People of Beaufort, Ostroh have historic meeting
Area’s Rotary Clubs facilitate ZOOM video call with sister city in Ukraine
By Mike McCombs The Island News
There was a historically significant act of diplomacy and international goodwill last week and it took place right here in Beaufort on Wednesday, July 16
The area’s three Rotary Clubs — Rotary Club of Beaufort, Sea Island Rotary Club and Lowcountry Rotary Club — organized a ZOOM video call between a joint meeting of their members gathered in the Friendship Hall of Sea Island Pres-
69th Beaufort Water Festival comes to a close
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
After 10 days of festival fun, the 69th Beaufort Water Festival has come to a close and a new Commodore has been named for the 2026 Beaufort Water Festival.
Dusty Vickers, who lives in Port Royal with his wife and two children, will be the new Water Festival Commodore, taking over tor Todd Stowe.
Vickers, who has worked and volunteered for the festival for about 14 years, said that as much as he loves volunteering with the festival, both he and his wife are looking forward to everything that his swan song year with the festival will have to offer before he will take a less active role and can focus on
spending that extra time with his wife and two young children.
While Vickers is not sure about what the 70th Beaufort Water Festival will bring, he said he hopes to make his mark and maybe even add a new sporting event that he is trying to figure out logistically.
The 2025 Water Festival had a lot to contend with, between the City of Beaufort closing a large portion of the promenade barely two weeks before the festival’s start forcing staff to find alternative options for several events and heavy rain causing the Opening Night festivities to have to be canceled on that first Friday and rescheduled for later in the week.
SEE FESTIVAL PAGE A10
WATCH THE MEETING
If you’d like to watch the ZOOM video call between the three Beaufort area Rotary Clubs and a delegation from Ostroh, Ukraine, visit https://bit.ly/40um0rX.
The code is &4Qd5B+g. Video 2 is the complete meeting.
byterian Church on Lady’s Island and the town leaders of Ostroh, the oldest city in Western Ukraine. The call was organized and coordinated by Dr. Baxter McClendon of the Sea Island Rotary
Club, while Barry Wilson, Rotary Club of Beaufort Past President, was responsible for ZOOM call itself, as well as managing any technical issues.
Beaufort City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Mike McFee, as well as City Manager Scott Marshall, were among dignitaries attending the meeting, along with Rotary notables Bob Gross, Rotary’s Past District 7770 Governor;
Just like that, BCSD
Beaufort County breathed a big sigh of relief Monday morning, July 21
It was back. Down since the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 17, the Beaufort County Detention Center’s online Inmate Inquiry System was functioning again. And that’s a really good thing. But not for the reason most people care about. For the uninitiated, the site allows users to search the current population of the Beaufort County
Detention Center, as well as peruse the list of anyone who may have been booked into the facility in the past 90 days.
It’s a wealth of information. It lists the inmates, their personal information, such as their address and birthdate, as well as all of their arrest information, such as the arresting agency and officer, time, the specific charges and whether or not bond has been set or at what dollar amount it is set. And of course, it provides the basic info – when were they booked, are they still detained, and if not, when they were released. It also tells you if an ICE Hold has been placed on an inmate,
Doug Rich: “The other side of Beaufort’s Airbnb regulations.”
PAGE A14
which seems to be a much more relevant than usual detail in the current political climate.
Oh, and the elephant in the room. The site also includes the inmates’ booking mugshots. This is why people generally care about the Inmate Inquiry System. There are people that live for these mugshots. And their lives will once again be complete.
Back on June 17, new bookings stopped showing up on the
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Beaufort’s three Rotary Clubs came together for a joint video meeting with their twin city, Ostroh, Ukraine.
Amber Hewitt/The Island News
The physical jail log in the lobby of the Beaufort County Detention Center. Mike McCombs/The Island News
MIKE MCCOMBS
Commodore Todd Stowe wears a South Carolina State Flag, and his wife, Patsy, wears an American Flag, both given by Rep. Shannon Erickson, during the 69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Caribbean Night on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS
Robert Hydorn had an unexpected guest on the patio of his Dataw Island home on Thursday morning, July 17. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.
VETERAN OF THE WEEK NATHANIEL ROBINSON
American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Nathaniel Robinson, 59, who joined the U.S. Navy in Beaufort in 1984 After Boot Camp and Hospital Corpsman School at Great Lakes, Ill., he was assigned to Beaufort Naval Hospital. He next trained at Camp Lejeune to qualify for duty with the Marines and was assigned to a unit there, making deployments to Okinawa and Korea. He separated in 1988, returned to Beaufort and worked
ON THIS DATE
July 25
1924: The “Marine Monument,” later nicknamed “Iron Mike,” is dedicated at the Hostess House on Parris Island. The keynote speaker at the dedication is USMC Commandant Maj. Gen. John A. LeJeune. It is the first war memorial specifically for Parris Island-trained Marines who fought during World War I. Brig. Gen. Eli Cole (1867-1929) had been the loudest voice for a monument to be erected that would honor the Marines who fought during The Great War. He also had the backing of highly decorated Lt. Col. Frank Evans and The National Academy of Design of New York City, as well as many other Marine Corps veterans who supported the project. The sculptor was Robert Ingersoll Aitken, Captain of a machine gun unit in the U.S.
for a while in landscaping. In 2001 he graduated from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy and began service at the Beaufort County and Jasper County Detention Centers and at the Ridgeland Correction Center and prison. He later joined the Lady’s Island and St. Helena Fire Department. He left the Department after suffering serious injuries in an auto accident. In 2018 he earned an
Associate’s Degree (with Honors) from TCL as a paralegal. He was badly injured in a house fire, losing both legs and suffering severe burns. He enjoys his independence and positive outlook.
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
Army’s 306th Infantry Regiment during The Great War.
July 27
2019: Democratic Presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson shares her message on the campaign trail with approximately 130 people at Beaufort’s United Church of Jesus Christ.
July 28
1883: Hannah Jones Smalls, first wife of Robert Smalls, dies. She was reportedly about 58 years old.
2021: Beaufort-born weightlifter C.J. Cummings competes for the United States in the Men’s 73-kilogram weight class at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
PAL PETS OF THE WEEK
Cat of the Week
Claude is the king of delightful mischief, sure to keep you company and keep you laughing! This cute, curious, 1-year-old boy is the best of both worlds. His bright eyes and expressive face perfectly capture his playful spirit. While underneath lies a sweet and affectionate side, always ready for cuddles. Claude has become a favorite of Palmetto Animal League staff and volunteers because he’s always up to something fun! He is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.
Cummings made two of his six lifts for a total of 325 kg, finishing ninth.
July 29
2019: Longtime Thomas Heyward Academy softball coach Bob Layman is named the new head coach at Battery Creek.
2020: Longtime City of Beaufort Police Chief Matt Clancy dies at age 56 from complications caused by neuroendocrine cancer.
July 30
2020: City of Beaufort Deputy Police Chief Dale McDorman is named interim Police Chief after the death of longtime Chief Matt Clancy.
– Compiled by Mike McCombs
Dog of the Week Need a Hero? Here he is! This 3-year-old, 60-pound beefcake is ready to rescue you from life
without the love of a dog. Hero is a little shy but incredibly sweet. He is fun to walk and responds positively to other dogs along the way. More than anything, Hero loves people, and he simply can't wait to find his. He is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.
For more information on Claude, Hero, or any of our other pets, call PAL at 843-645-1725 or email Info@ PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.
– Compiled by Lindsay Perry
Do you value your free hometown newspaper – made by locals, for locals? Free news isn’t cheap. Please help support The Island News!
Donations gratefully accepted at www.yourislandnews.com or The Island News, PO Box 550, Beaufort, SC 29901 Scan Here to Donate
CORRECTION:
Nathaniel Robinson
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
Sales tax road projects being reviewed
BEAUFORT
Remember that 1 percent transportation sales tax which was designed to raise $950 million over a 10-year period, the one Beaufort County voters rejected by a 56-44 percent margin last November?
Well, Beaufort County Council members and the planning staff haven’t forgotten and they’re still working on a plan to address citizens’ complaints about traffic concerns.
One of the reasons voters rejected the proposed sales tax was the number of uncompleted projects from that 2018 list. Northern Beaufort County voters complained prior to the 2024 referendum all they saw from the 2018 vote was a new turning lane at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 21 and S.C. 802
In an effort to remedy that concern and in anticipation of going to the voters again in another referendum, probably in 2026, the County Council voted last week on a resolution outlining how those remaining dollars would be spent.
At the top of that resolution, of course, is construction of a new three-lane bridge on U.S. 278 to Hilton Head Island. That project, as most anyone knows who pays attention to ANY county road construction conversation, seems to be a moving target in terms of funding. Federal, state and local dollars in various amounts have been tied to this project, which now has a $311 million estimated price tag, for the past decade.
The council’s revised list of improvements focuses on two
major areas of improvements that remain on the 2018 “to do list:” improvements to the Lady’s Island traffic corridor and pathways, aka, sidewalks.
These are not new projects; they’ve been discussed and revised after numerous public meetings and committee discussions.
The Lady’s Island projects include: extending the four lanes of U.S. 21 past Walmart; creating a new access road to Lady’s Island Middle school with a signalized intersection at Gay Drive; paving the unpaved part of Hazel Farm Road; and construction of a roundabout at intersection with Gay Drive; new speed limits and speed humps on Miller Drive West and Sunset Boulevard.
The northern Beaufort County pathway projects include Salem Road; Stuart Point Road; MLK Drive on St. Helena; Big Estate Road; and Broad River Boulevard beginning at Broad River Elementary School and parts of Broad River Road from Shell Point Drive to Lowcountry Montessori. According to other newspaper reports, at least a half-dozen counties which experienced voter defeat in 2024 sales tax referen-
“One of the reasons voters rejected the proposed sales tax was the number of uncompleted projects from that 2018 list.”
LOLITA HUCKABY, on Beaufort County’s ongoing transportation project concerns.
dums are also at work on plans for another campaign. Charleston County, for example, has already hired a marketing firm to help them “build trust and improve public awareness” for a future referendum.
Beaufort County Council hasn’t publicly discussed bringing in a marketing firm, but elected officials are working, in these hot, summer days, to make their efforts public.
Rotarians reach out to Sister City BEAUFORT – Kudos to members of the three Beaufort Rotary clubs who joined together for a meal last week and a zoom meeting with the mayor of Ostroh, Ukraine.
In 2022, the city of Beaufort, following the leadership of then Mayor Stephen Murray, adopted Ostroh as an unofficial “sister city,” stressing the similarities of a deep historic and cultural community. Last week’s meeting was an opportunity to get an update from the
spokesman who said their town had lost much in the war with Russian but still determined to fight.
The Rotarians raised a reported $135,000 to send to the city for medical supplies and living necessities, and they hope to do more, according to members.
As Robert McAlister of Beaufort, who lived in Ukraine for 10 years, told WSAV-TV, “They’re not looking for a handout. They’re looking for a hand up. What that means is just being in real partnership together with others that’ll stand with them as they do the work that they need to do themselves to keep their country safe and a free land.”
School bells getting ready
BEAUFORT – Water Festival 2025…it’s behind us. And while Mother Nature wasn’t particularly nice, in terms of weather, the dedicated volunteers of this 69th 10-day extravaganza made it all happen!
Next up… back to school. And for those not directly involved in the education of our next generation, public schools reopen their doors to students Wednesday, Aug. 6 Morning traffic will be returning to “normal,” whatever that is.
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. Her goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@ gmail.com.
NEED ORTHOPEDIC CARE?
Cory A. Messerschmidt , M.D., FAAOS
A board-certified orthopedic specialist, Dr. Messerschmidt brings his expertise in joint preservation, replacement and robotic surgical techniques to the practice. Fellowship trained in sports medicine, he also performs minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures such as ACL repairs, meniscus preservation and shoulder arthroscopy for both adult and pediatric patients.
He joins the practice from his role as orthopedic surgeon at Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic in southern Georgia.
Dr. Messerschmidt has also worked with professional and NCAA collegiate sports teams.
Aron Love, MSN, FNP-C
An experienced, board-certified nurse practitioner, Love brings a diverse background to the practice, including over 15 years working in emergency medicine, as well as experience in urgent care, intensive care, athletic training and orthopedics.
Love will treat patients experiencing a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including arthritis, carpal tunnel, shoulder conditions, hip and knee pain, and fractures and other injuries, as well as caring for patients before and after orthopedic surgical procedures.
morning shooting in his Burton home
Staff reports A Burton man suffered multiple gunshot wounds as a result of a shooting last week at his home on Shanklin Road.
According to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) release, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the BCSO Communications Center received a report of a shooting at a residence on Shanklin Road in Burton.
Deputies arrived on scene and located a 32-year-old male victim inside the home suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported by Beaufort County EMS to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
According to the BCSO, Preliminary investigation indicates that the gunshots were fired from outside the home. Currently, the investigation remains active, the Sheriff’s Office said. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Sergeant Lidey at 843-2553294. If wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app on your mobile device, online at tipsbft.com or by calling 844-TIPS-BFT (844-847-7238).
LOLITA HUCKABY
A boy, his trains, a happy ending
Georgia family overwhelmed by kindness of Beaufort after bag of toy trains goes missing
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
What was meant to be a quick stress-relieving family vacation to the beach over Father’s Day turned into a lesson in patience, community and the kindness of strangers for one Georgia family as their family searched for a very special lost bag of trains.
Heather Tinnerello, of Dallas, Ga., made a last-minute decision to book a room in Beaufort so that she and her family could get away for a few days and visit the beach over the Father’s Day weekend.
She, along with her husband, Thomas, and their 12-year-old autistic son, Thomas Jr., traveled the five hours to get to Beaufort with no real plans other than to go to the beach and play in their hotel’s pool.
Tinnerello and Thomas left the itinerary up to their son to decide upon, so in addition to enjoying the beach and the pool, their family also toured the areas with historic homes in downtown Beaufort as well as the Beaufort History Museum.
During their adventures in Beaufort, Thomas Jr. kept with him a red and black tool bag of small Thomas the Tank Engine model trains, a collection of comfort items that he has had since he was a toddler.
After several days of beach fun in Beaufort, the family packed up to head home and Tinnerello said she remembers telling Thomas Jr. to make sure he put his bag of trains on the cart so that it could be packed into the car.
Unfortunately, it was not until they got home to Georgia that her
son came to her and said he thinks that he left his trains in Beaufort.
“He’s autistic and [autistic children] really gravitate toward like one or two things, and that’s like their thing,” Tinnerello said about the trains. “Thomas the Train, and trains in general, have just always been his thing and so as he was going through Pre-K and high-training and all those things you get rewards for, we would get him minis and use them as rewards.”
She called the hotel, which was the Comfort Suites near Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and asked if anyone had seen the train bag while cleaning the room, but no one had turned it in.
After giving her contact information to the hotel in case the bag turned up, she started to think about other ways she could get the word out that this bag of important toys had gone missing and that is when she decided to make her first post in Beaufort’s “Buy, Sell, Trade” pages on Facebook.
From there, the posts went viral and spread faster than Tinnerello could have imagined, being shared by local citizens, organizations, businesses and even the City of Beaufort.
Tinnerello said that the number of people who reached out to her and shared stories of their own experiences with their autistic or neurodivergent children.
Meanwhile, Thomas Jr. was starting to accept that he might not get his trains back, as difficult as that was for him, according to Tinnerello.
“He draws them, and that’s just his obsession,” Tinnerello said.
“They’re like his right arm. Be-
son Thomas Jr. Submitted photo
cause he’s had a hard time making friends, he actually learned facial expressions from the different trains and recognized those facial expressions through people.”
The outpouring of caring that the Thomas Jr. and his family got after their posts went viral are, in Tinnerello’s opinion, part of what helped Thomas accept that his trains might be gone for good.
“The biggest takeaway was, for my son, that people are good,” said Tinnerello. “There are people that are good who want to help you out and he was just blown away.”
At one point, Thomas Jr. said to his mother, “Mommy, these people don’t even know me,” and she responded to him by saying, “You’re right, they don’t know you, and they don’t know what we’re going through, but they want to help you.”
Tinnerello said that for her, she sees this as “God taking a turbulent time” in their lives and “through something that could have been way worse than it was, showing us his live through these circumstances and all the stories.”
At one point, people started to contact her asking if they could send her son new trains, or trains that their own children had loved and played with to replace his missing ones. She said she re-
ceived countless messages from people wanting to help replace what her son had lost in that bag, knowing it was more than just a bag of trains for Thomas Jr.
She said one mom who also has a child who is autistic, said her son went through his own trains and said he wanted “to give them to the boy who doesn’t have trains.”
“I think what really spoke to me too, is all the autism moms – because when you’re a special needs mom or family you have a lot of shame or guilt – and all these moms came out in the posts and they were like, we get it. We know because you’ve been around these kids and they already have enough to go through and then something like this happens, it is hard,” said Tinnerello.
Tinnerello said that she almost didn’t post about the bag of trains because she was so scared of people judging her because she was so concerned with locating a “bag of stupid trains that are just stupid toys.”
The trains were missing for almost a month before Tinnerello received a phone call from the Beaufort hotel they stayed at letting her know that they had been located. The bag of trains were in a closet in the hotel.
Due to the trains being in a tool
bag, someone apparently assumed that the bag was full of tools and put it in a closet out of the way.
A woman who works for UPS reached out to Tinnerello and said that they would be happy to ship the trains to her. After Tinnerello received updates and photos of each transition period when the bag was picked up, it arrived at their home in early July in a box that was decorated and signed by all of the employees from the UPS store.
“My son was so excited to get his trains back,” Tinnerello said. “He sat with them the rest of the night, he would not let them move out of his sight.”
While the story ended up being a happy one with her son being reunited with his trains, Tinnerello said this experience has ended up being so much more than that for her and her family.
“God’s out there, God’s got this, you know,” Tinnerello said. “I don’t know what the plan is right now, but I can trust him, and that’s what I got from this.”
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.
Unoccupied house burns in Grays Hill
Staff reports
Early Monday morning, July 21, the Burton Fire District, MCAS Fire and Emergency Services, Beaufort County EMS and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported house fire on Peaceful Way in Burton, where it is believed homeless man stayed. Just past 2 a.m., emergency crews responded to a reported house fire on Peaceful Way in the Grays Hill community in Burton.
While the 911 caller reported the house to be unoccupied, when firefighters arrived on scene, they immediately recognized the residence from previous emergency calls in the community and knew that a homeless individual had been staying there.
Neighbors confirmed that a homeless man had been staying at the residence but had not been seen for more than a week. The mobile home was fully en -
gulfed in flames.
While firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within 15 minutes, it took almost an hour to completely extinguish the flames due to the home collapsing during the fire. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters searched through the debris for any victims but found the remains of the home to be clear. The fire is under investigation.
Heather Tinnerello, of Dallas, Ga., smiles for a picture at the beach in Beaufort, S.C., with her husband Thomas and 12-year-old
Twelve-year-old Thomas Tinnerello Jr., of Dallas Ga., smiles with the box that contained his bag of missing Thomas & Friends trains when it arrived at his home. The trains were missing after the Tinnerello family visited Beaufort for a vacation in June 2025 for Father’s Day. Submitted photo
The Burton Fire District, MCAS Fire and Emergency Services, Beaufort County EMS and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported house fire on Peaceful Way in Burton early Monday morning. Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District
St. Helena teen shot, killed Friday night
Staff reports
A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed Friday night, July 18, on St. Helena Island.
According to a release from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), at approximately 11:54 p.m., Friday, the BCSO Communications Center received a report of a gunshot victim at a residence on Capers Island Circle on St. Helena Island.
While responding to the scene deputies made contact with a vehicle that was attempting to transport the
victim to the hospital. Deputies attempted life saving measures until Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived and transported the victim to the hospital. Despite efforts to save the victim’s life, the victim died from his injuries. The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim but is not releasing his name because he is a juvenile.
The circumstances of this incident are still under investigation, and no charges have been pursued
at this time. BCSO spokesperson Lt. Danny Allen said there are no other details to release at this time other than the victim was a 14-year-old male.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Sergeant Hicks at 843-255-3441. If wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app on your mobile device, online at tipsbft. com or by calling 844-TIPSBFT (844-847-7238).
Good Trouble protest
Protesters gathered outside Beaufort City Hall on Thursday, July 17, to make “Good Trouble” as part of a National Day of Action honoring the late Congressman John Lewis. The event marked the anniversary of his death and celebrated his call to “get in good trouble, necessary trouble” in the fight for justice. Despite the heat, around 200 people showed up to protest the Donald Trump administration. Asa Aarons Smith/The Island News
NEWS BRIEFS
County Council holding 2 special-called meetings
Beaufort County Council will hold two special-called meetings this Friday, July 25, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The meetings will be held at the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office at 1501 Bay Street.
The meetings are: Special-called Finance, Administration, and Economic Development Committee Meeting
• Special-called County Council Meeting
The County Council meeting will immediately follow the Finance meeting.
Agendas will be published and posted online later this week. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act requirements state they must be published at least 24 hours in advance. All Council and Committee agenda packets can be found at https://bit.ly/3TSnvMY.
For more information, contact the Clerk to Council's office at 843-255-2183
Sheriff Tanner endorses Wilson for Governor
Beaufort county Sheriff P.J. Tanner was one of 22 South Carolin sheriffs who endorsed S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson (R) in his campaign for Governor.
“There’s no one who has fought harder to advance President Trump’s law and order agenda and protect South Carolina families than Alan Wilson,” Tanner said in the news release. “He’s worked tirelessly to fight illegal immigration, the fentanyl crisis, and human trafficking. President Trump is Making America Safe Again, and he has no stronger partner in South Carolina than Alan Wilson.”
Beaufort County resurfacing roads
Beaufort County is continuing to conduct daytime road resurfacing through Tuesday, July 29, weather and schedule permitting. Road work will be done from
7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The schedule is as follows:
Through Thursday, July 24
Adams Circle and Jackson Street
• Friday, July 25–Tuesday, July 29
BE Wheatly (duration does not necessarily mean weekend work – weather and other factors will dictate if Saturday work is required)
The resurfacing operations are funded by the Beaufort County Transportation Committee.
During construction, lane closures, road cones and signage will be visible to direct traffic safely. Motorists and residents should be prepared for lane closures and are encouraged to use extra caution when approaching work zones.
For more information, call the Beaufort County Engineering Department at 843-255- 2706
Councilman Glover to host community meeting
County Council Member York Glover
(District 3) will host a community meeting to give an update on economic development including a discussion about the economic advantage of establishing a Cultural Events Center on St. Helena Island.
The meeting will be 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, July 31, at St. Helena Branch Library at 6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Drive. John O'Toole, Executive Director of Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation will be the guest speaker.
The public is encouraged to attend and share ideas and discuss concerns about the proposed project. Community participation is necessary and will help shape the project's and St. Helena Island's future.
More informational meetings will be scheduled and the public notified.
For questions and more information
Council Member Glover at 843-812-2909 oryglover@bcgov.net.
– Staff reports
Councilman named County Council Parliamentarian
Staff reports
Beaufort County Council Chair
Alice Howard (District 4) announced last week the appointment of Council Member David Bartholomew (District 2) as County Council Parliamentarian effective immediately, marking a strategic step by Council to take fuller responsibility for the conduct and integrity of its own meetings.
"I'm proud to announce Council Member Bartholomew's appoint-
ment to this position," Howard said in a news release.
"David's background, temperament and depth and breadth of knowledge on procedural issues is invaluable to County Council."
By appointing a parliamentarian from within its own ranks, Council looks to reaffirm its com-
mitment to self-governance and procedural transparency. Merriam Webster defines a parliamentarian as an expert in the rules and usages of a deliberative assembly (like County Council). According to the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP), parliamentary procedure refers to the “rules of democracy” — that is, the commonly accepted way a group of people come together, present, discuss possible courses of action,
and make decisions. Parliamentary procedure ensures effective use of time, equal voice for all members, fair and orderly conduct of business, and clear decision making with real results. When applied properly, parliamentary procedure can make long, confrontational meetings short and painless, all while protecting the rights of members. Learn more about NAP at https:// bit.ly/40uSthM.
Water Festival babies
"I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as parliamentarian," Bartholomew said. "My commitment is to uphold the integrity of our proceedings so that every voice, whether on Council or in the community, is heard with fairness and respect."
For more information about the position of parliamentarian, go to https://bit.ly/4lDbebf. For more information on Robert's Rules of Order, go to https://bit.ly/44KrWzH.
LEGAL NOTICES
Bolden Jim Bolden
To: DAVID PAUL SNYDER/UNKNOWN FATHER On or about 6/14/2010 A.S. the above-named child was born to JILL BOLDEN. It appears that the whereabouts of the father, DAVID PAUL SNYDER/UNKNOWN FATHER, of the abovenamed child are unknown. Notice is hereby given that a hearing is scheduled in the abovestyled matter on AUGUST 5, 2025, at the hour of 10:30 o'clock A.M. before the Honorable J.D. Beane, located at the Judicial Annex, Fourth Floor, Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia.
These proceedings are closed to the general public.
The DAVID PAUL SNYDER/UNKNOWN FATHER has the right to legal counsel at every stage of these proceedings and if he cannot afford legal representation RYAN RUTH, ATTORNEY AT LAW, PO BOX 1076 WINFIELD, WV 25213 has been appointed by the Court and can be reached at (304) 720-7884.
The above-styled proceeding may, upon final disposition, result in the permanent termination of the parental rights of the Father, DAVID PAUL SNYDER/UNKNOWN FATHER, with respect to the above-named child, A.S.
A copy of the Petition may be obtained by the Father, from the undersigned Clerk at the office, located at the Wood County Judicial Building, Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia.
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT /s/ Celeste Ridgway By: M. Rockhold, Deputy STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CASE NO.: 2023-CP-07-01344 (Non-Jury)
DATAW ISLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, vs.
TAWAIN WATTS; GREGORY M. FIELDS AND MARY LOU M. FIELDS; CAROLINA HERITAGE, LLC; CRC INDUSTRIES, LLC; DATAW ISLAND CLUB, INC., Defendants.
NOTICE OF SALE
Heather R. Galvin, Probate Judge, Beaufort County, SC
David Bartholomew
Two families welcomed new arrivals at the Beaufort Memorial Collins Birthing Center last week, ringing in the 69th annual Water Festival in a memorable way. Jamie and McKenna Myers of Beaufort welcomed baby Charlie Mae (left), while Itzel Granados welcomed a new arrival as well (right). The babies were welcomed by Commodore Todd Stowe and presented with a onesie to commemorate the occasion. Photos courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Beaufort City Police ar-
rested a local boater on Saturday after he docked his boat during a lighting storm to the day dock that is part of the promenade area that has been blocked off by the city as unsafe for the public.
Benji Gecy of Beaufort was arrested, jailed and issued a trespassing citation for what the police have said is a cutand-dry trespassing case.
The Island News did not receive a response for comment from Gecy before press time, but in speaking with other media outlets he expressed that he feels that he was unjustly arrested as he was simply seeking safety during a dangerous lightning storm and there were no other options for places to dock at the time.
Boater arrested after docking on restricted dock during storm
Gecy, along with 11 family members and friends, were on the Beaufort River at the Beaufort sandbar off of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park when the lightning storm began.
There were two boats also tied up at the day dock, according to Gecy, and he did not see any no-trespass.
According to a spokesperson with the Beaufort Police, the day dock was clearly marked with signs letting the public know that entering the marked off area was trespassing, and all violators would be prosecuted.
Gecy said in previous interviews that Water Festival volunteers approached him to tell him that he couldn’t leave his boat docked on the day dock, but he responded that it was a matter of safety for him and the other 11
were
with him on the boat.
restaurant
give his wife a citation before turning to him as the self-proclaimed boat owner.
The local mortgage broker was arrested when he said to police that he does not believe he did anything wrong and thus would not accept the trespassing citation, according to previous interviews.
It was at that point that he was arrested as the interaction allegedly became more heated and spent almost a whole day in the Beaufort County Detention Center.
A court hearing for Gecy is scheduled for August.
who joined The
formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island
Beaufort
as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Burton Fire officials concerned about gas leaks
Staff reports
A recent spike in the number of emergency responses to gas leaks has Burton Fire District officials concerned.
In 2024, the Burton Fire District responded to a total of nine reported gas leaks for the year;
in contrast so far in 2025, Burton fire crews have already responded to six reported gas leaks, with five of those leaks occurring in the last month and a half alone.
While two of the recent gas leaks involved faulty or leaking equipment, four were caused by
contractors or residents accidentally severing a gas line while digging on property or a nearby roadway. Two required the evacuation of nearby homes until the gas leak could be stopped.
According to the Dominion Energy website, homeowners and
contractors are encouraged to dial 811 for assistance in locating gas lines prior to beginning any work that involves digging.
While some Burton firefighters are certified Hazardous Material Technicians, all Burton firefighters are trained in hazardous ma-
Finally Home
The Conversion of Scott Hahn
Like many, Scott grew up without a religious upbringing.
As a teenager he had begun heading down a bad path. But in tenth grade, a minister from YoungLife helped introduce him to Jesus. Scott accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and his life began to turn around. He eagerly studied Scripture and began to share the Gospel with others. He especially loved to share with Catholic classmates, who he believed were being taken in by a false Christian religion.
He went to seminary and became a successful pastor. After graduating at the top of his class, Scott was asked to lead a growing Presbyterian congregation. They were delighted as he shared with them the “big picture” of the Bible, how God began a rescue mission by gradually forming a family of faith. Through Jesus, all peoples and nations are now invited to be part of this family of faith, united as sons and daughters of God the Father.
terials operations and have the monitors and training to handles such leaks, and residents and contractors are encouraged to call 911 immediately if they suspect a gas line has been struck or damaged, regardless of how severe it appears it to be.
Scott was surprised to notice an unexpected pattern. The treasures he was discovering in Scripture seemed eerily similar to what he had heard of Catholic beliefs. The more he researched from Catholic sources, the more he was amazed to find that the Catholic faith had very sound, biblical answers to his questions. He realized that most of his objections had been based on misunderstandings of Catholic beliefs.
He began to be convinced about the Catholic Church. Scott studied and prayed, seeking to follow the evidence wherever it led. As much as his emotions didn’t want it to be true, the Scriptural and historical evidence was pointing toward a surprising conclusion: despite its many human flaws, the Catholic Church is actually the spiritual family founded by Jesus, the same Church described in Acts!
Scott was at a crossroads, spiritually and professionally. If he became Catholic, how would he provide for his family? It would cause a tremendous strain in his marriage, and he would lose many of his friends. But he knew that he could not continue as a pastor and preach doctrines which he no longer believed. After much prayer, he contacted a local parish and became Catholic that Easter.
With joy, Scott realized he was finally home. He was so grateful for the faith of his youth, and now he felt that this faith was fully blossoming. As he received the Eucharist for the first time, he was closer to Jesus than he had ever been. Scott rejoiced that he was now part of the family God started so long ago, with so many beautiful gifts, where his love for Jesus could grow ever deeper.
Dr. Scott Hahn is now a popular author, speaker, and professor. He is known for sharing the treasures of our faith in an engaging, downto-earth manner. He shares his conversion story in Rome Sweet Home and the big picture of Scripture in A Father Who Keeps His Promises
guests who
traveling
Police located Gecy, his family and friends in Lost Lo-
cal, a
in downtown Beaufort, where they tried to
Delayna Earley,
Island News in 2022,
Packet/The
Gazette,
Due to the Beaufort waterfront promenade closure, the day dock is also closed, halting boater’s access to the Waterfront Park area of Beaufort. Photo courtesy of Allan Lassiter
Gullah/Geechee Nation hosting Famlee Day to celebrate 25th anniversary
Staff reports
The Gullah/Geechee Nation, along with its elected head-of-state and Chieftess, Queen Quet, is celebrating a historic milestone -- the 25th Anniversary of its founding. To mark the occasion, the public is “culturally” invited to attend Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 26, at Penn Center on historic St. Helena Island. This vibrant, family friendly, authentically Gullah/Geechee global reunion will honor a quarter century of cultural advocacy, heritage preservation, community empowerment and spiritual upliftment led by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Guests can expect Gullah/Geechee language, traditional music, history, storytelling and to be able to obtain handmade Gul-
WANT TO GO?
What: Gullah/Geechee
Famlee Day – 25th
Anniversary Celebration
When: Noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 26
Where: Penn Center’s Frissell Hall, St. Helena Island
Tickets: Registration Required on EventBrite at https://bit.ly/44GXAxV. Come join Queen Quet and the Gullah/Geechee Nation for a day of remembrance, joy, and cultural pride. For more information, visit www.GullahGeecheeNation. com or contact Penn Center at 843-838-2432.
lah/Geechee crafts, and savor cuisine reflective of the rich Gullah/Geechee heritage that has flourished in the Sea Islands for centuries.
Queen Quet, who made history as the first Gullah/ Geechee person to speak before the United Nations on behalf of her people,
continues to champion environmental justice, land and water rights, and the continuation of the Gullah/Geechee language and traditions. The Gullah/ Geechee Nation, which stretches from North Car-
olina to Florida, remains a beacon of African and indigenous American cultural survival and resilience in the United States.
“Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day is about unity, love, and honoring those who made it
possible for us to thrive as a people,” Queen Quet said in a news release. The 25th Anniversary also serves as a call to action to continue safeguarding Gullah/Geechee cultural practices amid the
ongoing challenges of climate change, land displacement, and cultural commodification. For more information, visit www.GullahGeecheeNation.com or contact Penn Center at 843-838-2432
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers receives $200,000 grant
Staff reports
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers (LCLV) has received a $200 000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta), administered through South Atlantic Bank, to deliver 225 wills and heirs’ property education and prevention services across Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties, according to a news release.
This funding, part of FHLBank Atlanta’s 2024 Heirs’ Property Family Wealth Protection Program, will support LCLV’s mission to help families protect and preserve generational wealth through estate planning, legal education, and documentation services such as wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
Heirs’ property — land passed down without a legal will or clear title — is a widespread issue in the South that can prevent families from maintaining, improv -
Meeting from page A1
Janie Ephland, Sea Island Rotary President; Scott Shipsey, Lowcounty Rotary President; Bob Allen, Rotary Club of Beaufort Part President; John Barber of Sea Island Rotary Club; Jim Weiskopf, Rotary Club of Beaufort Public Image Chair; Robbie McAllister, who lived in Ukraine 10 years; and Nick and Rosemary Hunt of the Rotary Club of Beaufort. Ron Garrett, President of the Rotary Club of Beaufort, led the meeting, welcoming the Ukrainian dignitaries, acknowledging those present and introducing the speakers on the Beaufort side.
After the singing of “God Bless America” and the Pledge of Allegiance, McFee spoke first on the Beaufort side and gave a brief accounting of how Beaufort and Ostroh got to this place. In 2022, not long after the Russian invasion of Ukraine,
ing, or passing down their property. This grant allows LCLV to directly address the root causes of property loss by offering proactive services that prevent heirs’ property complications before they begin.
“This funding allows us to meet people where they are — before a crisis — and provide the tools they need to protect their family’s land and legacy,” said Anne Caywood, Executive Director of Lowcountry Legal Volunteers. “Prevention is just as critical as resolution, and thanks to this grant, we can expand our reach and impact in the communities we serve.”
To further support families beyond basic estate planning, clients needing assistance with deeds, trusts, and other complex property protection mechanisms will be referred to local attorneys who have agreed to provide services at low or no cost. These
then-Mayor Stephen Murray reached out and Beaufort and Ostroh became unofficial sister cities.
Thanks to Pride of Beaufort funds and the sale of Ukraine flag pins created by Greg Rawls, the city of Beaufort was responsible for more than $130,000 of humanitarian funding, as well as thousands of MREs (Meals Ready To Eat) and tons of grain delivered to Ostroh.
“We look forward to continued support and to finding ways that we can continue to support Ostroh and Ukraine,” McFee said.
Gross followed and talked about the efforts Rotary has made to make a difference in Ostroh and Ukraine.
“‘Look beyond your club,’” Gross said he said at the time. “‘Rotary is bigger than your club.’ I didn’t know how far beyond that club it was going to go.”
Gross talked about the efforts to get ambulances, medical supplies and a storage container full of wheelchairs to Ukraine. Eventually, the Rotary Foundation
collaborative referrals help ensure that families receive the full spectrum of legal protection necessary to secure their property for future generations.
The grant complements LCLV’s broader regional strategy, which includes partnerships with the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation, Penn Center, Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Hilton Head Island Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force. In addition, the Heritage Library and the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation are partnering with LCLV to strengthen education, genealogical research, and legal advocacy around heirs’ property issues throughout the Lowcountry.
“We developed this heirs’ property grant program knowing that outstanding organizations like LCLV exist to help homeowners protect their assets and build generational wealth,” said Kirk
sent $25 million to Rotary in Ukraine for water and water purification units.
“This could only be done by an organization like Rotary,” Gross said. At that point, Ukrainian interpreter Andriy Yukhymenko took over.
He introduced members of the Ukrainian delegation – there were about 20 people in a room with Ukrainian flags hanging behind them -- and then a one minute, 12 second video sharing the beauty of Ostroh.
He then introduced acting Mayor of Ostroh Kostyantyn Kyryliuk, who spoke to the Rotary viewers in English.
“Once again last night,” Kyryliuk said, “We heard the sound of air raid sirens. But I’m happy to say we are still able to speak to you today.”
Kyryliuk talked about the history of Ostroh and then a bit about what has happened in the city since the war began.
Ostroh, “like all of Ukraine,” Kyryliuk said, “[is] fighting for its freedom.”
He said 186 citizens of Ostroh had been killed,
Malmberg, President and CEO of FHLBank Atlanta. “It is always wonderful to see our members like South Atlantic Bank partner with local organizations to apply for funding and support critical efforts like heirs’ property. The range of services that LCLV is providing with this funding –free of charge to property owners – will change lives and strengthen communities.”
South Atlantic Bank, as the member institution of FHLBank Atlanta, played an instrumental role in securing the competitive grant.
“We are proud to support Lowcountry Legal Volunteers in their work to protect family land and help families plan for the future,” said Christian Kata, Market Executive at South Atlantic Bank. “This grant reinforces our shared commitment to preserving wealth and dignity in underserved communities.”
while more than 100 remain missing.
“It was Beaufort from across the ocean that reached out to us first,” Kyryliuk said. “… A gesture of true friendship.”
Then, acting Deputy Mayor Oleksandr Khorunzhyi introduced a 2-minute video that illustrated how Ukarine is doing in the present.
“War provides us new challenges every day but we continue to go on living,” Khorunzhyi said. “We are a strong foundation for our soldiers that keep fighting at the front.”
Khorunzhyi said Ostroh has accepted more than 2,000 people that have been displaced as a result of the war, as well as providing help for war wounded. Ostroh is also providing shelters in schools because “education is crucial to our future” and they want to keep the kids in school.
Also, Khorunzhyi said Ostroh hasn’t forgotten economic development, despite the war. He said the city had recently established an industrial park and was ac-
To ensure accessibility and community presence, LCLV operates from two regional offices: one in Okatie, inside the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office as part of the Victims Services Center, and one in Beaufort, located within the Lowcountry Outreach Center.
The project will continue through September 2026, with services delivered through estate planning clinics, one-on-one consultations, and outreach events that focus on legal education and prevention. While LCLV will also assist in heirs’ property resolution efforts, when possible, the heart of the grant is focused on proactive, community-based solutions that prevent property loss before it starts.
“We’re building a future where families can pass down land, stories, and opportunity without legal uncertainty,” Caywood said. “This grant is a critical step toward that future.”
tively seeking grants and investors.
“Thank you,” Khorunzhyi said. “… [I can’t] tell you how much we appreciate Beaufort.”
During a question and answer session, John Trask, who has been to Ukraine three times in the past two years, asked the Ukrainian delegation, “How is the morale?”
“It is not easy,” Kyryliuk said. “… We believe in our victory, but in order for our victory to happen faster, we need support and the shoulder of our friends. It is easier when we find out we are not alone.”
When asked what Ukraine needed, Kyryliuk said, “In general, it is important that you be our advocates. Advocate for Ukraine in the U.S.”
Materially, he said, “Today, we need something, tomorrow we find it. Then on the third day, we already have another need.”
Ukraine’s delegation said they would meet to discuss what they may need most the soonest, and Beaufort’s Rotary leaders said the two sides
would converse again soon. “Thank you very much for your support. It is very important,” Kyryliuk said. “When we have partners like this, our victory is assured.” The Ukraine delegation ended the meeting by singing a hymn titled, “God The Great, The One, Save Us Ukraine.” Trask, who said he may go back to Ukraine again in the near future, was impressed by the meeting and what it means for those watching on the Beaufort end.
“They’re being introduced first-hand to real people that [the war] is really affecting their lives. It’s like putting a name to a face. It’s not something you read in the paper. It humanizes it for this crowd,” Trask said “… It’s effective. I think it’s really effective. If you just get two or three people to decide to do something, that’s two or three now and some of them may really do a Mother Teresa. This was a good thing.”
Mike McCombs
‘There’s a whole world out
there rooting for them’
Beaufort Memorial Foundation thanks Dataw Island Women’s Golf Association for support
Staff reports
Special to The Island News
The Beaufort Memorial Foundation honored the Dataw Island Women’s Golf Association on Thursday evening, July 10 for their generosity over the years, supporting oncology services at Beaufort Memorial and helping build a “village” for patients on their cancer journey.
Each year, the Dataw Island Women’s Golf Association hosts its “Community for a Cure” fundraiser, contributing more than $150,000 to the Beaufort Memorial Foundation to support services for patients on their cancer journey at the community hospital.
The annual fundraiser is a volunteer-driven event that began in 2002, involving hundreds of Dataw Island residents committed to supporting the Foundation and the Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center.
“We wanted to make sure you knew the magnitude of support this event provides to our cancer community,” Beaufort Memorial Foundation Chief Development Officer Kim Yawn said. “You put in hard work every year,
you make it fun and exciting and new, and we are so grateful to you and the Dataw Communtity.”
Members of the Golf Association mixed and mingled at the Keyserling Cancer Center in Beaufort on Thursday, touring the facility’s infusion center and hearing a little more about the services offered at Beaufort Memorial for those undergoing cancer treatment.
Two years ago, the Foundation provided the infusion center with specialized chairs designed for both comfort and safety. Equipped with heating and massage features, these chairs can also recline fully to allow for CPR if a patient experiences a medical emergency during treatment.
The Foundation has also been able to purchase two transport vans that support patients who travel from sometimes over an hour away to the Beaufort facility to receive their treatment. These transport vans are “a huge asset for us,” said infusion center nursing director Michelle Talley, RN.
During the tour of the center, Talley explained to the group that the infusion cen-
ter sees patients with cancers ranging from breast to colon to prostate to hematology patients, offering iron deficiency treatments to patients referred from departments like obstetrics, primary care and gastroenterology.
The center sees between 30 and 50 patients each day, Talley said, and is equipped with 14 infusion chairs and a private treatment room. During their visits, patients are offered warm blankets, snacks, coffee, and tea, while dedicated volunteers go above and beyond to ensure
they feel as comfortable as possible.
Following the infusion center tour Thursday evening, oncology social worker Kianna Brown, LMSW, went into a little more detail for the group about the true impact of their generosity.
Every patient has a “village,” Brown said, and as an oncology social worker, she, along with cancer nurse navigators, financial navigators and other members of a patient’s care team make up that village.
“At the end of the day, our
goal is to let people know that their biggest stress should just be their cancer journey. We should be able to take care of the rest,” Brown said, telling a story about a patient who, with the help of the Foundation and the village of support at Beaufort Memorial and beyond, was able to access resources during their treatment journey that helped them with transportation, rent and their electric bills.
“You have given our patients an experience where they feel like this is a family,
and they’re not just a number,” Brown said. “It’s about what we can do for them as a village. You’re helping to take that stress away and show them that there’s a whole world out there rooting for them.”
A placard honoring the Dataw Island Women’s Golf Association was placed in the infusion center as a heartfelt reminder to patients that they are not alone—that a community stands behind them, offering support and encouragement throughout their treatment journey.
St. Helena Island woman convicted in real estate sham, headed to prison
Staff reports
A St. Helena Island woman who swindled hundreds of thousands of dollars from investors for a sham residential development will now serve time in both federal and state prison.
According to a release from the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Samantha A. Nottingham, 38, pleaded guilty Tuesday, July 15, to financial identity fraud, financial transaction card fraud, obtaining goods under false pretenses and driving under the influence, in Beaufort County General Sessions Court.
“This defendant went to great lengths to defraud, cheat and manipulate people by creating fake
Log from page A1
website. Slowly, the site’s searches like “Inmates booked in the past 72 hours” brought back fewer results … until they brought back none. According to an official from the BCDC, the system went down after an update from the software vendor.
“It’s an IT issue,” The Island News was told.
But here’s the problem. Since the Inmate Inquiry System was so convenient and effective, until it was gone, no one, not even us, had noticed that the Beaufort County Detention Center did not have a jail log.
And that’s not good. Sure, no one can look up the mugshots of the people arrested at the Water Festival, but a more basic and important question should have been, “Who’s in the jail?” In a county where
banking and tax documents and even disguised her identify inside a local car dealership by wearing a medical face mask,” said Francine Norz of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case. Nottingham presented herself as the owner of Eastern Westerner, LLC, a company she claimed would purchase a $18 million-property in the Town of Port Royal to build a western-themed housing development. She enticed investors by creating fraudulent tax returns and brokerage account documents showing she earned more than $2
citizens are at odds with the longtime sheriff over his plans to work with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), a group that currently has a habit of nabbing people and not really letting anyone know where they are, “Who’s in the jail?” is a legitimate question. And it’s public information. And not only is the county required to tell us, they are required to tell us anytime a member of the public (not just journalists) ask.
The standard, set forth in the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Section 30-4-30, Part D, Section 3 (which I’ve pasted below) says the County must provide a physical log of who’s in jail or been in jail over the past three months … upon request.
SECTION 30-4-30. Right to inspect or copy public records; fees; notification as to public availability of records; presumption upon failure to give notice; records to be available when
million annually and owned more than $73 million in assets in a brokerage account.
Additionally, Nottingham used her employee’s ID and credit without their knowledge to purchase three new vehicles valued at more than $300 000 from a Beaufort car dealership in a single day. She wore a mask to disguise her face so car dealership employees wouldn’t question her about the ID.
Nottingham also faces federal felony convictions. On May 19 Nottingham pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Charleston to wire fraud regarding a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration by submitting a
requestor appears in person.
(D) The following records of a public body must be made available for public inspection and copying during the hours of operations of the public body, unless the record is exempt pursuant to Section 30-4-40 or other state or federal laws, without the requestor being required to make a written request to inspect or copy the records when the requestor appears in person:
(3) documents identifying persons confined in a jail, detention center, or prison for the preceding three months.
Also, Part E also implies that even if the Inmate Inquiry System is functional, the County still must produce the physical documents upon request.
(E) A public body that places the records in a form that is both convenient and practical for use on a publicly available Internet website is deemed to be in compli-
fraudulent Federal Payroll Protection Program loan application. Nottingham has been ordered to surrender herself in October to serve her federal prison sentence of 12 months and a day of incarceration. Nottingham also must serve three years of federal probation and pay $305 378 in restitution payments. Upon completion of her federal incarceration, Nottingham will begin her state prison sentence of two years. She must also serve five years of state probation and pay $250 173 in restitution. Nottingham is prohibited from opening new lines of credit without approval from the federal probation department.
David W. Tafoya of the Beau-
ance with the provisions of subsection (D), provided that the public body also shall produce documents pursuant to this section upon request.”
Upon visiting the Beaufort County Detention Center on Thursday, July 3, I was told upon asking that there was no physical jail log.
Uh ... In a Monday, July 7 phone message to Beaufort County Assistant County Administrator John Robinson, relayed through County Public Information Office Hannah Nichols, I informed him that the County was in violation of the S.C. Freedom of Information Act and needed to rectify the situation immediately.
The next day, Robinson, informed me by phone that there was a jail log that morning. Upon investigation, I found that initially, when asking to access the jail log, after 10 minutes of waiting, I was given a record of all the bookings
fort County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Francine Norz prosecuted the case. Norz primarily prosecutes fraud and financial crimes across the 14th Judicial Circuit. She has been a prosecuting attorney with the Solicitor’s Office since 2006 To report a scammer to the police, contact your local law enforcement agency, by calling its non-emergency number. Provide investigators with details, including any bank statements, emails or messages. Consider reporting the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (https:// reportfraud.ftc.gov) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (https://www.ic3.gov).
from the previous 72 hours 44 inmates, 34 pages (17 front and back).
This was progress, but the County still did not meet the standard – the current jail population and anyone who had been there in the past 90 days. I informed Robinson of this in an email.
“I am confident the Beaufort County Administration and the Beaufort County Detention Center will address the situation and come up with a common-sense solution,” I wrote.
In response, Robinson wrote, “Detention Center Staff has taken additional steps since your visit … Detention Center staff has created a daily intake logbook which contains a minimum of 3 months of records. This book will be updated daily. The book can be found clearly labeled in the public area of the Detention Center lobby and available for inspection during all lobby hours of operation.
“I thank you for your
comments and helping us meet the required standard for transparency. Our Detention Center Staff are dedicated professionals who wish only to serve the public in full compliance with the law.”
And now, sitting on the right side of the Detention Center lobby on a small table is a large three-ring binder holding close to 1 000 pages (500 front and back) detailing all of the Beaufort County Detention Center’s 200-plus inmates and the others who have been booked in the past three months. So the next time the mugshot site goes down, if you want to know who’s in the jail, for whatever reason, you can check the log. It doesn’t seem like a big deal. But it’s the public’s right to know.
And trust me on this, if you don’t fight for your rights, you will lose them.
Nottingham
The Dataw Island Women's Golf Association poses with the placard honoring their contributions over the years to cancer services at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. The placard is in the infusion center at the Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital
BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL
Festival from page A1
The biggest change was moving the Raft Races from the day dock at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park to the Sands Beach in the town of Port Royal.
Vickers said that moving the event was a positive move and allowed for quicker turnaround in between races.
“They finished two hours earlier this year than they typically do when the event is held at Waterfront Park,” Vickers said.
As a resident of Port Royal, Vickers said he was happy to have an
event bring the town into the mix instead of holding everything within Beaufort’s city limits.
Stowe said that overall, he thinks that his staff and the volunteers pulled off a fantastic Water Festival.
“[I’m] still processing it all, but
I’m very happy with the bands this year,” said Stowe about the highlights of this year’s Water Festival.
“We put a lot of thought and work into selecting them and it seemed to pay off.”
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.
The Whistlers perform during the 69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Lowcountry Supper on Thursday, July 17, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
The headline entertainer, Departure, a Journey tribute band, performs on stage during the 2025 Annual Beaufort Water Festival Lowcountry Supper Night on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Volunteers dish out plates of Frogmore Stew at the 69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Lowcountry Supper on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Members of Dani’s Dance Dynamics on stage during the 69th annual Beaufort Water Festival Talent Show on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
The 2025 Water Festival Pirettes wave to parade attendees during the 69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Parade in Beaufort on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
As the 69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival ends with the Blessing of the Fleet, the Commodore for the 70th Annual Beaufort Water Festival, Dusty Vickers, and First Lady Jessica, wave to the crowd of attendees at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Beaufort Water Festival Commodore Todd Stowe announces the City of Beaufort Police as the winner in the Fire vs. Police bed race on Friday, July 18, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Teams race down Bay Street during the 2025 Beaufort Water Festival Bed Race on Friday, July 18, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
TCL receives federal grant to fund student success program
Program part of federal ‘TRIO’ initiative shown to raise college retention, completion rates
Staff reports
The Technical College of the Lowcountry’s Student Support Services program (SSS) has been awarded a five-year grant worth more than $1 7 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Education.
Part of “TRIO” – a group of federally funded programs designed to increase the retention and completion rates of first-generation, income-eligible and differently-abled college students – TCL’s SSS program commits to serving 160 students annually.
“The Technical College of the Lowcountry is pleased to continue to receive this funding since
TRIO programs have been shown to directly impact the overall success and retention rates of eligible students,” TCL President Dr. Richard Gough said in a news release. “Many of our students are first-generation and through SSS have gone on to achieve their academic goals and start successful careers.”
The grant operates on a fiveyear award cycle and was last awarded in 2020. The first installment of $348 537 will go to-
ward SSS’s 2025-2026 program year with additional funding expected to total approximately $1 742 685 over the life of the grant.
TCL has participated in the federal program for over a decade, with a strong record of student-centered impact and institutional commitment, said Starr Hayes, TCL’s TRIO SSS program director.
“This funding reaffirms the vital work we are doing to help
students overcome barriers and achieve their educational goals,” she said.
Through SSS, students have access to academic and personal coaching, college transfer assistance and critical economic and financial literacy skills.
“TCL’s program has consistently exceeded federal expectations in persistence, good academic standing and graduation/transfer rates,” Hayes said. “By participating in the program, students are not only increasing their chances of success here at TCL or elsewhere, they are also adding to the local economy and that’s a winwin for everyone.”
“This funding reaffirms the vital work we are doing to help students overcome barriers and achieve their educational goals.”
STARR HAYES, TCL’s TRIO SSS program director, on TCL’s federally funded student success program.
To learn more about TRIO SSS at TCL, visit www.tcl.edu/sss.
United Way launches fundraisers for students, families
Staff reports
United Way of the Lowcountry’s Women United has launched this year’s Operation Backpack and Mimi’s Closets fundraiser, supporting underserved students in Beaufort and Jasper counties.
While the initiative continues to raise monetary donations for essential school supplies, this year’s expanded focus includes school uniforms — a critical and often overlooked need that places additional strain on family budgets.
“With the rising cost of living, more families are finding it difficult to afford uniforms — a basic yet essential
requirement for school participation,” said Donna McKeown, Chair of the Women United Steering Committee, in a news release. “By expanding our focus, we hope to ease this burden and ensure students feel confident, prepared, and ready to learn on their first day.” This initiative supports United Way of the Lowcountry’s mission to help individuals and families move toward self-sufficiency. Many of the families served through Operation Backpack and Mimi’s Closets fall into the ALICE population – households that are Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, and Employed. These are work-
EDUCATION BRIEFS
Beaufort’s Karaman graduates from UA Little Rock
Jason Karaman of Beaufort graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock during the Spring 2025 semester with a Master of Science degree in Information Science.
More than 1 040 degrees were awarded for the Spring 2025 semester May 17 at the UA Little Rock Jack Stephens Center. With about 9 000 students and 100 programs, UA Little Rock offers learning, research, service, social and career opportunities that can only be found at a metropolitan univer-
ARTS BRIEFS
Storybook Shoppe hosting author Laymon at RSLA
The Storybook Shoppe children’s bookstore will host MacArthur Genius Grant Honoree and award-winning author Kiese Laymon for an evening of stories from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 24 at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy (RSLA) at 43 W. Alston Drive in Beaufort.
This free program for families will include a writing opportunity inspired by Lowcountry summers, as well as discussion of Laymon’s debut children's picture book “City Summer, Country Summer” in conversation with local students E Achurch and Emily Alaia from DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization). Books will be available for sale and signing.
This special event is a community collaboration between the
ing families who earn above the federal poverty line but still struggle to afford basic necessities such as housing, transportation, child care, and clothing.
School-related expenses, like uniforms and supplies, can create real financial hardship. By supporting these students, the community plays an essential role in relieving some of
sity located in Arkansas's capital city.
Sparklight giving backpacks, school supplies to local students
Sparklight is helping Beaufort families gear up for school by providing 2 000 free backpacks and school supplies at several back-to-school events across Georgia and South Carolina. Supplies align with district requirements to help ensure every student has the tools needed for academic success.
Locally, Sparklight will also serve as a drop-off site for a school supply drive conducted by The Agency to benefit Beaufort
that burden and helping families stabilize.
The deadline for donations is Saturday, Aug. 9 allowing time to deliver backpacks, supplies, and uniforms to students before the school year begins.
In 2024, Operation Backpack and Mimi’s Closets supported more than 1 000 students by providing backpacks filled with supplies at
the start of the school year, along with additional items as needs arose throughout the year. Women United partners closely with school social workers to identify students who may not be served by other programs, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most.
How to Help Make a secure online donation to help purchase uniforms, backpacks, and supplies at https://uwlowcountry. org/Wugift. Ship supplies directly through Amazon Wish List found at https://uwlowcountry.org/WUA -
Elementary School students. Donations can be dropped off now through Friday, Aug. 1 at Sparklight’s retail location at 1425 Ribaut Road in Port Royal.
These efforts are an extension of Sparklight’s longtime support for students and schools, which includes grants through its Charitable Giving Fund, Teacher of the Month award co-sponsorships with local radio stations and volunteerism through the
mazon (please send to the attention of Bethany Marcinkowski).
Join the School Supply Drive at Tanger Outlets Hilton Head’s Back to School Bash from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 near Columbia at Tanger 2 in Bluffton. Hosted during Tax-Free Weekend, the event will feature music, crafts, food trucks, giveaways and more. Tanger Outlets Hilton Head, a proud sponsor of United Way of the Lowcountry, will be collecting donations to support Operation Backpack and Mimi’s Closets.
company’s “Angel Day” program.
“Beyond providing fast, reliable and neighborly internet service, Sparklight is committed to supporting the communities we serve,” Sparklight Senior Southeast Regional Director Jane Shanley said in a news release. “We are proud to partner with so many great schools and organizations on these back-toschool events that make a meaningful impact on local students and families.”
To learn more about Sparklight’s highspeed internet services, charitable activities and career opportunities, visit www.sparklight.com.
– Staff reports
Storybook Shoppe, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy, DAYLO, and the Conroy Center.
Shrimp City Slim in Beaufort this week
Gary Erwin
Gary Erwin, aka Shrimp City Slim, Charleston-based blues pianist/singer, will perform two shows this week in Beaufort: 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, July 25, at Hop Dog on Scott Street; and from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, at the Ribaut Road farmers’ market in Port Royal.
Shrimp City Slim has been entertaining Lowcountry audiences for 40 years and is well-known on the beach/shag circuit as well as the international blues and jazz scene. His website is www.shrimpcityslim.com.
SOBA awards 2025
Naomi McCracken Scholarships
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) has announced the recipients of the 2025 SOBA and Naomi McCracken Scholarship: Katherine Donahue and Ke’yari Kelly. The scholarship, established in 2007 to honor one of SOBA’s founding members, supports graduating high school seniors pursuing degrees in the arts.
This year’s awards were presented by Emmett and Teddy McCracken, along with SOBA President Karen Richards, during a special gathering at the SOBA gallery. The two student artists were recognized not only for their exceptional artistic talent, but also for their academic achievements and commitment to future careers in the arts.
Donahue, a graduate of May River High School, has been ac-
cepted into Clemson University’s prestigious architecture program.
Kelly, a Bluffton High School graduate, will attend Winthrop University to pursue a degree in art education.
The Naomi McCracken Scholarship was founded following Naomi McCracken’s passing in 2006 Her family requested that memorial donations be made to SOBA, and in 2007, her son Emmett McCracken and then-president Dave Dickson created the scholarship fund in her memory. Naomi was a beloved artist and a driving force behind SOBA’s early growth.
‘Everyday Life on Hilton Head’ featured in SOBA’s August Exhibit
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is proud to present “Everyday Life on Hilton Head,” a solo
exhibit by Nancy Huson, as its August Featured Artist show. The exhibit will be on display from Sunday, Aug. 3 through Saturday, Aug. 30 at the SOBA Gallery, located in Old Town Bluffton.
An opening reception — free and open to the public — will take place from 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7 at the gallery, offering the community a chance to meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments. Nancy Huson draws inspiration from her daily walks through Hilton Head’s natural landscapes — its beaches, gardens, and marshes. Her oil and pastel paintings radiate with vibrant color and the quiet joy of everyday island moments. For more information about Huson and to preview her work, visit nancyhuson.com. For gallery hours and additional information about SOBA, visit sobagallery.com.
– Staff reports
How to stop hot flashes fast: Solutions for relief
By Dr. Eve Ashby Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group Specialty Care
This summer has brought on headlines of “heat waves,” but when it comes to menopause, it can be all about “hot flashes,” instead.
The menopausal transition brings a variety of changes to a woman's body, and one of the most well-known – and challenging – is hot flashes. This sudden rush of heat can leave you feeling uncomfortable, flushed and even drenched in sweat. For many, the accompanying night sweats can disrupt sleep and affect your overall quality of life.
So, what are hot flashes? One of the most common menopause symptoms, they are characterized by feelings of intense heat that usually affect the face, neck and chest. The skin may redden, and a woman may begin to sweat, sometimes profusely.
Though hot flashes can vary in intensity, duration and frequency, they typically last for a few minutes. Many women also experience night sweats, which are hot flashes that occur while sleeping and can severely disrupt rest.
Hot flashes are thought to be triggered by hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen levels during the years lead-
ing up to menopause and beyond. This hormonal shift affects the part of the brain that regulates temperature. There are natural strategies that can help you reduce and prevent hot flashes. Here are some quick tips to consider: Consider your environment: Take cold showers and steer clear of hot tubs, saunas and warm climates. Drink cold water: When a hot flash begins, drinking cold water can help cool you from the inside out.
Dress in layers: Looser-fitting clothing allows you to remove layers quickly and cool down when a flash strikes. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking materials to help your body stay more relaxed.
• Stay cool: Keep your environment comfortable by running the air conditioner, using a fan or opening windows. When sleeping, consider products such as a cooling pillow or breathable bed linens, which have the potential to help manage hot flashes and night sweats.
Lifestyle changes to manage hot flashes
While quick fixes can help in the moment, adopting longer-term lifestyle changes is essential for
managing hot flashes daily. Here are some effective strategies: Exercise regularly: Incorporating activities like walking, yoga or swimming into your routine can support your body through this transitional time.
• Practice relaxation techniques: Stress may exacerbate hot flashes, so finding ways to relax is crucial. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or aggravated, take a break, go for a walk, listen to music or try mindfulness exercises found on many free apps to help decrease hot flash triggers.
• Keep cool at night: Many women experience night sweats during menopause. To improve your quality of life, consider creating a
Calming the chaos
Keep stress from taking over
Special to The Island News
Americans believe that their overall level of stress is rising, reports the American Psychological Association, and work, family and personal relationships are just a few of the reasons.
"When you face a constant barrage of stressors, it can cause serious health issues, says Tara Kay, PAC, withBeaufort Memorial Heart Specialists. "Higher levels of chronic stress have been strongly linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease, depression, diabetes, dementia, cancer and more."
Stress can increase inflammation in your body, which can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), which in turn can harm your heart. In addition, Kay says, chronic stress can affect your lifestyle, causing poor sleep, unhealthy food choices and less exercise, all of which can increase your risk of heart disease.
"Stress is unavoidable at times, but it does not necessarily have to progress into chronic stress that negatively impacts your health," she says. "There are many ways to manage stress – from daily practices such as deep breathing, yoga and meditation to longer-term strategies like counseling."
While there’s no onesize-fits-all solution for stress, there are some very effective techniques that can help you combat that frazzled feeling.
Deep breathing
If you’re feeling stressed, you likely feel short of breath, too. Counter shallow breathing by consciously taking several deep breaths. Each breath expands the diaphragm, lowers cortisol and blood pressure levels and slows the heartbeat. Inhale deep-
ly through your nose, exhale slowly through your mouth and repeat at least six times.
Taking deep breaths can help with stressful moments at work, at home and when you're running late.
Exercise
Physical exercise produces uplifting endorphins and reduces stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Even better, it offers long-lasting benefits, which can help you feel calm when faced with stressors in the future.
Note that taking a long run is just as effective as taking a deep-stretch class. And a brisk walk around the block
has the same stress-busting effect as a 60-minute spin class.
Massage In addition to easing tense muscles, relieving headaches and reducing joint pain, a good massage increases the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine. In one study, heart rate slowed, and the relaxation response kicked in after only five minutes of massage.
You don’t have to spend big bucks to feel the stress-busting benefits of massage. You can give yourself a foot or hand massage or ask a friend to rub your shoulders.
sleep-friendly environment by keeping the bedroom cool, using lightweight bedding and wearing moisture-wicking sleepwear.
Watch your diet: Avoid alcohol, spicy or sugary foods, as these are triggers for hot flashes and night sweats.
If natural remedies aren’t enough, there are other treatment options that may help. Some medical options include:
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT, a form of talk therapy, has been found to help women cope with the emotional and psychological aspects of problematic menopause symptoms. CBT doesn’t stop hot flashes from
occurring but can improve how you manage them.
• Hormone therapy: Estrogen replacement therapy is one of the most effective treatments for hot flashes. However, it’s not suitable for everyone and may come with risks or side effects that must be carefully considered.
Non-hormonal medications: There are several new medications that target the specific area of the brain that are thought to create hot flashes. In addition, there are effective treatments such as certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications and anti-seizure drugs that have been shown to help.
It’s important to talk to an OBGYN or primary care provider if your hot flashes are severe or are impacting your quality of life. They can help you explore natural and medical treatments that might work for you. Remember that every woman’s experience is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Eve A. Ashby, DO, FACOOG, is a board-certified gynecologist with Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group in Beaufort and Okatie. Dr. Ashby is also an Assistant Professor and Regional Director of Medical Education for A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Recognize, prevent heat-related illnesses
Special to The Island News
Some of the most popular summer pastimes (think boating, picnicking and swimming) can be dangerous if certain precautions aren’t taken.
Dr. Stephen Larson, a board-certified emergency medicine physician at the Beaufort Memorial Pratt Emergency Center, has some tips to decrease the effects of the high temperatures while enjoying your summer activities.
When planning time outdoors in the Lowcountry, be sure to: Drink one quart of water in the morning, at each meal and throughout your day outside. Take frequent small drinks of water; they are more effective than drinking large amounts of water at once. Take frequent rest periods in the shade.
Decrease physical exertion during prime sun periods, typically from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Always wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen to protect your skin.
If you'll be outdoors for a lengthy period of time, it’s important to recognize the warning signs of heat-related illnesses.
Heat cramps Muscle cramps in the abdomen, legs or arms.
Heat exhaustion
Excessive sweating with pale, moist and cool skin. Weakness. Loss of appetite. Dizziness.
Heat exhaustion may also include heat cramps, nausea, urge to defecate, chills,
rapid breathing, tingling of the hands or feet and confusion.
Heat stroke
Headache. Dizziness.
Stomach pains. Confusion. Weakness.
Sudden loss of consciousness.
Heat stroke may include seizures; hot and dry skin; weak and rapid pulse; and respiration. This is a medical emergency that needs immediate attention.
Dehydration
Dry mouth
Dark-colored urine and a decreased output
Headache
Dizziness
Children under two and adults over 60 are especially susceptible to dehydration, so they need to take extra precautions while in the sun.
If you or someone you're with experiences the signs and symptoms above, you should:
Force water consumption (try to provide cool water — 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit — to enhance its taste and increase voluntary water consumption).
Move to a cooler, shaded area. Stop physical activity.
Place a wet, cool cloth around the neck.
“Always seek medical attention for anything suspicious and worrisome, and never hesitate to dial 911 for an emergency,” said Dr. Larson.
Dr. Eve Ashby
ART Budding Artist After-School
Art Club
4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/ Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.
CALENDAR
May River Shrimp Fest Sunset Party 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, July 25, Oyster Factory Park, Bluffton. Featuring live music by “Cristaldi & Stiltner” and “Vanna & The Rump Shackers.” Enjoy a festive atmosphere with local seafood, food trucks, craft beers, boutique wines, and family-friendly fun. Kids and leashed pets are welcome. Tickets are $11 in advance, $15 at the door, with children under 12 free. Group discounts are available online. All tips collected from beer and wine sales support local charities. For tickets and more information, visit www.blufftonsunsetparty.com or call 843-757-8520.
Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 26, Port Royal Sound Foundation Weezie Educational Pavilion, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie. Free. A dozen local and visiting writers will be on hand with books for sales and signing, along with art activities and readings throughout the day. Angela May, the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Islanders middle-grade novels, will be reading at 11 a.m. National Park Service Ranger Katherine Freeman will host a special Read with a Ranger program at noon. Michael B. Moore will read from his debut children’s book, “Freedom on the Sea,” inspired by the life of Beaufort’s iconic historical figure (and Moore’s ancestor) Robert Smalls at 1 p.m. DAYLO student volunteers will be hosting read-alouds and bookmark art projects throughout the day, and local artist Hank Herring will also be teaching free art projects and Lowcountry Wind Symphony will be offering music projects as well. A food truck will be available midday. Other participating authors and artists include Joy Corley, author of “Percy Goes Camping…Maybe”; Margie Cowles Hamner Magic Ball of Light, Mary T. Jacobs, author of the Big Daddy Series; Martha Jaworowski, author of ”Sports at First Sight;” Carole Marsh, author of the “Real Kids,” Real Places series; Emma McClure, author/artist of “Beautiful Beaufort: A Coloring Book;” Nancy Merrill, author of “Elf Dust;” Ryan Q. Milling, author of “Bob’s Truck”; Robin Prince Monroe, author of “The Glades”; Susan Montanari, author of “My Dog’s a Chicken”; Susan Diamond Riley, author of the Delta & Jax Mysteries; Katherine Robinson, author of “The Crabs on Calhoun;” and Beryl Title, author of “Adventures of Roxy the Unicorn.” The Storybook Shoppe will have additional local books available for sale.
Back to School Fun Day
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, Women and Men In Christ Ministries, 3 County Shed Road, Beaufort. Fun, games, gift cards, and school supplies.
Gullah/Geechee Books & Brunch
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, 16 Penn Center Circle East, Saint Helena Island. Tickets start at $81.88. Join us at the Dr. York W. Bailey Museum on historic St. Helena Island. The event will feature world renown Gullah/Geechee artist, Leroy Campbell; Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation; author and great great grandson of Gullah Statesman Robert Smalls, Michael Boulware Moore; and Gullah artist and author, Quadré Stuckey. They will each share from their works while engaging in a Gullah/Geechee brunch created by Gullah/Geechee "Chef B." This event will raise funds for the Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://shorturl.at/pczQe.
STEAM Festival
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie. Free. Our 9th annual STEAM Festival will provide hands-on, innovative and super-cool activities for families to enjoy. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), is an important initiative for educating and preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs. The festival will showcase demonstrations, simulations, experiments and hands-on activities by area businesses, organizations and schools that are using STEAM to succeed. Stay for lunch! Food trucks will be on-site.
Yemassee Shrimp Festival Friday, Sept. 19 & Saturday, Sept. 20, 101 Town Circle Yemassee. Live music includes the East Coast Party Band (8 p.m., Friday), sponsored by Comcast; and Funk Factory 5 (8 p.m. Saturday). Ore details to come.
Gather & Give: A Family Promise Barn Bash
6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, The Barn at Hampton Lake, 7457 Hampton Lake Drive, Bluffton. $150 per ticket. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, good food, good company, and giving back — all in support of Family Promise of Beaufort County. Beer & wine included. Live music and more. To purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/45gHNpF.
Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary
7 p.m., Every Thursday, Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.
Bluffton Night Bazaar –a Lowcountry Made Market 5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.
Habersham Farmers Market
3 to 6 p.m., Fridays, Habersham Marketplace. Vendor roster includes B&E
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Farm, Cottonwood Soap, Flower Power Treats, Hardee Greens, Megs Sweet Treats, Vitamin Bee, Lady’s Island Oyster Company, Pet Wants.
Port Royal Farmers Market 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com/, visit @portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.
Slip and Splash Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.
Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud 9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday each month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Students and other volunteers will read to young children, who are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals.
CLASS REUNION
Beaufort High School Class of 1975 Oct. 17 through Oct. 19, 2025, Beaufort. 50th Class Reunion Celebration. Request that graduates of this class contact the class Community Outreach Representative Barbara Gardner Hunter at 347-497-9326 or email gardnerbarbara991@gmail.com to provide current contact information.
DANCE
Lowcountry Shaggers
6 to 9 p.m., Mondays, Holiday Inn, 2225 Boundary Street. Shag lessons with Tommy & Sheri O’Brien and others. Occasional ballroom and oncea-monh line dancing. Biginner, intermediate and advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers.com of email lowcountryshaggers@aol.com.
The Beaufort Shag Club
6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.
GOLF
4th annual Stingray Scramble Saturday, Sept. 20, Ocean Creek Golf Course, Fripp Island. Proceeds benefit Riverview Charter School. Early bird pricing is $650 for team of four through July 1. After July 1, $700 for team of four. Register online at https:// bit.ly/4kTF4br. Visit https://bit.ly/4mWQ7ls for sponsorship opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry's 28th annual Golf Tournament 9 a.m., Monday, Sept. 29, Oldfield Club, 130 Oldfield Way, Okatie. Tickets and sponsorships start at $200. Through this event and the auction, Habitat aims to raise funds to build a Habitat home for a local family. With funding from the past several years’ tournaments, Habitat is currently constructing the “Larry Sanders House” in Ridgeland. That house is named in honor of Larry Sanders, who has been the tournament organizer for many years. Sanders continues to be involved by recruiting players and sponsors for the event. To register to play in the tournament or to become a sponsor, please visit www.lowcountryhabitat. org/2025golftournament.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
BEMER Longevity Technology 9 a.m., Wednesdays via Zoom. Seen the buzz on “life span VS health span?” Want to grow better, not older? Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Come for Q&A about how this longevity-enhancing medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being in just 8 minutes, 2 times a day. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.
HISTORY Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.
The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-ofthe-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@ gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.
Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
Free Lunches At The Library Through July 31. Ages 0 to 18. Child/ teen must be present to receive lunch. Lunches must be consumed at the library location. All locations will serve “cold lunches.” No lunches will be served on July 4. Schedule for individual branches: Beaufort Branch, 11 to 11:45 a.m.; Bluffton Branch, 11 a.m. to noon; Hilton Head Island Branch, 10 to 11 a.m.; Lobeco Branch, noon to 1 p.m., Port Royal Branch, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; St. Helena Branch, 11 a.m. to noon.
Moo-fort, Mermaids and More: Colorful Public Art Projects in Beaufort County
5:30 p.m., Monday, July 28, Beaufort Branch. Ages 12 to 100. Free, no registration. Join Cassandra Knoppel for a colorful review of past, present and public art projects in Beaufort County from 2000 to 2025. Come reminisce with us as we remember all the fun we had with the “Big Pig Gig,” the “River of Art,” “Surf and urf,” and “The Big Swim!”
“Hidden Gems” Book Club
3 p.m., third Monday of each month, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. So many books, so little time. St. Helena staff have uncovered some great titles to get you started on your “hidden gem” journey. Join us for lively discussions and coffee or tea. No registration required.
Career Navigator
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Tuesday, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free one-on-one resume writing and job application assistance with a Career Navigator from Palmetto Goodwill. No appointments necessary. For more information call 843-255-6458.
Bridge Club
10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
Mahjong Club
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458.
MEETINGS
Beaufort Lions Club
6 p.m., first and third Monday of every month, St John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. For more information, visit thebeaufortlionsclub@gmail.com or follow on Facebook/Instagram/Nextdoor.
PFLAG Savannah –Beaufort Peer Group
6:30 p.m., first Tuesday of every month, Fellowship Hall, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort (UUFB), 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. Free. The group will be moderated by Rick Hamilton and Kay Carr. The provides advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, family, peers, and allies in the Lowcountry. The peer group provides a safe and strictly confidential environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and allies to discuss the challenges faced in coming out or being out in neighborhoods, the workplace, school, or church. The organization offers resources for counseling, educating, and advocating to achieve an equitable, inclusive community where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Minors under the age of 18 are required to come with an adult parent, guardian, or mentor. Additional information about peer groups, membership, donations, and volunteering is on the website www. PFLAGSavannah.org and on Facebook.
Beaufort Chapter of America’s Boating Club
6 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of most months, at various Beaufort/Port Royal venues. Regular meetings begin with a Social, followed by Dinner and often include an exciting Guest Speaker from the Lowcountry. For Meeting Information or Educational Opportunities, please contact Paul Gorsuch, Administrative Officer at admino@beaufortboatingclub.com . Boat ownership is not required, however a passion for safe responsible boating is mandatory.
Zonta Club of Beaufort 6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.
Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting 12:15 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Rotary Club of Sea Island social gathering 5:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of each month, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www.beaufortrotaryclub.org.
The Beaufort Trailblazers –A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, University Bikes, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building off-road/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.
Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252- 917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.
Al-Anon Beaufort County 7:30 p.m., Thursday, 80 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort. “Do you worry about how much someone drinks? Is it affecting your life? You are not alone. AlAnon Beaufort Serenity Group offers help and hope. Join the group in Beaufort, or visit the Lowcountry page at https://bit.ly/3HvksaF for more times and locations.
Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady's Island Dr., Ladys' Island. Catered breakfast from local chef. Speakers weekly. Occasional social events replace Friday mornings, but will be announced on our website, www.rotaryclubofthelowcountrybeaufort.org.
MUSIC Warsaw Island Boys 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, July 26, Tomfoolery in Habersham, 17 Market, Beaufort.
Ed Walter 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Fridays, Aug. 1, Aug. 29, GG’s Restaurant & Bar, 1003 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.
La Bodega Lite
6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, ShellRing Ale Works, Port Royal.
Stuck In Time
5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 8, GG’s Restaurant & Bar, 1003 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.
Distant Sounds 6 to 9 p.m., Fridays, Aug. 8, Oct. 3, Another Slice Pizza, Harbor Island. Something for everyone, from the 60s to the 10s. David Ayres on guitar & vocals, Richard Knieriem on drums & vocals, Eric Roberts on bass, Paul Butare on guitar & vocals.
Trashy Annie
7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 8. Fillin’ Station, Lady’s Island. High energy, award-winning rock and roll straight out of Austin, Annie Davis and her motley band rock The Fillin' Station stage once again.
Corey Tate 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, GG’s Restaurant & Bar, 1003 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.
Rick Rudd
4 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24, GG’s Restaurant & Bar, 1003 Paris Avenue, Port Royal. Celebrating the establishment’s first anniversary.
Distant Sounds
6 to 9 p.m., Fridays, Aug. 29, Sept. 12, Seaside Bar & Grill, St. Helena Island. Something for everyone, from the 60s to the 10s. David Ayres on guitar & vocals, Richard Knieriem on drums & vocals, Eric Roberts on bass, Paul Butare on guitar & vocals.
Warsaw Island Boys
6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10 26, ShellRing Ale Works, Port Royal.
Campfire Tyler
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays, The Fillin’ Station, Lady’s Island.
Live entertainment 7 to 11 p.m., Wednesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
Chris Jones
7 to 11 p.m., Thursdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
Habersham Third Fridays Music on Market
5 to 8 p.m., third Friday of the month, Habersham Marketplace.
Live entertainment 9 p.m. to midnight, Fridays & Saturdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
OUTDOORS/NATURE
America's Boating Club
Basic Boating Course
6:15 to 8:30 p.m., Thursdays, from Aug.
7 to Sept. 4, First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort Education Building, 1201 North Street, Beaufort. $50 for the first family member, $15 for each additional member. For more information, contact education@Beaufortboatingclub.com.
Free boating inspections Get a free vessel safety check by local members of the America's Boating Club of Beaufort. If your boat passes, you will receive a VSC decal to mount on your boat that will be visible to other boaters and maritime law enforcement personnel. Email Safety@beaufortboatingclub.com.
The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old
and ThirdPlace runners will receive the coveted Run Forrest Run 5K medals both for winners of each age division and overall placers. Bring your favorite characters from the Forrest Gump movie to life as you race towards shrimp glory. We encourage participants to get groovy with themed costumes and unique outfits. Those donning a Forrest Gump getup can race to the finish line in hopes of claiming the Fastest Forrest Award. Register now and RUN, FORREST, RUN! For more information and to sign up, visit https://shorturl.at/ YoyHx.
SEWING/QUILTING American Needlepoint Guild Meeting 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month. The Hilton Head Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in needlepoint to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at hiltonheadislandchapter@needlepoint.org. Embroidery Guild of America Meeting Second Tuesday of every month, Palmetto Electric Community Room, Hardeeville. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in any type of embroidery including needlepoint, cross-stitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at lowcountrychapter@egacarolinas.org.
SPORTS/GAMES
Beaufort Brawl 6: Summer Showdown 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, The Foundry, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 18-B, Beaufort. Doors open at 5 p.m. A full fight card showcasing top amateur fighters from Beaufort, the Southeast, and beyond and featuring high-impact amateur MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and kickboxing bouts. Affordable VIP access and general admission tickets — perfect for fans, families, and fight-fitness enthusiasts. Tickets are available at https://bit. ly/4eWJ6NI.
ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret Street. Events will be held weekly. Contact Director and Club Manager Susan DeFoe at 843-5972541 for location.
Bridge Club 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
Beaufort Masters Swim Team 6 to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, Wardle Family Port Royal YMCA. Coached practices. Ages 18 & older, all skill & speed levels, no prior swim team experience needed. Visit lowcountryswimming.com for more information.
VOICES
Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News
Make do with Light Dragoon Punch at Husk
It is Sunday and I’m sitting on my damp, waterlogged deck looking out on an impossibly green carpet that is my rain-revitalized yard.
This morning I have a digital version of the Charleston Post and Courier that tells me Charleston — formerly the No. 1 tourist destination in America — has fallen to No. 3. Roughly 180,000 respondents have said they prefer Santa Fe (No. 1) and New Orleans (No. 2) when it comes to spending their vacation dollars.
Having walked Charleston’s narrow alleys, sat on its double-porched piazzas; and inhabited its honey-suckled gardens, I turned to Steve Hanson. Hanson, a recent refugee from downtown Charleston, is now my Port Royal neighbor. Hanson’s first memories are playing on his grandmother's piazza at No. 43 South Broad Street. In those days (right
after World War II) he was tended to by his mother, and his great aunt — Elizabeth O’Neill Verner.
Verner was an artist, author and preservationist who was one of the leaders of the “Charleston Renaissance.” Verner, who died in 1979, detailed Charleston’s unique heritage in her black and white etchings — Dock Street, the Old Exchange, the basket makers still found at the corner of King and Meeting streets. In times past, few tourists departed Charleston without several of Verner’s prints. And yet, Hanson, no longer lives in his Ansonborough carriage house. He
has forsaken Fig, Hank’s Seafood and the charcuterie plate at Slightly North of Broad ($19). He has retreated (to Port Royal) in the face of 8 million tourists who now invade Charleston’s ancient precincts each and every year.
“When I was growing up, there was only one (horse drawn) carriage — Mr. Wagner — who always wore a top hat. Now, when I leave my house and turn onto Wentworth Street there are three carriages in a row. The carriages charge $50 a person and carry 16 tourists. And, believe me, Charleston needs this money to feed the beast.”
“Feed the Beast?”
Charleston is sinking and is (currently) installing pumps, pipes and huge underground reservoirs to contain the water that comes over the sea wall.
“Notwithstanding the flooding there are new hotels — on almost every corner — when an investor
builds he needs tourists to fill those beds, to eat their charcuterie in the new restaurants. In 1974, when Joe Riley became Mayor, he looked around and didn’t see any economic driver except tourists and tourism.”
Shortly thereafter,the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier was towed to Charleston. In 1983 Riley proposed a waterfront Aquarium and the Mayor’s first downtown hotel and convention project was Charleston Place in 1986
What was the signature Charleston experience — the boat trip to Fort Sumter — has been replaced by a dining and drinking experience along upper King Street — an area once characterized by crime and empty store fronts.
Now, Charleston has its own Bourbon Street and, for a time, Johnson and Wales (food college) graduates provided the sous chefs, the small plate menus and the staff trained to placate the
demanding tourists.
But what about the well-mannered, well-bred, long-term residents who lived in those ancient antebellum mansions on Beaufain, Legare and East Battery streets? What about those South of Broad people who belonged to the St. Cecelia Society and walked home (from their law offices on Broad Street) for their 2 p.m. lunch?
Are they gone?
“Yes and no,” Hanson says. “Many, like me, have left the City because of the traffic, the cruise ships, the fact that you have to make a dinner reservation a month in advance. But the houses — the maintenance of those old houses, is so expensive that many of the natives have been priced out.”
“Some of these people have been in the same house for 15 generations, sitting on chairs and eating off china that belonged to their rice-growing ancestors.”
Kit Bruce, another Charleston refugee, believes that many of the older homes are now owned by corporations — corporations that don’t usually include children, dogs or the bicycles left in the front yard. When I was a cadet at The Citadel I dated an Ashley Hall girl and took that young woman to the Question Mark Dance. And though naive and untutored, I knew that these people were still attached to their rice-growing, cotton-exporting, slave-connected past. I suspect that some of the 8 million tourists want to meet those people who have dwelled in the same house since 1820; hear that accent; and engage this lost tribe. But they’re too late. They will have to make do with Light Dragoon Punch at Husk.
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
The other side of Beaufort’s Airbnb regulations
In Beaufort County, much of the recent debate around shortterm rental (STR) regulations has centered on housing availability and community character. But there’s another side to this story that hasn’t received as much attention: the growing number of local vacation property owners left in financial limbo after new restrictions took effect.
With Beaufort’s 6% cap on STR permits in residential areas, many vacation homeowners who once relied on part-time rental income to offset costs are now facing tough choices. These aren’t just speculative investors or corporate landlords. In my experience speaking with property owners across the Carolinas, it’s often retirees and local families who are suddenly left scrambling, often having spent years saving for the perfect family vacation home.
Unexpected financial strain
Over the past year, I’ve heard from a wide range of Beaufort homeowners affected by the cap, people who bought vacation homes assuming they could legally rent them out for part of the year. Many of these families used STR income projections to qualify for mortgages or justify the costs of property taxes and
upkeep. Now, without the ability to rent, some are struggling to cover monthly expenses.
Several retirees I’ve spoken with, for example, purchased homes in the Lowcountry planning to spend winters here while renting out their properties in summer to stay financially afloat. Those calculations have been upended. For others, inherited family properties have become unsustainable to maintain, especially with rising insurance premiums and property tax bills.
Selling isn’t always an easy fix, either. Soft market conditions in certain pockets of the county, combined with emotional ties to legacy properties, are making some owners reluctant to sell quickly or at a loss.
Beyond Beaufort: A regional pattern emerges Beaufort is not alone in imposing stricter rules. We’re seeing
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Please be responsible citizens
To the folks who blew off fireworks on Judge Island on the afternoon of July 8: You should be ashamed of yourselves. You stopped your white SUV next to a utility pole, unloaded and exploded mortar-type fireworks, and then immediately left the area, leaving the burning embers unattended. Your actions created a brush fire that quickly spread across the brush on the side of the dirt road/dyke. After you fled from the incident, your white SUV was seen speeding down the dirt road on Judge and Coosaw Islands, and then speeding down Sams Point Road in front of the firehouse. By the time the Lady’s Island-St. Helena Fire Department arrived on the scene, the fire had spread across a 25- to 30-yard distance. Our community is very fortunate that the fire did not spread to the nearby forested area. It is understandable how you may have needed to get rid of leftover fireworks after holiday celebrations. However, disposing of fireworks in such an irresponsible manner is not a good idea. Hopefully the next time you need to dispose of fireworks, you will not leave a burning pile unattended and will have a water source available to
similar scenarios unfold across South Carolina. For example, Charleston has a hard cap of 4 adults per STR, regardless of property size, while Folly Beach implemented an 800-permit hard cap in 2024 that has already been reached, with new applications indefinitely wait-listed. In each case, owners who made responsible decisions based on existing rental laws have found themselves stuck after rapid policy changes.
While local governments are rightly concerned about affordable housing and neighborhood stability, these sudden restrictions have left many local vacation homeowners in a bind, often with little warning or support to transition their financial plans.
Exploring alternative solutions
In response, we’re seeing some vacation homeowners turn to creative alternatives. A growing number are exploring fractional ownership structures, where they retain a portion of the property but reduce their carrying costs by sharing ownership with like-minded buyers.Others are converting homes to long-term rentals, though in many cases this fails to generate the same income as seasonal short-term renting.
We’ve also heard from proper-
“Not every STR owner is an investor seeking to flip properties or run mini-hotels. For many, short-term renting was a practical way to afford a family vacation home, preserve a multigenerational property, or retire near the coast.”
DOUG RICH, on the overlooked financial impact of Beaufort’s STR regulations.
ty owners considering property swaps: exchanging partial stakes in their Lowcountry homes for similar properties in areas with more flexible rental laws. These approaches aren’t perfect solutions, but for some, they provide a way to avoid a forced sale or prolonged financial strain.
A need for balance in policy
As more counties across the Carolinas revisit STR regulations, it’s important to recognize the nu-
ance of these local dynamics. Not every STR owner is an investor seeking to flip properties or run mini-hotels. For many, short-term renting was a practical way to afford a family vacation home, preserve a multigenerational property, or retire near the coast.
Going forward, policymakers will hopefully consider targeted strategies, like grandfathering provisions or limited-use allowances, to soften the blow on residents who made decisions under very different regulatory assumptions. A one-size-fits-all cap may address some housing challenges, but it also risks unintended financial hardship for a segment of homeowners who are still a part of the fabric of these communities.
The Beaufort STR debate is ultimately about more than just zoning and permits, it’s about balancing housing goals with the economic realities faced by local families. That conversation deserves more attention, and more empathy ahead.
Doug Rich is CEO of Plum CoOwnership, a tech-enabled platform that makes it easy for people to buy, sell, and manage fractional shares of vacation homes through structured co-ownership arrangements. You can sign up to his newsletter at https://dougrichplum. beehiiv.com/subscribe.
address any fire that gets out of control.
Our community and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans are enhanced when we are responsible citizens.
– Peter Murphy
‘Congratulations,’ ‘thank you’ to
Marie Smalls
The League of Women Voters of Beaufort would like to publicly extend its congratulations to Marie Smalls upon her recent retirement from Beaufort County after 43 years of service, [more than] 20 of those years as Director of Voter Registration and Elections.
During her years with the county, she served the public with the utmost dedication and professional integrity, working with an eight-member board appointed by the Governor.
At one point, she was elected president of the South Carolina Association of Registration and Elections (SCARE) and was recognized for her leadership and commitment there with their highest honor, the Moore Award. She was one of the first 500 people in the county to
become nationally certified as an Elections/Registration Administrator and one of only two active members in South Carolina.
During her time of leadership, Smalls worked with the extremely difficult process of redistricting as well as the continuous addition of voting precincts, required as the county voter numbers increased to more than 138 000 She and her staff have seen the number of precincts grow to 135 in multiple polling places throughout the county and work with approximately 800 poll workers.
On more than one occasion in interviews, Smalls has said, “It’s not about me, or any one individual, it is about the voters of our great state and conducting elections with integrity, transparency, and instilling voter confidence in our voter registration process. It’s a tremendous responsibility. It is also imperative that we continue to fulfill our obligation to ensure that all qualified voters have an opportunity to participate in fair and free elections.” Amen. Thank you Mrs. Smalls for your help to the League of Women Voters as we continue to work together to protect our voting integrity!
– The League of Women Voters, Beaufort area
SCOTT GRABER
DOUG RICH
VOICES
Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News
GOP gubernatorial race might get really testy
The Republican race for a gubernatorial candidate in 2026 could easily become a B-team bloodbath.
Already, there are three announced candidates. And with more likely to jump into the wide-open race in the weeks ahead — incumbent Gov. Henry McMaster is term-limited — it easily could spin out of control, with ever shriller opponents trying to distinguish themselves as the 2026 primary approaches. Or not – if you think the current version of the GOP can keep itself out of the gutter and focused on policy differences. (Fat chance.)
The problem Republican voters will face in 2026 is that most of the candidates are not true leaders in the style of former Gov. Carroll Campbell or even McMaster. They’re followers, at best –B-team players who have hung on
The iconic quote,
"Who was that masked man?" is famously associated with the classic American Western character The Lone Ranger. It's usually spoken by someone who has just witnessed the masked hero disappear after helping them, often by Tonto or another character in the scene.
for years trying to reach the next rung of power. Just look at current Attorney General Alan Wilson, who many consider the front-runner. He’ll be a law-and-order candidate, for sure, but he’s not done that much to distinguish himself in big-picture policy or intellectual rigor over the years. About all he’s known for on a national level is lemming-like chiming in on every partisan lawsuit filed against Democratic presidential administrations.
Incumbent Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, a political unknown elected on McMaster’s ticket in 2018 is still pretty much an unknown after years in Columbia.
State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, elected as a newcomer in 2020 to a Spartanburg seat in the state Senate, looked like the fresh, young voice when he announced a few weeks ago – a face that could inject something new in a staid race. But his campaign seems to be falling apart before our eyes after accusations of financial shenanigans earlier this month by a business partner in an aviation leasing company.
Two other names you’ve likely heard as possible gubernatorial candidates are U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace of the Charleston area and Ralph Norman of the Rock Hill area. Both are making moves to expand their outreach across the state with Mace taking several
stunt-laden scouting trips to see voters and Norman using lots of spammy texts to try to engage with potential voters outside his district.
Mace might want to try to become the state’s big political deal after McMaster to feed her ego and because she’s wearing out her welcome in Washington – where it’s harder to get on national television because some of her antics have crossed the line. And Norman, 72, may be looking to wind up a career as governor because he’s become something of a conservative pariah in Washington – opposing Trump on items the president wants, only to pull back and cave at the end.
The one name you might not have heard of as a possibility is state Sen. Sean Bennett, a solid old-school Summerville Republican who we hear is getting pressure from the business
community to jump into the race. A financial planner who is seen as having a long-term strategic view of the state, he’s been in the state Senate since 2013 Conventional wisdom holds that the more people who are in a primary race, the more likely that race could devolve into a personality contest with high-falutin’ charges and countercharges as people try to make themselves more memorable.
Maybe the smart thing, however, in 2026 is for candidates to distinguish themselves through serious campaigns about public policy and their vision for South Carolina instead of social media attention grabs.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send it to feedback@statehousereport.com.
Who is that masked man?
The line is a testament to The Lone Ranger's mysterious and heroic nature, as he often vanishes after dispensing justice, leaving behind only the mystery of his identity.
When I began brainstorming regarding subject matter for this week’s article, I went to a list of topics I had made a few weeks ago, and one simply called out to me, that of masks and the fact that ICE has chosen to wear them from the very beginning of their now infamous raids.
Of course, the first question has to be “why?” Why, if you are legitimately doing your job, should you be afraid to show your face? Or is the fear factor of another ilk, that of “instilling” fear?
The inauguration of the 47th President was held on Jan. 20 2025, and the first major immigration raid under this administration began eight days later in New York City. This was spearheaded by Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem (of dog killing fame, but I digress).
These raids were part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration promised by 47 during his campaign.
Perhaps a bit of background is needed. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in 2003 following the Homeland Security Act of 2002. This act created the Department of Homeland Security and merged the Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service to form ICE.
GWhile ICE's creation was a bipartisan effort, its enforcement actions, particularly during the Trump administration, have been a subject of significant controversy and debate, particularly concerning deportations. I could not find a time in those early deportations where masks were worn. The reasoning behind wearing them now is somewhat varied and, I believe, convoluted.
Often the notion of Covid 19 is brought into the picture, saying this is a means of protection. Funny how some of those supporting this were the very same folks who complained bitterly about mandated masks during the actual epidemic. Perhaps a bit of hypocrisy might be rearing its head.
There are concerns about accountability and safety.
Some argue that the masks make it difficult to identify agents and hold them responsible for their actions, while others claim that masks are necessary to protect officers from “doxing” (a form of cyberbullying) and threats.
I find the suggested fear of “bullying of the ICE agents” just a bit ironic, given the scenes I have observed on television where it is deemed necessary that multiple agents take down one man or even a woman. At no time have I seen or heard of one of these detainees brandishing a weapon although I can appreciate guarding against this; it does go without saying, however, no mask would serve as protection in that case.
The use of masks by federal agents has become the subject of legal and political debate, with some states attempting to ban the practice.
In an exclusive interview, Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told CBS News he's not a "proponent" of agents wearing masks during arrest operations, but said he will allow the practice to continue due to concerns about his officers' safety.
Then there is the worry about the possibility of impostors who could exploit this practice, posing as ICE agents. While some have
reported the use of "bounty hunters" in conjunction with ICE actions, these individuals are not “typically” ICE agents themselves, but rather are contracted or deputized by the agency. In checking Snopes for clarification, I found that the language used neither clarifies nor denies.
Pressed on concerns about masked ICE officers and the possibility that impostors could exploit the practice by posing as immigration agents, Lyons said, "That's one of our biggest concerns. And I've said it publicly before, I'm not a proponent of the masks."
The present process for the capture and deportation of those here “illegally” seems to lose credibility with each new report. It has become apparent that those in charge are doing very little to determine legality. Supposedly, only those illegals with criminal backgrounds would be deported.
Now we know differently.
We can debate whether or not those who have traversed three countries in order to escape the oppression of drug cartels and seek asylum qualify. That
is an argument for another day. That they are taking jobs from citizens has been debunked many times over. That all those being deported have criminal backgrounds is also a fallacy. This is another set of statistics of which you should be aware. According to ICE, Obama deported more illegal immigrants each year than Trump. The difference, I might add, is there was little to no fanfare on Obama’s part. Furthermore, during the fiscal year of 2023, the Biden administration deported over 1 1 million illegal aliens which is half of Trump’s entire first term. It’s all about the theatrics, folks. And those masks? More of the same with an added dose of intimidation.
As for The Lone Ranger, the masked hero who disappears after dispensing justice? Frankly, the disappearing part isn’t a bad idea.
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.”
The real impact of SC’s new tort law
ov. Henry McMaster recently held a ceremonial bill signing for H.3430, the tort reform bill, which he hailed as a “great victory.”
The new law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, but before then, we think South Carolinians deserve a clear-eyed account of what happened — and what’s still at stake. This legislative session opened with what we saw as a sweeping effort to roll back victims’ rights. S.244 was a bill that aimed to rewrite the long-standing liability laws that are imperative to protecting everyday people who are harmed by the negligent, the reckless, and the outright dangerous. After weeks of debate and the hard work of legislators and individuals who fought to protect the safety and rights of all South Carolinians, some of the most dangerous provisions of that original bill were removed.
Our collective efforts to raise awareness and push for victims to be kept at the forefront of decision-making made a significant difference. Unfortunately, we be-
lieve the final legislation, H.3430 still creates serious problems for victims seeking justice. Firstly, H.3430 permits blame-shifting loopholes by allowing the addition of non-parties on jury verdict forms. People or entities who aren’t even in the courtroom could be added and may never be held responsible, leaving victims to pick up the bill for medical costs, lost wages, and long-term financial hardships. That undermines the very concept of accountability in our civil justice system. Secondly, H.3430 does not include stronger penalties for drunken driving, a solution that would actually help lower liability rates.
South Carolina is currently ranked worst in the nation for DUI fatality rates, which is one of the reasons our liability rates are so high. An alternative reform bill, passed unanimously by the House, H.3497, included additional DUI penalties, but that bill ultimately did not pass the Senate.
Our state’s embarrassing DUI rates should be a wake-up call to legislators that something must be done, yet when given the opportunity to address this crisis, we did not, and H.3430 does nothing to deter drunken driving or help victims.
Finally, and perhaps most frustratingly, while H.3430 has been sold as a solution to skyrocketing insurance costs, there’s still no guarantee that premiums will go down — not for restaurant owners, not for consumers, not for anyone.
During weeks of testimony and debate, we did not see a single representative from the insurance industry testify that the proposed bill would guarantee lower rates.
What is guaranteed? That insurance companies will continue to grow their profits while facing less scrutiny and fewer obligations to the people they serve.
This bill didn’t fix a crisis. It simply passed the burden onto victims.
H.3430 was just the beginning; another threat to victims’ rights is already being planned.
But when the next attempt to undermine the protection of innocent South Carolinians is revealed, lawyers, victims, and small business owners will once again be ready to stand up and fight back, together.
We are closely watching other states, like Florida, where a state committee is now investigating whether insurers misled lawmakers by hiding billion-dollar profits while claiming extensive losses, which contributed to the passage of a sweeping tort reform package in 2023 And we’re building even stronger support and alliances to fight for the rights of victims across our state. To the advocates, survivors, business owners,
and everyday folks who stood up against the bill this year: thank you. Your calls, your testimony, and your engagement made a significant difference.
The fight for justice is far from over, but our commitment is deep-seated and unwavering.
The South Carolina Association for Justice and our partners will always fight for victims.
We will always stand for accountability. And we will never stop working to protect the rights of all South Carolinians.
Sydney Lynn is from Aiken. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina at Aiken and her law degree from the Charleston School of Law. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2016 and was selected by the organization as the Columbia Insurance Litigation Lawyer of the Year in 2021. She serves as the president of the South Carolina Association for Justice (SCAJ), the state’s leading organization for trial lawyers. In addition to her organizational leadership, Sydney has played an instrumental role in SCAJ’s legislative advocacy. She has testified before lawmakers on behalf of the association.
ANDY BRACK
CAROL LUCAS
SYDNEY LYNN
Owl rehabilitation
Agent Orange (Toxic) exposure and disability compensation (Cancers)
This article will cover the final seven presumptive, noncancer conditions that the VA considers caused by Agent Orange and the other herbicides used in the Vietnam War. Last week's article covered the first four non-cancer conditions.
5. Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition that causes the thyroid gland not to produce enough of certain important hormones. According to the Mayo Clinic (https://bit. ly/44URVD9), the symptoms of hypothyroidism depend on the severity of the condition. Problems tend to develop slowly, often over several years. At first, a veteran may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and weight gain. Or the veteran may think that symptoms are just a normal part of aging. However, as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more noticeable problems.
Hypothyroidism symptoms may include tiredness, more sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, puffy face, hoarse voice, coarse hair and skin, muscle weakness, muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, menstrual cycles that are heavier than usual or irregular, thinning hair, slowed heart rate, depression, and/ or memory problems.
6. Ischemic Heart Disease: The VA Public Health “Ischemic Heart Disease and Agent Orange” webpage (https://bit.ly/3GXVvo3)
states that Ischemic heart disease is also known as coronary artery disease or hardening of the arteries. Cholesterol plaque can build up in the arteries of the heart, causing "ischemia," which means the heart is not receiving enough blood flow and oxygen. If the plaque blocks an artery, a heart attack can result.
Veterans should ensure that they submit a claim with the VA for all service-connected heart disease-related conditions and secondary conditions for which they have symptoms and diagnoses when filing for ischemic heart disease. Those conditions may include high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, Ventricular arrythmias (AFIB, etc.), Cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, congestive heart failure, heart surgery (bypass, ablation, valve replacements, etc.), aneurysm, Angina, Endocarditis (heart muscle inflammation), Pericarditis (Inflammation of the heart sac), valvular heart disease, and others. Presumptive heart conditions include Ischemic Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Heart Murmurs, Cardiomyopathy, and Aortic
Stenosis. The VA lumped several of this author’s heart conditions (Coronary Artery Disease, Aortic Valve calcification, heart murmur, Atrial Fibrillation, and Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block) under one rating of ischemic heart disease.
7. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS): The PACT Act added MGUS to the list of presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange. MGUS is a condition in which an atypical protein is found in the blood. The protein is referred to as monoclonal protein (M protein).
Some people with MGUS have rash or nerve problems, such as numbness or tingling. MGUS sufferers have a higher chance than usual of developing blood cancer, but it is rare for MGUS to turn into cancer.
8. Parkinsonism: The Cleveland Clinic says this is an umbrella term that refers to conditions (including Parkinson's disease) with similar, movement-related effects. The VA’s Public Health “Parkinson’s Disease and Agent Orange” webpage (https://bit. ly/40xKv7z) states that Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.
Symptoms are tremors, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination. Many effective treatment options are available.
9. Parkinson’s disease: Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. Symptoms are tremors, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination. Parkinson's disease makes up about 80% of all cases of Parkinsonism. Learn more at https://bit.ly/40wS0vA.
10. Peripheral neuropathy (PN), early onset: According to the VA’s Public Health, “Peripheral Neuropathy and Agent Orange” webpage (https:// bit.ly/44URYyP), the VA presumes veterans' early-onset PN is related to their exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service when the disease appears within one year of exposure to a degree of at least 10% disabling by VA's rating regulations. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition of the peripheral nervous system, which consists of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include numbness, tingling or prickling in the toes or fingers in the early stages. This may
spread to the feet or hands and cause burning, throbbing, and/or shooting pain that worsens at night. Other symptoms include pain on both sides of the body (in both hands or both feet), muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, and extreme sensitivity to touch. If the condition is shown to have a degree of 10% disability within one year of exposure, it is considered a presumptive condition.
If symptoms begin after a year of exposure, the veteran can still seek a rating if they establish through medical records, NEXUS letters, Lay Witness Statements, other evidence, a connection to their military service.
For example: If a veteran is a member of a specific unit, like members of an Assault Helicopter Company, who sprayed Agent Orange from their helicopters and flew their helicopter gunships or Cobras through clouds of Agent Orange and now all or many have PN symptoms and disabling conditions, they could file Claims using their VSO or jointly file a Class Action lawsuit using a VA-accredited Lawyer.
Veterans can view more research on the Health Effects of Herbicide Exposure at: The VA Webpage at https://bit.ly/4kVn2oi; and The National Library of Medicine at https://bit. ly/40sMs5o.
11. Porphyria cutanea tarda: According to the
VA’s webpage, “Porphyria Cutanea Tarda and Agent Orange” (https://bit. ly/3Uqg9QS), the VA presumes veterans' earlyonset of Porphyria cutanea tarda is related to their exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service when the disease appears within one year of exposure to a degree of at least 10% disabling by VA's rating regulations.
Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a disorder characterized by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Symptoms include blisters on areas of the skin exposed to the sun, such as the face, arms, and hands, followed by crusting and scarring, hyperpigmentation, increased hair growth on sun-exposed areas, and liver damage.
Visit Medline Plus at https://bit.ly/3IXsbi7 to learn about treatment for porphyria, research, and more.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt.
LARRY DANDRIDGE
Elliott, a great horned owl, is successfully released Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Elliott’s Beach aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island following four months of rehabilitation at the Avian Conservation Center. After a storm in March 2025, Elliott, a nestling at the time, was spotted on the ground and relocated to the Avian Conservation Center, where his growth and mentation was closely monitored. Elliott spent a brief period with an adult great horned owl to ensure there was no imprinting on humans, along with learning proper behaviors. After it was old enough, Elliott was moved to a larger enclosure outside to test flight capabilities and catching live prey. Once these tests were passed, Elliott was deemed ready for release. Photos by Lance Cpl. Jacob Claudell/USMC
UNITED
LOCAL MILITARY
STATES MARINE CORPS
Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 25 July 2025
Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel A. P. Bariletti
1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel G. T. Moynihan Commander of Troops, Captain B. S. Paris • Parade Adjutant, Captain I. J. Hohlbein Company “B”, 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Captain B. S. Paris Drill Master • Gunnery Sergeant J. J. Merriweather
PLATOON 1040
Senior Drill Instructor
Sgt A. Tirado
Pvt Adams, A. S.
Pvt Avalos, R.
Pvt Ayalatorres, J.
PFC Blanco Jr, J. A.
Pvt Brown, K. M.
Pvt Campana, J. J.
Pvt Courtney, J. T.
PFC Cruz, A. M.
Pvt Curcio, M. C.
Pvt Daughtry, G. L.
Pvt Deloach II, J. M.
PFC Denton, A. C.*
Pvt Ferguson, L. P.
Pvt Finley Jr, P. W.
PFC Finley, J. A.*
Pvt Flowers, A. J.
PFC Gillian, R. N.
Pvt Hammac, J. R.
Pvt Hawks, C. E.
Pvt Jacksonjohnson, J. E.
Pvt Jelinek, I. M.
Pvt Jenkins, C. A.
Pvt Jones, M. A.
PFC Kelso, J. R.
Pvt Lopresto, E. T.
Pvt Mcgarry, P. T.
PFC Moore, M. B.*
Pvt Neighbors Jr, F. L.
Pvt Perdue, C. L.
PFC Perkins, K. B.
PFC Pfab, J. T.
Pvt Pinkney Jr, A. L.
PFC Ramirezvillagomez, J.
Pvt Rosalesvaldez, K.
Pvt Sanchezperalta, D.
PFC Sparks, C. W.
Pvt Thompson, M. B.
Pvt Valdivia, R. I.
PFC Watkins, J. A.
PFC Williams, C. T.
PLATOON 1041
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt H. L. Nguyen
PFC Alvaradoangeles, D.
Pvt Alvarenga, A. I.
PFC Arizmendy, S. L.
PFC Badri, M. R.
PFC Beckford, V. N.
PFC Castro, K. S.
PFC Eloxmazariegos, D. I.
Pvt Fowler, H. E.
PFC Green, J. J.
Pvt Hamlet, G. S.
PFC Hahne, C. M.
Pvt Hernandez, A. J.
Pvt Kessler, K. T.
Pvt Kraft, E. N.
Pvt Lazalde, N. O.
PFC Lemes, M. O.*
Pvt Liconavelasquez, A. D.
Pvt Lima, K. B.
Pvt Lindsey, E. B.
PFC Martinezcardona, D. A.
Pvt Matiasnunez, P. C.
PFC Mizorodriguez, V. A.
Pvt Peralta, M. E.
PFC Plos, M. H.
PFC Saavedra, K. N.*
PFC Street, N. E.
PFC Sweet, H. C.
PFC Velalima, K. N.
Pvt Williams, M. M.
PFC Williams, T. O.
PFC Willis, K. M.
Pvt Zack, M. B.
Pvt Zapetaschmude, N. L.
PLATOON 1042
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt M. A. Ross
Pvt Barbosa, B. B.
Pvt Bartlett, T. L.
Pvt Belsan, J. T.
Pvt Bock, C. L.
Pvt Browne, W. T.
Pvt Carter, C. W.
Pvt Chapman, J. D.
Pvt Dow, Curtis S.
Pvt Essandoh Jr, A. A.
Pvt Ferenbach V, J. C.
PFC Fontanelli, A. M.
PFC Ford, W. D.
PFC Galvan, T. K.
PFC Gilroy, J. C.*
Pvt Honeycutt, P. L.
Pvt Louisjeune, I.
Pvt Miranda, J. L.
Pvt Ortizhernandez, D. E.
Pvt Pickel, B. A.
Pvt Pineiro III, J.
LCpl Prestridge, E. C.*
Pvt Quirogaborjas, A.
PFC Rivas, A. M.
PFC Roberts, R. J.*
PFC Rodriguez, R. E.
Pvt Rosario, M. A.
Pvt Spinks, J. R.
Pvt Spivey, W. L.
Pvt Strickland, N. R.
Pvt Thorne, R. D.
Pvt Tovar Jr, P. M.
PFC Truesdale, B. A.
Pvt Tugume, I.
Pvt Weaver, C. J.
Pvt Wells, N. M.
Pvt White, E. L.
Pvt White, N. A.
Pvt Yeager, G.
PLATOON 1044
Senior Drill Instructor SSgt. C. J. Clower
Pvt Agee, J. B.
Pvt Arcos, Jr G.
Pvt Barksdale, J. D.
Pvt Barnett, D. S.
Pvt Booth, C. P.
Pvt Canales, D. R.
PFC Chan, K. M.
Pvt Contrerasbustamante, J. R.
Pvt Cujcuysancir, D. S.
Pvt Dalrymple, C. P.
Pvt Duarte, R. D.
Pvt Escobarchavez, A.
PFC Espinosa, M. A.
Pvt Fontesreyes, A.
PFC Fonticiella, R.
Pvt Hardyschidzig, K. R.
Pvt Herasnarvaez, C. W.
Pvt Johnson, J. T.
PFC Jones, W. R*.
Pvt Joseph, C.
PFC Kennedy, A. J.
Pvt Lane, M. H.
Pvt Maldonado, B. N.
Pvt Mcinnis, B. J.
Pvt Merryman, C. T.
Pvt Nubuasah, K. O.
PFC Palacios, M. A.
Pvt Perez, J.
Pvt Riding, A. W.
Pvt Rupp, E. D.
PFC Sorrells, D. G.*
PFC Sosachavez, K.
PFC Stockman Jr., T. A.
Pvt Tate, T. L.
PFC Vannarath, B. T.
Pvt Vasquezvelasquez, H. D.
PFC White, S. I.*
Pvt Wilson, B. M.
PLATOON 1045
Senior Drill Instructor SSgt. L. G. Oliver
Pvt Angulo, S.
Pvt Annati, E. R.
Pvt Archer, C. M.
Pvt Barrick, A. T.
Pvt Batchler, J. T.
Pvt Benigni, D. K.
Pvt Bonin, C. T.
PFC Defosses, N. X.
Pvt Dekiere II, A. R.
Pvt Deskins, C. A.
PFC Fisher, R. D.
PFC Fritz, J. T.
Pvt Gallagher, R. J.
PFC Hansen, S.
Pvt Harbaum, D. C.
Pvt Hibbert, A. D.
Pvt Joseph, H.
Pvt Joseph, J. C.
PFC King, A. S.*
Pvt Lackey, N. E.
Pvt Lane, C. A.
Pvt Marturano, J. T.
PFC Maul, J. R.
PFC Mckittrick, G. C.
Pvt Pou Jr, D. D.
Pvt Pytel, C. A.
Pvt Robinson III, C. H.
PFC Ruizgomez, J. F.*
Pvt Schmidt, S. A.
Pvt Singh, M.
Pvt Smurphat, N. A.
PFC Stahl, L. W.
PFC Theriot, C. M.*
Pvt Toledolizardo, J. E.
Pvt Tyson, Z. J.
Pvt Walters Jr, A. R.
Pvt Zimlich, B. W.
PLATOON
1046
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt. K. N. Cole
Pvt Alersrodriguez, C. I.
Pvt Avila, D. L.
Pvt Batrony, O. R.
PFC Bercume, D. M.
Pvt Boothe, A. J.
Pvt Buenoconfesor, A. D.
Pvt Carreon, B.
PFC Carroll, J. A.*
PFC Castromolina, J. M.*
PFC Caze, R. A.
Pvt Claxton, N. S.
Pvt Coleman, N. J.
PFC Cox III, F. T.
PFC Daly, R. E.
PFC Ehrlich, S. C.
Pvt Escarraman, R.
Pvt Fairley, J. M.
PFC Foley, J. L.
Pvt Gaston, R. R.
Pvt Geitgey, T. A.
Pvt Gonzalezhernandez, C. A.
Pvt Kerber Jr, W. R.
Pvt Latshaw, C. L.
Pvt Link, Guy W.
Pvt Mahamud, O.
Pvt Medinarolon, A. J.
PFC Merrilllongstreet, D. M.
Pvt Muhammad, S. T.
PFC Pinzonrodriguez, H. A.
Pvt Sandy, J. D.
PFC Santiagocruz, J.O.
PFC Smith, K. K.*
Pvt Statzner, B. D.
Pvt Tedesco, J. J.
Pvt White Jr, E.
PFC Yan, E. P.
*Denotes Meritorious Promotion
Christopher J. Geier
Attorney at Law, LLC
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation
16 Professional Village Circle, Lady's Island 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
38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007
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 www.thebeaufortsound.com | 843-522-0655
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AUCTIONS
LIVE ESTATE AUCTION. Sat., July 26 at 9:30AM. 6918 Festival Trail Road, Springfield, SC. Selling the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Lackey. 5600 sq.ft. Civil War era home is packed! Kit 1923 TBucket 2-door truck, 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, lots of nice antique and contemporary furniture, 1880’s RJ Horner dining table/chairs, 1880’s oak Griffin buffet w/matching server, Kawai baby grand piano, 1860’s French carved oak credenza, early plantation desk, Victorian hall tree, roll top desks, china cabinets, PA dry sink, 100+ die cast toys, collection of DVDs/VHS tapes, nice antique dressers/chests, washstands, oak ice box, two Victorian cast iron parlor stoves, lots of porch/ patio furniture, tons of glassware, china sets, vintage stamp collection, syrup kettle, kitchen collectibles, doll collection, butter churns, primitives, coins, tons of tools, lawn mowers, shop equipment and much more! Two auctioneers selling simultaneously! Preview Fri., July 25 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Browse web www.cogburnauction.com 803-860-0712
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Beginning of the alphabet
*Veal or venison, e.g.
19. *Flapjack alternative
Blink of an eye, abbr.
23. Swing, ____, swung
24. Like Amundsen-Scott
South Pole Station location
25. Carl Jung's inner self
26. *____ en place
27. *Seaweed-wrapped dish
28. Opposite of cation
29. Swamp plant
32. Estimated arrival times, acr.
33. Timothy, to friends
36. *Popular condiment
38. Sheik's bevy
40. Alan Paton's novel "____, The Beloved Country"
41. Broken, e.g.
44. Third planet from the sun
46. Bachelor on "The Bachelorette," e.g.
48. Be of use
49. Condemn
50. Bantu language
51. Change for a five
52. Globes and eyeballs, e.g.
53. "Animal House" garb
54. Rigid necklace
55. Calendar square
58. Albanian money
