning shower; humid. High: 87 Low: 76. Ocean temperature: 81.9 degrees.

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🏡 Looking for more real estate leads in Myrtle Beach? Let us help you reach prospective home buyers and stand out from the competition. Click here to learn more.

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Here are the top five stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Back-to-school already! Horry County Schools has sent an email to parents announcing that students who are in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 will no longer be required to quarantine. The email states that the change applicable to the 2022-2023 academic year is taking place because the virus is now “considered endemic.” Schools will of course monitor the situation closely. If a student or employee tests positive, they will still be required to isolate for five days. (WBTW)
2. The North Myrtle Beach Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in an armed robbery that occurred in North Myrtle Beach at Home Depot. Photos are shown in the Facebook post. Anyone with info on the individual should call or text the NMBPD Detective Tip Hotline at (843) 447-9376. (North Myrtle Beach Police via Facebook) (WBTW)
3. You may see Horry County Fire Rescue crews in parts of the county training at “buyout homes” it purchased about a year ago. Photos from ABC15 show fire crews using one of the homes for hands-on skills training. The property was owned by Melissa Krupa who left her home in 2018 due to flooding and chose not to rebuild. About $13 million was used by the county to purchase 60 flood-prone properties in the Rosewood area of Socastee. (wpde.com)
4. A viral TikTok video showing mold in the Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort in Myrtle Beach has tallied over six million views and over 360,000 comments! The video was shot by a group of friends on vacation. The friends had asked for a room change after they were given the wrong room — but the second room was unacceptable, to put it mildly. The vacationers say they felt like things were crawling on them and that they were traumatized. They posted the video just to broadcast the conditions, never intending for the flick to go viral. Management for Sea Mist said the unit was assigned to the guests in error and was not meant to host guests because it was under renovation. An upgrade was offered, which the guests declined. They requested a refund. (wpde.com)
5. The widow of vacationer Joshua Wilson, who was shot and killed on Fourth of July weekend in Myrtle Beach, returned to the city to put up a memorial to her late husband. Staci Wilson wants to honor her husband’s legacy by placing a memorial where he was killed. She says she “wants people to know that they just need to be good to one another, like he was.” Staci also said “Don’t be afraid to help other people.” Joshua was killed on his way back from giving a stranger, who was unrelated to the incident, a ride home. (wpde.com)

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Myrtle Beach pic of the day:

Reader Shirley Perry described this sunrise as “spectacular” and she’s right. Shirley snapped this picture at Ocean Creek Resort recently. Thanks for sharing this beautiful moment with all of us, Shirley!

Would you like to see your photo in the Myrtle Beach Daily? Send one in. Be sure to give Patch permission to republish the photo, and tell us that you own the rights to the photograph. Send your pic to myrtlebeach@patch.com

Today in Myrtle Beach:

• Take A Kid Surfing Day / Surf Dreams Foundation Contest @ Holiday Inn Surfside (8 a.m.)
• 5th Annual School Supplies Giveaway @ RTRC Clubhouse, Grahamville Rd, Conway (9 a.m.)
• Craftsmen’s Summer Classic @ Myrtle Beach Convention Center (10 a.m.) thru Sunday
• Benefit for Neal & Pam’s @ Old Bull & Bush Pub (11 a.m.)
• Summer Family Fest @ Grand Strand Brewing Co (noon)
• The Music of Abba: Arrival from Sweden tribute show @ Carolina Opry (7 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Be on the alert for jellyfish! Local experts are seeing an increase in jellyfish stings along the Grand Strand. August is usually peak season for the sea creatures. If you see a purple flag, that means to be mindful of a marine hazard in the ocean — and that usually means ocean wildlife. Swim with caution and check out the recommendations in WMBF’s article here: (WMBF)
• The Pawleys Island Festival Of Music is happening October 7 through 22 and performers have been announced. The event begins on October 6 with the 22nd Annual Wine and Food Gala. Performers begin on October 7 and include Giada Valenti, Orleans & Firefall, Kurt Thomas, The Sharpe Family, Love Is A Rose (Linda Ronstadt tribute), A Tribute to the Temptations, Private Eyes (Hall & Oates tribute) and more! (WMBF)
• The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach posted photos of a space dedicated to volunteer Cheryl Robinson who died recently. The covered bench and a plaque in Robinson’s memory represents “the place where forever starts” for so many animals in the shelter’s care as they meet their adoptive families. (The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach via Facebook)
• Horry Georgetown Technical College has announced that retired HGTC Vice President for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, Greg Mitchell, was appointed to the Horry County Higher Education Commission by Governor McMaster. (Press Release Desk)
• ICYMI: Visit Myrtle Beach has teamed up with Graco for a sweepstakes giveaway. The children’s product brand and Visit MB are offering a load of prizes including a trip for a family of four to Myrtle Beach. Details in the link. Sweepstakes entries must be received by August 31 to qualify. (Press Release Desk)

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Now you’re in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your Sunday edition of the Myrtle Beach Daily.

— Kathy Mandell

About me: The best decision I ever made was relocating to the Myrtle Beach area from New England a few years ago, with my three dogs and three cats. I enjoy dogs, cats, road trips, photography, writing, vegetarian food, live music, bicycling and above all my daily walks on the beaches in and around the Grand Strand.