City makes huge FOIA gaffe
Beaufort couple gets 9,000 pages of unredacted emails; much of it shouldn’t have been released
By Mike McCombs
The Island News
In the process of fulfilling a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by a citizen on July 29, the City of Beaufort mistakenly released information it was not required to release and that it should not have produced, potentially compromising the personal information and privacy of numerous individuals and causing the City to re-evaluate how it handles requests for information.
When Autumn Hollis submitted a FOIA request to the City of Beaufort in May, she and her hus-
band, Kiel, were hoping to learn more about how the Beaufort Police Department handled the case of their daughter Emily and others like it.
The Hollis family contends their then12-year-old daughter was a victim of human trafficking in February, while the Beaufort Police maintained initially that she was a runaway and now says any trafficking took place outside its jurisdiction.
When the Hollis family re-
ceived the documents fulfilling their request from the City, they were stunned. In more than 9,000 pages of emails, not including attachments, of which there are many, almost nothing is redacted.
In addition to hundreds of pages of documents pertaining specifically to the Hollis case — surprisingly including their daughter’s full forensic examination, recorded as part of the sexual assault investigation and usually released
BACK TO SCHOOL
only after a court order — there are thousands that are totally unrelated. And it’s what’s in those documents that may be more concerning.
There are the Social Security numbers and addresses of at least 55 individuals across hundreds of documents.
There is another minor’s forensic interview, released without the family’s knowledge.
• There are records that include private medical and DSS-protected information. There are emails involving the employment/personnel details for members of the Beaufort Police Department. There are toxicology reports for numerous individuals. There are attachments showing the Beaufort Police Department has hidden or deleted more than 800 comments on a Facebook page. There are numerous emails which contain the reset login/password for Spillman for more than one officer with the
HELP of Beaufort gets a new home
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
After nearly three years of construction, HELP of Beaufort finally has a permanent home.
The doors to their new facility will open on Monday, Aug. 18, when they officially open for business in the building.
Executive Director Lori Opozda said in an interview with The Island News on Monday evening that they would be having a private ribbon cutting on Friday at the building to say thank you to all of the volunteers and donors who helped to make the organization’s dream building a reality. The building was a community partnership build, meaning that
labor and fiances that contributed building the structure were donated from members of the community.
“It’s taken so long because we were looking to do a community build with everybody,” Opozda said. “You know, we look for plumbers, electricians, sheet rock people, painters, wood suppliers, roof suppliers, you know, things like that that you know people would like to work with us to either donate materials or donate time or give us a discount.”
The 4 500-square-foot structure features a large warehouse
SEE HOME PAGE A5
Beaufort mother wants answers
By Delayna Earley The Island News
The mother of a 7-year-old non-verbal autistic student at Shanklin Elementary School is left with more questions than answers after her daughter required a trip to the hospital due to an injury sustained on the first day of the school year.
On Wednesday, Aug. 6, Lenisha Manigo said that she received a phone call from the nurse at the school that her daughter, Jayla Frazier, attends asking her to come pick up her up from school because she had been injured.
Manigo said that she did not have any clue until she arrived at the school how badly injured her daughter was.
She said that she was told by the teacher and assistants in her daughter’s special education classroom that Jayla had injured herself by slamming her finger in a door.
“I walked into the office, and she was sitting there with nothing on her finger, blood on the floor and all over her clothes,” Manigo said.
Manigo said she immediately took her daughter from the school to the hospital where they kept her for eight hours before ultimately putting her daughter under anesthesia to repair the damage done to her middle finger on her right hand.
What would have been a bad situation for anyone was even more confusing and traumatic for an autistic, non-verbal child, according to Manigo.
Wanting answers about how this had happened, Manigo returned to the school the following day to allegedly try and meet with the school’s principal and student resource officer to find out how
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy students wait for the doors to open on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2025.
Amber Hewitt/The Island News
HELP of Beaufort's Director, Lori Opozda, prepares last minute details on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 at HELP’s new location at 1600 Ribaut Road in Port Royal ahead of the Ribbon Cutting scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15.
Amber Hewitt/The Island News
LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS NEWS
Stanley Grossman
American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
OBITUARIES The Island News publishes obituaries, including a photo, free of charge. Please contact jeff.theislandnews@gmail.com for more information.
and antisubmarine warfare officer. He flew ZPG-2s blimps as well as S2Fs from the USS Lake Champlain aircraft carrier. He attended the Navy’s Air Intelligence School and served in the defense intelligence community from 1962 to 2000 in the Washington DC area. In August 1962 he briefed the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the emerging Soviet SAM system being installed in Cuba leading to the identification of the Cuba missile crisis. He continued sharing his intelligence insights through opinion pieces in the National Catholic Reporter the Washington Post and the Beaufort Gazette Throughout his adult life, Charlie was very active in the Catholic church reform movement that sought the ordination of married priests and women and more active role of the laity. In 2000 Charlie and Page moved to Fripp Island, where they thoroughly enjoyed the natural environment with all the birds. Charlie served on the Fripp Island Property Association board and Fripp Island Resort Advisory Committee. In his retirement in the Lowcountry, he helped establish the progressive Episcopal parish of St. Mark’s in Port Royal. On Fripp, they have had a special community of friends who have supported them as Charlie’s health declined. Charlie enjoyed playing tennis and body surfing in the Atlantic Ocean. He was an avid sports fan and shared the love of attending and watching sports events with his family. Charlie and Page played competitive duplicate bridge through December of 2024 Contributions may be made in the name of Charlie Davis to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal and All Faiths Chapel on Fripp Island.
Multiple weaponsrelated arrests made at St. Helena Island park
Staff reports On Monday, Aug. 11 2025 at approximately 3 35 p.m., the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) responded to the Scott Hill Community Center on Scott Hill Road on St. Helena Island following reports of multiple males seen carrying firearms.
According to the BCSO, upon arrival, deputies observed several young males with weapons near the playground area on the county recreational property, a violation of Beaufort County Ordinance 90-
Answers from page A1
this happened and request that the officer file a police report on behalf of her daughter.
The school’s account of the incident remained the same, the injury was self-inflicted, and Jayla slammed her finger in the door when they were trying to change her.
Jayla has attended the special education program at Shanklin Elementary since she was in Pre-K, and according to Manigo, this is the worst injury she has sustained, but it is not the first injury that she
96(h), which prohibits possession of weapons on county recreational facilities. When deputies approached, the individuals attempted to run away but were quickly detained. A total of ten males, aged 15 to 22 were detained. Six adults and one juvenile were subsequently taken into custody. Multiple firearms were also seized during the incident. Those arrested include: Elijah Johnson, 22 of St. Helena Island; Treyvion Doe, 20 of Burton;
got while at at school and allegedly every time something happens the answer she receives is the same, the injury is self-inflicted.
Manigo said that her daughter does not have a history of injuries at home or other places, just when she is at school.
“Every time she comes home hurt, they say it’s self-inflicted, but my daughter is non-verbal and cannot tell her side of the story,” Manigo said.
While seemingly willing to help get answers at first, Manigo said that the principal’s demeanor quickly turned cold as she continued to ask questions about how this could have happened to her daughter.
Eventually, after several days, the principal told her that she couldn’t respond to more questions regarding the situation as it had been referred to the Beaufort County School District’s legal team.
Candace Bruder, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County School District said that they are aware of the situation and parent’s concern but cannot comment on it.
“HIPAA prohibits the release of sensitive patient health information,” Bruder said in a text to The Island News on Tuesday, Aug. 12. “Although we cannot share information about a specific student due to federal privacy
laws (e.g., FERPA and HIPAA), we can share that if any student is injured at school, staff protocol is to respond immediately, notifying parents as soon as possible.”
As for Jayla, she has not been cleared to go back to school by her doctors yet, but Manigo said that she is not sure what she is going to do once she is.
“I am terrified to send her back to the school, or anywhere else,” Manigo said. She said that she is worried that Jayla’s injuries are the result of her not being properly monitored in the classroom and negligence led to her daughter’s injury.
Manigo said she is also concerned with the lack of care she felt like her daughter allegedly received following the incident and before she was picked up. She feels that the response from staff does not rise to the appropriate level of concern considering the severity of the injury and argues that Beaufort County’s Emergency Servies (EMS) should have been contacted to look at her finger.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
August
August
1686: The Spanish destroy the Scottish settlement of Stuart’s Town somewhere in the vicinity of present-day Beaufort.
Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a Democratic candidate for President, speaks to supporters at Whale Branch Middle School.
August 19
2019: S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson speaks to Beaufort Academy students during the school’s annual convocation.
August 20
2021: Whale Branch running back Joseph Hicks scores six touchdowns in a 54-50 season-opening win over Calhoun County. – Compiled by Mike McCombs
1837: Charlotte Forten (Grimke) is born a free Black in Philadelphia. Forten would later become the first Black teacher at the Penn School on St. Helena Island. She would reside at Seaside Plantation and chronicle her time there in a collection of essays, published in 1864 in Atlantic Monthly, entitled Life on the Sea Islands. She became close friends with Robert Gould Shaw, the commander of the famous all-Black 54th Massachussetts Regiment during
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Donations gratefully
T o further meet the need for pulmonary care in the Lowcountry, Beaufort Memorial has added board-certified and fellowship-trained pulmonologist Dr. Spenser Staub to its Pulmonary Specialists practice.
Dr. Staub joins the practice from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), and will be diagnosing and treating patients with various pulmonary conditions, including COPD, asthma and other acute and chronic lung diseases, as well as managing care for patients admitted to the Beaufort Memorial Hospital intensive care unit (ICU).
Growing up in Charleston, many of Dr. Staub’s role models were physicians, which guided him to a career in the medical field. He has used his medical expertise in clinics around the globe, including in a medical command unit in the U.S. Army National Guard, where he has been a member since 2019.
During residency and fellowship training, Dr. Staub presented research at various national medical conferences and had several medical journal articles published. He was also recognized as an outstanding educator two years in a row by medical students at MUSC.
843-707-8040 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.
Port Royal Police called to Piggly Wiggly
By Amber Hewitt
Beaufort Police Department.
Spillman is the computer software system used by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, as well as other local municipalities, to handle things like dispatch, charges, bookings, and the jail log at the Beaufort County Detention Center, among other things.
There are emails discussing the issues with the structure of the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and funding for repairs.
And there is an email chain between the City of Beaufort and one of its attorneys pertaining to the lawsuit over the Downtown Marina contract by Protect Beaufort.
“The fact that the city released unredacted forensic interviews, Social Security numbers, juvenile records, and other protected information didn’t just support my claim — it exposed a much larger failure of responsibility,” Emily Hollis said in an email to The Island News. “I set out to find proof of negligence. I didn’t expect the FOIA response to be the proof.” Autumn and Kiel Hollis allowed
The Island News to view the documents they received, to confirm their existence. During roughly two hours at their home, we were not allowed to take photos or print any documents, but we were allowed to take notes. At the time this story was written, The Island News was the only news organization, so far, to view the documents.
“There’s no telling how much information is in there that we don’t know about,” Kiel Hollis said.
How we got here
In early February, Emily Hollis was reported missing from her home in Beaufort.
Last seen in the company of 16-year-old Chase Eskeets, Emily Hollis and Eskeets were reported by the Beaufort Police Department as runaways. After several days, the pair was found in Jacksonville, Fla. Soon thereafter, the Hollis family was contacted by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Special Agent Logan Fey, who assisted them by putting them into contact with S.C. Department of Social Services (DSS), a common practice with runaway or missing children’s cases.
In May, it was determined through an investigation by DSS that Emily Hollis was likely the victim of human trafficking, and the case has sparked debate regarding the police’s use of the term “runaway,” their treatment of the family and their general handling of the case.
Complicating matters, in February, shortly after Emily Hollis’ disappearance, all members of Beaufort City Council signed and published an open letter to the community – a rare occurrence — responding to public outcry against the use of the term “runaway.” In the letter, members of Council offered their support to
the police department for their handling of the case.
At least a week before the conclusion of the DSS investigation in May, Autumn Hollis had submitted her FOIA to the City of Beaufort. Her request covered several months and was quite broad.
Kiel Hollis said they were looking for anything they could find to justify why the Beaufort Police had come to the conclusions they had or any evidence they had not handled the investigation the way they should, both in his daughter’s case or any similar cases during the same time frame.
On Monday, May 12 Ashley Brandon, the City of Beaufort’s Public Information Officer, suggested in an email that Autumn Hollis should narrow her search terms.
“In the initial run of the public records and communications requested we have returned 17 099 emails/communications from the requested time frame. I am happy to put the full request together, but that many emails/ communications will require a time frame much longer than the 30 days as all 17 099 will require sensitive information redacted,” Brandon wrote. Autumn Hollis agreed to Brandon’s suggestion and the number of emails/communications was cut from 17 099 to just more than 9 000 Autumn Hollis emailed Brandon on Tuesday, July 22, asking for an update. On Thursday, July 24 Brandon replied, “I estimate to have your emails redacted and to you by the end of next week. Unfortunately changing the keywords now will delay that as we will have to reprocess everything and start the redaction over. I am a team of one so the redaction process is taking quite a while as I specified in prior emails. I look forward to completing these and send the subject matter to you as soon as possible. If it will require more time past the end of next week, I will let you know.”
When Autumn and Kiel Hollis received the email with the results of their request on Tuesday, July 29 the lack of redactions caught them off guard.
“This is not an [IT] issue, it’s an oversight issue,” Kiel Hollis said. “They didn’t check to make sure there wasn’t information that wasn’t redacted.”
The initial response?
Autumn and Kiel Hollis got a lot more information than they expected and a truckload more than the City intended to give them. But until City Councilman Josh Scallate asked for the same information Autumn Hollis had requested, the City had no idea.
“At the time,” City Manager Scott Marshall said, “we did not have the knowledge there were unredacted items in the release.”
According to Scallate, Council isn’t typically notified of a FOIA request. In this case, he said he learned of the request from a Facebook post by one of the Hollis family members about the 9 000page release – Autumn and Kiel Hollis have made numerous social media posts about the FOIA and the City’s response -- and possible
aware of the issue, City staff immediately removed access to the affected files. The City is currently assessing the scope of the disclosure, ensuring that there is no further dissemination of the information, and notifying any impacted individuals.”
It’s unclear what removing “access to the affected files” means. The attachments to the emailed documents can still be accessed by the recipient.
And it will be difficult to ensure that “there is no further dissemination of the information.”
According to Taylor Smith, an attorney for the S.C. Press Association and an expert on the Freedom of Information Act, the City of Beaufort has no control over the information once it has been released.
evidence the city had created a “false narrative.”
As a result, Scallate contacted Marshall and requested the information himself on Wednesday, July 30 and received the information from Brandon on the morning of Thursday, July 31 No formal FOIA request was necessary. As an elected official, Scallate said he can review, upon request, information for which the City is the custodian.
“That evening I opened [the FOIA response] up and quickly recognized that some information that would usually be redacted was not,” Scallate said. “I immediately notified both Scott [Marshall] and [Assistant City Manager] J.J. [Suave] and showed them that much of what was originally redacted had been reversed once sent out and was actually visible to the recipient.”
Several days later, on Monday, Aug. 4 Suave called Autumn Hollis and told her and Kiel together on the phone that the City had mistakenly included some documents in the FOIA response that should have been redacted.
“I’ll just ask that you don’t release the unredacted version,” Suave can be heard saying in the recorded phone call.
He went on to explain that some of the documents had been redacted while others had not.
“Nothing has a redaction,” Kiel Hollis said, surprising Suave.
“None of the emails has a redaction?” Suave asked.
“No,” Kiel Hollis said.
Later in the conversation, Suave offers to provide a correctly redacted version of the FOIA response.
“I would like to get you a copy that is redacted,” he said.
Autumn Hollis told Suave they didn’t need it.
“No, I think we’re good,” she said.
According to Marshall, when Suave made the phone call to Autumn and Kiel Hollis, he asked them to destroy the unredacted files. But you cannot hear Suave say that in the recording.
“They did ask us not to share any of the information,” Kiel Hollis said, “but they didn’t ask us to destroy it.”
“They just asked us not to release anything, and we’re not,” Autumn Hollis said. “But if a reporter wants to come look at it, they can.”
According to Marshall, the City has sent Autumn and Kiel Hollis a certified letter requesting that they destroy the unredacted file in exchange for a correctly redacted version.
As of Monday, Aug. 11 they have not received that letter.
How did it happen and what’s next?
Marshall said the City had identified what had caused the documents to go out unredacted.
“We have successfully replicated the phenomenon,” Marshall said. “There were five large individual PDF files. They were combined into a single file for ease of access for the recipient. When they were combined into a single file, they lost some of their redactive characteristics.”
When asked if someone checked the documents one last time before they hit send, wouldn’t this mistake have been avoided, Marshall said, “if each individual page of those 9 000 [pages] was looked at, yes. As I understand it, the final [document] was spot checked.”
When asked who was responsible for filling the FOIA request and ultimately providing the recipient with the files, Marshall responded it was the FOIA officer and a second level of supervision, as well. The FOIA officer would be Brandon.
In her May 12 email to Autumn Hollis, Brandon wrote, “I will be handling the total of the FOIA so as to have everything completed and sent as one from all the departments.”
But Marshall was quick to take the blame.
“Ultimately, the city manager is responsible for all programs, …” he said. “Responsibility stops with me.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 5 after details about the FOIA request began to become public, the City of Beaufort released a public statement addressing the release of information. For those without knowledge of the information dump, the statement likely sounded cryptic. The statement read, “In responding to a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from an individual, the City of Beaufort inadvertently disclosed information that was exempt from disclosure and should not have been produced. Upon becoming
Smith said someone may be held liable when publishing things like the Social Security numbers, addresses and other specific personal information that was accidentally released, but that the City cannot tell Autumn and Kiel Hollis what they can release.
The City has taken steps to try and ensure something like this doesn’t happen again. In its Aug. 5 statement, Marshall, who said he “is committed to operating with transparency while fully complying with FOIA requirements, including the safeguarding of information that is exempt from public release,” announced the City’s new NextRequest system.
Purportedly in the works since February the new FOIA management platform is supposed to enhance data security, incorporate safeguards, and significantly reduce response times, staff workload, and the likelihood of future disclosure errors, according to the City. FOIA requests should now be submitted online via the NextRequest portal at https://cityofbeaufortsc.nextrequest.com/.
Marshall said the system would likely have prevented a mistake like the response to Autumn Hollis’ FOIA request.
“It would have provided additional accountability measures,” he said.
You likely won’t color Autumn Hollis impressed.
“The trauma of having my child’s confidential interview — one that detailed abuse and exploitation — released like a public document has been devastating. Other families will also be impacted by this breach,” she said. “… My entire goal in requesting these FOIA records was to prove negligence in how my daughter’s case was handled. I never expected the response itself to prove my point so clearly.”
Editor’s note: In the interest of full disclosure, The Island News Assistant Editor Delayna Earley interviewed for the position of Public Information Officer for the City of Beaufort, the position eventually filled by Ashley Brandon. The Island News Assistant Editor Delayna Earley contributed to this story. Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
Burton firefighters rescue trapped worker 40-feet up
Photo from a Facebook post by Piggly Wiggly Port Royal during the filming of “Soul
Habersham’s Village Social, Conroy Center partner for monthly series
Beaufort’s Sayers wins Governor’s Award
Staff reports The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center and the recently opened special event space Village Social at Habersham will launch a new six-part monthly series of Pat Conroy-themed lectures and panel discussions, beginning on Monday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. with “Pat Conroy: An Introduction to a Lowcountry Legend,” presented by Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt. Conroy (1945-2016) is best remembered as the author of “The Water Is Wide,” “The Great Santini,” “The Lords of Discipline,” and “The Prince of Tides,” each also adapted for film. He has become as synonymous with his adopted Lowcountry as pluff mud or Spanish Moss. Join the Conroy Center executive director — one of Pat’s many protégés — for an engaging hour of stories, photos, and videos introducing Conroy’s origin story, the beginnings of his writing and teaching life and exploring some of the major themes of his work, and how the nonprofit literary center established in his memory continues
Staff reports Beaufort’s Valerie Sayers has been named one of the 2025 recipients of the Governor’s Award in the Humanities by South Carolina Humanities.
The writer, author, and former William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of English at Notre Dame, is a fiction writer, essayist, and critic born and raised in Beaufort, which features prominently in her work. The author of six novels, including “The Powers” and “Brain Fever,” and a collection of stories, “The Age of Infidelity,” her literary honors include a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and two Pushcart Prizes, as well as three “distinguished” citations from Pushcart. Her prose has appeared widely in venues ranging from the New York Times and Washington Post to Agni, Ploughshares, and Zoetrope, and her books have been on many "Best of the Year" and "Editors' Choice" lists, including those at the New York Times, Washington Post and Chicago Tribune Sayers was the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of English at Notre Dame, where she served terms as chair of the English Department and Director of the Creative Writing Program, founded the Notre Dame Review, and taught in the Moreau College Initiative, a college prison program in Northern Indiana. After retirement, she returned to Beaufort, where she continues to write and serves on the board of the Pat Con-
roy Literary Center. She is especially honored to be a member of the South Carolina Academy of Authors. Established in 1991 the Governor’s Awards recognize outstanding achievement in humanities research, teaching, and scholarship; institutional and individual participation in helping communities in South Carolina better understand our cultural heritage or ideas and issues related to the humanities; excellence in defining South Carolina’s cultural life to the nation or world; and exemplary support for public humanities programs. The 34th annual South Carolina Awards in the Humanities Luncheon and Ceremony will be held at 11 30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 16 2025 at the Pastides Alumni Center in Columbia. Table sponsorships are available now and individual tickets will go on sale after Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 To learn more about this event, call 803-771-2477
SCISA teams
kick off Friday
matched in their scrimmage with Beaufort Academy last week, and the Eagles appear to be one of the frontrunners in SCISA 1A — along with Colleton Prep. This is a game JPII circled ahead of the season as a potential win, but the Golden Warriors will need to give their best performance to pull it off, and that might be too much to ask of an inexperienced squad this early in the season.
Hilton Head Christian Academy will open its season with a tough test at Porter-Gaud, and Cross Schools kicks off the 8-man season at The King’s Academy. Here’s a closer look at the matchups on this side of the Broad River.
Beaufort Academy at Hilton Head Prep, 5 p.m. Last year’s clash on Lady’s Island was a mismatch with BA rolling to a 36-7 win after a sluggish start, and this one is likely to unfold similarly.
The Eagles have seen a ton of talent graduate over the past two years, including quarterback Dietrich Shuford last spring, but they still have one
The monthly series will alternate between engaging thematic lectures on Conroy presented by Haupt and lively panel discussions among a rotating cast of contributing local writers to the multi-award-winning anthology “Our
Street Music returns
Colleton Prep at John Paul II, 7 p.m.
The Golden Warriors hit the field this fall with a revamped roster, as only three starters return from what was ultimately a disappointing campaign. One of the returners, though, is quarterback Alan Wolf, who has developed into a legitimate dual-threat and has some talented, if young and inexperienced, weapons around him.
JPII’s defense might have its hands full, though, as the War Hawks return nearly all of their offensive production, including their own dual-threat quarterback in Cale Owens. The Golden Warriors were over-
John Paul II
sweeps through preseason tourney
“...it’s always good to see that show up on the court.”
CHASE VAIGNEUR, Head Coach, John Paul II Volleyball
ways good to see that show up on the court.” The Golden Warriors were back in action Tuesday at home against Veritas Academy.
with inflatables, games, and the Beaufort Barnyard Petting Zoo. Artists and crafts people interested in a 10-foot-by-10-foot space can send an email to gather@stpetersbeaufort.org for more information. Indoor space is very limited, so those interested should reach out as soon as possible.
Poll workers needed; training available The Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County will be holding 10 new poll worker training classes. All of the classes will be held at the main office, located at 15 John Galt Road, Beaufort, S.C. 29906 The classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the following dates: Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Wednesday, Sept. 17 To sign up for a class, visit https://beaufortsc.easypollworker.com/home.
United Way of the Lowcountry offers additional free tax prep days United Way of the Lowcountry's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering additional free tax preparation days to help qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties file their federal and state tax returns accurately and efficiently. The program – a collaboration between the IRS, Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, and United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) – is designed to assist low-income individuals and families, non-English speaking taxpayers, people with disabilities, and seniors with their tax filing needs.
In Bluffton, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29 at the Bluffton Public Library at 120 Palmetto Drive.
The Bazaar will raise funds for Lowcountry Outreach, a Saint Peter’s ministry that works to increase scarce services in northern Beaufort County. Lowcountry Outreach partners with several agencies and services such as Good Neighbor Medical Clinic, Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, and Alienated Parents of Adult Children among others. Its Angel Rides program has completed more than 850 rides for people needing transportation to medical and other needed appointments. Additional information can be found at www.LowcounryOutreach.org.
In Beaufort, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 25 at the United Way of the Lowcountry Beaufort Office at 1277 Ribaut Road. Limited spots are available, and in-person appointments are required. Visit www. uwlowcountry.org/VITA to reserve your spot, check for eligibility requirements and to find a list of necessary documents to bring.
Human Services accepting grant applications Beaufort County Human Services is accepting applications for the FY26 Grant Program. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 22 Any application received after that date, will not be considered.
According to the Community Services Grant Program webpage, "Funds for this grant program are provided by County Council of Beaufort County. Established in 2013 the Beaufort County Community Services Grants Program supports local non-profit human service organizations in enhancing residents' quality of life. All grant awards are contingent upon the availability of funding." Eligibility, criteria, application timeline and the application itself are all outlined at https://bit.ly/4 8UTe8 for interested groups. For questions or more information, please call Beaufort County Human Services at 843-255-6058 or visit the webpage at https://bit.ly/4npqEBv. – Staff reports
Staff reports
DAYLO, Conroy Center, Storybook Shoppe donate supplies to Robert Smalls
$8,000
Orangeburg. For a second consecutive year, the Conroy Center was selected as The Jeffcoat Firm’s distribution partner in Beaufort. The inspiring generosity of dozens and dozens of individual local donors from
across the Lowcountry also filled several huge bins with vital supplies for educators and their students, all from the school’s official supplies list for the year. Curiously, one of the many bins came filled with supplies from the Toys“R”Us set of Roofman, the forthcoming Channing Tatum film, courtesy of a connection facilitated by the Storybook Shoppe. DAYLO student leaders E Achurch (The Complete Student) and Piper Kennedy (Beaufort High School) were joined by past DAYLO leaders Nora O’Brien, Mary Ruff, and Anjali Barigala (all Beaufort High), and their mentors Claire Bennett and Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt in delivering the many supplies to RSLA, home of Beaufort County School District Principal of the Year Bradley Tarrance, prior to the start of the new school year to help support the educational needs of the nearly 900 students who attend the school. DAYLO student leader Becca Bennett (Beaufort Academy) also assisted the Jeffcoat Firm’s delivery of the backpacks to the Conroy Center.
“I’m tremendously proud of the remarkable work of our world-saving DAYLO students, our Conroy Center supporters and volunteers, the customers and staff of the Storybook Shoppe, and the many generous members of our community who wanted to help Robert Smalls students and teachers start the new school year with a plethora of supplies to equip them for success,” said Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt. “We’re
“...we also wanted to show all of those students and teachers in a grand, impactful way that our community cares about them, supports them, and wishes them fantastic learning experiences this school year.”
JONATHAN HAUPT, Executive Director, Pat Conroy
beyond grateful to Kim Jeffcoat and The Jeffcoat Firm for once again supporting this project with such an incredible gift, truly in service to the many communities they serve.
“Beyond the thousands of items we were able to collectively donate, in the spirit of Robert Smalls Leadership Academy being an extraordinary community school, we also wanted to show all of those students and teachers in a grand, impactful way that our community cares about them, supports them, and wishes them fantastic learning experiences this school year.”
This is the second year of the DAYLO-led school supplies drive in collaboration with the Conroy Center and the Storybook Shoppe. Last year’s supply drive benefited St. Helena Elementary School, also a Title 1 school.
TCL receives ‘Gold Award’ for veteran friendly institution
The Technical College of the Lowcountry has been awarded gold level status by the S.C. Military Academic Recognition Program, part of the S.C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA).
SCDVA representatives presented the award at a special event held July 28 at TCL’s Military & Veterans Resource Center (MAVRC) on the college’s Beaufort Mather Campus. The recognition program aims to highlight colleges and universities that support service members, veterans, reservists, National Guard members and their family members as they work
toward achieving academic and professional goals. Currently, 19 percent of TCL’s student population is active military, veteran or military-affiliated.
“We are very proud of the team we have here and the work they’re doing to support our veterans,” said TCL President Dr. Richard Gough. “Veterans, their families and dependents, are a significant part of our college and our culture, so it’s important to us that we have these programs in place and that they know they are supported.”
To qualify for gold status, institutions must meet specific standards such as offering a cen-
tralized place for students who are veterans to meet or find assistance, information or career counseling. The college has been working toward meeting the SCDVA’s criteria for gold status, since receiving the silver designation in December of 2023
In addition to renovating and expanding its Military and Veterans Resource Center on the first floor of MacLean Hall, TCL also completed “Green Zone” training, or specialized training that enables staff to better assist military or military-affiliated students. For more information on TCL’s military and veterans’ services, visit www.tcl.edu/military.
From left, Technical College of the Lowcountry’s School Certifying Official Shelby Holstein; TCL Assistant Director of Military and Veteran Programs Marie Hooper; TCL’s Director of Military and Veterans Programs Topher Byrnes; presenter Erika Jones of the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and TCL President Richard Gough. Photo courtesy of Technical College of the Lowcountry
Robert Smalls International Academy principal named Principal of the Year
By Delayna Earley The Island News
Robert Smalls International Academy principal Bradley Tarrance is not originally from Beaufort, but in the five years that he has been in the Lowcountry he has sought to create a home and safe space for the students who attend the school.
Tarrance, who is originally from Flint, Mich., is entering his fifth year at the K-8 school with a new achievement to add to his long list of accomplishments, 2025-2026 Beaufort County School District Principal of the Year. He said that one of the big draws for him to move to Beaufort for his career was the opportunity to work with Beaufort’s superintendent Frank Rodriguez.
“We ended up deciding on Beaufort County specifically because Dr. Rodriguez is an outstanding superintendent and then we really loved the history that was here on the Beaufort side – being the foundation of reconstruction and the strength of the community here –
there was no doubt that this was the place to call home,” Tarrance said. The 43-year-old principal said that he fell in love with the school and community right away.
“Robert Smalls Leadership had my heart from the first time I saw it and met the beautiful people that are here,” said Tarrance.
When asked why he thinks he was honored by being named this year’s Principal of the Year he said that he tries to “lead with humility” and he does not see this as his award, but as a community award.
“I always say it takes a village, and we know that,” said Tarrance.
“I’m just one part of the piece of the puzzle to the village.” The school is a completely different school – physically, socially, emotionally and academically –than it was five years ago when he arrived for his first year as principal, according to Tarrance. He said that the reputation of the school was not very good when he took over as principal because the school lacked systems and a real direction.
“So, what I think led to this was the vision of a community school where we meet the community where they’re at and are able to identify those needs and handle those needs,” Tarrance said.
There are three laundry facilities on site, a free grocery store in the school and they offer parenting classes [at the school].
The school runs 12 different summer programs to keep kids in the community busy and has around 350 kids at the school every single day during the summer.
“We listen to the feedback that the staff and parents and students give us, and we directly implement that,” Tarrance said.
Any student who stays in after-school care also gets served dinner in addition to the free breakfast and lunch that all Beaufort County students receive free of charge.
Tarrance said that there is not much for kids to do on the north side of the Broad River, so his vision was to make the school more
than a place for learning but also a community hub where families can come an
While he has found his groove now, Tarrance said that starting at the school was challenge as this is the most unique school that he has ever worked at due to the way the school is structured.
Pre-K to fifth grade has roughly 50 kids per grade, but once students get to sixth grade the number of students jumps up to 180 per grade level. The school has two different bell schedules, one for middle school and one for elementary, and gets two state report cards, one for elementary and one for middle school.
But while the two parts to the school are treated separately in many ways, he is constantly trying to find ways to connect the upper academy and lower academy students so they can learn from one another.
“I think a lot of people confuse schooling and education,” Tarrance said. “We’re true educators
here where we’re changing the world every day. I let our staff know here, not everybody gets to wake up and actually have an impact on the future of our world. When you’re driven by that, the other stuff will take care of itself.” He tells his teachers and staff to be authentic, transparent and vulnerable and if you are those three things, they will lead to
Sparklight to host free digital literacy class
To help Beaufort/Port Royal residents build confidence and skills for today’s digital world, Sparklight will host a free digital literacy class on Tuesday, Aug. 26 from noon to 2 p.m. at its retail location at 1425 Ribaut Road in Port Royal. Attendees will learn basic internet terms, web browser navigation and online search techniques. The session will also cover identifying digital devices, connecting to Wi-Fi networks and troubleshooting basic internet connection issues. Instructors will overview online safety principles, including selecting strong passwords/pass phrases and recognizing scams.
“The internet is essential for accessing information, securing education and employment, connecting to vital services and more,” said Jane Shanley, Sparklight Senior Regional Director, Southeast. “We’re pleased to offer this practical workshop to help Beaufort-area residents improve their knowledge and open up new opportunities.”
For more information and to reserve your spot, please call 843-384-8971 Attendees are encouraged to bring their preferred digital device to boost their hands-on skills.
Nexus Care of Beaufort, All Aboard Beaufort Youth Leadership host Back to School meeting Nexus Care of Beaufort's STAR (Striving to Achieve Resiliency) Youth Leadership Program is kicking off another school year with an event encouraging middle school and high school students north of the Broad to develop peer-to-peer conversations about preventing substance
Bradley Tarrance poses for a quick photo with a student on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
DAYLO students, the Pat Conroy Literary Center and the Storybook Shoppe collected and delivered more than
worth of school supplies for students at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy. Photo courtesy of Pat Conroy Literacy Center
Michelle Latimore, along with her 11-year-old daughter Amaya, and son Avery, 9, from Beaufort, interact with MSgt. Robert Herlong during the Burton Wells Back to School event held at Burton Wells Recreation Center on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
VOICES
It’s the ‘impossible dream’ we all seek
It is Monday, and it is hot — our thermometer says it’s 95 degrees.
Some of you know that I’m listening to a Jesuit priest, Richard Rohr, who talks about “containers.” Rohr says that the during first half of our lives we focus on building an identity, finding our place in the world, creating what he calls the “container.”
It’s a time of graduations, starting a career, building relationships and finding income stability.
“It’s about solidifying your sense of self and whom you are in the world.” The second half, however, is when we adjust, change.
We should, according to Rohr, abandon our resume’ building pursuits and embrace humility.
This second half is often triggered by some kind of failure — a spousal death, bankruptcy, some sort of seismic event that changes our worldview.
SCOTT GRABER
I accomplished none of these things, ushering-in a lengthy, unhappy estrangement.
Myrtle Beach), and all the while she would tell me stories about battlefield bravery at Ft. Fisher and at Petersburg. She believed that the South had fought a long and courageous fight; that its people were kind and well-mannered; that slavery was regrettable.
I pretty much bought that narrative.
Editor’s Note The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of
SC’s rural places face hollowing of people, spirit
During the first phase my life my container was often reduced to a narrative — a monologue delivered at dinner parties after a couple of glasses of Pinot Noir — that began with the fact that I was a disappointment to my father. My father was in medicine (burns and transplants) and he wanted me to go to medical school. He was also a competitive tennis player and wanted me to develop a big serve, a backhand that came with a spin, a shelf of small statuettes.
For reasons that I cannot explain I chose a college, The Citadel, that came with its own Civil War history. That history began with a cadet battery that fired on a ship, Star of the West, trying to re-supply Fort Sumter. Later I would learn that Lee’s surrender flag was carried to General George Custer by Captain Robert M. Sims, The Citadel Class of 1856
For a while after that my mother was my refuge, often entertaining me with her views on the South. In the summers of my youth, we would walk the beach from Ocean Drive to Cherry Grove (all of which is now called North
My time in law school coincided with the Civil Rights movement across the South and, from time to time, spilled-onto the Mall in Washington, D.C., where I toured Resurrection City.
When I moved to Beaufort, my internal narrative was influenced by two non-fiction books, Face
of An Island (Edith Dabbs) and Black Yeomanry (T.J. Woofter) — books dealing with the culture on St. Helena Island in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These two books revealed a vibrant, self-sustaining community (on St. Helena Island) that thrived when the rest of the South was descending into a Jim Crow kind of hellscape. These books were testament to resilience, and a will to survive in spite of horrific characters like Pitchfork Ben Tillman, who organized a “Constitutional Convention” in 1896 Tillman’s convention, held in Columbia, was designed to remove Black folk from the voting rolls. That effort was fought by Robert Smalls, Thomas Miller, William Whipper, James Wigg and Isaiah Reed from Beaufort, Ben Tillman calling Whipper, “the ablest colored man I ever met.” I also learned that another outspoken Black lawyer, John Mardenborough, moved to Port Royal about this same time, where he became the Postmaster, raised his family and built a columned, double-porched house on 9th
Street. I happen to be sitting in Mardenborough’s study as I write these words this morning. This then was part of the “narrative” I carried around in my head for most of my adult life. But these days I find myself reading Rohr and wondering what parts of that narrative remain “authentic” and what parts need an upgrade? These days I am also reading David Brooks and I’m drawn to his distinction between “resume values” and those values we sometimes hear at funerals. Brooks calls this second group “eulogy values,” and that category would include generosity, kindness, empathy and humility. Switching to a life centered on humility is much harder than repeating a self-serving narrative around the dinner table. Shifting to consistent, systemic kindness is more than writing a check and getting a tote bag. Finding and giving love is, of course, the “impossible dream” we all seek.
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
This guy’s not even a quack!
We are now into August and entering the time when we should be thinking of those vaccines that are available to get us through the winter months without succumbing to the diseases that appear every year.
There is always the “flu de jour,” and luckily, up to now, there has been a vaccine readily available for those who wish to take advantage of it. Note my verbiage: not mandated, but readily available.
I ran across a blurb which asked, “Which Trump Appointee is the most unqualified?” It showed a picture of 11 people, some of whom were very familiar, others not so much. The answer to the question posed was simply this: “It’s a tough choice, isn’t it?” Over the last six months
I have addressed a couple of these -- Hegseth, who casually texted top secret information on an unsecured line, and “dog exterminator” Noem come to mind. I am sure I will address others in the coming weeks since they never fail to provide fodder for anyone possessing a scintilla of comprehension.
But back to our current Secretary of Health and
Human Services. This is a man with a surname that ordinarily connotes political success, and even in the eyes of some, greatness. I’ll leave that for you to decide.
What I do know is this; his cousin wrote an impressive letter that cast him in a very unflattering light. She and many of her relatives were in a position to know of what they spoke, and some have gone so far as to call him a national threat. On this note, a little of the background RFK, Jr. brought to his nomination to become the decision-maker on our country’s health. His choices regarding his own health is a good place to start. He was a drug dealer in college and spent a large part of his adult life shooting up heroin. He shot so many steroids that his voice has been impaired. Shortly after his appointment, he was seen swimming in Rock
Creek, Md., which had been declared unsafe because of pollutants. I might add that his grandchildren were with him. My research unearthed some rather frightening information. He isn’t just a vaccine skeptic -- he especially dislikes one type of vaccine: those that use mRNA technology, such as the first COVID shots. As a result of his “thinking,” he canceled nearly $500 million in funding to make mRNA immunizations as well as a bird-flu vaccine that Moderna was developing. (Adam Kushner, “Shot in the Dark”) I don’t know about you, but I know I got the shot and the subsequent boosters with nothing more than a sore arm. Try to think back when COVID first hit our country. Schools were closed -- kids basically lost a year of education because they were tossed into virtual learning without preparation. Businesses lost millions; restaurants alone were closed down, some never to reopen. The mental health crisis that resulted is reason enough to inspect Kennedy’s motivation. But then his mental health, in my humble opinion, mandates the same.
So, what is Kennedy’s objection? He says the speed which the vaccine was developed. This response alone is reason enough to question his credibility. Anyone knowing how this works (or taking the time to find out) would discern that this vaccine has been in the pipeline for 20 years. Deeper delving produced this: Kennedy favors wholecell vaccines, developed more than 100 years ago. They use the entire pathogens, thereby exposing the body to hundreds of antigens (bacteria or virus) at once. The result can be seizures and high fever, especially in children. Let that sink in. This person making decisions on your health favors 100-yearold “technology” as opposed to that which is up to date. Tell you anything?
I found a discussion between Kennedy and Congresswoman Dr. Kim Schrier, a pediatrician, that should put his competency clearly into focus. I will include as much as my word count permits. You, dear reader, can access the entirety online. She quickly brings to the exchange his staggering ignorance on vaccines.
"Secretary Kennedy
Is there anything I've said that you really disagree with?
Mr. Dickson, you should just leave your Republican politics and come on over to the folks that actually display some civic virtue and ethical behavior. Next you should rewrite your third paragraph and just say Donald Trump and his sycophant grifters "... are not paragons of ethical conduct … ." And yes, I agree, for the most part we are an ethical and moral people. But remember January 6 and then wonder how they could all be pardoned. And what about immigrants are you not seeing? The few still coming in and those already here are NOT being exposed to a moral and caring people. They are NOT exposed to warm caring people. They are exposed to ICE. Unless of course you happen to have an extra $5 000 000 for a trump card. Like you said, we are a nation of immigrants. There are few remaining who are brave enough to "… board a ship or walk a jungle trail … ." Our history, our traditions, our generational knowledge, our
American citizen can not stand against. Yes, we are a capitalist country. That being said, we are also a socially moderate people who care for one another for the most part. In other words we are also thankfully a little bit socialistic (think social security, medicare, environmental protections and consumer protections).
It is not a bad word. We are a society in which each of us leans just a little on the others for our clean air, water, food, safety, education and general welfare.
You said not to believe the American Dream is dying. But our only hope lies at the doorstep of the Supreme Court, and if they don't wake up soon, all power will be in the hands of one man who will destroy that Dream for all but a few.
Is there anything I've said that you really disagree with, because I just can't comprehend how anyone with just the slightest bit of study and reflection can support the current administration.
– Bob Lewis, Port Royal
on May 27 you posted a 60-second video on your X account unilaterally changing vaccine recommendations without consulting the customary panel of experts," said Schrier. "As a pediatrician I find that extremely alarming so I thought we would talk a little about some vaccine-preventable diseases.
"Secretary Kennedy — and these are yes or no questions — have you ever treated measles?"
"Do I what?" asked RFK.
"Have you ever treated measles?"
"No," he admitted.
"Well, I have. Let me tell you how miserable it is. These kids have high fevers, struggling to breathe, and they are crying," said Schrier. "They suffer. Great news is that there is a vaccine to prevent it.
“Secretary Kennedy, again a yes or no question, have you ever treated bacterial meningitis?"
"No," he admitted again. "Well, I have," said Schrier. "These babies are so sick. They come into the ER with high fevers. They are floppy, and we have to figure out why. Do you know how we figure out if a baby has meningitis?" She goes on to explain a
spinal tap, but adds that few have to be done anymore because of the three vaccines available, calling them miracles.
"Secretary Kennedy, yes or no, have you ever treated pertussis or whooping cough?"
"No. I've had it," said Kennedy. “I've treated a bunch of older kids with it. They cough so hard they vomit. They run out of air. They break ribs. And if you don't catch it before two weeks, antibiotics don't even work."
If this discussion (if you can even call it that) doesn’t convince you of this man’s ineptitude, nothing will. I’d call him a “quack” except that’s reserved for inept physicians, and he isn’t even that.
Already measles is spreading across the country like wildfire, something inconceivable a year ago. People are dying. This man is woefully unqualified for his position; he should be removed immediately!
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
Rural communities in South Carolina are in the midst of a “Great Hollowing,” a reduction in the number of people, their economic power, their political might and, in some ways, their sense of place. Meanwhile, urban areas like Horry, Greenville, Charleston and Berkeley counties grew as the state added more than 360 000 people between 2020 and 2024 — a whopping 7% overall growth rate. Some of our rural areas, such as the towns of Hampton and Hartsville, still feel alive and robust. Too many others have downtown areas that resemble ghost towns with empty store fronts, weathered wood and virtually no foot traffic.
“If you’re not growing, you are unfortunately dying,” said state Sen. Russell Ott, a Democrat who makes rural St. Matthews his home. But as the coast and Upstate suck up new residents like sponges, some people still want small-town life with slower paces and graces. Ott says they’re not put off by driving 30 minutes to get to good restaurants and bigger stores.
Pettiness plays rough
Tsheep says to another, “He tells it like it is”! Of course it’s an “on” Trump satire that causes the sort of chuckle that means: Sad but true. I have to say, and I don’t mean this in a mean way, that I cannot, at this point in time, spend any more time trying to understand anyone who can still support a man like Trump. The gulf is simply too wide.
Trump told us on the campaign trail what he was going to do, and he is doing it, as I speak, unabated by our own U.S. congress as well as states like Florida, Texas and
Failing grade
TIM WOOD
South Carolina: Our own supreme court and other Fed “judgeship” appointees; All them willing to follow the guidelines set down (for all to see) within the Project 2025 manifesto. They have been telling us all along: We will tear down your “woke” democracy and revolutionize the USA through and with the concepts of Project 2025 What the majority of citizens
thought and what people like me prayed for, was that our constitutional guardrails would hold, never considering that this Republican Congress would kneel and kiss the Trump ring so readily, offering up their own legislative powers. But here we are, following the same path as Orban’s Hungary. Google how well Hungary is fairing … shades of things to come. The Epstein fiasco is another disgrace. The Trump team has been pouring through those documents, eating up thousands of man hours. Do you really believe Trump will be exposed within them by this time? Why can’t people simply trust and believe (at least, say, three) of the dozens of women (since 1970) with 25+ sexual abuse allegations pending against this convicted felon for,
guess what: Sexual abuse and defamation.
For a man who believes that his enemies have weaponized the Federal government with “woke” ideologies, how can his supporters not see Trump’s own weaponization of our Federal government with Project 2025’s totalitarianism and religious doctrines? I think it’s simple: This is the “revolutionized” government they want; Why else do we have a Congress and Supreme Court enabling this U.S. president?
They want a country that functions under the Project 2025 plan. They want a country that performs like a present day (Christian) Russia under our present leadership. Why not? The present elected Congress, (lifetime) judge appointments, as well as the Executive
Branch, see themselves in power positions for an unknown and unlimited amount of time,
Once again, Carol Lucas, in her latest TDS laden diatribe, this time on “gerrymandering,” gets an “F” for failing to present an accurate picture of what’s really going on.
To begin, she leads us to believe this is: A) new(although she rightly points out it was first employed way back in the early 1800’s … in a Blue State … figures) and, B) only being done in Red States which is misleading and ingenuous. Check out how many Blue states have a disproportionately high number of Democrat Congressional seats relative to their proportion of
Republican versus Democrat votes … N.Y., N.J., N.M., Calif., Ill., Wash., … all guilty. Ms. Lucas does, albeit superficially, touch upon the real issue … the decennial census … but at he same time fails to point out a crucial fact. Specifically, she fails to explain that in the census ALL people … both U.S. citizens and illegal aliens … are counted. This is important because a disproportionate number of illegals have migrated to blue areas … where they are replacing actual U.S. citizens who have been migrating in growing numbers to Red states. Simply put, the 15-20 million illegals the Biden administration allowed to enter our country (and will now be counted in the census)
What is a fact?
The biggest threat to our democracy is not Donald Trump, his “base,” his congressional supporters, the deep state, “Never Trumpers,” anything “woke,” Democrats, or “traitors who hate the country.” The biggest threat is: What is a fact? Now, after years of relentless propaganda from Trump and the MAGA universe, we now have “alternative facts” memorably defined by Kellyanne Conway, Trump's advisor in his first presidential term. For the first time in political history, we have a disagreement regarding what is true and what is false. The public is told constantly that what the Trump administration says are “facts” and any opposition is fake news, a witch hunt, lies, etc. Fox News amplifies whatever Trump says into a very large megaphone watched and heard by millions. Social media and influencers have the ability to shape the narrative any way they want. Now, we cannot have a discussion about anything political going on in the country because we can't agree on what is a fact and what is not. This is a very dangerous situation. We are on the road to an erosion of democratic values that support our way of life for which there is no easy return. It is worth remembering the words of the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-New York): “You can have your own opinions, but you cannot have your own facts.” – Terry Gibson, Beaufort
CAROL LUCAS
ANDY BRACK
NASCAR drivers visit Parris Island
What Veterans need to know about VSOs, VA Healthcare, more
(VFW, American Legion, VVA, DAV, and over 25 others.), must pass a comprehensive exam, swear to serve with honesty, and complete continuing education courses, VSOs should be the first choice when seeking help with claims and appeals.
Warning There is a shortage of VA-accredited VSOs. There is also often a backlog of veterans and family members waiting to see VSOs. Therefore, veterans need to make an appointment to see a VSO, as walk-ins are not ordinarily available. Veterans and their family members also need to do their homework and read the information at www.va.gov, the info in The Island News articles, and other publications on VA benefits. They also need to assemble the necessary documents, records, and evidence (DD214/separation documents, military/VA/civilian medical records, military service records, Lay Witness Statements, Nexus Letters, etc.) they need to support their claims and appeals.
You may need an attorney for complicated appeals
In some complex claims and appeals, a veteran may want to seek the help of a VA-accredited Attorney. VSOs sometimes recommend that veterans and their families seek the help of a VA-accredited attorney. VA-accredited Attorneys and Claims Agents charge for their services. VSO’s work for veterans, their families VSO’s work for military members and veterans, and their families, caregivers, and survivors. VSOs do not work for the
VA, but they do work with the VA to ensure their customers get their federal and state benefits. VSOs also work for the Veterans Service Organizations that sponsor and train them.
Where to find VSOs
VSOs can be found working in most states in County or State Regional Veterans Affairs (Service) Offices. They are also collocated with Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) Regional Offices, collocated in some Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Medical Centers, in Veterans Service Organizations’ State Department Offices, and a very few VSO Posts and Chapters. There is a County Veterans Affairs Office in each county of South Carolina and most counties of North Carolina. The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Office
The office website is found at https://bit.ly/4ldYkzy. Caroline Fermin is the Beaufort County Director of Veteran Affairs. Six VA-accredited VSOs work in the Beaufort County Offices. The office provides services from three locations:
1 Beaufort Office: 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906 Phone: 843-2556880 Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, Appointment only.
2 Government Center South: 539 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
29928 Phone: 843-2556886 Tuesdays and Thursdays, Appointment only.
3 Bluffton Office: 9 Benton Field Road, Bluffton, S.C.
29910 Phone: 843-2556880 Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, Appointment only.
County VSOs Find S.C. County VSOs online at https://bit.ly/3JkRj2w. Find Georgia County/Regional VSOs online at https://bit. ly/3HaZk9N.
Find North Carolina County VSOs online at https://bit.ly/4lzJ2Wd.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 15 August 2025
Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel A. P. Bariletti 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel G. T. Moynihan Commander of Troops, First Sergeant P. S. Ramos • Parade Adjutant, Staff Sergeant C. B. Spalding Company “C”, 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Captain G. A. Hubble Drill Master • Gunnery Sergeant J. J. Merriweather, Staff Sergeant B. C. McGuigan
PLATOON 1048
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt J. A. Hernandez
Pvt Baltazar, J. A.
Pvt Barone, M. M.
PFC Billick, J. M.
Pvt Bradley, L. D.
Pvt Bullock, B. S.
PFC Childs Jr, L. C.
Pvt Dubois Jr, M. D.
PFC Evans, I. R.*
Pvt Franco, Z. T.
Pvt Frasure, J. T.
Pvt Garciaperez, A.
PFC Glass, G. H.
Pvt Goldberg, S. E.
PFC Gomez, A. V.
Pvt Halaychik, V. J.
PFC Hampton, M. Z.
Pvt Hopkins, J. T.
Pvt Lopez, S. B.
Pvt Lower, B. A.
Pvt Marsh Iii, J. R.
PFC Mccormick, I. W.
PFC Melton Jr, J. F.
VSOs nationwide Search online using the VA Search page for VSOs nationwide.
Veterans can search for VA-accredited representatives nationwide at the VA’s “Accreditation Search” webpage at https://bit.ly/45EYlYI.
VSOs at VBA Regional Offices
Veterans can search for VA-accredited VSOs at VBA Regional Offices at https://bit.ly/4fmc6yI. Columbia, SC, VSOs co-located with the Columbia, S.C. VBA Regional Office frequently travel throughout the state to help veterans. Contact them at: Disabled American Veterans (DAV) – 803-647-2422 American Legion/SCDVA –803-647-2434 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – 803-647-2443 Paralyzed Veterans (PVA) –803-647-2432 Winston-Salem, N.C., VSOs are co-located in the N.C. Regional VBA Office. Located at 251 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 Contact phone numbers are available online at https://bit. ly/41w1fwl. Contact them at: American Legion, Suite 420 336-631-5471 DAV, Suite 151, 336-631-5481 POAV, Suite 430 336-2510836 VFW, Suite 490 336-6315457 National Association of Black Veterans, Suite 169 336-2510776 NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Suite 190 336-251-0677
More about VA-accredited VSOs, Claims Agents, Attorneys Get help from a VA-accredited representative or VSO webpage at https://bit.ly/3J9cggR. VA Accredited Representative Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage at https://bit. ly/3TcLOoK or https://bit. ly/46LHWmi. The VA online list of VA-recognized Veterans Service Organizations at https://bit.
ly/4onXV0b. The VA “Request Help From a VA Accredited Representative or VSO (VA form 21-22 and VA Form 21-22a)” webpage at https://bit.ly/3HlwzHi.
VA Office of General Counsel
“How to Challenge a Fee” webpage at https://bit.ly/47c4jzu or https://bit.ly/4lYtoo4 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Warning Article titled “WARNO: They call themselves ‘coaches’ or ‘consultants’ and advertise their ability to assist you with your VA benefits claim but may not be accredited to practice before the VA,” By Joshua Friedman and Krystle Good, dated Feb. 15 2023 at https:// bit.ly/3ZaPqeO or https://bit. ly/3Uhw5oz. Office of General Counsel FAQ at https://bit.ly/4dMBb4q or https://bit.ly/3UhaxbS. The VA phone question center is 800-698-2411 ext. 0 (TTY: 711). The phone is answered 24/7
The S.C. Department of Veteran Affairs website at https:// scdva.sc.gov. The N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website at https://www.milvets.nc.gov. The Georgia Department of Veterans Services at https:// veterans.georgia.gov. Continued next week. Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded
Pvt Migneault, M. A.
Pvt Miller Jr, B. A.
PFC Morris, L. A.
PFC Olaires, M. S.
PFC Payne, G. J.*
Pvt Pitanga, G. L.
PFC Powers Iii, J. S.
Pvt Pui, J. B.
PFC Renshaw, T. B.*
Pvt Reyesfernandez J. J.,
PFC Rodriguezrodriguez, M.
PFC Sams, E. J.
Pvt Shauberger, S. R.
PFC Siafakas, J. T.
Pvt Smith, W. A.
Pvt Teruelserrano, C. A.
PFC Willis, J. O.
Pvt Young, J. C.
PLATOON 1049
Senior Drill Instructor Sgt N. Prosper
PFC Alteus, D. P.
Pvt Bailey, J. K.
Pvt Barkers, T. L.
PFC Brisita, J. C.
Pvt Brown, D. J.
PFC Castro, J.
Pvt Chandler, J. B.
Pvt Czyszozon, C. C.
Pvt Dennis Iii, F.G.
PFC Diazthwaites, A.C.*
PFC Donnelly, J. T.
PFC Dunigan, D. T.
Pvt Figueredodaubar, L. C.
PFC Finney, A. E.*
Pvt Freeman, C. G.
Pvt Gamboaleiva, J. E.
Pvt Harris, D. J.
Pvt Hernandez, A. J.
Pvt Jacksonhill, J. D.
PFC Joiner, J.M.
PFC Le, J.*
Pvt Livingston, L.H.
Pvt Lopezhernandez, J. M.
Pvt Lue, C. D.
PFC Macdonald, J. N.
Pvt Mcmillon, H. J.
Pvt Mulcahy, C. M.
Pvt Nguyen, K.
Pvt Perez Jr, R.
PFC Perez, J. A.
Pvt Powell, A. J.
Pvt Rodriguez, O.
Pvt Rojasmendoza, A. P.
Pvt Staples Jr, N. B.
Pvt Starkey, Z. S.
Pvt Strawser, K. S.
PFC Tlaczaninunez, R.
Pvt Vicenteguox, E. S.
Pvt Ware, J. P.
PFC Weissfierro, T. J.
PLATOON 1050
Senior Drill Instructor GySgt L. J. Nevins
PFC Alejandrino, A.
PFC Aschim, T. D.
PFC Ashton, A. T.
Pvt Barbosa, T. A.
Pvt Bennett, L. A.
Pvt Bohorquezmora, J. S.
Pvt Cortezquinteros, F. M.
Pvt Diaz, S. J.
Pvt Donnie, P. L.
PFC Germaine II, M. P.
PFC Gil, David J.
Pvt Gilesliberato, F.
PFC Hernandez, N. A.
PFC Jeffrey, W. P.*
Pvt Jerez, D.
Pvt Kephart, V. N.
Pvt Klocko, Ty E.
PFC Knapp, T. M.
Pvt Knapp, Z. C.
Pvt Kramer, H. R.
PFC Le, A.*
Pvt Lineleyan, P. P.
Pvt Luces, E. C.
Pvt Martinez, I. J.
Pvt Martinezsantiago, X.
Pvt Moradel, C.
Pvt Morochoguaman, J. S.
PFC Nelson, J. A.
PFC Ortegacastro, K.
Pvt Pemberton, D. A.
PFC Perezarita, M. G.
Pvt Philosthene, C.
PFC Seguramayo, S. R.
Pvt Tongaree, C.
PFC Toussaint, J. J.
Pvt Tovar, R.
Pvt Vanderpool, J. D.
PFC Williams, S. M.
Pvt Wood, C. D.
Pvt Wren II, J. D.
PLATOON 1052
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt I. M. Fannin
Pvt Acostaacevedo, H. J.
Pvt Barrioshernandez, J. M.
PFC Beard, C. M.
Pvt Brothern Iv, J. D.
Pvt Benitez, C.
Pvt Byrnes, J. J.
Pvt Cady, D. F.
PFC Candlish, C. J.*
Pvt Carranzauribe, M. A.
PFC Dauria, I. F.
PFC Devall, L. F.
PFC Diniz, I. L.
Pvt Ducote, C. R.
Pvt Foote, D. F.
Pvt Galvez, F. G.
PFC Gonzalez, L. J.
PFC Iunusov, A.
PFC Jock, A. L.
Pvt Maness W. R.
Pvt Martineztorres, K.
Pvt Miller, G. M.
Pvt Montalvo, B. J.
Pvt Navas, K. D.
PFC Pachecocolon, J. M.
Pvt Parrilla, J. J.
PFC Patel, A. P.
PFC Perry, D. A.
PFC Person, P. G.
Pvt Pointdujour, R.
PFC Redhead Jr, J. D.
PFC Romanvallellanes, E. G.
PFC Rufener, A. M.*
Pvt Sanders, A.
PFC Santiagoarvelo. M. J.
Pvt Schnoor, J. A.
Pvt Scott, K. T.
Pvt Shaw, J. G.
Pvt Sipes, H. L.
PFC Washington, A. T.*
PLATOON 1053
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt M. D. Mckie
PFC Adams, P. J.
Pvt Alexander, C. J.
Pvt Armstrong, J. L.
PFC Bell, I. J.*
PFC Bray, A. W.
Pvt Coraizacaanguiano, A. R.
Pvt Davidson Jr, E. C.
Pvt Dozier, A. R.
PFC Felipemiguel, A.
Pvt Garland, G. A.
PFC Gentry, R. J.
Pvt Gray, N. G.
PFC Hernandezrojas, R. A.
Pvt Hewitt, B. K.
PFC Holmes, Z. A.
PFC Johansen, S. E.
Pvt Kaiser, C. E.
PFC Kendall, J. D.*
Pvt Langley, R. J.
Pvt Lonisnavarro, J. A.
Pvt Masino, A. J.
Pvt Montgomery, C. M.
Pvt Munoz, D.
Pvt Myers, O. K.
Pvt Orr, A. J.
PFC Privott Jr, R. U.
Pvt Randall, C. B.
PFC Rials, L. J.*
Pvt Sambonigaviria, E. A.
PFC Scott Iii, O. L.
PFC Sherard, T. S.
Pvt Smith II, P. B.
PFC Smith, C. J.
Pvt Stewart, J. D.
Pvt Venturajorge, A. J.
PFC Vuong, D. T.
Pvt Waid, O. G.
Pvt Willis, A. G.
Pvt Woods, I. J.
PLATOON 1054
Senior
SSgt A. J. Rojas
Pvt Aguilarlluberes, J. S.
Pvt Barrois, E. B.
Pvt Bettine, G. R.
Pvt Carbaugh, G. E.
Pvt Clifton, J. P.
Pvt Corkern, S. A.
Pvt Coronadomendez, F. G.
Pvt Davenport, W. D.
Pvt Depaz, L. F.
Pvt Dinh, A.
PFC
Pvt Whitehead, T. R.
*Denotes Meritorious Promotion
LARRY DANDRIDGE
Team Penske NASCAR drivers Ryan Blaney (No. 12) and Austin Cindric (No. 2), along with staff from Darlington Raceway, visited Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. The group observed recruit training and gained insight into the mental, physical, and moral development required to earn the title Marine. The visit strengthened community partnerships and highlighted shared values such as discipline, resilience, and teamwork. Cpl. Dakota Dodd/USMC
THURSDAY’S CARTOON
