April 18 edition

LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN SOFT SHELL CRAB FESTIVAL

First-time father makes good on campaign promises

Kevin Phillips, only four months into his first term as mayor of this town of 14,000-plus, is making good on his campaign talk.

When running in November against incumbent Joe DeVito, Phillips suggested the town council should consider a building moratorium to slow down the rapid development being experienced not just by Port Royal but by the rest of the county, the Lowcountry, much of the East Coast coastal communities.

After all, next door in Jasper County, the county elected officials imposed a moratorium on all commercial and residential development in the Chelsea area, on their side of the Broad River back in June of last year and it’s still in place while the county planners work on new development standards in an effort to manage growth.

Phillips, who won by 60 percent of the vote, moved his council forward on the moratorium idea last week with an ordinance to impose a one-year halt on any permitting activities for multi-family developments. The ordinance still requires a second reading, which will happen at the next council meeting in May, but the first reading passed with no opposition, so we’ll see how this plays out.

Of course, the moratorium will have no impact on the 1 500-plus apartment units already approved by the town. Nor will it impact single-family homes or commercial development planned in the municipality but it’s something … something the Beaufort County Council refused to even consider last fall when the idea was proposed at committee level.

SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A4

Soft Shell Crab Festival returns to Port Royal They’re back!

City of Beaufort discusses hate crime ordinance

By Delayna Earley The

Island News

The City of Beaufort may join ranks with the other municipalities in South Carolina passing hate crime ordinances due to the lack of a statewide law.

During the city council work session on April 9 council members reviewed a proposed ordinance stating that “a person who violates another with intent to intimidate another person or persons in whole or in part because of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or national origin of the other person or persons in guilty of the separate offense of hate intimidation.”

Port Royal considering moratorium on short-term rentals, new apartments

By Delayna Earley The Island News

Port Royal has decided to hit pause on short-term rentals and further apartment developments because they want to make sure that the infrastructure in place for the town can handle the explosive growth.

During the Port Royal Town Council meeting on April 10, council members unanimously voted to approve a moratorium on short-term rentals for seven months and multi-family developments for one year.

The multi-family developments and short-term rentals that have already been permitted or have begun the process will be allowed to continue, but any further submissions will be put on hold until after

LOLITA HUCKABY

Habersham’s Ron Callari snapped this picture of Dino the Dinosaur this spring. He was located on the beach by the “Wednesday Turtle Volunteer Patrol” in 2020. Since then, he returns annually to capture notable aspects that make the beach unique, from its flora and fauna to its famed and reportedly haunted lighthouse. Here, he brings attention to one of beach’s five zones. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK ERVIN ATKINS

Beaufort’s Ervin Atkins, 65 graduated from Beaufort High School in 1977 and joined the United States Army. After Basic Training at Fort Jackson, he specialized in wheeled vehicle maintenance. His first assignment was at Fort Riley, Kan., followed by a three-year tour at Darmstadt, Germany. He returned to Fort Polk, La., where he transitioned to Utility Equipment (HVAC) Maintenance.

Ervin Atkins

– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.

He next served for 7½ years at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he attended Airborne School and deployed for Desert Storm to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and to Fort Greely, Ark., and Fort Bliss, Texas. His final assignment was at Fort Sill, Okla., from which he retired in 1997 as a Staff Sergeant with 20 years of service. Returning to the Lowcountry, he worked at MCAS Beaufort for five years and at Parris Island for 12 years.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

No longer the Party of Lincoln

It should be noted that the Republican Party that our great Civil War hero Robert Smalls founded in South Carolina is not the Republican Party we know today. The Republican Party of the 1860’s was the party of Abraham Lincoln, and the Republican Party of today bears no resemblance to it. If Robert Smalls and Abraham Lincoln were living today they would be staunch members of the Democratic Party with all the beliefs and values this Party embraces! – Barbara Temple, Lady’s Island

ON THIS DATE

The No. 6 U.S. Navy Blue Angels McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet crashes during the final minutes of the air show at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The lone fatality is pilot, Lt. Commander Kevin "Kojak" Davis. The body of the

when LCDR Davis pulled back into a 6 8-G pull, he lost control of the aircraft due to G-force-induced Loss Of Consciousness (G-LOC).

April 24

2019: Beaufort’s C.J. Cummings, 18, dominates the Pan American Weightlifting Championships in Guatemala

Lack of candidates doesn’t derail forum

Deford, Moore’s strategist talk issues as quest for Mace’s 1st District seat progresses

By Mike McCombs The Island News PORT

ROYAL – When Indivisible Beaufort, Families Against Book Bans, Lowcountry Pride and League of Women Voters of Beaufort organized their Meet and Greet Forum for candidates running for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat, the idea was to hold an event that would welcome representatives from more than one party.

Unfortunately, they barely got more than one candidate.

But a healthy crowd showed up, despite the rain, Wednesday evening, April 10 at Shellring Ale works to hear Democrat Mac Deford and Gillian Bergeron, a campaign strategist for Democrat Michael B. Moore, talk about the issues in an open setting.

“I think it was very unfortunate,” Mary Foster of Families Against Book Bans said.

All registered candidates for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat were invited to attend the forum and share their platforms with the community. Foster said Rep. Nancy Mace’s staff never responded after initial contact from organizers, not even to decline their invitation.

“After our first exchange, … they never told us yes or no. We never got a response after that. I think she missed an opportunity to speak to her constituents and hear how some feel about the issues.”

Republican Catherine Templeton, like Moore, was a late scratch, though Moore sent Bergeron with

answers to the forum questions. Republican Bill Young had a conflict and could not attend.

“We were disappointed,” Foster said, specifically of Templeton’s withdrawal. “We really wanted a bipartisan event.”

Deford and Bergeron didn’t let the lack of candidates sap their energy, and they and the crowd enthusiastically endured a rain delay and eventual move indoors of the forum, moderated by Col. Dick Geier, (U.S. Army, ret.) Vice Chairman of the Beaufort County Board of Education.

Among his priorities, Deford listed protecting a woman’s right to choose, fostering a more inclusive economy, and supporting public education. He touted his exposure to working in the back-

THE MOST ADVANCED CARE OPTIONS

rooms of local government in his past experience as the attorney for the towns of Mount Pleasant and Hilton Head Island.

Moore’s priorities, as read by Bergeron, are to protect a woman’s right to choose, address critical infrastructure needs in the district, look for affordable housing solutions, and properly fund public education. He touted his business experience, making deals and getting results.

“Government is supposed to make families’ lives better, not worse,” Bergeron read from Moore’s script, pertaining to health care.

Deford said Congress needs to expand the Affordable Care Act, not repeal it. And he believes we should change how we negotiate

prescription drug prices in this country. Moore emphasized a forward approach to climate policy.

“Government inaction is no longer an option,” Bergeron read. “We owe it to our children and grandchildren to have a proactive climate policy.”

Deford believes whoever holds the office should work for change, not just in the House of Representatives, but with officials in Columbia, as well.

“We need a representative that’s going to use the weight of the office to get things done even when things seem so dark and gloomy,” he said.

As the candidates wrapped up, both said turnout – of women and Black voters – and support from

moderate GOP voters would be key to any victory in the district.

“We need women to vote,” Bergeron emphasized, going off script from Moore’s answers, “and we’re going to because we’re pissed. We’re having our rights stripped from us.”

“We need crossover support,” Deford said. “We can’t win without it.”

In closing, Deford summed up both candidates’ positions for the evening.

“We can’t wait on a second or third Nancy Mace term when she has done absolutely nothing for the Lowcountry.”

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

We Keep You

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Democrat Mac Deford, right, candidate for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat, currently held by Republican Nancy Mace, discusses his political beliefs during the candidate forum on Wednesday, April 10, at Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal. Deford, however, was the only candidate who showed up, though candidate Michael B. Moore did send a surrogate to sit in for him. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Dick Geier, right, Vice Chairman of the Beaufort County Board of Education, goes over the ground rules for the candidate forum for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat Wednesday, April 10, at Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal. Unfortunately, only one candidate, Mac Deford, left, showed up. Gillian Bergeron, center, sat in for candidate Michael B. Moore who could not attend. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Russ Point Landing repair project moves forward

By Delayna Earley The Island News

moving forward.

According to a release from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT), the state permitting, and approvals required to begin the repairs to temporarily fix the infrastructure at the landing are complete and the project is now out to bid.

The boat landing was closed on April 1 due to erosion repairs that were needed.

Originally the landing was to be closed permanently because it was deemed unsafe for the public, and SCPRT expressed that the necessary repairs to reopen were to great and not cost effective. But now the landing is expected to reopen following necessary repairs to make the landing safe for public use.

S.C. State Rep. Shannon Erickson previously said that the number of concerned citizens who have expressed a desire to help save the boat landing by volunteering their professional services has been overwhelming. While Erickson said it

would be great for the contract to go to a local company who has a knowledge of the area and challenges that Russ Point faces, they must go through the bid-

ding process.

Sam Queen, spokesperson for SCPRT, said in the release that the project will follow the state procurement process.

From staff reports

Friday morning, April 5, as Whale Branch Early College High School prom-goers looked on, local emergency crews responded to a realistic crash scene set up at the rear of the school involving injuries, a fatality, and an “impaired” driver. Students watched on as responders treated the injured and rescued an occupant that was trapped inside a vehicle, while an “impaired” driver was administered a field sobriety test

Lowdown from page A1

and placed under arrest for driving under the influence. With prom season here, responders emphasize that this presentation was extremely important for these young drivers to experience.

“People who have had to live with the consequences of a bad decision are less likely to repeat it, especially when that decision ends in the death of another. By putting on such a realistic demonstration, we can bring these students as

The Port Royal council discussed the impacts of such growth at their February planning retreat, where representatives of the public works, police and fire departments agreed it was getting harder and harder to provide services to all the new developments, especially along Parris Island Gateway and S.C. 170/Robert Smalls Parkway.

Not only did the council members last week take a step towards a moratorium, they also gave first reading on a seven-month moratorium limiting the issuance of any more short-term rental permits. This action was prompted by a staff report that showed 110 number of short-term rentals now existed in the municipality – the ones they’re aware of – up from 70 four years ago.

The council considered limits on short-term rentals four years ago, when the city of Beaufort was refining their ordinance and even the county passed some control limits. A task force was formed, and an ordinance was drafted but nothing happened; the council at the time took a “let’s wait and see” attitude.

Four years later, with the growing number of short-term rentals impacting the local housing market, the council seems more amenable to the idea.

Phillips is also coming through on his campaign promise to “get tough” with Safe Harbor LLC, the

The project is considered a minor construction project because the cost falls between $10 000 and $100 000

Bids from businesses who would like to be considered to complete the project are due by 2 p.m. on May 7 Queen said that SCPRT anticipates that they work will begin in the coming months but it depends on the schedule of the contractor that is hired through the bid process.

These repairs are temporary repairs to help reopen Russ Point for public use, but additional efforts to develop a permanent repair solution and to secure funding are in progress.

The ad was published on April 11, 2024, and lists the construction cost range for the project as $70 000 to $75,000 to “repair [the] washed-out section of the boat landing road and parking area shoreline.”The contracting company will also be responsible for placing new rip rap along the shoreline of the landing.

Simulated crash brings reality to Whale Branch prom goers

close to those consequences as we can to hopefully influence that decision making,” Burton Fire District Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Byrne said in a news release.

As the crash scene concluded with a medical helicopter lifting off to transport a critically injured occupant, students filed back inside the school for a presentation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and to watch a video presentation from the surviv -

multi-national marina development company that’s been playing with the town since buying the property two years ago with a promise to create a multi-million dollar “world class” deep-water marine and residential community on 317 acres of waterfront property along Battery Creek.

After much hemming and hawing behind closed doors, Phillips and representatives of Safe Harbor said in February they felt optimistic about working out differences. The ink had hardly dried on that proverbial statement before Safe Harbor came back and said, no, without some concessions, they couldn’t support the town’s request for a 20-foot easement through their property to continue the Spanish Moss Trail on the east side of Ribaut Road. Well fine, was pretty much the answer from Phillips, who happens to be an attorney himself. The town started the process to condemn land they needed for the trail and by the way, Safe Harbor couldn’t continue to use the port property to build docks for other Safe Harbor properties until the issue was resolved.

Obviously, the town staff has been plenty busy, along with the town’s attorney who has to deal with the Safe Harbor issues, but no word yet on what the planner and town’s new planning commission are going to recommend on the way of changes to the existing tree ordinances.

At the last public discussion, council members fielded questions on how to deal with “hardship cases,” where property

ing members of the Simmons family, who lost three family members to a drunk driver in December of 2021 in St. Landry Parish, La.

The students playing the victims were members of the Whale Branch Early College High School drama club, and the participating agencies were the Burton and Sheldon Fire Districts, MCAS Fire and Rescue Division, Beaufort County EMS and Coroner’s Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and Air Methods.

owners claimed the removal fees were prohibitive. The tree-loving public is waiting to see how the town council will revise its protection ordinance which was considered one of the toughest in the state when it was passed last year.

And Beaufort city tree-lovers are also watching since the City Council in the process of updating its development code, is also looking at tree protection regulations.

One more feather in Phillips’ cap: he’s stirred up all these issues and become a first-time father.

Why can’t they just say no?

BEAUFORT – While Port Royal town council last week gave some of its citizens hope about the future of growth in their town (or at least they started on that moratorium path), down the road at the Beaufort City Council, the elected officials were busy growing the town.

The annexation of 2 7 acres on Harding Street in the Burton area certainly didn’t draw public outcry or opposition from any group except for the neighbors of what was once known as Palmetto Estates who begged the city not to approve the action which cleared the way for construction of 37 homes.

The neighbors, who don’t happen to be city residents even though past annexations by the city have gobbled up land all around them to allow development of Islands of Beaufort, Battery Shores and the Overlook at Battery Creek, urged the city

to consider what all those homes on a total of 14 acres would do to an area already being threatened by sea level rise and drainage problems.

The city council delayed final approval of the annexation last month after those neighbors urged the planning staff to talk with the owner and ask him to consider selling the property, instead, to the county through the Green Space program.

Last week, after waiting a month, representatives of the developer told the city council the Orangeburg, S.C. owner was aware of the county’s program to protect environmentally fragile areas but wasn’t interested in pursuing that route.

And since the city planning staff and city planning commission had recommended approval, the majority of council went along with the request. Only Mayor Phil Cromer just said “no” and voted against the motion to annexation.

The annexation, he said, demonstrates the council’s intentions to endorse development in fragile areas.

A reminder: We’re all in this together RIDGELAND – Fellow Island News columnist Scott Graber had some good news to share in last week’s edition when he wrote about Ridgeland Town Council’s decision to table annexation of 3,000 acres through the Chelsea woodlands for new development.

The town has been moving forward on the annexation for the past several months even though Jasper County Council imposed a development moratorium for basically the same property almost a year ago.

The annexation would have included 291 acres called “Chelsea South” where 438 single family homes are planned along with 269 multi-family homes and almost 400 000 square feet of commercial development.

There’s been considerable public protest about this annexation, right on the western side of S.C. 170 across the street from Beaufort County and the Callawassie entrance, but the Ridgeland officials appear determined to expand their town limits.

The professionals at the nonprofit S.C. Coastal Conservation League, who were, by the way, called “paternalistic puppet masters” last week by a supporter of the Pine Island development on St. Helena Island, are helping Chelsea opponents of the annexation, just like they worked with opponents fighting the development of Bay Island and a slew of other questionable development projects in the Lowcountry. It certainly “take a village” and more, to continue the effort of keeping this place special. Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In

Friday morning, April 5, area first responders brought the realities and consequences of vehicle collisions and impaired driving to the prom-goers at Whale Branch Early College High School. Photos courtesy of Burton Fire District.

Candidates talk to TEA Party

By Mike McCombs

The Island News PORT ROYAL – Catherine Templeton, Republican candidate for the S.C. 1st Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Nancy Mace, and Republican Shelley Gay Yuhas, who is trying to unseat incumbent Democrat Michael Rivers in S.C. House District 121, were the special guests at the meeting of the Beaufort TEA Party on Monday evening, April 15 at AMVETS Post 70 The candidates introduced themselves, explaining their priorities, before taking questions from the roughly two dozen people in attendance.

A political newcomer

Yuhas, a Beaufort native, spent the past couple decades working with nonprofits, such as the Lowcountry Food Bank, and raising four children, now adults, in the Charleston area before returning home. She made the decision to run after she and her husband had dinner with Rep. Shannon Erickson (R-124) and her husband. “I was inspired by what she was doing,” Yuhas said, expressing the disappointment she says she has in the representation of her district. Her three priorities were protection, preservation and promotion. As for protection, she emphasizes keeping our families safe. She advocates judicial reform, enforcing the laws we have and fine tuning those laws.

mary, was loud and clear about why she was running for Mace’s seat.

“Because I’m a conservative,” she said. “The person I’m running against voted with the Democrats 36 times. What good does it do to preserve our majority in the House if you’re just going to give it away.”

Longtime Beaufort County Republican Party stalwart and former House District 124 Representative Edie Rodgers, 90, asked for the microphone during the question-and-answer portion of the event to comment on Templeton’s opponent.

“I’m sick and tired of being embarrassed by Rep. Mace in Washington,” Rodgers said. “I want you to promise you will never discuss your sex life on the House floor. And use the appropriate language in committee meetings.”

Yuhas is in favor of preserving the delicate environment that makes the Lowcountry special. Things like the Cultural Protection Overlay on St. Helena Island – she believes we should support ideas like that.

And in terms of promotion, speaking of parts of her district, particularly the I-95 corridor and Colleton County, she said, “Smart growth is important to me. We have an area that is ripe for development.” Yuhas calls herself a caring, compassionate, conservative leader – “a unicorn,” she said. “We can do better to open

the doors of prosperity to everyone,” she said. “I believe generational poverty can be broken in just one generation.”

In the end, she said she’s eager to find solutions and to make ideas work.

“You know your issues,” she told the crowd, “and I know how to fight for them.”

“It’s not what you make, it’s what you spend.” she told the crowd. “The federal government hasn’t learned that, yet.”

Templeton said residents of the 1st District need to stop apologizing for their conservative values.

“This is not a purple district,” she said.

The Mount Pleasant resident, who ran for Governor of S.C. in 2018 and finished fifth in the Republican pri-

The bureaucracy buster Templeton, who was president of U.S. Brick and director of the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation and later the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) chief under former S.C. Governor Nikki Haley, embraced her reputation as a bureaucracy buster, talked about how tough she was on illegal immigration and joked she could add.

After the meeting, Templeton expanded her take on Mace.

“Nancy Mace broke the Republican majority in a way that made our country stand still,” she said. “We had no speaker. No bill could be passed. No one could be paid. There was no pay for our military. There was no support for Israel.

“I would prefer to have a serious adult representing our district.”

A federal court has found the 1st District, as it was drawn by the S.C. General Assembly for the 2022 election to be illegally gerrymandered. If that decision is upheld by the U.S. Supreme

Court, where a decision could be handed down anytime, the district will have to be redrawn, though not until after the 2024 election. Templeton said it won’t matter.

“Even if you change the numbers to whatever, this is a conservative district,” she said. “This district wants a conservative.” Whoever holds the 1st District, Templeton said Republicans in the House have to find a way to work together and govern.

“I don’t run to the camera,” she said. “I run to

Republican Catherine Templeton, right, candidate for the S.C. 1st Congressional District seat currently held by Republican Nancy Mace, answers pointed questions during the Beaufort Tea Party meeting at AMVETS Post 70 on Monday in Port Royal. At left is fellow conservative Shelley Gay Yuhas, who is trying to unseat incumbent Democrat Michael Rivers in S.C. House District 121. The Republican primary election is June 11. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Deford, Moore to discuss climate issues

From staff reports Mac Deford and Michael B. Moore, Democratic candidates for the 1st Congressional District seat, will be featured in a candidate forum on Climate and Our Environment on Tuesday, April 23 on Lady’s Island. The event is hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort and sponsored by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby. The event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort.

The format will be a panel discussion in a round-robin format with the two candidates alternating answering first.

The panel will be made up from the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort, Charleston Climate Coalition and the Sierra Club.

Glover hosting community meeting

April 18

From staff reports

Beaufort County Council Member York Glover (District 3) is hosting a community meeting Thursday, April 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at the Beaufort County Library’s St. Helena Branch at 6355 Jonathan Francis Drive. Guest speakers and topics will include:

• Dana Totman, Beaufort Housing Authority Interim Director – Information on Work Force Housing and Affordable Housing Eric Brown, Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Director – Introduction as new Parks and Recreations Director and approach on recreation in Beaufort County The meeting is open to the public and registration is not required. For questions and more information, please email Council Member Glover at yglover@bcgov.net or call 843-812-2909

Crime from page A1

Along with Wyoming, South Carolina is currently one of two states that does not have a statewide statue on hate crimes according to City of Beaufort Council member Mike McFee.

Prior to last week, nine municipalities — Bluffton, Charleston, Clemson, Columbia, Conway, Florence, Greenville, Hardeeville, and Mouth Pleasant — had adopted ordinances that address hate crimes.

The City of Myrtle Beach and the Town of Summer-

From staff reports A 20-year-old St. Helena Island man has been convicted and sentenced in the 2019 Bluffton church parking lot shooting that left an 18-year-old Hilton Head High School graduate dead.

St. Helena man convicted of shooting, killing Hilton Head student Wing

Trey Jaden Blackshear was killed Dec. 23 2019, in the parking lot of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church off Buckwalter Parkway.

NEWS BRIEFS

LWV Beaufort holding general membership meeting

The League of Women Voters (LWV) Beaufort Area will be holding a general membership meeting from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, April 18, at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 178 Sam's Point Road on Lady’s Island. The community as well as members are welcome to attend.

The meeting will include a presentation by the organization’s Observer Corps – one of the fundamental functions of the League of Women Voters. The Observer Corps attends local government meetings, notes what happens at the meeting, and reports back to the League and the community. For more information on the LWV Beaufort Area, visit https:// my.lwv.org/south-carolina/beaufort-sc-area.

County Council to host forums on transportation tax referendum

Beaufort County Council will host several informational forums in April to answer questions regarding November's 2024 Transportation and Sales Use Tax referendum.

The remainder of the schedule is as follows:

Thursday, April 18, 6 p.m.: Buckwalter Recreation Center, 905 Buckwalter Parkway. Monday, April 29, 6 p.m.: St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road.

These informational meetings are intended to help the public understand what projects the sales and use tax money will fund if voters pass the referendum in November. Materials will be available for citizens to gain a greater understanding of sales tax in general as well a recap of past and current projects funded through transportation sales tax in Beaufort County. County Council members will be in attendance and guest speaker will be Jared Fralix, Assistant County Administrator for Infrastructure.

The meetings are open to the public and no RSVP is required. For more information, please contact the Clerk to Council's Office at 843-255-2180

County invites feedback on stormwater manuals

The Southern Lowcountry Tech-

ville joined the list by adopting ordinances last week. The language that has been adopted by the City of Beaufort was taken from the other municipalities to create continuity between the cities. This ordinance does not create a standalone offense, so you wouldn’t have someone charged with violating the hate crime statute, but it would fall to the police department to prove that a crime has been committed against one of the protected classes and the hate intimidation charge would be added if warranted.

City Manager Scott Marshall, who recommended

Terrance Wing was found guilty Thursday, April 11, of Blackshear’s murder and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a violent crime following a three-day jury trial at the Beaufort County Courthouse. He was sentenced Monday, April 15, to 40 years in prison. He received 35 years for the murder and five years for the gun charge. The sentences are to run consecutively. Wing was 16 at the time of the shooting but was charged and prosecuted as an adult. A second defendant, Xavier Da’Quan Barnes, is also being tried as an adult for murder and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime. He is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in court. Circuit Court Judge Carmen T. Mullen handed down Monday’s sentence.

nical Sub Committee is seeking feedback on the jurisdictional Southern Lowcountry Stormwater Manuals. All stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments, suggestions and improvements. Implementing jurisdictions are working on draft changes, and would like input on any additional proposed edits from residents, developers, engineers and other individuals with technical expertise. Comments on all manuals will be received through Friday, May 31. Comments may be submitted to wstormwater@bcgov.net.

For more information on current manuals, plans and studies, visit https://bit.ly/3PNgb3r.

For questions and more information, contact Beaufort County Stormwater Department at 843-255-2813

SCDOT hires new Chief Engineer for Project Delivery

The South Carolina Department of Transportation has named John Boylston, P.E. as Chief Engineer for Project Delivery.

The Chief Engineer for Project Delivery has statewide responsibility for the preparation and development of projects as they advance to construction. This includes oversight of right of way acquisition and environmental processes.

A graduate of Clemson University, a licensed professional engineer and a Certified Public Manager in South Carolina, Boylston began his career with SCDOT in 2006 as a Program Manager in the Beaufort area. He subsequently served as the Charleston area Program Manager, Lowcountry Regional Production Engineer, Midlands Regional Production Engineer and most recently as Director of Preconstruction where he has served since 2017

"I am pleased to announce this appointment and I'm excited to see John continue his hard work and dedication to the people of South Carolina,” SCDOT Deputy Secretary for Engineering Rob Perry, P.E. said. “As we continue to work to push South Carolina's momentum forward, we need people like John Boylston leading the charge."

Beaufort County holding election education forums

The Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is

the ordinance, said that while there is legislation that is currently pending in the S.C. State Senate, there is no guarantee that it will pass.

The state legislation, named “Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act,” has passed the House and the Senate’s Judiciary Committee, but has failed to pass the full Senate.

Pinckney, who was from Beaufort, was one of the nine Black churchgoers who were shot and killed during the 2015 massacre at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. This uncertainty over

hosting five community forums to educate and inform the public on the upcoming election season.

Topics will include what's on the ballot, voter registration – how to register, confirming voting status, deadlines to register, polling locations including new voting sites, and how to become a poll worker.

The remaining forum schedule is as follows: Thursday, April 25 6 to 8 p.m., Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island Tuesday, May 7 6 to 8 p.m., Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 367 Keans Neck Road, Seabrook

The forums are free and open to the public. No rsvp is required.

For more information visit Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration or call Jean Felix, Training and Outreach Coordinator at 843 - 255 - 6900

City solicits input on drainage improvement project

The City of Beaufort is inviting the public to a meeting to learn about the Charles/Craven and Port Republic/Carteret Street Drainage Improvement Project.

The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 26 at 1911 Boundary Street, second floor, Council Chambers.

The City wants to share plans to reduce ongoing flooding and stormwater drainage issues, gather input and comments on the project plans and share the project schedule.

Indivisible Beaufort meeting April 27

Patrick Perryman, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, will be the guest speaker when Indivisible Beaufort meets next at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 27 at the Beaufort Library Downtown at 311 Scott Street.

The topic of the meeting is Israel and Palestine. The group will explore the Biblical and historical contexts to better understand the complicated conflict between Israel and Palestine today.

Perryman has been in the ordained ministry since 1998 , with a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is an accomplished theologian and teacher.

the state legislation is what has led Beaufort and cities statewide to consider implementing their own ordinances. While some members of the city council expressed their immediate support for the effort, others were not so sure and raised concerns.

Council member Josh Scallate and Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer expressed concerns about the “subjective” nature of prosecuting a hate crime involving gender identity, as described by Assistant City Manager John J. Sauve, as internal and not necessarily visible to others. Scallate also worried

Trasi Campbell prosecuted the case. She is a member of the Career Criminal Unit. Campbell has been with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office since 2020 and has been a trial lawyer for more than 25 years.

The event is free and open to the public.

SCDOT to host public meeting for SC+EV Initiative

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will host one of 20 public open house meetings across the state on Monday, May 6 from 5 to 6 : 30 p.m. and the Beaufort Branch Library to provide an update on the state’s efforts to support the electric vehicle (EV) industry and ecosystem as it kicks off the SC+EV Initiative. The SC+EV Initiative will position South Carolina for the future of electrified mobility through the creation of a reliable and accessible statewide network of EV charging infrastructure.

Attendees are encouraged to drop in anytime to the open house meetings; no formal presentations will be given.

A virtual public meeting will be held in tandem with the public open houses. Members of the public can view the virtual meeting starting April 22, 2024 at www. southcarolina-ev.com.

Public comments may be submitted either in person at the meeting, through the project email, connect@southcarolina-ev.com, or by mail to SC+EV C/O SCDOT, 1201 Main Street Suite 800, Columbia, SC 29201

City of Beaufort taking a survey

Take a quick survey to share your insights about downtown Beaufort.

Beaufort is looking for ideas on how to make the city better. The City of Beaufort’s Downtown Operations Department has been working with a committee to explore ways to increase the vitality of downtown.

The team has created a survey asking residents and visitors a number of questions to get a better sense of how often they visit downtown, what activities they engage in when you are downtown, how convenient are shopping hours, and more.

Those who visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J7R8NB5 to fill out the survey will be automatically entered to win a prize.

– Compiled from staff reports

about potential costs associated additional hate crime sentences and Cromer was worried about training law enforcement officers for dealing with another level of investigation regarding crimes.

Council member Mitch Mitchell stated that cost should not be a factor.

Under the new ordinance, violations against the protected classes would be misdemeanors and could bring a fine of up to $500 and jail time of up to 30 days.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in 2022 there were 65 reported hate crimes in South Carolina, 107 in 2021 and 110 in 2020

There were no hate crimes committed in Beaufort County last year, but according to Sauve, this is a preventative measure.

There were no actions

Mac Deford Michael B. Moore

Community servants honored at Let History Speak Celebration

2nd annual event hosted by Second Founding of America

From staff reports

Eight local citizens and their work supporting the mission of the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park were honored at the second annual Let History Speak Celebration! hosted by the Second Founding of America on Wednesday, April 10 at MacLean Hall on the TCL Mather campus in Beaufort.

Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Celebration! Was Chris Allen, Vice President of Academic Affairs for the TCL Mather Campus. Allen greeted the participants as the audience of 150 was treated to a pre-program Sponsors Reception and a program designed to highlight the accomplishments of eight unsung Lowcountry heroes.

“The event tonight gives an opportunity to honor folks that give selflessly to the Community,” Second Founding of America President/CEO Dan Durbin said.

Honorees were chosen in three main categories: the Explorers of Untold History Scholarship Program, Alliance Volunteers, and the William “Billy” Keyserling Pioneer Award. Receiving the

2024 awards were Margo Middleton, Rials Gault, Antoine Patrick, the Mather School Coastal/Lowcountry Alumni and Associates Chapter, J. Edward Allen, Robin Southard, Grace Cordial, and Elijah Washington. Here are the awards and a description of each winner:

Dove Award

Presented to Margo Middleton for her shining example of selflessness and dedication to her community. For longer than four decades, she has dedicated her life to volunteering and supporting others, lifting them up through acts of kindness, compassion, and empowerment.

Explorers of Untold History

Scholarships

These $1 000 scholarships were awarded to Rials Gault and Antoine Patrick. Gault is a student at Bridges Preparatory Charter School. Patrick is a student at Beaufort High School. This scholarship honors the skills and creativity of Lowcountry students that research and retell the stories of the Reconstruction Era.

Beyond the Horizon Award

This award is a given to an individual or organization that has shown unwavering dedication to promoting unity and harmony in society and serves as a shining example to the community. This year’s recipient is the Mather School Coastal/Lowcountry Alumni and Associates Chapter. Through their actions, words, and deeds, they have demonstrated a profound understanding of the importance of embracing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and working toward a common goal of a more harmonious future for all.

The 200 Hour Volunteer Club

Superintendent of the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, Laura Wall recognized the park volunteers that volunteered 200 or more hours to the Park Service.

Servant Leadership Award Receiving the award was J. Ed-

ward Allen for practicing leadership that focuses on serving others, putting their needs first, and empowering them to reach their full potential. This leadership style is known as servant leadership, and it is a powerful force for positive change in organizations and communities.

Educator of the Year

Robin Southard was awarded the title of Educator of the Year. She has demonstrated outstanding dedication, passion, and innovation in the field of education. This prestigious award is in recognition of her significant contributions to the academic and personal development of our young people, as well as their commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

Historian of the Year

Grace Cordial was awarded the Historian of the Year Award by local historians Larry Rowland

and Stephen Wise. Cordial has dedicated herself for more than two decades, establishing and curating the Beaufort Collection of Historical Resources at the Beaufort County Library – a source for residents, students, and scholars from far and near.

William “Billy” Keyserling Pioneer Award

Elijah Washington received this distinguished honor. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication in driving positive change within the community. It celebrates someone that has taken bold and visionary steps to address challenges, create opportunities, and inspire others to work toward a better future. Recipients of this award are recognized trailblazers who pursued groundbreaking projects, programs, and initiatives that have had a transformative impact on their community.

POLITICAL BRIEFS

Speaker of House endorses Mace

Speaker Of The House Mike Johnson announced on Monday, April 15, that he has endorsed Rep. Nancy Mace in her reelection bid in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.

Nancy Mace

"Congresswoman Mace has consistently proven herself to be an independent voice, unafraid to stand up for the values, interests, and needs of her constituents above all else,” Speaker Johnson said in a news release. “I endorse her reelection campaign and look forward to working alongside her to ensure Republican leadership remains strong in Congress."

Iron Workers 846, 848 endorse Deford

Local 846 and Local 848 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Work-

ers Union endorsed Mac Deford, Democratic candidate for the S.C. 1st Congressional District 1 on Monday, April 15

The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union, the parent organization of Iron Workers 846 and 848, has a current membership of 140 000 with 15,000 apprentices. Members of this union have worked on nearly every major construction project — the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sears Tower, the World Trade Center, and the World Trade Center recovery effort, to name a few.

Sebastian Feculak, State/Local Political Coordinator and Government Relations for the International Association of Iron Workers – Mid-Atlantic said, “Mac Deford has the lived experience and understanding of working people’s issues to ensure that Congressional District 1 brings opportunities for our tradesmen and women and their families. The Ironworkers can count on him to ensure our members and constituents have family-sustaining and safe jobs.”

– Compiled from staff reports

City recognizes Beaufort Memorial

photo

BJWSA asks for customers to stagger irrigation

From staff reports Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) is asking customers to follow the utility’s Irrigation Management Program to help alleviate usage during peak hours and ensure public safety, according to a release from BJWSA. This request comes as spring landscaping increases demand on the water system during peak morning hours.

Morning hours are often the preferred time for irrigation systems to be set to activate, however too many customers pulling water from the system at the same time can be problematic and can cause issues such as boil water advisories, water discoloration, service outages and in some cases poor performance of fire hydrants in emergency situations. “The authority is working hard to increase treatment capacity and storage in order to meet ever-increasing demand,” BJWSA General Manager Verna Arnette said in a news release. “If enough residents simply adjust their lawn watering schedule, it will help mitigate early-morning demand in time for us to complete the expansion of our water treatment plant expected to come online next summer.” BJWSA has asked for

customers to adjust irrigation timers to water only three days per week on a rotating schedule. Odd-numbered addresses are asked to irrigate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while even-numbered addresses are asked to irrigate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Customers are asked to avoid irrigation on Mondays or any day between the

hours of 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. when demand is traditionally the highest. The irrigation guidelines were developed in cooperation with Clemson Extension Service to ensure that lawns are being watered at appropriate times for health and growth. Allowing landscaping to dry during no-water days will encourage plants to grow deeper roots and reduce the

occurrence of fungal diseases. BJWSA has several projects underway that will help to increase the demand, including doubling treatment capacity of the Purrysburg Water Treatment Plant to be able to produce 30 million gallons per day and building a 1 5-million-gallon water storage tank in Bluffton, but these projects won’t be complete until 2025, according to the release.

Billy Keyserling presents Elijah Washington with the Pioneer of the Year award at The Second Founding of America's second annual Let History Speak Celebration on April 10, 2024, at the Auditorium of the Technical College of the Lowcountry. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Richard and Greta Sandburg present Rials Gault, a student at Bridges Preparatory School, with the first of two Explorers of Untold History Scholarships during The Second Founding of America's second annual Let History Speak Celebration on April 10, 2024, at the Auditorium of the Technical College of the Lowcountry. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Officials from the City of Beaufort presented Russell Baxley, President and CEO

“The City of Beaufort has always been very supportive in recognizing this critical function, and Beaufort Memorial Hospital is a valuable partner for ensuring our staff receives excellent aftercare and provides an environment for our staff to debrief without judgment and be able to share their experiences with colleagues.” Submitted

Provided by Wells Fargo

During times of heightened stress, such as when there’s extreme market volatility, a person can quickly become overwhelmed and struggle to do things that might be considered simple or obvious. It can be helpful to focus on the things you can control, identify actions that you can take, and complete those action steps.

Here are four action items for you to consider:

1. Review your investment plan

If your goals have changed or if you haven’t updated your plan in a while, review and, if necessary, update your investment strategy to support reaching your goals.

2. Understand your risk tolerance

Risk is a key principle in investing. Some investments are riskier than others, but every financial decision involves risk. Since risk is inescapable, the key is to understand your risk tolerance and manage how much you are taking, which should be based on your long-term financial goals. If your tolerance for risk has changed, review your strategy and make sure

“Before you start making changes to your investment portfolio, consider your goals. Are you saving for retirement? Do you need to build a college fund for your children? Did a recent event create a need to adjust your plan?

you are still comfortable with the amount of risk you’re taking.

3. Stick to your plan

When the market gets volatile, investors often react emotionally and may want to pull out of the market to try to avoid loss. However, remember that moving or selling investments during a market decline will likely lock in losses; staying invested may allow you to benefit if the market comes back. Before reacting, take time to step back and try to respond using logic rather than emotion.

4. Organize and update important documents

Are your important documents up-to-date and accessible to those who may need them? Create a reference list of your documents and consider making a digital version for easy storage and accessibility. Also ensure that your beneficiary designations for investment accounts, life insurance, and other accounts are up-to-date to reflect any new circumstances such as marriage, birth, death, or divorce. Beneficiary designations typically supersede your will or trust,

Beaufort Women’s Center Radiance Run

And they’re off! Participants, both runners and walkers, kick off the Beaufort Women’s Center Radiance Run Beaufort 5K and 2 Mile Walk to The Sands on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Abraham Wright and Clayton Leszczynski, the first two runners out of almost 200 registrants, make their way across the finish line at the Beaufort Women’s Center Radiance Run. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Rentals from page A1

the town has a chance to assess what is in the best interest of Port Royal going forward.

From staff reports Beaufort County is asking for the community’s help and participation in an upcoming survey of St. Helena Island and south of

in Summer

2024 and Beaufort County is currently gathering community information to develop a history of the survey area to determine the location of important historic resources that were built between 1950 and 1979

The public is encouraged to fill out and share a questionnaire to help with this process.

The last day to fill out

the project questionnaire is Wednesday, April 24 Stantec will complete a draft history of the survey area focusing on the postWorld War II era through 1979 and underrepresented communities.

The survey project is jointly funded by Beaufort County and a Federal Historic Preservation Grant through S.C. Department of Archives and History.

Between July and August, survey fieldwork will be conducted and will consist of taking photographs, noting architectural features and mapping each property. More information about the project can be viewed during Stantec’s presentation of the project at the March 21 Historic Preservation Review Board meeting.

USCB event honors 1st South Carolina Volunteers of African Descent

will present lessons and share inspirational stories that illuminate the legacy of the 1st regiment of soldiers of African descent during the event, Breathing Democracy into Spaces: 1st South Carolina Volunteers of African Descent. The 1st regiment of soldiers of African descent paved the way for thousands of other Black men to take up arms during the Civil War to secure freedom for themselves, their families, their communities and their nation through their contributions and impact, according to the release.

“We are not changing an ordinance, we are not taking away short-term rentals,” Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips said about the decision. He continued to say that there has been a 50% rise in shortterm rentals in the past four years and there are more than 1,500 multi-family units that are currently being built in the town, and these moratoriums will allow the town to see how the new development has impacted schools, police, fire and other infrastructure.

Phillips, who spoke about the need for a temporary moratorium on apartments and short-term rentals when he ran for mayor in November 2023, said that overall, the feedback regarding the dual moratoriums has been positive. Regarding short-term rentals, a task force of citizens will be assembled to review the short-term rental ordinance that was voted on four years ago to see if it is still

All events are free and open to the community.

The event, sponsored by a McCausland Grant from the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of South Carolina, will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the USCB Center for the Arts at 805 Carteret Street in Beaufort. Featured speakers during the event are Clemson University’s Vernon Burton, Maj. Tom McShea of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, USC Beaufort’s Mollie Barnes, Carnegie Mellon University’s Wyatt Erchak, among others.

pertinent today or if it needs to be modified. “The dynamics have changed, and we believe it’s prudent to bring together a new group of citizens to review the previous ordinance to see if it still fits the needs of the community,” Phillips said.

The 7-month short

Koch-backed group gets involved in SC Statehouse races

Endorsements start with 5 Republicans, including 2 without primary opposition

By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — A billionaire-funded conservative network is bringing its influence and army of volunteers to South Carolina’s Statehouse races for the first time.

The state branch of Americans for Prosperity, the political advocacy group founded in 2004 by libertarian billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, is starting its General Assembly endorsements with five Republicans. They include four legislators with perfect scores on the group’s latest legislative report card and a firsttime candidate running for an open seat in the Upstate, according to the group’s announcement, given first to the S.C. Daily Gazette

More endorsements may come closer to the June primary.

Of the initial five, only three face GOP opposition: Sen. Katrina Shealy, whose opposition to an abortion ban made her a target; Rep. Jason Elliott, who’s seeking an open Senate seat; and Sarah Curran, who’s vying to replace House Freedom Caucus Chairman Adam Morgan, who’s running for Congress.

Also getting endorsements are House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, who has no opposition at all this year; and Sen. Wes Climer, R-Rock Hill, who has only a third-party challenger in November.

Their re-election is obviously not in question, but the group wanted to publicly applaud the pair as champions of its positions. Climer actually received a better-than-perfect score of 113 last year — the report card’s highest grade — as the lead sponsor of two bills it scored.

For its 2023 report card, the 14 items scored included repealing the regulatory Certificate of Need permission process hospitals need

to build or expand — legislation Climer sponsored that became law last year — and allowing “open enrollment” public school choice, medical marijuana, and home delivery and curbside pickup of alcohol. The latter three have yet to pass.

While its 2024 grades await the session’s end, the group praised Smith, in his second full year as speaker, for pushing through the House “universal” expansion of the state’s fledgling scholarship program for private school choice. That bill is highly unlikely to get a vote in the Senate this year.

“South Carolina has strong representation in the Statehouse who we are thrilled to support in their reelection endeavors,” AFP state director Candace Carroll said in a statement. “We are also hopeful to bring new policy champions into the fold who will align with our vision for the state and move critical legislation.”

The group’s endorsements bring volunteers, digital ads and direct mailers to support its picks. The network touts having 84,000 activists statewide available to make

phone calls and knock on doors.

A spokesperson declined to say how much money the organization plans to put into Statehouse races or how many total candidates it intends to support.

By endorsing candidates in the primaries, AFP hopes to help elect more legislators who align with its policy goals, which include deregulation of some occupational licensing requirements, the expungement of more misdemeanor crimes to help people who have completed their sentence find work, and more taxpayer-supported choices in K-12 private and public schools.

The endorsements were based on a combination of its annual report card for legislators and, for challengers and those newly seeking office, their responses on a questionnaire, interviews, and their public statements, according to the group.

The candidates endorsed so far:

Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington

The chairwoman of the Senate Family and Veterans’

Services Committee faces two opponents in the Republican primary. The challenge was expected, after Shealy joined a bi-partisan group of women who call themselves “sister senators” who helped defeat a near-total abortion ban and consistently opposed the six-week ban that ultimately passed last year. Abortion is not an issue Americans for Prosperity has gotten involved in or scored.

Neither of Shealy’s opponents — Carlisle Kennedy and Zoe Warren, both of Lexington — have held elected office previously. Both criticize her as being too liberal in one of South Carolina’s most conservative counties, pointing to the abortion votes as an example.

She’s no stranger to a tough campaign. The former chairwoman of the Lexington County Republican Party managed to first win her seat in 2012 despite being among hundreds of candidates statewide tossed off primary ballots over a filing technicality. She was the lone petition candidate that year to oust a legislator.

Shealy said the endorse-

ment will help her in the primary, and that she has a longstanding relationship with AFP.

“I’ve worked with them on several things,” she said. “I’m just so excited about working with them.”

Bills that Shealy’s worked with AFP on include a 2022 law she sponsored to expand telehealth services.

The group noted that Warren, one of her challengers, testified at a House hearing earlier this year against expanding the state’s voucher program. His concerns were over how it could affect homeschool parents.

Rep. Jason Elliott, R-Greenville

Elliott, first elected to the House in 2016, is making a bid for a Senate seat opened by the retirement of GOP Sen. Dwight Loftis.

Elliott faces two GOP opponents for the Greenville County seat: Dan Nickles, Loftis’ dentist, who’s received his endorsement; and Ben Carper, a real estate broker.

But Elliott has worked closely with AFP, including introducing bills for them, the spokesperson said, and has good relations in both chambers.

Sarah Curran

Curran is the only non-legislator in the first round. She faces Stephen Frank, an insurance provider, in the GOP primary to replace Morgan, R-Taylors, who is challenging U.S. Rep. William Timmons for the 4th Congressional District.

While this is Curran’s first run for political office, she’s helped get other Republicans elected, including school board and county races and in states as far away as Alaska.

She worked on other political campaigns and with conservative groups including Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform and

Generation Opportunity, which partnered with Americans for Prosperity.

Currently, Curran runs a tech startup with her husband focused on fundraising for political and nonprofit organizations.

She is running on a platform of tax and budget reform and thinks the endorsement can help her win. The primary winner will face a Democrat in November for the ruby red seat.

Americans for Prosperity has “a really great reputation in the Upstate for just being a conservative powerhouse and backing conservatives that are workhorses and are going to do what they say they are going to do,” she said. “It means a lot to me that they’re putting their faith in me.”

AFP Action

The sister organization of AFP, AFP Action, backed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in her quest to topple former President Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nominee. It was the first time the political action committee backed by billionaire megadonors had endorsed a presidential candidate. It ultimately didn’t help. Following Haley’s loss in South Carolina, the group announced it would no longer spend money to promote her.

Any endorsements in South Carolina’s federal congressional races will come from AFP Action.

By Abraham Kenmore

SCDailyGazette.com

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has a new job a month after exiting the Republican presidential contest. Haley, who lives on Kiawah Island, is joining the conservative, Washington, D.C.-based Hudson Institute think tank as the Walter P. Stern Chair. The position, created in 2020, is named for the institute’s longtime chairman, according to a press release Monday. The Hudson Institute, founded in 1961 in New York state, has a particular focus on foreign policy and security issues.

“When our policymakers fail to call out our enemies or acknowledge the importance of our alliances, the world is less safe,” Haley said in the release. “That is why Hudson’s work is so critical. They believe the American people should have the facts and policymakers should have the solutions to support a secure, free, and prosperous future.”

In 2020, Haley gave a speech at the Hudson Institute supporting capitalism as the world’s best economic system, followed by a discussion with a senior fellow at the think tank. A transcript remains available to view online.

What exactly Haley will be doing for the group is unclear.

The job involves working on foreign policy and national security along with other “key policy”

areas, according to a Hudson Institute spokesperson, who did not give specifics. The spokesperson also declined to say how much Haley would be paid or whether the job is considered full time. Only one other person has held the position: Ken Weinstein, who is a past president and CEO of the Hudson Institute. He currently serves as the institute’s Japan Chair.

Haley, first elected governor of South Carolina in 2010, left during her second term to be then-President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, starting in January 2017

After resigning from that role in October 2018, Haley gave a number of high-dollar speeches before officially jumping into the GOP race for president in February 2023

In the year leading up to that, she gave 12 speeches that paid at least $100,000 and possibly up to $1 million each, according to a mandated financial report she filed last spring.

The campaign was bruising, particularly after the crowded field became a two-person contest.

Haley questioned the mental competency of Trump and President Joe Biden and called Trump chicken for refusing to debate her. Trump called her “birdbrain” and questioned the whereabouts of her husband, who’s deployed

in Africa with the South Carolina National Guard.

She stuck it out longer than expected, refusing calls to drop out even after she lost her home state by 20 percentage points. Haley ultimately suspended her campaign after Super Tuesday, having won just Vermont and Washington, D.C.

She declined to endorse Trump in her speech, saying he should earn the support of her backers. And she said she would be continuing to advocate for her values outside of the campaign.

A week before announcing her new role with the Hudson Institute, Haley’s campaign sent out a letter thanking those on her mailing list

for their support, describing them as a “movement.” The Hudson Institute previously gave Haley the Global Leadership Award in 2018. Also winning that year was Paul Ryan, then-speaker of the U.S. House. Past recipients include vice presidents during

Heads up about headache location

You’re going about your day, when all of a sudden, you feel a throbbing or pounding pain in your head. Great, you’ve got a headache. But you may wonder what type of headache you’re experiencing. Is it a migraine? Is it a tension headache? And will something like ibuprofen or acetaminophen help with your pain? Behind your eye, on one side of your face or as a band around your head—headaches are no fun. There are more than 150 headache categories, according to the International Headache Society. But you can typically determine which kind by the different headache locations, which can help you determine what may have caused your headache and what kind of treatments may offer relief.

Headache specialist Emad Estemalik, MD, Center for Neuro-Restoration, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, explains the most common types of headaches, the headache location meaning and how they’re typically treated.

Types of headaches and location

Depending on where you feel pain, the headache location usually determines what kind of headache you have: Tension headache: Both sides of your head or a band around your head.

• Migraine headache or hormonal headache:

One side of your head.

• Cluster headache: One side of your head, specifically in or around your eye.

New daily persistent headache: Both sides of your head.

Hormonal headache: One side of your head. Sinus headache: Entire face but also behind your eyes, cheekbones, forehead and bridge of your nose.

• Dehydration headache: All over your head or in one spot like your back, front or side.

Tension headache: Both sides of your head or a band around your head. Temporary stress, anxiety, fatigue, lack of sleep or anger typically cause tension headaches— and they’re the most

common type of headache. “With a tension headache (also known as a stress headache), you will typically feel mild to moderate pain that is non-throbbing on both sides of your head,” says Dr. Estemalik. “It typically starts in your forehead, temples or the back of your head and neck. And it can feel like a tight band tightening around your head.”

Tension headaches usually don’t get worse with routine activities, like bending over, walking upstairs, or lying down. And they can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days. Most often, you can take over-thecounter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate any pain.

Migraine headache: One side of your head. The second most common type of headaches, migraines are caused by changes in your brain’s chemical and blood vessel activity. Different factors can trigger a migraine, like weather changes, hormones, and certain foods.

The pain associated with a migraine may be moderate to severe, with pounding and throbbing often on one side of your head,” notes Dr. Estemalik. “You may also experience nausea, vomiting, neck pain and sensitivity to lights, noises and sounds.”

A migraine headache can last anywhere from four hours to three days. For

those who experience mild migraines, over-the-counter medication may help. Other treatment options may include prescription medication, vitamin therapy, relaxation training, biofeedback, acupuncture, and Botox® injections.

Cluster headache: One side of your head, specifically in or around your eye. Cluster headaches, believed to be caused by a chemical reaction in your brain, come with severe pain that includes intense burning, piercing, or throbbing behind one eye. You may also experience teary or droopy eyes and a runny nose.

You may feel like you can’t sit still during a cluster headache and may often find yourself pacing,” says Dr. Estemalik.

Cluster headaches typically occur one to three times a day during a “cluster period,” which may last two weeks to three months. They’re typically treated with prescription medication and oxygen.

New daily persistent headaches: Both sides of your head. The cause of new daily persistent headaches (NDPH) is unknown but it may be due to an underlying inflammatory process.

“This type of headache starts suddenly with constant mild to moderate pain that’s felt on both sides of your head,” explains Dr.

Estemalik. “If it becomes severe, it may feel like a migraine. And the pain can last for weeks or even months.”

New daily persistent headaches don’t respond to most medications, so it’s important to rule out any secondary causes like infection, brain tumors or vascular issues. For example, NDPH may happen to people who have had COVID-19 and is typically referred to as a COVID headache. A combination of medical and behavioral management may help those who have NDPH.

Hormonal headache: One side of your head. Also known as menstrual migraines, hormonal headaches typically start before or during your period and can be caused by changes in estrogen levels.

Like a traditional migraine, a pulsing or throbbing pain is typically felt on one side of your head and symptoms like dizziness, nausea and blurred vision can become worse with movement, light, smells or sounds,” Dr. Estemalik explains.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can help with pain and symptoms and should be started two to three days before your period starts. It’s important to keep taking NSAIDs throughout your menstrual cycle. Other prescription medications like

triptans may offer relief.

If you’re pregnant, you may also experience a pregnancy headache, which can be caused by hormones, an increase in blood volume and other triggers like lack of sleep and stress.

And while it feels like a migraine, your treatment options are different, as most medications aren’t recommended during pregnancy. Options like cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback and physical therapy can provide relief. On a positive note, most people see an improvement in how many pregnancy headaches they experience the further they get into their pregnancy.

Sinus headache: Entire face. If you have a sinus infection, a cold or allergies, you may experience a sinus headache thanks to mucus buildup. It’s also very commonly mistaken for those who have a migraine with nasal symptoms.

“You may feel like your entire face hurts, with a dull ache behind your eyes, cheekbones, forehead or bridge of your nose,” says Dr. Estemalik. “You may also have a stuffy nose, fever or thick, discolored mucus discharge.”

With a sinus headache, it’s key to treat the underlying cause. If your sinus headache is a result of a bacterial or fungal sinus infection, you’ll need antibiotics or

antifungal medication. Antihistamines may help with a sinus headache caused by allergies. And if you have a common cold, decongestants may help reduce swelling in your sinuses.

Dehydration headache:

All over your head or in one spot. Haven’t been drinking enough water? You may get a dehydration headache, which happens when you don’t get enough fluids into your body.

“The pain from a dehydration headache can vary from mild to severe and is typically felt all over your head but can also be felt in one spot like your back, front or side,” notes Dr. Estemalik. “And the pain can be dull or sharp and may become worse from movement.”

Other symptoms may include dizziness and confusion, a dry mouth and muscle cramps. You can typically manage a dehydration headache at home by drinking fluids like water or electrolyte drinks in small sips, resting and applying a cold compress on your head. Over-the-counter NSAIDs can also help.

When to see a doctor

Headaches can be a pain, literally. It’s important to figure out the location, types of headaches you may have and what treatment options work best for you. If you have headaches often and they’re interfering with your daily life, see a healthcare provider.

And there are certain situations where it’s vital you seek medical care immediately, especially if you have: A stiff neck

A sudden headache that becomes severe quickly

A fever that doesn’t go away

A concussion

Confusion, weakness, or slurred speech

“While most headaches aren’t dangerous, your healthcare provider can help you determine what kind of headaches you’re experiencing and provide guidance on lifestyle changes, how to avoid triggers and what medication may help,” says Dr. Estemalik.

Source: https://health. clevelandclinic.org/why-you-getheadaches-and-where

New breast nurse navigator at Beaufort Memorial Breast Health Center

Chimene Heyward, MSN, RN, has joined the Beaufort Memorial Breast Health Center in Okatie and Beaufort as a breast care nurse navigator. At the centers, Heyward guides breast cancer patients from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship, providing support and resources, answering questions, and serving as a primary point of contact.

Experienced in both nursing and nurse education, Heyward joined Beaufort Memorial in 2011 as a critical care nurse and has worked in several roles, including as a chemotherapy nurse in medical oncology. Prior to becoming a nurse navigator, she was a clinical instructor

and credits that background in her approach to helping patients understand their diagnosis and care plan.

The Estill, South Carolina, native and proud Navy mom holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University and a Master of Science in Nursing— Nurse Educator from Chamberlain College of Nursing in Addison, Illinois. The nationally recognized Beaufort Memorial Breast Health Centers are fully accredited by the American College of Radiology and National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, and offer a variety of services, including digital 3 D mammography; automated breast ultrasound screening (Beaufort location only); diagnostic breast biopsy, MRI and ultrasound; advanced breast cancer treatments and clinical trials; a full range of breast surgeries; bone density screenings; patient care navigation; and a genetics and highrisk breast program.

For more information about breast cancer navigation, visit BeaufortMemorial.org/BreastCareNavigation or contact Heyward at 843-522-5895

Chimene Heyward

Bath scrubbies and loofahs— a bacterial breeding ground?

It’s shower time, and you’re ready to get squeaky clean. And the number of body washes, soaps, creams, gadgets, and tools that you can use in the shower is unlimited.

While you may gravitate to your trusty old loofah, maybe you’ve wondered: Are loofahs bad?

Do loofahs hold bacteria? Are loofahs sanitary?

The answers aren’t so pretty. By their nature, loofah sponges have lots of nooks and crannies, and they’re very porous. When people use a loofah to scrub off dead skin cells, those cells become lodged in those nooks and crannies. And that sets the stage for a bacterial playground, says dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD., Anatomic Pathologist, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

But that doesn’t mean you should never use one — you just need to know how to keep it clean. Dr. Piliang shares how to clean a loofah and how long loofahs last.

The gross truth about loofahs

Natural loofahs are made from a dried tropical gourd, while synthetic ones are made from plastic. Regardless of the type, there’s plenty of opportunity for bacteria and other gross things to take up residency on your loofah.

“Loofahs are interesting,” says Dr. Piliang. “They’re used in a wet environment, and you hang them up in the shower, which is also a wet environment. They don’t ever totally dry out, so the loofah is a beautiful breeding ground for bacteria.”

Some kinds of bacteria that may be found in your loofah. How about:

E. coli bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Staphylococcus bacteria. Streptococcus bacteria.

Loofahs can also contain fungal organisms that lead to skin infections. “That’s why it’s important to make sure you keep your loofahs clean, replace them regularly and use them gently—don’t rub your skin too vigorously,” stresses Dr. Piliang.

How to keep a loofah clean

You may love your loofah, but you won’t want the things that can lurk in a loofah to linger. So, how should you properly care for your loofah? Dr. Piliang offers a few tips:

• Dry it daily. Rinse your loofah well after each use. Shake it out thoroughly and hang it in a cool place—probably not in the shower—where it has the best chance of drying out. Avoid using it for a few days after you shave. Bacteria can enter your skin through any sort of nick or cut, so you shouldn’t use your loofah for a couple of days after shaving your legs. There’s no reason to use a loofah more than twice a week anyway, Dr. Piliang says. Never use it on your face or in your genital area. Those parts of the body are sensitive. “You wouldn’t want to scrub them anyway,” she adds.

• Clean it weekly. “No matter which loofah you’re using, you should clean it at least once a week,” Dr. Piliang instructs. To do so, soak it in a diluted bleach solution for 5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Or put it in your dishwasher.

How often should you replace a loofah?

How often should you change your loofah? Dr. Piliang offers the following guidance: “If you have a natural loofah, you should replace it every three to four weeks. If you have one of the plastic ones, those

can last for two months.”

And pay attention to its appearance and smell, she notes. “If you notice any mold growing on your loofah, you should throw it away and get a new one. Or if it develops a mildewy or musty odor—that’s a sign you should get rid of your loofah.”

Alternatives to loofahs

What to use instead of a loofah?

You may want to consider washcloths as a good alternative to loofahs. They don’t present the same degree of problems. Their physical structure makes them less susceptible to anything lodging in them—and also makes them easier to clean and dry, Dr. Piliang says. Plus, you probably tend to wash them in the laundry and replace them more often than you would with a traditional loofah. You can also consider other options like silicone bath scrubbers, which are made with antimicrobial benefits or sea sponges, which are grown in fresh bodies of water and boast some antibacterial properties.

Bottom line?

If you’re devoted to your loofah, go ahead, and keep using it. But implement Dr. Piliang’s advice about drying it out every day and cleaning it once a week. And make sure you avoid certain sensitive areas like your face and genitals.

Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ loofahs-can-double-as-bacterial-breedinggrounds

Can your tongue tell you about your health?

We’ve all heard it’s a good idea to regularly check our skin for anything suspicious, but what about our tongues?

It turns out they can give us some insight into our overall health.

So, what does a normal tongue typically look like?

“Most normal tongue colors are pink, though shades may vary from a lighter pink to a darker pink. You'll see papillae and taste buds, and those are the little bumps. Those belong on the tongue and are part of the taste receptors and how we enjoy our food,” explained Marianne Sumego, MD, a pri-

mary care physician with Cleveland Clinic. When it comes to tongue color, Dr. Sumego said any color aside from pink may signal something’s wrong. A yellow tongue can indicate poor oral hygiene, while a red tongue may mean you have a vitamin deficiency. Meanwhile, a blue tongue can develop due to something as serious as a lack of oxygen in your blood

With all this in mind, it’s important to seek a medical provider if you notice any changes in your tongue’s color. Dr. Sumego said it’s also

important to watch for lesions on the tongue.

“Check for any lesions on the tongue, particularly those that are plaque-like, or smooth patches. One is called leukoplakia, which causes painless white or gray patches to develop,” Dr. Sumego said. “There's also erythroplakia, which causes red lesions. If those aren't healing or changing, then consult your physician or dentist.”

Dr. Sumego stresses it’s best to check your tongue regularly and follow up on anything that looks unusual.

Source: ccnewsservice@ccf.org

This puffy shower accessory can become lodged with skin cells (and other gross things), so make sure you dry it daily and clean it once a week.

Who cares about public notices?

You have the right to know what’s happening in your community.

Public notices – information local governments are obligated to provide citizens – are required to be published in local newspapers to provide a public record that’s accessible to everyone.

Public notices keep you informed about your government. But, in some states legislators are trying to keep public notices from appearing in local newspapers. This severely impacts government transparency and, in turn, limits the public’s right to hold them accountable for their actions.

Let your state legislators know that you value being able to access notices in your newspaper and that they are worth the investment.

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

three

nings

15-0,

Johnson

BASEBALL AT THE CREEK

a perfect game and striking out eight of the nine Cougars who went to the plate. The Eagles have endured some growing pains on defense with young players adapting to new roles, but Rast’s skill at drawing swings and misses helps to mitigate the damage. Beaufort will need to limit its mistakes on defense when the region title is on the line next week against Hanahan and throughout the Class 3A playoffs.

Rast will also need the backing of the offense, which took advantage of 15 free passes (10 walks, five hit by pitches) against North Charleston but banged out nine hits against JPII. Rast was 2-for2 with a double, a walk, two runs,

the Region 8-3A schedule providing little resistance beyond newfound rival Philip Simmons, Beaufort High’s girls soccer team stepped into the SCISA ranks for a non-conference test Friday night, and the Eagles passed with a last-minute cram session.

After trailing at halftime, the Eagles netted four second-half goals

— three of them from sensational junior Selena Duncan — to rally past visiting Hilton Head Prep for a 4-3 win. Duncan leads the team in goals (31) and assists (8) and has scored a goal in 13 of 14 games with six hat tricks.

Reese Meyers added the other goal on a free kick and Gianna Pacheco dished out two assists for the Eagles, who have won four straight matches and 11 of their last 12, with the lone setback a 4-3 overtime loss to Philip Simmons. Beaufort holds the edge over the Iron Horses in aggregate score, though, by virtue of a 4-2 home win in March, so the Eagles can clinch the top seed in the playoffs with wins over Hanahan and North Charleston next week. Beaufort dominated the first

and two RBIs, while Arianna Smith and Saylor Waldorf each added two hits.

The Eagles (10-4) were scheduled to face Oceanside Collegiate on Friday, but that matchup was scrapped when the Landsharks needed the date to make up a region game. Beaufort gets one more tuneup Thursday at James Island before hosting Hanahan on April 23 to open a home-andhome series that will crown the region champion.

Justin Jarrett is the sports editor of The Island News and the founder of LowcoSports. com. He was the sports editor of the Island Packet and the Beaufort Gazette for 6½ years. He has a passion for sports and community journalism and a questionable sense of humor.

BA boys salvage split vs. PCA

Beaufort High’s Selena Duncan, left, outmaneuvers Hilton Head Prep’s goalkeeper and scores the third of her three goals during the second half Friday, April 12, at Eagles Stadium. Despite being down 1-0 at the half, the Lady Eagles went on to win the match, 4-3, with Reese Meyers also scoring on a free kick for the Lady Eagles. Bob Sofaly/The Island

Beaufort’s Arianna Smith makes it to second base just ahead of the ball as John Paul II shortstop Cayce Graves, left, and second baseman Gracie Henderson make the play during the fourth inning Wednesday, April 10, at Beaufort High School. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Battery Creek shortstop Chrisitan Simmonson cleanly fields a hard-hit grounder and makes the

during the top of the first inning against the Bluffton Bobcats on Friday, April 12, at The Creek. The

went on to give a hitting exhibition, scoring 15 runs in the first three innings to win the first game of their doubleheader, 15-0. Bob Sofaly/The Island

EDUCATION

Reduced-price meals in SC schools would be free under Senate proposal

Sponsor says it could be first step toward free breakfasts, lunches for all K-12 students

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — Poor

Carolina

students who eat meals at school for a much-reduced cost would no longer pay anything under a Senate budget proposal.

Students who aren’t considered poor enough to eat for free pay 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. Nearly 10,000 students statewide qualify for that rate, while 622,000 can eat for free.

The budget clause advocated by Sen. Katrina Shealy would ensure no student would need to scrounge up nickels and dimes to eat.

That 70 cents per day for students who eat both meals at school — $3 50 a week for Monday through Friday — probably seems insignificant for most, but for the families who qualify for that rate, it can be a big deal, said Shealy, who sits on Senate Finance and is chairwoman of the Senate Family and Veterans’ Services Committee.

Her proposal, sent to the Senate floor last week as part of Senate Finance’s budget package, is expected to cost the state less than $1 5 million in a $13 2 billion spending package. The sum could actually be much less, depending on how many eligible students sign up. If participation remains the same, covering the gap may cost $530 000, Shealy said.

“We waste that much money on much less important things,” she told the S.C. Daily Gazette

The Lexington Republican hopes it’s a step toward free meals for all K-12 public school students.

“The only thing I could

get was a bite out of the apple,” she said. “Next year, we can work on getting free lunches for everyone.”

She pre-filed legislation in November 2022 that would do that by requiring the state to reimburse school districts any costs not covered by the federal government. The bill has never received a hearing. Fellow Republicans, notably Education Chairman Greg Hembree, had sticker shock at the predicted cost. Offering universal meals at K-12 schools may cost up to $192 4 million, according to a March 2023 estimate by the state’s fiscal experts. But actual costs for that could also be much lower. A guestimate cited at a joint House-Senate panel last August was $50 million to $60 million. Shealy thinks it would be closer to $40 million.

Whatever the true tally,

Hembree said, that would pay for a lot of meals whose families don’t need the help.

“I don’t want to do welfare for families that don’t need it,” said the Little River Republican.

However, he said he can get on board with covering the reduced-price gap.

“This is such a small contribution, I don’t have a problem with that,” Hembree told the S.C. Daily Gazette.

A family’s income determines students’ eligibility for free and reduced-cost meals. For example, students in a family of three — whether a single mom with two children, or two parents with one child — can eat for free if their household income is less than $32 320

If their income is between that amount and $45 991 the children pay the reduced rate of 70 cents a day.

The vast majority of South Carolina’s K-12 public schools qualify for a federal program that covers meal costs for all students without parental paperwork. Eligibility increased last fall as the federal government lowered the threshold for qualifying. Still, not all eligible schools in the state participate.

That’s because the federal government’s reimbursements don’t cover the cost of feeding every student, Hembree said.

A clause inserted in the state budget last year — which will roll over — was designed to increase participation. It requires local

school boards to either participate where eligible or pass a resolution explaining to the public why they’re not.

The clause also bars so-called lunch shaming. Schools can’t deny meals or serve alternative meals — such as a cold peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a paper bag — to students with a lunch debt. They also can’t make the student do chores or extra work in exchange for meals or deny participation in any school event or field trip.

So, even for students who accrue debt because they can’t pay, there’s little real impact, Hembree said.

“We’ve done what we can do” on preventing children from being shamed, he told

senators. But Shealy said she still worries about schools holding the money over students’ heads to keep them from joining extracurriculars or walking at graduation. Removing the cost completely would make that a non-issue for students receiving reduced-cost meals, she said. She plans to try again next year.

Skylar

SC agency removes private school from voucher list over misspending allegations

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — A Florence private school whose director is accused of misusing public money is no longer an approved recipient of taxpayer-funded K-12 scholarships, according to a letter provided to the S.C. Daily Gazette

The state Department of Education (SCDE) suspended Palmetto Promise Academy’s approval

Thursday, April 11, two days after the Gazette reported it was among 221 private schools where parents could spend their $6,000 state allotment starting this school year.

Earlier this week, an agency spokesman said the school qualified to be on its list because the director pledged to check her employees’ legal status and potential criminal background, which is all that state law requires for approval.

But that changed after the Gazette reported Yvonne Brown-Burgess remains under investigation for her spending of public dollars while running a charter school in Florence.

The agency “is in receipt of information associated with ongoing litigation involving Palmetto Youth Academy and Florence County School District One,” reads the letter from Deputy Superintendent John Tyler.

“After reviewing the allegations and considering its obligations as a steward of the education scholarship funds, the SCDE has made the decision to suspend Palmetto Promise Academy’s approval as an education service provider,” reads the one-paragraph letter. Palmetto Promise Academy has no website but shares an address and director with the defunct Palmetto Youth Academy, a charter school that opened in 2005, sponsored by Florence County’s largest school district. Florence One officials decided last year not to renew the school’s charter, citing — among other things — violations of state law and its own academic goals. The

Administrative Law Court upheld the decision last August, according to court filings.

Florence One Superintendent

Richard O’Malley later accused Brown-Burgess of using taxpayer money for personal gain. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division continues to investigate those claims, a spokeswoman told the S.C. Daily Gazette on Monday, April 11

Brown-Burgess did not immediately respond to an email or phone call requesting comment Thursday. She declined to comment in an email to the Gazette earlier this week.

Since the court upheld the district’s decision, a court-appointed

official has recovered $400,000 that Florence One officials believe should go back to the district, according to a news release Wednesday from the school district.

Court officials have identified another $114 000 they believe school director Brown-Burgess paid herself from a school account. Brown-Burgess told investigators that she took the money with the charter school board’s permission to buy credits to increase her retirement benefits, according to court filings also released Wednesday by the district. O’Malley questioned how Palmetto Promise Academy ended up on the list in the first place.

“It baffles me how a business entity with no authorization to operate a school in South Carolina gets on the list of approved providers to receive taxpayer-funded vouchers,” he said in a statement.

In the inaugural year of South Carolina’s K-12 scholarship program, the parents of 5 000 students will receive $6 000 toward tuition, tutoring and other school-related coasts. Payments are set to start in July, unless the state Supreme Court throws out last year’s law before then.

Students getting their l lunch at a primary school in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo courtesy of Amanda Mills/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

A tough assignment

Calvary Day’s Max Arnold makes it to second base before Beaufort High’s second baseman Will Herron can field the throw during the top of the fourth inning Wednesday, April 10, at Beaufort. The highly ranked Cavaliers from Savannah went on the win the game, 7-1. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Doubles teams boost

Golden Warriors

Doubles

a 6-3 victory on the tennis courts Monday, April 8

Singles

1. Angelo Iskandar (JPII) def. Davis Bonebreak; 6-1 6-2

2. Leo Iskandar (JPII) def. Vann Hefner; 6-1, 6-3

3. Landon Low (JPII) def. Aden Harrington; 6-0 6-1

4. Nathan Nash (BA) def. Sullivan Homer; 6-4, 7-5

5. K.J. Browning (BA) def. Bailey Homer; 6-0 7-6

6. Addy Norris (BA) def. Nathan Lyle; 7-6, 7-6

1. Angelo Iskandar/Landon Low (JPII) def. Davis Bonebreak/Aden Harrington; 8-0

2. Leo Iskandar/Sullivan Homer (JPII) def. Vann Hefner/Nathan Nash; 8-3

3. Aiden Karrh/KP Santos (JPII) def. Sarah Green/ Jimmy Farriera; 7-4

Dataw Island hosts Eagles

Trick

from page B1

meetings with the Hawks (7-0) and Cougars (16-0), so it’s almost a foregone conclusion.

Beaufort (11-2-1) has one more test mixed in Tuesday at SCISA power Porter-Gaud, which should provide a good litmus test for where they need to focus their attention in order to get past powerhouse Waccamaw and reach the state finals.

Beaufort’s boys have missed the stellar senior class that led a run to the Class 3A championship game a year ago, but the Eagles closed out the regular season with an impressive win, stunning Philip Simmons in penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw. The win didn’t impact Beaufort’s playoff seeding — the Eagles will still be the No. 3 seed and open on the road — but it gives Terry Rawlins’ team a big emotional boost going into the postseason.

Justin Jarrett is the sports editor of The Island News and the founder of LowcoSports.com. He was the sports editor of the Island Packet and the Beaufort Gazette for 6½ years. He has a passion for sports and community journalism and a questionable sense of humor.

Salvage from page B1

trick, Madi McDougal added a goal, and Claire Tumlin had an assist, but the Eagles came up short in a 4-3 defeat.

Beaufort’s top scorer, Selena Duncan, moves if for the second of her three goals of the night against Hilton Head Prep on Friday, April 12, at the Eagles’ Nest. Despite trailing 1-0 at the half, the Lady Eagles went on to win the match, 4-3, with a free kick by Reese Meyers. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

BA’s boys salvaged the evening with a 3-2 win in the nightcap, though, as Andrew Butterfield scored a brace and Brayden Savage added a goal for the Eagles. Both BA teams are off this week before finishing with a flurry of key region

games to prep for the playoffs, including the girls’ showdown with Holy Trinity on May 2. The Mighty Lions won 3-1 on March 5 to avenge last season’s state championship defeat and are undefeated, though they’ve played a limited schedule.

and ‘Over the Rainbow’ from The Wizard of Oz.

The Program, entitled ‘The Gift of Love’ features music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Stephen Melillo, Richard Wagner and others in tribute to those who gave of themselves to benefit humanity.

Friday, April 26, 2024, 7:00 P. M. (Open to the Public) Bluffton High School 12 H. E. McCracken Cir. Bluffton, SC 29910

Sunday, April 28, 2024, 4:00 P. M. (Open to the Public) St. John’s Lutheran Church 157 Lady’s Island Dr. Beaufort, SC 29907

Mezzo Soprano, Katie McAllister will join LWS in ‘I Dreamed a Dream’, from Les Miserables’

From staff reports John Paul II and Beaufort Academy split the singles courts down the middle, but the Golden Warriors swept all three doubles matches to claim

Last month, the Beaufort High School football team had their annual awards banquet, sponsored by the residents of Dataw Island. Marilyn Peck, who organizes the event, presented the Jonathan Peck Memorial award, in honor of her late husband, to the Eagles’ James Denton. Submitted photo

See ‘The Big Chill’ at ‘The Big Chill House’

Friends of Caroline Hospice hosting movie night fundraiser at Tidalholm

From staff reports

Living in Beaufort, if you’ve ever dreamed of watching "The Big Chill" on the lawn of the house where the movie was filmed 40 years ago, this may be your only chance.

Grab your blankets and chairs, and get ready for a night filled with laughter and nostalgia.

Friends of Caroline Hospice is hosting An Outdoor Movie Night featuring the Big Chill on Thursday, April 25 at Tidalholm. The proceeds will support Friends of Caroline Hospice.

The Cocktail Hour will start at 6:30 p.m., with the movie beginning at 7:30 p.m. Moviegoers are asked to bring their own seats – either blankets or chairs.

There are two ticket packages – V.I.P. or General Admission.

The V.I.P. Package costs $200. Ticket holders get a 6 p.m. tour of the house and early entry, as well as complimentary food and drinks. And, of course, the movie showing.

The General Admission Package, which costs $125 includes complimentary food and drinks, along with the movie showing.

Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/3PITH3q. The weather make-up date is Wednesday, May 8

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to unwind, enjoy a movie on the lawn where the movie was filmed, network, and support Friends of Caroline Hospice.

Lowcountry Jazz Band presents ‘Music from Movies and TV’

From staff reports

The Lowcountry Jazz Band will perform a free concert, “Music from Movie and TV,” on Sunday, May 5 2024 at 4 p.m. at the Church of the Palms at 1425 Okatie Highway, in Okatie. The 17-member Band will present themes from the movies and television dramas, featuring vocalists Robin Lind and Tommy Ballard. The Jazz Band is a subgroup of the Lowcountry Community Concert Band under the auspices of OLLI –Osher Life-Long Learning Institute at USC Beaufort – and is directed by Music Director Mary Woodmansee Green. The members of this versatile ensemble bring decades of performing experience in a wide variety of bands.

Enjoy the big band arrangements of themes from Charade, Disney films, M*A*S*H, Mission Impossible, Peter Gunn, The Pink Panther, James Bond, Saturday Night Fever and many more. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be taken to support the band’s purchase of music and equipment.

Duke Symphony returns to Beaufort

USC Beaufort hosting senior exhibition ‘Escape Velocity’

From staff reports USC Beaufort is hosting "Escape Velocity," a captivating senior exhibition that presents capstone works of nine graduating Studio Art majors. The showcase, held at the Sea Islands Center Gallery at 1106 Carteret Street, is a testament to the diverse talents of USCB's emerging artists. The term “escape velocity” refers to the maximum speed a body needs to gain to escape a gravitational field of a larger object. It reflects a graduating artist's experience, as these students gather momentum to go forth, each in their own unique trajectory, each reaching for the stars.

• Melissa King presents her own take on pin-up illustration. Working in digital media, she raises a question: what kind of beauty is allowed to be playful and flirtatious?

Nadia McKinney captures the allure of celebrities with her grayscale portraits. Strong compositional approach and textural studies explore the vibrant world of pop-culture and what it means to be an icon.

• Eli Smith merges the kinetic energy of comic books with Christian motifs. He offers a deep dive into Art History by associating superheroes with Raphael’s School of Athens and super-villains with early Gothic depictions of Hell.

Trang Dao invites us into her cultural narrative through detailed drawings and printworks, each piece a thread in the fabric of her heritage.

• Anna Szalc revives the spirit of Norman Rockwell, her illustrations reflecting the quaint charm and simple truths of American life.

• Mason Martin ensnares the imagination with his horror survival video game, a journey through darkness and creepy Mannequins with only flashlight in your hand.

Benjamin Kelehear pushes the envelope with digital art, challenging perceptions and engaging the viewer with innovative concepts and executions. His sculptural work also lights up. So cool.

Beaufort’s own fashion icon Tatiana Tatum (Zalapskaia) makes art for “children with grey hair” - deeply emotional paintings and ceramic sculpture, that nurture the inner child.

Logan Gaymon delves into the miniature worlds of small creatures like mice and roaches, through prints and sculptures that highlight the beauty and intrigue of the oft-overlooked. “Everyone sometimes feel small, so this is someone many people can relate to.”

The exhibition is open for viewing Monday through Friday through April 26. The artists’ reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25 offers an opportunity to engage with the artists, savor light refreshments, and dive deep into the stories behind the art. The artist talks, starting at 6:30 pm, promise insights into the creative journeys that have

culminated in this showcase. "Escape Velocity" celebrates the innovative spirit and diverse talents of USCB's Studio Art majors, marking the beginning of their journey into the broader art world. This event is free and open to all, em-

From staff reports

The Lowcountry Wind Symphony (LWS) will present the final concerts of its 2023-2024 season, entitled “The Gift of Love,” under the direction of Donald F. Jemella. LWS is a concert band, made up of some 65 amateur and professional woodwind, brass, and percussion players from the greater Beaufort area. The first concert will be at 7 p.m., Friday, April 26 at Bluffton High School at 12 H. E. McCracken Circle in Bluffton.

at

bodying the essence of discovery, imagination, and the transformative power of art.

For all questions, contact Sea Islands Center Gallery at seaislandscentergallery@uscb.edu or professor Joanna Angell at angelle@uscb.edu.

p.m., the band will perform the show one more time at St. John’s Lutheran Church at

Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort. The concerts are free and open to the public, but donations are gratefully accepted. Please note that the first performance is at the Bluffton High School Auditorium and represents a change from a previously published venue. The program features music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Stephen Melillo, Richard Wagner and others in tribute to those who gave of themselves to benefit humanity. Violinist Eden Engle

Tatiana Tatum’s Healing Piece. Submitted.

A piece by Logan Gaymon. Submitted.

A piece by Anna Szalc . Submitted.

Harry Davidson, conductor of the Duke Symphony Orchestra, coaxes his violin section during the orchestra’s return to Beaufort after a five-year hiatus, due to COVID-19 concerns, on Saturday, April 13, at Sea Island Presbyterian Church. The 17th annual concert, a benefit for the Foundation for Leadership Education, also marked the 25th anniversary of Davidson’s leadership as Music Director and Conductor of the Duke Symphony Orchestra and Professor of the Practice of Music at Duke University. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

The unmitigated gall of legislators on bad energy bill

The Tuesday admission by a senior state senator urgently pushing passage of a controversial energy bill is a stark indictment of a broken legislative system.

“I think nobody has read this bill, nobody,” state Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, admitted during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. The revelation came during an argument over whether to send the bill to the Senate floor –which would speed up the process – or slow down and consider it in committee like work is supposed to be done. “That’s a pretty good reason to give it fair consideration before we vote on it, right?” S.C. Sen. Wes Climer, R-York, asked, trying to put the brakes on this legislation that would dramatically rewrite energy policy in favor of utilities

ANDY BRACK

and relieve regulatory pressures which protect consumers.

Malloy wasn’t having it, according to reporting by The State newspaper: “If you don’t like (the bill) you object to it, you can move to carry over, continue, recommit or table it,” he said. “You have many opportunities in the process to stop or delay a bill, so unless we’re trying to kill (the bill) you don’t put it back in committee without having a pathway forward.” The unmitigated gall. The irresponsibly. And it

benefits who? The powerful utilities who helped draft 77 pages of complicated policy legislation secretly as critics and neighbors got frozen out of the process.

And legislators wonder why many people no longer trust them. This kind of insider mess smells much worse than anything emanating from a factory pig farm.

"That is how we get high electric bills in South Carolina – by having legislators pass whatever the utility company lawyers write without even reading it," noted longtime energy analyst Eddy Moore, decarbonization director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Another critic, who asked to be unnamed, was even more pointed: “This is legislative malpractice when you openly admit you are going to advance the bill

out of committee having never read the bill. That’s shocking.”

Unfortunately, we’ve been down this road before. We’ve seen how bad energy policy costs billions of dollars and requires a huge bailout by ratepayers.

Remember, it wasn’t too many years ago that the General Assembly passed the Base Load Review Act, which quickly led to the stellar idea of building an expensive nuclear plant in Fairfield County. But when it failed – at a cost of more than $9 billion – guess who was left holding the bag?

And now, guess who wants the state to commit to more bad energy policy to build an expensive natural gas plant and costly pipeline system surrounded by protected land in rural Colleton County? Yep, the very same utility players who led us into the nuclear

fiasco.

Regardless of anything in the bill, the backroom dealing that got it to this point – not to mention the lack of transparency and broad public input – should have been enough to turn noses.

Greenville lawyer

Tom Ervin, who recently resigned from the state Public Service Commission because of the games and shenanigans being played out with the energy bill, said it simply was not in the interest of South Carolinians.

“This bill is loaded with items that would only benefit the profit margins for these monopoly investor-owned utilities at the expense of poor ratepayers.” Moore said if the bill passed, you would be handing over a credit card to the utility companies.

“This bill could easily add

MAGA sees the world through a glass, darkly

do. Trump supporters.”

Afew winters ago, I found myself on one of the upper floors of an area medical center, looking out the window, trying to distract myself from the sights and sounds of the room where I stood.

Down below a car pulled into the circular driveway outside the hospital entrance. A man got out of the driver’s seat and ran inside. Seconds later he returned and ran to open the front passenger door; an orderly pushing a wheelchair appeared. The two men helped an extremely pregnant woman into the wheelchair and rolled her inside.

The beeping of medical devices brought my attention back to the room upstairs. My maternal grandmother, a woman I thought might live long enough to see us all in the ground, lay in the bed, looking as fragile as I had ever seen her.

There it was, I thought, the circle of life. Below, one life coming into the world and up here another teetering on a shaky precipice, poised to depart. I didn’t know the people downstairs. They didn’t know me. We each had our own lives to live, each the protagonists of our own stories.

I think about this when I try to understand people, their actions, and their choices. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes I can find ways to extend grace. Other times I am left wondering what was mixed with the crack they are smoking. The latter is the attitude I take when I deal with a particular reader who delights in sending what are to me dizzyingly deluded missives from Trumpworld. In his most recent email: “I love watching The Masters. The traditions, quality people, decorum, and a sense of pride. You see people who have been working their entire lives, since 13 or so. From traditional families, educated, paying taxes. … People who don’t have criminal records. People who if pulled over by a cop will do what they are told to

over $1 000 for every man, woman, and child in South Carolina to electric system costs while actually blocking cheaper alternatives,” he said. South Carolinians should be outraged at the flagrant way they’re being punked by legislators doing the bidding of utilities. Sure, we may need to start generating more power. But twerking the system without proper process and consideration is a terrible way to govern. Call your state senators today and remind them that there’s an election in November. Get them to kill this bill instead of drowning us with legislation they haven’t even read.

From an earlier message on Fox News viewers: “I would bet you a donut people who watch FOX pay their bills, have car insurance, have had jobs since they were kids, grew up in traditional families, raising traditional families. Few if any have ever had a criminal record.”

On a Fox News interview with Black conservative Derrick Wilburn:

“While I don’t know anything about Mr. Wilburn other than what I saw in this brief interview, I will bet you a donut on the following. Mr. Wilburn has three children, and should they have the occasion to interface with the police, they won’t have a problem because they’ve been taught to be respectful of authority.

“If he has a son, the son is not walking around with his pants around his ankles. I would also bet you a donut his children are all in shape and decent students. My guess is he has an incredible wife. While I have no idea what his educational background is, I do know he has common sense.”

Or January 6th insurrectionists: “Ninety-nine percent nonvio-

lent who got carried away with BLM and Antifa fueling the violence. All bad. Disgraceful and embarrassing for the country, no question.”

On his favorite former president:

“President Trump raises all of his children to be educated, ethical, productive members of society while Joe [Biden] raised a dishonorably discharged, crackhead, pedophile son living off of our tax money.”

On a Black man killed by police:

“I’ll bet this kid had a record, probably a few kids out of wedlock, spent most of his time trying to scam the welfare system. Someone who’s been a drain on society his entire life. Of course his parents and family are all about what a great kid he was, how they loved him, blah, blah, blah. Too bad they didn’t teach him some values.”

And the type of people he didn’t see on television at The Masters:

“People walking around with chandeliers hanging from their ears, … people who seem to be having a contest as to who can have the most outrageous hairdos.”

Of course this reader is a proud MAGA conservative. Of course he’s stuck in a right-wing media bubble. Of course he’s prejudiced. Those are nothing new.

What makes him interesting to me is how he admits he knows none of the people he is describing, but he imagines the ones he likes are good-looking and good (like him?) and the ones he doesn’t like are ugly and bad (like me?).

He exemplifies the amount of projection necessary for him and others like him to maintain the extreme positions they have taken. Facts? Truth? Irrelevant, if they don’t fit the narrative.

Every issue is a battle between light and dark, good and evil. They have to see America and the world as being under siege by lame-brained, socialist, pedophile liberals to justify their support for the supremely immoral man they want to return to the Oval Office.

Otherwise, they couldn’t stand to look at themselves in the mirror — and see what the rest of us already see.

Terry E. Manning is a Clemson graduate and worked for 20 years as a journalist. He can be reached at teemanning@gmail.com.

TERRY MANNING

It is Wednesday and I have my coffee — Pacific Gold — and the Wall Street Journal. Today’s Journal features a column by Lance Morrow. Many older readers will remember Morrow’s essays.

When I was in college; when everyone read Time Magazine cover to cover; Morrow had a persuasive voice. Well, Lance is back; but these days his voice comes with a doomsday vibe.

“America feels like an alcoholic household — crazy with grievance, accusation, irrational rage, screaming in the middle of the night. The children lie in the dark, wide-eyed, listening. In the morning the family comes downstairs trying to pretend that everything is normal.”

“Are things that bad? Drunks can get sober. Countries can change. But not without brains and faith, not without abandoning the compulsion to lie and the weird self-righteousness that addiction begets. The failures have been complex — spiritual, social and otherwise. Maybe nothing can be done.”

“Are you crazy,” I mumbled into my Pacific Gold. “Surely, something can be done!”

America can’t lose sight of its ideals

I would argue that in 1865 — at the end of the Civil War — this country was as divided as it seems to be divided today. The South was prostrate, defeated, bitter. If you want to know how bitter get a copy of “The South As It Is 18651866” and read about Beaufort County in pages 198-215

Just 25 years later there were Northern entrepreneurs in Port Royal; Southern business leaders living in New York; these men were pragmatists who decided to do some “forgetting and forgiving” as Lewis Hyde might counsel. (See Hyde’s “Primer on Forgetting” Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2019).

A few years after that, in 1912 Southern-born Woodrow Wilson was elected President of these

United States and we were on our way to national reconciliation. “A nation is not made of anything physical. A nation is made of its thoughts and purposes. Nothing can give it dignity except its thoughts. Nothing can give it impulse except its ideals.”

Here, in 1912, Woodrow Wilson was making the point that in order for a country to survive, its people must be willing to remember and seek its ideals — notwithstanding continuing, manifest imperfections — the biggest imperfection (at that moment) being the disenfranchisement of black voters in the South.

In 1912, Beaufort County was struggling with after-effects of a hurricane, the loss of its phosphate industry, unaware the boll weevil was waiting in the wings. Many folks, especially Black folk, were getting the hell out by riding the Coast Line to New York and Philadelphia.

But Southern-born Woodrow Wilson, acting on his ideals, sent thousand of American teenagers to France where they took on the Kaiser and sustained about 100 000 casualties. That “expedi-

tionary force” included Southern farm boys in large, statistically significant numbers.

When the Japanese brought America to the fight in 1941 impoverished teenagers, southern-born black and white, enlisted in numbers that were disproportionately larger than any other part of the Country. In 1941, the American South sent its teenagers to Guadalcanal and Anzio to confront tyranny.

Lance Morrow’s column is actually focused on Harvard University and their recent, free-speech troubles, saying it’s former President, Claudine Gay, came into office with a transformative agenda believing in the “university’s — and the country’s — embedded evil; racism, white supremacy, oppression of minorities, especially blacks.”

“Harvard in the 21st Century is rooted in the question of theodicy. How can the country’s evils be reconciled with its core Emersonian ideals of excellence, individualism, freedom of thought and speech and other fundamental notions …”

So, yes, I know that at some point ideals have to be actualized into action — or legislation. But

it can be argued that starting in the 1960s we have put some of those ideals into play with the accommodations, fair housing, voting rights and affirmative action legislation. And yes, it is true the Supreme Court recently put the kibosh on affirmative action. And to this point Lance writes, “If America is so oppressively evil, how did it happen that this black professor, with embarrassingly meager qualifications, found herself at the pinnacle of American academic life as President of Harvard?” “Harvard’s motto is veritas — truth. That was never meant to be a claim that Harvard already possessed the truth. Rather, it was a promise to struggle to search for the truth …” There will always be some distance between our ideals and our ability to crystallize those ideals in legislation; but we must re-read those ideals whether written by Thurgood Marshall, Frederick Douglass or Woodrow Wilson.

School choice isn’t rare, weird, or fiscally irresponsible

As the South Carolina House of Representatives was debating (and overwhelmingly passing) an expansion of the state’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program, it became clear that some basic facts about the concept of “school choice” and how the ESTF program in particular is designed to work were lacking.

Here are a few facts and observations from a point of view in support of public and private school choice.

According to the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, 2023 was the high-water mark for private-school choice. Seventeen states passed legislation expanding or establishing programs, and eight states enacted universal eligibility. There are now 10 states with universal programs. (Universal programs have no income, previous public-school attendance, or special needs status requirements typical of earlier school choice programs.)

According to school choice researchers at EdChoice, there are 80 school choice programs in the United States serving 982,000 students. But spending for those students exercising choice comes in at only .75% of all expenditures on K-12 public education, even with recent expansions of choice. Though often lumped together under the term “vouchers,” there are at least four types of private school choice in America — vouchers, tax credit scholarships, refundable parent tax credits, and Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs). South Carolina does not have vouchers, which are banned due to the Pitchfork Ben Tillman-inspired 1895 Constitution. But the Palmetto State has smallish versions of each of the other three.

To clarify the alphabet soup, the Palmetto State program known as ESTF, which the House voted to expand, is an ESA.

The ESA is the version of school choice that is sweeping the country. The reason? ESAs use a sophisticated online portal mechanism to empower parents to customize an education for their child.

I can demonstrate that mechanism in five steps. State trust funds are placed into an account. Schools and a wide range of other education providers (not just private schools) register to participate. Parents apply for an individual account/ scholarship for their eligible child. The parent signs into an online portal and chooses a vendor of education services from the listing of approved providers. The final step is when the student is tested to see how well the new private provider is educating the child.

According to the law passed in 2023, applications for the inaugural 2024-25 school year ended on March 15 2024. The State Department of Educa-

tion (SCDE) received 7 907 student applications, or 2 907 more than the 5 000 available in the program.

Families from all 46 South Carolina counties applied for ESTF scholarships. 5,900 applications came from Medicaid recipients. 3,540 applications came from English language learners. 602 applications came from military families. A decisive majority of student applicants self-identify as racial minorities. Our analysis shows applications exceeded other states’ first year ESA scholarship participation. (In Arizona, just 153 initially applied; Florida 1,560; Mississippi 174; North Carolina 277; Tennessee 1 972; and West Virginia 2 333).

To be clear, that’s 7,907 applications received for the 5 000 slots available the first year.

This is quite surprising given the very tight appli-

cation window (January 15-March 15) and the narrow range of eligibility. Only students who attended public school in 2023-24 and whose family income fell below 200% of the federal poverty line (about $60,000 for a family of four) were eligible.

In its third year, even if the new legislation passed by the House two weeks ago becomes law, the limit would be only 15 000 scholarships. After that, as reported by this news site, “while all students would be eligible, how many slots are ultimately funded would be part of the budget debate. The only thing known is that the annual cost would be somewhere north of $106 million.”

To put $106 million in perspective, the state Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Office reports that for 2021-22 total revenues (local, state and federal taxes) for K-12 public education were north of $12 billion across all districts.

The overwhelming response to the ESTF program — even with a launch crippled by low publicity

and narrow eligibility — clearly indicates that South Carolina families are hungry for the opportunity that school choice represents.

The expansion of that opportunity passed by the House of Representatives will move the program to universal availability, while keeping guardrails on fiscal impact, a fiscal impact that in Year 3 will be .88% of the public-school budget. That’s about the same percentage as in America, across all states both “red” and “blue” (.75%), which is clearly not fiscally irresponsible.

Oran Smith, Ph.D., a native of Greenville County, came to Columbia to serve in the administration of Gov. Carroll Campbell. More recently he has held posts with the South Carolina Business & Industry Political Education Committee (BIPEC), and Palmetto Family Council. He co-founded Palmetto Policy Forum (now Palmetto Promise Institute) a decade ago and serves as senior fellow and secretary of its board of directors. Oran is a graduate of Clemson (BA) and the University of South Carolina (MPA, Ph.D.) and serves on the board of trustees of Coastal Carolina University.

SCOTT GRABER

Billion-dollar blunders suggest state comptroller, treasurer should be appointed, not elected

ord, what a hot mess.

LEven by South Carolina standards, the billion-dollar scandals in two state agencies beggar belief.

At the very least, these appalling government blunders argue for the state comptroller general and state treasurer to be appointed by the governor, not elected.

These two top financial officials should be professionals, not politicians.

The latest chapter in this saga involves $1.8 billion in taxpayer dollars that has been sitting in a bank account for at least five years, according to reporting by the Gazette’s Jessica Holdman.

It’s just been sitting there.

The money is in a “passthrough” account which means that it was supposed to be passed through to — well, something.

The kicker is that state Treasury Secretary Curtis Loftis does not know where the money was supposed to go.

Early this month, a state Senate panel publicly hammered Loftis for answers.

State Sen. Larry Grooms, who chairs the subcommittee investigating the financial blunder, said “Mr. Loftis has abrogated his responsibility as state treasurer. He has breached the public trust.”

Loftis shot back angrily, saying senators were being “grossly unfair” and “highly irresponsible.”

All the sound and fury, however, signified nothing. State leaders still don’t know how the money was

Osupposed to be spent.

Senators want to put the money in a “lockbox” until they find out where it came from and how it was supposed to be used.

State lawmakers want to spend $3 million for an outside firm to find answers.

Seems like a lot of taxpayer dollars to figure out something we should already know.

As scandals go, this might be considered a beneficial one. After all, the state now has $1.8 billion that we didn’t know it had.

State incompetence

But this accounting snafu suggests an alarming level of state incompetence.

The Legislature presumably allocated the money for a vital state need.

Education? Health care? Infrastructure?

We don’t know. But those funds could have done a lot of good for our state.

At a time when some politicians have sought to undermine the public’s trust in government, this only feeds the suspicions held by many that government is either incompetent or corrupt.

Lawmakers would not have known about the money if current Comptroller General Brian Gaines had not drawn attention to it.

Gaines, the governor’s budget director, was appointed comptroller general by Gov. Henry McMaster after the former Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom resigned last year in the wake of a $3.5 billion accounting error. Luckily, Eckstrom’s bookkeeping blunder was just on paper. It didn’t cost the state anything.

Gubernatorial appointment

The underlying problem: The state comptroller general and state treasurer are important but little-known bureaucratic jobs that should be filled based on high-level competence and experience — a proven track record — not based on political skills. These are administrative roles, not crusading or policy-making roles. (Loftis is known for picking fights with companies like Disney because he doesn’t like the big Mouse’s politics when he should be judging a company mostly on its business success.)

It’s hard for voters to hold these officials accountable when many don’t know what they actually do or how to judge their effectiveness. (In brief, the comptroller is the state’s accountant; the treasurer is the state’s banker.)

The power of incumbency dominates these offices. The result is long tenures, few challengers and little oversight. Loftis was first elected in 2010. Eckstrom served more than two decades, often running unopposed.

S.C. Treasurer Curtis Loftis asks for help from his staff on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, during a Senate Finance subcommittee meeting concerning $1.8 billion that has been discovered in an account. Travis Bell/Statehouse Carolina/Special to the S.C. Daily Gazette

A gubernatorial-appointed system would widen the competitive pool of candidates for these important positions, even beyond South Carolina. To allow for gubernatorial appointment of the comptroller and treasurer, state lawmakers would have to put the issue before voters.

Under the current system of electing the comptroller and treasurer, South Carolina voters have put some bad actors in office.

One former Republican state treasurer’s tenure was cut short when he was indicted in June 2007 on federal cocaine distribution charges, and later went to prison.

Earle Morris, a Democrat who served as the comptroller general from 1976 to 1999, later went to prison on 22 counts of securities fraud related to his role in the collapse of Carolina Investors. Eckstrom himself, who served both as treasurer (1995-1999) and comptroller general, spent more than $57,000 in taxpayer dollars to settle a lawsuit brought by a former female aide. He was also caught up in an extramarital affair with the woman who would later become his second wife.

In addition, there was the incident where Eskstrom inappropriately took a state minivan on vacation. In short, these latest bil-

lion-dollar scandals follow a long history of problems. South Carolina needs highly competent leaders in these two financial positions, and the best way to ensure that is through gubernatorial appointment.

Paul Hyde is a longtime journalist and teacher in the Upstate. He worked 18 years for the Greenville News as a columnist, editorial writer, education reporter and arts writer. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Clemson and Harvard universities. He has written for the Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News and USA Today, among other publications. He currently is a regular contributor to the Greenville Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Classical Voice North America.

Not all vapes are created equal Balanced tobacco policy will save lives

ver the past few months, the legislature passed and the governor signed an important law that will keep our children safe while at the same time helping adult smokers kick the habit. In the process, we all learned an important fact that could have a significant impact on public health. All vapes are not created equal.

As a result of the federal government’s failure to sufficiently enforce the vape market, a flood of illegal products manufactured in China, and marketed in candy flavors to target our children, have made their way into our state. There have been so many illegal products shipped into our communities that law enforcement and retailers are struggling to separate the legal from the illegal. Thanks to smart new policy, a directory of legal products will be published that empowers stakeholders with the information they need to tell the difference. S. 994, supported by a strong, bi-partisan group of S.C. Senators led by Senate President Thomas Alexander and Minority Leader Brad Hutto was unanimously

passed by the Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee on February 7 and is now with the S.C. House Judiciary committee chaired by Weston J Newton, District 120, Beaufort. We encourage constituents to call for the S.C. House to join the S.C. Senate to pass this bill. It is imperative that through smart policy we provide the tools, such as a directory of legal products to law enforcement and community stakeholders.

Increasing education and information in the vaping market is critical in order to reduce harm for smokers. The first thing that people need to understand is that nicotine is not the primary cause of health problems in tobacco products. Nicotine is naturally derived from the tobacco leaf and

humans have been using it for thousands of years. While there’s no question that nicotine is an addictive stimulant found in tobacco, nicotine alone is not the real threat.

When it comes to cigarettes specifically, it’s the process of combustion, or burning the tobacco and paper, that creates harmful toxins. If you’re not burning and inhaling the smoke, you dramatically reduce health risk.

The second most important thing to realize is that vapes are actually more effective than other therapies in helping smokers quit. Kicking the cigarette habit is a notoriously hard thing for a smoker to do and many will try several times without success. Smokers use nicotine replacement gums and patches to help wean themselves off cigarettes, but credible research shows vaping is more effective as a cessation tool. Yet while you will find gums and patches on the shelves at your local pharmacy, most would refuse to carry any vapes. The big question we need to ask is why policymakers and healthcare advocates continue to villainize vapes when the prevail-

ing scientists and researchers show how important these products can be in support of public health? If established research shows that helping smokers move from cigarettes to vapes could reduce the incidence of lung cancer and heart disease in America, why do the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association routinely support policies to ban vapes? The primary issue that has shaped flawed policy governing the sale of nicotine vapes is youth prevention. Protecting vulnerable children and keeping adult products out of their hands is important and we all should support that critical mission. That’s why vapes, like all tobacco products, are illegal for sale to anyone under the age of 21. These youth prevention policies, along with educational programs, have been successful in driving youth smoking rates to the lowest levels in history. But when you see that a product is illegal for purchase by underage consumers and they are still obtaining that product, it becomes clear that the failure is enforcement of the policy.

America has the potential to be a global leader in helping smokers transition away from cigarettes to less harmful alternatives, but change must start at the top. The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products has failed in its efforts to regulate a functioning marketplace that provides alternatives to adult smokers while protecting youth. The FDA’s glacial, byzantine approval process has authorized only 23 products for sale of the millions that have applied for authorization. Meanwhile, federal enforcement failures have contributed to a flood of illegal disposable vapes from China that have ironically become the most popular choice among teenagers.

It’s time for the United States to recognize what leading scientists and innovative public health experts already know. Moving smokers away from cigarettes to less harmful options like vapes will save millions of lives.

PAUL HYDE

Marilyn Hemingway is the CEO and Founding President of the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce.

MARILYN HEMINGWAY

MCAS Iwakuni welcomes the Fighting Bengals

Sgt. Noah

This is the second article in a series of three articles in The Island News on veterans’ benefits that will cover VA career and employment assistance. This week’s article will specifically cover VA transition assistance; finding a Job through the Department of Labor; finding VA careers and support; printing your VA civil service preference letter; getting free classes for a year (thru LinkedIn); requesting a decision review or managing a legacy appeal; and checking your claim, decision review, or appeal status.

VA transition assistance

As military members separate from the military, they should explore their career options by attending a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) briefing. According to the VA’s “Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development (Your VA TAP)” webpage found at https://bit.ly/3Q2kaJu, about 200 000 service members transition to civilian life each year. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year before separation, or two years before retiring.

The VA portion of TAP is a one-day, in-person course called “VA Benefits and Services.” Led by VA Benefits Advisors,” the course helps military members and veterans understand how to navigate the VA and the benefits and services they have earned through their military career. The course offers interactive exercises, and real-life examples, and covers topics important to veterans like family support, disability compensation, education, and health care benefits. Veterans will find the “VA Benefits and Services Participant Guide” at https:// bit.ly/3UgKBxz helpful and full of helpful resources, and other important information.

Finding a job (U.S. Department of Labor)

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) is committed to helping America's veterans, separating service members, and their spouses by preparing them for meaningful careers, and providing employment resources and expertise. Veterans should use the US Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service “Find a Job” webpage

https://bit.ly/3xzCYcJ to: Find one of the nearly 2 400 American Job Centers to help search for jobs, find training, and answer employment-related questions at https://bit. ly/4aP0zVP.

Search for a job right now by job description and location with CareerOneStop's Job Finder at https://bit. ly/3VU7AzS.

Watch the CareerOneStop YouTube video titled “How the Department of Labor and CareerOneStop helps Veterans” to learn about all the tools it offers to help job seekers, students, businesses, and career professionals.

Veterans can use the US Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service “Find a Job” webpage

https://bit.ly/3xzCYcJ to learn about: Transition Assistance Employment for Military Spouses (TEAMS). Found at https:// bit.ly/3JhAgv6. TEAMS is a series of Department of Labor employment workshops that extend the Department’s Transition Assistance

Program to assist military spouses and caregivers as they plan and prepare for their job search in pursuit of their employment goals.

Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT). Found at https:// bit.ly/3xB713T. The Department of Labor's OBTT pilot program is an opportunity earned through service for veterans, veterans currently serving in the National Guard and Reserve, and their spouses to take control of their careers through workshops to help meet their employment goals.

DOL Transition Assistance Program, found at https:// bit.ly/3U1GzrA. The TAP employment assistance you need, for any time or transition is found here.

CareerOneStop, found at https://bit.ly/440XeA1

Veterans can find training programs, colleges, and universities in their local area. Veterans’ Preference, found at https://bit.ly/3Jkbdrm. Veterans' preference may give you preference over non-veteran applicants in the hiring process. Veterans' preferences can be used when applying to permanent and temporary positions in both the competitive and excepted service (of the executive branch).

• Working in Government: Veterans (USAJobs.gov), found at https://bit.ly/3Q3Q0FJ. If you are a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans’ preference, as well as other veteran-specific hiring options.

FedsHireVets.gov found at https://bit.ly/3UgLhD7. Feds

Hire Vets is an OPM website that is specifically designed for veterans to find resources about the federal hiring process. It is a critical component

of the Federal Government’s strategy for the recruitment and employment of veterans. Apprendiship.gov found at https://bit.ly/3vOAg2F. For members of the military or veterans, apprenticeship is a unique and rewarding pathway to developing in-demand workplace and technical skills while earning a paycheck in the career of your dreams from day one.

CareerOneStop: Veterans Job Matcher found at https://bit. ly/3Uh7vEZ. Use the Veterans Job Matcher to find civilian careers that might be a good match for your military skills. O*net Interest Profiler found at https://www.mynextmove. org/explore/ip. The O*NET Interest Profiler can help veterans find out what their interests are and how they relate to the world of work. Veterans can find out what they like to do. The O*NET Interest Profiler helps veterans decide what kinds of careers they might want to explore. USERRA – Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, found at https://bit.ly/3VY8qLO. USERRA protects civilian job rights and benefits for veterans and members of reserve components. It also protects service members' rights and benefits by clarifying the law and improving enforcement methods.

VA’s webpage titled “How to apply for the GI Bill and Related Benefits” found at https:// bit.ly/49HpYPE. Tells how to apply for the GI Bill and other VA education benefits as a veteran, service member, or qualified family member.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) found at https://

bit.ly/3Q1Vr8k. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free, expert and confidential technical assistance to both employees and employers regarding workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.

DODSKILLBRIDGE found at https://bit.ly/3UgLoyx. SkillBridge is an excellent opportunity as military members plan for their lives after the military. SkillBridge matches civilian opportunities to military members' job training and work experience at the end of their military duty. In addition to taking advantage of resources like Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill program, military members/veterans can enhance their marketability and career prospects by participating in a SkillBridge opportunity.

This article cannot cover everything available at the VA’s “Careers and Employment” webpage under “Manage Your Career” at https://bit.ly/43YEa5K, but this informative site will also tell veterans how to: (1.) Print your Civil Service Preference Letter, (2.) Get free classes for a year through LinkedIn, (3.) Request a decision review or manage a legacy appeal, and (4.) check your claim, decision review, or appeal status. Next week’s article will conclude

Mackiewicz, a power line mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224, taxis an F/A-18D Hornet aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, on March 9, 2024. Marines with VMFA(AW)-224, based out of MCAS Beaufort, deployed to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the unit deployment program, augmenting to Marine Aircraft Group 12’s mission readiness and warfighting capabilities in the region. Cpl. Samantha Rodriguez/USMC

Cpl. Jackson Law, an aircraft ordnance technician with Marine AllWeather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224, performs postflight procedures on an F/A-18D Hornet aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2024. Marines with VMFA(AW)-224, based out of MCAS Beaufort, deployed to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the unit deployment program, augmenting to Marine Aircraft Group 12’s mission readiness and warfighting capabilities in the region. Cpl. Samantha Rodriguez/USMC

WHAT’S HAPPENING

ARTS

23rd annual Art Market at Historic Honey Horn

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 27 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 28, Grounds of Historic Honey Horn at the Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. Plenty of free, convenient parking. Cost is $5; free to children 12 and younger. Tickets available onsite and online at https:// bit.ly/43QQbtG. This juried fine art and craft show features over 100 artists from across the region, who will be showcasing their diverse talents in ceramics, painting, jewelry, phonography, metal, fiber, glass, and much more. In between browsing the artists' booth, event goers can enjoy live music, lunch and snacks from a variety of popular food trucks. Picnic tables will be set up in the Honey Horn Pavilion and throughout the grounds. Gordon's Hop Stop will be offering craft beer, wine and other adult beverages. For more information, contact the Museum at 843-689-6767.

CALENDAR

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Trivia with Tom – Fat Patties

7:30 p.m., Every Wednesday, Fat Patties, 831 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.

Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary

7 p.m., Every Thursday, Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https:// rb.gy/o9nhwe.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.

Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market

5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.

TECHconnect

5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 3rd Thursday of each month, Beaufort Digital Corridor, 500 Carteret Street, Suite D, Beaufort. Free. The BDC's signature happy hour “meetup” networking event for tech professionals. Connect with like-minded people, fellow entrepreneurs, start-ups and VCs over local food and cold beverages. Call 843-470-3506 or visit https://rb.gy/e7t2h for more information.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker. Karaoke with Melissa 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Dr, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa. Highway 21 Flea Market

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday, Highway 21 Drive-In. Sellers, ven-

to young children, who are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals.

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, Peaceful Henry’s Cigar Bar, 181 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

DANCE

The Beaufort Shag Club

6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.

BEMER Q&A

10 a.m., Fridays via Zoom. Already own a BEMER? Love it but have questions about your specific situation or curious about what else your unit can do? Join your BEMER Specialist – Human + Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann, to ask questions about usage, components, BEMER gear, what’s new or anything else about our leading-edge circulation therapy and longevity enhancing medical device. These sessions are designed to support those who have their own unit but anyone interested is welcome. Free. Call 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link.

HISTORY

Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.

The Historic Port Royal Museum

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.

Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

Plant Swap 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 27, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St.

to 6

Thursday, April 18, Unitarian

Fellowship, 178 Sam's Point Road, Lady’s Island. The community as well as members are welcome to attend. The meeting will include a presentation by the organization’s Observer Corps – one of the fundamental functions of the League of Women Voters. The Observer Corps attends local government meetings, notes what happens at the meeting, and reports back to the League and the community. For more information on the LWV Beaufort Area, visit https://my.lwv.org/ south-carolina/beaufort-sc-area.

American Association of University Women

6 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 410 Church Street, Beaufort. Guest speaker will be Jeannine McConnell, talking about Women in Technology, followed by the monthly AAUW meeting. For more information, email jherbertaauw@gmail.com.

Beaufort County election education forum

6 p.m., Thursday, April 25, Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island. The Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is hosting community forums to educate and inform the public on the upcoming election season. Topics will include what's on the ballot, voter registration – how to register, confirming voting status, deadlines to register, polling locations including new voting sites, and how to become a poll worker. The forums are free and open to the public. No rsvp is required. For more information visit Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration or call Jean Felix, Training and Outreach Coordinator at 843-255-6900.

Indivisible Beaufort

11 a.m., Saturday, April 27, Beaufort Library Downtown, 311 Scott Street. Patrick Perryman, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, will be the guest speaker. The topic of the meeting is Israel and Palestine. The group will explore the Biblical and historical contexts to better understand the complicated conflict between Israel and Palestine today. The event is free and open to the public.

Transportation tax referendum informational forum

6 p.m., Monday, April 29, 6 p.m., St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Beaufort County Council will answer questions regarding November's 2024 Transportation and Sales Use Tax referendum. Materials will be available for citizens to gain a greater understanding of sales tax in general as well a recap of past and current projects funded through transportation sales tax in Beaufort County. County Council members will be in attendance and guest speaker will be Jared Fralix, Assistant County Administrator for Infrastructure. The meetings are open to the public and no RSVP is required. For more information, please contact the Clerk to Council's Office at 843-2552180.

SCDOT SC+EV Initiative public meeting

5 to 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 6, Beaufort Branch Library. One of 20 public open house meetings across the state to provide an update on the state’s efforts to support the electric vehicle (EV) industry and ecosystem as it kicks off the SC+EV Initiative. Attendees are encouraged to drop in anytime to the open house meetings; no formal presentations will be given. A virtual public meeting will be held in tandem with the public open houses. Members of the public can view the virtual meeting starting April 22, 2024 at www.southcarolina-ev.com. Public comments may be submitted either in person at the meeting, through the project email, connect@southcarolina-ev.com, or by mail to SC+EV C/O SCDOT, 1201 Main Street Suite 800, Columbia, SC 29201.

Beaufort County election education forum

6 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, Mt. Carmel

The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic

karaoke with Eric. Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud 9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday each month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Students and other volunteers will read

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LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD & SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

All

In this Prayer Mission, Fr. Greg Bramlage of Missionaries of the New Evangelization will help bring us into a deeper understanding of who we are in Christ and the great dignity bestowed upon us by God our Father. He will share with us what it means to live in God’s covenant love and how we can walk in expectant faith transforming the world around us by our witness and prayers. Please come with an open heart ready to be awed by the extravagant love of God. We invite all believers in Christ to join us.

“I was experiencing pain in both shoulders and it was impossible for me to sleep on either side. On the first night of Fr. Greg’s mission I went home and slept on both shoulders without pain. I’m still pain-free nearly a year later. It was “Forgiveness Night” and I wasn’t even thinking about physical healing but I believe that the Holy Spirit knew what I needed.”- Gail Orsi, Beaufort, SC

“I had been affected by Covid and it was hard to breathe especially when climbing stairs. I was prayed over and the next day I was able to freely breathe and no shortness of breath after climbing stairs! -

Anna Sudomerski, Beaufort,

SC

About Reverend Greg Bramlage

Reverend Greg Bramlage has given Missions to thousands of people throughout the United States, Africa, India, as well as Central and South America, evangelizing with the Word of God & teaching others to pray for miracles with expectant faith. He is headquartered in the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. Each night, a freewill offering will be taken up to build a Center for the New Evangelization.