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MAY 26–JUNE 1, 2022 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
PRESORTED PERMIT NO. 97 BEAUFORT, SC 29902
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Keyserlings recovering after boating accident
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
LOLITA HUCKABY
Good news; Beaufort isn’t fastest growing city in the nation
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BEAUFORT id you catch the story last week from U.S. News and World Report that Myrtle Beach is THE fastest growing city in the nation for 2022-23? The Report based its announcement on the number of people moving into an area compared to the number moving out. The article did not say whether the residents of Myrtle Beach were pleased with the designation or distraught. Beaufort, Port Royal, Bluffton, nor any of the county’s five municipalities – not even Yemassee with its aggressive annexation policy – were on this Top 25 list. Spartanburg, home to BMW and other industrial complexes, was No. 11 and Charleston, our good old neighbor to the north that folks are fleeing to Beaufort, made No. 22. Think about that … fastest growing city in the nation. Beaufort is growing thanks to annexation BEAUFORT – The Beaufort-Port Royal Municipal Planning Commission last week quietly OK’d the annexation of a tiny, less-than-anacre of Lady’s Island into the city of Beaufort, but no one said a thing. Pending approval by the City Council, the city municipal limits will expand to include what is now the Zippy Lube and an abandoned car wash on Sea Island Parkway. No plans have been announced for what new development, if any, will be coming there. There WAS plenty said during another annexation item on the MPC agenda, when a small, .32 acre parcel on Polk Street, right behind Chick-fil-A, came up for discussion. Polk Village residents turned out in force to express their objections to what they perceived as the old “camel sticking its nose under the tent” move. In other words, they view the annexation as an unwelcome expansion of the city limits into their neighborhood. They’re worried about the future for their property which they fear may change even more when the City Council moves forward with plans for a Boundary Street parallel which may go through their neighborhood, annexations or no annexations.
SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A8
A sailboat with brothers Billy and Paul Keyserling capsized in the Beaufort River in Beaufort, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Billy Keyserling was unresponsive when he was pulled from the water by passing boaters and taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital where he is currently recovering. Paul was rescued without incident. Photo courtesy of Lexie Murray-Benton.
Boaters save former mayor from near drowning on Beaufort River By Tony Kukulich, Bob Sofaly and Mike McCombs
An afternoon of sailing took a near-tragic turn for former City of Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling when his boat overturned, throwing both Billy and his brother Paul Keyserling into the Beaufort River, Saturday afternoon, May 21. Billy Other boaters on the Keyserling river that afternoon noticed the floundering sailboat near the Beaufort Sandbar and moved in to provide assistance. Witnesses said that initially both Billy and Paul were alert
and appeared to be uninjured. Within minutes Billy was unresponsive, and saving his life became a critical race against time for the passing boaters who attempted his rescue. “That’s the craziest thing,” said Lexie Murray-Benton, who was on one of the first boats to arrive on scene. “It happened so fast. We had plenty of time to get them to the boat. For some reason, Billy went under.” Walterboro resident Mikey Covington was on the same boat as Murray-Benton. He said that Billy and Paul were hoping to right the capsized boat, and they declined the rescuers' at-
Memorial Day parade, celebration set for Monday
From staff reports The 2022 Memorial Day Celebration, including the annual parade followed by a ceremony, will be held Monday, May 30, in the City of Beaufort. The annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at the corner of Rogers and Boundary streets, then move up to Bay Street. Lineup will begin at 9 a.m., and the parade will begin marching at 10 a.m. According to the City of Beaufort, the parade will feature bands from Parris Island and the Marine Corps Air Base, and units from the Naval Hospital. Following the parade, the Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at noon at the Beaufort National Cemetery at 1601 Bound-
ary Street. The keynote speaker will be Cmdr. LaDonna M. Simpson, who is the commanding officer of the USS Cmdr. Carter Hall. LaDonna M. Cmdr. SimpSimpson son’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards). The public is invited to attend and participate in the parade and the Memorial Day Ceremony.
He pretty much died in my arms. He was dead, I feel like.” – Mikey Covington tempts to pull them from the water. “Billy went under to try to cut the sail, and he stayed under,” Covington said. “The water was as choppy as I’ve ever
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Original Gullah Festival back this weekend
From staff reports After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Original Gullah Festival returns to Beaufort this Friday, May 27 through Sunday, May 29, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. According to the festival’s website, storytelling, dancing, the sounds of jazz, blues, reggae and African drums are some of the things you'll see and hear. And the Vendor Market will be filled with arts and crafts, while the Food Court will be filled with local cuisine and traditional Gullah favorites. The Gullah Festival has been celebrating the Gullah Geechee heritage of the Sea Islands of the Lowcountry and honoring the
HEALTH
VOICES
INSIDE
Update on our local baby formula shortage.
Billy Holland on Memorial Day: May we never forget freedom is not free.
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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–8 Legal Notices A4 Arts A9 Health A10–11 Sports B1
Education Local Events Voices Military Directory Classifieds
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preservation of the Gullah culture and the descendants who lived in the region for 36 years. The festival was established in 1986 to honor and recreate the atmosphere of a celebration called Decoration Day, now named, Memorial Day. As a result, every year during the festival weekend, there is a Decoration Day Play to commemorate the historic event. The Festival provides a unique family friendly cultural experience for more than 35,000 local, national and international attendees during the three-day event. Schedules and ticket information for events and entertainment, along with a complete list of sponsors and vendors, can be found at www.originalgullahfestival.org/.