January 1 edition

Page 1

JANUARY 1–7, 2026

WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM

COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY

Beaufort Memorial cited by feds after woman gives birth in parking lot

Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s Pratt Emergency Center. File photo

By Delayna Earley The Island News Federal regulators have cited Beaufort Memorial Hospital for multiple policy violations after a woman gave birth unassisted in the hospital’s parking lot in March, concluding that staff failed to properly evaluate and assist her when she arrived seeking emergency care. The findings were detailed in a Statement of Deficiencies issued by the Centers for Medicare and

Medicaid Services, which cited the hospital for noncompliance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law enacted in 1986 that requires hospitals to screen and stabilize anyone who presents with an emergency medical condition. According to the report, the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 11 at Beaufort Memorial’s Ribaut Road campus. The woman’s partner rushed into the emergency department while

she waited in their vehicle outside. He told staff her water had broken as they arrived and that she “felt the baby’s head coming out.” Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed a red, Jeep-like vehicle pull up to the emergency department. The woman was reclined in the passenger seat in a birthing position, with her feet on the dashboard and knees separated.

SEE BIRTH PAGE A5

LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN

LOLITA HUCKABY

For the year ahead, think road projects

F

BEAUFORT or anyone who spent time on I-95 during this holiday season, the thought of “when ARE they gonna widen this road?” might have crossed your mind, especially if you were slowed to a stop along the stretch from the Georgia-South Carolina state line to Walterboro. Well, the answer is … it’s coming. S.C. Department of Transportation folks, along with a host of political dignitaries, in June announced the award of an $825 million contract to widen the 10mile stretch of I-95 from the state line to Hardeeville. Their completion goal for the much-discussed project is 2030, but as with any governmental construction project, we’ll see how that schedule plays out. One thing we know, they’ve already removed the wooded medians which once provided some visual relief. Plans for widening the other sections of 95 north to the I-26 interchange and then on to the N.C. state line are still “in the works” as they say. The realization for the initial widening project comes as Hardeeville folks and a bevy of economic development folks, announced plans this past year for much more commercial and residential development at the Exit 8 intersection of U.S. 278 and I-95 including — yep, you remember —

SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A4

Barnwell Resources Landfill as seen on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

‘Unacceptable’ Lady’s Island residents say landfill odors are disrupting daily life

By Delayna Earley The Island News Lady’s Island residents say a foul odor linked to the Barnwell Resources Landfill has returned months after state regulators ordered corrective action, renewing concerns about air quality, health and the fu-

ture of the community. Neighbors first reported the smell in September, describing it as putrid and strong enough to affect hundreds of residents within roughly a two-mile radius of the landfill, which is owned and operated by Coastal Waste and Recycling LLC.

About a month later, residents said the odor intensified, seeping into homes and vehicles and clinging to clothing. Many said the smell disrupted daily life and raised concerns

SEE ODOR PAGE A3

Victim in St. Helena mass shooting files lawsuit By Delayna Earley The Island News A Beaufort County woman injured during October’s mass shooting at a St. Helena Island bar has filed a civil lawsuit alleging negligent security, unlawful alcohol service and unsafe conditions at a business with a documented history of violence.

The lawsuit was filed Monday, Dec. 22 in Beaufort County Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Quinetta Clark, 32, a Beaufort County resident who was shot in the back during the incident. The complaint demands a jury trial and seeks compensatory and punitive damages According to the filing, Clark

was attending an alumni tailgate event for a local high school on Oct. 12 at Willie’s Breakfast Bar and Grill on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. As she attempted to leave the crowded venue, a violent altercation escalated and multiple individuals opened fire, killing four people and injuring several others.

Clark was among those wounded and was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to her back, the lawsuit states. The filing notes it remains unclear whether the bullet that struck Clark was fired by a patron or an employee, but alleges

SEE LAWSUIT PAGE A6

EDUCATION

HEALTH

STATE NEWS

INSIDE

More SC colleges want to help pay students who land summer internships.

GLP-1 the natural way: How to do it and how it helps.

SC GOP announces debate schedule for candidates for governor.

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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–6 Education A7 Health A8 State News A9 Voices A10–11

ar! e Y w e N y p Hap

Military A13 Legals A14–17 Directory A18 Classifieds A19 Games A19 Cartoon A19

THANK YOU for your continued support. We have big plans for 2026, and can’t wait to welcome you soon!

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