Latest news with #McGinnis'
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Myrtle Beach lawmaker wins support for efforts to boost public burning penalties
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A push to enhance penalties for people convicted of burning on public lands spearheaded by a Myrtle Beach lawmaker has early support in Columbia. A House Judiciary subcommittee on Wednesday had its first look at Republican Tim McGinnis' proposal to update a 63-year-old law that only sets fines of between $200 and $500 and a maximum jail time of 30 days. 'The penalties for doing that, I don't believe meet the damage that is done,' McGinnis said. 'It's cost millions of dollars, put lives at risk. Put homes at risk.' McGinnis' measure would enhance fines and prison terms for offenders. Legislators on Wednesday said they wanted a bit longer to review the proposal before voting, but spoke favorably on it. Their remarks came amid two headline-grabbing wildfires over the past several weeks: First, the 2,059-acre Covington Drive blaze in Carolina Forest that sparked March 1 and then the 13,845-acre Table Rock fire that began March 21. Both are suspected to have begun because of human activity. Carolina Forest blaze is latest chapter in Horry County's dramatic wildfire history McGinnis said Wednesday his proposal would also bar the use of things like outdoor fire pits and chimneys during burn bans. 'It's too easy for those embers to blow onto that lake of gasoline (forests) and destroy lives, destroy homes,' he said. McGinnis' bill picked up a key sponsor after House Majority Leader David Hiott, R-Pickens, signed on. 'I think what Rep. McGinnis is going to do is a good start to hopefully keep some of this stuff from happening again intentionally,' Hiott said. With more than 12.8 million acres of forestland statewide, officials say taking care of that land must be a shared responsibility. A 2023 Congressional Research Service paper said 89% of all wildfires between 2018 and 2022 were human-caused. State Forester Scott Phillips has repeatedly backed tougher public burning rules as well. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor Month: Specialist Ross McGinnis
In 2006, Spc. Ross Andrew McGinnis, a U.S. Army member, was on patrol in eastern Baghdad during the Iraq War. It was there he earned the prestigious Medal of Honor, which he was awarded posthumously. Ross Andrew McGinnis was born on June 14, 1987, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Clarion County, just north of Pittsburgh. He always knew that he wanted to join the military. He even expressed this desire to his kindergarten teacher at age 5. Throughout his youth, he participated in team sports and joined the Boy Scouts of America to practice teamwork. Then he joined the Army's Delayed Entry Program before graduating high school. McGinnis completed BCT at Fort Benning, Georgia. Following his basic training, he joined the 1st Battalion, C Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in Germany. In August 2006, he deployed to Iraq, where he took part in the action that earned him the Medal of Honor. 'Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006. That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled 'grenade,' allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. 'In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion. Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.' – Congressional Medal of Honor Society On June 2, 2008, President George W. Bush presented McGinnis' parents with his Medal of Honor in a special ceremony held at the White House. The military posthumously awarded McGinnis the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart, in addition to the Medal of Honor. This recognition was for his selfless bravery in sacrificing his own life to protect his fellow service members from the grenade presentation of these prestigious military honors was a recognition of McGinnis' extraordinary service and sacrifice to his country and a testament to the lasting impact of his heroic actions. Learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Society at or find them on Instagram |Facebook Participate in Medal of Honor Day on March 25 by sharing a recipient's story Support veteran hiring and transition programs in your workplace Teach younger generations about the values of courage, sacrifice, and service Medal of Honor Month isn't just about recognizing history. It's about keeping the mission alive for the future. Observe Medal of Honor March on We Are The Mighty here.
