Governor McMaster names Tony Catone to lead SCDSS after acting role
COMING UP. WYFF NEWS FOUR TODAY STARTS RIGHT NOW. DEVASTATED. ALMOST TO THE POINT OF OF NOT REALLY BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT’S HAPPENED YET. A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO HELP A WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FAMILY WHOSE CHILDREN WERE TRAGICALLY KILLED DURING THE STORMS OVER THE WEEKEND. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY AHEAD. WE’VE GOT SUNSHINE, WE HAVE 70S. BUT WAIT TILL YOU SEE TOMORROW. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND YOUR WEEKEND COMING UP. A HIGH STAKES PHONE CALL TODAY BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PUTIN AS TRUMP SEEKS TO END THE WAR IN UKRAINE. IT’S 6:00. THANKS FOR WAKING UP WITH US. IT IS TUESDAY, MARCH 18TH. I’M DESTINY CHANCE. WE BEGIN WITH WEATHER THIS MORNING, AFTER A COOL AND BREEZY START ON MONDAY, THE WEATHER IS WARMING UP TODAY AND PARELLA LEWIS IS HERE WITH A FIRST LOOK AT THE FORECAST. HEY, I’LL TELL YOU THOSE WINDS YESTERDAY WERE FEROCIOUS, RIGHT? YOU WENT OUTSIDE TO JUST TAKE A QUICK WALK AND STUFF WAS BLOWING AROUND. AND IF YOU’RE AN ALLERGY SUFFERER, SOME OF THAT POLLEN KIND OF BLOWING AROUND TOO. THAT’S A BUMMER. BUT TODAY IT’S GOING TO BE MUCH QUIETER, MUCH CALMER. 31 DEGREES IN PICKENS, 32 RIGHT NOW IN CALLAWAY. GOOD MORNING TO YOU. WE HAVE 33 IN GREENWOOD. HOW ABOUT 46 IN GREENVILLE. RIGHT NOW. IT’S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL DAY. LOTS OF SUNSHINE AND MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES. ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT. SO AS WE TAKE A LOOK, HERE’S 2:00, 3:00 TODAY. NOT A LOT CHANGES AS WE KIND OF SCAN THE SKIES AND LOOK FOR ANYTHING DIFFERENT. WE’LL GET INTO A FEW PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES TONIGHT, BUT THAT’S GOING TO BE ABOUT IT. SHORT SLEEVES BACK ON THE WHAT TO WEAR FORECAST. IT’S GOING TO BE COLD THIS MORNING. YOU’LL WANT TO HAVE THAT COAT. BUT GRAB THE SHORT SLEEVES AS WELL AS YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR. TODAY. 71 FOR MUCH OF THE MOUNTAINS. SO IT WILL BE A COLD MORNING. IT WILL BE COLD UP UNTIL ABOUT LUNCHTIME, AND THEN AFTER THAT WE’LL START TO WARM UP BACK INTO THE LOW 70S. BEAUTIFUL DAY AHEAD. TOMORROW AFTERNOON WILL BE THE FINAL DAY OF WINTER AND THE WARMEST DAY OF THE WEEK. WE’LL START TO COOL DOWN ON THURSDAY, BUT NOT FOR THE WEEKEND. IT’S LOOKING GOOD. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT COMING UP IN JUST A MINUTE. FIRST, LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE, THOUGH. GET A CHECK ON THOSE ROADS. HOW’S TRAFFIC? DESTINY? HEY, PARELLA. WE’RE STARTING THINGS OFF FROM PELHAM ROAD, GIVING YOU A LIVE LOOK FROM GREENVILLE COUNTY. I-85 LOOKS CLEAR AT LEAST AS NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND LANES. RIGHT NOW, WE’RE NOT SEEING ANY SLOWDOWNS. NO ISSUES, NO DELAYS. WE’LL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS THROUGHOUT YOUR MORNING. LET’S LOOK AT THOSE TRAVEL TIMES. I-26 EASTBOUND I-240 TO ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY. YOU’RE LOOKING AT AN 11 MINUTE STRETCH OF TRAFFIC, NO SLOWDOWNS, 85 SOUTHBOUND AIRPORT ON WOODRUFF ROAD, NO SLOWDOWNS THERE. SIX MINUTES AND I-35 NORTHBOUND FAIRVIEW ROAD TO DOWNTOWN AGAIN, NO SLOWDOWNS. 13 MINUTES. REMEMBER FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON TRAFFIC AS YOU HEAD OUT THIS MORNING, CHECK THE TRAFFIC SECTION OF THE WYFF4.COM MOBILE APP. A WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FAMILY CONTINUES TO MOURN THE LOSS OF THEIR TWO SONS AFTER THEY WERE KILLED AFTER A TREE FELL ONTO THEIR HOME DURING THE WEEKEND STORMS. FIRE CREWS SAY THEY WERE CALLED TO OAKS DRIVE AROUND 330 SUNDAY MORNING AFTER RECEIVING A REPORT OF CHILDREN TRAPPED. FIRE CREWS SAY THEY FOUND A SINGLE WIDE TRAILER WITH A LARGE TREE THROUGH ITS CENTER. WE’RE TOLD AN 11 YEAR OLD AND 13 YEAR OLD DIED FROM THEIR INJURIES. A GOFUNDME TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY HAS SEEN MORE THAN $100,000 IN DONATIONS. THEY’VE GOT FUNERAL EXPENSES, THEY’VE GOT BURIAL EXPENSES. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY’LL HAVE TO REPLACE THEIR HOME AND THEY’LL HAVE TO REPLACE THE CONTENTS OF THEIR HOME, AND THEY’LL HAVE TO REPLACE THEIR VEHICLE. TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY SCHOOLS SAY IN PART, QUOTE, IT IS WITH PROFOUND SADNESS THAT TCS SHARES THE NEWS OF THE TRAGIC LOSS OF TWO OF OUR BREVARD MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS THIS WEEKEND. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS LOSS FOR THEIR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY. MEANWHILE, NEW DETAILS ON AN UPSTATE DEATH ROW INMATES CASE. STEVEN BIXBY IS SCHEDULED FOR A STATUS HEARING. HE WAS CONVICTED OF KILLING TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. BIXBY WILL BE PRESENT AT THE GREENVILLE COUNTY COURTHOUSE ON APRIL 4TH AT 10 A.M. THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT GRANTED A STAY OF EXECUTION LAST WEEK. BIXBY WAS CONVICTED OF KILLING ABBEVILLE COUNTY DEPUTY DANNY WILSON AND CONSTABLE DONNIE OATES DURING A 14 HOUR STANDOFF IN DECEMBER 2003 AMID A PROPERTY DISPUTE WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. ATTORNEY JOHN RECKON BILE DESCRIBED THE SUPREME COURT’S RULING AS CAUTIOUS, SAYING PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROVE COMPETENCY BEFORE THEY ARE EXECUTED. THE FACT THAT HE HAS SERVED THE EXECUTION NOTICE TRIGGERS A WHOLE NEW SET OF DETERMINATIONS, WHETHER OR NOT HE’S ACTUALLY MENTALLY COMPETENT TO BE EXECUTED. DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FACTS OF THE CASE WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY TRIED? RICKENBAUGH SAYS HE BELIEVES IT’S DOUBTFUL THAT BIXBY WILL BE EXECUTED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, SAYING THERE’S MORE APPEALS AVAILABLE. IT’S 604 AND A POSSIBLE TURNING POINT IN THE THREE YEAR WAR IN UKRAINE. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WILL BE SPEAKING WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN BY PHONE TODAY, WITH HIGH HOPES TO TALK THAT IT WILL LEAD TO A TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE. AMY LU IS IN OUR WASHINGTON BUREAU WITH THE DETAILS. DESTINY. PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT HE’LL BE ABLE TO CONVINCE PUTIN TO THIS MONTH. CEASEFIRE A STEP TOWARDS A LONG TERM PEACE PLAN. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT VIABLE REGULATION IS ONLY POSSIBLE BY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT AND SOLVING THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH UKRAINE, AND THEY ARE GOING TO CREATE ADDITIONAL ROOT CAUSES. RUSSIAN LEADERS SAYING A LOT MORE MUST BE SORTED OUT BEFORE REACHING AN AGREEMENT. PUTIN IS DEMANDING UKRAINE RENOUNCE PLANS TO JOIN NATO, WITHDRAW ITS FORCES FROM REGIONS RUSSIA HAS ANNEXED, AND STOP EUROPEAN NATO TROOPS FROM ACTING AS PEACEKEEPERS IN UKRAINE. THE COUNTRY, WHICH HAS ALREADY AGREED TO THE CEASEFIRE, IS DEMANDING THE OPPOSITE, INCLUDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND WEAPONS FROM WESTERN ALLIES. PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS HIS CALL WITH PUTIN WILL INCLUDE TALKS OF DIVIDING UP ASSETS LIKE LAND AND POWER PLANTS, WITH THE POSSIBLE THREAT OF SANCTIONS TO PUSH RUSSIA TO AGREE. BUT IT’S A BAD SITUATION IN RUSSIA AND IT’S A BAD SITUATION IN UKRAINE. WHAT’S HAPPENING IN UKRAINE IS NOT GOOD, BUT WE’RE GOING TO SEE IF WE CAN WORK A PEACE AGREEMENT, A CEASE FIRE AND PEACE, AND I THINK WE’LL BE ABLE TO DO IT. I’M SPEAKING TO PRESIDENT PUTIN. BOTH SIDES TRADED ATTACKS AS RECENTLY AS THIS PAST WEEKEND, AND NOW UKRAINE SAYS IT HAS DOUBTS THAT RUSSIA WILL ACTUALLY AGREE TO THIS DEAL IN WASHINGTON. I’M AMY LU. WYFF NEWS FOUR. NOW TO CHEROKEE COUNTY, WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS STILL OFFLINE AFTER A NETWORK SECURITY BREACH ON SATURDAY. THE DISTRICT ANNOUNCED A NETWORK SECURITY BREACH IMPACTED THE DISTRICT’S COMPUTER SYSTEMS. AFTER THE DISCOVERY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IMMEDIATELY LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION AND TOOK ACTION TO SECURE THE NETWORK. THE DISTRICT SAYS STUDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO LOG IN OR CONNECT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S NETWORK. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE UNTIL FRIDAY. THOSE CAN BE FOUND ON WYFF4.COM. MEANWHILE, IN TRAFFIC NEWS, PROGRESS CONTINUES ON A POPULAR HIGHWAY THAT LEADS INTO DOWNTOWN TRAVELERS REST. OUR ISABELLE MARCUS JOINS US LIVE FROM NORTH POINSETT HIGHWAY AND ISABELLE. WHAT’S THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT AND WHAT’S BEEN DONE SO FAR? HEY, DESTINEE. GOOD MORNING. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO MAKE IT MORE DRIVABLE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE. ON THIS PART OF THE CORRIDOR OF NORTH POINSETT HIGHWAY HEADED INTO DOWNTOWN TRAVELERS REST. NOW, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THIS PART OF THE HIGHWAY IS DOWN TO ONE ROAD. AND THE BUSINESSES AROUND HERE, THOUGH THESE ARE STILL OPEN. THIS IS ONE LANE FROM HART STREET TO TUBBS MOUNTAIN ROAD. CREWS ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TO INSTALL NEW STORM DRAINS AND WITH THE HELP OF DUKE ENERGY, NEW POWER LINES AS WELL. THE CITY SAYS CURB AND GUTTER WORK IS DONE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND IN THE COMING WEEKS, CREWS WILL START WORK ON THE SOUTH SIDE. THEY’RE CURRENTLY INSTALLING SIDEWALKS ON THE NORTH SIDE TO MAKE IT MORE WALKABLE AND ADDRESSING DRIVEWAY TIE INS FOR PROPERTIES ALONG THE ROUTE. NOW, AS CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES AND THERE’S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT ROAD CLOSURES AND POSSIBLE ROAD DELAYS, OFFICIALS SAY TO FACTOR ALL OF THIS INTO YOUR DRIVE TIME FOR YOUR TRAVELS IN THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS. REPORTING LIVE IN TRAVELERS REST ISABELLE MARAK WYFF NEWS FOUR. ISABEL. THANK YOU. NOW TO AN EXCITING ADDITION COMING TO SPARTANBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT THREE. THE DISTRICT WILL BE BUILDING A NEW MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS COMPLEX ON THE OLD COWPENS MIDDLE SCHOOL PROPERTY. IT WILL INCLUDE BASEBALL FIELDS, SOFTBALL FIELDS, A FOOTBALL FIELD, AND A GYM FOR LITTLE LEAGUE SPORTS. DISTRICT OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL HOPEFULLY KEEP THE HEART OF THE OLD SCHOOL, WHICH THEY SAY IS THE OFFICE BUILDING, THE CAFETERIA AND THE GYM. THEY ARE ENSURING THAT OUR THREE CHILDREN WILL CONTINUE TO COMPETE AND CELEBRATE ON THESE HALLOWED GROUNDS. THAT’S IMPORTANT TO US. SO THIS IS AN EXCITING DAY. OFFICIALS ARE WORKING ON COMPLETE FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT. WE’RE TOLD THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY. THE COUNTDOWN TO SPRING IS ON 48 HOURS FROM NOW. SPRING WILL OFFICIALLY BEGIN. UNOFFICIALLY, I THINK IT’S HERE. THE VERNAL EQUINOX TAKES PLACE 501 THURSDAY MORNING. AND THEN ALL EYES ON THE LAST FROST. RIGHT. SPRING IS HERE. TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT PLANTING. WELL, IF YOU’RE NEW TO THE AREA IN GREENVILLE, WE TYPICALLY GET OUR LAST FROST AROUND APRIL 4TH AND IN ASHEVILLE APRIL 13TH. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES WE GET SOME FROST RIGHT AFTER THAT, SO A LOT OF FOLKS WAIT UNTIL AROUND EASTER TO BEGIN TO PLANT. AND BY THE WAY, THAT’S JUST 33 DAYS AWAY. SO WE ARE GETTING THERE. THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN THINGS START TO MOVE A LITTLE BIT FASTER. HEY, IF YOU WANT TO GET OUT AND ABOUT TODAY, IT’S GOING TO BE GORGEOUS. HIGHS WILL BE IN THE LOW 70S AND YES, THE WINDS WILL BE CALM OUTSIDE, SO THAT’S GOING TO BE PRETTY INVITING TO GET OUT AND ABOUT. IT’S GOING TO BE COLD IN THE MORNING BUT MILD IN THE AFTERNOON. WE’RE KIND OF IN THAT TRANSITION WHERE WE STILL HAVE THE TALE OF TWO SEASONS EACH DAY. COLD IN THE MORNING, NICER IN THE AFTERNOON, OR AT LEAST MILDER. TOMORROW WILL BE COOL IN THE MORNING, BUT EVEN WARMER TOMORROW AFTERNOON WITH HIGHS NEAR 80. THURSDAY KICKS OFF SPRING, BUT IT ALSO KICKS OFF ANOTHER CHANGE IN OUR WEATHER PATTERN. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST COMING UP IN JUST A MINUTE. BUT FIRST LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE THOUGH. GET THE LATEST ON OUR TRAFFIC. HOW’S IT LOOKING, DESTINY? HEY, A PERFECT TUESDAY MORNING. LET’S TAKE A LIVE LOOK. PARELLA AT GREENVILLE COUNTY I-35 AT ROPER MOUNTAIN ROAD. LOOK AT THOSE CARS JUST SCOOTING ALONG. WE LOVE TO SEE IT. NO SLOWDOWNS, NO BRAKE LIGHTS, PADDING LIKE THAT, AND NO ISSUES TO REPORT AT THE MOMENT. I-240 TO ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY, YOU HAVE AN 11 MINUTE DRIVE. AIRPORT ON WOODRUFF
Governor McMaster names Tony Catone to lead SCDSS after acting role
Updated: 1:42 PM EDT Mar 18, 2025
On Tuesday, Governor Henry McMaster appointed Anthony “Tony” Catone as the next director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS).Catone, who was named the agency’s acting director in January following the departure of former director Michael Leach, has served as part of the agency’s executive management team as General Counsel for the last ten years.”Tony Catone has done an exemplary job leading the agency since stepping in as acting director earlier this year,” said Governor McMaster.Prior to serving as SCDSS’ General Counsel, Catone held leadership positions at Florida Atlantic University and Clemson University, where he worked on public service initiatives, legal affairs, and risk management. He has also worked as a trial and litigation attorney.”I’m deeply honored by the opportunity to serve the people of South Carolina by leading an agency that plays such a critical role in the wellbeing of our communities. I accept this appointment with a profound sense of responsibility and a commitment to service and collaboration,” said Catone.Catone earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, where he studied concurrently in the Master of International Business Studies program at the Darla Moore School of Business. He holds undergraduate degrees in political science and modern languages from Clemson University.
On Tuesday, Governor Henry McMaster appointed Anthony “Tony” Catone as the next director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS).
Catone, who was named the agency’s acting director in January following the departure of former director Michael Leach, has served as part of the agency’s executive management team as General Counsel for the last ten years.
“Tony Catone has done an exemplary job leading the agency since stepping in as acting director earlier this year,” said Governor McMaster.
Prior to serving as SCDSS’ General Counsel, Catone held leadership positions at Florida Atlantic University and Clemson University, where he worked on public service initiatives, legal affairs, and risk management. He has also worked as a trial and litigation attorney.
“I’m deeply honored by the opportunity to serve the people of South Carolina by leading an agency that plays such a critical role in the wellbeing of our communities. I accept this appointment with a profound sense of responsibility and a commitment to service and collaboration,” said Catone.
Catone earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, where he studied concurrently in the Master of International Business Studies program at the Darla Moore School of Business. He holds undergraduate degrees in political science and modern languages from Clemson University.
