August 27, 2026

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM

COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY

Former Beaufort PD officer sues city, current and former chiefs over firing Fritz alleges retaliation, malicious prosecution, other claims after SLED found no criminal wrongdoing

By Delayna Earley The Island News A former Beaufort Police Department officer who was fired in

2023 has filed a lawsuit against the City of Beaufort and its current and former police chiefs, alleging she was retaliated against, improperly terminated and subjected to investigations that ultimately resulted in no finding of criminal wrongdoing or misconduct against her.

Stephanie Fritz filed the lawsuit Monday, Aug. 10 in the Beaufort County Court of Common Pleas

against the City of Beaufort, former Police Chief Dale McDorman and current Police Chief Stephanie Price, who was deputy chief at the time of Fritz's termination.

Beaufort County court records show the lawsuit remains pending in the Court of Common Pleas.

The lawsuit alleges malicious prosecution, abuse of process, negligence, civil conspiracy, tortious in-

terference with contract and a violation of the South Carolina Payment of Wages Act. Fritz is also asking the court to require the city to provide her with a grievance hearing over her termination.

The allegations in the lawsuit are Fritz's account of the events and have not been proven in court.

Fritz worked for the Beaufort Police Department for more than

Marine transitioning to firefighter killed in Laurel Bay Road crash

15 years, beginning in July 2008.

During her career, she served in several roles, including patrol officer, school resource officer, victim advocate and investigator in the special victims unit. According to the complaint, she was promoted to sergeant in 2022 and had received positive employment evaluations

SEE LAWSUIT PAGE A4

LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN

LOLITA HUCKABY

Former Gazette home makes news

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pay on schedule Friday morning, Aug. 21, after a problem with the county’s payroll process delayed payments to workers across county government.

The delay affected employees who receive their pay through direct deposit, including first responders, Beaufort County Council and

other elected officials. Employees receiving paper checks were not affected.

By Friday afternoon, Beaufort County said the problem had been resolved and employees should see their direct deposits by the end of the day.

BEAUFORT eaufort City Council’s meeting last week (Aug. 18) provided a perfect scenario of the complex dilemma elected officials have to tackle in terms of community growth versus preservation of a certain quality of life.

The issue was a rezoning request for 1556 Salem Road, the former Beaufort Gazette building which has sat empty since 2008 when the remaining Gazetteers high-tailed it over to the Island Packet offices in Bluffton.

(According to remarks during the meeting, the news folks have been replaced by homeless individuals and vandals targeting the former office building.)

Andy Martin, owner of Tidewater Windows and Doors, had been working with city planning staff for almost a year to restore the building for use as a storage warehouse.

During the process city planners realized the plans required a rezoning from T-4 Neighborhood use to Regional Mixed Use zone.

The city planning commission was okay with the idea as was the City

SEE ERROR PAGE A3

SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A5

NEWS

SPORTS

ARTS

INSIDE

Apartments offer rare firefighter training before demolition.

Battery Creek opens season with a 22-6 victory over Whale Branch.

Local author Ridenour launches ‘All the Hidden Pieces.’

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News Arts Sports Voices Military Directory

On Monday, August 24, 2026, a group of U.S. Marines created a memorial at the site where Raul Pacheco died in a car crash. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Raul Pacheco, 28, was serving at MCAS Beaufort

By Delayna Earley The Island News 28-year-old Marine who was preparing to leave the military and begin a new career as a local firefighter was killed Saturday night in a motor vehicle colli-

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sion near Laurel Bay and Shanklin roads.

Raul Pacheco, of Florida, died at the scene of the Aug. 22 collision at approximately 9:34 p.m., according to the Beaufort County Coroner's Office.

His cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries.

Pacheco was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and

had recently begun working with the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program.

Just 10 days before his death, the fire department publicly welcomed Pacheco to its SkillBridge program, saying he would spend the next several months working with the

SEE CRASH PAGE A4

Error delays Beaufort County employees’ paychecks

Direct deposit delay affected over 1,700 employees

By Delayna Earley The Island News About 1,757 Beaufort County employees expecting direct deposits did not receive their

A2–7 A8 A8 A9-10 A11-12 A14

ISLAND NEWS PUBLISHING, LLC

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

PUBLISHER Margaret Evans

EDITORIAL/DESIGN Editor-in-Chief

Mike McCombs theislandnews@ gmail.com

Assistant Editor Delayna Earley delayna. theislandnews@ gmail.com

Sports Editor

Justin Jarrett LowcoSports@ gmail.com

SALES/BUSINESS Advertising

Amanda Hanna 843-343-8483 amanda@ lcweekly.com

Advertising Jere Russo JereRusso@ gmail.com

Advertising and Digital Strategy Sasha Horne Hirshout

Earlier this month @MegLargey and Habersham’s Ron Callari, who took this photo, bid a sad but fond farewell to their “conure” at the ripe old age of 20. He was named “Gauguin” due to his color palette. Pet conures in the Beaufort area can be purchased at pet stores like PetSmart on Robert Smalls Parkway, which stocks green-cheeked and pearly-white conures.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Curtis Freeman, 55, who joined the U.S. Army in Philadelphia in 1990. After Basic Training at Fort Jackson, he trained in Food Service and was sent to Vilseck, Germany, where he served in a field artillery unit for two years.

with an air defense unit drilling at a unit in Spring City, Pa. In 2001, he separated and moved to Beaufort. For 16 years he has worked for

Accounting

April Ackerman april@ aandbbookkeeping. com

CURTIS FREEMEN

He returned to Fort Bliss, Texas, and cross-trained to serve in an air defense unit, specifically operating the Patriot Missile system. He then served two tours at a Patriot site in Saudi Arabia.

Curtis In 1997 he transferred to the Freemen Pennsylvania National Guard

sasha. theislandnews@ gmail.com

SCDOT in road repair and maintenance, rising to be foreman for highways on St. Helena Island.

Billing questions only.

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

NEWS BRIEFS Sweet Southern Company of the Low Country lemonade truck hosting event

Sweet Southern Co. of the Low Country will host its grand opening celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29, at New Hope Christian Church at 67 Parris Island Gateway in Beaufort.

The day will include a

ribbon cutting ceremony for the Sweet Southern Co. of the Low Country lemonade truck, music by CJ the DJ, raffles, games and more.

What started as a simple lemonade stand has now evolved into a growing brand family including Sweet Southern Sips & Treats, Sweet Southern Tavern, and a series of mobile vending experiences that travel across the Low Country region. The event

is free and open to the pub- ery Month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, lic.

2026 at Burton Wells Walking Path, located at 64 BurNexus Care ton Wells Road. A rain date hosting is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19.

‘Recovery Is The event, titled “ReWorth the Walk’ covery Is Worth the Walk" Nexus Care of Beaufort aims to bring the commuCounty, in partnership with nity together in support of Beaufort County Parks individuals and families & Recreation, welcomes affected by substance use. the community to join a The walk emphasizes unity, free, family-friendly walk hope, and the message that in recognition of Recov- no one should walk alone.

Participants of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend and walk in awareness. The event will feature opportunities to connect with local resources dedicated to recovery, health, and community support.

Community members can register at no cost by visiting https://bit.ly/4zpYPyQ. Early registration is encouraged.

— Staff reports

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

August 27

team state championships and 30 individual championships.

1782: South Carolina statesman and soldier John Laurens, an aide- August 28 de-camp to Gen. George Washington and a close friend of Alexander 2019: Beaufort weightlifter Dade Stanley sweeps the gold medals Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette, is one of the last casualties (Snatch, Clean and Jerk and Overall) in the 81kg weight class at the of the American Revolution, killed at Combahee Bluff (or the Battle Youth Pan Am Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador. of Combahee River) near Beaufort by a British foraging party in search of supplies for the besieged British garrison at Charlestown.

During the war, Laurens tried repeatedly to gain support for recruiting August 30 enslaved Africans in South Carolina to fight against the British in 2021: Retired U.S. Army Captain Seth Keshel and attorney Lin exchange for their freedom. He was repeatedly denied.

Wood, a Beaufort County resident, are among the guest speakers at an 1893: A Category 3 hurricane strikes Beaufort and the surrounding Audit The SC 2020 Vote Rally at Olde Beaufort Golf Club. islands in the Lowcountry. Known as the Sea Island Hurricane of 1893, August 31 the storm killed at least 2,000 people and was responsible for leaving as many as 20,000 people homeless. The majority of buildings on 1867: Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby replaces Maj. Gen. Dan. E Sickles Lady’s Island and St. Helena Island were damaged beyond repair. in command of the Second Military District, consisting of North and Relief efforts were led by Clara Barton and the American Red Cross, South Carolina. the first time the organization would provide relief from a powerful 2019: More than 200 people turn out at the Beaufort Black storm.

Chamber of Commerce to hear Democratic Presidential candidate 2021: Longtime Battery Creek High School Wrestling Coach Julian Castro speak.

Nathan Day dies three days shy of his 58th birthday after a battle with COVID-19. In his 16 years at the school, Day led the Dolphins to six – Compiled by Mike McCombs

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Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Island News, its publisher or editors. The Island News reserves the right to refuse to sell advertising space, or to publish information, for any business or activity the newspaper deems inappropriate for the publication.

NEWS

Error

from page A1 However, at least some employees were still waiting for their money late Friday afternoon.

Beaufort County Public Information Officer Hannah Nichols said many employees had already received their deposits.

“We have every reason to expect that employees will receive their pay today, as expected and as defined

by Beaufort County policy,” Nichols said.

What happened The county said its payroll was processed on time and the bank file necessary for transmitting the direct deposits was prepared. However, according to Nichols, “a staff emergency kept the bank file process from being completed on its usual timeline.”

The county did not provide additional details about the staff emergency.

Officials said the delay did not involve the county’s financial institution, a third-party payroll processor, a cybersecurity incident or unauthorized access to county financial systems.

The problem was identified before the start of business Friday morning, according to the county. A team from the Finance/Payroll, Treasurer and Administration offices worked throughout the day to resolve it.

Beaufort County Councilman Joe Passiment, who was also among those who did not receive his expected deposit Friday morning, told The Island News earlier in the day that he had been told someone in the Finance Department failed to upload the payroll information needed

to send the payments to employees’ banks.

“Someone in the finance department failed to upload the payroll information that sends it out to all of the banks,” Passiment said.

Passiment’s description came before the county released its more detailed explanation of the delay.

Employees notified Friday morning Employees received an email from Beaufort County Administration at 8:21 a.m.

Friday notifying them of the problem.

“Please be advised that payroll has been delayed today, August 21,” the email said. “Finance staff is working on a solution, and we will provide an update once we have more information.”

A second email was sent at 1:54 p.m. with the subject line “UPDATE: Payroll Delay Resolved.”

“We know you are used to seeing funds in your account in the morning on payday, and we apologize for the delay and inconvenience caused by the processing of payroll this week,” the email said.

Employees were told the issue had been resolved and that all direct deposits should appear in their accounts by the end of Friday. Those experiencing problems beyond Friday were instructed to contact Beaufort County Finance.

Council members went unpaid, too Beaufort County Council Chair Alice Howard said council members experienced the same delay as other employees.

“The County’s payroll was processed on time, and that is all I will say regarding that portion of the process,” Howard said in a statement.

Howard said county employees need to be able to rely on being paid accurately and on time.

“Our employees are Beaufort County’s greatest asset, and we recognize the importance of ensuring they can depend on their pay being delivered accurately and on time,” Howard said.

She said Council worked directly with County Administration throughout the day to address the problem.

Councilman York Glover, who said he was not initially aware of the payroll problem when contacted by The Island News, expressed particular concern for county workers who rely on each paycheck to meet their expenses.

“There are a lot of folks that live from payday to payday,” Glover said. “That’s unacceptable.”

Passiment similarly acknowledged the financial consequences a delayed paycheck could have for employees.

“Obviously it is a concern,” Passiment said. “Obviously we know some people are very aware that they need the money as quickly as they can. And finance and county administration is doing what they can to solve it as quickly as possible.”

When asked whether the county would address overdraft fees or other financial consequences if employees did not receive their money, Passiment said it would have to be addressed if necessary.

“If it comes to that, certainly we’ll have that addressed, but I don’t think it’s going to come to that,” he said.

Rumors of walk-offs denied by county As word of the payroll problem spread Friday, rumors began circulating that Parks and Recreation

employees had walked off their worksites because they had not been paid and that employees at the Beaufort County Detention Center were considering doing the same.

The Island News asked Beaufort County directly about those reports.

Nichols denied that employees in either department had left their jobs or worksites because of the payroll delay.

“No employees in either Parks and Recreation or the Detention Center have left their job or worksite because of the payroll delay,” Nichols said.

She said the county had not experienced disruptions to its facilities, programs or services.

“Beaufort County Staff are professionals who provide a critical public safety service to this community, and we are grateful for their understanding and patience,” Nichols said.

‘Nobody should have to use an emergency fund’ A spouse of a Beaufort County employee, who spoke to The Island News on the condition of anonymity because of concerns about possible workplace retaliation, said the employee was still waiting for their pay Friday afternoon.

The employee did finally receive their paycheck late Friday.

The employee’s spouse said their household could withstand a delayed paycheck, but many county employees do not have that financial cushion.

“Our family, we’re fortunate enough to where, you know, if we go a week without another paycheck, we’ll survive,” they said. “But I know friends of ours, single parents, paycheck to paycheck.”

The spouse also pointed to households in which more than one family member works for Beaufort County, meaning a payroll problem could affect an entire household’s income at once.

“Nobody should have to use an emergency fund because a paycheck wasn’t given to you,” they said.

An anonymous source known to the reporter also told The Island News that Friday’s problem was not the first payroll delay experienced by county employees.

According to the source, EMS employees experienced a payroll delay on March 7, 2025. They said the problem was identified by an EMS administrator the day before payday and employees were notified, but some employees did not receive their pay until the following Tuesday. They said employees were never given an explanation for what caused the delay.

The Island News has not independently verified the reported March 2025 incident with Beaufort County.

Payroll delay comes amid Finance Department leadership changes Friday’s payroll problem comes as Beaufort County’s Finance Department continues operating without a chief financial officer following the departure of former CFO Pinky Harriott earlier this year.

Harriott’s employment with Beaufort County ended May 12, while the county was in the middle of developing and approving its fiscal year 2027 budget.

At the time, county officials would only confirm that Harriott’s employment had ended and did not publicly say whether she resigned or was terminated, citing the matter as a personnel issue.

Multiple sources familiar with the situation later told

The Island News that Harriott was terminated.

Harriott had served as CFO since November 2024 after previously serving as the county’s budget director.

Her departure was followed by a series of closeddoor County Council meetings. On June 1, Council voted unanimously to authorize an independent inquiry into departments and personnel overseen by County Administrator Michael Moore. The county has not publicly connected that inquiry to Harriott’s departure.

More than three months after Harriott left, the county has not filled the CFO position.

Beaufort County has not indicated that Harriott’s departure or the vacant CFO position contributed to Friday’s payroll delay.

County promises review The county said all normal payroll deductions, including insurance, retirement, taxes, child support and other obligations, would be processed normally along with the delayed direct deposits.

Following resolution of the problem, county officials said they will conduct a formal after-action review to determine what occurred and establish additional protocols and safeguards intended to prevent a similar problem during future payroll cycles.

The county had not said Friday whether employees would be reimbursed for overdraft charges, late fees, returned payments or other expenses they may incur because their pay was delayed.

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.

Glenn Mieszkalski, M.D. to Beaufort Memorial Radiation Oncology

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s part of its ongoing commitment to expanding access to advanced cancer care in the Lowcountry, Beaufort Memorial has added Dr. Glenn Mieszkalski, an experienced board-certified radiation oncologist, to its radiation oncology team.

Dr. Mieszkalski brings decades of experience to the Lowcountry and will treat patients with a wide range of cancers — including prostate, breast, lung, head, neck and rectal — at Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center in Beaufort, and New River Cancer Center in Okatie. At the practice, he uses external-beam radiation to treat a range of cancers, delivering focused external radiation beams to shrink or destroy tumors.

A New Jersey native who practiced for many years in Pennsylvania, Dr. Mieszkalski combines a lifelong interest in science and technology with a deep commitment to patient care. Known for his compassionate, collaborative approach, he emphasizes education, communication and personalized care. His focus is not only on delivering effective treatment, but also on helping patients feel supported, informed and comfortable throughout their cancer journey.

“I treat every patient as if they were family, tailoring their care to their needs, educating them about their cancer and treatment and making their process as comfortable as possible.”

Board-Certified

Radiation Oncology ...........................................................

Residency

Radiation Oncology Hahnemann University Hospital Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

...........................................................

Residency

Internal Medicine UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Hospital New Brunswick, New Jersey

...........................................................

Doctor of Medicine

Hahnemann University Hospital

(Now Drexel University College of Medicine)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Beaufort Medical Pavilion, 989 Ribaut Road, Beaufort

Okatie Medical Pavilion, 122 Okatie Center Blvd. North, Okatie

843-522-7800

843-273-7980 AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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NEWS

Lawsuit from page A1

with no previous disciplinary actions.

South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy records independently show Fritz was employed by Beaufort Police from July 2008 until Oct. 13, 2023.

Lawsuit alleges problems began after survey According to the lawsuit, the dispute dates to 2022, when Fritz was appointed to the police chief's improvement council and members were asked to complete a workplace survey.

Fritz alleges she raised concerns in the survey about the department's response to juvenile delinquency and mental health calls, officer job satisfaction, compensation, equal opportunity and employee morale.

The complaint alleges McDorman later called Fritz into his office and challenged her responses. According to the lawsuit, McDorman suggested Fritz's negative responses were related to stress from her recent divorce rather than legitimate concerns about the department.

Fritz alleges she believed McDorman's response was based on her sex and that a male officer would not have been treated the same way.

She subsequently filed an internal hostile work environment and sexual harassment complaint.

According to the lawsuit, the city hired an employment defense attorney to investigate. The investigation

determined the conduct did not rise to the level of unlawful discriminaStephanie tion, but the Fritz complaint alleges McDorman received disciplinary action as a result of the factual basis underlying Fritz's complaint.

Fritz alleges increased scrutiny and retaliation followed.

In June 2023, Fritz received what the lawsuit describes as a "deficiency letter" that was initially treated as disciplinary action. She filed a grievance, which she was initially told had been accepted.

A few days later, according to the complaint, Price told Fritz the grievance would no longer be accepted because the deficiency letter would no longer be treated as disciplinary action.

By September 2023, Fritz was placed on administrative leave over what the department described as inaccuracies in her documentation, according to the lawsuit.

She returned Oct. 3 and was demoted from investigator to patrol officer. The complaint states Fritz had worked in investigations for nearly 10 years and was given four days to prepare for the transition.

Files become focus of dispute At the center of Fritz's eventual termination were electronic investigative files.

According to the lawsuit, investigators used a shared drive on the city's server for cases that were still in the

work-product stage, while final versions of official documents Dale were stored McDorman in the department's formal records management system.

After her demotion, Fritz was expected to lose access to the investigative drive.

The complaint says she agreed to finish work on certain open cases as they were transferred to another investigator and downloaded files from the shared drive as part of that process.

Fritz maintains that doing so violated neither department policy nor any directive.

The change to road patrol also meant Fritz would move from a business-day schedule to 12-hour shifts that included weekends, according to the complaint. After beginning the new schedule, Fritz went on medical leave for two weeks.

On Oct. 11, 2023, while Fritz was on leave, the department made a referral to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division alleging she had "improperly deleted electronic files from the BPD server," according to the lawsuit.

Two days later, Price called Fritz to police headquarters and terminated her for removing files from the shared drive, the complaint alleges.

On Oct. 18, McDorman and Price submitted a personnel change-of-status form to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy alleging Fritz had intention-

ally deleted case information, failed to complete reports, failed to follow direct orders and mishandled evidence, according to the lawsuit.

Fritz disputed the allegations before the academy while also cooperating with SLED's investigation.

SLED investigation ends, state council hears misconduct case According to the lawsuit, SLED concluded its investigation Aug. 30, 2024, finding no criminal wrongdoing by Fritz.

The misconduct matter reported by Beaufort Police also went before the South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Council.

Fritz's case was heard by the council Aug. 18, 2025. The allegation before the council was that Fritz had willfully provided false, misleading, incomplete, deceitful or incorrect information on a document, record, report or form.

A hearing officer recommended finding that the allegation had not been proven by a preponderance of the evidence, restoring Fritz's eligibility for law enforcement certification in South Carolina and expunging all evidence related to the misconduct allegation filed by Beaufort Police.

Fritz and her attorney, Michael Laubshire, attended the Aug. 18 hearing and spoke on her behalf.

No representative from the Beaufort Police Department attended the hearing to present the department's case, according to the council's official meeting minutes.

After hearing from Fritz and her attorney, the council

unanimously accepted the hearing officer's recommendation, found no misconduct, ordered the records related to the allegation expunged within 30 days and granted Fritz eligibility for law enforcement certification.

The council's final decision was formally signed Nov. 5, 2025.

Despite the outcome of the state proceedings, Fritz alleges the city has never heard the grievance she filed challenging her termination.

Lawsuit seeks grievance hearing, unpaid PTO The lawsuit also alleges the city refused to pay Fritz approximately $13,000 in accrued paid time off following her termination.

Fritz argues the unpaid PTO constitutes wages under the South Carolina Payment of Wages Act and seeks three times the amount allegedly withheld, plus costs and attorney's fees.

That could amount to approximately $39,000 on the wage claim alone, not including the other damages Fritz is seeking in the lawsuit.

Fritz is also asking a judge to order the city to convene a formal grievance hearing.

The complaint cites South Carolina law stating that when a qualifying municipal employee files a timely grievance, the municipality must schedule the requested hearing and notify the employee and grievance committee within 10 days.

Fritz alleges she timely filed a grievance following her termination, but the city has never scheduled the hearing.

The lawsuit further al-

leges McDorman and Price worked together to harm Fritz through her demotion, termination and referrals to SLED and the Criminal Justice Academy. Fritz alleges the two were motivated by retaliation over her earlier internal complaint.

She also alleges McDorman and Price intentionally interfered with her employment relationship with the city by participating in her demotion and termination without justification.

Fritz is seeking damages for lost income and earning capacity, emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment and reputational harm. She is also seeking punitive damages where allowed, attorney's fees and costs, pre-judgment interest and equitable relief that could include reinstatement or front pay.

She has requested a jury trial. The lawsuit does not specify an overall dollar amount being sought beyond the approximately $13,000 in disputed PTO and the potential treble damages associated with that claim.

The Island News has reached out to the City of Beaufort and Beaufort Police Department for comment and responses to questions about Fritz's allegations, her termination, the subsequent state proceedings and the city's handling of her grievance.

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.

Okatie man identified after body found behind business

Surveillance footage captured Grayson Ammons’ movements before his body was discovered Thursday morning

By Delayna Earley The Island News The man found dead behind a Salem Road business

Thursday morning, Aug. 20, has been identified as 29-yearold Grayson Ammons of Okatie.

The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office released Ammons’ identity Friday afternoon.

Ammons’ body was found near the rear of Randel’s Lawnmower Equipment Sales & Service at 1499 Salem Road after an employee went outside Thursday morning to retrieve a mower.

Crash

business to retrieve a mower.

Neither Beaufort Police nor the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office has released a cause or manner of death.

Master Sgt. Sean Flomer with the Beaufort Police Department has said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Investigator Lynch at 843-322-7928.

Anonymous tips can be

submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County through the P3 Tips app, online at TIPSBFT.com or by calling 1-844-TIPSBFT (1-844-8477238). Tipsters should reference case No. 26B27881.

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.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES All persons having claims against the following estates, MUST file their claims on FORM #371 ES with the Probate court of Beaufort County, the address of which is 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902, within eight (8) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from date of death, whichever is earlier (SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such persons shall be forever barred at to their claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements on the prescribed form (FORM #371 ES) indicating the name and address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the claim, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Raul Pacheco the area.

Details about the circumstances surrounding Saturday night's collision have not yet been released by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The Island News has reached out to Marine Corps officials and the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department for additional information about Pacheco's military service, transition to becoming a firefighter and for comment on his death.

This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.

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.

PLACE YOUR LEGAL NOTICE HERE Please contact ads.theislandnews@gmail.com for more information on placing your legal notice in The Island News.

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proximately 4 a.m. Wednesday. Ammons was unclothed throughout the time he was captured on surveillance footage.

The footage shows Ammons making his way to the property behind Randel’s.

Surveillance cameras at the business also captured Ammons’ death Wednesday. His body was not discovered until the following morning, when an employee went behind the

LEGAL NOTICES

from page A1 department as he transitioned out of the Marine Corps.

Pacheco, who was originally from Miami, Fla., was preparing to begin the next chapter of his career as a firefighter/EMT with the local department.

The SkillBridge program allows eligible service members nearing the end of their military service to participate in civilian job training and work experiences during their final months in the military.

In its Aug. 12 announcement, the fire department said Pacheco hoped to use the opportunity to continue developing his skills alongside its firefighters, with a goal of becoming "the best fire service professional he can be."

The move was also intended to mark the beginning of a new chapter for Pacheco's family.

According to the department, Pacheco and his wife had decided to make Beaufort County their home with their son and were looking forward to becoming active members of the community and building their future in

Beaufort Police Department officers were called to the property at approximately 8:35 a.m., Aug. 20 for what police described as a medical call. Officers found Ammons dead near the rear of the business.

According to a source familiar with the incident who reviewed surveillance footage, Ammons was captured on camera walking from the area of Regions Bank at ap-

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

DECEDENT

PERSONAL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENTATIVE

PUB. DATE PUB. DATE

Joseph Joseph Frank Anastasia Robert Camoosa AKA Robert J. Camoosa 05/17/2025 Date of Death: 7/7/2026 2025ES0700899 Case Number: 2026ES0700871

Elisa O’Connor Keith Camoosa 16 William C/O P.O. DRAWERPope 1107Drive, Ste. 202 Bluffton, SC 29909 Beaufort, 29901

08/21/2025 08/13/2026

Frederick RayFanger Liles Scott Joseph Date of Death: 07/05/2025 3/2/2026 Case Number: 2025ES0700943 2026ES0700881

Jerry Joseph Donald GilbertDittle Campbell 03/01/2025 Date of Death: 6/28/2026 2025ES0700903 Case Number: 2026ES0700872

Lori R. Cullen Elizabeth Campbell Mumaw 16 William C/O P.O. DRAWERPope 1107Drive, Ste. 202 Bluffton, SC 29909 Beaufort, 29901

08/21/2025 08/13/2026

MargueriteA.Anne Ford Kathleen Cassidy 07/01/2025 Date of Death: 7/31/2025 2025ES0700906 Case Number: 2026ES0700856

MichaelM.Ralph Ford Derek Cassidy PO Box 5098 14 C/O P.O. DRAWER Hilton Head Island, SC 29938

08/21/2025 08/13/2026

Alan Joel Michaelson; AKA Alan J. Michaelson Date of Death: 06/29/2025 Case Number: 2025ES0700944 Melinda Gayle Jenkins John Edward AKA John E. Miracle Date of Death:Miracle; 11/3/2025 Date Death: 2026ES0700878 04/05/2025 Case of Number: Case Number: 2025ES0700932

Anna Maria Wilhelmina Martha Royette Conway La AKAHaije Martha R. Conway, Date of Conway Death: 07/21/2025 Martha Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700892 7/16/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700858 Rita Marie O’Brien Date ofKathryn Death: Guida 07/25/2025 Molly AKA Molly Kathryn Young Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700913 5/29/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700863 Marilyn Kolbe Olsen Date ofGraves Death: AKA 05/30/2025 Bertha Ellen Bertha Goethe Graves Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700733 5/22/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700857 Robert A. Parham, Jr. Date of Death: Andrew Robert07/09/2025 Richdale Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700912 6/5/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700864 William M. Roberson, Jr. Date ofBrock Death:Roane 05/20/2025 Evelyn Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700645 9/17/2025 Case Number: 2025ES0701156 Andrew Gerard Schiavone, III Date of Death: 06/09/2025 Patricia H. Shelburne Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700751 6/10/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700870 Ronald Gene Tune Date of Death: Catherine Louise06/30/2025 Snyder Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700914 3/21/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700865 Melva Jean Shelton Wheeler Date ofJ. Strother Death: 07/16/2025 Carol Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700893 6/16/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700808 Charles Fain Williams Date of Death: 07/23/2025 William Dewaine Walston, Jr. Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700889 6/8/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700801 Donald Simeon Zuidema; AKA Donald S. Zuidema Date of Death: 04/29/2025 Clarence Washington, Jr. Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700904 12/22/2025 Case Number: 2026ES0700874 Patricia Francis Crocco Date of William Death: 07/29/2025 Robert Wolfe Case Number: Date of Death: 2025ES0700931 6/14/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700851 Charles Oliver Golson III Date ofDowiak Death:Barnes 09/28/2024 Lillian AKA Lillian Dowiak Blasey Barnes Case Number: Date of Death: 2024ES0701357 1/8/2026 Case Number: 2026ES0700899 Gladys Kline Legare Date of Death: 04/27/2025 Case Number: 2025ES0700933

Helma Dale Franisca Cap Robert Conway 17 Brams Point Rd. C/O POST OFFICE BOX 1107 Hilton Head Beaufort, SC Island, 29901 SC 29926

08/21/2025 08/13/2026

DECEDENT DECEDENT

Raymond Carl Pettersen Pierrette Michelin Koehler Date of Death: 06/09/2025 5/8/2026 Case Number: 2025ES0700929 2026ES0700898

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

PUB. DATE

MelaineFanger S. Smith Nathan C/OHarding PO BoxStreet 1107 61 29901 Beaufort, SC 29902 Wesley Fanger Catherine 130 BonaireGrubell Circle C/O 16 William Pope Dr., Ste. 202 Beaufort, SC 29906 Bluffton, SC 29909 Terry Jenkins Miracle 3Geraldine SunflowerG.Court C/O POHead Box 5098 Hilton Island, SC 29926 Hilton Head Island, SC 29938

08/28/2025 08/20/2026

CynthiaKeith K. Hutcheson Barry Webber Christina R. Lesher C/O P.O. BOX 5098 C/O 10 Head Hospital Center Commons, Ste. 400 Hilton Island, SC 29938 Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 Christopher James Lane Edward Tobergte 10 CherryHarry Hill Lane C/O POHead Box 7906 Hilton Island, SC 29926 Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 Rebecca K. Hawver Louise C/O P.O.Brunson BOX 7906 C/O POHead Drawer 1107 SC 29938 Hilton Island, Beaufort, SC 29901 Pamela Sue Lutz Lisa 1533 BrienFording Island Road, Suite 294 C/O C/O POHead Drawer 1107 SC 29926 Hilton Island, Beaufort, SC 29901 Jami Wintz McKeon ClaraRosemont Marie Emerson 3747 Pass C/O PO BoxSquare, 3435 PA 19073 Newtown Bluffton, SC 29910 Kenneth Dickman Daniel Fitzgerald C/O P.O.Gene BOX 882 27187 Chippendale Bluffton, SC 29910 Ter. Salisbury, MD 21801 Jacob O’Keefe Johnson William Myers2358 Hoffer, II C/O P.O. BOX C/O 2015 Boundary Beaufort, SC 29901 St., #227 Beaufort, SC 29902 Grace Kurtz Melissa Davis C/O P.O. L.BOX 3885 C/O PO Drawer 1107 Bluffton, SC 29910 Beaufort, SC 29901 Judith Diane Podnar Matthew J. Lieser1107 C/O P.O. DRAWER C/O 112 Executive Beaufort, SC 29901Center 1 Corpus Christi Place, #112 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Andrei Y. Lloyd C/O 17 Professional Village Circle Janese W.SCDavis Beaufort, 29907 180 Pearl Davis Road Springfield, GA 31329 Kelly A. Ogden C/O P.O. BOX 9848 R. Willis Post Savannah, GA 31412 C/O 17 Professional Village Beaufort, SC 29907

08/28/2025 08/20/2026

John M. O’Brien, Jr. 08/21/2025 Betty Mae Lane C/O PO Drawer 1107 Patricia Ann Wilson Christopher J. Guida 08/13/2026 Date of Death: 11/11/2025 SC 29901 Date Death: 2026ES0700894 07/12/2025 1Beaufort Jones Farm Lane Case of Number: Case Number: 2025ES0700916 Oxford, NJ 07863 Connie L. Olsen 08/21/2025 Susan M. Parrish C/O 112G.Executive Mary Grey Boatwright Gloria WilliamsCenter 08/13/2026 Date of Death: 7/5/2026 1 Corpus Christi Place, #112 Date Death: 2026ES0700893 08/04/2025 P.O. BOX 1798 Case of Number: Hilton Head Case Number: 2025ES0700963 Beaufort, SC Island, 29901 SC 29928 V. Alex Dorobantu 08/21/2025 Laurie Beth Ryan C/O 1110C. Pick Pocket Plantation Dr. Ste. A Francis Brien; AKA Francis C. Brien Wyatt Richdale 08/13/2026 Date ofCharles Death: 6/2/2026 Beaufort, SC 29902 Date Death: 2026ES0700896 07/11/2025 C/O P.O. DRAWER 6067 Case of Number: Case Number: 2025ES0700946 Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 Lacey Michelle Godec 08/21/2025 Robert Earl Wintz C/O PO Drawer 1023 Jr. Arthur Emerson Lawrence H. Roane, 08/13/2026 Date ofAndrew Death: 7/20/2026 Beaufort, SC 29901 Date Death: 2026ES0700900 07/27/2025 28 East River Drive Case of Number: Case Number: 2025ES0700956 Beaufort, SC 29907 Melissa M. Schiavone 08/21/2025 Kenneth George Dickman C/O PO Drawer 1107Anne Shelburne Newell Ervin Fitzgerald Elizabeth S. Fisher, 08/13/2026 Date ofGene Death: 1/26/2026 Beaufort, SC 1938 29901 Date Death: 2026ES0700921 12/24/2024 C/O P.O. BOX Case of Number: Case Number: 2025ES0700948 Bluffton, SC 29910 Rodney A. Schaake 08/21/2025 Joseph Michael Johnson C/O POMcCulloch Box 22230 Robin Dawn 08/13/2026 Date ofRaines Death:Hoffer 4/25/2026 Hilton HeadCourt Island, SC 29925 Date Death: 2026ES0700927 04/27/2025 37 Ferebee Case of Number: Case Number: 2025ES0700964 Bluffton, SC 29910 Teresa Lynn Anthony 08/21/2025 Marie Elizabeth Kurtz C/O PO Box 7906 Stanley M. Lawson Andrew H. Shapiro 08/13/2026 Date of Death: 6/22/2026 HiltonHambletonian Head Island, Lane SC 29938 Date Death: 2026ES0700914 06/21/2025 3153 Case of Number: Case Number: 2025ES0700961 Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Laura Ann Richardson 08/21/2025 Donald G. Podnar AKA Donald George Podnar 2662 Broad Street Joe Lieser Keith W. Walston 08/13/2026 DateWilliam of Death: 7/12/2026 Beaufort, SC 29902 Date Death: 2026ES0700817 07/12/2025 22D Bow Circle Case of Number: Case Number: 2025ES0700857 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Marianne Zuidema 08/21/2025 Sally Lloyd Steedman C/O 3404 Salterbeck Street, Ste. 204 Inez Washington 08/13/2026 Date of Death: 6/21/2026 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466 Larry Cecil Millender C/O P.O. BOX 2358 Case Number: 2026ES0700932 Date of Death: 02/19/2025 Beaufort, SC 29901 John F. Crocco 08/28/2025 Case Number: Charlene Troch2025ES0700974 PO Box 118 Jennifer C. Wolfe 08/13/2026 Date of Death: 5/13/2026 Suzanne Rekate2026ES0700934 Post 4Southport, Fox GrapeCT 06890 Case Number: Date of Death: 07/21/2025 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Case Number: 2025ES0700962 Nancy L. Golson 08/28/2025 C/O 16Blasey William Pope Dr., Ste. 202 Dawn 08/20/2026 Kelly Lynn Sullivan James F. Holland Bluffton, SC 29909 C/O P.O. BOX 3851 Date of Death: 07/21/2025 C/O PO Box 7906 Bluffton, SC 29910 Case Number: 2025ES0700954 Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 Charisse Parker 08/28/2025 Heather R. Galvin, Probate Judge, Beaufort County, SC C/O PO Box 2478 James Franklin Willard Deborah F. Kopp Beaufort, SC 29901-2478 Date of Death: 07/02/2025 C/O PO Drawer 1023 Case Number: 2025ES0700957 Beaufort, SC 29901

Heather R. Galvin, Probate Judge, Beaufort County, SC

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Lowdown from page A1

Council, which gave a first reading vote of approval for the change in June.

At this month’s meeting, where a final vote on the rezoning request was scheduled, neighbors primarily from the Live Oaks at Battery Creek neighborhood, spoke out against the request, arguing the new zone might allow for more intense development.

Opponents also argued new regulations might allow more development on Salem Road, already one of the city’s busiest neighborhood roads providing access to Garden Oaks apartments, Salem Bay and Battery Point neighborhoods.

Martin told council he’s already been approached by out-of-state developers interested in the property for future apartment complexes.

But his arguments failed

to sway four of the City Council members – Mike McFee, Mitch Mitchell, Josh Scallate and Mayor Phil Cromer. Only Councilman Neil Lipsitz voted to support the rezoning.

Martin, obviously frustrated by the council’s reversal and what he called “underhanded dealings” did have an interesting observation.

Basically: People are concerned about what’s going to happen here in the future? Well, if you believe in global warming, Beaufort’s all going to eventually be underwater, and none of this will matter.

So much for planning, or zoning, for that matter.

Stage set for November elections – Farewell to those with experience BEAUFORT — Following last week’s filing deadline for individuals wishing to run in the November general election, the local stage appears set for some interesting races.

The Aug. 17 deadline also

signaled the beginning of the end for at least two veteran politicians – Beaufort City Councilman Mike McFee and Beaufort County Board of Education member Dick Geier.

While both had earlier announced their intentions not to seek re-election earlier in the summer, both have supporters who hoped they might change their minds.

Neither did, and McFee, after 18 years on the City Council, including service as Mayor pro tem, and Geier with eight years on the school board including service as Chairman, will be stepping out of the limelight after the November elections and their replacements are sworn in.

They will be joining Sheriff P.J. Tanner who, after 28 years, is not seeking re-election and five Beaufort County Council members – Chairwoman Alice Howard, Larry McElynn and Joe Passiment, who opted not to see re-election; and Tom Reitz and Paula Brown, who lost

in this spring’s Republican primary – will bid adios.

The departure of these elected officials for sure, will be treated with retirement parties and proclamations.

That’s a lot of leadership experience walking out the door.

Bye, bye, Grace Cordial BEAUFORT — On the subject of departures – and Lord knows, it seems to be happening a lot – Grace Cordial, director of Beaufort Library’s District Collection, made her exit last week after 27 years with the organization.

Anyone who’s done any historic research in the area has benefited from Cordial’s professionalism and the collection of materials she has compiled is significant.

But as Cordial told County Council and Beaufort City Council last week, “it’s been a good run but it’s done.”

We should all be so lucky.

Updates During last week’s neigh-

borhood meeting at city hall, Dominion Energy representatives confirmed they’re working on an inventory list of utility lines attached to their wooden poles around town.

The issue of surplus wires has been raised by some citizens especially after city officials confirmed they’re not sure whose lines are up there and even if those lines are still active.

The city has an ordinance that requires the various utilities to remove lines no longer in use so once Dominion gives them a list, perhaps action will be taken to remove all those dangling wires.

Fingers crossed.

Also, still in the works but behind closed doors, the Beaufort County Council is waiting for results of an outside review of county management.

The directive for the action was to determine if “relevant laws and county ordinances” were being followed.

The council two weeks ago got a briefing from their attorney, Robert Achurch, about the status of the review they requested in June.

Achurch, as managing partner of Howell, Gibson and Hughes, is now under contract with the county to serve as legal counsel for the County Council. This is a separate from the county’s own legal department, headed by Brian Hulbert.

Council members now expect to get at least an “interim report” from the consultants next month.

Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions. The Rowland, N.C. native’s goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com.

Apartments offer rare firefighter training before demolition

Crews from several area departments spent two weeks practicing firefighting techniques inside the vacant Sea Island Apartments

By Delayna Earley and Amber Hewitt The Island News Before the old Sea Island Apartments disappear from Ribaut Road, local firefighters are getting one last use out of the nearly 80-year-old buildings.

For about two weeks, firefighters from departments across northern Beaufort County have been using the vacant Port Royal apartment complex for hands-on training ahead of its demolition, giving crews a rare opportunity to practice skills that can be difficult to recreate at a fire station or training facility.

The nine one-story brick buildings at 1844 Ribaut Road date to 1948 and are being demolished to make way for a new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic.

But before the buildings come down, firefighters have been allowed inside for what is known as acquired structure training.

"Acquired structure training gives our firefighters a great opportunity to utilize buildings they're not familiar with," City of Beaufort/ Town of Port Royal Fire Department Deputy Chief Peter Dontje said.

The term refers to using an existing building, often one already scheduled for demolition, for firefighter training.

"It gives them something new, a new building to prac-

search the isolated room and work to get anyone trapped inside out of the building and into the hands of emergency medical personnel.

Firefighters from around northern Beaufort County participate in hands-on training on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, at Sea Island Apartments on Ribaut Road in Port Royal. Amber Hewitt/The Island News tice their skills and hone their craft," Dontje said.

Because the apartments are destined for demolition, firefighters can do things they normally cannot do to an occupied or usable building during training, including breaking windows, forcing entry and cutting through roofs.

Fire Chief Tim Ogden said the department was able to work with the contractor to secure access to the buildings.

"We were lucky to work out the details with the contractor to be able to utilize these buildings before they get demolished for some fire training," Ogden said.

Opportunities like this do not come along often.

"It's not always common for us to be able to do some of those things we can do in a building that's gonna be demolished unless it's live, like doing it during real time," Ogden said.

Instead, the apartments provide a controlled environment where firefight-

ers can repeatedly practice techniques they may eventually have to perform during an actual emergency.

"They're able to practice all kinds of different tactics," Dontje said, "and it's just invaluable training to our firefighters."

Unfamiliar buildings, real-world skills Wes Carter, battalion chief of training for the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department, said crews have been practicing hose management inside apartments with layouts different from the buildings where they normally train.

"It's different layouts than what our training buildings are," Carter said. "It allows us different aspects and different avenues for managing hose and working buildings with fire streams."

Other crews headed to the roofs to practice vertical ventilation, a technique in which firefighters cut openings through the roof to

help improve conditions inside a burning building for crews operating hose lines.

Carter said firefighters practiced making the openings with several tools, including ventilation saws, chainsaws and rotary saws.

They also practiced doing it manually.

"If those fail, then they can always use the back end of a flathead axe to go through that," Carter said.

Another group practiced vent-enter-search, or VES, a technique that can be used when firefighters know or suspect someone is trapped inside a particular room.

Firefighters break out a window, clear the opening and enter the room. They then move to the interior door and close it, isolating themselves and anyone trapped inside from fire and smoke elsewhere in the building.

"They take the window by smashing it out, clear the window out, make entry into the room," Carter said.

Firefighters can then

Training alongside neighboring departments Firefighters from neighboring agencies have also been able to use the apartments, allowing departments that regularly respond to emergencies together to train alongside one another.

"We're able to do some of the training techniques that our firefighters need to do on a regular basis with other fire departments in the area," Ogden said.

Firefighters from City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal, Lady's Island/St. Helena Island, Burton, Fripp Island, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort were among those able to participate in the training.

Having the buildings available for about two weeks allowed departments to stagger their training sessions and bring different crews through the property.

There was another reason to spread the training out: August in the Lowcountry.

"It's unfortunately the hottest time of the year for us to be able to do this," Ogden said.

Crews were able to train early in the morning and later in the evening to avoid some of the worst heat of the day.

Road landscape for nearly eight decades.

The property is being cleared for a new community-based outpatient clinic that will be operated by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.

VM Port Royal LLC purchased three parcels totaling about 11 acres for the project, including approximately eight acres occupied by the apartments.

The developer purchased the apartment property from 303 Associates for $5.5 million in April, according to Beaufort County property records.

Plans call for an approximately $30 million clinic that will replace the existing Department of Veterans Affairs clinic located at Naval Hospital Beaufort.

VM Port Royal LLC will build the facility for the VA, which will then lease the clinic. Ryan Construction is the general contractor.

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System announced plans for the Port Royal community-based outpatient clinic in January.

Construction had previously been expected to begin this summer, but the developer was still working through the permitting process ahead of demolition and construction.

The demolition will bring the firefighters' two-week training period to an end as the property is cleared for the new clinic.

Nearly 80-year-old apartments making way for VA clinic The training marks one of the final chapters for an apartment complex that has been part of the Ribaut

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.

• Fundraising or capital kind life for Beaufort County res• Religious or political acidents with an emphasis on campaigns • Endowments or scholar- tivities enhancing the well-being • Legal services. and self-sufficiency of vul- ships • To reduce debt of any For questions or more innerable or disadvantaged populations • Agencies must directly serve Beaufort County and use all awarded funds for the benefit of its residents • Only one application per Supervises our Nursery on Sunday mornings from 8:00 to 12 Noon. organization (identified by Background check required.

EIN) will be accepted, and fiscal agents are not permitFor more information ted Pastor Steve Keeler • (843) 525-0696 Eligibility, criteria, applicaskeeler@seaislandpresbyterian.org tion timeline and the application itself are all outlined at https://bit.ly/4f3eSck for interested groups.

Funds may not be used for:

formation, please call Beaufort County Finance Director Sandra Novak at 843-2552314.

— Staff reports

NEWS BRIEFS

Beaufort County Community Services Grant Program accepting applications

Beaufort County is accepting applications for the FY27 Community Services Grant Program. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 28. Any applications received after that date will not be considered. Interested organizations may access the application at https://bit. ly/4wDFbwW. Funds for this grant pro-

gram 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.

To be eligible for the Community Services Grant, organizations are required to meet specific criteria: • Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose mission aligns with the program's goal of improving quality of

Seeking Nursery Supervisor/Coordinator

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

A5

NEWS

First defendant convicted in shooting that killed identical twins Staff Reports The first Beaufort man to be tried for gunning down identical twins and wounding a third person outside a Jasper County nightclub has been sent to prison.

Trajaan and Tranquan Fripp, 24, were killed in the December 2023 fusillade, in which at least 25 shots were fired at the unarmed victims.

A Jasper County jury on Wednesday found Tayquan Gimel Lampkin, 31, guilty of two charges of murder, one charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and two charges of possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime. Lampkin was sentenced to life in prison.

Co-defendants Jamar Na-

zir Smith-Hagood, 26, and Andrew Lee Grober II, 29 – also of Beaufort – Tayquan face identical Lampkin charges and await trial.

They are innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Trasi Campbell of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office is prosecuting the defendants.

With assistance from Assistant Solicitor Logan Mallett, Campbell presented evidence in Lampkin’s trial at the Jasper County Courthouse that shortly after 2 a.m. Dec. 17, 2023, Lampkin opened fire on the Fripps outside Baba Bar at 51 Riverwalk Blvd., near the Jasper County and Beaufort

County line.

The twins were standing in an area between nearby businesses when they were shot multiple times. Trajaan Fripp died at the scene, and Traquaan Fripp died later at a hospital despite emergency medical treatment. A female acquaintance was shot, as well, but survived her wounds.

Lampkin was arrested in Pooler, Ga., on Jan. 25, 2024, and extradited to South Carolina. His criminal history includes convictions for assault and battery, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, unlawful carry of a pistol and accessory to murder.

Circuit Court Judge Carmen T. Mullen handed down the sentence.

Darlene Graham visits Beaufort

Bricks on Boundary owner Jake Higgins speaks to Republican Senate candidate Darlene Graham on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026 at a campaign event held at Bricks on Boundary in Beaufort. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Port Royal takes another step toward protecting gateway

Town hopes to secure $3.7 million in Beaufort County Green Space funding to preserve 3.6 undeveloped acres near the Broad River Bridge

By Delayna Earley The Island News Port Royal officials are continuing their push to protect a small piece of undeveloped land at the base of the Broad River Bridge, taking another step toward securing millions of dollars in Beaufort County conservation funding to keep the property from being developed.

The town and the property owner are seeking $3.7 million through Beaufort County’s Green Space Program to purchase and preserve approximately 3.6 acres near the intersection of Savannah Highway and Robert Smalls Parkway.

The triangle-shaped property overlooks the Broad River marsh and is one of the first stretches of undeveloped land motorists see after crossing the Broad River Bridge into northern Beaufort County.

The land remains privately owned and could be developed. Town officials have previously said a hotel and gas station are among the commercial uses that could be built there.

Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips said the town hopes to prevent that from happening.

“That’s basically when you’re coming over the Broad River Bridge right there, when you step into northern Beaufort County, that’s going to be the first thing you see,” Phillips said during the Aug. 12 Town Council meeting.

Port Royal's latest effort to protect the property involved something that, at first glance, appeared considerably larger.

Council unanimously

approved the rezoning of approximately 25 acres near Savannah Highway and Robert Smalls Parkway from Planned Unit Development to a combination of T4 Neighborhood Center and T4 Neighborhood Center Open.

The approximately 3.6 acres Port Royal hopes to conserve is part of the larger Broad River Planned Unit Development, which also includes the Parc at Broad River Apartments. Because the undeveloped land is part of the larger PUD, the entire development had to be rezoned to move the conservation proposal forward.

Phillips stressed that the town is not annexing 25 acres.

“I have had people ask about, you see a big number of 25 or so. Are we annexing that many acres into the town?” Phillips said. “So we are not.”

The property is already within Port Royal’s municipal limits.

“What we’re doing right now is just rezoning those,” Phillips said. “And the purpose of that rezoning is so that we can apply for this property.”

Clearing the way for conservation funding Port Royal Planning Director Noah Krepps has already taken the proposal before Beaufort County’s Green Space Advisory Committee twice.

The town ran into an obstacle because the property was part of a Planned Unit Development.

Phillips said county officials told the town the property could not move forward through the Green Space process while it remained in the PUD. “We originally went in front of them and they said, ‘It’s in a PUD. We can’t do it when it’s in a PUD,’” Phillips said.

That led the town to pursue the rezoning.

Krepps told council that the replacement zoning was deliberately selected

to be comparable to the development rights already attached to the property rather than increasing what could be built there.

“The zoning that we have recommended is not an upzone from what it currently is zoned,” Krepps said.

“That’s intentional.”

The town expects to take the proposal back before the Green Space Advisory Committee for a third time in September.

If the committee gives the project a favorable recommendation, the proposal would then go before Beaufort County Council for consideration. The advisory committee is responsible for reviewing proposed properties and recommending potential acquisitions to County Council.

“Hopefully they will make a full recommendation,” Phillips said. “And once they do, that recommendation goes to Beaufort County Council.”

$100 million for conservation Beaufort County voters approved the Green Space Program in November 2022, authorizing a penny sales tax to raise $100 million for land conservation.

The program allows the county to purchase property or development rights to preserve open space, protect critical and natural resources and provide land for recreation. County criteria also allow the program to target land threatened by development that could negatively affect traffic, public safety, stormwater runoff, water quality or other conservation objectives.

Phillips said Port Royal officials believe some of that money should be used to protect property north of the Broad River.

“A lot of it has so far, not all, but a lot of it has been spent south of the Broad,” Phillips said.

The money, he said, was raised throughout Beaufort County.

“Our thought on that is

that $100 million was raised all around Beaufort County, so we would like some of it to be used to conserve properties all over the county, including Port Royal,” Phillips said.

The town and property owner have applied for approximately $3.7 million to purchase the 3.6-acre tract.

There may still be a significant financial hurdle before that can happen.

During an earlier Green Space Advisory Committee meeting, county officials indicated the purchase would require matching funds. Town officials have previously said providing a substantial match could prove difficult for Port Royal, which operates with an annual budget of approximately $11.8 million.

More than a view For Port Royal, officials say protecting the property is about more than preserving the view motorists see as they cross the Broad River.

A large family cemetery is

also located in the area.

Councilman Jerry Ashmore raised the cemetery during the Aug. 12 discussion, noting its location between portions of the property.

“There’s a family cemetery right in there,” Ashmore said. “Pretty big cemetery right in there.”

Town officials have also previously raised public safety concerns about additional development at the already busy Savannah Highway and Robert Smalls Parkway intersection.

For now, however, the focus is getting the property through the county’s conservation process.

Exactly what would happen with the 3.6 acres if the county ultimately purchases it has not been decided.

Possibilities discussed by town officials include creating a passive park or trails or simply leaving the property largely untouched.

Phillips said those conversations would come later.

“The first step is getting it zoned correctly, then you

get in front of the committee,” Phillips said. “Hopefully they give us the positive recommendation. It goes in front of County Council.

County Council approves it, and then at that point, we can begin that discussion about exactly what the county wants it to become.”

For now, the immediate goal is getting the privately owned property into conservation before development occurs.

“Hopefully, like I said, we’ll get a favorable recommendation out of that,” Phillips said. “We can just pull this and preserve it.”

Phillips said the goal is to preserve the prominent gateway property for the future.

“Keep it green and keep it beautiful forever and in perpetuity,” Phillips said.

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.

Experience the joy of worship with St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Sunday Services 9:00 AM | 11:00 AM *Nursery & Children’s Sunday School at 11:00 AM

Wednesday’s Service

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AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

Join Us for Sunday Morning Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 81 Lady’s Island Drive Pastor Steve Keeler (843) 525-0696 seaislandpresbyterian.org

NEWS

City Council rejects rezoning of former Gazette building

Council members supported Tidewater Windows & Doors' plan to reuse the property, worried RMX zoning could allow more intensive future development

By Delayna Earley The Island News A plan to breathe new life into the former Beaufort Gazette building on Salem Road, vacant since 2015, came to an end Tuesday after Beaufort City Council rejected the rezoning needed for Tidewater Windows & Doors to move into the property.

Council voted 4-1 Aug. 18 against the second and final reading of an ordinance that would have rezoned the roughly 20,000-square-foot property at 1556 Salem Road from T4 Neighborhood, or T4N, to Regional Mixed Use, or RMX. Councilman Neil Lipsitz cast the only vote in favor, while Mitch Mitchell, Mike McFee, Phil Cromer and Josh Scallate voted against it.

The vote was not a rejection of Tidewater's proposed use of the building. Council members repeatedly said they supported owner Andy Martin's plan to renovate and reuse the long-vacant property. Their concern was what the broader RMX designation could allow on the site in the future.

The decision marked a reversal from the ordinance's first reading June 9, when Council voted 4-1 in favor of the rezoning.

Martin has a contract to purchase the former newspaper building and planned to use it for offices, a showroom and warehouse space for Tidewater Windows & Doors, which currently operates across the street at 1555 Salem Road.

Under the property's existing T4N zoning, Martin can use the building for offices but cannot warehouse the windows and doors his company sells and installs.

His contract to purchase the property expires Aug. 31.

Concerns

go

beyond

The old Beaufort Gazette building located at 1556 Salem Road in Beaufort. Amber Hewitt/The Island News Tidewater Councilman Josh Scallate said his concern was not Martin's proposed business.

"I think that what they're proposing is completely appropriate," Scallate said. "I think that we should encourage reusing buildings that are underutilized and vacated like this."

His concern was what could happen years later if the property changed hands and a future owner sought a more intensive use permitted under RMX. Scallate gave the example of Martin purchasing the property with plans to reuse the building, only for the property to be sold several years later to a developer who could demolish it and pursue something such as a four-story hotel.

"And we're stuck dealing with the aftermath," Scallate said.

If the city is going to be responsible stewards, he said, it needs to consider not only the current proposal but what the zoning could allow in the future.

"The more reasonable approach seems to be finding a way to restrict some of those more impactful developments that would be allowed in RMX, but also providing a way for the applicant to reuse the building to suit their needs," Scallate said.

McFee expressed similar concerns, saying Salem Road is primarily residential and RMX zoning is more appropriate for larger highway-oriented commercial corridors.

"I wish you could have found a way to repurpose this building and keep it in T4N," McFee said. "But I can't go with the upzone."

That distinction was also at

the center of opposition from several nearby residents.

Donna Bradley, president of the Live Oaks at Battery Creek Property Owners Association, said the quality of life in the area depends on preserving a community where residents can walk, bike and enjoy the outdoors without increasing traffic pressures.

She said residents were concerned not only about what Martin intends to do with the property today, but what could happen if it were rezoned and later changed hands.

Once the property becomes RMX, Bradley said, future owners would have access to the broader range of uses allowed under the designation.

She also pointed to existing traffic on the two-lane Salem Road, which serves Live Oaks at Battery Creek, Salem Point, Battery Point, Salem Bay and nearby apartment communities, as well as residents accessing the Spanish Moss Trail.

Other residents raised concerns about noise, lighting, stormwater runoff and the potential effects of more intensive future development on nearby neighborhoods and Battery Creek.

Martin pushes back Martin argued that Tidewater's proposed use would not add significant traffic to Salem Road and that leaving the property under its current zoning does not necessarily guarantee a lower-impact use.

Tidewater has operated across the street for about five years, Martin said, with five employee vehicles arriving each day and roughly two truck deliveries each week.

Volunteer Guardians ad Litem needed for Beaufort, Jasper counties

Staff reports The South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy (SCDCA) is seeking volunteer Guardians ad Litem for Beaufort and Jasper counties.

According to a media release, the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the SCDCA, is inviting community members to “turn purpose into action” by becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL).

Volunteer Guardians ad Litem ensure that children involved in Family Court proceedings through the Department of Social Services have a voice. GALs visit the child and advocate for them during times of uncertainty and transition, helping guide the

court toward decisions that promote safety, stability, and permanency.

The next free online volunteer training begins on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, offering a meaningful opportunity to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

The last training opportunity of the year begins Tuesday, Nov. 10.

This comprehensive training equips volunteers with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to represent a child’s best interests in Family Court. For those seeking a tangible way to serve their community and make a lasting difference, becoming a GAL is a powerful and achievable commitment.

“Our volunteers serve

as strong advocates, upholding children's best interests and prioritizing their well-being. With every child served needing a voice, the call to action grows for dedicated volunteers to step forward” Guardian ad Litem Recruitment and Training Director Christie Vinson said in the release.

Those interested in giving back with purpose are encouraged to visit gal. sc.gov for more information and to download an application.

For additional information, contact David McAlhaney, Regional Recruiter and Trainer for the Guardian ad Litem Program, at 843-277-5849 or David.

McAlhaney@childadvocate.sc.gov.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS • Must be at least 21 years old; • Clean criminal background; • No prior DSS case history; • Ability to commit approximately 5 to 6 hours per month advocating for a child.

For additional information: Contact David McAlhaney, Regional Recruiter and Trainer for the Guardian ad Litem Program, at 843-277-5849 or David.McAlhaney@childadvocate. sc.gov

Moving into the former Gazette building would allow the company to warehouse windows and use the property's entrances on Salem Road and B.E. Wheatley Drive to improve the way delivery trucks move through the site.

"Our intentions have always been to eliminate that front loading dock, and bring everything into the back," Martin said.

Martin also pointed out that the current T4N zoning would allow the building to be filled with offices as long as the property was not being used for warehousing.

"I could tomorrow buy that building," Martin said. "I could buy that building and I could put in 50 offices."

During the discussion, the figure was corrected to about 40 offices.

Martin estimated an office use of that size could bring 50 to 100 vehicles to the property, compared with the five employee vehicles he said Tidewater currently has.

Martin has described the former Gazette building as a "total eyesore" and said the vacant property has attracted people seeking shelter inside.

His plan was to renovate the existing building rather than demolish it.

Two of Martin's sons also spoke in support of the project.

"The last thing I want to do is ruin the neighborhood for all of you all," Marcus Martin said.

Marcus Martin also told Council that an out-of-town developer plans to purchase the property if his family does not.

From 4-1 approval to 4-1 rejection Martin's frustration with the process became increasingly apparent as the discussion continued.

He said he has spent nearly a year pursuing the property and about nine months dealing with the rezoning process.

"You can't believe how frustrated I am," Martin said. "I've been dealing with you all for nine months."

Martin said he initially sought light industrial zoning for the property because he believed that would return it to something similar to its

previous commercial use as the Beaufort Gazette.

According to Martin, city planning staff determined light industrial would not work and, after consulting with the city attorney, recommended RMX instead.

City staff recommended approval of the RMX rezoning, and Martin went through the city's Technical Review Committee process before receiving a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Beaufort Planning Commission.

Council then approved the rezoning 4-1 on first reading June 9.

After the proposal reached Council, however, concerns grew about the wider range of uses RMX would allow in the future.

Following a July meeting, Scallate drafted a proposed ordinance intended to find a way for Martin to reuse the existing building while limiting some of the potential impacts that concerned Council and nearby residents.

Martin strongly objected to the proposal, saying its restrictions went so far that he was unsure whether Tidewater could operate under them.

He called the way the matter was handled "underhanded" and a "bad deal."

Martin said he had been transparent with city officials about what his family intended to do with the property and questioned how a proposal recommended by staff, unanimously supported by the Planning Commission and initially approved 4-1 by Council could lose nearly all of its Council support before final reading.

"How can the planning department, the city attorney, the planning commission all be so wrong about this property and our intentions?"

Martin asked.

"And now, the switch has turned or somebody's got your ear," Martin said. "And now it's like the plague."

He said the time spent pursuing the project was something he could not get back.

"One thing I can't replace in my life is time," Martin said.

If Council members had told him earlier that they would not support the rezoning, Martin said, he would

have walked away.

"Sayonara. Goodbye. I wouldn't have wasted all my time doing this," Martin said.

"So the way it's happened, the way it's gone, really not a good reflection on you all and how the city operates."

The Planning Commission ultimately did not advance the alternative ordinance.

Scallate said he had hoped the proposal could be refined to accommodate Martin's use while addressing concerns about more intensive development.

"That's what I was hoping would come back from the Planning Commission," Scallate said. "What we had sent obviously was a very quick draft that could have been massaged in several different ways."

Council also discussed whether Martin could voluntarily place deed restrictions on the property to prohibit some of the uses that concerned Council members and residents.

Martin said he was willing to restrict several uses and offered to add hotels to the list if that was among Council's concerns.

City officials cautioned that Council could not condition its rezoning decision on Martin placing private deed restrictions on the property.

Questions were also raised about whether such restrictions could always remain in place if the property changed hands.

Curt Freese, the city's director of Community Development, said another potential solution could be sent through the Planning Commission, but a substantial change would require another recommendation and restart the ordinance process.

City officials estimated that process would take at least three months.

Martin said that was not an option for him.

His contract to purchase the property expires Aug. 31, and he told Council it will not be extended.

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.

Jermaine Johnson visits Beaufort

South Carolina Governor candidate Jermaine Johnson and Beaufort County Sheriff candidate Alphonso Small interact with each other during a meet and greet on Friday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Gilligan's in Beaufort. Amber Hewitt/The Island News South Carolina Governor candidate Jermaine Johnson and his running mate for Lt. Governor Sam Skardon speak to a group of people on Friday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Gilligan's in Beaufort. Amber Hewitt/The Island News AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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ARTS & SPORTS

Local author launches ‘All the Hidden Pieces’

Battery Creek’s Eddie Heyward, center, is nearly tackled at the 40 yard line during the first half Friday, Aug. 21, at Whale Branch Early College High School. Heyward escaped the mayhem, ran through the defense and took the ball in for a touchdown. Heyward’s efforts were all for naught after his touchdown run was called back because of an offensive holding penalty. The Dolphins, however, went on to win the contest and defeat the Warriors 22-6. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Dolphins in unfamiliar territory

Battery Creek opens season with win at Whale Branch

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com Every high school football season begins with renewed promise. Every fanbase convinces itself this could be their year.

The honeymoon is lasting a little longer than usual at Battery Creek this fall, and it has Dolphins fans dreaming about ending their long suffering after opening the season with a 22-6 win at rival Whale Branch.

Battery Creek bolted out to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter, forcing a pair of turnovers including an interception return for a touchdown, and picking apart the Warriors’ defense with a ground attack led by Eddie Heyward. The social media chatter — between grown folks, mind you — was thick all weekend, and a bunch of Burton-based football fanatics are walking with their chests out a bit.

As they should.

The Dolphins hadn’t opened the season with a win since 2020, when they routed

Academic Magnet 45-7 in their first game of the shortened post-COVID season.

Creek finished 2-5 that year and hasn’t had a winning season since going 7-6 under Fred Hamilton in 2002 — a year after Hamilton guided Creek to an 8-5 campaign — though the Dolphins finished at .500 in 2012, going 6-6 in the second year of Jim Shuman’s five-year tenure.

But Creek’s non-region schedule has Ed Susi’s squad set up for sustained success like we haven’t seen in a generation, beginning with a visit from a struggling John Paul II team Friday.

The Dolphins’ last 2-0 start was in 1985, but the second win was a forfeit. You have to go all the way back to 1980 to find the last time the Dolphins actually saw the clock hit zeroes with the lead twice in a row to start the season.

Battery Creek won its first five games in 1980 en route to an 8-3 record in their second and final season under Robb Streeter.

Despite Battery Creek’s long-standing woes, there are plenty of signs pointing to this time actually being different. For starters, the program has had continuity.

Susi is the first Battery Creek head coach since Shuman to get a fourth season, which means he’s the first one since Shuman who got to see a freshman class all the way through. His first group of freshmen are now seniors, and Susi has molded them to be the leaders he wants for his program.

They put their first stamp on it Friday night, and they have a chance to string together a solid non-region showing. After welcoming the Golden Warriors, the Dolphins host Hardeeville and travel to Ridgeland before rounding out the non-region slate with a home date with rival Beaufort.

The Dolphins haven’t beaten the Eagles since 2003, but the Sept. 18 meeting in Burton is shaping up to be the most competitive installment of the series in quite some time.

Clarendon Hall 27, Thomas Heyward 0

Thursday, Aug. 20

Friday, Aug. 21

HHCA 41, Beaufort Academy 0

Whale Branch at Beaufort

Friday, Aug. 21

Hilton Head at Bamberg-Ehrhardt

Hilton Head 38, South Florence 21 Hampton Co. 33, Colleton Co. 0 Bluffton 29, Savannah Country Day 7 Battery Creek 22, Whale Branch 6 North Charleston 18, Ridgeland 12

in the second half, as Taylor Murphy racked up 122 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, and Jadon Inabinett added 63 yards on six rushing attempts.

Alan Wolf was 9-of-21 passing for 78 yards with an interception.

Dorchester Academy 26, Patrick Henry 8: Aiden Johnson’s 56-yard touchdown pass to Owen Shaffer got the Patriots on the board first, but the visiting Raiders pitched a shutout from that point forward and rallied for a season-opening win. Patrick Henry’s offense stalled after the initial score, finishing with just 113 total yards. Kai Sobey had 29 rushing yards on 11 carries to lead the ground game, and he added 11 tackles on defense. Luke Sobey racked up 20 tackles to pace the Patriots’ defense.

— LowcoSports.com

Claxton (Ga.) at Hardeeville John Paul II at Battery Creek Hampton Co. at Wilson

Augusta Christian 33, John Paul II 10

HHCA at Wilson Hall

St. Andrew’s 48, Hilton Head Prep 0

Hilton Head Prep at Cross Schools

Dorchester Academy 26, Patrick Henry 8

Patrick Henry at Beaufort Academy

two-point run of the night, pushing the lead to 22-7, but Beaufort’s offense kept surging. Moyd-Smalls leaned on his legs to keep a scoring drive alive, and Tavion Lundy found the end zone and put the pressure on.

After a defensive stop, the Eagles got the break they needed when Hardeeville punter Fernando Ramirez couldn’t handle a low snap and had to pounce on the ball and give Beaufort a short field. The Eagles took a big swing on the next play and hit a home run, as Jenkins took a well-executed misdirection play to the house. A high snap on the two-point conversion thwarted Beaufort’s effort to tie it up, but they still found a way to put themselves in position to win, recovering a fumble in Hardeeville territory.

The Canes’ defense stood tall down the stretch, though, and Moyd-Smalls had the ball

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

connected with Jackson Richardson for a 48-yard TD pass on the first play from scrimmage, as HHCA’s offense moved the ball at will and the defense held BA to 76 yards of total offense while collecting three sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Hayne Burden (6 tackles, 3 TFL), Caleb Altizer (5 tackles, 4 TFL) and Emory Haynes (4 tackles, 2 TFL) led the defense for HHCA. Joey Houpt and Wes Langhals also hauled in TD receptions for HHCA. Augusta Christian 33, John Paul II 10: The Golden Warriors couldn’t slow down Harris Janik and the Lions’ passing game, as Janik threw for 255 yards and four touchdowns to lead host Augusta Christian past JPII. The Lions buried the Golden Warriors with a big first quarter, jumping out to a quick 20-0 lead and extending the margin to 27-0 by halftime. JPII found some success on the ground

Bluffton at Laney (Ga.)

Thomas Heyward at Colleton Prep

A8

problems for the Seahawks, rushing for 167 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.

Bluffton 29, Savannah Country Day 7: Jack Calendine threw a pair of touchdown passes in his debut as the Bobcats’ starter under center, connecting with Amare Patterson seven times for 109 yards and a touchdown in Bluffton’s season-opening home win.

Kordell Holley rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, and Malcolm Gordon caught two passes for 58 yards and a TD to go along with a dominant defensive effort.

Gordon led the Bobcats’ defense with 19 tackles (15 solo, six tackles for loss).

HHCA 41, Beaufort Academy 0: Kres Langhals threw two touchdown passes and rushed for a score and Chase White added a rushing TD and a 71-yard kickoff return for a score as HHCA routed visiting BA on Thursday. Langhals

About the author Dana Ridenour is a retired FBI agent and the award-winning author of the Lexie Montgomery thriller series. “Behind the Mask” was named one of the best indie books of 2016 by Kirkus Reviews, while “Beyond the Cabin” won the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Award for best thriller or suspense novel, and “Below the Radar” was the 2020 Readers’ Favorite gold-medal winner in the thriller genre as well as the 2021 Feathered Quill Book Awards gold/first-place winner for best adult fiction.

Dana has also written two television screenplays. Her screenplay for “Below the Radar” was a finalist for an Atlanta International Screenplay Award.

An avid kayak angler and hiker, Dana lives in Beaufort, where she is working on her fifth novel.

To learn more about the event or the Pat Conroy Literary Center, visit www.patconroyliterarycenter.org.

May River at Wando

Colleton Prep 44, Lee Academy 0

Hardeeville 22, Beaufort 20: Braydon Moyd-Smalls sparked a second-half rally for the Eagles, but his late fumble allowed the Hurricanes to hold off visiting Beaufort.

Hardeeville jumped out to a quick lead when freshman Jeremiah Dunham’s blocked punt led to an Emiliano Santiago quarterback sneak and Kyrell Jamison put on a show for a 57-yard touchdown run that featured two spin moves and gave the Canes a 14-0 halftime lead.

A momentary lapse from the Canes allowed Beaufort to recover a pooch kickoff to start the second half, and Moyd-Smalls lofted a 25-yard touchdown pass to Keaudre Jenkins on the next play to cut the deficit in half. Hardeeville responded with a sustained drive ending with T.K. Nelson’s short touchdown run, and Jamison put on the jets again to convert his second

disillusionment. The Trail becomes a metaphor for their shared odyssey of self-discovery as they must overcome both the inner and outer obstacles that confront them along the way. Their struggles — sometimes terrifying, sometimes heartwarming — kept me eagerly turning pages as I urged them on from their first steps to the very last!”

About the book When Julia Chandler’s husband dies in a late-night car crash, grief and betrayal drive her to do something impulsive: hike all 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Joined by three of her

oldest friends, each carrying secrets of their own, Julia sets out to rediscover herself.

What begins as an escape soon becomes a test of endurance, courage, and trust.

As the friends tackle brutal climbs, raging storms, and dangerous wildlife encounters, they begin to shed the layers of guilt, fear, and regret that have long defined them.

But when a heart-stopping accident occurs on the trail, their strength and courage are pushed to the next level.

From Georgia to Maine, each mile forces them to face the truths they’ve buried for years. An emotional, heart-pounding story about the unbreakable bonds that carry us through life’s roughest miles and the transformative power of nature, “All the Hidden Pieces” invites readers to reflect on the hidden pieces we all carry and the beauty of finding wholeness again.

“A sudden, heartbreaking loss sends Julia Chandler on an unexpected journey where she’s forced to sort out conflicting feelings of grief, betrayal and confusion,” writes Cassandra King, author of “Tell Me a Story: My Life with Pat Conroy.” “In a complete departure from her orderly domestic life, Julia urges three of her closest friends to join her hiking the Appalachian Trail. None are experienced hikers, and all are escaping lives that have brought mostly regret and

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.

SCORES AND SCHEDULE

Hardeeville 22, Beaufort 20

By Cele Seldon Lowcountry Weekly The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center is honored to host the launch of local author Dana Ridenour’s newest novel, “All the Hidden Pieces,” from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 5, at 601 Bladen Street in downtown Beaufort.

The book launch is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served, books will be available for sale, and the author will be on hand to sign and personalize copies, with a percentage of the proceeds to be donated to the Pat Conroy Literary Center.

The book is the author’s fourth novel and is an emotional and suspenseful journey of grief, friendship, and self-discovery set amongst the breathtaking backdrop of the Appalachian Trail. With themes of loss, resilience, healing, and the transformative power of nature, “All the Hidden Pieces” blends women’s fiction, literary fiction, and outdoor adventure to appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven tales, inspirational survival stories, and novels centered on enduring female friendships.

stripped while reaching out for extra yardage, allowing Hardeeville to run out the clock.

Hilton Head 38, South Florence 21: Derrick Raniszewski was 11-of-19 passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns and added 58 yards and a score on the ground, and Jayvin Risher and Noah Czarnecki each rushed for 100 yards to lead the Seahawks to a convincing home win in a matchup of top-10 teams in Class 4A. Jeremiah Walters hauled in seven passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns, and Kevin Chisholm caught a TD pass for Hilton Head, which dominated the second half after taking a 17-14 lead into halftime. Andrew Massey collected 11 tackles (two for loss), Colton Freeman had eight tackles, and Risher added seven to lead a strong defensive effort for Hilton Head.

Cameron James created some

VOICES Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News.

Leading in community: A personal reflection

T

he art of leadership has been a consistent focus of my professional journey. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that conducting fieldwork research with folk healers in the Dominican Haitian borderlands would lead me to work with Fortune 500 leaders.

Yet leadership ties together the diverse sectors — higher education, philanthropy, nonprofits, and social movements — that I have served. I developed a leadership vision best summarized by Simon Sinek: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”

Before arriving at Penn Center National Historic Landmark District, I worked as a leadership consultant for nearly four years. I supported a diverse range of corporate clients. Working across these diverse settings was challenging, as I supported personal and organizational leadership journeys.

One of my favorite experiences occurred when a pharmaceutical client rented out the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History

ROBERT ADAMS JR.

and Culture (NMAAHC) and Lincoln’s Cottage. It was thrilling to lead a DEI retreat for senior leaders in the room where Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and in the newest repository of African American history and culture.

While I enjoyed advising organizational leaders, I missed the front lines of leadership, directly leading a community-based organization.

As an external advisor, I had to remember that my clients were operating in a “fog of war.” Carl von Clausewitz highlighted this context in his classic “On War” (1873): “War is the realm of uncertainty; three-quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog of greater or lesser uncertainty.”

Leading is a type of

organizational warfare, waged inside and outside the organization. Leaders don’t just have to achieve goals; they must move the ball up the field amid half-truths, misinterpretations, and outright fabrications. As von Clausewitz reminds his reader: “A sensitive and discriminating judgment is called for; a skilled intelligence to scent out the truth.”

I am now riding the leadership lightning as Penn’s Executive Director, directly in the line of fire. Some of the fog is expected. I arrived at Penn from Boston without any apparent connections to the Carolina Lowcountry.

Many are surprised when I share my deep Gullah Geechee ancestry.

I still face questions about why I came to lead Penn into its next phase. Recounting my calling raises as many suspicions as it answers. I am quite accustomed to being received as a stranger, having grown up as a military brat and worked abroad.

Other elements of the fog originate in the fantastical.

The stranger, a source of curiosity, often is the subject of outlandish rumors. A rumor

is floating around the island that I appropriated Penn’s resources to build a house in Orangeburg. The fact that I have never been to Orangeburg is beside the point. No matter how crazy a rumor is, it still must be considered seriously, maybe not literally, but symbolically for what larger truth it says about community concerns.

The rumors reveal an understandable fear that resources will be squandered or misappropriated. The rumor also indicates that the community overestimates Penn’s resources, while underestimating the enormous costs of maintaining a historic campus. The gap of understanding remains even as Penn demonstrates good stewardship and communicates openly about its resources, grants, and programs.

Since the 2024 Heritage Festival, I have fielded community criticism about the annual parade on Highway 21. The parade occurred on a fully closed highway for almost four decades.

Population growth, access for emergency vehicles to islands beyond St. Helena, and traffic volume led local and state au-

thorities to suggest seeking an alternate route. Through a series of conversations with local and state officials, we agreed to keep the parade on Highway 21 while only partially closing the road.

The compromise disappointed many on St. Helena Island; some suggested I had not fought enough for their rights. I understand their frustration and want to assure the community that I value their perspectives. Recognizing their feelings fosters understanding and strengthens our shared commitment to community well-being.

My charge is to hold the whole. In the process, I sometimes make mistakes, fall short, or fail to get everything I want. However, as a servant-leader focused on continuous improvement, I keep learning how to be the best leader I can be, faithfully serving Penn’s awesome legacy.

Over the last three years, the Board of Directors, Penn's community volunteers, and I have leaned heavily on Penn’s legacy of excellence and its missions of education and advocacy to the island, the state, and the nation. We have

expanded programs, created new ones, increased community engagement and youth interns from the island, and grown the number of external partners.

Similarly, we have eliminated underperforming programs and activities. Funders have recognized our efforts and have responded in kind.

My diverse professional journey across higher education, philanthropy, public policy, corporate America, and nonprofits allows me to lead this 164-year-old institution and its diverse stakeholders at the local, regional, and national levels. I proudly follow in the footsteps of Laura Matilda Towne, Ellen Murray, Charlotte Forten, Grace Bigelow House, Rossa Belle Cooley, and Courtney Siceloff, outsiders who proved that it wasn’t necessary to be Gullah leaders to serve the St. Helena Island community faithfully. But I remain open to critical feedback that decreases the fog of leadership.

Robert Adams Jr., Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the historic Penn Center on St. Helena Island.

Is the pathogen from Jamestown vanquished?

I

t is Tuesday, and the temperature has ascended into the 90s. This morning we worked in the yard — mostly pulling moss out of our oaks — but that work became unbearable by 11. This afternoon, I retreated indoors, re-reading an Aug. 4 opinion piece by George Will.

I have been drawn to George Will for many years — often disagreeing with his thinking — but always envious of his style. Will’s current piece centers on another writer, David Reynolds, who has just published a book titled “Two Ships.”

The White Lion arrived in Jamestown in 1619; the Mayflower arrived in 1620.

The Mayflower arrived with Puritans who were fleeing “monarchial absolutism;” the White Lion came into Jamestown with slaves. It is David Reynolds’ proposition that these ships “incubated two ultimately incompatible American futures.”

“Incubated two ultimately incompatible American futures.”

I

expect that if you are holding this newspaper, you are probably using it to fan yourself. I am beginning to believe that this fifth season of Hell’s Front Porch may never come to an end.

Last week, my husband and I returned from a sojourn at Devil’s Fork State Park on Lake Jocassee. In previous August visits, we enjoyed cooling breezes off the lake.

This year, it was hot, perhaps five degrees cooler than in Beaufort.

On some afternoons, nearby thunderstorms brought the temperature down to the mid-eighties, but the only really cool time occurred between 11 p.m., and 7 a.m., when I was asleep in our air-conditioned camper.

Still, we had a good time.

There is something elemental about camping. We get down to the bare bones of what we really need. Our living room and kitchen are outside. We have a tiny K-cup coffee brewer, a three-gallon water dispenser, a camp stove, a box fan, and the thing my husband finds most essential,

SCOTT GRABER

Who writes like that anymore?

But Will is quick to point out that this simplistic, binary thinking “always obscured and distorted much.”

In the beginning New England embraced the notion that — in addition to slaves — the White Lion also brought “the Church of England rituals and dissolute living associated with leisure, gambling, lavish entertaining, dueling and other attributes of a society obsessed with feudal notions of chivalry and ‘honor.’”

The Southern colonies, for their part, believed the Puritan passengers, and their descendants, persecuted heretics, conducted witch

trials and celebrated Oliver Cromwell’s beheading of King Charles I. Reynolds says that these convenient characterizations disappeared around 1776 — just in time for the colonies to defeat the British — but then they came back with the North now mixing-in antislavery sentiments with it’s previous allegations.

The Southerners, according to Reynolds, then remembered that the Mayflower was freighted with fanatics, including some abolitionists, and returned fire on their Northern kinsmen.

These regional characterizations — much of it repeated and refined in newspapers published in Charleston and Boston — eventually led to a small group of Citadel cadets banging away at a supply ship that was trying to resupply Ft. Sumter in January 1861. (The Star of the West was not armed and its captain was able to evade the cannon balls lobbed by the newly minted cadet artillerists.)

Notwithstanding four

years of desperate fighting, these cadets and many other Southern soldiers were “ground down by the North’s material strength.

“There is much to be said for materialism undergirding a noble cause,” saith George Will.

Then, of course, there was the disgrace and humiliation of complete defeat and years of trying to recapture some modicum of self-respect. Into this void comes Douglas Southall Freeman and his Pulitzer Prize-winning four volume biography of Robert E. Lee. Southall’s accounts of Manassas, Fredericksburg and Trevilian Station gave some measure of self-respect to the defeated Southern veterans. Freeman followed up with “Lee’s Lieutenants” that was a detailed, first-person account (by Northern and Southern participants) of what what went down on the battlefield.

Freeman and other “Lost Cause” writers have taken numerous hits over the years

because they did not talk about slavery — the fact that Robert E. Lee had slaves. For the most part Freeman did not write about the moral issues that ran through the besieged brains of DH Hill, Wade Hampton or the cadet company that rode with Hampton. Freeman just stuck with maneuvers, munitions and overnight marches that turned the Federal flank at Chancellorsville.

The great mystery of that tragic war is how those Scots-Irish farm boys fought so hard, with so little, keeping the Northern industrial giant at bay for so long.

There is, of course, no mystery about the evils of slavery.

Those once-debated details are now fully documented in museums in downtown Montgomery, Birmingham and Charleston. There is no mystery about the tragedy of Reconstruction that rolledback the voting, education and bus-riding rights secured

by African Americans in the years that followed Appomattox. And there is no mystery

Nothing new under the sun LOUISE MATHEWS

an ice maker.

We use the microwave and the dorm-room sized refrigerator inside the camper.

Otherwise, we just sleep in the camper. South Carolina state park campgrounds have very nice bathhouses for daily necessities.

Other than the clarity of Lake Jocassee water, perhaps the best part of camping is being able to unplug. We reviewed emails, texts, and news stories on our phones, but I find reading or watching videos on a tiny screen difficult. During the week, I finally finished Confronting the Presidents, which I had put down in July midway through the 19th century.

There is nothing new under the sun, at least in politics.

In the 1912 presidential election, more than 15 million recently arrived immigrants voted for the Democratic candidate, Woodrow Wilson. The party had actively recruited immigrants. Many believe the Democrats have been following this same playbook.

When he was sheriff of Erie County, New York, Democrat Grover Cleveland fathered an illegitimate son. He hired a group of men to abduct the child and had its mother incarcerated in an asylum. Eleven years later, Cleveland won the presidency despite the awful story having emerged in the newspapers. Later, 49-year-old Cleveland married t21-year-old Frances Folsom, who became the Jacqueline Kennedy of her day.

My high school American History teacher declared that once women achieved the right to vote, they elected the handsomest President the nation had seen, Republican Warren G. Harding.

Harding’s only child, born out of wedlock to his then mistress, arrived two weeks before Election Day, but no

one knew about it until after Harding’s death.

Cleveland and Harding make the tawdry Clinton situation seem minor. At least children were not involved in the Lewinsky Affair.

Presidents sometimes disappeared from duty.

Cleveland had surgery to remove two tumors from his mouth and was not seen for six months during the financial Panic of 1893. Woodrow Wilson suffered three strokes while President and was incapacitated for much of his last year as President. His wife Edith shielded him and ran the country.

As we did in the last year of the Biden presidency, many people then questioned who was running the country.

In 1948, Lyndon Baines Johnson appeared to have lost the Texas Democratic primary until six days after the election when a box of 202 uncounted ballots appeared.

Amazingly, 200 of the 202 ballots were cast for Johnson, which put him over the top by 87 votes. From the Senate, Johnson moved into the vice

presidency and the presidency due to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. In 1977 – after Johnson’s death – the Associated Press broke a story that the mysterious 1948 ballots were phony.

Reading of these high crimes and misdemeanors in the beauty of the Uplands provided me with a sense of detachment that I have not felt about recent and current political events. The latest political buzz in my mind is the run-off between Darlene Graham Nordone and Ralph Norman. I do not have a problem with the appointment of family members to fill a deceased elected official’s tenure, particularly if that unfulfilled term is of short duration. I do have a problem when a deceased elected official’s family member becomes the candidate.

I am sure Darlene Graham Nordone, who has curiously become just Darlene Graham in recent weeks, is a lovely lady. She may have been an excellent leader for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, but her job perfor-

that the cancer of racism is still present in the body politic.

But hold on.

The Supreme Court (see Louisiana v. Calais) and Chief Justice John Roberts seem to have some real doubts that any version of the Voting Rights Act is still necessary.

Recently Margaret Talbot wrote in the Aug. 18 New Yorker — “Delusions of John Roberts” — that “Roberts writing about race suggests that America has fully formed itself into a meritocracy that rewards the strivers among us …”

And so, finally, we come back to the White Lion and the Mayflower, their cargo, the carnage that followed, asking ourselves if the pathogen brought ashore in Jamestown is truly vanquished?

Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.

mance does not seem to matter. President Trump has endorsed her because she will do whatever he tells her to do.

I am troubled because she did not even attempt to answer a softball question about the United States’ relationship with Taiwan.

While she was honest about her ignorance, she sounded like a lady at a church social begging forgiveness for putting too much salt in the potato salad.

Ralph Norman at least has a legislative record, and he does know about the hot spot in the South China Sea. Because he has a record, he can be attacked, and mud has been flying.

I am hoping I live long enough to vote in an election in which I don’t have to gauge the lesser of two evils.

Louise Mathews retired from a career in community colleges and before that, theater. A 13-year come-here in Beaufort, she has been a dingbatter in North Carolina and an upstater from New York.

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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VOICES Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News.

To everyone who makes a living here, eats here, visits here, and cares about what makes the Lowcountry worth protecting, ...

There are some issues you can talk about from the sidelines. This isn't one of them for me.

Over the past year, I have spent hundreds of hours trying to understand what is happening to the American shrimping industry and, more importantly, what we can actually do about it here in the Lowcountry.

I have sat down with shrimpers, restaurant owners, chefs, seafood suppliers, commercial food distributors, scientists, community leaders and people who have spent their entire lives on the water. I've had conversations stretching from Texas and Louisiana, across the Gulf and up the coast to North Carolina.

I didn't do that because I wanted BAHA to jump on a cause.

I did it because before I put my name or this organization's name behind something, I wanted to understand it.

And the more I learned, the harder it became to look away.

This is bigger than shrimp.

For generations, commercial fishing and shrimping have been part of the identity

A love letter to the Lowcountry ASHLEE HOUCK

of coastal communities like ours. These aren't just boats we like seeing in photographs. These are American businesses. American jobs.

Families. Working waterfronts. Knowledge and traditions passed from one generation to the next.

And they are disappearing.

For years, our market has been flooded with inexpensive, farm-raised imported shrimp. Government policy, global economics and our own purchasing decisions as consumers have all played a role in creating a system where American shrimpers are being asked to compete in a marketplace that increasingly doesn't work for them.

At some point, we have to ask ourselves, “What happens when they're gone?”

Because once we lose the boats, the docks, the packing houses, the infrastructure and the next generation willing to do this work, we don't simply decide 10 years later that we'd like our shrimping industry back.

And the new labeling requirements create accountability for the businesses that would otherwise benefit from the story and reputation of our local seafood without actually supporting the people who produce it.

Only From Our Waters is about something different.

This initiative isn't about shaming restaurants that choose not to participate. It's about celebrating the ones that can and choose to.

It's about connecting restaurants with suppliers and shrimpers. It's about working through the difficult questions surrounding availability, price, consistency and distribution instead of throwing our hands up and saying it can't be done.

And ultimately, it's about creating something special here.

I want someone to come to the Beaufort region and know they can taste Beaufort.

Not something harvested or farmed thousands of miles away, shipped across an ocean and served underneath a Lowcountry story.

I want visitors to meet our watermen. See our shrimp boats. Understand our working waterfront. Eat something pulled from American waters and prepared by a local chef.

Then understand that the dollars they just spent helped keep another boat on the

water and another family in business.

That is tourism with a purpose. That is an experience we cannot manufacture once the real thing disappears. We have a choice.

We talk constantly about preserving the Lowcountry.

We fight to preserve our architecture. Our marshes.

Our waterways. Our historic buildings. Our viewsheds.

Our culture.

Our working waterfront deserves that same fight.

Preservation isn't just protecting something once it's endangered enough to make us nostalgic. Sometimes preservation means changing the way we do things before it's too late.

It means asking where our food comes from. It means accepting that the cheapest option isn't always the best option for our community. It means supporting American producers when we have the ability to do so. It means businesses being truthful with consumers.

And it means consumers understanding that every dollar they spend is, in some small way, a vote for what they want their community to look like tomorrow.

I don't expect every restaurant to change overnight. I don't expect every person to agree with me. And BAHA isn't interested in forcing a

Run, Darline, run

I

don’t think it is an understatement to suggest that when Gov. McMaster put forth Darline Graham’s name to fulfill the remainder of her late brother’s term in the U.S. Senate, it was intended to be a nod to the memory of Lindsey Graham.

While this is understandable, very little was heard from either side of the aisle, and given that Republicans choose to denigrate DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) appointments as unfair every time they turn around, nothing to this effect was mentioned in regard to Ms. Graham.

Of course, this nomination has 47’s enthusiastic backing (he told her, “Run, Darline, run”); so he came to Myrtle Beach to rally for her. But wait, I am getting ahead of myself.

When Ms. Graham made this decision, she found herself in a runoff situation with Rep. Ralph Norman, and so a debate in Newberry was put onto the docket, a debate that proved to be a debacle … for Ms. Graham.

During this time, the woman really put her lack of

It's gone.

And I believe that should matter to every one of us. I know there are people who disagree.

I've heard the concerns from some restaurants and others in the industry. There's not enough domestic shrimp.

It costs more. Restaurants are already operating on incredibly thin margins. Why should menus have to disclose where shrimp comes from?

Those are fair questions.

And I have spent a tremendous amount of time digging into them rather than dismissing them.

BAHA is not asking every restaurant to serve local shrimp. We understand supply chains. We understand seasonality. We understand food costs. And after working beside this industry for years, I certainly understand how difficult it is to operate a restaurant right now.

What I cannot support is pretending imported shrimp is something it isn't.

If a restaurant wants to serve imported shrimp, it should be able to serve imported shrimp. But consumers deserve to know what they're buying.

If something is marketed as local, Lowcountry, Carolina or American, it should actually be what it claims to be.

That's not punishment.

That's honesty.

CAROL LUCAS

knowledge on full display.

The question was asked, “Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States?

A nervous-looking Graham asked to have the question repeated. It was apparent she was hedging her bets when she finally said, “I’m just going to be honest here … I’m not that informed on national security.” She then quickly added, “National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military,” noting her brother’s 33 years in the Air Force and her father’s service in the Army.

Without dealing in the obvious, I don’t think it is unfair to suggest that given the present state of our country’s military involvement, anyone

aspiring to become part of the federal government had better brush up on national security and immediately, if not yesterday.

This, however, was not Graham’s only faux pas. Discussing the state’s economic struggles, she stated that South Carolina is home to “50 million people.”

This caused one critic to proclaim, “Wow, bigger than California. Impressive. The actual population is roughly 5.6 million, but what’s 45 million among friends?”

So it would appear that Ms. Graham had a somewhat rocky beginning in her drive to become our senator. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, as the saying goes.

No knowledge, however, is something else, something we do not need at this time in our history. But I digress.

The next evening Ms. Graham (note that she doesn’t use her married name of Nordone now that she is in Washington) went on the Sean Hannity show in hopes of doing some damage control. Again, I did not watch; the fact is, you couldn’t pay

me big bucks to watch.

Hannity tossed a couple of softball questions, the first dealing with Taiwan, saying that people were making a “big deal” out of it. Graham’s response was simplistic and dismissive, basically saying that the Taiwan question doesn’t matter because people of South Carolina are more concerned about the SAVE America Act (hear that, Donnie, I’m supporting your goals) and transgender athletes.

So on to the glorious Myrtle Beach rally last Friday evening. I am going to come clean, dear reader, and tell you I did not (could not) watch.

My blood pressure meds would have been insufficient.

What follows are just some of the delicacies he put forth in “support” of the candidate.

It is up to you to discern how effective this rally for her election was.

For starters, he talked for an hour and a half, delivering conservative priorities, adding that he sees supporting Graham as a way to honor her brother. No surprise.

But if you think this lengthy

speech was geared solely toward Ms. Darline’s election, you haven’t been paying attention to 47’s modus operandi.

He then launched into the planned ballroom, immigration, cost of living (which he assures everyone that affordability is just a Democratic hoax), AND a reading of the song “The Snake.” Until now I had neither read nor heard of “The Snake,” a poem written in 1968 by Oscar Brown, Jr. However, it seems that 47 repeatedly reads this in his political rallies as a way of attacking immigrants and immigration policies. Given his history of wives, the irony simply doesn’t fail to amaze.

The further irony lies in the poem itself; it is the story of a compassionate woman who nurses a freezing snake back to health, only to be fatally bitten. The snake then justifies its action by reminding her that she knew its treacherous nature when she rescued it.

You might want to consider that, MAGAs. Of course in his usual predictable diatribe fashion, he chose to talk about “Sleepy

“house of elected officials” who then appoint our leadership and court system.

Once in power and, if the above is true, it’s not inconceivable they would willingly use the heavy-handed tactics learned and employed so successfully during COVID to mute dissent and punish enemies “of the State.” Who knows … they may decide elections are no longer necessary! Sounding like the path to Communism to me, Tim. So, in November when you vote just be careful of “letting the camel in our tent.”

— Frank Wainwright, Saint Helena Island

almost $300 million to Donald Trump's election campaign in 2024? A quote from political commentator Brian Allen comes to mind: "When the American empire finally collapses, historians won’t be stunned by the greed of the elite. They’ll be stunned by the loyalty of the poor. The working class didn’t just vote against their own interests. They worshipped the billionaires robbing them. They slashed their own benefits, gutted their own healthcare, and cheered while the rich wrote off private jets as tax deductions. Not because it helped them, but because they were told it would hurt someone else. And that, right there, is how you rig a democracy without ever breaking a single law.”

In 2024, Musk's donation, and the donations

badge, program or purchasing decision on anyone.

But I am asking our industry and our community to care.

Care enough to ask the questions. Care enough to read the label. Care enough to understand the difference.

Care enough to support the restaurants doing the hard work. Care enough to choose American when you can.

Because somewhere behind that plate of shrimp is a decision about whose livelihood we are supporting.

I choose the American shrimper. I choose our working waterfront. I choose the families who have built their lives around these waters.

And I believe Beaufort, Port Royal and the Sea Islands have an opportunity to show that hospitality, tourism, restaurants, watermen and our community don't have to exist in separate worlds. We can build something together that supports all of us while protecting one of the things that makes this place unlike anywhere else.

We can preserve this piece of who we are. But first, we have to decide that it's worth preserving.

And I believe with everything in me that it is. Do you?

Ashlee Houck is the President and CEO of the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association (BAHA).

Joe” and asserted that "The Strait of Hormuz is now an American territory." He went on to say that “gays love him.”

Try that one on for size.

His continued meaning asserted that, “Tariffs have made us rich as hell.”

According to one source, the audience didn’t applaud for that because they know who became richer, and it didn’t include them. And he briefly addressed inflation by saying, “I have already solved that.”

But maybe the assertion that should have brought the house down follows."There's no more trans surgery. Hospitals are now doing reverse surgery on my orders. I told them to. Now they're doing reverse trans on my orders.

Nobody ever heard of it.”

Ms. Darline, he told you to run; I would have run the other direction. But then I’m voting for Dr. Annie, so my advice is a moot point.

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.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Remembering Sen. Graham My mama always said if you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all. Apparently Carol Lucas never heard this proverb despite saying that she was of the generation that “stands pretty staunchly behind the notion that one does not speak ill of the dead.”

Then she began lambasting Sen. Lindsey Graham even before he had been laid to rest. She wrote that he had abandoned the qualities that once made him worthy of respect due to his being a “willing participant” in supporting Donald Trump.

Ironically, like Ms. Lucas, the President has never been shy about breaking traditional norms of etiquette and respect in being critical

A10

of public figures after their death. When Robert Mueller, the FBI special counsel died, Trump posted on social media writing “Good, I’m glad he’s dead – he can no longer hurt innocent people.”

My mama had another saying – “It takes one to know one.”

— Jim Palmer, Beaufort

Don’t let a camel in our tent In response to Tim Wood’s “edgy, nervous” column (Aug. 13, The Island News), I’m guided by the teaching of an old mentor who, when I was about to form a business alliance with a company with a less than stellar reputation, wisely warned me to be careful because “once a camel gets his nose in your tent, you have a camel in your tent!” Let that sink in.

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

Mr. Woods attempts to convince us that with the “new DSA” we have nothing to worry about because Democratic Socialism “by definition” is not a threat but merely a kindly, alt form of government not to be confused with Communism.

Well, that might be true in several Scandinavian countries but those countries are Capitalist driven Democracies (that provides the funding for their social programs).

This is not what the folks in the “new DSA” espouse.

These radicals not only want to abolish Capitalism and nationalize all corporations, they support the total dismantling of our government structure – starting with our 1st, 2nd and 3rd Amendment rights – replacing it with a fantasy structure that concentrates power into a new

How many times are you willing to be fooled?

Why did Elon Musk, the world's richest man, donate

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor should consist of fewer than 275 words and be emailed with a name and contact information to TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

of other billionaires, were used to flood the airwaves with misleading attack ads against Trump's opponent.

And these billionaires plan to do it again in the 2026 midterms. They hope to persuade voters like you that the wealthy elite and their chosen candidates somehow have your best interests at heart.

If you've fallen for their rhetoric in the past, you have to ask yourself: "How many times am I willing to be fooled?"

— Peter Birschbach, Port Royal

NEWS & LOCAL MILITARY

BCSO: 3 individuals who left AMIkids Beaufort located

Staff Reports All three individuals who left AMIkids Beaufort in Seabrook have been located.

On Saturday afternoon, Aug. 22, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) released that it was actively searching for three juveniles

who ran away from AMIkids Beaufort, located at 60 Honeybee Island Road in Seabrook.

On Saturday night, Aug. 22, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies located Jaquan Sumpter. Sumpter was taken into custody and

booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center on the charges of Fleeing to evade arrest or detention; Escape, attempted escape or possession of tools to escape from prison, recaptured; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor,

two counts.

On Sunday, Aug. 23, Ayden Wilson and Jeremy McDonnell were located and detained by Colleton County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Both juveniles were transported to the South Carolina Department of Ju-

venile Justice.

AMIkids Beaufort is a residential facility in Dale that provides, not only education, but numerous handson educational opportunities, treatment and behavior modification.

AMIkids partners with

community service projects throughout Beaufort County. The program serves young men assigned to the facility through the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice, and students work toward their high school equivalency diplomas.

Tri-Command Rifle Match

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Korey Bromery of the South Carolina Army National Guard shoots an M16-A4 rifle during the Tri-Command Rifle Match on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The Tri-Command Rifle Match is a shooting competition designed to test the individual skills within the Tri-Command using the M16-A4 service rifle through different courses of fire. Cpl. Jaden Beardsley/USMC

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Bailee Patterson, a Marine with Weapons and Field Training Battalion, conducts a shooting drill with an M16-A4 rifle during the Tri-Command Rifle Match on Thursday, A U.S. Marine shoots an M16-A4 rifle during the Tri-Command Rifle Match on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Cpl. Jaden Beardsley/USMC Aug. 13, 2026, on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Cpl. Jaden Beardsley/USMC

VA decision reviews and appeals (Part 4) T he first two articles in this series covered top reasons why disability claims are denied, types of VA disability claims, evidence needed, reviews, and appeals of VA non-medical treatment decisions, evidence needed to support your claim, and appeal of a VA medical treatment decision, and patient advocates.

The third article covered The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, Public Law 115-55 Aug. 23, 2017, which is also known as the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). This article further discuss VA decision reviews and appeals.

The VA webpage titled “VA Decision Reviews and Appeals” at https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/ states, “Are you a veteran, or the spouse, dependent, survivor, or family caregiver of a veteran, who disagrees with a VA decision?

If you disagree with a VA decision on your benefits or claim, we (the VA) can help you find the decision review option that is right for you.

If you disagree with a VA medical treatment decision, we (the VA) can help you file a Clinical Appeal.

The “VA Decision Reviews and Appeals” web page provides veterans with what option to pursue when they disagree with a VA decision on their claims including: • Decision review option: Supplemental Claims. According to the VA’s “Supplemental Claims” webpage at https://bit.ly/4wQrvP8, if a veteran disagrees with a VA decision on their claim, the veteran can file a Supplemental Claim to add new evidence that’s relevant to their case or identify new evidence for review. Or a veteran can ask the VA to review his or her claim for a

LARRY DANDRIDGE

newly presumptive condition. New evidence is information that the VA has not considered before. Relevant evidence is information that proves or disproves something in the veteran’s claim. Find out what conditions are presumptive under the PACT ACT at https://bit.ly/3STcgXB. • Decision review option: Higher-Level Reviews. According to the VA’s “Higher-Level Reviews” webpage https://bit.ly/4y0YZet, if a veteran disagrees with a VA decision, they or their accredited representative (VA-accredited VSO, Attorney, Claims Agent) can request a new review of their case by a higher-level reviewer. The reviewer will determine whether an error or a difference of opinion changes the decision. The veteran can NOT submit new evidence with a Higher-Level Review. Veterans can find out what happens after they request a decision review at the VA’s “After You Request a Decision Review” web page https://bit.ly/3UR8vT0. If you requested a decision review and haven’t heard back from the VA yet, please don’t request another review.

Call the VA at 800-827-1000.

• Decision review option: Board Appeals. According to the VA “Board Appeals webpage https:// bit.ly/4xYwGx8, when a veteran chooses this option, the veteran is appealing to a Veterans Law

Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (also called the Board) in Washington D.C. A judge who’s an expert in veterans law will review your case. Veterans can request a Board Appeal only after these types of claims or decision reviews: 1) An Initial Claim, 2) A Supplemental Claim, and 3) a Higher-level Review.

Veterans can not request two Board Appeals in a row for the same claim.

This option was covered in detail last week.

• Clinical Appeals. According to the VA webpage “Clinical Appeals of Medical Treatment Decisions,” https://bit.ly/46l10X2 if the veteran disagrees with a decision that their VA health care team makes about their treatment or care, the veteran can request to have other medical professionals review that decision.

This type of decision review follows the VA’s Clinical Appeals process.

Veterans can request a review of a decision that their health care team makes about the veteran’s treatment or care. Here are some types of medical treatment decisions a veteran can appeal through our Clinical Appeals process: 1) If the veteran’s provider should prescribe a specific medicine for him or her and 2) Whether the veteran should receive a specific type of therapy.

If a veteran wants to appeal a VA decision about their health care benefits (like VA health care, CHAMPVA, dental treatment eligibility, or travel reimbursement), the veteran needs to use the VA’s decision review process instead. Learn more about choosing a decision review option at the VA’s “Choosing a Decision Review Option” at https:// bit.ly/4xYNIv6. The VA also calls these treatment decisions “medical determinations.”

• Family caregiver program decision reviews and appeals. According to the VA’s Family Caregiver Program Decision Reviews and Appeals” webpage at https://bit. ly/45NOJKB, if you disagree with the VA’s decision on your Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) application, you have options to appeal or request a review of the decision.

Your options depend on the date the VA issued your PCAFC decision.

• Contested claims. According to the VA’s “Contested Claims” webpage https://bit.ly/4xiQhIx, a contested claim is when you and someone else are claiming a benefit that only one person can claim. You have 60 days to appeal to a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington D.C. A judge who’s an expert in veterans law will review your case.

• Insurance claims. According to the VA’s “Insurance Claims” web page at https://bit.ly/3UBtc5j, if you disagree with a VA decision on an insurance claim, you can choose from 3 decision review options.

You can file a Supplemental Claim, ask for a Higher-Level Review, or request a Board Appeal.

• Fiduciary claims. The definition from the VA’s Guide for VVA Fiduciaries, of a Fiduciary is: A person or legal entity (such as a bank) charged with the duty of managing the estate of an incompetent beneficiary.

According to the VA’s “Fiduciary Claims” web page https:// bit.ly/4xuKKyw, if you disagree with a VA decision on a fiduciary claim, you can choose from three decision review options. You can file a Supplemental Claim, ask for a Higher-Level Review, or request a

EDITOR’S NOTE

This article is the fourth in a series of five.

Board Appeal.

Learn about the VA’s Fiduciary Program at https://www.benefits. va.gov/fiduciary and in the VA’s Pension and Fiduciary Servcie (A Guide for VA Fiduciaries), last updated in May 2026, at https://bit. ly/4zAU6dx.

Check on claims, appeals, decision reviews You can check your claim, appeal, decision review status at https:// www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/.

If you have questions you can call the VA Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET: • For health care-related benefits, call our VA health benefits hotline at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. • For other benefits, call the VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000.

Continued next week.

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel.

He is a past VA-accredited VSO, a Patient Adviser at Charleston and Durham VA Hospitals, a Fisher House Charleston/Friends of Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the Veterans Benefits Adviser for his local Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Chapter and Cary, N.C., VFW Post 7383. Larry is also the author of the award-winning “Blades of Thunder (Book One)” and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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LOCAL MILITARY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 28 August 2026 Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel A. P. Bariletti Third Recruit Training Battalion • Lieutenant Colonel S. L. Gross Commander of Troops, Captain J. N. Titus • Parade Adjutant, First Lieutenant T. Hardy Company “K”, Third Recruit Training Battalion • Captain S. A. Carroll Drill Master • Staff Sergeant T. L. Washington PLATOON 3064

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt C. J. Kollar PFC Adams, A. L. Pvt Alvarez, C. E. Pvt Baker, J. T. Pvt Bloomfield, C. J. Pvt Bourdon III, L. R. Pvt Bracken, R. M. PFC Cano, J. R. Pvt Caruso, J. N. Pvt Chatir, A. Pvt Collier, K. T.* Pvt Corona, C. A. PFC Cruzhuapilla, O. Pvt Davis, Z. J. Pvt Dempsey, D. J. Pvt Dempsey, D. W. Pvt Desantis, N. J. Pvt Dieng, A. L. Pvt Dokossi, S. Pvt Gainous, K. S. Pvt Gomez, R. A. Pvt Gouveia, V. J. Pvt Graham, B. O. Pvt Harker Jr, D. E. Pvt Hernandez, C. A. Pvt Hudson, J. J. Pvt Humphries, C. W. Pvt Huskey, W. S. Pvt Johnson, C. R. PFC Johnson, L. R. Pvt Kissick, J. K. PFC Leblanc, J. R.* Pvt Lewis Jr, C. A. Pvt Lu, V. PFC Lyons, C. D. Pvt Makray, J. A. PFC Meier, C. M. PFC Missler, B. A. Pvt Mondragon, F. Pvt Morales, J. G. Pvt Nance, E. A. PFC Nelson, D. L. PFC Nguyen, H. Pvt Padilla, D. B. Pvt Paredestorres, R. PFC Perezorlandi, A. Pvt Randolph, A. P. PFC Reyes, B. L.* Pvt Riley, A. J. Pvt Sanchezcardenas, F. A. PFC Sanders, K. M.* Pvt Smith, S. C. Pvt Stubner, D. J. Pvt Stuteville, K. G. Pvt Tiofildowner, P. A. Pvt Torres, G. D. Pvt Torres, M. A. Pvt Travis, B. E. Pvt Truesdale, D. M. Pvt Wall Jr, C. PFC Washington, A. C. PFC Weldon, A. T.

PLATOON 3065

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt D. A. Keith PFC, Abernathy, Dalton S. PVT, Aguilar, Braxton L. PVT, Aranoruiz, Omar D. PVT, Allen, Emmanuel I. PVT, Ayim, Frank A. PFC, Barbarino, Anthony J. PFC, Bahenaapolinar, Agustin PFC, Bautista, Rodrigo A. PVT, Bosserman, Jack R. PVT, Boyce, Madden P. PFC, Bradley, James A. PVT, Brewer, Bryson D. PVT, Brionesruiz, Brandon J. PVT, Brooks, Jamarion C. PFC, Brown, Jayden D. PFC, Brunner, Conner P. PVT, Buenochalchi, Gabriel O. PFC, Bustolorenzo, Oscar D. PVT, Callon, Ian B. PFC, Carter, Richard L. PFC, Clark, Christian L. PVT, Coley, Ledger R. PVT, Couillard, Damian R. PVT, Crider, Jaxson C. PFC, Cutshall, Cameron L. PFC, Diasmoreira, Erick A12

PFC, Dickson, Colton R. PVT, Dominguezsanchez, Saul P. PFC, Dowdy, Rylan J. PVT, Dozier, Connor D. PVT, Dunn, Joshua D. PVT, Eason, Bodi L. PFC, Edwards, Christian T. PFC, Fellows, Jackson B. PFC, Foster, Dylan A. PVT, Francis, Richard A. PVT, Garcia, Jamarionn D. PVT, Garciagonzalez, Emmanuel O. PVT, Garciavick, Luis G. PVT, Gates, Evan L. PVT, Green Jr, Jerell R. PVT, Gressling, Who L. PVT, Gutierrez Jr, Fernando S. PVT, Heath, Robert D. PVT, Hill, Mason T. PVT, Jackson, Gary H. PFC, Jackson, Thomas M. PFC, Jones, Elijah K. PFC, Juarbe, Justin D. PFC, Kerley, Noah L. PFC, Landaverdegonzalez, Rodrigo PVT, Langley, Andrew S. PVT, Logalbo, Gunnar A. PVT, Lopez, Abdias E. PVT, Lupton, Gage P. PVT, Manning, Joseph W. PVT, Marthers, Kayden D. PVT, Mcwhirt, Aiden C. PVT, Melford, Devon J. PVT, Mellon, Zayne W. PVT, Mendezperez, Cris R. PVT, Moore, Caleb N. PVT, Murray, Gilmer C. PFC, Nedrow, Aaron J. PFC, Nguyen, Johnson C. PVT, Orozcostanley, Jeremyha A. PFC, Palmer, Adrian D. PFC, Parker, Dominic I. PFC, Peeples, Kavion M. PVT, Perezjimenez, Uziel PVT, Perry III, Alonzo PVT, Pickering, Matthew B. PFC, Poch, Norman PFC, Prendeville, Chase O. PFC, Rakoczy, Daniel X. PVT, Ramirezhernandez, Luis J. PVT, Scott, Robert S. PVT, Sheets Jr, Daniel W. PVT, Sherman, Kambrin T. PVT, Shriver, Noah G. PFC, Smith III, Shawn F. PVT, Smith, Mekyi A. PVT, Teranjaramillo, Jose A. PVT, Tollison, Hunter A. PVT, Turner, Darius D. PVT, Vanabel, Gavin P. PFC, Vargasmorales, Bryan N. PFC, Walker, Dallas J. PVT, Wells, Ian S. PFC, Wilcox, Daniel D. PVT, Williams, Seth D. PVT, Williams, Wyatt J. PVT, Williamson, Jacobb K. PVT, Wolf, Morgan A. PFC, Zhang, Scott

Pvt Cruzrivera, Diego G. Pvt Culpepper, Charles J. PFC Davila, Davian A. PFC Davis, Aaron B. Pvt Decuzzi, Davi O. Pvt Eliosarojas, Alberto Pvt Feliciano, Josyian M. PFC Ferguson, Ronin J. PFC Fernandes, Savio N.* PFC Fleming, Christian A. PFC Flynn, Luke T. Pvt Fullarton Iii, James S. Pvt Funes, Derek T. PFC Garcia, Christopher Pvt Garcia, Gregorio B. PFC George, Justin L. Pvt Goode, Jack S. Pvt Gurley, Davonte L. PFC Hedden, Japheth T. PFC Hornavius, Codi J. Pvt Jeffries, Abram N. PFC Jirausantiago, Andres Pvt Keith, Kendon I. PFC Latimer, Cayden R. Pvt Limasantos, Josdiel D. Pvt Liu, Chenrui Pvt Lowe, Xavier J. PFC Lydic, Aramis G. PFC Mankin, Ian W. Pvt Marco, Jayce D. Pvt Marcosgarcia, Ivan Pvt Martinez, Mateo E. PFC Martinezscutary, Cesar M. PFC Mcewen, Tristan M. Pvt Mclane, Patrick Pvt Mendozacruz, Luis R. PFC Mercer, Thomas A. Pvt Merecki, Connor J. PFC Merriam, Jared L. Pvt Moe, Elijah I. PFC Morris, Evan I. Pvt Mosley Jr, Keith A. Pvt Motauyaguari, Steven Pvt Myers, Donovan J. Pvt Nacpil, Gemar M. PFC Neff, Dallas W. PFC Nieveslopez, Denzel D. Pvt Ochoa, Sebastian P. Pvt Olivergarcia, Bryan F. Pvt Opal, Seth A. Pvt Ortiz, Joshua A. PFC Owens, Jordan A. PFC Parkhurst, Corben W. PFC Parkhurstcharles, Michael K. Pvt Pate, Justin B. Pvt Penaloza, Omar Pvt Piepenbrink, Jacob R. Pvt Ramirezhernandez, Marco A. Pvt Ramirezrivera, Gregorio R. Pvt Ramon, William W. Pvt Rivera, Daniel L. Pvt Robinson, Daniel G. Pvt Sanchez, Carlos D. Pvt Sciacca, Vincent J. PFC Sesay, Dayal S Pvt Wade Jr, Cerry E. Pvt Walker, Kentorian D. Pvt Whitlatch, Kenneth E.

PLATOON 3066

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt A. M. Whelton

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt B. D. Harris PFC Arnhart, Devlin C.* Pvt Aviles, Christopher D. PFC Bailey, Brian T. PFC Beckwith, Nicholas R. Pvt Belalcazarbueno, Dereckjeanpiere Pvt Bell, Anthony S. Pvt Blackwell, Jack A. PFC Bracey, Kaleb S. Pvt Burkeen Jr, Ossie B. Pvt Burns, Sean P. Pvt Butler, Corbin R. PFC Carver, Michael P. PFC Casagrande, Dominic J.* PFC Castro, Jose M. Pvt Cleveland, Peter B. PFC Collins, Bryce R. Pvt Cooper Iii, Donnie E. Pvt Cope, William S. Pvt Corteslezama, Jaen N. Pvt Cox, Mason R. PFC Cross, Dillan G.*

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

PLATOON 3068

PFC Abdon, M. B. Pvt Alvarez, J. D. Pvt Ameto, P. U. Pvt Arevalo, G. J. Pvt Baptistavaldez, D. J. PFC Biascoechea, J. J. Pvt Blidi, L. K. Pvt Boudreaux, J. W. Pvt Burgos, J. P. Pvt Burse Jr, S. N. Pvt Bush, J. G. Pvt Byrd, D. T. Pvt Cadestin, R. C. Pvt Charles, I. J. Pvt Chavis, Z. J. Pvt Cruz, C. Pvt Dabreau, J. A. Pvt Demere, C. M. Pvt Deshields, J. F. Pvt Elisee, V. Pvt Fabacher, P. J.

Pvt Ferguson, M. A. Pvt Fisher, N. M. Pvt Fredericks, C. O. Pvt Gasparico, A. Pvt Gasparjuan, D. Pvt Grabofsky, B. E. Pvt Graves Jr, T. A. Pvt Guidry, L. D. Pvt Guzman, V. Pvt Hamon, B. R. Pvt Harris, D. R. Pvt Hernandez, E. H. Pvt Hernandezperez, J. G. Pvt Hollingsworth, M. R. Pvt Holt, C. I. Pvt Horner, B. W. Pvt Jenkins, S. J. Pvt Kalbi, H. D. Pvt Kouao, E. K. Pvt Kryder, A. T. Pvt Lampard, B. E. PFC Limardo, E. J. Pvt Lugo, J. E. Pvt Marrero Jr, F. Pvt Martinez, E. Pvt Masche, C. R. Pvt Mccray, T. S. Pvt Mccutchen, M. G. Pvt Mccutcheon, K. J. Pvt Mcmahon, O. P. Pvt Medranozavala, J. P. Pvt Milich, G. D. Pvt Moran, M. E. Pvt Mullen, N. J. Pvt Mumper, N. M. Pvt Naklycky, N. O. Pvt Navistorres, A. M. Pvt Nemec, C. M. Pvt Orsborn, A. M. Pvt Ortego, C. M. PFC Paredes, R. C. Pvt Pena, R. L. Pvt Picazotorres, C. Pvt Reyes, A. J. PFC Riveravillegas, M. A. Pvt Robinson, G. H. Pvt Roblescastillo, L. M. PFC Romanherrera, O. Pvt Rossdale, J. B. Pvt Rutter, J. D. Pvt Santiagopaz, A. J. Pvt Schoeppner, R. R. Pvt Seda, I. Pvt Smitley, M. F. Pvt Solis, G. N. Pvt Swanson, D. D. Pvt Taylor, T.S. Pvt Torresramirez, J. J. Pvt Trent, J. A. Pvt Verdin, A. B. Pvt Wazenski, H. L. Pvt Williams, M. D. Pvt Wise, J. M. Pvt Young Jr, A. E.

PLATOON 3069

Senior Drill Instructor Sgt J. W. Jones Pvt Aparicio Jr, B. J. PFC Arizmendinavedo, A. I. Pvt Avila, C. A. PFC Barco, N. Pvt Bennett, B. M. Pvt Bragg, C. A. Pvt Brawley, S. J. Pvt Butler, Z. S. Pvt Cajamarca, R. M. PFC Calderonvelasco, J. C. Pvt Carroll, C. T. Pvt Cienfuegos, D. Pvt Cochran, C. T. PFC Collacay, J. R. PFC Copeland, E. C. Pvt Dacunto, E. F. Pvt Davis, K. C. PFC Decoteau, X. J. PFC Degraff, L. C. PFC Diegofrancisco, M.

Pvt Diloneramos, O. E. PFC Diviney, J. L. Pvt Donagustinjimenez, D. PFC Fischer, D. A. Pvt Frizzell, E. M. Pvt Gonzales, M. I. PFC Hanawalt, A. M. Pvt Helton, J. R. Pvt Hernandez, H. Pvt Hernandez, M. D. Pvt Hortin, C. D. Pvt Hunter, Z. E. Pvt Hutchinson, L. C. PFC Jean, E. Pvt Jimenez, E. Pvt Johnson, L. J. PFC Kelly, X. D. PFC Kenda, B. D. Pvt Kerns, C. M. Pvt Leatherwood, J. G. PFC Lenkner, B. E. Pvt Leo, Yvens Pvt Lewis, James D. Pvt Lockhart, Ethan T. Pvt Maganahernandez, N. Pvt Martin Jr, J. C. Pvt Mcclure, J. A. PFC Mcswain, R. A. Pvt Menix, J. R. Pvt Meza, Ulises Pvt Mingsmccullough, J. D. Pvt Mora Jr, A. Pvt Mora, L. J. Pvt Murphy, D. J. Pvt Myles, J. F. Pvt Myrtil, K. S. PFC Ndiaye, E. F. Pvt Newcomb, Q. C. PFC Nunokawa, T. Pvt Odaniel, Z. J. Pvt Ojeda, A. G. Pvt Okelley, E. T. Pvt Olveraroblero, J. Pvt Ortega, C. Pvt Padgett, J. W. Pvt Parish, A. G. Pvt Pazdiaz, S. U. Pvt Pedigo, C. W. Pvt Perry, A. L. Pvt Plaugher, B. M. PFC Poplar, N. J. Pvt Quintin, E. D. Pvt Richardson, A. M. Pvt Rivera, Jacob J. Pvt Robinson, K. A. Pvt Rodriguez, A. Pvt Romero, J. E. PFC Roney, E J. Pvt Rutherford II, S. B. Pvt Ryan, Ian M. Pvt Sebastianmendez, S. PFC Smith, K. C. PFC Stanfield, N. S. Pvt Tarbert, Ashton J. Pvt Tharp, C. M. PFC Thornsley, J. W. Pvt Vandoren, A. T. PFC Vegarivera, J. Pvt Watson Jr, J. B. Pvt White, Z. E. PFC Williams, J. E. Pvt Zavalasosa, E. R.

PLATOON 3070

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt R. L. Shirrel Pvt Bonifacio, M. Pvt Bradshaw, J. T. Pvt Burgos, A. G. Pvt Buscher, C.A. Pvt Campbell, A.T. Pvt Capoteramos, L.A. Pvt Castilloarcentalez, J.A. Pvt Ceu, V. Pfc Chuyachauca, K.B. Pvt Corley, R.J. Pvt Cornwell, W.F. Pvt Cortez, M.A.

Pvt Crawford, A.J. Pfc Cuevas, C.A. Pvt Cummins, L.R. Pfc Davidheiser, D.E. Pvt Dunbar, G.J. Pvt Fernandez, S.M. Pfc Ferreirassanchez, E. Pvt Feilds, O.C. Pvt Flamencoosorio, L.F. Pvt Floresbencomo, R. Pfc Galdos, J. Pvt Garciaassumpcaofilho, R. Pfc Garciachandia, R.L. Pvt Garciaramirez, K. Pfc Gresteljohnson, K. Pvt Henline, D.M. Pvt Henson, J.T. Pfc Hershey, S.M. Pvt Hinds, B.J. Pvt Jenkins, G.S. Pvt Keith, M.C. Pfc Klapak, R.J. Pvt Kletke, M.B. Pvt Lane, T.E. Pvt Lee, M.J. Pvt Lemaster, K.A. Pfc Lemay, D.I. Pvt Levy, D.O. Pvt Loggins, C.B. Pvt Lopez, B.M. Pvt Lopez, J.D. Pfc Louissaint, V.V. Pvt Lozanovalencia, A. Pvt Luba, C.H. Pfc Lutch, A.T. Pvt Martinez, J.N. Pvt Mayshock, L.J. Pvt Mcnamara, B.D. Pvt Mitowski, J.E. Pvt Norris, J.G. Pvt Orralasanchez, A.G. Pvt Ortiz, J.F. Pvt Oyola, C.A. Pvt Parkhurst, S.C. Pvt Parrish, O.C. Pvt Peloquin, L.H. Pvt Perez, C. Pvt Perez, G.M. Pvt Poe, R.D. Pvt Pokrop, G.T. Pvt Raihala, J.H. Pvt Ramirez, S.A. Pfc Ramosdiaz, J.D. Pvt Reilly, L.J. Pvt Reynolds, J.E. Pvt Rippe, R.E. Pvt Rivera, R.I. Pvt Roberts, J.A. Pvt Rodriguez, J.B. Pvt Romero, W. Pfc Sealscott, N.J. Pvt Smith, L.A. Pvt Solanopinto, D.F. Pfc Sosalucero, A.R. Pvt Spain, M.D. Pvt Stewart, M.A. Pvt Stine, A.W. Pvt Stout, J.L. Pvt Taylor, S.H. Pvt Vaillancourt, K.D. Pfc Valdez, A.O. Pvt Valdon, E. Pvt Vandenbosch, J.I. Pvt Varelatlaczani, C. Pfc Vazquez, M.R. Pvt Venegas, E. Pfc Veurink, J.M. Pfc Vidalsalgado, J. Pvt Webster, C.W. Pfc Wells, T.W. Pvt White, B.M. Pfc Williams, J.D. Pvt Young, J.T. *Denotes Meritorious Promotion

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THURSDAY’S CARTOON Read with caution; not necessarily the opinions of the editorial staff.

PLACE YOUR AD IN MORE THAN

80 SC NEWSPAPERS Reach up to 1.5 million readers using our small space ad network!

Contact Randall Savely 803.750.9561 | scnnonline.com Newspaper Network Statewide and regional options available South Carolina

THEME: EMMYS ACROSS 1. 1. Cut off 6. "Be quiet!"

9. Yellowjacket 13. Brunch offering 14. Lawyers' org.

15. Capital of Vietnam 16. Without illumination 17. Harland David Sanders' title, abbr.

18. Abhorrence 19. *____ Theater, Emmys venue 21. *2026 Emmy Awards host 23. Fah follower 24. Like a certain eagle 25. Grill master's acronym 28. Aussie's neighbor 30. Kick the bucket 35. Look angry 37. Opposite of riches 39. Holiday spirit spreader 40. Soprano's song 41. Introduction 43. Flocculant, for short 44. Queen Elizabeth's favorite dog breed 46. Dog command 47. *____ show, like nominated "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

48. Works dough 50. Highest volcano in Europe 52. "I agree" 53. Winter woe

55. Publisher's revenue source, pl.

57. *"Euphoria" Lead Actress nominee 61. *Most nominated series for 2026 Emmys (2 words) 65. Love, in Paris 66. Don't waste 68. Ottoman Empire VIP 69. Carried a torch 70. Biochemistry acr.

71. Scrabble pieces 72. Editor's "let it stand" 73. "____ or nothing" 74. Kind of peak DOWN 1. Fish a.k.a. porgy 2. European sea eagle 3. Velum, pl.

4. "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," e.g.

5. Did the test again 6. Quarterback's downfall 7. *Network/streamer with most nominations for 2026 Emmys 8. Chinese Checkers predecessor 9. Dry riverbed 10. Type of cuckoos 11. Middle Eastern market 12. Type of cotton fiber 15. Vast multitudes 20. Bird sound 22. Matterhorn, e.g.

24. Biased

25. *Nominee Jason Bateman's "____ Rabbit" 26. B on Mendeleev's table 27. One-twentieth of a ream 29. W in VFW. 31. Huck Finn's escape 32. Embedded design 33. Fur shawl 34. *Jean Smart's nominated comedy 36. Sitar music 38. *Assigned spot in #19 Across 42. Myna, alt. sp.

45. Driver's licaense alternative (2 words) 49. Sushi sauce 51. Experts 54. "Little House on the Prairie" protagonist 56. "The rain in ____ falls mainly on the plain" 57. Nukes 58. What exhaust pipes do 59. Opposite of all 60. Simon and Gurfunkel, e.g.

61. Bluish green 62. Robinson Crusoe's turf 63. Short for Theodora 64. *Nominated Mark Ruffalo's drama series 67. *Connor Storrie's nominated show, acr.

LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD & SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

A13

SERVICE DIRECTORY FURNITURE / HOME DECOR

APPAREL PRINTING

PET SERVICES

Furbulas Dog: Grooming, Boarding, and Pet Sitting

SCREEN PRINT EMBROIDERY CUSTOM APPAREL

Brittany Riedmayer

1001 Bay St, Beaufort, SC 29902 open Tues.-Sat. noon to 5pm, Sun. by chance

843-476-2989

furniture, home decor & more

Member of National Dog Groomers Association of America

(843) 379-4488

NEWSOUTHSHIRTS.COM

Allison & Ginny DuBose, Owners aldubose@yahoo.com

843-982-0170

POOL & FIBERGLASS REPAIR

MOBILE HOME INSURANCE

ATTORNEY

Christopher J. Geier

Attorney at Law, LLC Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

John D. Polk Agency INSURANCE

Manufactured Homes • Cars • Boats RV's • Homes • All Commercial

2048 Pearl Street, Beaufort, SC 29902 Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450 chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING

Beaufort Audiology & Hearing Care Monica Wiser, M.A. CCC-A Licensed Audiologist

843-524-3172 info@polkagency.com

CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY!

PEST CONTROL

38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007

REALTOR

Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You

The Beaufort Sound Hearing and Balance Center Dr. Larry Bridge, AU.D./CCC-A 206 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 31, Beaufort thebeaufortsound@gmail.com

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843-379-0185

www.BeaufortPestControl.com

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www.thebeaufortsound.com | 843-522-0655 CHIMNEY SERVICES

Be Seen, Be Chosen!

Put your business in the spotlight by advertising in the Service Directory.

Connect with eager customers, showcase your expertise, and secure your space today!

Amanda Hanna – amanda@lcweekly.com | Sasha Horne Hirshout – sasha.theislandnews@gmail.com

E-Edition

Digital Newspaper

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YOURISLANDNEWS.COM

TODAY

A customer favorite! Enjoy the classic newspaper format in a digital environment. Published every Thursday, the E-Edition is a digital replica of the print newspaper, with all of the same news issuu.com/theislandnews and advertising content, on your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Meet ATHENA! She truly is a goddess. Athena has the most kind eyes that stare into yours with pure love. She would love nothing more than a comfortable lap to lie in.

Meet BILL! This resilient 2-month-old, 2-pound kitten was rescued from a car with his brother.

Now safe and thriving, this black, brown, and white beauty is playful and curious.

IRENE is an irresistible, adorable dilute tabby with the sweetest little face — and no eyes. But don’t let that fool you. Her blindness doesn’t slow her down or dim her spirit one bit.

Meet CORDELIA, a 4-year-old Hound/ Terrier mix! Weighing 60 pounds, this beauty is full of wiggles, love and loyalty. Returned to the shelter through no fault of her own, her happy spirit is bright.

KATARA is a gorgeous tabby girl with truly eyecatching markings — she’s the kind of cat you notice right away. Even better, her personality is just as lovely as her looks.

Meet GUAPA! This beautiful 3-year-old Terrier mix is 45 pounds of sweetness, sass, and sunshine.

She is the perfect mix of fun and affection.

Guapa is ready for adventures, playtime and cozy moments.

At 9 years old, LEXI is ready to settle in a home filled with love and cuddles.

She prefers a quiet home, with the softest blankets, and a nice long lasting bone to chew on.

Meet LYRA! This 2-month-old black and white kitten brings endless fun and energy wherever she goes. This sweet girl loves chasing toys, playing with her friends, and exploring the world.

Meet MOLLY! This sweet and gentle girl was found as a stray, completely malnourished.

With the help of our staff, she has reached a healthy weight and is as happy as ever.

Meet MITCH! This 2-year-old black Boxer mix weighs 47 pounds and is bursting with big, joyful energy.

He is a wiggly, affectionate boy with a sweet personality that instantly wins people over.

ZADIA is a lovely young orangeand-white tabby who strikes that balance between social and independent. She gets along well with the people she meets.

Meet TWIX! This 3-month-old black kitten has a sweet nature and the most soothing purrs. While he loves to play and explore, he is just as happy soaking up affection and snuggling close.

All animals above are available at Hilton Head Humane’s Hilton Head campus at 10 Humane Way, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29926. Open Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 843-681-8686 or email adoptions@hhhumane.org.

A14

AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

EDUCATION

Three northern Beaufort County educators named finalists for District Teacher of the Year

Teachers from Robert Smalls Leadership Academy, Whale Branch Early College High School, Port Royal Elementary among five finalists districtwide

By Delayna Earley The Island News Three educators from northern Beaufort County schools are among five finalists for the Beaufort County School District’s 2026-27 District Teacher of the Year.

Kelly Hall, theater teacher at

Robert Smalls Leadership Academy; Feronica Hamilton-Pierce, English teacher at Whale Branch Early College High School; and Susan Seckinger, literacy coach at Port Royal Elementary School were selected as finalists for the districtwide honor.

They join Michele Eastham, a business teacher at Hilton Head Island High School, and Siobhan McCann, librarian at Okatie Elementary School.

The Beaufort County School District announced the five finalists July 31 during its back-toschool professional development day at Bluffton High School.

"Our Teacher of the Year final-

ists represent the very best of Beaufort County School District," Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said. "Through their dedication to student achievement, leadership, and service, they inspire excellence in their classrooms and throughout their school communities. We are proud to celebrate the lasting impact they make on students, colleagues, and families every day."

Each school’s Teacher of the Year was eligible to apply for the districtwide honor. A selection committee reviewed the applications and chose the five finalists.

The finalists will next participate in in-person interviews with

a second selection committee, which will choose the 2026-27 Beaufort County School District Teacher of the Year.

The winner is expected to be announced in September and will be eligible to apply for the South Carolina Teacher of the Year program.

For northern Beaufort County, the finalists represent three different school communities and roles, from classroom instruction in theater and English to literacy support across an elementary school.

Hall teaches theater at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy in Beaufort, while Hamilton-Pierce

teaches English at Whale Branch Early College High School in Seabrook. Seckinger serves as literacy coach at Port Royal Elementary School.

The district’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes educators for their work with students as well as their leadership and service within their schools and the broader school community.

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.

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