JULY 17–23, 2025
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL
LOLITA HUCKABY
There’s a new High Sheriff of the Lowcountry Warning: This column is political. Frankly, it seems EVERYTHING is political these days. It’s also a criticism of Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner, so if you’re a fan of his, don’t bother to read this. – LH
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BEAUFORT t may have been Water Festival week and the rain may have been playing havoc with the schedule. Parts of the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park may be ready to fall into the Beaufort River and city leaders may not have a plan yet to pay for the fix. But the talk this past week, at least among locals was the one hour and 20 minute “community chat” Sheriff P.J. Tanner last Tuesday had with about 150 constituents who, by and large, didn’t like what he had to say. For those who weren’t able to attend the meeting in the circa-1880 county courthouse on Bay Street – the room reached capacity immediately and a number of folks were not allowed in, including the TV media who eventually were allowed in for their photo shoots. The event was covered by The Island Packet, The Post and Courier and two Savannah TV stations. It was also broadcast live on the county channel, BCTV and you can still go back to the county channel and watch it. Draw your own conclusions. The “chat” was scheduled by County Council members who had been getting an earful about Tanner’s efforts to enter a contract with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement, ICE, and the 287(g) program. But the six council members who were present didn’t get to say a word, except to reiterate the only “control” they had over their fellow elected
Participants race during the annual Raft Races on July 12, 2025, that were moved from their normal location off of the day dock at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort to The Sands Beach in the Town of Port Royal due to a large area of the promenade in Waterfront Park being closed due to structural safety concerns. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Pushing through Rain spoils opening night of 69th annual Beaufort Water Festival
By Mike McCombs and Delayna Earley The Island News The opening night of the 69th annual Beaufort Water Festival was over before it started. “We are so disappointed that tonight’s Opening INSIDE Ceremony at the Photos from Beaufort Water 69th annual Festival has been Beaufort canceled due to inWater clement weather,” Festival, Pages A8–9 the annual Beaufort Water Festival posted on its Facebook page Friday evening, July 11. “As always, the safety of our guests, performers, and volunteers is our top priority, and this difficult decision was made with everyone’s well-being in mind. “We appreciate your understanding and support, and we look forward to welcoming you to all the upcoming festival events throughout the week!” The Opening Ceremony was set to begin at 7 p.m., followed by a concert from the Parris Island Marine Band and then the annual fireworks
SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A4
Bob Woodman, Elizabeth Day, Bobbie Jo Poole, Jacob Poole, and Breauna Sparks dance among the crowd during the 69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Motown Monday event on Monday, July 14, 2025. Amber Hewitt/ The Island News display after dark – all free events. But late afternoon thunderstorms and a steady rain forced early arriving patrons to seek cover and organizers to eventually call off the evening’s events. The fireworks from Friday’s canceled festivities were moved to Saturday night and the Opening Cere-
mony, minus the flyover, was moved to Tuesday night along with the planned Caribbean Night event. The rain continued into the weekend, but all of Saturday and Sunday’s events, including the annual Concert in the Park, headlined by Chris
SEE RAIN PAGE A4
Sheriff Tanner takes questions on BCSO relationship with ICE
Veronica Navarre addresses her questions to Sheriff Tanner about a proposal to establish a local immigration task force under the federal ICE 287(g) program during a Q&A session held Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office headquarters. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
By Mike McCombs EDITOR’S NOTE/VIDEO LINK The Island News The complete video of the Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. TanTuesday, July 8 meeting in which Beaufort County ner fielded questions for about an Sheriff P.J. Tanner answered hour and a half about the Beaufort questions about the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office’s potential County Sheriff’s Office and its involvement in the U.S. Immigrapotential participation in the U.S. Immigration and Customs tion and Customs Enforcement Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) (ICE) 287(g) program on Tuesday, program can be viewed on July 8, at the BCSO headquarters YouTube at https://bit.ly/4kJigdr. on Bay Street in Beaufort. For a full understanding of the conversations and context, I At a podium front and center, would recommend watching the Tanner stood almost face to face meeting for yourself. with those asking the questions at – Mike McCombs, Editor a meeting hosted by County Council Chair Alice Howard (District 4), Council Member York Glover cil Member David Bartholomew (District 3), Council Member Ger- (District 2). The event was only supposed ald Dawson (District 1), and Coun-
to be question and answer. No long presentations and no debate. Tanner made it clear early on, the meeting was his. After an opening statement to clarify what the ICE 287(g) program is, Tanner would take questions. “Now, you can talk about stuff that you've seen on the national media,” Tanner said. “You can talk about ICE agents running around in unmarked cars, wearing masks with no name tags. You can talk about all of that. But let me tell you something, folks. I told you when we started. If it's not happening in Beaufort County, it's
SEE SHERIFF PAGE A5
HEALTH
SPORTS
MILITARY
INSIDE
Dementia prevention may include lifestyle changes.
USC Beaufort a full NCAA Division II member.
Beaufort’s Kennadi Gordon serves with US Navy in Spain.
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