March 7 edition

LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN

In the spirit of Pat Conroy, we're still fighting book bans

CThe

6-year-old dead after Sunday shooting

By Mike McCombs The Island

News

A 6-year-old boy is dead after what Beaufort Police are calling an “accidental shooting” Sunday afternoon at Beaufort’s Cross Creek Apartments.

Beaufort Police officers responded at approximately 1:15 p.m., Sunday, March 3, to reports of a subject with a gunshot would at 325 Ambrose Run (Cross Creek Apartments). According to a media release

from police, officers responded upon arrival to a residence where they located a 6-year-old child who had suffered from a single gunshot wound to the head. Officers immediately began rendering aid until EMS arrived.

The child was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with a critical injury before being airlifted to Medical University of South Carolina’s Children’s Hospital in Charleston.

The child, later identified by

Beaufort County Coroner David Ott as Frankie Washington, succumbed to his injury at 10:28 p.m. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.

According to police, this incident was isolated, and the gun involved has been recovered. The circumstances surrounding the accidental shooting is still being investigated.

According to Beaufort Police Department Spokesperson MSgt. Lori Reeves, it’s too ear -

ly to determine if there will be charges filed.

Anyone with information is encouraged to please contact Investigator Daniel Jayne at 843322-7972 or if you would like to stay anonymous, please contact the Beaufort Police TIP LINE at 843-322-7938 and please reference case #24B08861

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

But even though Beaufort County’s

may be complete, for now, the battle for the freedom to read continues in other parts of the country.

Here in South Carolina, the S.C. Department of Education, led by State Superintendent Ellen Weaver, passed a resolution last month asking the state Legislature to establish a statewide policy which would leave the decision on banning individual books, to the state.

The legislation to take that decision away from the local school boards, which Gov. Henry McMaster supports, has yet to be debated in Columbia. But with other states moving in that direction, it’s another attack on freedoms to be aware of.

Thanks for the reminder, Scott Pelley.

SEE

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

In case you missed it, Beaufort County School District (BCSD) was the main character in a CBS News “60 Minutes” segment that aired on Sunday, March 3

The piece, reported by corre-

LOLITA

Lady’s Island resident Ruth James was interviewed following the June book review committee meeting by both The Island News and “60 Minutes.” Delayna Earley/The Island News

Scott, left, and

stack some of the four cords of freshly spit wood Thursday morning at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal. The wood will be used for the bonfire during Beaufort Charities’ “Palooza In The Park” oyster roast Saturday at Live Oak Park in Port Royal. About 20 volunteers from OPFOB veteran’s group operating four hydraulic splitters took two hours to split four cords of wood for the event. What is not used during the Beaufort Charities event will be used in the OPFOB’s 22 Days of Light, an event keeping a flame alive 24 hours per day for 22 days, which was to begin on March 4, to remember those military veterans and first responders who have committed suicide, averaging 22 per day. Bob Sofaly/The Island News. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK ADAM CATLEDGE

Beaufort’s Adam Catledge, 38, joined the United States Marine Carps in Maryville, Tenn., in 2003. After Boot Camp at Parris Island, he trained as a security guard and in administration. His first assignment was in Okinawa followed by security duty at U.S. Embassies in Tanzania, Finland and Haiti. He also provided security duties for the visit of the President and Secretary of State to Estonia. He was then deployed for

two years to Northern Europe supporting the intelligence community before a tour at Camp Lejeune, which included

a deployment to Afghanistan. Then back to Okinawa before an assignment at Parris Island providing admin support for Recruit Training. Catledge’s final duty station was for four years in San Diego for the Marine Corps Western Recruiting Region. He retired in 2023 as a Gunnery Sergeant with 20 years of service. He now owns Tucker Dry Cleaners in Beaufort and is active in real estate, helping our

community by making a residence available for MercyMe Sober Living for drug and alcohol recovery and providing employment for residents as well as being co-founder of Coast 2 Coast Vets Real Estate helping veterans.

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

Ribaut Run held to mark Port Royal’s sesquicentennial

By Mike McCombs

The

Island News

The Town of Port Royal is inviting area runners to join in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the town’s incorporation by taking part in the Ribaut Run 5K and 10K on Saturday, March 9, starting from Live Oaks Park.

The first annual Ribaut Run is named for Jean Ribaut, French explorer and captain, who named Port Royal in 1562. The Town of Port Royal was incorporated on March 9 1874

In celebration of the 150 th, Naval Hospital Beaufort is opening its gates for the 10 k race, allowing runners to experience 1 18 miles through the

hospital grounds. This includes a historic view of the Beaufort River, adjacent to Camp Saxton and the site of one of the earliest public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation on

ON THIS DATE

March 7

2022:

March 8

1971:

March 9

1874:

March 10

1913: Harriet Tubman dies of pneumonia in Auburn,

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

January 1 1863 at the Smith Plantation. The race is sponsored by the Town of Port Royal and the Historic Port Royal Foundation. Grounded Running is assisting with race management and providing timing.

Medals/pendants will be given to the top three Male and Female finishers overall and in each age group. Certificates from local merchants may also be presented to top finishers.

Online registration ends at 4 p.m., March 7. Registration after this time is discouraged but, if needed, can be done in-person from 3 to 5 p.m. on March 8 at

Grounded Running. If you have any questions

about this race, please contact the race director at historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com.

According to Pamela Courtney, Executive Director of the Historic Port Royal Foundation, this is only the first of many events this year to celebrate the town’s sesquicentennial. Other events could include a 75th anniversary celebration of Naval Hospital Beaufort, an exhibit on the USS Port Royal, a scholarship competition, the first International Storytelling Festival and a dedication for Mile Marker 0 for the Port Royal Railroad.

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

Assistant Editor Delayna Earley delayna. theislandnews@ gmail.com

gmail.com

Advertising

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

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Dog Of The Week: Duchess is ready for a family of her own. Duchess and her eight puppies came to our adoption

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

center depleted and exhausted. She was a great mother and is now focused on finding a home herself. Duchess is 5 years old, spayed, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.

If you are interested in adopting Toast, Duchess 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

Kathy

Brian Day help

Adam Catledge

Trask sues City of Beaufort over definition of ‘tourist’

By Delayna Earley

A local property developer has filed a lawsuit against the City of Beaufort just two days after they broke ground on improvement work which will amount to $4 3 million at Southside Park in Beaufort.

Included in the improvements are a new pavilion and playground, but Graham Trask says that the city is violating state law by using hospitality and accommodations taxes to fund the project.

Beaufort City Council voted in January to issue a $7 1 million hospitality and accommodation tax bond for improvements to Southside and Washington Street parks.

The city plans to repay the 15-year bond using funds from the 2% local hospitality tax collected from restaurants and the 3% accommodations tax from bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels.

Trask argues that while a tourist may visit Washington Street Park or Southside Park, that those parks were not originally constructed for tourists, and so using funds meant to fund tourism projects is illegal.

The city stated during the January meeting when they voted for the bond, that the definition of a tourist is someone who does not live in the city limits, therefore the argument can be

made that any of the parks in the downtown area could draw tourism.

Trask disagrees with the city’s assessment of what qualifies as a tourism-related project.

He agrees that the parks need renovating, but stated in an interview with The Island News that the money needed to come from the proper place instead of using money that could have funded other projects that are more obviously tourism-related, in his opinion.

While Trask has missed the 20-day window from

the date that the bond was passed to try and get the bond overturned, he believes that his lawsuit is justified because he is not seeking to overturn the bond, but instead to have a court of law publicly hold the council accountable for, in his opinion, breaking the law.

“I want the courts to determine whether the city of Beaufort’s assertion that a neighborhood park with no demonstrated connection to tourism, can legally serve as a project funded by accommodations or

Bhospitality taxes under the statute,” Trask said. “We are not suing to set aside this particular bond issue but are seeking a declaratory judgement on the expressed policy of the City of Beaufort to fund these kinds of projects using fees intended for tourism-related projects.”

City manager Scott Marshall was not reached by The Island News for comment before publication.

Trask filed his lawsuit against the City of Beaufort on Wednesday, Feb. 28, but papers have not been

served, according to Trask. Despite reportedly not being served with the lawsuit, Marshall made comments in a story published by The Island Packet stating that they are confident that the lawsuit by West Street Farms LLC and Mix Farms LLC will be dismissed.

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.

Third annual Cyber Summit returns to Beaufort

From staff reports

The South Coast Cyber Center will hold its third annual Cyber Summit in Beaufort on Monday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 19 at Tabby Place in downtown Beaufort.

The highlight this year will be “Maritime Cybersecurity” with presentations by internationally recognized experts in the field of cyber security as it affects our ports, ships and ability to move goods around the world.

The summit will feature U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who is chair of the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Information Technology.

Brigadier Gen. Will Wilburn, incoming deputy commander of Marine Corps Cyberspace Command will also speak at the event.

Representatives from both FBI Cyber Crimes and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) will provide perspectives on ransom attacks, hacking and the range of cybercrime done across the nation.

“This will be our best summit yet,” South Coast Cyber Center Executive Director Warren Parker said in a news release. “We are going to dig into a lot of the national security issues we face in cyber and have a chance to interact with key players on the state and national stage.”

Chris Cleary, former principal cyber adviser to the Navy, will also be speaking at the two day event.

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 a 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 Salt Lake City

Doctor of Medicine

Medical College of Georgia, Augusta

Bachelor of Science

Cellular Biology (summa cum laude)

University of Georgia, Athens

Artists rendering of improvements at Southside Park. Image courtesy of the City of Beaufort.

From staff reports

Two Beaufort men who robbed a couple at gunpoint – including the cousin of one of the defendants – will spend the next decade in prison.

Gerell Nathaniel Daise, 23, and Jonas Jerry Washington, 25, pleaded guilty Tuesday, March 5, to a 2021 theft at their victim’s home just before their jury trial was to begin at the Beaufort County Courthouse.

The defendants were convicted of one count each of kidnapping,

larceny, second-degree burglary, armed robbery and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime. They were sentenced to 10 years each.

“Gerell Daise and Jonas Washington thought they would make a quick score,” said Mary Jones of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case.

“They did not care if that meant stealing from a relative or threatening people at gunpoint with a child present. Fortunately, they are now off the streets.”

At about 7:30 p.m. on April 22 2021, the couple were driving in a vehicle with their young child when the woman spotted Daise, her cousin, walking

with Washington. They stopped and offered the men a ride.

When they arrived at the woman’s home in Burton, the woman took the child inside. The three men remained in the car.

A short time later, Washington and Daise pointed a gun at the male victim and demanded to be let in the house.

The male victim unlocked the door, and he and Washington entered the house while Daise moved into the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

Inside, Washington rifled through the couple’s belongings.

He then departed with a long gun in his hand and drove away in the victim’s car, driven by Daise.

The crime was captured in part by a home-surveillance camera, which corroborated the victims’ statements. Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office patrol officers located the car and began pursing the vehicle.

Daise jumped out of the car and ran.

Washington took the wheel but wrecked the vehicle a short distance later, then fled on foot, as well. Daise was arrested later that night while hiding in a neighbor’s house in Beaufort. Washington was apprehended six days after the incident.

Neither Daise, nor Washington had a previous criminal conviction in South Carolina at the time

of their arrests.

However, Daise was out on bond for another charge and was wearing an ankle monitor as a term of his release. The tracking data for the device confirmed his presence at the crime scene and fleeing from law enforcement.

Washington pleaded guilty to a burglary in Georgia shortly after the incident in Burton.

He is serving a five-year prison sentence there and will begin serving his South Carolina sentence after his Georgia prison time is complete. His South Carolina prison sentence will run concurrently with his Georgia sentence.

Circuit Court Judge Kristi Curtis handed down the sentence.

BEAUFORT CHARITIES OYSTER ROAST

New hibachi restaurant coming to Beaufort

By Delayna Earley

will open in Beaufort Town Center soon, according to a release sent out by the restaurant.

The restaurant is the third restaurant opened in northern Beaufort County by the Lin family, who also own Yummy Hibachi and Sushi Bar in Port Royal and the House of Tang Chinese Restaurant on Ribaut Road.

According to owner Dan Lin, Chick ‘N Boba will offer hibachi to-go, boba and Asian, or Chinese, fried chicken.

Boba – known also as bubble tea – is a relatively new beverage to the Beaufort area, so locals may not be as familiar with it. The drink, which usually consists of a milk tea with of balls of tapioca that you drink with a large straw, originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and eventually made its way to the U.S. sometime in the 1990s, ac-

cording to the release.

As for the hibachi, the restaurant will not have hibachi grills and chefs there to cook in front of customers, but instead will have a variety of hibachi dishes that will be available for dine-in or carry out.

Shrimp, steak and chicken hibachi dishes will all be available for purchase and, according to the release, will only take about 15 minutes to prepare.

“Just like the quick turnaround ordering from our menu at our House of Tang with the same hibachi quality from our chefs at Yummy,” Lin said.

Lin also said that one of the main staples of the new restau-

rant will be their fried chicken, but don’t expect standard southern fried chicken – this will be different.

According to the release, American fried chicken has more batter with the taste mostly in the batter, while Chinese, or Asian, fried chicken has a longer marination time, is crispier when served and is flavored with a variety of different spices and marinades that include ginger, nutmeg, chili sauce, and soy sauce.

The restaurant will also have a functioning takeout window from which they plan to serve customers.

The owners are putting the final touches on the restaurant and hope to open sometime in March.

The new Asian fusion restaurant will open in Beaufort Town Center at 2121 Boundary Street, Suite 108

It is the former home of Clean Eatz and J. Lee’s Coney Island.

Hours will be Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They will be closed on Tuesdays. They will also be available through DoorDash delivery.

For more information about the restaurant, go to www.ChickNBobaSC.com.

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.

Hundreds of people feasted on freshly roasted oysters during the Palooza in the Park on Saturday at the Live Oaks Park in Port Royal. The event, sponsored by Beaufort Charities, is part of a weekend-long fundraiser to fund other organizations involved in local community and charitable organizations. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Six year-old Ava Campbell wants no part of eating oysters during the Beaufort Charities’

“Palooza at the Park” oyster roast Saturday at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal. Little Ava, according to her parents Amy and Glenn Campbell, won’t eat the oysters but seems to like picking up the discarded shells and throwing them away. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

By Mike McCombs

Some

Developers taking another run at Bay Point

press release are even allowed under current zoning.”

Indeed, it is questionable.

“Oh yeah, that one,” Beaufort County spokesperson Hannah Nichols told The Island News on Tuesday, March 5. “We have not, at the County, received any applications in regard to that project.”

The press release under the dateline “Bangkok,” announced the project would open in 2026 and be conveniently located “just a short distance from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.”

According to the release, the management agreement was signed by Timothy Pitcher, President of Whitestone, along with partner Redrock Portfolio, Inc., and Six Senses Chief Executive Officer Neil Jacobs and Chief Development Officer Omar Romero.

The project’s future on Hilton Head Island and even Daufuskie Island notwithstanding, its viability on Bay Point raises instant red flags.

“Any reference to development on Bay Point Island, a vulnerable barrier island at the mouth of the Port Royal Sound, is extremely concerning,” The Coastal Conservation League said in a statement released Thursday, Feb. 29. “The island has no infrastructure — no roads, water, sewer, or power — and is only accessible by boat or air. It is a dynamically shifting piece of sand, and siting new development there is irresponsible. Indeed, it is questionable whether the plans described in IHG’s

According to Jessie White, South Coast Office Director of the Coastal Conservation League, the short answer –are the plans allowed under current zoning? – is “no.”

“The island was subdivided in the late 1990s for single family lots, so there is an existing subdivision on the island,” White said. “So, technically, they can apply to build individual structures on each of those lots. But it doesn’t mean that the lots are actually buildable.”

According to White, all one needs to do is look at the County’s GIS maps of Bay Point to discover that a lot, if not most, of those lots are now under water or literally on an active beach.”

“It’s a barrier island,” she said. “The island has shifted away from the areas that were in existence when those lines were drawn.”

Environmental advocates, as well as the Gullah/ Geechee people, fought developers over plans for an ecotourism resort on Bay Point back in 2020. They, at last, declared victory on July 21 2022, when Judge Marvin Dukes upheld the Beaufort County Board of Zoning Appeal’s Sept. 24 2020, decision to deny a building permit for Bay Point.

In 2020, plans for a $100 million, 50 cottage development faced stiff opposition from groups like the Gullah/Geechee Fishing

Association, the Gullah/ Geechee Sea Island Coalition and the Coastal Conservation League.

The organizations argued that the Bay Point area was fragile and was one of the few pristine, undeveloped areas in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. They argued the land and surrounding waters were critical for the subsistence of native Gullah/Geechees of St. Helena Island.

Marquetta Goodwine, better known as Chieftess Queen Quet of the Gullah/ Geechee Nation, amassed the signatures of 30 000 people in opposition to the development.

According to an Oct. 1 2020 story in The Island News, conservation leaders cited severe erosion, rising sea levels, increased hurricanes and storms in an area with an already fragile ecosystem as reasons for deny-

the list of 2 600 recognized by the federal government for its historic contributions.

Concerned about demolitions?

Tell your City Council

BEAUFORT – The release last week of a long-awaited report from the National Park Service on the health of the city’s historic district came with no big surprises – the 304-acre district is in good health, but facing preservation perils.

The study, which was begun in Dec. 2021, was largely the result of the ongoing battle between preservationists and those concerned certain proposed projects within the district – i.e., a three-story hotel and a four-story parking garage – would jeopardize the National Landmark District.

The permitted projects are “of greater scale and mass than the surrounding built environment and would affect integrity of design, feeling and association with the (landmark district),” according to the study findings.

The Department of Interior granted the NLD designation in 1973, recognizing particularly the town’s 18th- and early 19th-century architecture and influence, including the Civil War and Reconstruction period. The designation added the district to

The study, according to the park service, was designed to help local leaders develop policies that will help preserve that landmark designation.

Preservation of the past came up again two weeks ago before the city’s Historic Review Board. Actually, it comes up at every HRB meeting where property owners within the NLD must get approval to make any exterior changes.

The review board approved demolition of two circa-1900 freedmen cottages on Duke Street. Historic Beaufort Foundation, which opposed the demolition, contended the buildings, although in bad shape, could have been restored. Representatives of the Freedman Art District, who were working with the property owner, contended restoration would be too expensive.

The city planning staff, for the record, did not support demolition and suggested all necessary options to preserve the building had not been explored. The board members ignored staff advice and agreed the buildings could be razed.

And to his credit, the city’s new mayor, Phil Cromer, called a meeting of concerned parties the week

ing such a development.

After more than a year of trying to make their case for a high-end, ecotourism resort, developers from Bay Point Island were eventually shut out, denied unanimously by the county’s Zoning Board of Appeals at a public hearing.

At the time, Mindy Lucas of The Island News wrote, “Board members found it inconsistent with the county’s plan to protect rural resources, incompatible with land in the local vicinity, not designed to minimize the impacts on wildlife, not designed to minimize the impacts on local services, such as emergency or fire protection, and did not meet the definition of ecotourism.”

According to White, developers at one time applied for permit on just one lot and a cottage, used by those involved in the resort plan-

after the HRB demolition vote to discuss the issue and to look for ways to protect other questionable properties which contribute to the district’s character.

For those who worry about the changes taking place in the community, the Mayor can’t increase development protections by himself. It’s gonna take money which means it’s gonna take citizens, aka voters, to motivate his council to follow his lead.

Town tree ordinance under scrutiny again

PORT ROYAL – The Town Council drew considerable attention, and praise, last Spring when they passed a revised tree ordinance which imposed some of the most expensive mitigation fees for tree removal in the state.

At the urging of citizens upset about the continuing destruction of significant trees within the community, the council, after considerable discussion imposed the new ordinance. And Mayor-Joe DeVito, who had expressed concern about the high fees, lost his re-election bid.

At the time of passage, the council promised to revisit the ordinance to see what kind of impact it’s had on development in the town. And according to the town planners, not a whole lot was

ning was constructed. Two months after that September 2020 zoning decision, that cottage literally fell into the ocean when a king tide rolled in in November.

White says developers applied to build structure on that same lot again in 2021, getting a zoning permit for that lot. But the septic permit they needed for that lot was challenged by the S.C. Environmental Law Project on behalf of the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association, and is still under appeals. Development has not moved forward since.

White says Pitcher is the same developer from 2020 He has since bought out his partner and his ownership in the Bay Point property is in Bay Point LLC.

According to the IHG release, “As a dedicated and unrelenting steward of the environment, Whitestone

the answer given to the council during their recent annual planning retreat.

But apparently, some proposed changes are in the works, although those changes haven’t been made public yet. The planning staff made that announcement after hearing from one property owner in Pinckney Retreat subdivision who’s facing a $72 000 fee for removing two trees from a very small lot.

Mayor Kevin Phillips, who ran on a platform supporting the tree ordinance, promised the potential homeowners the council would be “looking into it.”

When they do, the tree-huggers who pushed to get the ordinance passed in the first place … as well as other local elected officials who’ve been hearing concerns about excessive tree removal ... will be paying attention.

Safe Harbor? We’re still waiting PORT ROYAL – For the record, no updates on negotiations between the town and Safe Harbor Marinas LLC.

At last reports, the town council’s plans to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the reading of an ordinance formalizing the latest changes in the multi-million-dollar development plan for the Safe Harbor property were dashed by

has built its reputation on its eco-credentials and has upheld a decades-long pledge to maintaining this pristine, one-of-a-kind island. It’s through these efforts that Six Senses has come on board to support a small community of like-minded, environmentally forward homeowners committed to preserving the island’s unique ecosystems for generations to come.

“With its ‘Southern Island Coastal’ inspiration, the modular, Category-5 hurricane-resilient, biophilic, and self-contained branded residential villas of Bay Point Island will feature state-ofthe-art infrastructure and waste handling, renewable energy, reverse-osmosis water supply, and helical piling to limit soil disruption and lighten their footprint. The villas will be a year-round home-away-from-home, whether gathering on the porch to enjoy the breeze or spending afternoons sunsoaked and sandy. A limited number will be available for sale in 2024.”

White believes this is simply a developer and IHG trying to drum up their brand.

“They cannot build this today,” she said. “(The permits they need) they don’t have them in hand.”

“This seems to be the new model,” White said. “They try to manifest their dreams into reality.”

The Island News was unable to reach Jamie Cwalinski of IHG on Tuesday for comment.

Original reporting by reporter Mindy Lucas was included in this story.

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

new requests from the development team.

Included in those issues were right-of-way access for the proposed Spanish Moss Trail extension across Ribaut Road and through Safe Harbor’s waterfront project. There, at the proverbial last minute, the company lawyers, along with other details, said they didn’t like the proposed 24-footwide bike path and wanted that reduced to 8-feet, a difference that very well might jeopardize the grant funding for the Ribaut Road crossing.

The issue came up at the town council’s retreat last month. The two parties are “working on it.”

More to follow. …

Oh yes, the community is also waiting for the new Harris Teeter on Lady’s Island to open. Almost all the trees are gone, looks like they’re working on the interior and on-line folks are saying May 2024

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

Hilton Head Island attorney Tom Taylor makes the case for an ecotourism resort on Bay Point, while developer Art Krebs (on the left) looks on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 at Burton Wells Recreation Center. File Photo

Public invited to check out improved Charles Lind Brown Center

many, our restoration project at the Charles Lind Brown Community Center has made significant progress,” said Mitchell. “I am anticipating with excitement the feedback we receive at the Open House on March 16.”

Interior transformations

Complete repainting: The entire interior has been revitalized with fresh paint. Ceiling renewal: The interior ceilings have been renewed.

Lind Brown Center now offers updated facilities and spaces for residents to engage in a variety of recreational activities and programming, according to a release from the City of Beaufort and Beaufort County.

Members of the Task Force, including City of Beaufort Councilman Mitch Mitchell and staff from Beaufort County’s Parks and Recreation and Capital Improvements Departments, will be available to give tours of the newly improved facilities.

“Thanks to the help of

New flooring: The introduction of new luxury vinyl tile flooring throughout the building ensures durability.

• Multipurpose spaces: Former spaces, like the workout room, have been repurposed into a new yoga studio. The basketball court, now also used for pickleball, has been repainted.

• Enhanced gym facilities: A new weightlifting room with state-ofthe-art equipment and rubberized flooring has been added. Updated restrooms: Gym restrooms and workout room ceilings

have been stripped and repainted, and all classroom-side bathrooms have been renovated to meet ADA requirements.

New kitchens: Two fully renovated kitchens, including one next to the cafeteria, provide improved facilities for various activities and events.

• Additional spaces:

LEAPLINGS!

Things were happening in leaps and bounds last Thursday at Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s Collins Birthing

February 29.

A

Books

from page A1

97 books from Beaufort’s school libraries began in October 2022 when the list was submitted to the school board.

After this, Superintendent Frank Rodriguez chose to remove the books from circulation until they could be evaluated, a process that took longer than a year.

In the segment, Pelley interviews Board of Education ViceChair Richard Geier, who said that librarians have reported that there are parents who have come into the school to threaten police involvement for allowing “pornography” to checked out by students in the school library.

In the “60 Minutes” piece, it was reported that Rodriguez removed the books out of fear of violence following a string of threats.

Each of the books was read and reviewed by a book review committee comprised of community members, parents and district employees, and it was during the May 2023 review sessions that “ 60 Minutes” producer Henry Schuster, a resident of Beaufort County, decided to participate.

It was during this review committee meeting that Schuster said that he had the idea that this would make a good story, so he pitched the idea to Pelley who agreed.

The pair, along with a production team, made their way back to Beaufort in June 2023 to film the BCSD Board of Education meeting and then the June book review committee meeting.

One of the aspects of the review process that struck Schuster as unique was how “orderly and eye-opening” the whole process was.

Ultimately, the review process resulted in five of the 97 books

New classrooms, a game and recreational room, and a studio next to the court have been created for enhanced programming.

Exterior improvements

• New HVAC System Drainage System: An engineered drainage system on the pool deck prevents flooding, ensuring a safe envi-

ronment. Fencing: New fencing adds security around the playground area.

• Roof upgrades: Roof drainage has been updated to include trench drains and ensuring better runoff. Leaks were repaired.

• Playground enhancement: The playground area has been renovated, featuring new

equipment for local families to enjoy.

Still to come

Additional upgrades:

Ongoing projects include gym bathroom renovations, new scoreboards, new basketball goals, a new gym floor, and updated office wire glass.

• Aesthetic enhancements: Painting the exterior façade and adding an awning to the front entry sidewalk are on the way.

County projects: A new stormwater project and the replacement of existing slides are on the horizon.

The Charles Lind Brown Center, formerly known as Greene Street Gym, was a gathering place for residents in the Northwest Quarter. Beaufort County has managed the center since the 1990s.

To get as much public input as possible, the Charles Lind Brown Task Force distributed a survey in mid2021 to neighborhood residents and shared it online to gather suggestions on improvements.

Johnson Creek Tavern closed temporarily due to fire

By Delayna Earley The Island News Johnson

Creek Tavern, a restaurant and bar on Harbor Island that is known for the hundreds of dollar bills covering its walls, will be closed until further notice due to a small fire, according to a post made to the restaurant’s Facebook page on Wednesday, Feb. 28 2024

The post was not specific about the cause or extent of the damage caused by the fire, but the post does say that there were no injuries.

On Friday, March 1, owner Jay T. Lloyd told The Island News that the fire was a small grease fire that was confined to equipment in the kitchen. He said that thankfully, there was no damage done to the rest of the building. Because a fire extinguisher was used to put

being removed from school libraries for five years, after which the books can be re-reviewed.

One of the people who was responsible for submitting the list, Seabrook resident Ivie Szalai, told The Island News that she wished the piece wasn’t focused on the Moms for Liberty avenue.

“I did not do what I did on behalf of them, and I was not coached by them,” she said. “Although later, I did find a sort of ‘how to’ by a supposed former member of them, but it was after I did everything on my own.”

In the segment, Pelley makes the connection between many of the book banning attempts to one website, BookLooks.org, which is a website that provides reviews of books provided by volunteer, non-professional reviewers.

Geier said that the issue, in his opinion, is not that parents have an issue with the material and want to restrict it for their own

Money seems to be falling from the ceiling of Johnson Creek Tavern in 2020 as Craig Bowman, center, and volunteers remove thousands of dollar bills destined to be donated to charity. File photo by Bob Sofaly

out the fire, special cleanup precautions and procedures need to be followed before the restaurant can re-open.

As of press time on Tuesday evening, Lloyd said that clean-up has begun and he is hopeful that the

children, it is that they want to make decisions for other parents about what their kids can read.

This sentiment was shared by Lady’s Island resident Ruth James, who was interviewed following the June book review committee meeting by both The Island News and “ 60 Minutes.”

James told The Island News in June 2023 that while she understands that everyone has different sensitivities, and what is vulgar to some may not be vulgar to others, she would never think to tell a child what they can or cannot read but would instead allow their parent to do that.

David Louis Cook, a Hilton Head Island resident who has been vocal about the book review process, said that he feels like this segment would not shed a positive light our schools and feels that it will just highlight how “eight board members failed to uphold their oath of office.”

“We all see where [the school

restaurant could open as early as Friday, March 8

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.

board members] stand morally regarding sexually explicit materials encouraging the rape of children and women and in regard to materials that lack educational suitability,” Cook said.

On the opposite side, Families Against Book Bans, a grassroots group in Beaufort who have vocally opposed removing the books from the schools, were very happy with the reporting done in the “ 60 Minutes” segment.

“As banning books continues in numerous communities across our state and nation by a loud-but-fewfolks, we hope this “60 Minutes” piece serves as inspiration for what can be done when we come together,” the group said in a release about the segment.

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.

Officials look at the improvements to the Charles Lind Brown Center. Submitted photo.

Center, where the staff welcomed five little "leaplings" born on Leap Day,

From left to right: Baby boy Caleb Polanco of Bluffton, born at 6:20 p.m. and weighed in at 6 pounds, 3 ounces; Baby boy Liam Vallas of Hardeeville, born at 12:10 p.m. and weighed in at 8 pounds, 1 ounce; Baby girl Laiyani Deaver of Beaufort, born at 8:28 p.m. and weighed in at 5 pounds, 3 ounces; Baby girl Marcela Valeria of Hilton Head Island, born at 6:51 p.m. and weighed in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces; Baby girl Ximena Castulo of Beaufort, born at 3:43 a.m. and weighed in at 8 pounds, 1 ounce. The babies will celebrate their first leap year birthdays on February 29, 2028.

special thank you to Sabrina Cooler, OB unit secretary, and Donna Mixon, LPN, who made adorable "leap frog" bonnets and rattles to send home with the leap-year babies. Photos courtesy of Charlotte Berkeley Photography

From staff reports

Beaufort Memorial names new board, chair

Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s Board of Trustees has welcomed Tommy Harmon, Jr., to the nonprofit hospital’s governing body.

Former vice-chair William “Bill” Himmelsbach, has been named chairman, succeeding David House, who served two terms as chairman and one term finance chair.

Harmon spent nearly 15 years serving on the board of Southwestern Vermont Healthcare in Bennington, where he was finance committee chair before a five-year role as chairman of the board.

He was designated Trustee Emeritus in 2022 and since that time has served as the director of Broad Riv-

er Healthcare and on Beaufort Memorial’s finance committee.

Harmon holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and is the former owner, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Sonnax Industries, Inc., a leading supplier of transmission components for vehicles worldwide.

He spent nearly 30 years in Vermont before retiring to Spring Island with his wife in 2023

Himmelsbach most recently served as vice chairman, but prior to joining the board, he spent 42 years in leadership positions in the healthcare field, with not-for-profit and multi-hospital systems, including academic medical centers, around the country.

He was most recently the President and CEO of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation in New

York City, where he continues to serve on its governing board.

Carson Wohlwend

According to a release from Colleton County Fire-Rescue, the truck suffered heavy damage and “appeared to have been at the location for some time” and Wohlwend had “suffered multiple traumatic injuries.”

Wohlwend was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 17 when the truck veered off to the left side of the roadway, struck the ditch and overturned before hitting a tree, according Lance Cpl. Lena Butler with S.C.

Dining with Dems

The Democratic Club of Northern Beaufort is restarting the popular "Dining with Dems" event.

The March event will be held Monday the 11th at 6:30 p.m. at Hearth Wood Fired Pizza at 802 Bay Street, Beaufort. RSVP to Jean Weeks via email at AlmaJean_1@hotmail. com.

Enroll in Compost 101

Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling is hosting an informational talk entitled "Compost 101." The event will be Tuesday, March 12 at 2 p.m., at 106 Shanklin Road, Beaufort. Free compost bins will be available while supplies last.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency's website, composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change, and build healthy soil. By turning our food scraps and yard trim into compost, we transform our waste streams into a beneficial, value-added soil amendment and use it to protect the environment and create resilient communities. Composting is a resourceful way to recycle the food scraps and yard trimmings you generate at home all year and manage your waste more sustainably. You reduce the volume of materials that might otherwise be disposed of in landfills or trash incinerators – leaves, grass clippings, yard trimmings, and food scraps – and prevent powerful greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere.

Composting involves minimal effort, equipment, expense, and expertise and can be fun.

You save money by producing a free, high-quality soil amendment – compost – which reduces your use of fertilizer and pesticides.

Himmelsbach is a member of the Board of Directors of the Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization, the technology transfer office of the Medical University of South Carolina.

He also serves on the advisory board of Eastside Partners, a private equity fund in Huntsville, Ala. He holds a B.A. in labor-management relations from Penn State University and an MPH in health care administration from the University of Pittsburg. He is a life fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He and his wife live on Spring Island.

Highway Patrol. The S.C. Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the accident.

Wohlwend is the son of downtown Beaufort business owner Natalie Wohlwend, who owns and operates Bathe.

In an online obituary, Wohlwend was described as a natural athlete, excelling in track and football during his time at Riverview Charter School, Beaufort High and Wando High, and a lover of nature.

The obituary continues to say that although Wohlwend had difficulties “staying on a path in life absent of trouble,” he was a loving son, friend and grandchild who had recently “reclaimed his life,” working two full-time jobs in Beaufort.

A viewing for family and all friends was held for Wohlwend on Thursday, Feb. 29 2024, at Anderson Funeral Home in Beaufort and a funeral service was held at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 1

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.

You can use your compost to build healthier soil, prevent soil erosion, conserve water, and improve plant growth in your garden and yard.

The event is free and open to the public.

For questions and more information contact County Recycling Coordinator Chloee McGuigan at chloee.mcguigan@bcgov.net or 843-255-2823

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/3w84ZHE. 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

Bill Himmelsbach

Dr. Douglas Folzenlogen

Douglas Folzenlogen, M.D., a board-certified internal medicine physician and full-time hospitalist, was elected chief of staff in October 2023 and will represent the hospital’s medical staff as an ex-officio board member.

He replaces Kurt Ellenberger, M.D., who held the role for four years.

Folzenlogen graduated from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio and spent 18 years with the Adena Health System in Chillicothe, Ohio. During that time, he was a physician representative on the system’s board of directors and its finance committee. He also served as director

of the hospitalist group.

Folzenlogen joined Beaufort Memorial’s medical staff in 2016 and in 2022 he was named Provider of the Year at the hospital’s Bemmy Awards.

Other board members include Vice Chair of the Board Stephen Larson, M.D., a board-certified emergency medicine physician and medical director of the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Pratt Emergency Center; Secretary of the Board Vernita Dore; Carolyn Banner, Ph.D.; William Jessee, M.D., FACMPE; board-certified interventional radiologist Eric Billig, M.D.; board-certified ophthalmologist Jane Kokinakis, D.O.; and Richardson LaBruce.

The nine members of the Board of Trustees are appointed by Beaufort County Council and serve rotating terms.

A wet First Friday

Very little celebration was going on during the 10th anniversary of First Friday on Friday, March 1, on Bay Street. Just about the only activity seen were pedestrians trying to make it their cars so they didn’t get wet. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

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 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 843-5217340 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. They can also be purchased by mailing a check to FFF, P.O. Box 982, St. Helena Island, S.C. 29920. The last day to order tickets by mail is March 8

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 – pedestri-

ans, 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 843-255-2700

– Compiled from staff reports

Tommy Harmon, Jr.

Coastal Carolina students to build satellite in state’s 1st college space program

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com

CONWAY — Coastal Carolina students are working to send a satellite into space as part of South Carolina’s first university-run space program.

Around 80 science and engineering students are involved in the planning stages for a satellite expected to cost $1 5 million to build and launch. The faculty members leading the effort since last March are hoping to send the shoebox-sized satellite into space by 2027

The satellite, which will circle the planet 15 times a day from roughly 1 200 miles up, will offer hands-on learning opportunities across a variety of academic programs.

For example, cameras on the satellite will be able to detect changes in sea levels, flooding from hurricanes and erosion along coastlines. Students and researchers can use that data to find solutions to climate problems and natural disasters, said Wes Hitt, head of the university’s physics and engineering science department, who’s leading the effort.

Other students can get involved in promoting the program, developing a website or finding donors, Hitt said.

Plus, the satellite should offer students a new, extra-

“That’s going to allow end-users to have that data to monitor the health and the quality of some of the Grand Strand and South Carolina’s most valuable water resources,” Hitt said.

Students studying marine science and oceanography will be able to monitor coastal erosion and sea-level rise, Hitt said.

And intelligence and security students can use the images to practice geospatial intelligence, which is a method of analyzing photographs and data from a specific location, said Bob Vipperman, chair of the university’s board overseeing its intelligence department.

He did say it could take $750 000 to launch the satellite into space.

CubeSats typically hitch a ride on a rocket already going into space for one reason or another, a bit like a ride share, he said.

Most often, the tiny satellites join SpaceX rockets carrying other cargo or people, but other services are designed just to launch the CubeSats. As the launch date grows closer, the teams will have to decide which rocket will carry their satellite.

terrestrial way to take a selfie.

People will be able to submit photos and text to be displayed on the side of the satellite, which will feature a “selfie stick” to snap a picture of their image — with the satellite and outer space as the background — to send back down to Earth.

Exactly how that would work is yet to be decided. There may be a cost to the cosmic selfies, which could be a fundraiser to support the program, Hitt said.

“It’s going to function almost like a billboard in space,” he told the S.C. Daily Gazette

These types of small satellites, called CubeSats, are

often used for educational programs because they are relatively cheap and quick to build, according to NASA. The CubeSat the university plans to launch, called ChantSat-1, is 10-by-10by-30 centimeters.

Faculty mentors will head groups of students each working on a different aspect of the satellite. Groups will write flight software, create heating and cooling systems, and find ways to communicate with the satellite once it’s in orbit, Hitt said.

“Working on Coastal’s small satellite design has been an engaging and eye-opening experience,” Charis Williams, a junior

Bill aimed at protecting free speech rights advancing in SC House

By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com

motion within 60 days asking the court to dismiss it.

“This protects the little guy — the guy who wants to speak out — and then is going to be completely silenced by some entity or some cause, this protects the little guy’s First Amendment rights,” Newton, R-Bluffton, told the S.C. Daily Gazette.

He and other supporters pointed to cases where lawsuits alleging defamation were filed in South Carolina to tie up critics in litigation and mounting legal fees, even when the case was unlikely to succeed.

Nationwide, 33 states already have laws making these so-called “strategic lawsuits against public participation,” or SLAPP, cases more difficult. New Jersey was the latest state, with a law taking effect in October, according to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Newton told a House

panel Thursday, Feb. 29, he learned about the issue when Kevin Hennelly of Beaufort County was sued for defamation after making critical comments about a developer working on the Hilton Head National Golf Course. The case was eventually dismissed but not before Hennelly racked up over $75,000 in legal fees, Newton said. Under his bill, if a lawsuit is legitimate, the person suing must prove it, Newton said. “And if it’s not a legitimate lawsuit and they can’t demonstrate it, then there’s also a provision where the defendant can recover their attorney fees,” he said.

Thursday’s vote sent the bill to the full Judiciary Committee. Since it’s the

chairman’s bill, it’s almost certain to advance to the House floor.

Nobody spoke against the bill to the subcommittee.

Taylor Smith, an attorney who represents the S.C. Press Association, was among those who testified in favor of it, citing some of his own clients who have faced these lawsuits.

“It’s the South Carolinians, not necessarily the press, who are bearing the burden of the cost associated with defending these suits,” he said.

Abraham Kenmore is a reporter covering elections, health care and more. He joins the SC Daily Gazette from The Augusta Chronicle, where he reported on Georgia legislators, military and housing issues.

engineering major, said in a release from the university. “It’s a whole world that I never knew existed, but it’s both amazing and scary to work on a project that goes far beyond a purely conceptual dream.”

Research uses

Once in orbit, the satellite will use cameras to see changes in drinking water that are difficult to detect from the ground. Near-infrared cameras able to see colors beyond the spectrum visible to humans will make it easier to tell how much sediment is in drinking water supplies or whether algae is blooming in a nearby river.

“The project is going to be a place where students from diverse backgrounds and with very varied skill sets are going to learn to communicate with each other, learn to collaborate effectively with each other and solve those tough, complex problems that come with trying to get into space,” Hitt said.

The next step will be finding enough donors to fund the program, whether through grants, companies or individual supporters, Vipperman said.

The program has enough money to get started but not the full amount necessary, Vipperman said, declining to be specific.

In the meantime, Vipperman and Hitt said they’re hoping the program will act as a boon for the 10 000-student university.

Having the only space program in the state could help boost its image for science and technology degrees, Hitt said. Plus, the selfie stick and social media campaigns can educate people beyond the university’s campus, he added.

“We see this project as making space and space technology and interaction with space technology more broadly accessible,” Hitt said.

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.

SC senator wants misplaced $1.8B kept in ‘lockbox’ earning interest until mystery solved

Mystery money earned $194M in interest since 2017 while sitting in an account where it doesn’t belong

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina senator leading a two-year investigation that recently discovered $1 8 billion of taxpayer dollars in a bank account where it didn’t belong wants to lock it down so legislators don’t spend it before they figure out where it came from and why.

Sen. Larry Grooms of Berkeley County told his colleagues Thursday, Feb. 29, his investigative panel still has no information from the state treasurer’s office on where the money should have gone. So, the Bonneau Beach Republican introduced legislation to transfer the funds into a “lockbox” account, where it will remain and accumulate interest until the mystery is solved.

Since the state treasurer’s responses “have been unsatisfactory,” his resolution reads, it’s in the state’s interest to put the money aside “pending resolution and appropriate action detailing the proper ownership and categorization of these funds.”

A spokeswoman for state Treasurer Curtis Loftis told the S.C. Daily Gazette the

office has invested the $1 8 billion since 2017, earning $194 million in interest since. His office, which acts as the bank for state government, transferred those earnings to the state’s general account as revenue for the Legislature to spend, Karen Ingram said.

“State funds managed by the state Treasurer’s Office are invested in accordance with state law to preserve capital, maintain liquidity and obtain the best return within the appropriate risk parameters,” she said in a statement that provided no details.

Discovery of the mystery money is tied to the ongoing fallout from a $3 5 billion accounting error by the office of former Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, who resigned last year amid the scandal. That major blunder was on paper only, as college revenue from tuition and fees was accidentally counted twice. But the Legislature never used Eckstrom’s annual reports for budgeting, so the state never went into a hole.

But the $1 8 billion is actual money on the positive side.

Financial leaders have pointed to a decade-long transition from the state’s old accounting system to a new one — between 2007 and 2017 — as the source of the mishaps.

During that transition, someone at the treasurer’s office parked $1 8 billion in what was supposed to be a flow-through account to move money between state agencies. And that’s where it’s stayed for more than six years. Where it should be is unknown.

Grooms thinks the $1 8 billion was meant to be spread among the thousands of different accounts used by state agencies. He doesn’t want legislators to spend it until they’re certain it’s not still needed by wherever it was supposed to go. For example, he said, it’s possible the money should have gone to public school districts to pay for a long list of K-12 education needs in the state.

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

A model of what Coastal Carolina University’s satellite could look like in orbit. Students will build the mechanisms for the satellite with the goal of launching it in 2027. Image courtesy of Coastal Carolina University

Rep. Weston Newton at the S.C. Statehouse. The Bluffton Republican showed his support for home delivery of alcohol opening a mail-ordered package of bourbon on the House floor. Mary Ann Chastain/S.C. Daily Gazette

SC bill aims to crack down on sales of illegal e-cigs amid youth vaping ‘epidemic’

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — In Oconee County, dozens of illegal e-cigarettes are confiscated from students weekly, tallying to potentially thousands in the past three years, estimates school security director Evie Hughes.

“I don’t believe you can go into a bathroom in a middle or high school and not get a vape,” Hughes told the S.C. Daily Gazette. “It is an epidemic among kids.”

A bipartisan proposal sent Thursday, Feb. 29, to the Senate floor aims to cut down on the availability of vapes to children, who could be inhaling much more than nicotine.

The fruity- or candy-flavored e-cigarettes that are by far the most popular among middle- and high schoolers are already illegal. Only e-cigarettes that taste like tobacco or menthol are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and they’re generally marketed as a way to help adults quit smoking.

The problem is that the colorful, disposable vapes made in China (and often disguised as something else) have poured into the United States since shortly before Chinese regulators banned selling the flavors there in 2022 U.S. authorities can’t keep up. The FDA announced its first seizure of illegal e-cigarette shipments in December. The 1 4 million products seized at the Los Angeles airport — all from China — were worth $18 million, according to the announcement.

South Carolina is among states acting on their own to try to stop the escalating flow to youth in their borders.

“This is about the children and their futures,” said Senate President Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla. His bill, which received a rare

unanimous vote by all 17 senators on the Medical Affairs Committee, would create a registry of vapes that are legal to sell in South Carolina. Products not on the registry, created and maintained by the attorney general’s office, could be seized from wholesalers and retailers.

Makers and distributors of vapes not on the approved list must remove them from stores statewide or face fines of $1 000 per day per product.

The sweet-smelling, brightly colored vapes senators are trying to get off shelves come in flavors like wild cherry, bubblegum and cotton candy. The packing can look like makeup brushes, highlighters and flash drives, making them easy to conceal in a student’s book bag or pockets, said Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg.

“It’s clear from the colors and shapes of these that these are being marketed to children,” said Hutto, among 15 co-sponsors of the bill.

As a show-and-tell of the problem, Alexander brought dozens of e-cigarettes confiscated from

Bi-partisan

Oconee County students over the past several weeks.

Hughes said 30 to 50 vapes are taken from students in the district’s 18 schools each week.

In South Carolina, 47% of high school students reported vaping in 2020, according to the latest stats available from the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. It could be higher now.

Nationwide, there’s been a 2 600% rocket-fueled-like surge since 2019 in high schoolers who vape choosing disposables, with fruity flavors being by far the most popular, followed by candy flavors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Since 2019, federal law has set 21 as the legal age for buying tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. But state law still allows sales to anyone 18 and older. According to the state’s 2020 statistics, 12% of high schoolers who used e-cigarettes bought them from a store themselves.

Like regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain nicotine. And dis-

posable vapes generally have a high nicotine content. The addictive drug is particularly harmful to young people whose brains are still developing, as it can affect their attention spans, mood, impulse control and ability to learn, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The vapor has also been linked to lung damage and seizures, according to the FDA.

And that’s what can happen with regulated vapes. There’s no telling what’s in illegal, unregulated vapes coming from China, senators said.

Some have THC, the psychoactive drug found in marijuana. Senators said they worry many could be laced with highly deadly drugs like fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine that’s also pouring in from China. Fentanyl-laced vapes have already been reported in other states.

legislation seeks

Under South Carolina’s bill, the registry would have to be in place by Sept. 1

Four other states — Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin — already have similar registries. Virginia is expected to be the fifth with a bill passed by its Legislature this week.

Alexander’s bill has the backing of not only legislators of both parties but educators and law enforcement.

It would put the State Law Enforcement Division, the attorney general’s office and the Department of Revenue in charge of enforcement.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said his deputies are busy with murders, break-ins and other serious crimes. They don’t have time to check what products stores have on their shelves, he said.

“We could spend all our time going to stores,” Lott said.

The registry would make it easier for the state to crack down on sales, said Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, who spoke in support of the bill at a recent subcommittee meeting.

“Getting enforcement into place is key,” said Rickenmann, adding he’s heard from parents and teachers.

In Oconee County, students caught with vapes have to go through an eight-week course on the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Instead of deterring students, though, the strict punishments have led to teens getting sneakier about hiding their vapes, Hughes said.

“It feels like we’re fighting a war, but right now we’re losing the battle,” Hughes said.

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.

to guarantee IVF protections in

SC Legislators say preventive measures will ensure nothing in future jeopardizes fertility treatments

By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com

fertilization remains an option for South Carolina women trying to get pregnant was introduced this week as a reaction to an Alabama court ruling that put IVF programs there on hold.

Bills introduced in both the House and Senate, mostly by Democrats, explicitly protect the fertility treatments, though there is nothing in South Carolina currently that puts them in jeopardy.

“We know what happened in Alabama. My second child, who is 15½, was the result of in vitro fertilization,” Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Columbia, told reporters. “This bill ensures that no matter what — if someone says it’s not going to happen here — this will ensure it’s not going to happen here.”

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled Feb. 16 that frozen embryos produced as part of the IVF process are legally considered children, causing IVF clinics

across the state to shutter as they worked out the legal implications.

Lawmakers in Alabama have moved swiftly to protect IVF and reopen programs. Both the House and Senate in Alabama passed bills aimed at doing so Thursday afternoon.

The Alabama case stemmed from an accident at a fertility clinic that destroyed frozen embryos. The ruling allowed couples to sue the clinic and hospital for wrongful death of a child under an 1872 state law. There has been no similar court ruling in South Carolina and no known legal challenge. South Carolina lawmakers said they want to avoid any future possibility.

“But for IVF, my family would not have had the opportunity to expand,” said Rep. Kambrell Garvin, D-Blythewood. “I am grateful for modern advancements in technology that enabled me to have one of the most important titles today, and that’s ‘dad.’”

Garvin held up a photo of his daughter as an embryo,

which he and his wife were given after she was conceived through IVF. It normally hangs in his daughter’s room, he said.

His one-paragraph bill, co-sponsored by 13 Democrats and three Republicans, doesn’t actually use the words in vitro fertilization or IVF. Instead, it says “any fertilized human egg or human embryo that exists in any form outside of the uterus of a human body shall not, under any circumstance, be considered an unborn child.”

“There are many members of this chamber, both Democrat and Republican who have benefited from IVF,” he said. “So, I think there may be enough folks who will propel these bills that protect IVF in our state.”

Bi-partisan legislation introduced Wednesday in the Senate adds language declaring it the state’s policy to “protect and promote equitable access to the full range of assistive reproductive technologies,” which specifically includes “in vitro fertilization, egg, embryo, or sperm cryopreservation, egg

or embryo donation, and gestational surrogacy.”

Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, said the issue is not a partisan one and should not get tied into the Legislature’s fights over ending abortions.

“This is a preventative measure, so that treatment centers won’t be closing,” said Gustafson, among two Republicans, three Democrats, and one Independent co-sponsoring the Senate bill.

Alabama is among states across the South where legislators have nearly completely banned abortions. The ruling has raised concerns about the practical implications of laws that extend legal rights to fetuses from conception.

So-called “personhood” bills have been repeatedly rejected in South Carolina, where abortions are banned at roughly six weeks under a law upheld by the state Supreme Court last August. There is nothing in that law concerning IVF treatments.

Rep. John McCravy, R-Greenwood, said it’s a moot issue in South Carolina that’s being confused with

Rep. Kambrell Garvin, D-Columbia, displays a photo of his daughter as an embryo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. He was given the photo as he and his wife went through the IVF process. his family was given as his family went through an in vitro fertilization process. (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette)

abortion bans. He said the Family Caucus, which he leads, intends to again pursue legislation next year that would ban abortions from the outset of a pregnancy — mirroring the bill with very limited exceptions that passed the House but was repeatedly rejected in the Senate. McCravy, one of the Legislature’s staunchest abortion foes, noted his bill specified that IVF treatments were allowed. In pledging to introduce it

again after the November elections, he said he intends to protect IVF.

“We will continue to monitor the Alabama legislation and if we need to add language to protect the practice of ethical IVF we will do so,” he said in a statement.

Abraham Kenmore is a reporter covering elections, health care and more. He joins the S.C. Daily Gazette from The Augusta Chronicle, where he reported on Georgia legislators, military and housing issues.

Microplastics — a danger to you and your world

The dangers of microplastics

Microplastics are the fragments of stabilizers, lubricants, fillers, plasticizers, and other chemicals that manufacturers use to give plastics their desirable properties, such as transparency, flexibility, and durability. However, experts have classified many of these chemicals as toxic and harmful to human health, such as disrupting hormones, increasing risk of chronic disease, impairing immune health

Microplastics are found in the air, water, and soil, and are an unfortunate byproduct of the globalized economy in a time that some researchers have defined as the Plastic Age Study findings suggest that the amount of microplastics that people come into contact with and consume is much greater than experts once anticipated. Microplastics are increasingly prevalent in the Earth’s oceans, atmosphere, drinking water, and food supplies.

What do we know about microplastics?

Most of the plastics produced globally are used for food and beverage packaging. During its use, however, plastic becomes worn and breaks into small fragments called microplastics. This article explains the potential dangers of microplastics, how food becomes contaminated with them, and ways to reduce exposure.

Common microplastics in food:

The microplastic chemicals present in food are a mixture of those that manufacturers deliberately add, such as fillers and stabilizers, and those that accumulate as by-

products, such as residues and impurities. Some common microplastics present in food include:

• bisphenol A (BPA): Manufacturers use this plasticizer to make polyvinyl chloride, the “parent” plastic of many products.

• dioxin: This is a byproduct of herbicides and paper bleaching, which contaminate the environment.

• phthalates: These make plastics more flexible, transparent, and durable and are present in many types of food packaging. polyethylene and polypropylene: These make packaging lightweight and durable

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and are the most common plastics present in food and the environment.

Microplastics found in smaller quantities in food include BPA and BPF, mono-(3-carboxypropyl), mono-(carboxyisononyl), and mono-(carboxyisoctyl).

How much exposure do we experience?

Because microplastics are abundant in the environment, an outcome scientists attribute to the massive global production of plastics and widespread pollution, research suggests that an average person in the United States may consume over 50,000 particles of microplastics from food alone per year. This figure increases to an estimated 90 000 in those who regularly consume plastic-based bottled water, and to 120,000 when considering the inhalation of microplastics from non-food sources. Research scientists cited a number of long-term effects of chronic exposure to microplastics, like digestive disorders, endocrine disruption, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. These medical conditions as a result of microplastic exposure often fall on people living

on the economic or racial margins of society.

How to get rid of microplastics in your water:

While there are some water filtration systems that can reduce the number of microplastics in municipal drinking water supplies, a new study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters suggests that boiling and filtering water—using the same methods and materials that one might use to make tea or coffee—could reduce 90% of free-floating nano- and microplastics (NMPs).

Researchers found that crystalline structures of calcium carbonate—which occurs when boiling hard tap water since it is full of minerals—encapsulated the particles of MNPs. One of the study authors, said that these particles could build up over time and be scrubbed away. By pouring the rest of the water into a coffee filter, any remaining encrusted MNPs could be removed.

These methods showed that more encapsulation was visible in hard water, with 90% of MNPs removed from a sample that had 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium carbonate per liter. Soft water samples with less than 60 mg of calcium carbonate per liter showed a 25% reduction

in MNPs through boiling.

Are there foods or supplements that can counter the effects of microplastics?

Any level of pre- or probiotic supplements can help regulate a healthy gut microbiome. Fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, pickles, or kimchi can also be part of a good probiotic digestive regimen.

Fiber in foods like onions, asparagus, bananas, or buckwheat are prebiotics that feed the “good bacteria” that exist in the gut, and suggested that omega-3s in flaxseeds, walnuts, and mackerel can reduce inflammation.

Polyphenols in green tea, berries, or leafy greens can also fight against damage from microplastic consumption.

Sources: Adapted from an article by Finn Cohen on February 29 2024 —Fact checked by Sarah Myers, PharmD. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/boiling-tap-water-could-remove-upto-90-of-the-microplastics-in-it

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), The European Chemicals Agency

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Are sports drinks with electrolytes healthy?

You’ve probably seen a lot of sports drinks advertising that they have electrolytes in them, which are important for your body. But many of those same drinks are also filled with other ingredients, and they’re not always healthy.

“They do have some electrolytes added with water, they do generally have a good amount of sugar added and food dye, depending on the brand and the kind,” explained Julia Zumpano, RD, registered dietitian for Cleveland Clinic. “So, I think that it’s important if you are going to choose an electrolyte replacer or enhancer beverage, you look at the other ingredients.”

Zumpano said electrolytes play a big role in our overall health and help with the function of

our brain, heart, muscles, and nerves. Some of the more common electrolytes added to sports drinks include sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. However, there are other electrolytes we need too.

Zumpano advises you can get all of them on a regular basis by simply eating a healthy diet rich in whole foods. “They’re all sourced in different foods, but there is a common theme, and that is they are

found in fruits and vegetables. They’re found in beans, seaweed, dairy, dark chocolate, fatty fish, olives, pickle juice, bone broth, nuts, seeds and leafy greens,” she said. Her advice is to skip the use of sports drinks.

As an alternative, consider getting electrolytes by adding a powdered version without dyes or loads of added sugar to your water.

Source: ccnewsservice@ccf.org; February 28 2024

Do tweens need a skincare routine?

Filming and uploading each step of your daytime or nighttime skincare routine is all the rage on social media. And it's especially popular among young girls. But do 8- to 12-year-olds really need to worry about anti-aging serums, expensive cleansers, and moisturizers?

Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic pediatric dermatologist, weighs in on what tweens should and should not be using as part of their skincare routines.

“Because sharing the steps to achieve younger-looking skin is a popular trend seen on social media, oftentimes these young children will be given complex skincare regimens that are even more complicated than adults will use on their own skin," says Dr. Davis. She continues empha-

sizing a lot of anti-aging products have acids and chemicals in them that can be potentially irritating to gentle or young skin.

"The more often that you expose yourself to a particular chemical, the more likely you are, as you age, to develop an irritant or allergic contact dermatitis from those chemicals," says Dr. Davis. She says when it comes to skin in general, less is more. Here's what she recommends parents suggest for their tweens ages 8 through 12: Wash face with water and a gentle cleanser twice a day.

• Apply a hypoallergenic, unscented moisturizer to skin.

• Apply a sunscreen that contains a phys-

ical blocker, such as zinc oxide.

Sunscreen is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. She also recommends sunscreens of at least SPF 15 when indoors and at least SPF 30 when outdoors.

"Once you reach pubertal stage or prepuberty, it is helpful to look for moisturizers that are specific to the face and neck if you're looking for cosmetic improvement," adds Dr. Davis.

Something else everyone can do to help keep their skin healthy is to avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Source: https://newsnetwork. mayoclinic.org/discussion/ mayo-clinic-minute-do-tweensneed-a-skincare-routine/; February 27 2024

number of problems that can lead to depression, such as trouble sleeping and stress.

Disabling pain can cause low self-esteem due to work or financial issues or the inability to participate in social activities and hobbies.

Depression doesn't just

occur with pain resulting from an injury. It's also common in people who have pain linked to a health condition such as diabetes, cancer, or heart disease.

To get symptoms of pain and depression under control, you may need separate treatment for each condition. However, some treatments may help with both:

Antidepressant medications may relieve both pain and depression because of shared chemical messengers in the brain.

Talk therapy, also called psychological counseling (psychotherapy), can be effective in treating both conditions.

Stress-reduction techniques, physical activity, exercise, meditation, journaling, learning coping skills and other strategies also may help.

• Pain rehabilitation programs typically provide a team approach to treatment, including medical and psychiatric aspects.

• Treatment for co-occurring pain and depression may be most effective when it involves a combination of treatments.

If you have pain and depression, get help before your symptoms worsen. You don't have to be miserable. Getting the right treatment can help you start enjoying life again.

Source: https://newsnetwork. mayoclinic.org/discussion/consumerhealth-understanding-the-linkbetween-depression-and-pain/

Good Friday was a disaster.

Earlier in the week, all had been going as the apostles expected. As Jesus entered Jerusalem for the Passover celebrations, the crowds had cheered him as a king: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt 21:9) But now everything was turned upside down. Jesus had been arrested and executed, and they had abandoned their friend in his time of need. Their hearts were filled with grief, shame, and doubt.

Was Jesus not who he claimed to be?

He had claimed to be divine, and he had worked many miracles to support this claim: casting out demons, healing the sick, and even raising the dead! But now he had been crucified on a hill outside of the city, the mocking inscription “King of the Jews” above his head. Had they been wrong about him? Had their faith in him been misplaced?

Everything changed on Sunday.

Terrified of being arrested, the apostles had been hiding behind locked doors. We can imagine their astonishment when, on Sunday afternoon, Jesus suddenly appeared in the room with them! He was no longer dead; he was alive! He spoke to them with love and encouragement. He reassured them that he was real, not a ghost: “Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” (Luke 24:39) For forty days, Jesus appeared often in this way and prepared his followers for their coming mission.

The apostles rejoiced!

Their sorrow had turned into the greatest joy! And almost two thousand years later, the resurrection of Jesus is still our greatest reason for joy. It means that Jesus really is who he claimed to be! He is not a lunatic, nor a liar, but truly the Lord. Everything he taught and revealed is true. God is real; heaven exists; eternal joy is possible.

Christ’s victory is our victory!

The resurrection of Jesus means that the crucifixion was not his defeat, but actually his moment of victory! Jesus has conquered sin and death. United with Christ, we too can share in the glory of his resurrection; death will not have the last word in our lives! Even in moments of sorrow and hardship, we too can exclaim with joy, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

...Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Cor 15: 55-57)

in part by by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National

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.

We believe everything we do should be rooted in Gullah

excellence through...

Instruction

•

• Personalized Learning

•

• Proactive

Does this sound like a good fit for your middle schooler?

HS BASEBALL ROUNDUP

JPII, Beaufort off to quick starts

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

For several years now, John Paul II baseball coach Steve Gaylets has had to live with the growing pains of a young team. But all that growth leads somewhere, and the Golden Warriors have enjoyed some early success on the diamond this spring.

JPII opened with an 8-4 win over Bridges Prep with several of those young role players from years past making key contributions, and the Golden Warriors kept it rolling with a doubleheader sweep of St. Andrew’s before taking their first loss Monday against Colleton Prep. Ross Putnam and Garrett Heathcott are the veteran leaders of a

pitching staff that has developed some depth with Archer Dewig growing into a formidable arm, and Dewig and freshman Jackson Reilley have led the offense along with Heathcott.

JPII faces stiff region competition from talented Hilton Head Prep and Hilton Head Christian Academy teams, but the Golden Warriors have cultivated enough depth of talent to contend with both this season.

Frye cools Beaufort’s bats Beaufort High enters this season with high expectations after a deep playoff run a year ago, and the Eagles showed how dangerous their lineup can be with two impressive wins at the Sandlapper Shootout on Saturday, rallying for a 5-4 walkoff win over Byrnes before pounding Pendleton, 9-2

SEE BASEBALL PAGE B3

SAND SHARKS REWIND

West Ashley shortstop Ella Crow tells the rest of the Wildcat infield to throw the ball to third base as Beaufort High’s Kylie Rast rounds second after blasting the ball into right-center field during the bottom of the second inning

Wednesday, March 4, at home. Rast ended up with stand-up triple for her efforts. The Lady Eagles went on to beat the Lady Wildcats, 3-0, in the first game of the season. Bob Sofaly/ the Island News

Beaufort’s Rast starts senior season in style

LowcoSports.com

With her future plans secured on signing day in November, Beaufort High softball star Kylie Rast has nothing to worry about this spring but pitching. And maybe a little hitting, for good measure.

The North Greenville signee began her senior season with a flare Monday night, racking up 16 strikeouts in a one-hit shutout and adding a triple and a run at the plate in a 3-0 home win over West Ashley.

The Wildcats managed a leadoff single and a walk to start the game, but Rast worked out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts sandwiched around a fly ball to center, and the Eagles put together a two-out rally in the bottom half to plate two runs with catcher Caylin Adkins delivering an RBI double.

USCB baseball walks off twice vs. No. 16 Canes

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

The ballpark was buzzing in Hardeeville this weekend with both the USCB baseball and softball teams hosting Peach Belt Conference opponents for threegame sets, and after the lowest of lows in Saturday’s series opener against 16th-ranked Georgia Southwestern, the Sand Shark baseball team ended the weekend on a high.

After enduring a 25-1 drubbing against the Canes in the opener, the Sand Sharks walked off the preseason PBC favorites twice on Sunday, rallying for three runs in the bottom of the 10th to win it on Hunter Miller’s bases-loaded walk

Commercial

in the matinee, and finishing the sweep when Carson Phillips tripled and scored on Julian Galassi’s walk-off single in the nightcap.

sa Rose, before letting two close games slip away Sunday despite a huge weekend from catcher Addie Reynolds, who slugged three home runs.

1st hoops season winds down

Men’s Golf at Rams Shootout at the Pines, all day

Thursday, March 7

Addie Reynolds

USCB standout Brian Meyer helped us recap the big series win Sunday night on Sand Shark Rewind, now streaming on-demand on the Lowco Media Network on YouTube. We also recapped a wild softball series, as the Sand Sharks outslugged Lander 11-10 on Saturday, winning it on a bases-loaded hit by pitch from former Bluffton Bobcats star Alys-

Reynolds followed a blast from Devon Weller to stake the Sand Sharks to a lead in the series opener, and the lead traded back and forth before Rose wore one with the bases loaded to give USCB a walk-off win. Reynolds homered twice in Sunday’s doubleheader, but the Bearcats rallied two win both games.

The Peach Belt Conference named Reynolds the league’s Player of the Week on Monday after finishing the weekend 6-for-8 with three homers and nine RBIs.

The USCB basketball teams wrapped up their inaugural season Saturday at Augusta with both Sand Shark squads coming up short in strong efforts on the road.

The women trimmed a 19-point deficit to five in the final minute but couldn’t close the gap, ending their hopes of claiming a spot in the eight-team Peach Belt Conference Tournament, and the men fell 98-91 despite another 26 points from freshman phenom Marcus Overstreet.

SAND SHARKS IN ACTION

Tuesday, March 5

Baseball at Middle Georgia, 3 p.m.

Softball vs. Lees-McRae (DH), noon

Friday, March 8

Baseball vs. Georgia College, 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 9

Baseball vs. Georgia College, 2 p.m.

Softball at USC Aiken (DH), 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 10

Baseball vs. Georgia College, 1 p.m.

Softball at USC Aiken, 1 p.m.

Bridges Prep’s Dakari Greene safely steals second base before John Paul II’s shortstop Stewar Misko can field the ball during the bottom of the first inning of the first game of the new season Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Burton Wells Recreation Center. Greene went on to score the first run of the game. Despite Greene’s efforts, the Golden Warriors defeated the Buccaneers, 4-8. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

House GOP seeks to expand SC’s K-12 private school choice program before it even starts

Latest proposal comes ahead of state Supreme Court hearing, parents’ application deadline for law passed last year

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — All of South Carolina’s K-12 students could qualify for public aid toward private schooling under legislation that could exponentially expand the state’s fledgling voucher program.

The latest proposal, introduced Wednesday by House GOP leaders, would make all students, regardless of their parents’ income, eligible for state aid toward private tuition, tutoring, transportation and other services beginning with the 2026-27 school year. They would not have to be enrolled in a public school before qualifying. And the amount each student could get would rise.

It could make South Carolina the 11th state to approve so-called “universal” school choice before the state’s limited K-12 private school choice program even gets off the ground.

“We are excited to think that there could be a potential that we could open up this same opportunity to even more families across our state,” state education Superintendent Ellen Weaver, who advocated for vouchers before her 2022 election, told reporters.

Parents have until March 15 to apply for the first round of taxpayer-funded K-12 scholarships, as per a law signed last May. It provides up to 5 000 Medicaid-eligible students $6 000 each for the upcoming school

the Palmetto State Teachers Association, called the expansion proposal premature.

“We haven’t even implemented the policy we just created,” Kelly said.

The law, passed after a nearly two-decade fight that divided the GOP, already provides for a multi-year expansion of the program. But it caps the cost at roughly $90 million in year three, when participation would rise to 15,000 students whose parents earn up to 400% of the federal poverty rate. (That’s currently $120,000 for a family of four but the cap will be higher in 2026-27 and beyond, since federal poverty guidelines are adjusted annually.)

“This shows a lot of that talk wasn’t genuine,” the St. Matthews Democrat said.

The proposal also calls for annual adjustments in scholarship amounts, beginning in July 2025. Instead of a set $6 000, the amount would rise proportionally with the percentage increase to public school funding. Since neither the number of scholarships nor their amounts would be capped, how much the expansion could ultimately cost is unknown.

House Education Chairwoman Shannon Erickson, the bill’s main sponsor, noted that priorities for who gets a scholarship would continue.

From

Applications close March 15

To be eligible this year, students must meet all the following:

a

To find out if your kids are eligible, or to apply, visit. https://palmettopromise. org/sc-school-choice/.

year — requiring legislators to set aside $30 million in the state budget that starts July 1

That is, unless the state Supreme Court throws out the law as unconstitutional. House leaders introduced the expansion plan days before the state’s high court hears arguments on a challenge to that law.

As of Wednesday, 2,795 parents had submitted applications for 4 207 children, and 181 private schools statewide have been approved for the program, according to the state Edu-

cation Department.

The lawsuit — filed by the South Carolina Education Association, state conference of the NAACP and half a dozen parents — argues the taxpayer-funded payments violate the state constitution’s ban against public funds directly benefiting a private school.

GOP leaders have repeatedly said they’re confident the Legislature created a legal workaround of that ban. Under the law, each $6,000 scholarship goes into an account accessible by the student’s parents, who decide

how the money’s spent, rather than to any school directly. Parents decide where the money goes, paying for tuition and/or services through an online portal, but can’t withdraw money for reimbursement.

House Speaker Murrell Smith, a co-sponsor, said there’s no need to wait on a ruling before expanding last year’s law.

“We need to get a head start on providing for universal school choice in this state,” the Sumter Republican said.

Patrick Kelly, a lobbyist for

Under the new plan, income eligibility would instead be eliminated in year three. And starting in year four (2027-28), the 15 000-participant cap would be replaced by however many scholarships the Legislature decides to fund, based on applicants who had to be turned down the year before.

Proponents have long argued private school choice was geared at helping poor parents who can’t afford to send their children anywhere other than the low-performance public school they’re zoned to attend. Removing the income eligibility makes that moot, said Rep. Russell Ott, who generally opposes the program as using taxpayer money for private schools.

Students already participating and their siblings would get first dibs. Next in line would be students with disabilities, children in foster care and children of military parents, the Beaufort Republican said. After that, students would be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis for however many slots are approved that year.

“Parents want, and truly need, choices for their children’s education,” said the Beaufort Republican.

Last year’s law “makes enormous strides” toward that effort, she said, adding that her bill creates a “bold, universal system” to help more students.

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.

Wreaths Across America’s Mobile Education Exhibit to visit Mossy Oaks Elementary

From staff reports

Wreaths Across America’s (WAA) Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) national tour stop at Beaufort’s Mossy Oaks Elementary School on Friday, March 15, on its way through South Carolina to honor those who served and welcome home Vietnam veterans.

“The mission of Wreaths Across America is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who served, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Executive Director Karen Worcester said in a news release.

“The Mobile Education Exhibit provides the unique opportunity for communities to come together and share the stories of those who served and sacrificed. Through our partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, the exhibit also serves as an

official ‘Welcome Home’ location for our nation’s Vietnam veterans.”

The MEE provides an opportunity to unite the local community, veterans, active-duty military, and their families through interactive exhibits, short films, and shared stories. The exhibit serves as a mobile museum, educating visitors about the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes.

Mossy Oaks Elementary School, at 2510 Mossy Oaks Road, will host a local stop. The MEE will be free and open to the public locally, from 9:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

When the MEE pulls into the area, all veterans, active-duty military, their families, and the local community members are invited and encouraged to visit, take a tour, and speak with WAA representatives and volunteers. They can also share

more about the national nonprofit and its volunteer work to support our heroes and their communities year-round. Members of the media, dignitaries, veterans, and other interested groups are urged to come, ask questions, share stories, and experience this one-of-a-kind exhibit. You can sponsor a veteran’s wreath anytime for $17 at

www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Each sponsorship goes toward a live balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery which was begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, and thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

Sea Islands Heritage Academy opens enrollment

From staff reports

A reminder that Sea Islands Heritage Academy has announced that registration for Grades 6 and 7 for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year is now open. Sea Islands Heritage Academy is a tuition-free, open-enrollment charter school authorized by The South Carolina Public Charter District. Classes are set to commence in August, inviting young scholars to embark on a transformative educational journey.

"At Sea Islands Heritage Academy, we empower scholars to embrace their identity and future with confidence, ensuring every community member feels valued and seen,” Sea Islands Heritage Academy Executive Director Alana Jenkins said in a news release. “Join us in nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators.”

According to Sea Islands Heritage Academy, every community member— stu-

dent, family, or faculty—is seen, heard, and valued. The school’s approach is rooted in creating a learning environment that affirms local cultures and identities, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence in every scholar.

The curriculum is designed around Place-Based Instruction, Personalized Learning, and Small Group Instruction. This approach ensures that each scholar's learning experience is

tailored to their strengths and needs. By fostering a Proactive School Culture, Sea Islands Heritage Academy hopes to prepare its students with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

"Sea Islands Heritage Academy stands at the forefront of educational innovation, dedicated to preparing scholars for a world that values critical thinking and cultural awareness,”

Sea Islands Heritage Academy President of the Board Chris Ophardt said. “Our commitment is to create an environment where every student can thrive academically and personally." Families interested in enrolling their children should visit https://bit.ly/4bz35QB or apply directly at enrollSIHA.schoolmint.com. Spaces are limited, and Sea Islands Heritage Academy encourages early registration to secure a place.

State Superintendent Ellen Weaver talks to reporters on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Weaver joined lawmakers to announce a new proposal that would expand the state’s taxpayer-funded voucher program that allows students to attend the school of their choosing. Skylar Laird/S.C.

Bucs, Eagles take titles at Warrior Invitational

LowcoSports.com

The weather did its best to wreak havoc, but the show went on at three sites this weekend for the Warrior Invitational, the annual kickoff to the local high school soccer season.

Three days of games at Whale Branch Early College High School, Whale Branch Middle School, and Battery Creek High School culminated with three championship games Sunday.

Beaufort High’s boys were a last-minute addition to the field when Ridgeland-Hardeeville dropped out, and the Eagles claimed the Zulu Bracket title with a 3-1 win over Battery Creek after notching a 3-1 win over Charleston Math & Science and a scoreless draw with Woodland in the rain during pool play.

Bridges Prep’s girls won the Amazonian Bracket title with a 2-1 win over Battery Creek, and the Bucs boys won the Spartan Bracket, taking down Palmetto Scholars 4-1 in the championship game. Bridges also picked up a 5-0 win over Hampton County and a 3-0 result against Charleston Math & Science after opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw with Groves.

Rocco Marten scored four goals for the Bucs, including a hat trick against Hampton County. Timothy English and Clay Sanders each had two goals and two assists in the tournament, while Michael Legier added two goals and an assist, and Liam Sanders scored two goals.

WARRIOR INVITATIONAL Girls

Bridges Prep 2, Battery Creek 1 (Amazonian Championship)

Battery Creek goalkeeper Anna Moore hangs onto the ball as teammate Clover Atha loses her balance after Bridges Prep’s Emma Dickenson, right, tries to sneak the ball in during the first half of their Warrior Invitational Soccer Tournament Championship match on Saturday, March 2, at Whale Branch Early College High School. The Bridge’s Prep Lady Buccaneers went on to win over the BCHS Lady Dolphins, 3-1, to win to become the Amazonian championship. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Boys Bridges Prep 4, Palmetto Scholars 1 (Spartan Championship)

Beaufort 3, Battery Creek 1 (Zulu Championship)

Beaufort High lacrosse off to tough start

LowcoSports.com

It has been a tough start to the season for the Beaufort High lacrosse programs, but the boys picked up their first win of the spring with an 8-7 victory over visiting Philip Simmons on Thursday. The Eagles fell 16-5 at Hilton Head on Monday to drop to 1-5 Beaufort’s girls were overmatched in a 17-1 loss to Philip Simmons and fell to 0-4 with a 17-3 loss at Aiken on Monday.

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to get out of trouble after a catcher’s interference call put two runners on. It was smooth sailing from there, as she struck out the side in order in the fifth and capped off the shutout with a weak grounder back to the mound.

The Eagles (1-0) travel to Stratford on Wednesday before taking on Battery Creek in a Region 8-3A series March 19 and March 22

The Dolphins dropped their opener 15-5 to Bluffton on Monday.

Davis fueling Mighty Lions

The bats went quiet Monday at Bluffton, though, as Miles Frye tossed a one-hitter and struck out 11 Eagles in a 5-1 Bobcats win. Gunner Hollingsworth held the Bobcats at bay early, but Bluffton broke it open in the fifth and Frye took care of the rest. Jadyn Andrews had the lone hit for the Eagles.

Holy Trinity’s fledgling baseball program opened its season with a 13-8 win at St. Andrew’s before falling 10-7 at Bridges Prep on Thursday. And the Mighty Lions have found a key bat to build around in the middle of the order.

Jay Davis is off to a red-hot start, going 6-for-8 with a double and a homer along with five RBIs in the first two games. Ben Solomons has also been hot at the plate, going 3-for-6 with a double.

Beaufort High’s Olivia Ridenhour, center, shoots and scores the only goal for the Lady Eagles during their first conference game of the year against a well disciplined defense put up by Philip Simmons High School at the Eagles’ Nest on Thursday, Feb. 29. The Lady Eagles lost 17-1. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Fox Company tackles the Crucible

is a 54-hour

More on VA Mental Health Services

Last week’s article in The Island News on Veterans’ Benefits 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.

This week’s article will cover 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). Veterans are fortunate to have the world’s leading mental healthcare system, the VA Mental Healthcare System supporting them. Lowcountry S.C. and Georgia veterans are even more fortunate to have S.C.’s only Dual Five-Star rated Hospital and Healthcare System supporting them.

Getting started with VA Healthcare

As explained on the “VA Mental Health Services” at https://bit. ly/3H8KAoE, if you are a veteran (or if you know a veteran) who needs support for a specific mental health problem or if you are having problems sleeping, controlling your anger, or readjusting to civilian life — you are not alone. And the VA can help. VA mental health services range from peer support with other veterans to counseling, therapy, medication, or a combination of these options.

How to schedule a first VA Mental Health appointment

If you are a veteran and you are already using VA medical services, ask your primary care provider (Physician, Physician’s Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner) to help you make an appointment with a VA mental health provider. If you are a veteran and you are not already using VA medical services, contact your nearest VA medical center or Vet Center to talk about your needs.

Find your nearest VA Medical Center, Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, or Vet Center Veterans can find their nearest VA Medical Center, Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, or Vet Center at the “Find VA Locations” webpage at https://bit.ly/3V4JiCO.

VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and Vet Centers in the Lowcountry of S.C. and coastal areas of Northeast Georgia. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center & Healthcare System (RHJVAMC&HCS) serves the Lowcountry (Coastal Areas) of S.C. and Georgia from the border of S.C. and N.C. to Brunswick, Ga. (about 70 miles south of Savannah, Ga.) – and inland to I-95 and Orangeburg, S.C. Some patients come from outside of this area. The following specific facilities are operated by or supported by the

RHJVAMC&HCS:

1 The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center: 109 Bee Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401-5799, Main phone: 843-577-5011, Mental Healthcare: 843-789-6500, webpage

https://www.va.gov/charleston-health-care/. The RHJVAMC&HCS is a VA “flagship” and a regional center of excellence for Veteran-focused mental health care. The RHJVAMC&HCS Behavioral Health Department offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including telehealth appointments. They provide consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a variety of issues impacting emotional well-being. Services include psychiatry, psychology, services for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, treatment for addictive disorders, including residential rehabilitation treatment programs, transition and care management for returning Veterans (OIF/ OEF/OND), Dementia, and much more. Learn more at

https://bit.ly/3DJQzhB.

2 Beaufort VA Clinic: (CBOC Inside the Naval Hospital) 1 Pinckney Boulevard, Beaufort, S.C. 29902-6122, webpage

https://bit.ly/4c4WMoj, Main phone: 843-770-0444, Mental Healthcare: 843-789-6500

The Beaufort CBOC offers primary care and specialty

health services, including mental health services.

3 Savannah, Georgia VA Clinic: (CBOC is near Hunter Army Airfield Ga.) 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, GA 31419-1618, webpage https://bit.ly/4a0tgye, Main phone: 912-920-0214, and Mental health care: 843-7896500

4 Goose Creek VA Clinic: (CBOC is on Charleston Naval Weapons Station) 2418 NNPTC Circle, Goose Creek, S.C. 29445-6314, webpage https://bit.ly/4c4xvdF, Main phone: 843-818-6999, ext. 343100, Mental health care: 843-789-7311. Primary care, audiology, speech, cardiology, dermatology, laboratory, pathology, and mental health including care for conditions like addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and OCD services are provided. All VA healthcare facilities offer same-day help. You may qualify even without enrolling in VA health care.

5 Hinesville, Georgia VA Clinic (CBOC): (The CBOC is not far from Fort Eisenhower – old Fort Stewart), 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga. 31313-2804, webpage https://bit.ly/43aPoUb, Main phone: 912-408-2900

Mental health care: 843789-6500. Hinesville CBOC offers primary care and specialty health services, including ophthalmology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, kinesiotherapy, radiology, returning service member care, telehealth, women veteran care, addiction and substance abuse care, PTSD care, mental health services, radiology, women’s care, and more.

6 North Charleston VA Clinic (CBOC): 6450 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, S.C. 29406-4882, webpage https://bit.ly/3wDZf91, Main phone: 843-818-5100, Mental Healthcare 843-789-6500

This CBOC offers outpatient clinic, primary care, and specialty health services, mental health care, including nutrition counseling, dental

The

and oral surgery, diabetic care, lab and pathology, radiology, returning service member care, social services, telehealth, whole health, women veteran care, laboratory services, women’s health care, and more. This clinic is near Joint Base Charleston.

7 Myrtle Beach VA Clinic (CBOC): 1800 Airpark Drive, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 295771412, webpage https://bit. ly/3wCGXoC, Main phone: 843-477-0177, Mental health care: 843-789-6500. Please note that the old Market Commons VA Clinic is permanently closed. The Myrtle Beach CBOC offers primary care and specialty health services, including mental health services, geriatrics, radiology, and more.

8 Trident VA Clinic (CBOC is Near Ladson, Charleston Southern University, and Trident Medical Center): 9237 University Boulevard, North Charleston, S.C. 29406-8908, webpage

https://bit.ly/3T1Bn6A, Main phone: 843-574-1010, Mental health care: 843-789-7311

This CBOC offers mental health care (Psychiatry, PTSD, Suicide Prevention, etc.) care, pain management care, and more.

9 Charleston Vet Center: 3625 West Montague Avenue, North Charleston, S.C. 29418

webpage https://bit.ly/3P6pIlZ, Phone: 843-789-7000

Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional counseling to eligible veterans, service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military.

Read about VA Vet Centers at https://yourislandnews.com/whatis-a-vet-center, in my article titled “What is a Vet Center?” published Jan. 10 2024, in The Island News. Veterans and their family members can find a Vet Center at the “Find VA Locations” webpage https://bit.ly/492Zmtp.

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 843-276-7164

LARRY DANDRIDGE

Recruits with Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, conduct the Crucible on

2024, on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The Crucible

culminating event in which the previous 11 weeks of training are put to the test. Sgt. Juan Munguia/USMC

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 8 March 2024

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel C. B. McArthur

2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel C. J. Kearney

Commander of Troops, First Sergeant B. R. Dear • Parade Adjutant, Staff Sergeant A. C. Barnes Company “F”, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain D. R. Williams

Drill Master • Staff Sergeant R. J. Royer

PLATOON 2016

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt I. L. Vannavong

Pvt Amayaramos, Eduardo

PFC Beauprez, Garrison M.

PFC Beres, Nathan D.

Pvt Bruning, Jacob E.

Pvt Carter, Ryan A.

PFC Castilllo, Kenneth A.

Pvt Clonch, Edwin R.

Pvt Coleman, David W. *

Pvt Dalton, Jordan T.

Pvt Dickerson, Ian K.

PFC Fraser, Noah S.

PFC Garica Jr., Dave A.

Pvt Gehringer, Jaden A.

PFC Hang, Anh N.

Pvt Hatchett Jr., Marvin K. *

Pvt Holston, Jikai D.

PFC Jones, Tyrese J.

Pvt Jones, Tavon T.

Pvt Middleton, Jarion N.

Pvt Park, Simon M.

Pvt Penafielortiz, Alexander M.

PFC Prezroblero, Elias J.

Pvt Pinedamrtinez, Yoni B.

Pvt Pittman, Prince S.

Pvt Ramirezbatista, Elinson D.

PFC Raypierpoint, Paxton D.

Pvt Remier, Cody D. *

Pvt Rivasdeleon, Michael A.

Pvt Rizzo III, Peter J.

Pvt Rosariotejada, Nomar

Pvt Schulz, Zachary W.

Pvt Shaffer, Clay R.

Pvt Spitzer, Tyler J.

Pvt Torres, Silvio H.

Pvt Turpin, Dylan S.

Pvt Turpin, Favian

Pvt Vegaleon, Charly D.

Pvt Wang, Peter

PFC Williams, Darius I.

Pvt Williams, Jevaughn D.

Pvt Zhou, Franky

Pvt Zumbatorres, Jordan S.

PLATOON 2017

Senior Drill Instructor GySgt Z. A. Kirk

PFC Acostalara, Jose G.

Pvt Baker, John C.

PFC Barfield, Charles H.

Pvt Bell, Norman J.

Pvt Brown, Garren J.

Pvt Chambers, Morgan D.

Pvt Clapper, Jeremy W.

Pvt Cook, Kenneth D.

Pvt Cotten, Jaquon C.

Pvt Duchane, Trent O.

Pvt Galeascaballero, Onel E.

PFC Gonzalezandres, John D.

PFC Ha, Shin J.

Pvt Haven, Dalton D.

Pvt Herrera, Jesus A.

Pvt Howard, Landon J.

PFC Jimerson, Kamarcus S.

Pvt Koehler, Dominic L.

PFC LouisJacques, Wade

Pvt Matthews, Tristen D.

Pvt Mccormick Jr., Robert J.

Pvt Melendrezamaro, Kebin

Pvt Norton, Zachary S.

PFC Parcell, Benjamin R.

Pvt Paulison, Derek A.

PFC Pounds, Ayden G.

Pvt Radford, Aarlen B.

Pvt Rinderknecht, Zachary J.

Pvt Riverareyes, Gustavo A.

Pvt Robinson, Charles D.

Pvt Rouse, Joseph I.

Pvt Shepard, Justin A.

PFC Smith, Brian T.

Pvt Stanford, Corbin A.

Pvt Trujilloventura, Rodrigo

Pvt Tyler, Jessai M.

PFC Wasif, Allen

Pvt Wayne, Andrew L.

PFC Wheeler Jr., Russell J. *

Pvt Wirt, William C.

PFC Zipperer III, Stanley I.

PLATOON 2018

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt J. A. Kahl

Pvt Armstrong, Cameron M.

Pvt Austin, Nasir R.

Pvt Beeson, Gabriel Y.

PFC Boysen, John A.

Pvt Carbajo, Jancarlo

Pvt Cline, Connor W.

Pvt Corn, Elijah C.

PFC Crawford, Fredrick D.

PFC Cunningham III, Miller

PFC Davis, Stafford M.

PFC Day, Samuel T.

PFC Evans, Johnnie A.

PFC Glass, Austin M.

PFC Hart, Dylan J. *

Pvt Hill, Timothy J.

Pvt Jackson, Sebastian C.

PFC Jimenez, Alfredo J. *

Pvt Kronseder, Dylan

PFC Labaw, Christopher F.

PFC Lambeth, Justin A.*

PFC Mccormack, Brandon A.*

Pvt Miller, Tamasjai N.

Pvt Moynahan, Seth C.

Pvt Nesmith, Darrion M.

Pvt Nowak, Robert L.

Pvt Queary, Jierre E.

PFC Rennick, Jaunte D.

Pvt Siciliano, Nicco A.

Pvt Smallwood, Johnathan N.

PFC Smith, Jalynn M. *

Pvt Stewart, Ethan W.

Pvt Sult, Jaxson S.

Pvt Toro, Thomas G.

Pvt Tucker, Braxton L.

Pvt Vasquezmoreno, Angelo

Pvt Verasgomez, Snil R.

PFC West, Robert P.

PFC White, Tyree J.

Pvt Whitt, Mariquez D.

Pvt Williams, Jerimiahjoy G.

PLATOON 2020

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt E. M. Robinson

Pvt Baezmerced, Joangel A.

Pvt Blanton, Dayton B

PFC Brimmell, Brenden A.

Pvt Caballerohernandez, Andy C.

Pvt Campos, Nino

Pvt Chambers, Dillon M.

Pvt Couey, Deven R. *

PFC Dorsainvil, Ismael

Pvt Garcia, Leonardo

Pvt Gonzalezrivas, Carlos A.

Pvt Hammond, Shannon L.

Pvt Hatfield, Chase H.

PFC Hill, Shane C.

Pvt Irizarrytorres, Moises O.

Pvt Keene, Alex L.

Pvt Kluver, Gabriel X.

Pvt Kollie Jr., Samuel Y.

Pvt Lanzner, Kyle A.

Pvt Macarthur, Andrew B.

Pvt Mccullough, Levi D.

Pvt Mckee, Colton R.

PFC Mehta, Nickhil

Pvt Montalvo, Jose E.

Pvt Oliver, Aiden M.

PFC Parker, Alexander S.

Pvt Pasquale, Michael J.

Pvt Ragin, Trey J. *

Pvt Ray, Anthony F.

Pvt Reale, Cosimo P.

PFC Rodriguezalameda, Marco A.

PFC Saintjoas, Zaire D.

PFC Sammes, Alec C.

Pvt Saru, Bivas

Pvt Shanks Jr., Troy J.

Pvt Stephenson, Mario T. *

Pvt Twum, Charles A.

Pvt Vorheis, Justin T.

PFC Walker, Quindarius E.

PFC Welch, Dean A.

PLATOON 2021

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt C. R. Ricco

Pvt Aptt, Damien I.

Pvt Arroyo, Samuel A.

Pvt Bergemann, Jacob S.

Pvt Bogart, Joseph M.

Pvt Butcher, Morgan A.

Pvt Countryman, Damien C.

Pvt Curnow, Alberto J.

PFC David, John M.

Pvt Diaslopes, Helio S.

Pvt Fontenot, Peyton S.

Pvt Fortealonso, Andry D.

Pvt Garciaortiz, Kenneth A.

Pvt Gomez, Roman A.

Pvt Gray, Lucas J. *

Pvt Harvey Jr., Anthony J.

Pvt Hibbert, Ramone E.

Pvt Irvin III, Brian F.

Pvt Kidder, Dylan M.

Pvt Koenig, Hayden J. *

Pvt Lang Jr., Christopher D.

Pvt Larke, Aiden P.

Pvt Loyola, Nikolai L.

Pvt Madrigalbarragan, Alexis

PFC Monciontejada, Frank

Pvt Mondoux Jr., Christopher J.

Pvt Motherway, William P.

Pvt Negrete, Juan F.

Pvt Nicholson, Nicholas M. *

Pvt Roe, Jeremy R.

Pvt Sibomanamugabo, Crescent

Pvt Sisk, Brayden E.

PFC Stanfield III, Warren C.

Pvt Timony, Jeremiah J.

Pvt Torresrodriguez, Joseph Y.

Pvt Watson, Jacob T.

PFC Whittaker, Jordan R.

Pvt Wills, Aslan J.

Pvt Woehrmann, Tyler M.

*Denotes Meritorious Promotion

‘Look Scott, there’s the comet’

It’s Thursday, and Susan and I have a room at the Wakulla Springs Lodge just south of Tallahassee, Fla.

This evening I’m sitting in a granite-tiled, stucco-walled lobby partially heated by a huge stone fireplace. There is also a mummified alligator named “Old Joe;” a box of mastodon bones; a video monitor that continuously plays “Creature From the Black Lagoon.”

Two Persian rugs define the sitting areas that come with brown leather sofas that might easily seat eight or 10 people. Unfortunately, these sofas have backrests several miles removed from where one’s back would normally rest; causing one to more or less lie flat. To make matters worse none of the “big and tall” sized furniture is anywhere near the fire.

Nonetheless this lobby invites the same kind of long,

GRABER

lingering conversations one might have at the Grove Park Inn or the Jefferson in Richmond, Va. But I’m not interested in conversations. At the moment I’m watching the entrance where a friend, Ken Tucker, will shortly appear. I’m slightly worried because a movie is being shot in the lobby. There are lights, cameras and young production assistants walking around with walkie-talkies. All of this action swirling around a beautiful young actress, and a young bellhop who, apparently, are falling in love.

Yesterday I talked with the film’s director, Evan Patrick Adams, who told me that his movie, “Private I,” should be out in August. “This has been an exercise in chaos — controlled chaos,” he said. “But filming here, at the Wakulla Lodge, is the realization of my dreams …”

Earlier today my wife and I hiked part of this semi-submerged landscape then took a boat ride over the crystalline waters of the Springs. We passed through alligators, water birds and, of course, the huge, slow-moving manatees that one smells before one actually sees. Notwithstanding the methane I can report that, at $8 a person, the boat trip is the best ticket in Florida.

After our ride I did laps in the 70-degree water, passing near a hole that descends 185 feet and connects with another 26 miles of under-

water caverns. As I swam, I tried, but did not succeed, in forgetting that a huge alligator named “Young Joe” was sunning himself 50 yards away.

Some of you may know that I have long held a disdain for anything, everything Floridian. In this connection I refused to take my son, Zach, to Disney World or any of the theme parks near Orlando. While I refused him entry to the Magic Kingdom, I tried to compensate with overnight hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially in the Nantahala Forest around Mt. Pisgah.

I must confess that I was not constant in my loathing of everything Floridian — I did take Zach to the famed Alligator Farm near St. Augustine. And yes, it is true that we sometimes lingered in the gift shop buying Alligator-themed magnets, ashtrays and coffee mugs.

I have sometimes wondered if my banishment of Mickey Mouse had any adverse effects on Zach. In those long-gone days, I did not believe there was any redeeming value in a $10 ride through Space Mountain. But now, in my dotage, I wonder if it was the cost of that visit that I really feared. Tonight, I’ll have dinner with a Citadel classmate, Ken Tucker, in the dining room. Ken is a retired lawyer now living a few miles away in Tallahassee. If Ken can navigate past the cast, cameras and crew, we will talk about Larry Moreland’s course in Constitutional Law; about Ken’s time on the Honor Court; about classmates lost in Vietnam; about Japanese-discovered comets streaking through the night-time sky.

Ken — a native of Florida — went to the University of Florida for his law degree. Thereafter he worked in the

Attorney General’s office rising up to Chief Deputy, second in command of that large, consequential office. I know Ken then went into private practice, representing Lockheed-Martin among other Florida-based business firms.

But what will forever bind Ken and me was a car wreck that happened our Junior year as we made our way up I-95 to William and Mary College. We were both injured — my parents were told I would not survive the night — and I have forgotten many details of that latenight crash.

But I do remember lying in the median of I-95 and discussing a newly discovered comet. I do remember Ken saying, “Look Scott, there’s the comet!”

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

It’s time for historic district peace talks

The fiasco that occurred at Beaufort’s February 14 Historic District Review Board (HDRB) meeting where the unnecessary demolition of two contributing cottages in the heart of the city’s historic district were green-lighted should be a wakeup call for City Council.

With historic district lightning-rod mayors Billy Keyserling and Stephen Murray now having departed the scene, a less adversarial relationship can and should be restored between the city and one of its most important traditional partners, the Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF).

Such a change shows promise. Mayor pro tem Mike McFee told me last week, “The city council as it is currently comprised wants to get on a better footing with HBF.”

And when I repeated that comment to HBF Executive Director Cynthia Jenkins, she said, “We would welcome that.”

When the two groups have repaired their rift, here are some steps Council should take to begin to repair some of the damage done over the past decade, and to avoid more fiascos like the one that occurred on February 14

HBF maintains a revolving fund that has been used to buy, restore, place historic preservation easements upon, and then sell contributing buildings that are at risk of fatal deterioration. “Contributing buildings” are buildings that have been determined by

Dthe State Historic Preservation Officer and the United States Department of the Interior to be structures whose architecture contributes to the character of the historic district. In recent years HBF’s revolving fund, with assets of about $350 000, hasn’t been as active as it might have been, mostly because the fund’s limited means puts many projects beyond the fund’s ability to pay.

The city should form a working group to work with HBF identifying qualifying buildings, opening dialogues with owners, seeking grants, and providing matching funds to expand the revolving fund’s reach.

The working group should at the same time work closely with Marilyn Harris at the Beaufort Black Chamber of Commerce to seek, receive and administer grants to assist in the essential maintenance of owner-occupied buildings in the historic district.

The recently released National Park Service’s “Condition and Integrity Study for the Beaufort National Landmark Historic District” notes in its Appendix D that

the city has on its books a demolition by neglect ordinance. To my knowledge it has never been used. When all other good faith efforts by the working group have failed, the city should enforce its demolition by neglect ordinance.

It is with steps like these that the character of historic districts is preserved.

Working with these outside groups will no doubt take some effort, and some diplomacy. But preserving the now-fraying fabric of the Beaufort’s unique historic district, one of the city’s core economic drivers, is worth the government’s effort.

The Condition and Integrity Study recommended continuing education for the HDRB’s members and the city staff who work with them. Continuing education is always a good idea, and the wacky, off-the-mark, seat-of-thepants discussion that preceded the HDRB’s February 14 demolition considerations is a stark indicator that now’s not too soon for mandatory educational briefings that bring that important board’s members and the staffers who work with them up to speed.

Finally, readers may recall the dramatic and divisive events that surrounded Council’s decision last September to remove from the city’s ordinance that proscribes the qualifications of HDRB members, the member who was nominated by HBF. That amendment passed 3-2 with

both McFee and Councilman

Josh Scallate joining then-Mayor Stephen Murray in passing the measure. Under Robert’s Rules, either McFee or Scallate, who voted on the prevailing side, can at any regularly scheduled meeting bring forward a motion to reconsider the September vote. Mayor Phil Cromer said during his campaign that if he were elected, he would not make such a motion, but if such a motion were made, he would vote in the affirmative. Unless either Councilman Lipsitz or Councilman Mitchell have changed their minds, it sure looks like the votes are there. It’s time to restore to the HDRB

CITIZENS’ CLIMATE CORNER

a member who is nominated by HBF. With two members’ terms up at the end of this June, making that change can be accomplished gracefully and in a timely fashion. Restoring HBF’s nomination will not only send a clear signal of reconciliation, it will restore the composition of the Historic District Review Board to the profile that served it well from its inception in 1973 until last September.

It’s time to talk peace.

Bill Rauch was the Mayor of Beaufort from 1999 to 2008 and has twice won awards from the S.C. Press Association for his Island News columns. He can be reached at TheRauchReport@gmail.com.

In defense of the PROVE IT Act

id you know, the bipartisan Clean Air Act (CAA), signed into law by President Nixon in 1970 and its major amendments in 1977 (signed into law by President Carter) and 1990 (signed into law by President G.H.W. Bush) have had an enormous positive impact on our quality of life and the U. S. economy?

One side benefit of the CAA is that air pollution regulations have encouraged U.S. industry to produce energy-intensive materials, such as steel and aluminum, with a lower carbon emission intensity (carbon footprint) than competing industries in many other countries. Some of the reduced carbon emission intensity in these products

is certainly also due to the ingenuity of American industry to reduce production costs by making industrial processes more and more energy efficient. The Climate Leadership Council (a conservative think tank) has shown that the United States manufactures goods that are 40% lower in carbon emissions intensity than the world average.

Regardless of whether or not you are personally

concerned about global carbon emissions and their impact on global temperatures, it is a fact that many large companies in the U.S and around the world are actively trying to reduce the carbon emission intensities of their supply chains in order to reduce their own carbon footprints. To do that effectively, these companies need reliable data on the relative carbon emission intensity of products from different supplier companies and countries.

To provide that data, the U.S. Senate is considering a new bipartisan bill, the PROVE IT Act (Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency Act), which authorizes the U.S. Department of Energy to collect and publish the

carbon emissions intensity data for a variety of materials produced by the U. S. and our competitors.

Having this data available will allow lower carbon emission intensity U.S. companies to be preferred suppliers to the global market. For example, the European Union and the United Kingdom are planning to impose tariffs on imports of high carbon emission-intensity products that compete unfairly against their own lower carbon emission-intensity domestic manufacturers. We cannot be passive as our trading partners move forward with policies that could disadvantage our exports.

The PROVE IT Act will provide the data that proves our industrial products are among the lowest in carbon

emissions intensity in the world. The preference for U.S. products will be good for U.S. jobs and the U.S. economy. And the last time I checked, we all agreed that increased U.S. exports, greater U.S. economic activity, and more U.S. jobs are good things.

As Senators Cramer (R-N.D.) and Coons (D-Del.), who introduced the bill, have stated, the PROVE IT Act is a common-sense effort to “bridge the gap between what we know and what we can prove.” It’s vital we quantify how U.S. domestic manufacturing is among the cleanest in the world.

In January, the PROVE IT Act passed through the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with a bipartisan majority

vote of 15-4 and the support of our U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. We should thank Graham for his support of a policy that amplifies our outstanding domestic products and better environmental standards.

Not surprisingly, lobbyists for the fossil fuel industry are against the PROVE IT Act because they do not want to see more efficient and less carbon-intensive production methods (that consume less fossil fuel) have any advantage. But they didn't like the Clean Air Act either.

Mike Bogle has lived in Beaufort since 2018 and is currently the Beaufort Chapter Lead for Citizens’Climate Lobby. He is an avid outdoorsman, and passionate about protecting what makes Beaufort such a special place to live.

SCOTT

BILL RAUCH

A recent fiasco at Beaufort’s Historic District Review Board caused 1609 and 1607 Duke Street (pictured here) to be permitted for demolition. Bill Rauch/For the Island News

MIKE BOGLE

State budget preview, observations

During our most recent House furlough, the Ways & Means committee held its full committee debate and vote to pass the budget bill out of committee favorably. As Chairman of House Education & Public Works, I am pleased to report that the budget proposal contains $200 million of the total $600 million of this years “state surplus” funds directed to public K-12 Education – including teacher pay increases – that’s 1/3!

Under the proposal:

Teacher starting pay is proposed to increase to $47 000 (Some of you may remember when teacher pay in 20182019 was $32,000. That’s a $15 000 raise, or 47% raise in seven years.)

Salary increases are more weighted towards the begin-

DERICKSON

ning of the pay schedule, but the average salary increase is 5 1%

Teacher salary schedule is not losing lanes this year.

Teacher salary schedule is expanding from 23 years to 28

Teacher untaxed classroom supply check is increasing from $350 to $400

State health plan increase for teachers is covered by the state.

In higher education, college and university tuition is frozen for the sixth year in a row.

For the public works side of our committee, SCDOT is receiving extra $200 million for bridges.

Other important points:

State Income tax is decreased to 6 3%

State employees earning under $66,667 may receive a $1 000 raise. Others may see a 1 5% raise.

State health plan increases are covered by the state for the 11th year in a row.

We hope these priorities show parents that we hear their requests for options for children in early childhood, K-12 and higher education. Teachers, we hope you

feel our appreciation. Citizens dreaming of career training, college or university degrees, we heed your request for more affordable options. And those traveling our roads and bridges, we grasp your need for safety and accessibility. Many thanks to the House Ways & Means Committee and Staff for their hard work. I look forward to debating and passing our state’s constitutionally-mandated, balanced budget.

Part of the process is a week for all House members to read the full, printed or online budget bill. It is my sincere hope that they will read, research and get ready for a comprehensive, knowledgeable, prepared debate on facts and policy so the following week will feature genuine debate.

Sadly, politics often takes over,

and while some members will take this seriously, others will use it for political “gotchas and sound bites” with misleading media posts. Please do not fall prey to those insincere distortions and bad-faith innuendos. If you have any questions about the budget, an appropriation or debate point (or other legislation), please reach out and I will get you data and facts.You deserve professionalism and truth.

To the citizens of House District 124 and the State of South Carolina, please accept my sincerest thanks for allowing me to serve you in Columbia. Please reach out if I can be of assistance to you. “Dum Spiro Spero!"

Beaufort Republican Shannon S. Erickson represents District 124 in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

An open letter to Mitch McConnell

ear Sen. Mitch McConnell: Like so many Democrats in this country, I have viewed much of what you have done during your tenure in the United States Senate with a jaded eye.

As I sat today and watched your speech on the Senate floor, I knew there would be those who would rush to praise you, especially those remaining senators who are remotely connected to the former Republican party.

Of course, Susan Collins who stood behind you, physically and philosophically, was quick to gush in her usual fashion.

“I just want to very briefly recognize my good friend, the Republican leader, for his extraordinary service not only to our caucus but more importantly to the Senate as an institution and our country,” Collins said. “His tenure as leader will be remembered not just for its historic longevity but also for his unparalleled devotion to this great institution, which he has

always defended.” I might interject here that I take a bit of umbrage with Ms. Collins, but more on that later.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shook your hand after your speech in what I can only believe was a sympathetic shake, given what others of your own party had to say.

I soon discovered that those who control the MAGA party of Donald Trump were equally adamant about voicing their feelings regarding your announcement.

First, there was Ted Cruz of Texas, who publicly called for you to resign your post just three weeks ago. And then we have that very vo-

cal, rarely reliable, questionably moral individual Matt Gaetz. He celebrated your announcement by saying that you, “the newly-resigned Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Rona McDaniel, and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) all got “86’d.”

I admit that I had to research that term although I had an idea of what he meant. He couldn’t just say removed. But then you know how that guy loves to believe he is so cool.

Sir, the last comment I could find regarding your resignation of your post came from none other than Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)

You know, that clever individual who raised his fist in a gesture of triumph to the insurrectionists on January 6. The one who then ran scared when the attack on the capitol took place. Yes, that Josh Hawley. He was quoted as saying, “Good. It’s time.”

Senator, I know I am not telling you anything you don’t know. That the

Republican party as you and I knew it is, for all intents and purposes, gone, defunct. It is now the party of Donald Trump, and sad to say, there are too many of your party metaphorically wetting their britches rather than doing anything about it.

I have laid out for you those in your own party who are more than happy to see MAGA reign. Make no mistake, I choose that word purposely because you and I both know that is what Donald Trump is striving to accomplish. That said, I feel it is necessary to point out some of the reasons that we Democrats feel you have contributed to your own dilemma.

Very frankly, Senator, my first clue to your unholy need to play dictator yourself was when you made it clear that your main goal was to keep President Obama limited to one term. You deliberately refused to compromise on anything, even ideas you had previously supported, with that President. I always won-

dered whether or not it was strictly political differences or something else. I’m sure that curiosity will never be satisfied.

And when that didn’t succeed, you turned to his appointee for Supreme Court, refusing even to bring it to the floor for a vote. Can you truly say that you are satisfied with the results of that scheme, given what today’s Court looks like, and the scrutiny under which it falls?

U.S. intelligence officials warned you of Russian interference in the 2016 election to put Trump into power, and you looked the other way. Today that threat still looms, and one must wonder whether or not your focusing on that, rather than ignoring it, might have put us in a totally different place.

Perhaps your most egregious action was to shield the ex-president from being convicted in his second impeachment trial. This would have barred Trump from being able to run for

office, and much of what we are undergoing right now would not be.

So as far as Susan Collins’ waxing eloquent today regarding your “unparalleled devotion to this great institution,” I can only respond that is a matter of perspective.

Sir, I will leave you with this: you may be able to redeem some of your respectability by not endorsing Donald Trump. Those who support him have made it clear they don’t support you. Trump, himself, has also made that clear, even going so far as to mock your wife. That, alone, should be sufficient reason to withhold your endorsement. I humbly submit that failure to do so makes you no better than, and, in fact, every bit as bad as he is.

Sincerely,

Carol Lucas

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.”

Anti-vax legislation puts South Carolinians in danger

OMany

We shook our fist at the federal government. Defiance is a traditional value in the state that was the first to secede from the Union.

Our state motto is “While I Breathe I Hope,” but perhaps it should be “You’re Not the Boss of Me.”

We placed an individual’s supposed right-to-infect above public health.

Gov. Henry McMaster was one of the last governors to issue “home or work” orders and limit capacity at retail business.

A month later, in May 2020 McMaster became one of the first governors to reopen his state, and COVID cases soared.

As early as May 2021, McMaster battled mask mandates and banned state and local governments from requiring proof of vaccination to access public services and facilities.

McMaster fiercely fought vaccine mandates as well.

Though vaccination was, and is, our best defense against COVID, we ended up with only 60% of South Carolinians fully vaccinated. We waved the white flag at COVID and it overran us.

Learning from tragedy

In fairness, a majority of South Carolinians, especially older adults, did get fully vaccinated and responsibly observed other health-care protocols.

Still, thousands of South Carolinians suffered, and many died from COVID. It seems like South Carolina’s leaders would learn something from this tragic experience.

We should be promoting vaccination and other sensible practices, rather than discouraging them.

Instead, a state Senate subcommittee recently approved an anti-vax policy that could limit

the public’s access to illness-preventing and life-saving vaccines in a pandemic.

This is jaw-droppingly irresponsible.

The legislation, sponsored by Spartanburg County Sen. Shane Martin, would ban South Carolina businesses from requiring COVID vaccines that have been authorized on an emergency-use basis, according to reporting by the Gazette’s Abraham Kenmore.

Employers who violated the ban could be fined and sent to prison.

The state also would not be allowed to buy, store, distribute and/or administer emergency-approved vaccines in a public health crisis, according to the legislation advanced by the Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee.

In short, the proposal would tie the hands of business and government in trying to prevent illness and save lives in a pandemic.

The misguided legislation specifically takes aim at the sort of safe and effective COVID vaccines approved in 2020 by the federal government on an emergency basis.

Those vaccines and others saved as many as 20 million lives worldwide in just the first year.

Under Martin’s proposal, state public health officials could provide only vaccines and treat-

ments fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The legislation seems to be motivated by unreasonable fears about vaccines approved under emergency-use authorization.

Safe and effective

But the reason the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provided emergency authorization for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in December 2020 was because the nation was in the throes of a deadly pandemic.

In approving the emergency vaccines, the FDA acted responsibly. The first Pfizer vaccine was authorized in December 2020 after a “thorough evaluation by the agency’s career scientists to ensure this vaccine met FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality.”

When former President Donald Trump announced Operation Warp Speed on May 15, 2020, he promised vaccines would be developed in record time, and they would be safe and effective.

The Trump administration marshaled unprecedented federal resources, succeeding in the goal of developing and promoting life-saving and illness-preventing COVID vaccines.

Operation Warp Speed should be considered one of

the former president’s finest accomplishments.

Martin spoke of his legislation not as a measure to prevent illness and death but as an attempt to defy supposed “draconian and often compulsory measures” enacted by the federal government.

But Americans overwhelmingly support vaccines and, during the pandemic, a majority supported COVID vaccine mandates.

I think about the military and first-responder heroes in my own family who put their lives on the line every day for their community and nation. By contrast, a little shot to help protect public health doesn’t seem like much sacrifice at all.

Cooler heads need to prevail on vaccine policy to prevent illness and save lives. State leaders should promote vaccination rather than limiting vaccines and stoking irrational fear.

Paul Hyde is a longtime journalist and teacher in the Upstate. He worked 18 years for the Greenville News as a columnist, editorial writer, education reporter and arts writer. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Clemson and Harvard universities. He has written for the Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News and USA Today, among other publications. He currently is a regular contributor to the Greenville Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Classical Voice North America.

SHANNON

CAROL LUCAS

PAUL HYDE

You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com/, visit @portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.

Slip and Splash Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.

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

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

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 turnof-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 843524-4333.

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

to 5:30 p.m., every

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 drop-ins are welcome. Books that make you smile. Make friends and share what you are reading. Call 843255-6541 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 offroad/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.

Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow

a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@ gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252- 917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www. emotionsanonymous.org.

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.

MUSIC

Beaufort Drum Circle

6:30 p.m., Friday, March 8, Gazebo at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Bay Street, downtown Beaufort. Put it on your calendar and join us. The Drum Circle is growing as we welcome new members and folks who may want to come and just listen, dance or join in. Bring a friend or neighbor to see what we are all about. If you see the Facebook posting about our last meeting, you'll meet Kurry Seymour, who has just moved into the area and will be working with Eric in facilitating our group. We believe he will add a new dimension to our Drum Circle. Kurry is a formally trained percussionist and pianist and is

Embroidery Guild of America Meeting Second Tuesday of every month, Palmetto Electric Community Room, Hardeeville. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in any type of embroidery including needlepoint, cross-stitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at lowcountrychapter@egacarolinas.org.

SPORTS/GAMES

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 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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tion helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Trucks, Motorcycles & RV’s,

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Tuesday, March 12 2024 is the last day to redeem winning tickets in the following South Carolina Education Lottery Instant Games: (1463) 100X

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DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians

Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance – NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-397-7030 www.

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AUCTIONS 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

EMPLOYMENT Marketing & Sales Manager: Full-Time

Position, Gullah Farmers Coop St. Helena Island, SC - Manage customer orders and relationship to ensure successful fulfillment of customer orders. Cultivate new and on-going customer relationships to buy more agricultural products. These duties include Marketing/Sales, Invoice/ Payment Systems. Two years’ experience in fiscal management, bookkeeping, accounting, sales and or a related field. The compensation is $40,000 - $45,000 depending on relevant experience and education. Please email resume to: Gullahcoop@gmail.com

EVENTS MOUNT PLEASANT HOME SHOWCASE.

March 9-10 2024. Saturday 10 AM – 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM. Home service booths available. Omar Shrine, 176 Patriots Point Road. Jennifer@MountPleasantMagazine.com. (843) 364-9852

HELP WANTED – DRIVERS

ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 80

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

HOMES FOR SALE

OCEANVIEW CARAVELLE TOWER

SUITE in Myrtle Beach. Furnished, full kitchen, fresh designer paint, HVAC 3 YR., new large balcony, onsite parking, pool and hot tub, HOA $531/month covers all. $124 500 843-450-1309 Bob Hoffman Corp.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-7750366 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

RENTAL WANTED

Searching for quaint, clean rental. Retired female ( 75 yo) with Excellent References. 1 9 yo cat. Outside, occasional smoker. Love working in garden and enjoying birds. $1,000 00 plus utilities. 1 Hour radius of Beaufort. 615 - 403 - 9696

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 1-855-237-9741

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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

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

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WEEK’S CROSSWORD & SUDOKU SOLUTIONS