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FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A couple of drivers are upset after hitting cows on West Cummings Road in the Effingham community of Florence County.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol said there have been three consecutive weeks in the past month with cars hitting livestock on the road.

Kietra Keels hit a cow on the road on Jan. 19 while driving to work.

I saw something kind of dark big and black in the road. And I’m like, Lord my eyes are playing tricks on me, so finally, as I got closer, I realize what it was and I tried to hit the brakes. But it was too late, so I hit it. And then I am covered in glass and I’m just shaking. Just shaking and I’m like oh Lord, oh Lord," said Keels.

Keels said troopers came to the scene, but they never told her who owns the cow.

She added that her car was badly damaged and she had to file the damages through her insurance.

“Somebody needs to take accountability for it because it’s going to keep happening. I just pray nobody loses their life," said Keels.

Moses Pressley also hit a cow in August 2021 on West Cummings Road and said it totaled his pick-up truck.

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Pressley said because he was never told who owned the livestock, he ended up footing the bill for damages to his truck.

“It wasn’t my fault and I had to take care of this myself. Something has got to be done before somebody loses their life," said Pressley.

ABC 15 reached out to S.C. Highway Patrol to learn who owns the cows. Troopers said they're investigating and will get back to us.

There is a law in South Carolina that deals with livestock roaming out of their pasture.

S.C. SECTION 47-7-110 reads:

"It shall be unlawful for the owner or manager of any domestic animal of any description wilfully or negligently to permit any such animal to run at large beyond the limits of his own land or the lands leased, occupied, or controlled by him. Any owner, manager, or person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine for each offense of not more than twenty-five dollars or to imprisonment for not more than twenty-five days."

Some car insurance agencies said if you hit a cow with your car on a road, you need to call 911 to report it.

They said the incidents are treated just like if you hit a deer.

Officials said you may have to file a lawsuit against the owner of the livestock in order to be reimbursed for damages to your vehicle.

Baseball is back with the return of spring training, and this week our hosts talk with Paul Gross, a recently retired broadcast meteorologist who is a weather consultant for the Detroit Tigers. They discuss how weather impacts baseball, from lightning safety rules to the precise timing of a rain forecast, including a dramatic situation in a game between the Tigers and Red Sox. Paul also shared a unique story from his consulting during the 2005 MLB All-Star Game. About the Across the Sky podcast The weekly weather podcast is hosted on a rotation by the Lee Weather team: Matt Holiner of Lee Enterprises' Midwest group in Chicago, Kirsten Lang of the Tulsa World in Oklahoma, Joe Martucci of the Press of Atlantic City, N.J., and Sean Sublette of the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia. Chapters: (0:00:02) - Advising Sports Teams on Weather Conditions (0:05:36) - Forecasting Weather for a Baseball Team (0:10:42) - Weather and Sports (0:18:16) - The Benefits of Advanced Weather Technology (0:23:34) - Weather's Impact on Sports Decisions (0:30:48) - Weather Consideration in Major League Baseball Chapter Summaries: (0:00:02) - Advising Sports Teams on Weather Conditions (6 Minutes) Across the Sky', a national Lee Enterprises weather podcast, is hosted by meteorologists Sean Sublette in Richmond, Joe Martucci in Atlantic City and Matt Holiner in Chicago. This episode discusses the winter storms that have recently been plaguing the Midwest, and how the weather in the upcoming weeks is expected to be mild with snow expected to return next week. They also bring on a guest, Paul Gross, a recently retired broadcast meteorologist who has been consulting for the Detroit Tigers and other big-name sports teams for a while now. (0:05:36) - Forecasting Weather for a Baseball Team (5 Minutes) The conversation focuses on the protocols for forecasting lightning and calling or pausing a game as a result. It is explained that the safety of the players and the field conditions must be taken into account, as well as the safety of everyone in the stadium. An example is given of a situation which occurred during a game, when a severe thunderstorm was taking a direct bead on the ballpark and the umpire refused to stop the game. A discussion follows on the protocols for lightning and how they have changed over the years, with insight from the Paul's experience advising the Tigers. (0:10:42) - Weather and Sports (8 Minutes) This chapter of the Across the Sky podcast covers the significance of lightning and how it can be a major weather killer, yet often flies under the radar due to lack of media coverage. The conversation then transitions to the importance of time when it comes to the weather in relation to sports games and the preparation that goes into playing a game. It is noted that the decision to start the game is often up to the home team general manager. The conversation then delves into a situation in which the Detroit Tigers had a game in Boston, but with a massive rain area approaching the game was started despite the fact that it was unlikely to be completed. (0:18:16) - The Benefits of Advanced Weather Technology (5 Minutes) This conversation is about a unique experience involving the weather at the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Paul Gross recounts how, as a season ticket holder, he and his family had purchased tickets for the game, and a cousin from Chicago had come in to join them. The weather forecast was mostly dry, but the commissioner of baseball, who was a bit of a nervous type when it came to the weather, asked the speaker to stay with him during the game. As the game progressed, the speaker was able to track a few showers on radar. (0:23:34) - Weather's Impact on Sports Decisions (7 Minutes) The conversation focuses on weather's impact on the game of baseball, particularly the flight of the ball in different weather conditions. The speaker talks about his experience with Michigan football and a game they played in Colorado where they were at risk of being affected by a tropical storm. They also discuss the Detroit Lions and their playing both inside and outside and the impact of weather on their games and practices. The speaker talks about the high stakes of the information he provides and how it can affect the outcome of games. Lastly, they talk about whether decision makers ever ask the speaker what he would do in a high stakes situation' (0:30:48) - Weather Consideration in Major League Baseball (12 Minutes) Matt Holiner shared his experience of working as a meteorologist for the Cincinnati Reds and his comparison of the different mentalities between football and baseball when it comes to forecasting weather. Matt discussed how teams will wait for two or three hours until they make the call to cancel a game due to inclement weather and how he had to communicate with the grounds crew and operations manager but not the players. He also shared that football has a higher threshold for what they will tolerate weather-wise and will play in almost any condition, while baseball has a lower threshold and will typically only play if the field is not deemed dangerous. Shownotes generated by Podium.page.

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There were a lot of South Carolina Gamecocks football recruiting stories on TheBigSpur, to close out the dead period.

It helped that Under Armour’s camp series kicked off its spring 2023 run with a stop outside of Atlanta. Updates from the Under Armour session at Carrollton (Ga.) High School were posted to the PPG message board. An introductory story, with a link to the board, is available to read right here.

Included among the campers was 2024 South Carolina commitment Michael Smith. The four-star tight end from Savannah, Ga. went in-depth about his recruiting process and where things stand. Read that story right here.

Smith was believed to be among the top performers at Under Armour. The 247Sports evaluators had some good things to say about his showing.

TheBigSpur caught up with several Gamecocks targets after the camp was over. Listed below are the prospects who we’ve already published stories on…

2024 DE Justin Greene (Lawrenceville, Ga.) - LINK2025 OT David Sanders (Charlotte, N.C.) - LINK2026 QB Julian Lewis (Carrollton, Ga.) - LINK2023 LB Jamonta Waller (Picayune, Miss.) - LINK2023 DL Malik Blocton (Pike Road, Ala.) - LINK2023 CB Kamron Mikell (Statesboro, Ga.) - LINK2023 DL Jeremiah Beaman (Birmingham, Ala.) - LINK

Several 2024 prospects have confirmed visit plans for later this spring. When is quarterback commitment Dante Reno visiting South Carolina again? Read more here.

It’s actually the same window when linebacker Wendell Gregory will be visiting again. That story is available here.

A three-star wide receiver from Philadelphia, Brandon Rehmann, plans to visit again in March. That story, with notes on some other potential visitors, can be read at this link.

Marcus Downs, an unranked defensive lineman out of Riverside High School in Greer, S.C., has several visits planned for this spring. Included among them is a return to South Carolina’s campus. Where else is he headed?

Four-star safety Kelvin Hunter (Florence, S.C.) has already made arrangements for an official visit to South Carolina. The 2024 prospect will be on campus in late June.

Our latest VIP Room included several recruiting notes, as always.

Director of player personnel Taylor Edwards shared South Carolina’s philosophy on offers. Read that story here.

Edwards also weighed in with a few thoughts on the NCAA Transfer Portal. Here’s what he had to say at this link.

Booker Pickett Jr., a 2024 defensive end from Florida, mentioned South Carolina in this story written by Steve Wiltfong.

CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College women's tennis team is set to begin league play on Tuesday with a trip to Boiling Springs to battle Gardner-Webb with first serve set for 2 p.m…

MATCHDAY CENTRAL MATCHUP: Presbyterian (2-11) at Gardner-Webb (3-5, 0-1) TIME: Tuesday, March 7, 2 p.m. LOCATION: Webb Tennis Complex (Boiling Springs, N.C.)

COACH ROBERTS ON GWU MATCH "Can't wait to get conference play started tomorrow at Gardner-Webb. The last couple of years have always been a 4-3 battle with Gardner-Webb so I expect nothing less tomorrow afternoon."

SCOUTING THE RUNNIN' BULLDOGS - Gardner-Webb comes into play on Tuesday with a 3-5 record after the Runnin' Bulldogs dropped their league opener on Saturday to Charleston Southern 5-2. - GWU has earned wins this season over Queens, Converse and Limestone. - The Runnin' Bulldogs are led in singles play by Emilia Roslund who sits at 6-2 in her singles action this spring as all eight matches have been played at the No. 2 spot. Elise Semmartin is 4-4 on the year for GWU. - In doubles, Manon Delsol and Katie Watts are 3-2 on the year to lead Gardner-Webb thru its opening eight matches. - Gardner-Webb holds a 13-2 advantage over the Blue Hose with the two teams splitting the last two meetings as the Runnin' Bulldogs downed PC 4-3 in Clinton last season. Presbyterian earned a 4-3 win in 2021 at Gardner-Webb.

LAST TIME OUT - Junior Lucianna Piedra, along with sophomore Claudia Sanchez tallied a doubles win for the fifth time this season on Saturday before both earned singles wins, but the Presbyterian College women's tennis team came out on the wrong end of a 5-2 result at Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon.

LEAGUE OPENER - The Blue Hose look to continue their recent success in league openers earning the wins in the conference opener in three of the last four matchups that PC has opened the conference slate.

NEWCOMERS - Presbyterian returns four players from last season's team while adding a trio of new faces to the squad for the 2022-23 season. - Fourth-year head coach Joel Roberts welcomes back junior Lucianna Piedra (Mexico City, Mexico), sophomore Madison Dennett (Palm City, Fla.), Valentina De Sousa (Caracas, Venezuela), and Claudia Sanchez (Betera, Valencia, Spain). - Roberts also welcomes Varvara Nikolaeva (Suffolk, Va.) along with McKenzie Davis (Florence, S.C.) and Claire Giddings (Milton, Ga.) as the three freshmen to the roster for the 22-23 season.

SPRING SLATE - Head Coach Joel Roberts 2023 spring slate features 20 matches, including 14 in the non-conference, beginning with the weekend's matches at Lander and Clemson. - 12 of the 14 non-conference matches occur against teams who tallied 10+ wins during the 2022 season, highlighted by three with 19 wins last year. The three teams to total 19 victories were the College of Charleston, Charlotte, and Long Island. - In conference play, PC hosts Campbell, UNC Asheville, and Radford, with trips to Gardner-Webb, Longwood, and Charleston Southern on tap this spring.

MARION, S.C. – The board of directors of the Marion County Healthcare Foundation presented an $80,000 community impact grant to Marion County School District and PACE Center for Girls to serve up to 40 girls in Marion County by providing individual, peer group and family counseling sessions along with individual goal setting and implementing strategies for future success.

PACE Center for Girls Reach Program Director for South Carolina Lisa Spears said the program has locations in Florence and Darlington. Marion will be one of five locations with expansions coming to both Florence and Darlington counties.

Pace is expanding its Reach programming to provide social, emotional, behavioral and mental health counseling to girls ages 11-17 in Marion County. Officials said the expansion is in response to the growing need for mental health resources for young girls in the region and made possible thanks to the Marion County Healthcare Foundation.

“I think girls in the area have a need for empowerment and assisting them on their path to emotional wellness and we’re excited to help them fill that need.” Spears said. “Our program provides individual counseling and group counseling for girls and we do counseling with the parents as well. We are going to be focused on referrals from girls in middle school and the alternative school.”

Spears said the biggest benefit of the program is helping girls get motivated about the future and finding their voice.

Senior Director of Program Performance and Innovation April Brownlee said an investment in girls in an investment in community.

“We break multigenerational cycles and we know that our girls become better and we are beyond grateful for the support of the Marion County Healthcare Foundation,” she said.

The PACE mission is to provide girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training, and advocacy. The program launched in Florida in 1985 and has grown from 21 locations to expanding in Georgia in 2018 and South Carolina in 2022.

“Pace’s team of counselors, therapists and educators develop individualized approaches based on each girl’s unique strengths — centering her experience as a young woman in this world,” Brownlee said. “There is great in every girl, and we are optimistic that our programming will empower girls and change outcomes in South Carolina and beyond.”

Marion County Healthcare Foundation Executive Director Pete Mazzaroni said the program aligns with the school district’s strategic plan and focus area in public education.

“When we assessed the grant we felt that this was something really important for us to support,” he said.

Marion County Superintendent Dr. Kandace Bethea she appreciated the partnership because it goes hand-in-hand with academics.

“Any type of support and wrap-around service we are able to provide is a benefit,” Bethea said. “We’re just excited and we’re looking forward to growing this program already.”

Bethea said the Marion County Healthcare Foundation continues to be a large supporter of the school district.

“This will have a tremendous impact,” she said. “We have not had as many supports in place for our female population and that is a great need so I think it will be much needed a long overdue.”

Marion County Department of Juvenile Justice Director Cynthia O. Ford said she is grateful to have the opportunity for young girls.

“It is needed and I’m glad to have the resources.”

Enrollment in the program at Palmetto Middle School will begin this August 2023 with outreach to the Success Academy Alternative School.

“The emotional health needs in Marion County are significant. For many girls, participating in Pace Reach will be one of their first opportunities to learn about mental and emotional wellness,” Spears said.

Girls who participate in the program improve their skills and ability to make healthy decisions and reduce harmful habits to their health, wellness and safety. Through these services, girls learn how to manage stress and adversities, improve personal relationships, learn new communication skills and improve school performance.

“I am thrilled to see much needed gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and strength-based mental health and social services coming to adolescent girls in Marion County, through Pace Center for Girls,” Sen. Kent M. Williams said. “This is an organization I believe will do great things for our community, and I look forward to continuing to support their work.”