A South Carolina native who was commanding the International Space Station on Sept. 11, 2001, was the only American not on Earth during the terrorist attacks. Charleston County Deputy Michael Hendricks, who had served on the force since 2023, died in a vehicle collision Sept. 9 while on duty following a narcotics investigation. Parents in Goose Creek have been arrested after their 13-year-old daughter died from a fentanyl overdose.

We’re going to catch you up on these and other top stories from The Post and Courier for Friday, Sept. 11.

‘Tears don’t flow the same in space’: SC native spent 9/11 as only American not on Earth

Frank Culbertson Jr., a Palmetto State native and Navy fighter pilot-turned-NASA astronaut, was orbiting Earth as commander of Expedition 3 aboard the International Space Station when he learned of the attacks. From his vantage point hundreds of miles above, Culbertson watched twin columns of smoke billow from Manhattan and saw the effects of damage at the Pentagon as the station completed its orbits. Born in Charleston and a Holly Hill high school graduate, Culbertson later reflected that the experience of witnessing his country under attack from space left him feeling isolated and convinced him that international cooperation, exemplified by the space station’s Russian-American partnership, was essential to preventing future conflicts.

Charleston County deputy remembered as ‘larger than life’ days after fatal collision

Deputy Michael Hendricks is being remembered by colleagues after his death Sept. 9 in a vehicle collision on Ladson Road near Highway 78 while on duty following a narcotics investigation in an unmarked pickup truck. The pickup collided with a Gordon Food Service tractor trailer and became engulfed in flames, with the driver dead at the scene. Hendricks had been on the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office force since 2023, and his death marks the first on-duty deputy fatality for the department in more than six years.

Goose Creek parents facing child abuse charges in death of 13-year-old daughter

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office arrested Derrell Dominquez Joshua and Tracy Lyn Castillo on Aug. 28 after their 13-year-old daughter was found unresponsive at their Goose Creek home on Aug. 27. A preliminary toxicology report indicated the girl tested positive for fentanyl and THC, and police discovered drug paraphernalia and fentanyl-laced pills in the parents’ bedroom. Both parents face charges of first offense possession of more than two grams of fentanyl and two counts of neglect by legal custodian. Castillo had prior child neglect charges, and Joshua was previously investigated for animal fighting.

As SC State continues to grow, so does some professors’ frustration with university leaders

S.C. State University has experienced enrollment growth and received state funding and national recognition under President Alexander Conyers, who took the helm in 2021, but faculty members have grown increasingly frustrated with university leadership. University data shows full-time faculty staffing has remained level despite significant student enrollment increases, while part-time adjuncts have grown by about 40 percent and student-to-faculty ratios have risen, with some professors teaching double their normal course loads. The Faculty Senate voted “no confidence” in Conyers last month following a faculty survey, citing concerns about departmental budget freezes, interference with tenure processes, and a breakdown in communication between faculty and leadership.

Dockside squatters are gone following top-to-bottom door check, Charleston sheriff’s office says

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and Charleston Police Department cleared the evacuated Dockside high-rise building Sept. 3 and confirmed no occupants remained inside. The building had been evacuated in February 2025 due to structural concerns about potential collapse, but squatters were discovered living in a second-floor unit in July that still had power running to it. As of Sept. 10, ground-level windows and doors have been boarded up, armed guards patrol the property, and the sheriff’s office remains on call to prevent future intrusions.

This news briefing was created with the assistance of AI to summarize stories. The briefing was edited by a Post and Courier journalist before it was published.