March 14 edition

Landscape

It’s about time

Lawmakers want statue of Black Civil War hero Robert Smalls outside Statehouse

By Skylar Laird and Seanna Adcox SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — A bipartisan group of South Carolina legislators wants to add a statue on Statehouse grounds commemorating Civil War hero and lawmaker Robert Smalls.

If approved, the statue would be the first monument honoring an

Robert Smalls

individual Black person at South Carolina’s capitol complex. A monument that honors the struggles and contributions of Black South Carolinians from the slave trade through the 20th century became part of a 2000 com-

promise that took the Confederate flag off the Statehouse dome. Black trailblazers are recognizable in the carved panels, but no one is identified. All of the stand-alone monuments, markers and statues memorializing specific South Carolinians on Statehouse grounds

SEE MONUMENT PAGE A5

Greenway

speaks out almost 8 months after termination

Delayna Earley

By

The Island News

Former Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway broke his silence regarding his termination in July 2023 and the weeks preceding during an interview with a local podcaster on Thursday, March 7 Greenway was the featured guest on Beaufort County’s House of Cards, which is a local podcast run by former County Council member Mike Covert, and during his interview he defends himself against the accusations that have been made against him by members of the community and members of County Council.

Eric Greenway

The former County Administrator was fired from his position in July 2023 in part to his hiring of Lisa Lynch to fill the role of Wellness Director.

Lynch was hired to the newly created position, in part, to help with the opioid crisis in Beaufort County.

Council cited Lynch’s hiring as one of the reasons for Greenway’s termination because they felt that Greenway hired her for personal reasons and not because she was

SEE GREENWAY PAGE A4

Moore kicks off campaign for Congress at Smalls’ bust

By Mike McCombs

The Island News

In 1976, a 13-year-old Michael B. Moore unveiled a bust of his great-great-grandfather — Beaufort native, Civil War hero and Reconstruction-era Congressman Robert Smalls — and delivered a speech commemorating the dedication of the artwork in the courtyard of Beaufort’s Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Roughly 48 years later, Moore stood in front of that same bust of Smalls on Thursday, March 7, and officially announced his candidacy for the 1st Congressional District seat currently held by Charleston Republican Nancy Mace.

“This place is a special special

place,” Moore said. Moore said he was motivated to serve on that day in 1976, and now he’s “motivated to try and make a difference for those who are here today.”

An experienced businessman, Moore said the economy isn’t working for everyone anymore. He said when he read that during the COVID-19 pandemic that the top 1 percent in the economy created twice as much wealth as the other 99 percent, “that system feels broken.”

“We need to create a system where more people have a better opportunity to take advantage of their skills,” he said. He chided Republicans looking

to cut Social Security and Medicare, saying these aren’t entitlements but instead earned benefits, “systems these hard-working men and women have been paying into since their first job at 15 or 16 years old.”

He criticized America’s health care system as one focused on maximizing profit instead of taking care of people.

And he laments that women have fewer rights over their own bodies than they did over the past 50 years. He supports the Equal Rights Amendment, pay equity and women’s reproductive freedom.

SEE CONGRESS PAGE A6

Charleston Democrat Michael B. Moore, great-great-grandson of Beaufort native, Civil War hero and Reconstruction-era Congressman Robert Smalls, officially announced his candidacy for the 1st U.S. Congressional District seat currently held by Republican Nancy Mace. Moore made his announcement near Smalls’ bronze bust, seen at right, Thursday, March 7, on the grounds of Beaufort’s Tabernacle Baptist Church. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

A woman looks at the African American History Monument on the Statehouse grounds on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Lawmakers want to put up another sculpture commemorating Civil War hero Robert Smalls, which would be the first monument for a single Black person on the complex. Skylar Laird/S.C. Daily Gazette.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK ERIC GREENE

The Island News photographer Bob Sofaly snapped this photo of Beaufort High’s Riley Durette, center, as he regains control of the ball during the first half of the Eagles’ first conference match of the season against Philip Simmons on Thursday, Feb. 29, at The Eagles’ Nest. The match, tied at 7-all, was finally won by Beaufort after Hunter Booher scored during the final 30 seconds of the contest giving the Eagles an 8-7 win over the Iron Horses. 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.

Assistant Editor

Eric Greene

Beaufort’s Eric Greene, 56, joined the United States Army in 1988. After Basic training at Fort Sill, Okla., he trained in Artillery and as a Scout. His first assignment was for two years at Fulda, Germany. He was then transferred to Fort Riley, Kan., from which he deployed to Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, where he served as a Scout for tank companies. He was awarded

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Happy Birthday to the LWV of Beaufort

March is International Women’s Month and what a perfect opportunity to say Happy Birthday to the League of Women Voters of Beaufort!

The local LWV branch celebrated its seventh birthday last week with cake and talk about the future of a volunteer organization which has built its reputation on promoting voting rights.

With the 2024 General Elections quickly approaching, the importance of LWV work, and any group dedicated to democracy, is just as important as, if not more so, the media attention given to the candidates running for the top elected offices in the nation.

The LWVs across the country are working with election boards to make sure eligible citizens are first registered to vote, and that their rights to cast that ballot are protected. While this latest version of

ON THIS DATE

March 18

1825: General Lafayette arrives in Beaufort to a 13-gun salute and speaks to citizens from the John Mark Verdier House, also known as the Lafayette Building.

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier – better known as Marquis de La Fayette or simply General Lafayette in the United States – was a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War, commanding American troops in several battles, including Yorktown. In 1824, Lafayette returned to the U.S. and traveled through 24 states and the District of Columbia.

2009: Author Pat Conroy, for whom Beaufort played a prominent role both in his works and his life, is inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame. Among Conroy’s works are The Water Is Wide, The

PAL PETS

the Bronze Star for service in combat.

He returned to the States and was separated in late 1991 so he could use the GI Bill to attend DeVry Institute in Atlanta. He earned a BS degree in accounting and went on to work in that field for 15 years in Atlanta and New York State. He has one daughter, who served in the

Navy and is now earning a degree in Cyber Security. Today he works as a private/personal chef in the Lowcountry.

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

the League was celebrating its seventh birthday this year, actually, the LWV of Beaufort County was first organized in 1973 by women like Harriet Keyserling, Janet Sawyer, Zoe Tsagos, Alice Wright, Nan Smyth, Nancy Thomas Gilley, Susan Graber, Cecily McMillan, Julie Zachowski and Evelyn Caldwell.

The Beaufort County League was later restructured to recognize when Hilton head Island and Bluffton formed their own organizations.

The LWV of Northern BC went dormant in 2007 until it was resurrected in 2017 by women like Jane Caffrey, Barbara Childs, Peggy Reider, Alison Davidow and Catherine Foster.

To celebrate the LWV and other organizations dedicated to preserving democracy and the rights of others, it’s a good thing. – Lolita T. Watson, League of Women Voters Beaufort member

Lords of Discipline, The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini.

March 19

1965: Robert Smalls High School graduate Kenny Washington scores 10 points and grabs 7 rebounds in the UCLA Bruins’ 108-89 win over Wichita State in the NCAA men’s basketball semifinal at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Ore. UCLA (27-2) advanced to the national championship game against Michigan.

2016: The Pat Conroy Literary Center is incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The center houses a collection of Conroy memorabilia and seeks to continue his legacy.

March 20

1565: Pedro Menendez de Aviles, eventual founder of Santa Elena, is named

THE WEEK

Cat

the first Governor of Florida by Spanish King Philip II.

1964: Robert Smalls High School graduate Kenny Washington scores 13 points and grabs 6 rebounds to help lead the UCLA Bruins (29-0) past Kansas State, 90-84, in the NCAA men’s basketball national semifinal at Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium. UCLA advanced to the national championship game against Duke.

1965: Robert Smalls High School graduate Kenny Washington scores 17 points and grabs 5 rebounds as the UCLA Bruins defeated Michigan, 91-80, in the NCAA men’s national championship game at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Ore. The championship was the second straight for UCLA (28-2) and head coach John Wooden. Washington was named to the All-Final Four Team. – Compiled by Mike McCombs

her beautiful green eyes! She loves to find the coziest spot in her cat room to watch others play. She is happiest in a quaint and relaxing setting. Dolce is a year old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

Dog Of The Week: Belle of the ball! This spunky and sweet girl is ready for a home of her own. Her pretty smile and hound ears are hard for anyone to resist!

Belle really enjoys when people visit her at our adoption center, we know she will make a great addition to any family. Belle is a year old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

If you are interested in adopting Dolce, Belle, or any of our other pets, call our adoption center at 843-645-1725 or email us at info@palmettoanimalleague.org to set up an appointment.

– Compiled by Sally McCoy

Advertising Sales Consultant

Sandy Schepis 678-641-4495 sandyschepis@ gmail.com

Local restaurant under fire after social media post

Johnson Creek Tavern accused of rodent infestation after recent grease fire

By Delayna Earley The Island

cently following a post made to social media claiming that the restaurant is unsanitary and infested with rodents.

The owner, Jay T. Lloyd, says that is not the case and as of press time on Tuesday, March 12, the restaurant still carries its A rating from the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), which he’s had since August 2022 Johnson Creek Tavern had to close at the end of February due to a fire in the kitchen. They have been closed since, but Lloyd said that he hopes to have the restaurant fully open for service by the end of the week.

The fire was a small grease fire, according to Lloyd, but since it was put out with a fire extinguisher, he had to follow special clean-up precautions and procedures before the restaurant could be re-opened. Lloyd contacted Servpro to come in and conduct the clean-up from the fire.

The company began the contracted clean-up last week, and according to Tim Green, business development manager and fire restoration specialist with Serv-

pro, the company hired two temps out of Savannah to help with the job.

One of those temps was a man named Lavon Lewis, Sr., who says he grew up on St. Helena Island, but is currently living in Savannah, Ga., and working as a pastor at Living Hope Worship Center, Inc. Lewis, upon arrival at the restaurant, took photos of the kitchen and storage areas in the back of the restaurant and posted them to Facebook to, as he said, warn the community of what was there.

In the photos, the equipment that had been involved in the fire was pictured

along with a photo depicting a mouse that had been trapped on a glue trap.

There was also a photo of a wall that appeared “dirty” according to Lewis.

“I wanted to let people know what was there,” Lewis said.

The initial post on social media gained some traction fast, according to Lewis, and was shared several hundred times.

Lloyd said the post was brought to his attention by an employee and he went into the kitchen area to find out who had made the post and why.

Green said that Servpro speaks with everyone that

Bthey hire, even temps, about the importance of discretion when conducing a clean-up.

“Often, people call us to come and help when a tragedy has happened,” Green said. “Sometimes they have lost a loved one, experienced an accident, flooding or fire. Regardless, it is sensitive, and we tell our employees to treat it that way.”

Green also said that the photos in question did not tell the whole story of the situation, as it was to be expected that the restaurant would need extensive cleaning following a fire.

Lloyd said that they do not typically have a rodent problem because he contracts

two separate extermination companies to prevent them from being an issue, but in the wake of the fire, doors were left open on several occasions that allowed the rodents to become a temporary issue.

Green, whose family owns Chocolate Tree in downtown Beaufort, has been part of the restaurant world, both working in it and cleaning it, for more than 40 years. He said that pests and rodents are a typical problem, especially in those restaurants that are in older buildings that are closer to the water. He also told this to Lewis after he was fired from the job for posting the photos,

but Lewis said that he does not believe that rodents in a restaurant is typical and continued to say he feels like it is his duty to protect the community by sharing the photos.

Lewis reposted the photos when he got home that evening, despite telling Green that he had deleted them.

As for Johnson Creek Tavern, they have another inspection with DHEC before they can re-open to make sure that they have properly cleaned up from the fire, and Lloyd said he has no doubt that they will pass and keep their A rating.

Delayna Earley 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.

oard-certified general surgeon Dr. Aubrey Place has joined Beaufort Memorial Surgical Specialists, further expanding access to surgical services for local residents.

Dr. Place brings to Surgical Specialists training and experience in

broad range of surgeries. Skilled in laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques, Place includes among her professional interests foregut surgeries, or those involving the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine, and hernia repair. She also performs breast, skin and colorectal surgeries, among others.

The Macon, Ga., native says she has known since her introduction to biology in sixth grade that medicine would be her life’s work. As for her choice of specialty, the opportunity to shadow an anesthesiologist during high school helped her determine that she “preferred the other side” of the operating table. While an undergraduate at University of Georgia, she kept her hand in as a volunteer in a regional post-anesthesia care unit, and now, as a physician, she enjoys precepting medical school students and advanced practice providers.

Board-Certified – General Surgery

Residency – General Surgery

University of Utah School of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine

Medical College of Georgia, Augusta

Bachelor of Science

Cellular Biology (summa cum laude) University of Georgia, Athens

Pictures taken inside Johnson Creek Tavern after the clean-up following a recent grease fire in the kitchen. Photos courtesy of Tim Green

A picture taken by a Servpro temporary employee inside Johnson Creek Tavern showing a dead rodent after a recent grease fire in the kitchen. Photo courtesy of Lavon Lewis Sr.

A picture taken by a Servpro temporary employee inside Johnson Creek Tavern after a recent grease fire in the kitchen. Photo courtesy of Lavon Lewis Sr.

Beaufort’s Woods Bridge far less likely to open now during peak traffic times

Coast Guard, DOT will allow modified schedule to avoid delays

From staff reports

Beginning later this month, if you’re late getting where you’re going, it’s going to be a little bit harder to blame it on the bridge being turned, at least temporarily.

According to a news release from the City of Beaufort on Friday, March 8, the Woods Memorial Bridge opening schedule will be modified beginning March 25 to allow continuous traffic flow during morning and evening rush hours, with some exceptions.

“This adjustment to the schedule has been in the works for almost a year.

We've collaborated with Beaufort County, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and the

United States Coast Guard to bring about this change,” Beaufort City Manager Scott Marshall said in the news release. “Special acknowledgment is extended to State Rep. Shannon Erickson for her invaluable support and advocacy throughout this process.”

The U.S. Coast Guard has authorized the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), which operates the historic swing bridge, to remain operable for vehicular traffic from 6 a.m. to 9:29 a.m. and 3:31 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning on March 25 and ending on Sept. 29 of this year. This is a temporary change to test the feasibility

of this schedule, and may result in a permanent change after the evaluation period, SCDOT said.

Currently, the swing mechanism on the bridge opens once an hour on the half hour to let boat traffic through. During these periods, but especially during rush hours, there is considerable traffic backup on both sides of the bridge, which connects downtown Beaufort to Lady’s Island.

From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, the bridge will continue to open once an hour on the half hour, as needed.

“We are grateful to our dedicated partners with the USCG, SCDOT, City of Beaufort, and our local rep-

Berry pickin’ time on St. Helena

Fourteen-month-old Lilly Buzzell enjoys her first fresh, local strawberry on the first U-Pick harvesting Friday, March 8, at Barefoot Farms on St. Helena Island. Owner and founding member of the Gullah Farmers Cooperative Association Jacky Frazier said he opened a fouracre field to kick of this year’s U-Pick strawberry season. Frazier said as the season progresses he will open up more of the 10 acres dedicated to strawberries. Frazier said he wasn’t too concerned about bad weather predicted for Saturday, March 9. “All the red berries will be picked today” before the weather gets here and the process will start all over again. Bob Sofaly/ The Island News

Greenway from page A1

the most qualified candidate for the position.

In the podcast, Greenway claimed that there is a double standard within Beaufort County government in which some people,

A4

14–20, 2024

resentatives to accomplish this temporary schedule change,” Interim County Administrator John Robinson said in the release. “The connection from downtown Beaufort to Lady’s Island is crucial for both vehicular and waterway traffic, and Beaufort County remains a committed partner in ensuring smooth operations and enhanced quality of life for all residents.”

The drawtender, who operates the opening and closing of the bridge, is authorized to open the draw regardless of the schedule for: Vehicles in distress, where a delay would endanger life or property; Commercial vessels engage in rescue or

emergency salvage operations; and Vessels seeking shelter from severe weather.

Concerned about the extensive traffic backup caused by the openings of the swing bridge during rush hours, the City of Beaufort, Beaufort County, and SCDOT worked on possible solutions for about six months, Assistant County Administrator Jared Fralix said.

“We have been working on a traffic study to make an informed request to the Coast Guard, which is responsible for managing the passage as a navigable waterway. Concurrent with the traffic study being performed locally, SCDOT had the opportunity to

request the Coast Guard to change the bridge opening to a schedule similar to the Wappoo Creek Bridge near James Island,” Fralix said.

“Thanks to that request, the Coast Guard has agreed to a temporary deviation from the existing opening schedule for a 6-month trial period. After the trial, they will assess the changes to determine if permanent changes are acceptable.”

Those who worked on the project included Justin Powell and Rob Perry of SCDOT, S.C. Rep. Erickson; Marshall and Community Development Director Curt Freese from the City of Beaufort; and Transportation Planner Kevin Sullivan and Fralix from Beaufort County.

Man arrested after hiding in Roses’ stock room, allegedly planning to rob the store

By Mike McCombs The Island News

A man was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly sneaking into the rear of a Ribaut Road business with the intent of robbing it. At 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, Port Royal Police officers responded to Roses Express, located at 1347 Ribaut Road, after a call reporting that a suspicious person had entered the

store’s stock room. According to police, upon arrival, officers located the person hiding behind boxes in the stock room, where he was detained.

The subject was identified as 36-year-old Brandon Givens of Ruffin, S.C. The investigation revealed the Givens was armed with a handgun and allegedly planned to rob the business.

Givens was arrested and charged with one count of Attempted Armed Robbery and a count of Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime. His bond on the two charges is set at a total of $25,000, and he remains incarcerated, as of noon Friday, at the Beaufort County Detention Center.

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

such as former Beaufort Parks and Recreation director Shannon Loper, former Deputy Beaufort County Administrator Whitney Richland and himself, are fired for not following policy, but others are able to flout the rules and regulations, and no one seems to care.

“It seems like there’s been a lot of stuff pointed out about what I did wrong and how I didn’t follow prop-

er procedures and things like that,” Greenway said on the YouTube airing of the podcast. “But then there are other things that are going on in the county as well that didn’t follow proper procedures and nothing is being said about it. No one’s been dismissed over that.”

Greenway specifically referred to the County Council’s decision to hire the new Daufuskie Island

Ferry vendor, who he said does not even have the equipment to operate the system, yet “they made a big deal about [him] hiring ‘non-experienced’ people on the opioid contract.”

The last time that Greenway appeared in public regarding his termination was in September 2023, when his lawyer, Columbia-based attorney Paul Porter, made com-

ments on Greenway’s behalf during a special called County Council meeting in which Greenway requested a hearing to make his case.

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.

Making an adventure out of picking strawberries are Mila Cavazos, 2, far right, and her mom Jordan with Cassie Spell, 3, and her mom Katy on

at Barefoot Farms on St. Helena Island. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

CAPA’s DWOS Masquerade Ball

Monument from page A1

honor white men.

The bill advanced unanimously Thursday, March 7, from a House subcommittee would create an 11-member commission to design and raise money for a monument to Smalls and decide where on Statehouse grounds to put it.

In 1862, Smalls hijacked a Confederate supply ship he worked on, steered his family to freedom and delivered the ammunition-laden vessel to the Union. He went on to become a state legislator and five-term congressman.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my children up here to see this monument so I can say, ‘Hey, listen, these are the people that represent you. This is an individual that looks like you, that came from the type of things that your ancestors come from and was able to overcome all of the obstacles that were set out against him,'” said Rep. Jermaine Johnson, a Black Democrat from Hopkins.

Smalls’ story resonates with people regardless of their race or political party, said Johnson, who joined with Rep. Brandon Cox, a white Republican from Goose Creek, to lead the effort.

“I think this is one we can all unite around,” Johnson said.

Thirty-three other legislators have signed on to the bill, including House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter. That suggests smooth passage through the House, where all proposals concerning changes to war-related monuments have been off limits since the 2015 debate that removed the Confederate flag from Statehouse grounds for good.

A multi-pronged, years-long effort

Thursday’s vote comes a year after lawmakers designated every May 13th “Robert Smalls Day” in South Carolina: It was in the early morning of May 13 1862, that Smalls carried out his daring plan to commandeer the steamship Planter and pilot past Confederate forts to the Union blockade in Charleston Harbor.

The state Senate has separate plans to recognize Smalls inside the Statehouse.

Legislation introduced by Majority Leader Shane Massey and co-sponsored by the entire Senate commissions a portrait of Smalls to hang in the chamber where he served from 1870 to 1874. Money is being raised for it. A vote on the Senate floor should be soon, Massey said. Since the resolution pertains only to the Senate’s walls, no House vote is even needed.

But Massey said he doesn’t have a problem with a monument to Smalls outside.

“If anyone is worthy of having a monument on the grounds, Robert Smalls would certainly be considered,” said the Edgefield Republican.

His only concern, he said, would be where to put another monument.

Moratorium

That question helps explain why the Legislature enacted a moratorium in 2007 against adding any more monuments on the capitol complex. It followed dedication of the Law Enforcement Memorial in 2006 the largest on Statehouse grounds, which came a few months after dedication of the Armed Forces of the U.S. Veterans Monument, the second largest. (The African

American History Monument, dedicated in 2001, is the third largest.)

“We didn’t want it to turn into a Disney World-type thing,” Sen. Rex Rice, R-Easley, said about why he sponsored the moratorium. (He was in the House at the time.)

But the law putting on the brakes to more and bigger monuments allows for exceptions through a process.

Extra permission steps for a Smalls monument include supermajority approval by the joint House-Senate Statehouse Committee. Judging from the bill’s unanimous support Thursday and the leaders who have signed on, Johnson said he doesn’t expect a problem.

The vote shows a willingness that didn’t exist six years ago, when Sens. Greg Gregory (a white Republican) and Darrell Jackson (a Black Democrat) introduced legislation calling for a Statehouse monument to Smalls.

“Robert Smalls was both a warrior and peacemaker, both a combative and kind man who accomplished incredible feats,” Gregory, who didn’t seek re-election in 2020, said in a joint news conference with Jackson before filing the measure. “Unfortunately, few people know of this man — one of our greatest citizens — and we’re seeking to change that.”

But that legislation went nowhere.

It came amid an escalating national debate over statues honoring Confederates and historical figures with ties to slavery.

Unlike in other places around the country, no statue was toppled on Statehouse grounds. That’s partly due to a 2000 state law — part of the compromise that first took the rebel flag off the dome — that required supermajority approval from the Legislature to remove, rename or just generally disturb any war-related memorial on public property statewide.

After the contentious 2015 debate that removed the Confederate battle flag entirely from its perch on the Statehouse’s front lawn, then-House Speaker Jay Lucas vowed there would be no further debate over any exemptions to the so-called Heritage Act under his watch.

And Lucas, who left office in 2022, followed through with that pledge. No legislation to add, subtract or alter monuments came up while Lucas was at the helm, even after the state Supreme Court overturned the requirement for supermajority approval.

But legislators’ opposition to debating monuments is generally over their removal, rather than additions, Massey said.

Even calls for the removal of former governor (1890-94) and U.S. Sen. Ben “Pitchfork” Tillman, an avowed white supremacist who advocated killing Black people who tried to vote, have gotten no traction whatsoever. The reason many people learn about him is because of that statue on the Statehouse’s front lawn, GOP legislators have said, and while his violent racism is despicable, he had a profound impact on South Carolina’s history that should be learned and understood. It’s his 1895 state constitution that still governs South Carolina.

Legislators leading the effort to get Smalls onto Statehouse grounds were very clear: Their proposal does not mean removing or replacing anything.

“We’re simply memorializing somebody in South Carolina history that has shown leadership and grace and fortitude,” Cox said.

Who was Robert Smalls?

Smalls, born a slave in Beaufort in 1839 was sent to Charleston at age 12 to be hired

out. When the Civil War began, he was an enslaved crew member of the steamship Planter contracted out to the Confederate army, which, with his skills, he was trusted to pilot. (Slaves were not supposed to be hired as pilots.)

It was when the white crew members were ashore for the night in Charleston that he and other enslaved workers on the ship fired up the ship’s boilers and picked up their family members at a wharf. Disguised in a captain’s hat and knowing the signals to give, Smalls steamed through a gauntlet of Confederate guns to freedom, according to the National Park Service.

Smalls became the first Black man to pilot ships for the U.S. Navy, using his knowledge of the Charleston Harbor to fight the Confederate ships there. Eventually, the Navy made him a captain and gave him command of the same ship he used to escape.

In 1864, when Beaufort was occupied by the Union, Smalls used the prize money Congress gave him for capturing the Planter to buy at auction the mansion of the man who enslaved him, according to the National Park Service.

During the post-Civil War Reconstruction era, he was part of the majority-Black convention of delegates who wrote the state’s 1868 constitution that undid the Black Codes and promised free education for all children and voting rights to all men. It was that constitution that resulted in Congress readmitting South Carolina to the Union.

Smalls was then elected to the state House, then the state Senate before winning a seat in Congress in 1874 His five terms in the U.S. House are especially remarkable when considering they followed the end of Reconstruction, as the newfound rights of freed slaves were being overturned and often violently reversed. The state constitution rewritten in 1895 formally rolled back education and voting rights and ushered in the Jim Crow South.

Smalls, a Black delegate to the mostly white 1895 convention, pleaded for a constitution guaranteeing “fair and honest” elections, even while recognizing the purpose of the convention — organized by “Pitchfork” Tillman — was to disenfranchise Black voters.

After Smalls’ death in 1915, his story mostly faded from history until the early 2000s, when Beaufort residents started calling for a national park site telling Smalls’ story.

A Reconstruction Era National Monument was established by President Barack Obama’s January 2017 executive order. Two years later, it became a national park that includes Smalls’ home, which remained in the family until the 1950s, a visitor center a few blocks away, and the church where he’s buried.

“I just can’t think of anybody else that I would go and say, ‘Hey, let’s put a statue of this person on the grounds,’” Cox said. “Robert Smalls was that person.”

The monument A Statehouse monument honoring Smalls would be funded by private donations, Cox said.

How much would be needed is not yet known. Other monuments put on Statehouse grounds over the last 25 years would cost from $489 000 to $2 8 million to build today, due to inflation.

For example, the bronze-and-granite sculpture of former governor and U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, installed in 1999 with $850 000

WHO IS RECOGNIZED?

A look at the figures recognized with a monument of S.C. Statehouse grounds:

• U.S. President George Washington Revolutionary War Capt. Swanson Lunsford (gravestone)

Dr. J. Marion Sims, “father of modern gynecology” (who learned by experimenting on female slaves) John C. Calhoun (inside the Statehouse), congressman, secretary of war, vice president, U.S. senator, and champion of slavery

• Wade Hampton III, Confederate general and first post-Reconstruction governor Ben Tillman, former governor and U.S senator James Byrnes, former congressman, U.S. secretary of state, U.S. Supreme Court justice and S.C. governor Strom Thurmond, governor and U.S. senator

Source: Historic Columbia

from private donors, would have cost about $2 million to reconstruct in 2023. And the African American History Monument, which cost $1 2 million — also from private donors — would now take $2 8 million, according to th state’s Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.

If legislators give their approval, the size and look of the Robert Smalls statue would depend on how much money people donate. Cox said he’s confident the money will come.

“To put Robert Smalls in the South Carolina capitol? Oh yeah, we’re definitely getting money for this,” Cox said. “I’m not worried about that at all.”

Skylar Laird covers the South Carolina Legislature and criminal justice issues. Originally from Missouri, she previously worked for The Post and Courier’s Columbia bureau.

Seanna Adcox is a South Carolina native with three decades of reporting experience. She joined States Newsroom in September 2023 after covering the S.C. Legislature and state politics for 18 years. Her previous employers include The Post and Courier and The Associated Press.

DJ Donna Smith presents the CAPA Dancing With Our Stars participants and their guests as she kicks off the evening at

DWOS Masquerade Ball on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Homeowner, cat safe from Port Royal fire on Monday

By Delayna Earley The Island News

The City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department and Burton Fire District responded to a structure fire at a residence in the Picket Fences subdivision in Port Royal on Monday, March 11

The homeowner was in the residence, but she and her cat were able to exit the home safely thanks to properly working fire detectors, according to Beaufort/Port Royal Deputy Fire Chief Ross Vezin.

The fire departments responded just before 2 p.m., and they were on the scene in less than four minutes according to a press release from the City of

Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department.

Heavy fire and smoke were reportedly coming from the chimney area of the one-story home and firefighters were able to attack the fire from the inside of the home to prevent it from spreading to any of the nearby homes.

It took about half an hour to extinguish the fire, according to Vezin, but fire crews were on the scene for approximately three hours.

It is unclear at this time what caused the fire, but the fire appears to have started near the fireplace in the home, according to Vezin.

The City of Beaufort/Town of

Port Royal Fire Department, the Burton Fire District, Beaufort County EMS, Port Royal Police Department and Dominion Fire all responded to the scene, according to the release.

Vezin said that the fire caused significant damage to the home, and the homeowner and her cat have been displaced.

The fire is still under investigation.

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.

Celebrating the opening of the Hub

NEWS BRIEFS

Beaufort History Museum holding Piece of Our Past auction

History lovers are being invited to step back in time and enjoy an exquisite evening filled with nostalgia and history at the "Piece of Our Past" Auction, organized by the Beaufort History Museum.

This remarkable event, which takes place at 5 p.m., Thursday, March 14 at the home of Mayor Phil Cromer (162 Spanish Point Drive), offers an exclusive opportunity to acquire artifacts and treasures that will enhance any home or add to that special collection.

General admission tickets are $40 for members (registration code required) and $55 for non-members (includes one year membership). Food and drinks will be served.

Tickets are available for purchase at https://bit.ly/3w-

Congress

from page A1

84ZHE. As space is limited, those interested are encourages to secure a spot early.

Proceeds help the Beaufort History Museum in its mission to preserve and showcase the historical legacy of our community. For more information, please visit the museum or visit https://bit. ly/3Ov2Nk0

Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club meeting

The Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club’s March meeting will be held Thursday, March 14, at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club located on Lady’s Island off of Meridian Road. The social begins at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

Local guide, Captain Thomas McDonald of Hilton Head Inshore Charters will discuss Trout and Redfish. He will present rods and reels, various rigs, and sure

“The idea of abortion is not something that anyone likes,” Moore said, “but women have the right to make those decisions about their own body, not the government coming between them and their doctors.”

He pointed out his great-great-grandfather was responsible for the law that created the first free compulsory statewide public education in United States and said we had to work harder to be sure all children got a fair shake.

After the cameras were off, Moore was asked what the solution was at the Southern border.

“It’s so politicized, it’s hard to understand really, what’s what,” he

techniques for landing legal size. This will also include live bait vs. artificial and his favorite choices.

Guests are welcome. Reservations are not needed.

For additional information, please contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-521-7340 or email fgibson@islc.net.

Friends of Fort Fremont Oyster Roast

The Friends of Fort Fremont are hosting their annual Oyster Roast from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 15, at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal. Tickets are $40 per person.

Sea Eagle is catering oysters and chili, appetizers and desserts. Music will be provided by the Sweet Ferns. And once again, there will be a silent auction, including pair of tickets to a Savannah Bananas game. Tickets are available online at www.fortfremont.org.

said. “People tell me, as a percentage of out total population, immigrant population is not now dramatically higher than it has been over the course of our history. But the issue is much more heightened. I believe it’s a problem, but if we start thinking about the problem just at the border, we’ve almost already lost. It’s a hemispheric problem. I think it involves our foreign policy with those countries and trying to find out ways that we can economic opportunity and political and social stability to those countries, where folks aren’t feeling the need to risk their lives to come to the United States.

“It’s a long-term problem. I am also worried that it’s not actually a serious problem with Republicans because they had a chance to enact a law over the last couple of weeks that would have made a big difference but chose politically not to do

Use caution on Spanish Moss Trail extension

Beaufort County wants to remind people to use caution when moving through the Spanish Moss Trail Port Royal Extension while it's under construction, particularly the freshly poured concrete.

The project will extend the trail from the current southern terminus across Ribaut Road into Port Royal. The trail is heavily used by members of the public – pedestrians, rollerbladers, walkers and bicyclists – and that will continue.

Construction of the extension will continue for several more months dependent on weather and repair work. Please acknowledge and adhere to construction signing in the area.

For more information on the extension project, call Beaufort County Engineering Department at 843-2552700

that. I think one of the things we’re going to talk about is we’re going to hold Nancy (Mace) and folks on the right accountable for that.”

Moore was proud that he gave a speech on steps of Supreme Court back on October 11, 2023 as the high court was about to hear arguments on the gerrymandering of South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.

He said that 2024 S.C. was a lot different than the S.C. of 150 years ago. It was a different context, he said, but the same same pernicious tool – gerrymandering – was used to steal a district away from Robert Smalls.

In January 2023, a panel of three federal judges ruled that S.C.-01 is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander and that South Carolina's Republican legislature intentionally removed tens of thousands of Black voters during

Matthews to speak at LWV Beaufort meeting

Join the League of Women Voters Beaufort Area at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 16, at the Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street in downtown Beaufort for their monthly meeting honoring Women's History Month. The guest speaker will be S.C. State Senator Margie Bright Matthews who will share the "story" of how the five female bi-partisan senators came together to defend women's reproductive rights, what it was like fighting that battle, and eventually receiving the 2023 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

Wilson, Stone to speak at Tea Party meeting

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and S.C. 14th Circuit Solic-

the redistricting process that followed the 2020 census.

In May, the Supreme Court agreed to take up the case, and the justices heard oral arguments in October, when Moore spoke. Last summer, the Court rejected Republican attempts to gerrymander state congressional maps in Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina.

Democrat Joe Cunningham flipped the district in 2018, and Mace defeated him in 2020 by a margin of less than two percentage points. The court could hand down a decision any time. No matter what, however, before facing Mace, Moore would have to surpass a Democratic challenger, Charleston attorney Mac Deford, a Coast Guard veteran and graduate of The Citadel. Mace also faces opposition from her own party in the form of four

itor Duffy Stone will be the guests speakers at the next Beaufort Tea Party meeting held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 18 at AMVETS Post 70 at 1831 Ribaut Road in Port Royal.

Friends of Fort Fremont hosting volunteer training

The Friends of Fort Fremont will hold an orientation and training class at 10 a.m., Monday, March 25 at the Fort Fremont History Center, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Volunteers are needed to greet visitors at the History Center during operating hours each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Anyone who enjoys meeting people from around the world is invited to attend. For more information, email tourfortfremont@gmail.com.

– Compiled from staff reports

challengers:

Mount Pleasant Republican Catherine Templeton, former director of the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation and the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) chief, both under Gov. Nikki Haley; Mace’s former chiefof-staff Dan Hanlon, who worked in the Office of Management and Budget during the Trump administration and was a staff member of former Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.); Austin Anderson, an Uber driver who calls himself a “gay, anti-establishment Republican;” and U.S. Marines veteran Bill Young. The S.C. Republican and Democratic primaries will be held on Tuesday, June 11 2024

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

Fire displaced a woman and her cat from her home on Monday, March 11, in the Picket Fences subdivision in Port Royal. Photos courtesy of City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department

Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Interim President and CEO Megan Morris extends congratulations to Technical College of the Lowcountry President Richard Gough and TCL Area Commission Chair Randy Dolyniuk at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the TCL HUB on Friday, March 1, 2024. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

From left, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Interim President and CEO Megan Morris, Technical College of the Lowcountry Area Commission Chair Randy Dolyniuk, TCL President Richard Gough, TCL Vice President for Student Affairs Nancy Weber, Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer, Beaufort County Council member Alice Howard and TCL Associate Vice President for Enrollment Allison Canning watch as Weber cuts the ribbon signifying the official opening of the TCL HUB during the ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, March 1, 2024, in Beaufort. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Roots Grown Deep on Fripp Island

By Margit Resch For The

When you hear of an event called Roots Grown Deep, what do you envision that to be about? I imagined an exhibit of paintings depicting mysteriously intertwined tree roots. Was I wrong. It’s not a visual art exhibit. It’s a concert!

Roots Grown Deep is the name of a group of 33 musicians from 11 different countries whose musical sensibilities, often even their instruments, are firmly rooted in their respective culture. However, the group’s origin hails from South Africa. Some of its members’ roots grow in fertile American musical soil (i.e. folk, jazz, blues), and five of these musicians will come to Fripp Island on Sunday, March 24 and entertain us.

Oops, did I say “entertain us?” If Joel Karabo Elliott, the taproot of Roots Grown Deep, heard me say that, he would not be happy, because his aim is not to entertain, but to heal us, to heal and strengthen each individual, and to heal and unite the community — through music.

Elliott heard about Fripp Island Friends of Music, its concerts and its Music-inSchools program, when he toured the area last year and played on St. Helena Island for the Gullah community. He clearly felt a kinship to our mission – “I do this all over the world,” he said – and he contacted us. So now Elliott is going to bring the following "remarkably experienced and sensitive quintet” to play for us on Fripp and take us on "a journey of inner awakening through a fusion of roots and classical sounds emanating from India, the Caribbean, and Appalachia-Americana.”

Elliott (voice, guitar, trombone) is a renowned South African-born international musical composer, multi-instrumentalist and arts educator who now resides in the United States. Elliott believes that music is a universal language, and "serves as a vehicle for spiritual and mental progress.” The music, the right kind of music, creates unity amidst diversity by aligning hearts and minds. Through “melody and with celestial-divine assistance” we are connected and can regenerate, i.e. heal, our confused world.

sands of classes in Yoga and Sacred Sounds & Dance Embodiment workshops around the world with the intention of “uplifting others in their artistic expression and finding joy in their bodies.” Devi developed the Vocal Moksha Method, a synthesis of Sound Healing and Vocal Liberating Techniques,” intended to expand the voice and heal through song. Shruti, by the way, means hearing, listening, a call to listen to any form of communication.

Jay Brown (strings, harmonica) has played guitar since he was 7 and written more than a hundred songs since high school. He hails from North Carolina and describes himself as a “roots music oneman-band,” but he does play with many multiple-men bands, such as Lazybirds or the Indian folk fusion band Shantavaania, both of which he formed, the later with his wife Aditi. He studied and performed traditional African music on multiple trips to Ghana; all of which explains his eclectic, intriguing style.

Jahidi (tabla and percussion) is an alchemist and sound healer, who wants us to experience sound as medicine. A drummer since childhood, Jahidi explored shamanic sound healing for decades, and for the last fifteen years, he has been providing sound- healing sessions for people in physical or mental distress, allowing for “their inner guru and inner physician to emerge.”

Scott Sheerin (flutes and saxophone) is the musical visionary behind Healing Music Now. "My deep interest in healing and the spiritual dimensions of music,” he said, "have led me to a long apprenticeship in learning the ways of music as prayer and music as medicine."

Jahidi’s Sonic Soul Journey is a sound-healing experience like no other. Please bring your own yoga mat for laying down during the sound healing journey. Oops, no, not for the concert on Fripp. Only for Jahidi’s Sonic Soul Journey.

After their concert on Sunday, Roots

Grown Deep will spend two mornings at St. Helena Elementary School teaching and playing music, a longer than usual Musicin-the-Schools program that is made possible by FIFOM through the Hildy Aldrich Fund and our patrons’ support of said fund.

Experience the healing power of Roots

He studied traditional Chinese medicine and became an acupuncturist. He learned some of the profound spiritual practice of chanting and the devotional music of India. Over the past two decades, Sheerin has served at shamanic healing retreats as a healing musician around the United States and has played and recorded “healing music."

Paloma Devi (voice and shruti) is of Cuban, Spanish and Asian descent, and has spent much of her life traveling the globe, embracing many cultures, providing thou-

Grown Deep at 5 p.m., Sunday, March 24 at the Fripp Island Community Centre, 205 Tarpon Boulevard. This more than musical concert is sponsored by Fripp Island Friends of Music and supported by the SC Arts Commission. Attendees get a free pass at the Fripp gate. Tickets at the door: adults $30, students free thanks to the Peg Gorham Memorial Fund. You are invited to join the musicians at a complimentary reception after the performance, catered deliciously by Harold’s Chef Services. Questions?

Email or text Vanessa Peñaherrera at vandy116@gmail.com or 704-807-0255

SC high court to decide whether K-12 voucher program is legal

Ruling could decide not only whether plans for last year’s law can continue but whether legislators expand it to ‘universal’ school choice

By Seanna Adcox SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — Will taxpayer-funded scholarships toward K-12 tuition directly or indirectly benefit the private schools collecting the money? That’s the key question for state Supreme Court justices deciding whether South Carolina’s voucher program can continue.

The state’s high court heard arguments Wednesday, March 6, on a challenge to last year’s law that provides $6 000 scholarships toward tuition, tutoring, transportation and other K-12 school-related expenses.

Attorneys for the South Carolina Education Association and NAACP contend the vouchers violate the state constitution’s ban on public money directly benefiting private schools. Attorneys for Republican lawmakers and the state Education Department counter the law avoids that ban by putting the money into a “trust fund” for parents to allocate.

The number of participants is capped at 5,000 Medicaid-eligible students in the coming school year. But eligibility rises to 15 000 students in higher-income homes by year three — at a cost of $90 million.

It could climb much higher in subsequent years. A proposal advanced Wednesday to the House floor could open eligibility to all students, regardless of income, and increase the scholarship amounts — if the justices decide the existing law is legal.

Chief Justice Don Beatty, who’s retiring this summer, did not hide his disapproval.

“You’re talking about taking $90 million dollars out of public education; $90 million dollars will fund more than 2,200 school teachers in this state, and there’s a shortage of school teachers — 2 200 based on their paltry pay!” he said. “That’s what $90 million would do. This $90M could be used to raise some of those teachers’ pay to get quality teachers in our schools, yet we want to shift all this money to private schools to keep them afloat.”

Justice John Few took an entirely different approach, calling teacher pay an example of an indirect benefit. Money flowing to private schools will allow them to pay their teachers better, probably forcing public schools to respond, he said.

“I simply want to know how to analyze the direct and indirect benefits,” he told an attorney for the opponents.

Allen Nickles, with the opponents, told him to apply the “gold standard.”

“Who gets the gold?” he asked. “In this case, there is gold that goes to private education without restriction on how it can be used.”

But Grayson Lambert, an attorney for Gov. Henry McMaster, said it’s only direct if the government decides which schools get the money. It’s indirect when the parents decide. As the program is set up, parents can send payments to approved schools, tutoring services and other vendors through an online portal. They cannot withdraw from their account. If any of the $6 000 isn’t spent, the balance can carry over into the next school year.

‘Not a boon?’

But the state Education Department’s attorney suggested $6 000 won’t go very far. Affirming an argument long used by opponents, Miles Coleman told justices $6 000 won’t cover annual tuition costs for most private schools.

“This money isn’t even enough to cover what we think is the cost as a state to educate children,” he said, alleging incorrectly that “the state has determined” $17,000 per child is adequate.

Actually, public schools are projected to spend $17,500 per student this school year, on average, in districts statewide.

However, less than half of that ($8,084) comes from state coffers. Roughly an equal amount comes from local property taxes, while the remainder comes from federal

taxes. Revenue varies by district, ranging from a combined $11,600 per student in Dillon 3 (Latta) to $28 100 in Fairfield County, according to the latest report by the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.

“It’s not some sort of a largess boon to recipients,” Coleman said about the $6,000 Beatty couldn’t help but interject: “Ninety million dollars is not a boon?”

“Not on an individualized level,” Coleman responded as his time was up.

The superintendent’s role

Under the expansion proposal likely to pass the House and advocated by state Superintendent Ellen Weaver, scholarship amounts in the program would rise yearly in line with increases in allocations to public schools.

Justices questioned the legality of putting the publicly elected state superintendent in charge of overseeing money to private schools.

The law outlines 17 responsibilities of the state education agency in the program’s operation, Beatty said, asking how many state-paid employees are needed to carry those out.

The state constitution requires free public schools for all children and puts a state superintendent at the helm, said acting Justice James Lockemy, a retired judge filling in on the case.

“How in the world can we say a constitutional officer elected by the people with constitutional duties involving public education” should be in charge of a program for private schools, he asked. “My concern is constitutionally putting

Columbia College expands Military Affiliated Benefit program

From staff reports

Columbia (Mo.) College recently announced that it will expand its popular Military Affiliated Benefit program as part of the institution’s continued commitment to serving members of the U.S. military, installation employees and their families.

Starting March 1, all spouses and dependents (younger than 25) of currently serving military members and all military installation employees nationwide are now eligible for the college’s Military Affiliated Benefit. Spouses and dependents of installation employees, meanwhile, are eligible for 15% off the college’s regular tuition rate.

The offer previously was available only to those at an installation that housed a Columbia College location or education center but now is available to all military-affiliated individuals.

“Expanding the Military Affiliated Benefit program to all who serve our country reflects our steadfast desire to provide access to quality, affordable education,” said Columbia College President Dr. David Russell, a retired Army lieutenant colonel. “The MAB is our way of honoring mem-

bers of the Armed Forces and their families for the sacrifices they make every day to protect our freedoms.”

Columbia College celebrated 50 years of its partnership with the U.S. military in 2023 and has over 20,000 military-affiliated alumni. The college serves current service members, veterans and military families online and at more than 20 locations nationwide, 14 of which are on military installations. For more information on the college’s Military Affiliated Benefit program, please contact the Center for Student Success at Success@CCIS.edu or 573-875-7252

the superintendent of education in charge of this program.”

Attorneys for the state contend the Legislature has the authority to add duties to Weaver’s job. If that’s a problem, legislators can just create a new state office with someone else in charge, they said.

Public options too?

They likened the K-12 vouchers to existing, popular programs that indirectly aid private schools. Notably, lottery-backed scholarships can be used at any in-state college students choose, whether public or private. And qualifying parents can choose a public or private preschool program.

Similarly, they said, the law allows parents to use their allotment to send their child to another public school.

School districts can charge tuition to accept students who live in another school district, since their parents don’t pay the local property taxes.

Those out-of-district fees can top $6 000, said James Gilliam, attorney for House Speaker Murrell Smith, arguing that public and private schools will compete for the aid.

“These are real dollars,” he said.

“These are real choices.”

But when Justice Gary Hill asked for the “practical mechanics” of how that would work, Gilliam’s answer sounded a lot like a longstanding argument from the opposition: Like private schools in the program, public school districts could reject students at will, he said.

“The process is the same,” Gilliam said. Students “need to apply and be accepted by either the outof-district public school or private

school. It would be up to them. There’s no mandate the school has to take them.”

Attorneys for the opponents told justices lack of transportation is among reasons the K-12 program doesn’t offer equal choices between public and private options.

If students want to go to another public school, it must be outside their district, which could require significant travel. But there’s no such location limitation on private schools.

The law caps the transportation benefit to $750 of the $6 000

“This program is not structured in a way that’s neutral in any way and available to all students,” said Ramya Ravindran, attorney for the South Carolina Education Association.

There is no timeline on when justices will rule on the case. In the meantime, plans will continue to start the program this coming school year.

The deadline for parents to apply is March 15

According to the education agency, applications have already exceeded the 5 000-student cap. Since some applicants could be deemed ineligible, the agency is still encouraging parents to apply. Approved parents will have access to their first quarterly installment of $1 500 in late July.

Skylar Laird contributed to this report.

Seanna Adcox is a South Carolina native with three decades of reporting experience.

She joined States Newsroom in September 2023 after covering the S.C. Legislature and state politics for 18 years. Her previous employers include The Post and Courier and The Associated Press.

Courtyard view of planned expansion at Hilton Head Christian Academy in Bluffton.

Submitted photo.

Hilton Head Christian Academy unveils plans to expand

From staff reports Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) unveiled plans Friday, March 1, to expand its campus amid continued high demand for the school’s collaborative inquiry-based learning model and a growing community. HHCA will soon break ground on the construction of a 16 500-square-foot academic building. The new facility will offer 10 learning spaces, a third art studio, a new science lab, a collaborative student commons area, and a second campus cafe. It will primarily serve

high school students, allowing the school to meet continued high demand in all grades. Since moving to Bluffton in 2021, HHCA has experienced significant enrollment growth and the number of applicants continues to reach historic levels. Enrollment has jumped more than 65% since the school announced it would make the move. Its 27 7-acre campus, now home to 630 students, was designed from the ground up to accommodate growing academic, athletic, and fine arts programs.

The $7 8 million project is funded by Created to Soar, a now public fundraising campaign for which the school has already met more than 80% of its goal through private fundraising. A formal groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the site in April. Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) is an independent Christian school serving families in Kindergarten through 12th grade offering comprehensive academics, athletics and fine arts programs. Learn more at hhca.org.

From staff reports

DAYLO honored with national commendation

DAYLO, the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization, has been honored with a national commendation from the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) at the recommendation of the South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL).

The commendation was presented at an awards luncheon Wednesday, March 6, at the SCASL annual conference in Columbia. The award was accepted by Beaufort High School DAYLO alumna Millie Bennett, Madelyn Confare, and Mickie Thompson, and DAYLO’s mentors Claire Bennett and Jonathan Haupt.

DAYLO also presented a conference session for educators on student engagement and pro-literacy community service.

“DAYLO is being recognized for helping defend the intellectual freedom of all South Carolina students by mobilizing young leaders to speak up for First Amendment rights,” the commendation read. “… The mission of AASL is to empower leaders to transform teaching and learning. AASL works to ensure that all members of the school library field collaborate to connect learners with ideas and information

and to prepare students for life-long learning, informed decision-making, a love of reading, and the use of information technologies. Please let us acknowledge and congratulate you for bringing educators a step closer in the shared responsibility of helping all children learn.”

DAYLO, a student-led book club and community literacy service group fostering empathy and un-

derstanding through the power of story, was first established in 2021 at Beaufort High School by Holland Perryman, who was then a high school junior. During the 2022-2023 school year, DAYLO student leaders Millie Bennett and Madelyn Confare from Beaufort High School; Elizabeth Foster, Patrick Good, and Pete Cooper from Beaufort Academy; and Isabella Troy Brazoban

USCB’s new mural

from Battery Creek High School, spoke out in public comments at Beaufort County Board of Education meetings in response to two challenges against 97 books in Beaufort County School District school libraries. The successful advocacy of DAYLO students led to additional advocacy opportunities regionally and nationally, and has since inspired the creation of new

DAYLO chapters across South Carolina. DAYLO’s student-led advocacy efforts have been profiled as front-page news stories in the Charleston Post and Courier and The Island News; in articles featured in Education Week, Book Riot, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal; and in national livestream discussions for the American Library Association, the

Children’s Book Council, and the Kids Right to Read Network of the National Coalition Against Censorship. To learn more about DAYLO’s pro-literacy community service outreach programs and continued advocacy for the right to read freely, please follow DAYLO on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ daylo_reads or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ DAYLO.reads.

32nd Beaufort County Youth Conference needs youth planners on March 16

From staff reports The 32nd Beaufort County Youth Conference is holding it’s planning session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, March 16 at Building 12 at Technical College of the Lowcountry at 915 Ribaut Road.

The upcoming event invites the very youth that participate to plan the event. Youth from Beaufort High, Battery Creek High, Whale Branch Early College High School, Bluffton High, May River High, Hilton Head Island High, Ridgeland High, Wade Hampton High, Colleton County High, Bridges Prep, Beaufort Academy, John Paul II Catholic School, Lady’s Island Middle, Whale Branch Middle, Robert Smalls, Bluffton Middle, McCracken Middle, Hilton

Head Island Middle, River Ridge Academy, Beaufort Middle and Hardeeville High are invited to be youth planners, enjoying food, music and fun in

breakout sessions. For more information, call Carrie Major at 8438124399; Lynn Singleton at 843-476-1888; or Janie Brown at 592-0013

SCASL’s Tamara Cox, left, poses with DAYLO alumna Mickie Thompson (Beaufort High), DAYLO alumna Millie Bennett (Beaufort High), DAYLO mentor Claire Bennett (Beaufort Academy), DAYLO alumna member Madelyn Confare (Beaufort High) and DAYLO mentor Jonathan Haupt of the Pat Conroy Center. Submitted photo.

Beaufort High DAYLO alumnae Mickie Thompson, Madelyn Confare and Millie Bennett pose with their commendation from the American Association of School Librarians. Submitted photo

From left, the USC Beaufort Chair of the Natural Sciences Department Joe Station, Ph.D.; Biology faculty Mercer Brugler, Ph.D., and Tye Pettay, Ph.D.; and Provost Eric Skipper, Ph.D. stand

March

in front

the university's new mural by artist Amiri Farris. The mural was

Dick Stewart and is

the Marine Sciences building

Beaufort campus

Carteret

Farris

in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

At USCB, Farris is an artist-in-residence and faculty member. Submitted photo

Amiri Farris

Five northern Beaufort County seniors named Heritage Classic Foundation scholars

From staff reports

Five north of the Broad River students are among the 11 outstanding Beaufort and Jasper County seniors named Heritage Classic Foundation scholars for the 2023-2024 school year.

Altogether, the students come from five different high schools, including the first time a student from a Jasper County Public School has been honored.

Battery Creek’s Zoe Way and Noah Henry, Annabelle Nelson, Nathan Tran, and James Guerin Willis of Beaufort High were the north of the Broad selections.

Lamika Walker of Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence is the first Heritage Classic Foundation scholar ever from Jasper County.

Bluffton’s Aiden Harvey and Jhasly Berra, Anthony Bynum, Susana Mogil, and Evelyn Prokes of Hilton Head Island High School rounded out the scholar selections.

Seniors in all Beaufort and Jasper County high schools were eligible to apply and applications were reviewed on the basis of academic success, community service, essays written by the student and financial need. Thirteen finalists were interviewed by the Scholar Committee, the two not selected were awarded a onetime $2 500 grant.

During Monday’s awards presentation, Heritage Classic Foundation Scholar Committee Chairman, Scott Richardson told the audience, “This is always an exciting day for the Heritage Classic Foundation. We believe the resumes of these young adults are better than ever. The teachers and administrators of our school systems, as well as the award winners, deserve special praise.”

Richardson also pointed out, “You are not just straight A students. You are leaders in your schools, communities and churches. Your interests vary from volunteerism to sports to caring for the environment.”

About the 2024 Scholars

Jhasly Berra is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Candidate at Hilton Head Island High and she has also received the South Carolina Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. She is president of her school’s chapter of the National French Honor Society and secretary of the National Honor Society where she dedicates time mentor -

ing elementary school students in math and English. She is a first generation Latina who aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in the STEM community by studying biomedical engineering.

Anthony Bynum (Tartan Club Award) wants to improve the diversity of students in middle school advanced classes, so he started NextGen Tutoring. Twice a week, Hilton Head Island High Schoolers tutor elementary school students before school with the goal of improving math and reading skills. He is a member of the varsity basketball and football teams and is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He logs more than 200 volunteer hours yearly, including being a Pockets Full of Sunshine buddy. He plans to pursue a career in aerospace.

Aiden Harvey has been a member of the Bluffton High Band since freshman year and earned the title Band Captain and Drum Major in his senior year. Through the band’s honor society, he volunteers his time sharing music in the community. He is also president of the school’s Robotics Club and helps run competitions for middle and elementary school students. He plans to study

music education and become a music teacher.

Noah Henry helped design and build Beaufort High’s first garden beds as a member of the Garden Club. In addition to those flourishing gardens, he focuses much of his time volunteering with the Interact Club and National Honor Society. He has logged more than 100 hours as an Interact Club volunteer and has spent time with retirees as an NHS member. Protecting the environment is important to him and he has participated in beach sweeps, Adopt-a-Highways and church clean-ups. He plans to use his talent for mathematics to study aerospace engineering.

Susana Mogil (Mike Malanick Award) earned the 2023 NJROTC Distinguished Cadet award at Hilton Head Island High. She is the Color Guard Commander and a member of the Academics and Orienteering teams. She is also an International Baccalaureate Programme Candidate and a member of the Seahawk Stage Company. Her time working at a day camp fueled her desire to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. She was raised speaking Spanish and volunteers as a bilingual tutor at the Neighborhood Outreach Center and is also an

assistant teacher at her synagogue’s religious school.

Annabelle Nelson is involved in both academic and social organizations at Beaufort High including the CREATE Club, where she helps fellow students understand the importance of practicing sustainability and conservation. She also defends banned literature as a member of the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization. She a member of Voices, a select group of Beaufort High choir members and plays the violin in the orchestra. She plans to study business administration with the goal of establishing a nonprofit dedicated to the growth and education of children.

Evelyn Prokes moved from Indiana just in time to begin her senior year at Hilton Head Island High. She became a member of the Science National Honor Society, Book Club and Rainbow Alliance. At her former high school, she was Head of Costumes and received a varsity letter in theatre. For two years, she led support groups for grieving children and she was a coordinator for Sea Pines Country Club’s Deep Well Project Santa Shop toy drive. She has been fascinated by genetics since 5th grade and by 10th grade she knew she wanted to pursue it as a career.

Nathan Tran (John Zimmerman Award) is a National Merit Semifinalist and is ranked No. 1 in his class at Beaufort High School. He not only captains his school’s VEX Robotics Team, he also runs an online community made up of 40 VEX teams around the world. In addition, he works with younger students to encourage their interest in robotics. Since 2015, he has volunteered with Friends of Hunting Island Sea Turtle Conservation to identify sea turtle crawls and nests, but his true passion is robotics and his goal is to become a robotics engineer.

Lamika Walker (Ward Kirby Award) attends the Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence and is also completing the Law Enforcement program at the Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence. That program has inspired her to pursue a career in Forensic Psychology. She is the reigning Miss Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence and has been class president since her sophomore year. She is a student athletic trainer and is also a member of her school’s cheerleading, volleyball and soccer teams. She was chosen to speak at the Garden of Light Committee’s youth scholarship banquet honoring Dr. Mar -

tin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. She believes everyone should be their own role model.

Zoe Way is Senior Class President and has always been active in Student Council at Battery Creek High School. She is ranked No. 1 in her class, is President of the National Honor Society and is active in the Interact Club. She founded a program focused on engaging students with politics and hosts an event to connect students with community members. She studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and credits the classes with giving her confidence and self-discipline. She volunteers at her church and mentors students. It is her way to “pay forward what can never be paid back”.

James Guerin Willis

(Charlie Brown Award) is the captain of both the basketball and soccer team at Beaufort High. The soccer team will be defending their lower state championship this season. He prioritizes community service by tutoring students in chemistry before and after school. He is active in his school’s National Honor Society Chapter and created a social media channel to boost visibility among students and to increase community service across the school. He plans to study Economics.

SC higher ed agency taps former Lexington school superintendent as acting director

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — The former superintendent of a Columbia-area school district is stepping in as the new interim head of the state’s higher education agency.

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education appointed Greg Little as acting executive director effective Monday.

Little was superintendent of Lex-

ington School District One, the state’s sixth-largest district, for six years until resigning in 2022 to take a post with the state Technical College System. Little worked for the technical colleges as vice president of strategic partnerships and innovation for just shy of two

Gregg Little

years before taking this new role.

Karen Woodfaulk, the agency’s student affairs division head, had been serving as acting executive director before Little’s arrival.

“The Commission looks forward to working with Dr. Little in his role as acting president and executive director, and we sincerely value his leadership during this critical transition period,” said former state Sen. Wes Hayes, who chairs

the commission’s governing board. “We have strong confidence in Dr. Little’s ability to guide the agency and maintain the CHE’s commitment to accessible, affordable, and high-quality postsecondary education in South Carolina.” Little comes to the agency in the wake of a report from state Inspector General Brian Lamkin. In December, Lamkin told lawmakers the higher education agency had

allowed $152 million in unspent state lottery profits intended for college scholarships to pile up over six years. Fallout from the report led to the resignation of former director Rusty Monhollon, who had served in the role since 2019

Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the S.C. Daily Gazette, she was a business reporter for The Post and Courier.

Eleven outstanding Beaufort and Jasper County seniors have been named Heritage Classic Foundation scholars for the 2023-2024 school year. Submitted photo

Those of us who have been in the Christian faith for a while joyfully embrace Romans Chapter 8 as it is filled with encouraging promises. God has been so good to us and we know it’s because of His endless love that we can enjoy an abundant life filled with blessings. Of course, we have our share of frustrations and disappointments, but for the most part, the Lord provides for our basic needs and to be honest, He has also given us a lot of luxuries. When things are going well, let’s not become more focused on the gifts than the giver. We realize the world judges success with how much money and talent a person has and all the things they accumulate throughout their lifetime, but for the followers of Christ, our greatest accomplishment will be how close we are to God and our obedience to Him. By the way, we can be as close to

Do we really want to know God’s plan?

BILLY HOLLAND

Him as we want, and this brings up a critical question as to how important this is to us. Life has its seasons and sometimes things can get rough, especially the unexpected crisis. It’s not being negative to say there will be trials that will try to knock us off our feet, but is there a way we can at least somewhat be prepared to handle adversity when it comes? I believe the answer is yes. It’s not easy, but when we develop a friendship with God and understand who He is, trusting Him can be our first response. When problems arise, the only thing

in our power is our attitude toward it; we can either ask God which choices to make that will help us do His will and be victorious, or we can resent it and in bitterness surrender to defeat. It’s not what happens, it’s how we react.

My friend Jonah Mitchell in his book, “The Rocks Go With The Farm” explains that problems and difficulties are inevitable and our ideas about how we want to see our problems solved are not always the way God is planning. It’s not about how many rocks we hit with our plow, it’s how determined we are to not allow obstacles to define who we are and what God wants to to do within us. Most of the time we just want a quick fix, but our Father desires that we become spiritually mature and wise in our quest to be more like Him. I recommend this book for those who are serious about learning self-discipline, renewing the

mind, and personal transformation.

In the hard times, we are tempted to deny the situation, which we all know is like putting a band-aid on a broken arm. Some search for peace on their own as they give up on faith and live in misery. My friend, the Bible is true and it’s all about God’s love. Luke Chapter 1 verse 37 declares, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” I realize some will say, “You do not comprehend the severity of my problem” and that might be true, but God understanding everything and being concerned about

everyone is absolute truth!

Have you asked Jesus to be your Master and Lord?

Do you believe that He died so that you could live? He loves you and has a perfect plan for your life! Instead of seeing God as a cosmic Genie, bow before Him in reverential fear and worship Him as the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. We are not molding God into our image, it’s the other way around.

Depression and feeling sorry for ourselves are real emotions and unfortunately, a lot of people are smiling on the outside but are crying

on the inside. The good news is that we can be set free from the snare traps of deception and instead of being sad or angry because God is not “fixing it” let’s ask Him to let us see ourselves the way He sees us. Have you considered the answer might be that we are the one that needs to be changed?

Honestly examining the big picture of our situation and analyzing every detail will allow us to trace the cause of our discouragement and hopefully, we can discover a deeper understanding of our situation. When we comprehend how our personal trigger mechanisms and response buttons operate, this is a huge step toward discerning how our thoughts dictate our confidence and contentment.

Billy Holland is a Christian minister, author, and community chaplain. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.

Farewell, captain of our team –

Ralph ‘Milledge’ Morris IV

February 28 2024, marked the final play of a life that has brought joy, laughter, love, and sorrow to so many Beaufortonians, Ralph “Milledge” Morris IV, now residing in full body and mind in his afterlife.

In the fall 1962, I somehow found myself in the midst of Milledge and a few Beaufort High School cheerleaders and some others behind the fieldhouse.

This was my first recollection of him at an unforgettable moment, a senior giant to my ever-slight sophomore physique.

Quiet and saying little, he adored the attention of the ladies in their scarlet and white before they chanted these words I have never forgotten.

“He’s a terror, He’s a scream, He’s the Captain of our Team! Yeah Milledge. … Rah Morris.”

He, as the captain of the Beaufort High Tidal Wave’s 1962 football team, never blushed with color, but his endearing grin and bright eyes, as he shied slightly away, told it all. He loved it!

Over these past 62 years, we shared time together including trips to Pritchard’s Island; the Saturday morning men’s breakfast group; working with him at his Christmas Tree Farm, where during one very cold and driving

sleet-filled day before Thanksgiving, we unloaded hundreds of trees to ready for the next day’s customers. I’ve never been so physically drained in my life before or sense. It was just another day in his life.

These past years also included a group of husbands, whose wives met monthly to share their Beaufort High School memories at their respective homes, while the guys enjoyed an evening out of good food, drink, and fond memories primarily at the Back Porch Grill among other locations over the years. We will all miss his profound company.

But let me regress to a memorable and beautiful July evening in 1970. I was attending classes at USC Beaufort and working at Fordham’s Hardware after my Army service. Milledge had served in the Navy. He had just started dating a beautiful young

woman, new to Beaufort, who wasstudying to be a Veterinarian under Dr. Pratt of Lady’s Island, and he approached me about double dating on a boating trip to the Harbor Town Marina so she could meet my girlfriend, Anita. He was the sailor in our group, and we arranged to all meet at the downtown marina landing at his boat after I got off work at 6 p.m. Our plans were to boat over, have a few drinks and dinner offered in the lighthouse at that time.

Live music serenaded us all evening. I will never forget the James Taylor song “Fire and Rain” being our favorite. Caught up in our youth and laughter, following too many special beverages, and never having eaten dinner, we needed to head home as it was well after midnight. We had no fear as our Captain knew his way home through the creeks and rivers on this seemingly moonless night.

Shortly into our trip, the need for a light to read the center console compass arose, and … no flashlight! Matches were then called for, only to be blown out by the breeze. And to add misery to our directional needs, the compass fell off the console. This was when we realized we had no running lights either.

After what seemed like hours of boating, Milledge doing his very best with us all still in good spirits and having full confidence in him, we came upon a slow-moving barge and called out to a deck hand “which way is North?” He pointed us in another direction that, after turning around, finally saw us arrive back in Beaufort safely just as the sun was rising. We parted quickly, and I got my future wife home before her parents were up, and I arrived at

Fordham’s Hardware on time for a busy Friday. Priceless memories of a dear Milledge who will be missed by his extensive family and friends and to those ladies who knew him to be a very good kisser; a crown he wore with great pride I assure you.

He will forever, and always be, the Captain of Our Team.

Fair Winds and Following Seas My Dear Friend.

Jody Henson, the son of a Marine Corps aviator, moved to Beaufort in July of 1962 He graduated from Beaufort High School in 1965. He attended the University of South Carolina before being drafted into the Army and serving in Vietnam in 1968 and 69 Henson returned to college, married to Anita Sandel of Beaufort in 1972, and graduated with a B.S. in Management in 1973. Henson spent 32 years with the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, retiring in Beaufort., where he served as a Bailiff and Judicial Clerk with the Beaufort County Clerk of Court Office for longer than 14 years prior to retiring in 2021

JODY HENSON

Ralph ‘Milledge’ Morris IV

Couch potatoes — take steps for a healthy heart

• A new study reports that people can get health benefits from 9,000 to 10,500 steps a day, even if they’re sedentary the rest of the time.

• Researchers said these number of steps lowered mortality risk by 39% and cardiovascular risk by 21%.

• Experts say that other exercise, such as swimming and bicycling, can also help improve heart health.

and 4,500 steps per day.

Does walking pace matter?

Try to walk at a pace where you can feel your heart rate going up a little bit—a higher pace is more helpful than a slower pace.”

Should older people walk the same number of steps?

The

and CVD risk by 21%. In both scenarios, 50% of the benefit came between 4 000

Walking, literally any amount daily, helps toward the goal of living a healthy lifestyle and reducing cardiovascular risk. Walking reduces both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, so it lowers the stress and strain on the heart muscle to pump blood throughout the body. Even lower step counts can promote health and welcome

news for older patients.

Approximately 2 500 steps is a 1 25-mile walk, a far more achievable goal for older people than a five-mile, 10,000-step journey. Current government guidelines suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise, which can include brisk walking, per week.

One easy way to accomplish this is to break your walks into smaller chunks of 10–15 minutes throughout the day. Additionally, enjoy your walk outside in nature for an added boost to your emotional/psychological health. Any moderately intense activity for at least 150 minutes weekly, spread across the week, will work as well as walking.

Other exercises besides steps to improve heart health.

While walking is a great way to stay moving, consider other options including riding a bike, swimming, or climbing stairs. Getting more activity into your daily routine does not have to necessarily require dedicated time for exercise or a prescribed step count. It a fact

that many forms of activity, including walking, biking, and swimming, are beneficial not only to your heart but also to your veins. One of the biggest risks of immobility for long durations of time can lead to blood clots–deep vein thrombosis–or varicose veins. It’s essential to keep the blood pumping throughout your body and in your legs to help prevent life-threaten-

ing conditions.

Incorporating as little as 15 minutes of light activity into daily routines has been shown to have significant positive impacts on cardiovascular health and overall mortality rates.

Source: https://www. medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dailywalking-can-lower-cardiovasculardiease-risk-even-in-people-who-sitmost-of-the-day

Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner comes to Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists Professional FORUM ©

To augment cardiac care for the county’s growing population, Beaufort Memorial has welcomed a board-certified nurse practitioner to Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists. Taylor Robinson, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, works with the board-certified cardiologists at the practice to prevent, diagnose and treat acute and chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system.

She sees patients in both Beaufort and Okatie and assists with procedures at Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab as well.

Robinson, came to Heart Specialists following three years as a registered nurse on the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Intensive Care Unit, where she provided care to critically ill patients during the height of

the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taylor Robinson

In May 2023 Beaufort Memorial awarded Robinson The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for spearheading the implementation of the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool and training col-

leagues in its use. Robinson holds a Master of Science in Nursing from University of South Carolina College of Nursing in Columbia with an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner concentration. At Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists, Robinson joins board-certified interventional cardiologists Drs. Stephen Fed-

ec, David Harshman and Stuart Smalheiser and certified physician assistant Tara Kay. The practice has locations at 300 Midtown Drive, Beaufort, and Beaufort Memorial Okatie Medical Pavilion, 122 Okatie Center Blvd. North in Okatie. To make an appointment with Robinson or any Heart Specialists provider, call (843) 770-4550

For additional information or to become a Sponsor, contact Janet Kolbush at janet@rmhccoastalempire.org or 912-350-7641

parent PULSE ©

person taking high doses of vitamin K while breastfeeding doesn't increase the level passed to the baby enough to prevent the risk of vitamin K-deficient bleeding.

3. Is vitamin K safe for infants?

There is no evidence that vitamin K injection causes any harm to the baby. Parents can minimize the short-term discomfort from the injection by holding or feeding the infant while it's administered. Vitamin K is not a vaccine, doesn't contain mercury and has been proven to be safe and beneficial for over 60 years.

4. How quickly after birth does vitamin K deficiency develop?

Vitamin K deficiency occurs in male and female infants and can develop during these time frames after birth:

Early onset — occurs on the first day of life

cause brain damage or death.

2.

typically has a low level of vitamin K in their blood at birth. Even if the pregnant mother has a diet sufficient for vitamin K, only a minimal amount is transferred across the placenta before birth and is not enough to protect the baby after birth.

Although breast milk is the best nutrition for all infants, it has a relatively low level of vitamin K. While formula has more vitamin K per fluid ounce than breast milk, a baby is still at risk for a vitamin K deficiency without an injection after birth.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recent evidence also shows that a postpartum

• Classic onset — occurs between day two and the first week of life

• Late onset — occurs between eight days and six months

5. What is vitamin K-deficient bleeding?

Vitamin K-deficient bleeding can happen when a baby does not have enough vitamin K. Healthcare professionals have known about the condition, also known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, for many decades. New parents may be unaware of vitamin K-deficient bleeding because it's become less common now that most infants receive the injection.

There is a risk of bleeding in the

body up to 6 months of age in infants who don't receive a vitamin K injection at birth. These babies are 80 times more likely to experience severe bleeding.

6. What are the signs or symptoms of vitamin K-deficient bleeding in babies?

Infants who don't receive a vitamin K injection at birth may have no warning signs of bleeding for days, weeks or months. Symptoms include bruising easily, paler than usual skin or blood in the stool. Vitamin K-deficient bleeding can occur in various parts of the infant's body, such as the skin, umbilical cord, nose, mouth, gastrointestinal tract and brain. Bleeding in the brain can be life-threatening and

7. Can a baby receive vitamin K orally instead of as an injection?

Oral vitamin K supplementation isn't recommended because it's less effective and requires multiple doses over several months to achieve the same benefit as the one-time shot. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved an oral vitamin K for newborns.

8. Why is vitamin K essential for male newborns?

Before the recommendation of vitamin K injection at birth in the U.S., infant males had an increased risk of bleeding during circumcision. At that time, one out of every

nine baby boys who had an elective newborn male circumcision without vitamin K had bleeding that wouldn't stop.

The risk of bleeding during circumcision has significantly decreased since vitamin K supplementation became the standard of care in the U.S. For parents who choose an elective newborn circumcision, administration of vitamin K is required before the procedure.

Having your newborn receive vitamin K at birth reduces the risk of severe bleeding. Talk with your baby's healthcare team if you have questions about vitamin K.

Source: Reviewed by Dennis Costakos, M.D., neonatologist. https://newsnetwork. mayoclinic. org/discussion/8-common-questions-newparents-ask-about-vitamin-k/

Longer pre-surgery fasting may be necessary when using GLP-1 weight loss drugs

drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy and other GLP-1 drugs can be problematic when a person undergoes anesthesia, according to a new study published in the journal JAMA Surgery

The research team consisted of subspecialized anesthesiologists with expertise in point-of-care ultrasound, allowing bedside assessment of stomach contents.

In their study, the researchers noted that medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which have been approved for use with type 2 diabetes and weight management, can create potentially serious health issues while mixing with drugs used in anesthesia during surgery and other medical procedures.

Their findings were quite surprising. More than half of the patients on a GLP1 RA had significant gastric contents on gastric ultrasound before an elective procedure, despite adhering to preoperative fasting.

“This incidence was significantly higher compared to patients not on a GLP-1 RA, showing a strong link between GLP-1 RA drugs and potential aspiration risk under anesthesia,” a research study author added. Aspiration is when stomach contents enter the lungs. It’s considered potentially dangerous.

A mechanism of GLP-1 RA medications that contributes to glycemic control and weight loss is slowing the stomach emptying gastric contents. The increase in residual gastric volumes is called a “full stomach” on gastric ultrasound.

With the increased use of GLP-1 RA medications, fasting times for these patients before going under anethesia may need to be reexamined.

“ Patients must ensure they disclose their use of this medication to their surgeons and anesthesiologists ,” said a study author. “This information is crucial

• A new study concludes that weight loss drugs can create health issues for people going under anesthesia.

• They say GLP-1 RA medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy can cause a build-up of gastric contents in the abdomen, raising the risk of aspiration during surgery.

• Researchers say people taking these weight loss drugs may have to fast longer before surgery.

for us to provide appropriate recommendations, such as adjusting drug administration before elective procedures, recommending extended fasting, or rescheduling an elective procedure if necessary.”

Of note, these type of weight loss drugs are not considered dangerous. GLP1 receptor agonists–GLP1 RAs–are essential medications with clear benefits for diabetes treatment, weight management, and other off label uses.

In summary, the process of making those getting surgery fast long enough beforehand is becoming more essential. Proper education of the risks and side effects of these medications is very important. In the case of an elective surgery, if the patient has not stopped the medication, then the surgery could be postponed. For emergency surgery, it is typical to treat the patient as if they have a full stomach and extra precautions are required.

Source: Adapted from an article by Tony Hicks. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ozempicand-similar-weight-loss-drugs-can-increase-risk-ofcomplications-during-surgery#Ozempic-and-otherweight-loss-drugs-are-not-necessarily-dangerous

SC budget could give homeowners $500M property tax break, boost pay

House’s proposed spending plan raises salaries for teachers and state employees

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — South Carolina homeowners could save hundreds on their property taxes next year as part of a proposed budget the House of Representatives began debating Monday, March 11

A collective $500 million cut to property tax bills on owner-occupied homes statewide is part of a $13 2 billion spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1

The proposal advanced by the House budget-writing committee also includes pay raises for teachers, law enforcement officers and state employees.

The $500 million for tax relief would be split among South Carolina’s 46 counties based on population. Counties would then reduce homeowners’ bills according to properties’ assessed values. No paperwork or actions would be needed from the homeowner. Instead, the county would automatically apply the credit to property tax bills that go out this fall, said House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville.

On average, the tax credit would be $359, according to his committee’s budget briefing.

The money comes from an account designated for property tax relief created as part of a 2006 law touted as a tax swap to help homeowners. That law, known as Act 388, removed school operating costs from their tax

bills and increased the state sales tax by a penny on the dollar — from 5% to 6% — to reimburse counties for the lost revenue.

For 13 years, the sales tax did not cover what the state was required to send counties, so legislators had to use other state taxes to pay the difference. But in 2020 the state started seeing a surplus from that penny. By this summer, the cumulative surplus is expected to reach $600 million. The tax credit, like the law itself, would apply only to homes if the owner lives there. That means the break won’t apply to rental properties, businesses and vacation homes.

Gov. Henry McMaster suggested lawmakers put the $500 million toward repairing the state’s aging bridges. With nearly a third of the state’s 8 400 bridges approaching or past their intended lifespans, the money could put a major dent in addressing a critical need for the state, McMaster wrote in a December letter.

But that wasn’t what the money was intended for, Bannister said. A section of the law passed in 2006 says any extra revenue should go back to property owners.

“The governor said, ‘Let’s take that and spend it on roads,’ and we didn’t think that was appropriate,” he told the S.C. Daily Gazette

The proposal does send the Department of Transportation money to fix bridges, just not as much in one shot and

not from the Act 388 account.

In instead sends $200 million as the first installment toward $1 billion over five years, which is what the agency requested — again. The $200 million matches what the House passed last year, before the Senate took it out.

Raises

The House’s proposed budget would raise the minimum pay for first-year teachers to $47 000, up from $42,500. That’s higher than McMaster’s proposed floor of $45 000 next school year toward boosting minimum salaries to $50,000 by 2026

Like the governor’s suggestion, the House plan would extend state-paid yearly boosts for experience. Instead of stopping at

23 years in the classroom, the state’s minimum salary schedule would continue providing step increases through 28 years, something teacher advocates have been requesting for decades as a way to reward the state’s most veteran teachers.

House budget writers did not follow McMaster’s recommendations to consolidate the salary schedule. Under the Ways and Means plan, teachers would continue getting yearly steps for experience as well as boosts across the existing five “lanes” of education degrees: Bachelors, bachelor’s plus 18 hours of credit, master’s, master’s plus 18, and doctorate’s. In all, districts will receive $230 million to increase teacher pay. That will in-

crease state spending on K-12 classrooms by more than $400 per student, to $8 636, according to the budget briefing. The raises are meant to address a growing number of teacher vacancies. At the beginning of this school year, schools reported nearly 1 400 vacant teaching positions, along with 200 other empty support roles. That’s a 9% increase over the year before, according to a report by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention & Advancement.

Additional money in the proposal for K-12 includes $40 million for classroom instruction materials, $35 million to buy or lease school buses, $20 million for school safety upgrades, $5 million to map out every school to

help first responders in an emergency, and $30 million to fund the inaugural year of scholarships in the voucher program before the state Supreme Court.

State employees are on the docket for raises as well. Under the House’s proposal, anyone making $66 667 or less would have their salary bumped up by $1,000 Anyone making more than that would get a 1 5% salary increase. That comes after at least a $2,500 raise for every employee last year.

Last year, legislators put $30 million into raising law enforcement salaries, which helped attract and retain officers, said subcommittee chairman Rep. Phillip Lowe, R-Florence.

State law enforcement officers — those working for the State Law Enforcement Division, and departments of Public Safety and Natural Resources — would get additional raises under the proposed budget.

In total, the departments would receive $2 6 million to increase salaries. Not included in that list is the Department of Corrections because previous raises were so successful in attracting employees, Lowe said.

What the raises will look like, exactly, for the upcoming fiscal year would depend on the agency, he added.

Skylar Laird covers the South Carolina Legislature and criminal justice issues. Originally from Missouri, she previously worked for The Post and Courier’s Columbia bureau.

New $116M lab to be jointly operated as SC public health, environmental agencies prepare to split

DHEC broke ground on much-needed lab in Columbia

By Jessica Holdman

SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s public health and environmental agency will break in two this summer. But the divided departments will continue to share a new and long-overdue laboratory.

“We’re going to have two great state agencies working together,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, director of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Governmental leaders celebrated Thursday, March 7, the groundbreaking for a $116 million building that will house the state’s central lab for disease testing and control, as well as air and water quality testing.

Simmer called the future 140 000-square-foot building, paid for largely with $105 million in federal COVID aid, a “profound investment in the people of South Carolina.”

The building will replace the state’s aging laboratory in northeast Columbia, which opened nearly 50 years ago. About 300 people work there.

The department has sought to replace the building since 2016 Then the onset of COVID-19 in

2020 exposed and exacerbated the lab’s shortcomings. “From recognizing the critical need for a new lab to taking it to the Legislature and securing the funding, this project represents the culmination of a lot of hard work,” said Seema Shrivastava-Patel, chairwoman of the agency’s governing board.

Crews will construct the new lab next door to the existing building.

It is scheduled to open mid-2026

Simmer said the state does not yet have a plan for the current lab after the new one is operational. Perhaps it will be extra storage and offices.

“We have used this building to the fullest,” Lt. Gov. Pam Evette said.

And then some.

For example, a structure was built over the building’s existing

roof because it was beyond repair. The building’s ventilation and water systems have failed on multiple occasions. And work has stopped during multiple summers when the air conditioning could no longer keep up, interfering with lab instruments sensitive to temperature and humidity, Simmers said. Cardboard boxes full of lab supplies are stacked six or seven high in the building’s hallways due to a lack of storage.

Equipment has overloaded the building’s electricity at times, a major problem for time-sensitive infant health testing performed by the lab, said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brannon Traxler. The lab runs panels of tests on some 50,000 blood samples annually, which must be completed within 72 hours to give doctors time to treat three or four dozen potentially fatal diseases in newborns. Traxler said the lab has had to send the samples to other states for testing and once even wrote a letter to the Transportation Security Administration seeking clearance for carry-on samples that had to be flown to Tennessee.

Meanwhile, South Carolina

ranks 45th in the country for infant and maternal mortality, Simmer said. Five out of every 1,000 babies born in the state don’t survive to see their first birthday.

“I really see this facility as hope for the future,” Simmer said. He pointed to the state’s long-abandoned tuberculosis hospital, visible through the trees behind the lab site, as an example of how far public health has come in the state.

“We no longer need it,” he said, as the deadly disease is now largely preventable.

Shrivastava-Patel said she and her fellow board members will continue to advocate for public health and environmental protection in the state, “even though we’re going to be dissolved July 1.”

At that time, Simmer will become head of the state public health department while Environmental Affairs Director Myra Reece will step up to lead environmental regulation in South Carolina.

Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the S.C. Daily Gazette, she was a business reporter for The Post and Courier.

House Sergeant at Arms Mitch Dorman, left, talks with Rep. Jay West, R-Belton, and Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, on the opening day of the 2024 legislative session at the Statehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Columbia. Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the S.C. Daily Gazette

Putting people on path to success

Homeless courts in SC help resolve minor legal issues

By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA

For Rodney Gilmore Sr., being in Columbia’s homeless court represented another step forward.

“I just feel wonderful about myself,” Gilmore, a 57-year-old former Navy radioman, told the S.C. Daily Gazette.

He’s an alcoholic who’s “recovering very well,” he said, with the help of a case manager who’s “keeping me positive.”

He was among two dozen people at Transitions Homeless Center for the January session of Columbia’s homeless court, which for nearly a decade has helped people who are or were homeless resolve minor legal issues.

Gilmore was there for a pending charge related to urinating outside — the latest in a string of legal issues, he said, that’s resulted in a cycle of being in and out of jail.

“I just want to give back to the community what I’ve taken away from it,” he said.

And Gilmore is working hard to do just that, said Traci Gadsden, his case manager over the past year.

She rattled off his progress to the city judge: Gilmore participates in a substance abuse program. He attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He’s in the process of obtaining a veteran’s housing voucher, and he volunteers at Transitions.

If he meets all of his goals, his charge will be dismissed.

“I’m very proud of him,” Gadsden told the judge, as Gilmore received a round of applause.

The one-day court session each month involves similar updates or graduations for people in the program. Each positive report is awarded with applause.

Homeless courts have expanded across South Carolina since Columbia’s launched in September 2014. Those that followed are in Myrtle Beach, Florence, Spartanburg, Rock Hill and, most recently, Greenville, which was established in December with the blessing of South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Don Beatty.

The Greenville court expects to admit its first participants next month. There was no cost to the program. It’s just a matter of getting all parties working together and finding the time to meet monthly. The space was donated, said city Judge Matthew Hawley, who’s overseeing the newest program.

Homeless courts can dismiss current or past criminal misdemeanors for arrests in the city

where it’s held. Most are victimless crimes. Participants trying to get their charges resolved set goals with a case manager. If and when they complete those goals, the court issues an order dismissing the charges, and the graduate gets a certificate.

“Number one might be, reconnect with family. Get their driver license back. Get a criminal charge removed from their record,” said prosecutor Hans Pauling, who has worked with the court since 2017 for the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which handles cases in Richland and Kershaw counties.

“Almost anything that we believe would help them advance their life or situation, we could try to do for them through the court itself,” he said.

Referrals come from various sources, including Transitions, Oliver Gospel Mission homeless shelter, the Richland County library and local police. Many participants already have a case manager through an organization like Transitions or other community service providers. The prosecutors and public defenders mutually agree to transfer the case to the court. Any pending charges are put on pause until the participant either graduates from homeless court, fails or withdraws.

The Columbia court usually gets between 40 and 60 applicants a year. It is not, Pauling emphasized, a way to “move cases” but a way to help people trying to get their

lives on track. Sometimes people do fail to finish the program, choosing instead to resolve the initial charge in the municipal court after all or simply losing touch with the program.

Roughly two-thirds of the participants want to remove convictions from their records, while 20% are trying to get pending charges dismissed. The remainder have no criminal charges but want the court’s assistance resolving other legal issues, such as replacing a lost Social Security card or clearing a traffic ticket in another county.

“The worst outcome that will happen at this court is that nothing changes,” said Constantine Pournaras, a public defender who works with Columbia’s homeless court. “So, it’s not like anyone comes here and goes to jail.”

For those who graduate, they have proof of completing a program that hopefully puts them on a path toward a better life.

“Housing and employment are the typical barriers, right?” Pournaras said. “A lot of what we try to work with are these minor offenses that are typically associated with housing stability.”

Helping people overcome obstacles is what Judge Hawley wanted to do when he started putting together Greenville’s program about a year ago.

“Our goal is to work with people who’ve committed some kind of offense, but they’re properly qualified and motivated and we want

McMaster signs permit-less carry bill into law

SC becomes 29th state to allow permit-less carry

By Skylar Laird

SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — Any South Carolinian 18 and older who can legally buy a handgun can carry it without needing a permit after Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law Thursday, March 7

The law goes into effect immediately. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division will spend the coming months preparing to offer the free classes for gun owners the Senate added to the bill as a compromise, according to a statement from the department.

When exactly the free training classes will begin depends on when SLED gets the money to hire instructors and fund the program, according to the statement.

to work for their benefit to create better relationships with the community and get them as taxpayers and good citizens,” Hawley said.

The city courthouse will be moving to an outlying area of Greenville, making it more difficult for people who are downtown to reach the court, Hawley said. Having the new homeless court downtown, where it will be hosted by a nondenominational church with strong outreach programs, makes accessing justice a little easier.

George Cauthen, a retired partner with Nelson Mullins, brought the idea to South Carolina after learning of its success in San Diego, said Blake Williams, an attorney with the law firm that helps cities submit petitions to the Supreme Court to get new courts authorized.

Cauthen led the charge initially in getting prosecutors, law enforcement officials, public defenders and others to all sit down together. Now judges are taking the lead setting up the courts, Williams said.

While all of South Carolina’s existing homeless courts are at the city level — addressing charges in that city — the law firm hopes they’ll spread to county courts, he said.

Gilmore, the Navy veteran, said he’s happy the option existed in Columbia.

“I’m glad to be a part of it, really, because it keeps me more focused,” he told S.C. Daily Gazette.

Abraham Kenmore is a reporter covering

health care and more. He joins

Daily

from The Augusta

The program could cost as much as $5 million, senators said.

Along with allowing people to forego permits to carry a gun, the law gives local and state law enforcement officers the ability to arrest more felons carrying guns.

That aspect, which brings the state law in line with federal law, was a priority for McMaster.

“This bill expands the Second Amendment rights of our law-abiding citizens and will keep violent criminals behind bars with increased penalties for illegal gun use and possession,” McMaster wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday.

The rest of the bill, which exempts gun owners from previously required trainings to get their permit, was more controversial.

Supporters argued the U.S. Constitution gives people the right to carry a gun without government intervention, dubbing the measure “constitutional carry.” Opponents contended allowing anyone to carry a gun will lead to more shootings.

South Carolina is the 29th state to allow permit-less carry. It closely follows Louisiana, which signed its own bill into law Tuesday.

Skylar Laird covers the South Carolina Legislature and criminal justice issues. Originally from Missouri, she previously worked for The Post and Courier’s Columbia bureau.

Rodney Gilmore Sr. and his caseworker, Traci Gadsden, right, pose for a photo at Columbia’s homeless court on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Abraham Kenmore/S.C. Daily Gazette

SPORTS

HS BASEBALL ROUNDUP

Beaufort bounces back after Bobcat sweep

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

The early portion of the schedule has been a bumpy ride for Beaufort High’s baseball team, which followed up a spirited showing at the Sandlapper Shootout with a sluggish effort in a home-and-home with Bluffton before blasting McIntosh County Academy on Friday. Beaufort was undone by 11 errors and 11 free passes in the series with the Bobcats, managing only a Jadyn Andrews single against ace Miles Frye in a 5-1 road loss Monday and watching seven errors lead to

home defeat Wednesday. But when the Eagles have been at their best, they’ve been tough

to beat, and they righted the ship in a 14-0 rout of McIntosh County Academy, as Hudson Mullen dominated on the mound and at the plate. The junior was 2-for-2 with a homer and four RBIs and struck out 13 with one walk in a five-inning one-hitter. Robby Winburn was 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs, and Will Herron drove in three runs.

The Eagles (3-2) figure to be among the contenders for the Region 8-3A title, and they have a key region series against Philip Simmons this week with a road game Tuesday and a visit from the Iron Horses on Friday. In between, Beaufort hosts Hilton Head Christian

Academy for a cross-classification showdown Wednesday then makes the trip to HHCA for the rematch Thursday.

JPII’s Putnam

tosses 3rd no-hitter

Ross Putnam was dealing Tuesday night. The John Paul II senior right-hander and Brevard College signee needed just 76 pitches to complete a five-inning no-hitter in a 10-0 win over First Baptist. Putnam struck out six and worked around four walks, and his younger brother led the hit parade for JPII, as Talon Putnam was 3-for-4 with

SEE SWEEP PAGE B2

SAND SHARKS REWIND

Bluffton’s Nate Ulmer is tagged out by Beaufort’s Dillon Rast during the top of the second inning to complete a double play Wednesday night at Beaufort. Ulmer had tagged up after a deep fly ball into right field was caught by Beaufort’s Dominick Comacho, who threw a perfect strike to Rast who, in turn, applied the tag for the second out of the double play. The Bobcats from Bluffton went on to win the game, 6-4. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Holme, USCB men take title at Pinehurst

at home Thursday didn’t travel.

Cierra Kinlaw pitched a gem in a 2-0 win in the opener against LeesMcRae, and reigning PBC Player of the Week Addie Reynolds homered in an eight-run first inning in a 13-3 rout in the finale, but the offensive output wasn’t there this weekend.

The Sand Sharks scored only two runs in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Pacers, including a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in Monday’s finale.

USCB (12-11 1-8) looks to get back on track with a home doubleheader against UVA Wise at noon Thursday before hosting Flagler for a PBC series Saturday and Sunday.

The

Aiken this weekend, but the good vibes from a doubleheader sweep of Lees-McRae

Bobcats take all three It was a tough weekend for the USCB baseball team’s pitching staff,

SEE TITLE PAGE B2

The sign in the background says it all as USC Beaufort’s Allie Johnston rounds third base after belting a two-run home run during the bottom of the first inning of Game 2 against Lees-McRae College on Thursday, March 7, at Richard Gray Sports Complex in Hardeville. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

USC Beaufort’s Marcus Overstreet

makes it look easy as he slam dunks the ball during the first half against the Regent University Royals during their NCAA Division II basketball game Saturday at USCB Recreation Center in Bluffton. The USCB Sand Sharks took quick control of the game and never looked back as they bested the Royals, 104-82. Bob Sofaly/ The Island News

Overstreet,

LowcoSports.com

The inaugural season of USCB basketball came with the usual litany of inevitable “firsts” — but this is one most startup programs have to wait a while to celebrate.

Sand Sharks stars Marcus Overstreet and Janiyah Heyward swept the Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year honors after emerging as the leaders of the first-year Sand Shark programs, a testament to the talent head coaches Ron Fudala and Sharon Versyp were able to attract to the fledgling NCAA Division II program.

A 6-9 center from Chicago, Overstreet averaged 17.6 points and 11 rebounds, while collecting 13 double-doubles in an electrifying debut season in The Cove. Overstreet immediately made his presence known at USCB when he put up

USC

SPORTS

Eagles capture Crescent Cup

LowcoSports.com

Sure, the Beaufort High girls soccer team had a big pair of shoes to fill in goal this season, but the Eagles knew they had good enough footing everywhere else on the field to stay competitive. After a strong early-season run that included a 2-2 draw with SCISA power Hilton Head Prep and a heartbreaking loss in penalties against a strong Bluffton squad, the Eagles gave themselves a surge of momentum going into Region 8-3A play by winning all four matches at the Crescent Cup last weekend in Columbia to capture the title. Beaufort opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over Westside as Payton Mullen scored the lone goal of the match, and the Eagles followed it up with a 2-0 vic-

HS SOFTBALL ROUNDUP

Dolphins racking up runs

LowcoSports.com

Battery Creek softball coach Bob Layman knew he had a lineup packed with potential this year, and the Dolphins put it on display in three wins last week, scoring 52 runs in a three-game win streak.

The run total was aided by a bevy of walks and errors in a 20-1 home rout of Hilton Head Island High on Tuesday, but the Dolphins smacked 14 hits in a 10-4 win in the rematch on the road Friday and racked up 17 hits in Monday’s 22-13 slugfest at Bluffton.

Leadoff hitter Haley Maroney has been on a tear the past two games, going 8-for10 with three triples, a homer, five runs, and 12 RBIs. Maroney drove in nine runs against the Bobcats alone, finishing the night 5-for-6 with a pair of triples, a homer, and four runs.

The Dolphins (3-1) open region play against North Charleston before facing rival Beaufort High next week.

Rast throws another gem

After a disastrous night on defense derailed Beaufort High softball in an 11-3 road loss Thursday, the Eagles’ ace got them back on track a night later.

Brooke Crosby also stayed hot against Bluffton, going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a homer, and two RBIs while scoring three times.

Title

from page B1

which

runs in a three-game sweep at the hands of visiting Georgia College this weekend.

After falling behind early in a 13-3 loss in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader, the Sand Sharks gave up three runs in the first inning of the second game before getting up off the campus to take an 8-3 lead, but a taxed bullpen couldn’t hold it and the Bobcats rallied for a 16-10 win.

It was more of the same in Sunday’s finale, as Georgia College scored seven runs in the first three in-

Freshmen

from page B1

Newberry College signee Kylie Rast racked up 11 strikeouts over five innings in a one-hit shutout to lead Beaufort to a 10-0 win over Bluffton and get the Eagles back in the groove going into a key region series with Philip Simmons this week. Beaufort (2-1) is on the road Tuesday before hosting the Iron Horses on Friday for Youth Night.

All youth softball players wearing their jerseys will be admitting free and invited to join the Eagles on the field for the national anthem and run the bases after the game. Players should arrive no later than 5:45 p.m. to participate in pre-game activities.

University of S.C.

reach the ball

the top

the first

of Game 2 of their doubleheader against Lees-McRae College Thursday afternoon, March 7, at Richard Gray Sports Complex in Hardeville. The Lady Sandsharks won the first game, 2-0, and went on to win the second game, 13-3. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

nings and broke it open with a six-run seventh. USCB (7-13 2-4) hosts Embry-Riddle at 3 p.m.

Wednesday before heading to North Georgia for a three-game PBC series starting Friday.

25 points and 17 rebounds on opening day against Morris College, but his most incredible performance came in a four-overtime win against Columbus State in which he played the final four minutes of regulation and all 20 minutes of overtime with four fouls, finishing with 36 points and 25 rebounds.

Heyward, a 5-7 forward out of Savannah’s Woodville-Tompkins High School, led Versyp’s short-handed squad with 13.1 points per game and averaged 6.9 rebounds, adding a versatile weapon to a roster depleted by injuries in the preseason.

With the Sand Sharks looking for a spark on offense, Heyward emerged early in the season as the team’s most consistent scorer, putting up double digits in eight straight games and posting three double-doubles, including a career-best 31 points and 13 rebounds against Regent University.

USC Beaufort’s Marcus Overstreet draws a foul as he tries to make a shot during Saturday’s game against the Mighty Banyans from New College of Florida on Saturday at the USCB Recreation Center in Bluffton. The Sand Sharks came away with 112-97 win.

Bob Sofaly/The Island News

tory against Gilbert later Saturday, getting goals from Selena Duncan and Charlotte Blair Scarpa and a second straight shutout from Johanna Laney.

On Sunday, Duncan scored a hat trick and Lucy Byrum and Gianna Pacheco each added a goal in a 5-3 win over White Knoll to put the Eagles in the championship game against Providence Athletic Club. Duncan added a brace in the final to lead Beaufort to a 2-1 win and give her six goals in the four-game tournament.

“Honestly the best we’ve ever played,” Duncan said on Monday’s episode of the LowcoSports Lowdown. “We’re connecting so well. The chemistry is really showing. We’re playing so well together, and obviously it’s

showing in the results.” Laney has been solid in goal stepping into the role formerly filled by Quinn Wilson, last year’s lone senior who is now excelling at Georgia Southern, and she hasn’t faced too much pressure thanks to the 10 returning starters on the field, including a strong midfield and stingy back line.

“Obviously Quinn was a big player for us last year and she was a very fundamental part of the team,” Duncan said. “But I helped (Laney) train this summer, I helped shoot on her a little and we helped practice with her, and she’s doing great.”

The Eagles (5-1-1) were set to open region play at home against Philip Simmons on Tuesday before playing at Battery Creek on Friday.

DOLPHINS SWEPT

The Beaufort Eagles went 4-0 to win the Crescent Cup Tournament this past weekend in Columbia. Submitted photo

Beaufort shortstop Jaden Goodwin can’t

during

of

inning

two RBIs and a run.

who

Head Prep on Monday and heads to Sea Pines for the rematch Wednesday before hosting Thomas Heyward on Friday.

Creek’s Yosemir Morales, left, goes head to head with New Hampstead Phoenix’s Ivan Lopez during their soccer match Tuesday, March 5, at Dolphins Stadium. Despite the Dolphins’ non-stop offensive attack, New Hampstead came away with a 2-1 win. The Dolphins dropped to 4-1-1 overall. Bob Sofaly/The

Bluffton Bobcat Jackson Williams can’t get back to third base quickly enough after being caught in a brief rundown before being tagged out by Beaufort’s Logan Brutcher during the top of the third inning Wednesday, March 6, at Beaufort. The Bobcats went on to win the contest, 6-4. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

The battle on the beaches of Beaufort County is mostly lost

It is Tuesday, and I’m sitting in an aluminum folding chair eating a chicken salad sandwich paired with a sugar cookie — all the while talking with Matthew Williams and Dean Moss.

This afternoon the three of us are at Gregorie Neck Plantation in Jasper County on the peninsula where the Tulifinny River meets the Coosawhatchie River; about two miles south of where I-95 meets U.S. 17; and where a battalion of Citadel Cadets clashed with 5 000 U.S. Marines in an effort to save the Charleston to Savannah Railroad trestle in December, 1864

As we finish-up our sandwiches and cookies we talk — mostly about the Nature Conservancy’s purchase of Gregorie Neck Plantation from Bob and Alice Jepson for $35 million dollars.

Matthew Williams, 44, is tall and well-informed — the kind of person who knows the names of ducks,

their migratory routes and casually brushes ticks off his trousers while discussing the Conservancy’s role in protecting the essence of Mongolia — millions of acres of threatened grasslands.

Williams was raised on an old rice plantation, called Kinloch, and has spent time in Kenya, Zambia and then in New York City where he was Executive Director of the New York Explorers Club.

Dean Moss is, of course, well known to most readers as the person who envisioned and executed the building of the Spanish Moss Trail. Right at the

moment he is Chairman of the Port Royal Sound Foundation and in that capacity is obsessed with keeping Port Royal’s brackish waters reasonably clean. The Gregorie Neck purchase, and the easements to be attached, will go a long way in protecting the Sound’s grey-green waters from condominium and factory outlet development.

Gregorie Neck is situated east of I-95, north of Ridgeland, and just across the river from Mackay’s Point. It is 4 400 acres of massive oaks and 200-foot high pines with an open, inviting, controlled-burned understory. It’s freshwater ponds, grazing cattle, broom grass and vistas of endless marsh make one forget the frenetic, hurly-burley, take-no-prisoners growth underway in Bluffton, Okatie and on Hilton Head Island.

Now that the Conservancy owns the land, it will divide it into six or eight

pieces. It will laminate title to these parcels with conservation easements limiting “improvement” to two or three dwellings. It will sell these parcels to a few individuals who will enjoy; and maintain these trees, fields and forests in all of their unimproved, undeveloped simplicity in perpetuity.

The Nature Conservancy first came to South Carolina in 1969, acquiring what was then called the Francis Beidler Forest (a/k/a Four Holes Swamp) located just north and west of Charleston. After that, it was instrumental in saving St. Phillips Island from development and since then the Nature Conservancy has worked up and down the coast — especially in the Winyah Bay region below Georgetown.

If one looks at a map of the South Carolina coast — a map showing the various acquisitions by the Nature Conservancy, Coastal Conservation League, Open Land Trust, state and

federal governments one cannot help but be encouraged. Notwithstanding the metastasis of greater Myrtle Beach, there is a long stretch of littoral coastline beginning in Georgetown and stretching down to Mt Pleasant that remains largely protected and mostly unimproved. A second stretch of “green” — the area between Kiawah Island and Hilton Head Island including the ACE Basin is also pristine and protected.

But what is really impressive are the various green acquisitions along the Savannah River. If one examines a map showing these linear riverine properties, almost the entire Northern bank of the Savannah River starting at the Savannah River “Bomb” Plant and extending south to the City of Savannah — is subject to some kind protective easement.

It is the reoccurring, wine-enhanced dream of Dean Moss that one

day most of the property that surrounds Port Royal Sound will, like Gregorie Neck Plantation, be under conservation ownership or easement.

The battle on the beaches — in so far as Beaufort County — is mostly lost. Now the developers, MBAs and the Real Estate Investment Trusts are working their way inland focused on the hunting and timber-growing tracts in Jasper County. Most of that movement has been down U.S. 278, but recently there has been a thrust at Chelsea Plantation on Port Royal Sound. It would be nice “bookending” for this column to compare this conflict with the 343 college-aged cadets who defended the trestle at Tulifinny in 1864 But that would be a stretch.

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

Making the world’s biggest polluters pay has bipartisan appeal

Separate but similar legislation filed by SC’s Lindsey Graham, Congressional Democrats show compromise possible

Lbreathe the poor-quality air.

No, it didn’t kill me, but it had a noticeable effect on my lungs. It also made me think about how the effects of climate change are now increasingly on our doorsteps.

Unfortunately, more intense wildfires and their far-reaching air pollution are connected to a warming climate. Scientists are increasingly sounding the alarm about how an overheating world makes wildfires more likely and severe. Indeed, more than a third of areas charred by wildfires in the Western U.S. and Canada since 1986 can be traced back to carbon pollution from the world’s largest fossil fuel and cement companies.

South Carolina is not the only state weathering the consequences of climate extremes. In 2023, communities nationwide saw their lives impacted by unparalleled weather and climate events such as droughts, flooding, storms, and record precipitation. Scientists confirmed last year was the hottest year on record, and January 2024 also broke records as the hottest globally.

The events themselves are con-

cerning enough. What’s worse? It’s happening because of the ongoing actions of big polluters, many of which are countries the U.S. conducts trade with. They’re pumping Earth’s atmosphere full of carbon pollution, leading to a warmer world and more extreme weather.

As individuals, we often have no choice but to drive a gas car to work or heat or cool our homes with fossil fuels so our families are comfortable. We can do our best to make climate-friendly choices, transitioning to clean energy and taking responsibility for reducing our individual carbon footprints.

But the carbon footprints of the world’s biggest polluters dwarf our own, and they must be held accountable. In short, polluters should pay.

It’s a simple idea — and most Americans already support it. A recent poll revealed that 76% of Americans think large polluters should pay for the destructive emissions that overheat the planet and tarnish our air. According to the 2023 Yale Climate Opinion Maps, 64% of people right here in South Carolina support taxing

fossil fuel companies. The same idea should hold true for our trading partners on the international stage.

And of course, America should do everything possible to reduce our country’s own carbon pollution. We’re heading in the right direction — U.S. emissions declined 1 9% in 2023 (Rhodium Group), and our economy produces fewer emissions during manufacturing than similar industries overseas.

Yet foreign polluters with lower environmental standards can undercut American manufacturers without penalty.

Increasingly, countries are moving to hold polluters account-

able, often through trade. With 30% of global emissions presently generated by the production and transport of exported and imported goods, it’s a great place to start. The E.U. and the U.K. have begun the process of imposing a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) to collect a fee at the border from high-polluting countries that undercut their domestic manufacturers with cheaper, carbon-heavy products. This policy idea has bipartisan appeal in the U.S., too, since 75% of U.S. imports come from countries that produce more carbon pollution than the products we make here at home.

In November, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and his colleague Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, introduced the Foreign Pollution Fee Act. Just weeks later, Democrats in the House and Senate reintroduced the Clean Competition Act.

Both bills propose a fee on key materials such as aluminum, cement, iron and steel, and fossil fuels based on their carbon pollution. These policies would level the playing field by charging dirty importers for the difference between their high-emission products and our cleaner, domestic goods — and incentivize other countries to do better.

Both bills also include measures intended to exempt developing nations from some or all of the carbon price, to avoid damaging the economies of poorer countries that are not responsible for most of the world’s carbon pollution.

It’s clear with a little compromise, legislators can introduce bipartisan CBAM policy that appeals to both sides of the aisle. When big polluters get a free pass to harm the planet, they cost our health and our communities dearly. It’s time for them to pay a price.

SCOTT GRABER

WILLIAM

Will Callicott’s bike site in front of a cow pasture south of Clemson, S.C., during Callicott’s commute on his bicycle in June 2023. Photo courtesy by Will Callicott

How 3-decade-old scandal led to changes in how SC picks judges

It’s time for more changes to reduce legislators’ influence over judges

n March 19 1990

OS.C. Rep. “Tee” Ferguson took a bribe from Ron Cobb, a Statehouse lobbyist and undercover FBI agent, while Ferguson ran for an open judicial seat in South Carolina. A month later, Ferguson was elected without opposition and while actually sitting in the S.C. House and voting for himself.

Ferguson was elected in spite of testimony given to the ineffective Judicial Committee that he had a reputation for violence and bad temper.

One of his colleagues,

Rep. Lanny Littlejohn, R-Pacolet, said then that Ferguson was elected because he was in the House and had an unfair advantage over non-legislator candidates.

Rep. Alf McGinnis, D-Duncan, added, “It is totally political …”

A few days after his election to the bench, Ferguson met again with Cobb, who since 1989 had been working as an FBI sting agent, and took another bribe on May 9, 1990, of $1,000 Ferguson was sworn in as judge later that month;

I300 onlookers gave him a standing ovation. In March 1991, a federal grand jury in Columbia indicted him on charges of extortion conspiracy and extortion. Ferguson was also indicted for conspiracy to possess cocaine and five counts of cocaine possession.

But even before Ferguson was indicted, it became known that he was under federal investigation for corruption.

Judge Ferguson went to trial in U.S. District Court in Columbia on May 28 1991, and was convicted 10 days later of conspiracy to violate the Hobbs Act.

Later that summer, he pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing cocaine and found liable on a no-contest plea on other cocaine charges. Evidence

indicated that Ferguson had used cocaine in 1988 and 1989 with lobbyists and legislators at the Town House Hotel in Columbia during legislative sessions. He resigned from the judiciary the next week.

Ferguson was sentenced to federal prison in August 1992 for 33 months and taken into custody that October.

It wasn’t until Sept. 20 1993, that the state Supreme Court finally issued a public reprimand — the only penalty available since he’d resigned.

U.S. Attorney John Barton said of Ferguson: “How such a corrupt drug abuser got elected to the Legislature to begin with is beyond my comprehension. And then to have risen in the esteem of his peers to the point where he got elected to circuit court judge speaks sadly many volumes about the way government was conducted in South Carolina.”

Barton also said he had evidence that Ferguson intended to take bribes as a judge.

At the time, Ferguson was said to be the first

state circuit court judge in South Carolina history to be convicted of a serious crime. (However, in 1994 Family Court Judge Sam Mendenhall pleaded guilty to misconduct for exchanging sex for a favorable child custody ruling.)

Ferguson’s convictions added to scandals at the Statehouse which eventually convicted 17 legislators, two executive officials, and seven lobbyists in Operation Lost Trust.

Then-Gov. Carroll Cambell complained bitterly about lawyer-legislators. Reformers felt that drastic changes were needed for lobbying, ethics, campaign finance and judicial selection laws to clean up the ruins of state government left behind after so many state officials had been convicted for corruption and drugs and thrown out of office and into federal prison.

Lt. Gov. Nick Theodore and Secretary of State Jim Miles, in 1991, appointed a commission — including me — to investigate the judicial selection system in South Carolina and make recommendations for improvements.

That commission recommended banning sitting legislators from seeking judicial office and creating a panel to review and screen candidates for the trial and appellate court benches.

The resulting Judicial Merit Selection Commission began operations in 1997 and a ban on sitting legislators running for judgeship was enacted.

After more than a quarter century, the Legislature is now considering improving and modernizing the 10-member screening panel.

One of the main issues is whether practicing lawyer-legislators, especially the six on the panel, have serious conflicts of interest and too much power over not only the selection of judges but also over what those judges do in cases tried before them by those same lawyer-legislators who elect them.

There is no question, in my opinion, that practicing lawyer-legislators — especially those who screen judicial candidates — have too much influence over state court judges and get favors.

There is now an opportunity to improve the selection

process and also upgrade the quality of county magistrates.

The Legislature should not fail to pass comprehensive judicial reform laws which would assure that all state and local judges are competent, honest, and unbiased.

No one who appears in our courts should have any reason to fear that the judge on the bench is handing out favors to opposing lawyer-legislators because the judge fears retaliation the next time he or she is up for re-election before the General Assembly.

John Crangle is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and member of the South Carolina Bar. He was a member of a commission appointed in 1991 that proposed ways to improve the selection of judges. Approved changes included a ban on sitting legislators voting for themselves for judicial positions and the creation of a Judicial Merit Selection Commission to screen judicial candidates. He also participated in reforming the magistrate system. Changes effective in 1996 included requiring new magistrates to have a four-year college degree and pass a course in the basic laws magistrates enforce.

Our CWP law conformed to the Constitution – we should’ve kept it

am a life-long outdoorsman, strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, and serial exerciser of my 2nd Amendment rights. I chair the Senate Fish, Game & Forestry Committee that has jurisdiction over hunting, fishing and forestry laws in South Carolina. I authored the Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing South Carolinians’ right to hunt and fish, I am a recipient of the NRA Rick Daniel Memorial Defender of Freedom Award, and I am the only state legislator in the nation to receive Ducks Unlimited’s coveted Conservation Service Award.

I could go on and on. The point is firearms have been a big part of life since early childhood. From the beginning of deer season in August, to the end of turkey season in May, rarely a week goes by without me bearing multiple classes of weapons.

Yet, out-of-state dark money groups flooded my district with misleading mailers and social media, painting me as an anti-gun puppet of Joe Biden, and existential threat to 2nd Amendment rights.

Have I suddenly become gun control zealot? Not a chance. What’s really going on is out-ofstate dark money groups were part of the push that we repeal our law requiring a Concealable Weapons Permit (CWP) to carry a conceal-

able weapon (pistol) in public. I supported the CWP requirement to carry concealable weapons and refused to be bullied into submission. So, they attacked me — relentlessly. This same tactic has been deployed in multiple states. Many caved. I did not.

CWP requirements included a clean criminal background check, live fire training, and instruction in complex laws governing when lethal force is justified. I supported this model since its inception in 1996. It advanced responsible gun ownership, prevented crime and saved innocent lives.

The criminal background check assured CWP holders were law-abiding. Range training assured they were less likely to injure innocent bystanders. Legal training assured they understood when lethal force was justified — important details when using a weapon in self-defense. CWP holders enjoyed reciprocity (the right to carry) in 35 other states, frictionless gun purchases, and

respect of law enforcement.

I vigorously argued that this tried-and-tested model should not be discarded. Yet, the General Assembly eliminated the CWP requirement for carrying a concealable weapon in public. No criminal background check. No range training. No instruction in the law of self-defense. Nothing.

Proponents of trashing the CWP requirement strategically dubbed their proposal “Constitutional Carry” — as if the Constitution mandates their Wild West visions.

It does not. In fact, South Carolina’s longstanding CWP requirement conformed hand-in-glove to the most important 2nd Amendment decisions authored by two of the most conservative justices in history.

In District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), Justice Antonin Scalia crafted a tour de force of 2nd Amendment jurisprudence. Heller held the 2nd Amendment is a personal right for “law-abiding, responsible citizens” to bear arms “in defense of hearth and home.”

In New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen (2022), the Court struck down a law preventing New Yorkers from carrying concealable weapons unless they demonstrated an extraordinary self-defense need to the satisfaction of a government official. Justice Clarence Thomas held the 2nd Amendment is for “law

abiding, responsible people” with “ordinary self-defense needs.” Requiring demonstration of extraordinary self-defense needs violated the 2nd Amendment.

Bruen specifically noted CWP laws like South Carolina’s were constitutional because they did not require a showing of extraordinary self-defense needs to government officials.

Heller and Bruen, in concert, demonstrated South Carolina’s CWP law was in one accord with the Constitution. Background checks assured holders were “law abiding.” Training assured they were “responsible.”

Law enforcement widely supported our current CWP law. Initially, they widely opposed the so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill that eviscerates it. So, proponents of Constitutional Carry brought law enforcement to heel by taking a hostage. They made it clear law enforcement’s top legisla-

tive priority — enhanced penalties for felons in possession of firearms — would not pass unless and until Constitutional Carry passed. This has gone on for years.

Enhanced penalties for felons in possession has been a top priority for Governor McMaster as well. He asked for it twice in his January State of the State Address. Yet hostage status persisted. Public safety was subordinated to politics.

Opponents were unable to stop the bill in the Senate. Improvements made by creating incentives to obtain a CWP. making renewing a CWP virtually effortless, and enhancing penalties for gun-related offenders who do not possess a CWP … they didn’t survive.

The bill made its way through the House and was signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster.

Out-of-state agitators continued their campaign of lies and deceit, as they have in numerous states before us. I refused to cower to their demands by taking a wrecking ball to South Carolina’s time-tested CWP law.

See the Second Amendment Foundation’s experience with outof-state agitators involved in this effort in South Carolina: https://saf. org/dudley-browns-despicable-deception/.

Senator Chip Campsen (District 43) represents Charleston, Beaufort, and Colleton counties in the South Carolina Senate.

CHIP CAMPSEN

JOHN CRANGLE

In December 2020, just a couple weeks before Christmas, I found myself at the esteemed Charleston City Market.

I was there to photograph Corey Alston, a renowned sweetgrass basket weaver. It was my first assignment as a freelance photographer, for a magazine that recognizes artisans keeping alive the traditional ways of craft making.

Foot traffic was light. The COVID-19 pandemic was new enough that the casual passersby Alston and his fellow vendors counted on to purchase their wares were scarce. I was suffering from what I now know was Long COVID, random dizzy spells or flashes where I was convinced I could smell cigars or frayed electrical wires. I wanted to return home.

I had taken photos of Alston and the beautiful works that showcased artistry passed down through generations of his family — and even got footage for a short interview — but I knew I needed to get images of him interacting with customers.

I asked him for a break to review

Why do my people love conspiracy theories? Is Lady Justice still blind?

Can we agree that the judicial system of the United States is one of the most, if not the most vital aspect of the infrastructure of our democracy? If we can, then there is some disturbing news: that infrastructure, much like some of our roads and bridges, is in disarray and crumbling before our eyes.

The World Justice Project’s 2023 Rule of Law Index ranks our country 116th out of 142 countries on “accessibility and affordability of civil justice.”

This is a drop from our placement of 108th in 2020

The rule of law index measures the extent to which individuals and firms have confidence in and abide by the rules of society; in particular, it measures “the functioning and independence of the judiciary.”

More than 200 years ago, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay published a series of essays promoting the ratification of the United States Constitu-

TERRY MANNING

the photos I had taken up to that point and positioned myself across a walkway. With I and my camera less visible, a couple of customers approached Alston’s stall. I grabbed a few images of him charming them and, deciding that was enough, prepared to pack my things.

Then I noticed a younger Black man slip under the fabric behind Alston’s tables. He shifted nervously, and I remember wondering what he was up to. The customers left and he approached Alston, leaning in close. In the quiet of the morning I could make out bits and pieces of what he whispered: “I ain’t taking no vaccine …same thing they did with AIDS … the

CAROL LUCAS

tion, now known as the Federalist Papers. In explaining the need for an independent judiciary, Hamilton noted in The Federalist #78 that the federal courts "were designed to be an intermediate body between the people and their legislature" in order to ensure that the people's representatives acted only within the authority given to Congress under the Constitution.

The U.S. Constitution is the nation's fundamental law. It codifies the core values of the people. Courts have the responsibility to interpret the Constitution's meaning, as well as the meaning of any laws passed by Congress. The Federalist #78 states further that, if any

Twhite man made this stuff … 5G will give people brain cancer.”

Oh Lord, I thought, now I was definitely ready to leave.

On the drive home, all I could wonder to myself was, why are Black people so susceptible to conspiracy theories? Yes, there have been plenty times in history where minorities have been abused by systems and institutions we should have been able to trust.

We can look to Tuskegee’s syphilis experiments; the abuse of Black women in developing the field of gynecology; the destruction of “Black Wall Street;” the crack epidemic; the burning of Rosewood; allegations of smallpox among America’s Indian tribes; the roundup of Asian-Americans during World War II; Henrietta Lacks; jetliners’ contrails; and many more.

It’s not like there aren’t plenty of situations where Black and other minorities still are being shortchanged. It felt like COVID took the delusions to new extremes.

There was the student in my computer lab who told me

law passed by Congress conflicts with the Constitution, "the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute.

"Nor does this conclusion by any means suppose a superiority of the judicial to the legislative power. It is only supposed that the power of the people is superior to both; and that where the will of the legislature, declared in its statutes, stands in opposition to that of the people, declared in the Constitution, the judges ought to be governed by the latter rather than the former.”

If you are paying attention to the news at all, you know the judiciary system on many levels is under scrutiny, and justifiably so.

The federal court system has three main levels: district courts (the trial court), circuit courts which are the first level of appeal, and the Supreme Court of the United States, the final level of appeal in the federal system.

Judicial review is the power of an “independent” judiciary, or courts of law, to determine whether the acts

in February 2020, “You know Black folks can't catch that stuff," referring to COVID. When I asked for the reasoning behind her statement, she explained that it had "something to do with the melanin in our skin.”

I laughed and assured her that if there ever were such a thing as a whites-only epidemic, a sizable contingent would try to kill off as many Blacks as they could before they succumbed.

Then there was the Black woman I ran into at lunch one day not long after that conversation. She wore a shirt bearing the logo of the Georgia Department of Public Health. I asked her about the student’s contention that Black people couldn’t catch COVID. She laughed and shook her head.

“We don’t have any evidence to support that,” she answered. “But you know, all this is in the Bible.”

My brain is sparing me memories of the rest of that conversation, but I do remember thinking, shouldn’t an employee of the state health department be focused more on the science of the pan-

of other components of the government are in accordance with the Constitution. Any action that conflicts with the Constitution is declared unconstitutional and therefore nullified.

Explain then, if you can, the system that chooses to ignore Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. All of what I am writing would be a moot point if this were adhered to.

We have been told that “no person is above the law.” While I want to believe that, what I read tells me otherwise; we are edging very close to a two-tiered system of justice. When I view the way Donald Trump’s lawyers are manipulating the law through constant delay (all legally, I might add), I begin to question the system. Without a doubt, the fly in the ointment, so to speak, is the cooperation of our judiciary in passively permitting this charade to continue.

Consider the below excerpt from Federalist #78

“The judiciary may truly be said to have neither

demic than its possible role in Bible prophecy?

I found a 2018 study that correlated Blacks’ enthusiasm for conspiracy to their historically diminished social status in this country. The study, in the European Journal of Social Psychology, indicated African Americans’ beliefs in certain conspiracy theories are driven in part by a need to compensate for social devaluation. While there was an expected embrace of race-related theories, Blacks in the study also were more likely to embrace those that had nothing to do with race or were race-neutral.

Hmm. People who are kept down are more likely to believe conspiracies, eh?

In my next column, I’ll look at how Donald Trump is exploiting this dynamic to woo Black voters — and why his “Never Surrender” sneakers could hurt this goal more than help.

Terry E. Manning is a Clemson graduate and worked for 20 years as a journalist. He can be reached at teemanning@gmail.com.

FORCE nor WILL, but merely judgment; and must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgments. This proves incontestably that the judiciary is beyond comparison “the weakest” of the three departments of power; that it can never attack with success either of the other two, and that all possible care is requisite to enable it to defend itself against their attacks.”

Hamilton defined the judicial branch of government as the “least dangerous;” on the other hand, he emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary. I humbly suggest that neither is firmly established on many levels right now.

I have purposely chosen not to go into long detail regarding the number of trials, indictments, and charges regarding the 45th President. The reality is, this is old news, and has been so for far too long. We are confronted with one of our two political parties embracing a man

who chose rebellion rather than acceptance; a man who demeans our military and courts the dictators of the world; a man facing criminal charges. That is bad enough, in and of itself. With some luck, we can put that past us and move on. What is perhaps worse, and more difficult to correct, is what I noted at the beginning of this piece, our crumbling judicial system. Criminals come and go; firmly entrenched systems are not so easily eradicated. Right now we are relying upon the Jack Smiths, the Fani Willises, and the Alvin Braggs to pursue justice. So I ask with all sincerity, is our present judicial system at its weakest? Or is justice still “blind,” meaning objective and unbiased?

Ironically, the full saying of this is, “Justice is blind, until a judge gives it eyes.”

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.”

SC Legislature could repeat mistakes that led to VC Summer debacle

he South Carolina House is considering legislation (H. 5118) that skews disproportionately toward utilities’ interests and would greatly diminish consumers’ representation in the deliberations of the Public Service Commission.

House leadership has not learned from the ill-fated Base Load Review Act which saddled ratepayers with billions of dollars to pay for the abandoned V.C.

Summer 2 and 3 nuclear plants.

H. 5118 would effectively direct the Public Service Commission to approve new construction of generating plants, transmission lines and natural gas pipelines in the name of “economic development.”

The General Assembly, based solely on the wishes of utilities, declares the construction of these facilities in the public interest.

Our laws now send these decisions to the commission to

JOHN RUOFF

balance the interests of rate-paying consumers and utility shareholders while cognizant of the need to ensure adequate and reliable energy. They exercise that balancing only after hearing extensive testimony from witnesses, including experts on appropriate returns to shareholders.

H. 5118 makes “economic development” a primary consideration in that balancing. They put not just a thumb, but a full hand, on the scale, leading to a “build … build … build” default.

Ratepayers pay for new con-

struction through higher rates. Utility shareholders reap the benefits.

Elevating “economic development” does nothing to address economic development that makes no sense.

The Commerce Department announces server farm after server farm that sucks up massive amounts of electricity and water. These facilities employ few people and spend the bulk of their capital investment outside South Carolina. H. 5118 makes no distinction between good and ill-advised economic development.

The bill does not direct the commission to roll over and play dead for these projects, but the message to commissioners to do that is clear. The 2007 Base Load Review Act likewise did not direct construction of Summer 2 and 3, but the commission heard the message. The General Assembly elects commissioners.

At the same time H. 5118 delivers the message to do whatever the utilities ask, it fires the current seven commissioners elected from each of our congressional districts. It replaces them with three commissioners elected by the General Assembly at large. Three commissioners are easier to cow than seven. In 2018, reacting to the Summer debacle, the General Assembly rewrote the mission of the Office of Regulatory Staff to looking out for utility consumers. They dropped the requirement that the agency look out for the financial well-being of the utilities and their shareholders and economic development. That conflict of interest contributed to the Summer regulatory failure.

H. 5118 restores the failed pre-2018 mission. An agency required to look out for utilities and economic development can’t adequately advocate for residen-

tial consumers. We already have an entity tasked to balance those interests: The Public Service Commission.

H. 5118 axes another post-Summer reform by eliminating the role of the consumer advocate in utility proceedings. In the face of well-funded utility lawyers and experts, H. 5118 leaves residential ratepayers bare.

The solution to growing electric demand in 2007 was to build faster with less oversight. The proposed solution in 2024 is to build faster with less oversight.

“Those who cannot remember their past are condemned to repeat it:” George Santayana, The Life of Reason.

Ruoff has participated in utility regulation and policy debates in South Carolina for 45 years. He has been a lobbyist, researcher, community organizer, manager and trainer for nonprofit organizations. He is also an AARP volunteer.

Earning the Blood Stripe

a significant achievement in a service member’s career and are a testament to their commitment, mastery of duties and skills, and leadership capabilities. Marines take on greater responsibilities as Non-Commissioned Officers after showing exemplary leadership skills. Lance Cpl.

are a significant achievement in a service member’s career and are a testament to their commitment, mastery of duties and skills, and leadership capabilities. Marines take on greater responsibilities as Non-Commissioned Officers after showing exemplary leadership skills. Lance Cpl.

benefits," County Veterans Affairs Director Caroline Fermin said in a news release. "The PACT Act means our veterans will become

eligible for health care up to eight years sooner than previously allowed by law. This is excellent news for those veterans dealing with combat-related and service-related health issues."

This is a critical step forward because Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, and VA hos-

Iapologize to the readers of this article series but I, writer Larry Dandridge am going to need four articles to cover VA Mental Health Services adequately.

The first article in this Island News four-article series on Veterans’ Mental Health services covered how to talk to someone at the VA right now (the VA’s Crisis Line); and how to connect with VA mental healthcare, no matter a veteran’s discharge status, service history, or eligibility for VA healthcare; and other sources of mental health care for veterans and transitioning service members.

The second article covered how and where to make an appointment for Mental Health care in the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Healthcare System area of service (the coastal counties of South Carolina and Northeast Georgia).

This week’s article is based on the information at the VA’s “Mental Health Services” webpage at https://bit.ly/3H8KAoE and will answer seven more questions on VA Mental Health Services. Next week’s article, Article 4 will answer 12 more questions.

1. What should a veteran do if they are not sure what kind of help, they need?

Answer: Call 877-222-8387 to find the resources they need. If you have hearing loss, call TTY at 800-877-8339. Veterans can also call their local VA Medical Center or Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) mental health number.

2. Can a veteran get VA Mental Health Services online?

Answer: Yes. You may be able to use one or more of the care options listed below.

The Veteran Training online self-help portal for overcoming everyday challenges. Veterans can use this portal’s tools to help manage their anger, develop parenting and problem-solving skills, and more. The portal is free, and the veteran does not have to sign in or provide any personal information to use the tools.

See VA Veteran Training Portal at https://www.veterantraining.va.gov. • Smartphone apps for Veterans: Veterans can complement their care with mental health apps at the VA App Store at https://mobile. va.gov. These resources can help veterans manage PTSD symptoms and stress, manage depression, and more.

The VA Telemental Health Program: Veterans can connect with a VA mental health provider through a computer or mobile device in their home or at their nearest VA health facility. If you are enrolled in VA health care, ask any of your providers to help connect you with Telemental Health.

3. Can a veteran speak to a fellow Veteran who has been through this before?

Answer: Yes. The “be there” peer assistance program, https://

bethere.org, in partnership with Military OneSource, offers support to service members (including National Guard and Reservists), their families, and transitioning veterans up to 365 days after separation. Veterans can talk privately with peer coaches who are veterans, service members, or military spouses. Call Military OneSource’s free, confidential peer support at 800-342-9647

4. What other options do veterans have?

Answer: Eligible service members, veterans, and family members can visit one of the VA’s Vet Centers to get free individual and group counseling. You do not have to be enrolled in VA health care or receive disability compensation to use these services.

Vet Centers provide individual and group counseling, couples and family counseling, Military Sexual Trauma (MST) counseling, readjustment counseling, mental health services, educational and employment counseling, bereavement counseling, substance use assessment, and referral. They also help veterans to apply for VA benefits. Find a Vet Center at the VA’s “Find VA Locations” webpage at https://bit.ly/3PJ1r6q. You can also call 877-927-8387 (TTY: 711) to talk with a fellow combat veteran.

5. Will using VA Mental Health services put my career at risk?

Answer: Being diagnosed with a mental health condition or seeking mental health care does not automatically put work-relat-

ed credentials, such as security clearances, at risk. Most employers recognize that healthy employees who get help when they need it are more productive and effective in their jobs.

6. Do I need to be enrolled in VA Healthcare to access VA Mental Healthcare?

Answer: No. If a veteran does not qualify for VA health care, they may still be able to get certain health care services, like care for needs linked to military sexual trauma. Call the VA health benefits hotline at 877-222-8387 to find out what your care options are.

Depending on your needs and situation, you can also:

Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 for help 24/7. A trained VA counselor will offer information about VA homelessness programs, health care, and other services in your area. The call is free and confidential.

Call or visit your local VA Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC). Even if you don’t qualify for VA health care, the VA staff there can help you find non-VA resources you may qualify for in your community. Find a CRRC at https://www.va.gov/ HOMELESS/Crrc.asp. The Charleston, SC CRRC is located at 2424 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, SC 29406 Phone: 843-789-6804

7. How does a veteran find out if he or she is eligible for VA Healthcare?

Answer: The VA, through the PACT ACT and Presidential direction, expanded, on March 5,

pitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings.

Learn more about the PACT Act at https://bit. ly/3ARbVrn. For more information about PACT and eligibility for other veteran-related services, call Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-2556880

2024, VA Healthcare to millions of more veterans. All veterans who meet the basic service and discharge requirements and who were exposed to toxins and other hazardous materials while serving at home and abroad are now eligible for VA Healthcare. The eligibility information is too expansive to cover in this article but veterans should be aware that some veterans may be eligible for free or reduced-cost care based on their income

All Veterans need to read the VA’s “PACT ACT and YOUR VA BENEFITS” webpage at https:// bit.ly/3ARbVrn. Veterans should also go to https://bit.ly/3cuf4Vm

Mental Health: 843-789-6500

Continued next week.

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or

The Non-Commissioned Officer’s Creed is read during a promotion ceremony Friday, March 1, for U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johana Gordillo, aviation operations specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort. Promotion ceremonies

Delilah M. Romayor/USMC

U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, stand at parade rest Friday, March 1, while being addressed by Cpl. Johana Gordillo, aviation operations specialist, H&HS, MCAS Beaufort. Promotion ceremonies are

Delilah M. Romayor/USMC

CALENDAR

Friends of Fort Fremont Oyster Roast

5:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 15, Live Oaks Park, Port Royal. $40 per person. Sea Eagle Catering oysters and chili. Appetizers and desserts. Music by the Sweet Ferns. Silent auction, including pair of tickets to Savannah Bananas game. Tickets available online at www.fortfremont.org. Tickets can also be purchased by mailing check to P.O. Box 982, St. Helena Island, S.C. 29920. The last day to order tickets by mail is March 8.

Sea Island Rotary Club Blood Drive

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Parking Lot, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be scheduled online at oneblood.org for Whole Blood or Double Red Cell donations. Donors receive a $20 gift card and an insulated tote bag.

9th annual Ole Fashioned Oyster Roast

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 13, The Gullah Museum, Hilton Head Island. General admission ticket is $10. Ole Fashioned Oyster Roast is $50. There will be artisans, entertainment, and food vendors for non-seafood eaters. Please visit www.gullahmuseumhhi.org to purchase tickets and for more information. Tickets can also be purchased at the event. (Originally scheduled for March 9, this event was postponed due to threat of inclement weather.)

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Trivia with Tom – Fat Patties

7:30 p.m., Every Wednesday, Fat Patties, 831 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.

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.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.

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.

TECHconnect

5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 3rd Thursday of each month, Beaufort Digital Corridor, 500 Carteret Street, Suite D, Beaufort. Free. The BDC's signature happy hour “meetup” networking event for tech professionals. Connect with like-minded people, fellow entrepreneurs, start-ups and VCs over local food and cold beverages. Call 843470-3506 or visit https://rb.gy/e7t2h for more information.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.

Karaoke with Melissa 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Dr, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Highway 21 Flea Market 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday, Highway 21 Drive-In. Sellers, vendors, handmade items, unique products and yard sale items. For information, email lowcountryfleamarket@gmail.com.

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

7 p.m., Saturdays, The Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd., Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Lt. Dan. Come early at 6 p.m. for Steak Night.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9:30 p.m., Saturdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Eric.

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.

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, Peaceful Henry’s Cigar Bar, 181 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

DANCE

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.

EASTER

Eggstravaganza Noon, Saturday, March 30, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. Registration required. Join us for an Easter Egg hunt. There will be games, prizes and fun. Kids will receive a take-home craft. Don’t forget to bring a basket to collect eggs. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Fire & Flow

2 to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 17, Celadon Health & Wellness Club. Cost is $45 for members; $50 for nonmembers. Collaborative fitness workshop led by Celadon’s own Ashton Cradit and Ben Konchar. Unique blend of Strength training and Yoga. Celebrate your St. Patty’s Day Green and Clean. Fresh cold-pressed juice from Well House Juice to complete your celebration. Reservations required, call 843-379-1088.

Wellness Happy Hour with Rooted Renewal

5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 21, Celadon Health & Wellness Club. Another Wellness Happy Hour to learn about Health & Wellness Coaching with certified Coach Ashton Cradit. Complimentary event and open to all. Reservations required, call 843-379-1088.

Lunch & Learn Create with Camilla 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, March 22, Celadon Club. Cost is $65 for members; $75 for nonmembers. Design and paint springtime flower boxes with local artist Camilla Pagliaroli. Lunch by Mameem & Maudie’s. Reservations required, call 843-379-1088.

RSVP deadline, March 18.

Balance Workshop with Go Yoga Jo

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, March 23,

Celadon Health & Wellness Club. Cost is $45 for members; $50 for nonmembers. Join Celadon’s Jo Heckert for a 90-minute workshop and immerse yourself in the world of balance. How we can improve it, how we can lose it, why we need it, and how we can support ourselves to achieve better balance. Reservations required, call 843-379-1088.

Full Moon Sound Bath 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Monday, March 25,

Celadon Health & Wellness Club. Cost is $33 for all. Chandra Bergmann of Alchemy hosts monthly Sound Baths at Celadon Club. Holistic healing modality. Reservations required, call 843-379-1088.

Some Bunny Loves Me:

Mommy & Me Craft Time 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 27, Celadon Club. Cost is $10 per child; $5 for sibling(s). Join us at Celadon Club for a Bunny inspired Craft Time. Reservations required, call 843-379-1088.

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-of-the-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 Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 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

Care and Compassion for the Caregiver 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Presented by Friends of Caroline. Free and open to the public. No registration required. Are you the primary caregiver for your children, spouse, parents or other family members? Are you finding it difficult to manage everything that comes along with caregiving for your loved ones while taking care of yourself? You are not alone. The presentation is designed to equip and empower you to care for yourself without neglecting those under your care. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.

Solar Eclipse Art Noon, Saturday, March 23, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. All ages. No registration required. Learn about the upcoming eclipse and make corona art. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.

“Lego” With Lego

4:30 to 5:30 p.m., every Tuesday, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. Ages 5 and up. No registration required. Come see our new and improved Lego Club. Choose one of our new Lego kits and get going. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.

Book Club 5 to 5:45 p.m., every Wednesday through May 22, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. Ages 6 to 11. Registration is encouraged, but dropins are welcome. Books that make you smile. Make friends and share what you are reading. Call 843-255-6541 for more information.

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.

MEETINGS

Zonta Club of Beaufort 6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.

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, Herban Marketplace, 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- 9177082. For more information on EAI visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.

Rotary Club of the Lowcountry

7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, Sea Island Parkway, Lady’s Island. A light breakfast is provided before the program. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit our website at www.lowcountryrotary.org or contact our President, Bob Bible a reconmc@ aol.com or 843-252-8535.

League of Women Voters Beaufort Area

10 a.m., Saturday, March 16, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street, downtown Beaufort. This monthly meeting honoring Women's History Month. The guest speaker will be S.C. State Senator Margie Bright Matthews who will share the "story" of how the five female bi-partisan senators came together to defend women's reproductive rights, what it was like fighting that battle, and eventually receiving the 2023 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

OUTDOORS

Fripp Audubon Club’s

Ten Eyck Lecture Series

6 p.m., Thursday, March 21, Fripp Island Community Center, 205 Tarpon Blvd. Meet Stephen Schabel, Education Director of the Avian Conservation Center. Back by popular demand, please come meet Stephen and engage with these wonderful raptors up close and personal – hawks, owls. vultures, and more. During Stephen’s live demonstration learn about how these beautiful birds live, where they live and what is so unique about them. We will collect donations to the Avian Conservation Center during the meeting.

The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old Point” and enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees. The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.

Tours of Hunting Island Every Tuesday, Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. Free, park entry fees apply. Sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For more information call the Hunting Island Nature Center at 843-838-7437. The next Tuesday is August 1.

RUNNING

29th annual Hilton Head Island Airport Shamrock Run 8 a.m., Saturday, March 16, New York City Pizza, Heritage Plaza, Hilton Head Island. 5K Run & Health Walk finishes inside Coligny Plaza. Shamrock Run course zooms down Pope Avenue, North Forest Beach Drive and then back on Lagoon Road. We encourage everyone to participate by wearing green. A percentage of proceeds from the event will be allocated to benefit the Sunset Rotary Club of Hilton Head. Prizes will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers and the top three in each age category will also receive unique awards. Sponsored by The Bank Beer Garden, Oak Advisors, Rollers Wine & Spirits, Coligny Hilton Head, Island Girl Collective, Watusi Cafe, The Sand Bar Beach Eats and Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head. For more information, visit www.bearfootsports.com or contact Bear Foot Sports at 843-757-8520.

SEWING/QUILTING

Maye River Quilters

10 a.m., Saturday, April 6, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville. To attend as a guest, please email RSVP to mayeriverquilters@gmail. com. For more information and membership forms to join the group, call 978-464-0585.

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, crossstitch, 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

Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head Cornhole for Charity Tournament 1 p.m., Saturday, April 27, Lincoln & South Brewing Company, 138 Island Drive, Hilton Head Island. This year’s tournament will benefit SOAR Special Recreation of the Lowcountry. Cornhole teams will compete for cash prize donations to the local youth cause of their choice. Sign up to compete and sponsor the event by visiting https://hhikiwanisorders.weebly.com/.

ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret St. United Methodist Church. Games and events will be held weekly. Director Gene Ogden. Contact Jane Simpson at 803-226-3491.

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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AUCTIONS

LIVE ESTATE AUCTION – Saturday, March 23 at 9:30 A.M. 1157 Galilee Rd., Barnwell, SC. Enclosed trailers, tons of tools, shop equipment, estate shotguns, extensive remote control car collection, coins, riding lawn mowers, vintage drink boxes/ bottles, furniture, antiques, glassware, etc.

Two auctioneers selling simultaneously!

www.cogburnauction.com 803-860-0712

Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-775-0366 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-875-2449

Up to $15 000 00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company – 855-837-7719 or visit www.Life55plus.info/scan

TELEVISION & INTERNET SERVICES

DIRECTV OVER INTERNET – Get your favorite live TV, sports and local channels. 99% signal reliability! CHOICE Package, $84 99/mo for 12 months. HBO Max and Premium Channels included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-855237-9741

DIRECTV Sports Pack. 3 Months on Us! Watch pro and college sports LIVE. Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-844-6241107 Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today!

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VACATION RENTALS

ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than

1 5 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377

YOUR AD HERE

HELP WANTED –DRIVERS

ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-7277377

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac

110

ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377

Email Amanda (amanda@lcweekly.com) or Sandy (sandyschepis@gmail.com) to place your classified ad here! 803-635-9893

SATURDAYS: March 23 & 30

artists create amazing art right before your eyes!

Running on Empty?

your daily prayer life like?

We often feel like we’re running on empty.

In our daily lives we can feel anxious or stressed, even though we know that God has given us many reasons for joy. We can feel lost or insecure, despite believing that God has a plan for us. We can feel distant from God, even though we have faith in his love and mercy.

Are we allowing God to fill us?

Difficult situations often come up in our lives, bringing moments of worry or anxiety. But when we are constantly experiencing these sorts of emotions, it is a sign that something needs attention. Like the indicators in our cars that tell us we are almost out of gas, these feelings are often a sign that we are not spending enough time with God in daily prayer. We are not allowing God to spiritually fill us.

How much time are we giving to God?

If we were to track how much time we spend on the phone or watching TV, it would often be hours and hours per week. But if we were to look at how much time we set aside to be with God outside of church, what would it add up to in a given week? Would it be a significant amount of time, or would it be more like the length of a typical television commercial break?

We spend time with those we love.

If we love God, we should be spending time with him each day. As we spend time opening our mind and our heart to God, we start to grow in our relationship with him. He calms our anxieties; he brings us peace; he helps us see how he is at work in our lives. We feel strengthened and refreshed, ready for the challenges and opportunities each day brings.

Daily prayer becomes easier as we jump in!

If we don’t have much of a daily habit of prayer, we can start by setting aside 10-15 minutes each day in a quiet place. We practice just being quiet with God, talking to him as a friend, and allowing him to speak back to us through silence and the reading of Scripture. Like many things worth doing in life, it probably won’t be easy at first. But as we stick with it, it gets easier and starts to feel more natural!

In this series, we will share some tips for daily prayer. We will explore some of the ideas above in greater detail and give practical examples, so that you can develop or deepen your daily prayer life. Rather than feeling like we’re running on empty, why not allow God a chance to “refuel” us in daily prayer?

Chalk It Up! is funded in part by by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts; Beaufort County ATAX; and the City of Beaufort ATAX. Other major sponsors include: 303 Associates; Alphagraphics; Beaufort Inn; Forino; New South Shirts; Sharing Common Ground; Sharon & Dick Stewart.

ILLUSTRATION

AMIRI GEUKA FARRIS