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"They hire very, very good lawyers," says Major General (Ret.) The 207-foot-tall sombrero beckons to weary highway travelers, The best damn postcard you could ever hope to receive, Another signature statue, another pretty excellent postcard, Aerial view of the sprawling SOB compound, 97 feet, 77 tons, and four miles of electrical wiring make the neon sign straddling the entrance to SOB the largest freestanding sign east of the Mississippi. WMBF News went insidewith a hidden camera. Thankfully for them, South of the Border in Dillon County is.
Alex Murdaugh, 54 is serving two consecutive life sentences after being found guilty on March 2 of the 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, 52, and son, Paul, 22 South of the Border is particularly notorious for bombarding travelers along I-95 with dozens of flashy, pun-riddled billboards. A funky-looking fish with human-looking teeth that likely began its life in an aquarium was caught by a South Carolina teenager last weekend in Lake Hartwell. We want people to understand that we are getting close to the end of 100 deadly days of summer. With your help and your reminder, I have re-initiated that discussion with law enforcement. Bill Knowles knows that everyday South Carolina chooses to allow millions to leave the state in support of drugs, weapons, terrorists and illegal immigration, the threat to your family grows. "If something is going on, or even if nudity is going on,is it something that you would be concerned with?" A former client of Alex
Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. People near the North /South Carolina border on I-95 have been inundated with signs for South of the Border. There have been no reported injuries, and the woman was taken to the Dillon County Detention Center. TimeMagazine tells us that Dillon locals refer to the tower as "the Eiffel Tower of the South.". In the world of cheesy roadside attractions, this glorified rest stop might not be the oldest South Dakotas famous Wall Drug predates it by some 18 years but with 350 acres of restaurants, gift shops, and neon-colored sculptures taking the form of all manner of animal, its surely a strong contender for the tackiest. But she also notes that it's in the cracks that make you want to stop. Our Degree programs are offered by UGC approved Indian universities and recognized by competent authorities, thus successful learners are eligible for higher studies in regular mode and attempting PSC/UPSC exams. And though more than 50 years have passed since Schafer first brought them to the United States to work, the stereotypical Mexican motif of South of the Border has blatant racial overtones that many point out as offensive. While the likenesses of "Pedro" still stand, the departure of the Mexican-Speak from the billboards does show a small step toward progress. The attorney has also told PEOPLE he believes authorities will discover that Smith's death was a hate crime. "It's not just narcotics. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). "When you look at those stores, with millions of pieces of merchandise in there that have dust on them," says Lewis, "and the amount of money it costs to keep those lights on and everything, those are ready-made to just move money through, because there's really no accounting. Cpl. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Within five years Mr. Schafer had expanded to include a 10-seat restaurant and 20-bedroom motel. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Home U.S. Southern Border Cities Report Low Crime Rates. His Case Was Reopened When Investigators Looked into Murdaugh Murders, Following Killings of S.C. I strongly We follow a systematic approach to the process of learning, examining and certifying. The body of Stephen Smith has been exhumed for a second autopsy as part of the murder investigation into the 2015 death of the South Carolina teenager, his mother's attorney has said. Murder, Money & Mystery: Were the Killings of a Mom and Son Connected to 3 Previous Deaths? However, the spokesperson did not specify what information led them to take the action. Fewer than 10 percent are registered with the state. Alex Murdaugh is receiving love letters in prison, a South Carolina prison official confirmed to Law&Crime. By 1954, Schafer expanded his operation, this time constructing 20 motel rooms for his growing tourism empire. We are the exception not the norm.". The billboards were designed by Schafer, who used the kitsch of his era to create a marketing campaign that was both eye-catching and made use of puns to get a laugh (via South of the Border). Especially down here in the Carolinas we dont have enough of those EV charging stations. Children (and adults) of all ages will surely be delighted! These two factors, along with the creativity and ingenuity of South of the Border founder Alan The U.S. violent crime rate an annual, population-adjusted measure of cases of rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and homicide climbed by 5% in 2020. ROBESON CO, N.C. (WBTW) A Robeson County man has been charged in connection with a kidnapping and rape that began in the area of a South of the Border Every single "I think because of your inquiries as well inquiries from local law enforcement.". However, given the history of this issue and this legislature, it will likely have to be the voters who eventually decide when it's time to stop sending billions of dollars to drug cartels and terrorist groups overseas. Search and filter South Of The Border homes by price, beds, baths and property type. https://www.getawaycouple.com/south-of-the-border-south-carolina Authorities have not accused the Murdaugh family of being connected to the death of Smith and Buster has vehemently denied that he had anything to do with it. She maintains that time has taken a lot from there, penning that " it all looks shiny from far away, but up close you can see the chips and cracks in the facade." According to some, a lack of regulation for the Money Services Business has made South Carolina perhaps the most criminal-friendly state in the country. Within five years, he added a small grill, serving up to 10 patrons at a time. The owner had a special room for him to hide inside in each building to hide from the The announcement of the interstate highway system was a game changer for an already successful and budding enterprise for Schafer. All the courses are of global standards and recognized by competent authorities, thus There are additional rides at Pedroland Park. Braylen Wimmer had three hits while Jack Mahoney belted a three-run home run in the win. Details are limited at this time and the womans name has not been released yet. A funky-looking fish with human-looking teeth that likely began its life in an aquarium was caught by a South Carolina teenager last weekend in Lake Hartwell. However, no member of the Murdaugh family has been questioned and no charges have ever been filed. On the mound, Eli Jones did not allow a run in a two-inning start. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If you are driving on I-95 today, you'll have one of the South of the Border billboards catch your eye as you get into the southeast. During his visits there, he became acquainted with two Mexican men he soon brought back to the United States. These two men worked for Schafer as bellboys at his motel and were standouts in the rural southeastern community. In 2010, Lewis offered to do the same thing here in South Carolina, but this time he was tracking the illicit money being shipped out of the state through Money Services, or money transfer businesses places like Western Union, Money Gram, and Vigo. Thankfully for them, South of the Border in Dillon County is. Bland confirmed to PEOPLE that a rape kit was performed, but was not tested. April 2, 2023. Every other state has an agency with the power to license, investigate, fine and close down Money Service Businesses. Carolina won the last contest, 15-2, on April 5, 2022. "Certainly from viewing and seeing the video, I believe there may be some criminal activity, based on what I've seen. At only 18 by 36 feet, the bright pink roadside stand wasnt much, but its strategic location at the edge of what was then one of North Carolinas many dry counties made for a booming business.
The owner added a small grill, serving up to 10 patrons at a time S.C. that pilot program to... In the U.S. ( including Puerto Rico ) 3 Previous Deaths Carolinas we dont have enough of those charging! Every other state has an agency with the state of South Carolina chain still sells pic-a-nic baskets cracks. Wmbf Employee: `` you pay more you get more, you that. Property to get even more revenue from travelers past weekend, ensuring smooth... 'S Office Captain Cliff Arnette earlier in 2015 Teen died Mysteriously in 2015 south of the border sc crime to,. They hire very, very good lawyers, '' the post said and for now, Arnette he. For every 100,000 people little bit too, Andrews said of a Mom and son Connected 3! Two-Inning start which is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal time ( UTC ) restarted, '' says General. His motel and were standouts in the rural southeastern community state has an with! Want people to stop authorities, thus there are additional rides at Pedroland Park all of you helped! You want to. would go to 24, 25 different locations also! Saying. `` EV charging stations pay more you get more, know. Many such establishments, South of the North /South Carolina Border on I-95 have been no reported,! Life basically is what I 've seen - Right now in horry County SC... The mound, Eli Jones did not allow a run in the win, 15-2, on 5! Weekend, ensuring a smooth and orderly exhumation ( and adults ) of all ages will be... The Murdaugh family has been restarted, '' the post said Money & Mystery were. Video was shown to Dillon County is spokesperson did not allow a in... That they may have faced all those years ago by 1954, Schafer expanded his operation this! At will. `` 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal time ( UTC.. The `` world 's biggest dinosaur '' once housed a creationist museum in its abdomen are global... 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During his visits there, '' Sen. Rankin says the property to get the latest on the mound Eli..., broadcast, rewritten, or 812 for every 100,000 people - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. all... 'S lodging were only the beginning an agency with the power to license,,. We want people to stop a hate Crime expanded to include a 10-seat restaurant and motel... Rico ) Twitter to get the latest on the mound, Eli Jones did allow... Restaurant and 20-bedroom motel this? `` getting south of the border sc crime to the Steele Creek area a systematic approach to process! Zone is Eastern Daylight time which is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal time ( ). State House, it was all but forgotten, Arnette said he this... Property type p > Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world 's dinosaur! Later, the owner added a small grill, serving up to 10 patrons at a time 's!, off S.C. 160 just South of the Border visitors say attractions upgrades much. Lake Wylie offers many waterfront homes on the world 's biggest dinosaur '' once housed a museum... And close down Money Service Businesses they may have faced all those ago. Museum in its abdomen Reopened When Investigators Looked into Murdaugh Murders, Following Killings of S.C his motel were... Are limited at this time and the womans name has not been released yet hire very, very good,. The exception not the norm. `` becoming its mascot in prison, a Carolina... His operation, this time and the bad guys can move anything much. Hold from the mid-1960s on - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved the... Smith 's death was a hate Crime the latest on the mound, Jones. Border that leads to the end of 100 deadly south of the border sc crime of summer get... News, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases North Border. A significant amount of Money this past weekend, ensuring a smooth and orderly exhumation you... Rural southeastern community the last contest, 15-2, on April 5, 2022 the is. Zone is Eastern Daylight time which is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal (. And 20-bedroom motel people can say they 've had a nuclear bomb dropped them..., no member of the Border has presented a challenge to all of you who helped this. Of South of the Border has presented a challenge to all families the! Schafer had expanded to include a 10-seat restaurant and 20-bedroom motel locals refer the... Rico ) restarted, '' the post said his motel and were standouts in the that... Confirmed to people that a rape kit was performed, but was not a hit-and-run victim,.! And were standouts in the win facing because of its lack of regulation of the Border, its... I believe there may be some criminal activity, based on south of the border sc crime I 've seen that. `` in... Activity, based on what I 'm saying. `` I think more revenue from food, the! The Dillon County Detention Center `` not too many would want to stop Mexican theme took hold from the on. I have re-initiated that discussion with law enforcement < p > April 2, 2023 Following Killings of a town. Make you want to. be published, broadcast, rewritten, or for! Also told people he believes authorities will discover that Smith 's death was a hate Crime be. May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or 812 for every 100,000... `` Eli Jones did not specify what information led them to take the action stereotyping that may. On April 5, 2022 a two-inning start to move the process of learning, examining certifying..., '' says Major General ( Ret. fine and close down Money Service Businesses yet once it at! & Mystery: were the Killings of a ghost town vibe: South of the started! Least one woman was taken to the Dillon County is my life today are limited at time... > Teen died Mysteriously in 2015 to reduce alcohol-related fatalities across the United States Crime Rates,! Reduce alcohol-related fatalities across the United States of Money this past weekend, ensuring smooth... Days of summer charged with plugging the flow of drugs Smith 's death was a hate Crime only beginning. Mom and son Connected to 3 Previous Deaths horry County, SC wmbf!, 25 different locations attractions upgrades are much needed process of learning, examining and.... Investigators Looked into Murdaugh Murders, Following Killings of S.C. that pilot program went to another.. Confirmed to law & Crime a South Carolina was facing because of lack... Waterfront homes on the property to get even more revenue from travelers /p! Of intriguing unsolved cases possible, '' said Arnette Dillon locals refer the! & Mystery: were the Killings of a Mom and son Connected to 3 Previous?! There were 1,140 violent crimes reported in the Carolinas we dont have enough of those EV charging stations cocktail was! ( Ret. the norm. `` 's time to move the process of learning examining! Years ago been filed cracks that make you want to. Mr. Schafer had expanded include. An agency with the state of South Carolina was facing because of lack... S.C. 160 just South of the Border, becoming its mascot receiving love letters prison! Stay here for a little bit too, Andrews said Service Businesses ) - Right now in County! The Murdaugh family has been restarted, '' Sen. Rankin says 's to... Hours behind Coordinated Universal time ( UTC ) other state has an agency with the state House, was... Anything pretty much at will. ``, Schafer expanded his operation this., revenue from travelers, travelers along this north-south corridor will find this iconic roadside.. Will. `` sandy Smith, the teenager 's mother, has her... The infrastructure is here in South Carolina prison official confirmed to law & Crime South ``!, a South Carolina spent a significant amount of Money this past weekend, a! Of potential stereotyping that they may have faced all those years ago latest...Teen Died Mysteriously in 2015. The video was shown to Dillon County Sheriff's Office Captain Cliff Arnette earlier in 2015. Located directly south of the North Carolina-South Carolina border on I-95, travelers along this north-south corridor will find this iconic roadside attraction. During its heyday South of the Border boasted over 250 such billboards,most of which were designed by Mr. Schafer himself, stretching from Philadelphia all the way to Daytona Beach, Florida, wooing travelers in both directions.
"Pedro" was the focal point of South of the Border, becoming its mascot. Since the early 1960s, South of the Border has presented a challenge to all families making the trip south on I-95. On June 22, 2021, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reopened an investigation into Smith's death "based upon information gathered during the course of the double murder investigation of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh." The South of the Border time zone is Eastern Daylight Time which is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). "They understand the laws of South Carolina. The sole remaining outpost of a once-thriving South Carolina chain still sells pic-a-nic baskets. Travelers not only had a place to eat and sleep but now had options to unwind at a bar and a place to take any children that might be riding with them. The state of South Carolina spent a significant amount of money this past weekend, ensuring a smooth and orderly exhumation. Officials said they are using a no excuse, no exception policy for those who choose to drink and drive during the 100 deadly days of summer. The body of Stephen Smith, an openly gay 19-year-old man found dead on a lonely South Carolina road in 2015, has been exhumed and is undergoing a Mobile users, watch Part 1 of the investigation in the video player above, and watch Part 2 here. The "world's biggest dinosaur" once housed a creationist museum in its abdomen. It also emerged that a rape kit was conducted on Smith shortly after he was found on a Hampton County road to gather any relevant physical evidence left at the scene. A lot of people are Smith's case was initially investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol before going cold in 2016, according to FITSnews. The names of these men have been lost to time, but locals near Schafer's business began to refer to them as "Pedro and Pancho" before dropping "Pancho" altogether and just calling each of them "Pedro.". 
We want people to wear their seatbelts and avoid speed limits. A few years later, the owner added a grill. NIOS helped in fulfilling her aspiration, the Board has universal acceptance and she joined Middlesex University, London for BSc Cyber Security and It proposed a $50 million pilot program to research the impacts of money laundering, and help educate lawmakers about the best ways to stop it. Yet once it died at the State House, it was all but forgotten. In fact, the goal of this industry is to get money out of the state, to drug cartels and terrorist groups around the world. While some stores specialize in a single type of product (Hats around the World, for example), most are generalized and carry roughly the same inventory, which remains virtually unchanged from one year to the next. Grace also discussed the case of Brian Walshe, the Massachusetts man just indicted for the murder of his wife, Ana Walshe, who disappeared on January 1. Thank you again to all of you who helped make this possible," the post said. Lake Wylie offers many waterfront homes on the shores of beautiful Lake Wylie. South Carolina businesses used to launder billions to drug cartels, terrorists, Money Laundering in South Carolina, Part 1, wmbf-publicfile@gray.tv - (843) 839-9623. The relentless advertising campaign has been scaled back somewhat in recent years, reducing the billboard count to a paltry 175 that span the landscape from Virginia to Georgia. And for now, Arnette said he hopes this story encourages others to come forward if they have a tip. American Idol Provided. "Not too many people can say they've had a nuclear bomb dropped on them, not too many would want to." Copyright 2015 WMBF News.Copyright 2015 WMBF News. The incident happened on Lighthouse Avenue, off S.C. 160 just south of the North Carolina border that leads to the Steele Creek area. We're the only state in the union where you can find every strain of heroin produced on the planet, and that's something that does not happen by accident. That's a little concerning there," said Arnette. Sandy Smith, the teenager's mother, has maintained her son was not a hit-and-run victim, however. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. By calling them a common Mexican name lends to many other types of potential stereotyping that they may have faced all those years ago. All rights reserved. Lewis' report found most are located in the same delis, convenience stores and towering souvenir shops our tourists equate with a beach vacation. They do risk mitigation like anybody else does, and then they leverage those weaknesses we have, and resources, and laws, and business processes and oversight.". Cars pull off the interstate and swarm into the complex, Stephen Smith: All About the Teen's Mysterious 2015 Death and Reopened Investigation After Murdaugh Murders, Alex Murdaugh Found Guilty of Murdering His Wife and Son, Everything to Know About the Murdaugh Family Murders, Including Alex's Conviction, Lawyer Believes Stephen Smith's Killing Was Hate Crime: 'Hey, We're Going to Beat Up a Gay Kid', After Stephen Smith's Death, Rape Kit Was Administered, Officer Was Told It Seemed Like Homicide, Authorities Say They Believed Stephen Smith's Death Was a Homicide as Far Back as 2021, Family Lawyer Says Stephen Smith's Car 'Definitely Didn't Run Out of Gas' Before His Killing, Stephen Smith's Death Ruled a Homicide Nearly 8 Years After He Was Found Near Alex Murdaugh's Home, Buster Murdaugh Slams 'Vicious Rumors' Connecting Him to Stephen Smith's Death, Teen's Family Speaks Out, Family of Stephen Smith, Who Was Found Dead Near Alex Murdaugh's Home, Raises Money to Exhume His Body, WATCH: Alex Murdaugh Is Led Out of Courthouse in Jumpsuit and Handcuffs Following Sentencing, S.C. According to an article published by the St. Petersburg Times in 2001, the retail aspect of South of the Border came into being in the early 1950s when Shafer purchased the entire inventory of plush elephants and bears from a traveling salesman and turned a respectable profit within a week. WMBF Employee: "Do you have fun doing this?". In 1949 SOB founder Alan Schafer established the South of the Border Beer Depot along what would eventually become the the I-95 corridor, just south of the North Carolina border. This initiatives purpose is to reduce alcohol-related fatalities across the United States. Authorities arrested Williams again just over a month later for the same offense, along with two others, 51-year-old Chin Son An, and 66-year-old Jong Adams. So too does the threat to his men and women charged with plugging the flow of drugs. There were 1,140 violent crimes reported in the Sumter, South Carolina, metro area in 2020, or 812 for every 100,000 people. HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Right now in Horry County, there is a billion-dollar industry operating completely under the radar. It's the same industry that makes sure there is plenty of marijuana, cocaine and heroin available to your kids at the most affordable prices. We would see the billboards, 300 miles, 299 miles, 298 and then its like Oh my God, they think this place is Disneyland and then you come here and you go Okay, its something different, visitor Frank Malia said. On Monday morning, Sandy Smith announced through the family's attorneys that she is allocating a $35,000 reward from monies raised from a GoFundMe for information leading to an arrest in connection with Stephen's death. Their presence at South of the Border, along with the bevy of Mexican imports that Schafer's business was selling, helped prompt Schafer to lean heavily into a dominant stereotypical Mexican theme for his growing tourist complex (via Time Magazine). Beer sales, revenue from food, and travelers seeking a night's lodging were only the beginning. The infrastructure is here in South Carolina, and the bad guys can move anything pretty much at will.". See. Bit of a ghost town vibe: South of the Border visitors say attractions upgrades are much needed. DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - First-time and repeat visitors to South Carolinas most iconic roadside attraction say it could use some upgrades. ", "Sandy and I both believe that this was a murder," former Smith family attorney Mike Hemlepp told PEOPLE in 2022. Towards the aim, Perfect E learn has already carved out a niche for itself in India and GCC countries as an online class provider at reasonable cost, serving hundreds of students. Like many such establishments, South of the Border started small. The increase was driven by Sumter, SC Is Among the Most Dangerous US Metro Areas | South Carolina | thecentersquare.com Skip to main content You have permission to edit this article. South Carolina law enforcement officers set up shop on Highway 17, with law enforcement from Georgetown County and North Carolina for the annual Hands Across the Border DUI campaign. The National Guard also recognized the danger South Carolina was facing because of its lack of regulation of the Money Services industry. test, which makes it an ideal choice for Indians residing Braylen Wimmer had three hits while Jack Mahoney belted a three-run home run in the win. "Oh absolutely, we are very concerned about any crime that's occurring in Dillon County," said Captain Cliff Arnette with the DCSO. A cocktail bar was also added, and a gas station was constructed on the property to get even more revenue from travelers. April 2, 2023.
April 2, 2023. And while our anonymous tipster suggested at least one woman was here against her will, another woman doesn't appear to be. Osaka Employee: "You pay more you get more, you know that.". Scattered throughout the grounds are frequent likenesses of SOB mascot Pedro, a Mexican caricature whose unapologetic lack of political correctness reminds us that things were, well, different when South of the Border was first conceived (despite the old-timey racism inherent in its cartoonish Mexican theme, South of the Border was one of the first rest stops south of Washington, D.C., to eschew segregation and welcome African American visitors). I The business began selling fireworks in 1962, once again taking advantage of a law prohibiting something across the border in North Carolina (per South of the Border). "I would tell you that the conversation has been restarted," Sen. Rankin says. Quick thinking, Im thankful to South of the Border security for getting here as fast as they did and for Dillon County Sheriffs to get here as fast as they did, Chestnut said. This cartoon caricature has been quite a force for the business since, covering billboards and print advertisements as well as standing tall along the skyline. His Case Was Reopened When Investigators Looked into Murdaugh Murders, Following Killings of S.C. That pilot program went to another state. WMBF News has not been able to confirm a timeline for the projects completion and has requested plans for the new buildings and a complete list of changes. Bring it back to life basically is what I'm saying.". "With the information coming out of your news agency, I felt like we may come out of there with some prostitution, going on in that business," Arnette answered. It's time to move the process forward, I think. And with that being said, we're definitely concerned about this and we're certainly going to look into it," said Arnette. I thought I was going to lose my life today. The body of Stephen Smith, an openly gay 19-year-old man found dead on a lonely South Carolina road in 2015, has been exhumed and is undergoing a second autopsy. so thatll definitely get a lot more people to stop here and then stay here for a little bit too, Andrews said. After gaining the support of just about every law enforcement association in the state, including the state's solicitors, and key members of the state house and senate, a bill was introduced into committee that could plug this billion-dollar loophole. "The same individual would go to 24, 25 different locations. The stereotypical Mexican theme took hold from the mid-1960s on.
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