Committee defers
Pine Island vote
Zoning Map Amendment won’t be heard until September 22 County Council meeting
By Delayna Earley The Island News
The Beaufort County National Resources Committee has deferred a vote on an ordinance to amend the Pine Island Zoning Map Amendment until the Beaufort County Council meets later in September.
The decision was made by the County Council Chairwoman Alice Howard and York Glover, the Chair of the Natural Resources Committee, after the applicant, Elvio Tropeano, requested that the Zoning Map Amendment not be looked at before County Council has a chance to look
at and discuss the related development agreement that he has put forward as well in hopes of having Pine Island removed from the Cultural Protection Overlay (CPO) to pave the way to build a golf course.
BCSO makes another arrest in New Year’s Day 2024 killing of Battery Creek freshman
Staff reports
Jerrieme Washington
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has charged a fourth individual in connection with the New Year’s Day 2024 murder of 14-year-old Jerrieme Jermaine “L.J.” Washington, then a freshman at Battery Creek High School. On Saturday, Aug. 27 2025, investigators served Niger Benjamin Davilia, 24, of Beaufort, with an arrest warrant for accessory before the fact to a felony. Davilia was already in custody at the Beaufort County Detention Center on charges related to a December 2024 incident at the time the warrant was served.
The new charge stems from the January 1 2024, shooting that resulted in the tragic death of 14-year-old L.J. Washington. Shortly before 11 p.m. that night, deputies responded to the report of gunfire on Castle Rock Road in Burton where Washington was discovered inside the home dead from a gunshot wound.
Investigators determined that Washington had been playing
SEE MURDER PAGE A7
Probation officer accused of licking parolees
By Mike McCombs
Island News
The
Beaufort’s David Johnathon Shytle Jr., 47, a Probation Officer with the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon and a former City of Beaufort police officer, was arrested last week by the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and charged with two counts of Assault & Battery — 2nd Degree and five counts of Misconduct in Office — charges that include the defendant allegedly
touching and licking the private parts of the victim.
The warrants were obtained Monday, Aug. 25, and served Thursday, Aug. 28
One warrant for assault & battery — 2nd degree says Shytle, as a probation officer for the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardons, allegedly on March 14, 2025 “did willfully, unlawfully and maliciously grab the victim’s …, place his mouth on the …, and lick the …, causing noncon-
sensual touching of the victim’s private parts.”
The second warrant for assault & battery — 2nd degree said that Shytle, on, about and between Nov. 13 2024 and March 7 2025 as a probation officer for the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardons, allegedly “did willfully, unlawfully and maliciously grab the victim’s … and …, causing nonconsensual touching of the victim’s private parts.”
Two of the misconduct in office
warrants involved the same incidents. The first said that on, about and between March 14, 2025 and April 4, 2025, as a probation officer for the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardons, the defendant allegedly “did willfully, unlawfully and maliciously engage in an inappropriate relationship with [the victim], a parolee under his supervision, while acting in his official capacity as a probation officer. The defendant sent [the victim] inappropriate text messages
and images via cell phone. The defendant did willfully, unlawfully and maliciously grab the victim’s …, place his mouth on the …, and lick the …, causing nonconsensual touching of the victim’s private parts. The defendant did commit these acts … in breach of his duty of good faith and accountability of the public.
The second was similar to the second assault & battery warrant.
SEE OFFICER PAGE A5
Port Royal’s Wendy Zara addresses the Beaufort County National Resources Committee, protesting the development of Pine Island on St. Helena Island during the committee’s meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS
The hardy Amaryllis, which resembles a lily, is instead a popular,
plant that blooms into a trumpet-shaped flower, as large as 8 inches across. This one was photographed by Ron Callari of Habersham. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island
VETERAN OF THE WEEK JAMES B. GREENE
James B. Greene
OBITUARY
Michael Pate
July 24, 1955 –August 16, 2025
Fripp Island, S.C.
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Michael “Mike” R. Pate, 70, of Fripp Island, SC, on August 16 2025. He was born on July 24 1955, in El Dorado, Ark., to his late parents, Richard and Shirley. Mike lived a life marked by quiet strength and warm laughter. His greatest joy and many of his deepest relationships revolved around golf.
He was a devoted husband to, the love of his life, Jayne and together they built a life filled with joy, partnership, and
American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you James B. Greene, 61 who joined the U.S. Army here in Beaufort in 1983 After Basic Training at Fort Dix, N.J., he qualified as a paratrooper assigned to the 82nd Airborne. He deployed in 1983 during
the Granada Crisis and returned to Fort Bragg, N.C.
He separated in 1987 and began a career as a cook, first on Daufuskie and Hilton Head Islands, and then at Parris Island. He then cooked for Beaufort’s Golden Corral before returning to cook for Marines at MCAS
Beaufort.
He retired in 2018 and is now a member of the DAV.
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
adventures. Mike leaves behind a legacy of patience, generosity and kindness — qualities that touched everyone who knew him, leaving a void that can
never be filled.
In addition to his wife Jayne Pate, Mike is survived by his daughter Ashley Mullen (Will), stepson Shane Smith, and two beloved grandsons, Finley and Breyer Mullen. He is also survived by his brother Scott Pate; his aunt Pat Kendrick (John); his favorite niece and nephew, Jessica and Jeremy (Courtney); along with many other cherished family members.
Whether on the fairway or at home with family, Mike brought a calm presence and a sharp wit to every moment. He found joy in the simple pleasures — sunny mornings, well-struck drives, and time spent with those he loved most.
OBITUARIES
The Island News publishes obituaries, including a photo, free of charge. Please contact jeff.theislandnews@gmail.com for more information.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to, St. Helena’s Anglican Church, P.O. Box 1043, Beaufort, S.C. 29901 “In Memory of Mike Pate” in the memo line.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Fripp Island community and our surrounding island neighbors for their ongoing support, and a special thank you to all the first responders for their tireless dedication.
September 7
2021: A U.S. Marine recruit, Pvt. Anthony Munoz of Lawrence, Mass., is found dead on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island after an apparent fall from a balcony. September 8
2019: Former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Representative (R-SC-1) Mark Sanford announces he is running for President. September 9
1974: St. Helena Island’s Penn Center is named to the National Register of Historic Places. September 10
2021: S.C. State Senator Mia McLeod (D), a gubernatorial candidate, makes a campaign stop at the Gullah Geechee Visitors Center at LyBensons Gallery & Studio on St. Helena Island. – Compiled by Mike McCombs
PETS OF THE WEEK HAS A NEW HOME!
Our Pets of the Week have moved to Page A18 so we can showcase even more pets in need of loving homes. Be sure to check it out and meet all the new faces waiting to be adopted through Palmetto Animal League and Beaufort County Animal Services.
Do you value your free hometown newspaper – made by locals, for locals? Free news isn’t cheap. Please help support The Island News!
Donations gratefully accepted at www.yourislandnews.com or The Island News, PO Box 550, Beaufort, SC 29901
Student arrested for gun at Battery Creek High School
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
A 16-year-old student at Battery Creek High School in Beaufort was arrested and charged after police found him with a pistol on campus just before the end of the school day on Wednesday, Aug. 27
The male student was detained by the school resource officer around 3 p.m., before he was re-
moved from campus and taken to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia.
Officials have said that there were no threats made toward students or staff, and it is not clear how authorities became aware of the student’s possession of the firearm.
Battery Creek was placed on a “secure status,” as police respond-
ed and students were brought into the classrooms and locked the doors before they were allowed to continue with the rest of their day.
The incident did not delay student’s dismissal at the end of the day.
“Possessing a weapon on school grounds is a series offense that results in disciplinary and legal action,” the text said. “As a reminder, weapons of any kind are not allowed on campus. Any student found in possession of a weapon will face severe consequences including criminal charges.”
Weapons are not allowed on Beaufort County School District campuses at all, a point that was included in communications through text message with parents of Battery Creek High School.
Extra law enforcement was present on and around the campus through the end of the week “out of an abundance of caution.”
Beaufort Brawl 6: Summer Showdown
Beaufort Memorial has added Jenna Gossett, MSN, FNP-C, an experienced, board-certified family nurse practitioner, to its primary care team at Lady’s Island Internal Medicine.
Gossett brings a wide range of expertise in primary, urgent, emergency and intensive care to the practice. Since beginning her nursing career in 2012, she worked for healthcare systems in South Carolina, California and around the country as a travel nurse.
For the past four years, Gossett has been working in the Lowcountry as a nurse practitioner in both emergency and urgent care settings. She said she was drawn to the Lady’s Island primary care practice by the opportunity to build long-term, meaningful relationships with her patients.
Committed to holistic care, she plans to support patients in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension through lifestyle modifications and personalized treatment plans.
joins board-certified
at the practice.
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner (Cum Laude)
Chamberlain University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Cum Laude)
Chamberlain University
Gossett
physician assistant Eric Gearhart, and board-certified physicians Drs. Yvette Pellegrino, Robert Vyge and William Clare Jr.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Rising fighters Houston Rudsill and Miko Hawk battle in a 150-pound youth Muay Thai contest during Beaufort Brawl 6: Summer Showdown on Saturday, Aug. 30, at The Foundry in Beaufort. The event showcased emerging athletes from across the Southeast in an action-packed night of martial arts competition. Asa Aarons Smith/The Island News
Trading heavy strikes under the bright lights, Alex Tapp faces off against Phoenix Cox in their middleweight kickboxing contest at Beaufort Brawl 6 on Saturday, Aug. 30. The Foundry's intimate Beaufort venue again gave hundreds of fight fans a close-up view of every punch, kick, and counter. Asa Aarons Smith/The Island News
Man arrested for dog fighting in Seabrook
Staff reports
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has charged Justinn Benjamin Moultrie, 30, of Varnville, with nine counts of animal fighting and nine counts of ill treatment of animals on Tuesday, Aug. 26 in Seabrook, S.C.
During an operation on Aug. 11 10 dogs (9 adults and 1 puppy) were seized from a residence in Beaufort County and placed with Humane World for Animals organization for veterinary care. Moultrie was not located during the operation.
SLED agents located Moultrie and arrested him on Aug. 26. He was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center and the case will be prosecuted by the 14th Circuit Solictor’s Office.
Anyone with information on dogfighting in South Carolina can submit tips to the SLED Dogfighting Unit at tips@sled.sc.gov.
Filing open for Port Royal Town Council
election
Staff reports
The Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections will be holding a General Election on Nov. 4, 2025, to fill two Town Council seats in the Town of Port Royal.
Candidate filing opened on Aug. 8, and closes at noon on Friday, Sept. 5 2025. Filing must be done in person at Port Royal Town Hall at 700 Paris Avenue.
The filing fee for Town Council is $100 and is due at the time of filing. Candidates must be eligible voters residing within the town limits and must complete the Statement of Intention of Candidacy – Non-Partisan form. State ethics filings, including a Statement of Economic Interests and Campaign Disclosure, are also required. These can be completed through the State Ethics Commission at www.ethics.
sc.gov. Voter registration deadlines are as follows:
In Person: Friday, Oct. 3 2025 Online/Email/Fax: Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025
By Mail: Must be postmarked by Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 For more information and filing forms, visit www.beaufortcountysc.gov/vote.
Beaufort Deputy City Manager Sauve resigns
Staff reports
Deputy City Manager J.J. Sauve has announced his resignation from the City of Beaufort, effective October 31 2025, according to a news release from the City.
According to the release, Sauve, who has served in the role since early 2024, is stepping down in support of his family and his wife’s business and to return to private law practice in North Carolina.
Among Sauve’s contributions during his 20 months with the City were the launch of a housing repair assistance program, the adoption of the Housing Impact Analysis into
the Comprehensive Plan, the implementation of project management and Capital Improvement Program standard operating procedures, and the rollout of a public portal for capital projects. He also guided critical infrastructure projects, including the King Street and Charles/Craven stormwater initiatives, the Allison Road Streetscape, and progress towards completing design and engineering for the Duke Street Streetscape, according
to the release.
“It has been a privilege to serve the City of Beaufort and work alongside such a talented and dedicated staff,” Sauve said in the release. “I am proud of the progress we have made together, and I am confident the City is well positioned for continued growth and success. North Carolina has always been home, and with my wife’s growing business, our children’s school and community, and the opportunity to return to practicing law, I need to do what is best for my family. The timing of a decision like this is never perfect, but I leave knowing Beaufort is in
capable hands and will continue moving forward.”
City Manager Scott Marshall expressed appreciation for Sauve’s service: “J.J. has been an exceptional partner throughout his tenure with the City. Under his leadership, we advanced long-overdue priorities that now deliver meaningful benefits to our citizens, businesses, and visitors. While his departure leaves a significant void on our team, we are grateful for his dedicated service and wish him and his family every success in the future. The City of Beaufort is stronger and better because of his contributions.”
Tickets for HBF’s 51st Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens on sale
Oct. 17-19 event features book talk, Bluff tour, Lowcountry brunch at iconic 225-year-old Bay Street house
Staff reports Tickets are on sale for Historic Beaufort Foundation’s Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens that now includes a Friday evening talk by acclaimed Beaufort architect and author Jane Frederick, a Saturday tour of Bluff homes, a Saturday early evening sneak-peak of HBF’s recently-acquired house at 1001 Greene Street, and then the traditional Sunday Lowcountry Brunch, this year at the historic Robert Means-Gage House overlooking the Beaufort River, according to a media release.
“This is our fifty-first year doing the Fall Tour, and we think we’ve found a way to make the experience even more special this year with the Friday evening talk with Jane Frederick about creating sustainable Southern homes,” HBF Executive Director Lise Sundrla said in the release.
Historic Beaufort Foundation’s annual Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens has attracted thousands of visitors to Beaufort from across the country to stay, tour, dine, shop and immerse themselves in the history and unique offerings of Beaufort and the Lowcountry.
Tickets are available online at https://historicbeaufort.org/. Bundle the Saturday Tour of the Bluff and Sunday Lowcountry Brunch & Tour and save 10 percent on your ticket purchase. All tours and events
NEWS BRIEFS
Candidate filing open for Yemassee Municipal Election
The Town of Yemassee Municipal General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Voters will elect two Town Council Members and the Mayor, each serving a four-year term. These seats are currently held by Council Member David Paul Murray, Council Member Stacy Pinckney, and Mayor Colin J. Moore. All Mayor and Town Council seats in Yemassee are at-large and non-partisan. Individuals seeking to run must file a Statement of Intention of Candidacy –Nonpartisan.
The filing period opened Fri-
Robert Means-Gage House (ca. 1805), featured on the Sunday Lowcountry Brunch & Tour. Photo courtesy of Historic Beaufort Foundation
are rain or shine.
Details of the weekend events include:
Contemporary Southern Vernacular — An Evening with Lowcountry Architect & Author Jane Frederick 5:30 to 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17
Lowcountry architect and author Jane Frederick will present Contemporary Southern Vernacular: Creating Sustainable Houses for Hot, Humid Climates. Cowritten with Michael Frederick, this comprehensive guide provides clear advice and guidelines needed for creating sustainable Southern homes. This special event will be held at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Drew Scallan, the Flora and John Trask Sr. House, ca. 1913, overlooking the Bluff in Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District. Hors d’ oeuvres and wine/ beer will be served following the presentation. Space is limited.
Tickets: $75 for members, $100 for non-members.
A Tour of the Bluff 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18
Beaufort's Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens offers a unique glimpse into homes and gardens within and around the National Historic Landmark District. This year’s tour will feature Beaufort’s Bluff and Glebe Neighborhoods showcasing
a variety of periods and architectural styles ranging from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century. Tickets: $75 for members, $85 for non-members.
Sneak-Peek Hardhat Tour & Reception 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday Oct. 18
In June, Historic Beaufort Foundation bought a significant property on Greene Street within Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District. The purchase was made possible through the Foundation’s Revolving Fund which was created to acquire, improve and preserve Beaufort’s rich architectural history.
As a special sneak-peek, we are offering a pre-renovation hardhat tour and light reception following the house and garden tours on Saturday. Space is limited for this activity.
Tickets: $35 for members, $45 for non-members
Lowcountry Brunch & Tour 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 19
Note: two shifts will be offered: 9 to 11 a.m., and 11:30 a.m., to 1:30 p.m. This year’s Sunday Lowcountry Brunch & Tour highlights the spectacular Robert Means-Gage House (ca. 1805-1820) along the Bluff in Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District.
For more than 30 years, owner Catherine Scarbor-
ough and her husband Wallace have uncovered thousands of artifacts, porcelains and pottery shards through discovery of two pre-Civil War privies and most recently, an 18th century well on their property. These items are being studied with the goal of cataloging, preserving and showcasing the items. They have graciously offered to display and discuss the items and their journey of discovery. Acclaimed architectural consultant Colin Brooker will also join us for the second shift of the day. In 2019 the house and property were listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places. Space is limited for the brunch and tour.
Tickets: $200 for members, $225 for non-members. Will be offered by shift, 9 to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., please select carefully. Or, bundle the Saturday Tour of the Bluff and Sunday Lowcountry Brunch & Tour and save 10 percent on your ticket purchase.
Please note that all events will be held rain or shine and tickets aren’t refundable. All purchasers will be required to sign and agree to a waiver prior to buying tickets. Proceeds from the Fall Tours benefit HBF’s continuing mission to preserve and protect Beaufort’s historic, architectural and cultural heritage.
day, Aug. 22, and runs through noon, Friday, Sept. 5 at the Yemassee Municipal Complex, during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. (Note: The Town will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for Labor Day. No filings will be accepted on that day.) Eligible candidates must be a registered South Carolina voter residing in the Town of Yemassee.
Candidates may obtain and complete the Statement of Intention of Candidacy – Non-Partisan form from the South Carolina Election Commission website or at the Yemassee Municipal Complex. Submit the completed form in person along with the appropriate filing fee — $300 for Mayor or
$150 for Council Member. All fees must be paid at the time of submission and are non-refundable.
Candidates must also complete the required South Carolina Ethics Commission campaign forms online at https://ethics.sc.gov/ campaigns.
Andrews to speak at joint Indivisible meeting
Dr. Annie Andrews, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina, will be the featured speaker at a joint meeting on Indivisible Beaufort and Lowcountry Indivisible at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Unitari-
an Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry at 110 Malphrus Road in Bluffton. The event is free and open to the public.
Fralix to speak at September LIBPA Meeting
Jared Fralix will be the featured speaker when the Lady’s Island Business & Professional Association meets at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Sep. 9 2025, at the Beaufort Realtors’ Association Headquarters at 22 Kemmerlin Lane on Lady’s Island. Please stop by for coffee and conversation concerning our community.
Lady’s Island Middle School hosting 9/11 5K Run/Walk
Lady’s Island Middle School (LIMS) is hosting its inaugural 9/11 5K Run/Walk from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday Sept. 13, 2025, at the LIMS football field and track.
The event will honor first responders and veterans, both those who served on 9/11 and today. Representatives from the Lady’s Island/St. Helena Fire Department will be on hand.
The event is rain or shine, no registration fee required.
– Staff reports
J.J. Sauve
Eight arrested, charged with gun violence, drug activity
Staff reports
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Violent Crimes Task Force took eight individuals into custody and seized numerous firearms and narcotics on Friday, Aug. 29, following an investigation into multiple shooting incidents connected to illegal drug activity and gun violence.
The investigation focused on shooting incidents that occurred in Burton, on St. Helena Island, and in Port Royal. Investigators developed information linking those arrested to a home in the 1000 block of Ribaut Road in Port Royal, as well as the shootings and illegal drug activity.
As a result, investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence. During the execution of that warrant, the following individuals were arrested (with their charges):
Donnell Polite, 46, of Dale Trafficking fentanyl; Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; Possession of methamphetamine; and Possession of a weapon
during the commission of a violent crime.
Crystal R. Evans, 42, of Lady’s Island Trafficking fentanyl; Sale and distribution of crack cocaine; Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; Possession of methamphetamine; and Possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Brandon R. Parker, 39, of Beaufort Trafficking fentanyl; Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Possession of methamphetamine; Possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime; and Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Jermel V. James, 40, of Burton Trafficking fentanyl; Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine;
Possession of methamphetamine; Possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime; and Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Elijah K. Clark, 36, of Burton Possession of methamphetamine.
Chavis A. Mathis, 43, of Beaufort Possession of methamphetamine.
Robyn S. Goodwine, 30, of St. Helena Island Possession of methamphetamine.
Julianna M. Warren, 52, of Beaufort Possession of methamphetamine.
During the search, investigators seized multiple firearms and a significant amount of illegal narcotics.
The Port Royal Police Department assisted in the investigation and execution of the search warrant. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Labor Day protest
More than 300 people participated in the Workers Over Billionaires protest against President Donald Trump and his administration on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Beaufort. Photo courtesy of Barb Nash
from page A1
On, about and between Nov. 13, 2024 and March 7, 2025, as a probation officer for the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardons, the defendant allegedly “did willfully, unlawfully and maliciously engage in an inappropriate relationship with [the victim], a parolee under his supervision, while acting in his official capacity as a probation officer. The defendant sent [the victim] inappropriate text messages and images via cell phone. The defendant did willfully, unlawfully and maliciously grab the victim’s …, place his mouth on the …, and lick the …, causing nonconsensual touching of the victim’s private parts. The defendant did commit these acts … in breach of his duty of good faith and accountability of the public.”
acting in his official capacity as a probation officer. The defendant sent [the victim] inappropriate text messages and images via cell phone. The defendant did commit these acts … in breach of his duty of good faith and accountability of the public.”
The last three misconduct in office warrants were all worded the same, but for three different dates -- August 23 2024; January 1 2025; and February 14, 2025 Allegedly, “the defendant did willfully, unlawfully and maliciously engage in an inappropriate relationship with [the victim], a parolee under his supervision, while
Shytle was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center on Thursday morning and released at 11 a.m., on a $45 000 personal recognizance bond.
The case will be prosecuted by the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
Beaufort Memorial Foundation’s Valentine Ball enters new chapter
Special to The Island News
For more than 36 years, Beaufort Memorial Foundation’s Valentine Ball has been one of the Lowcountry’s most cherished celebrations and a powerful force for good as the organization’s largest annual fundraising event.
The 2026 Ball promises to carry that legacy forward, offering guests a memorable evening and a meaningful way to support local healthcare.
Co-chairing the 2026 Valentine Ball, scheduled for Feb. 7, at Tabby Place in downtown Beaufort are Dr. Louis Plzak and Ms. Ashley Wilson, and Mr. and Mrs. Chris and Jessica Egan.
Both couples share a deep passion for the mission and vision of Beaufort Memorial. Dr. Plzak serves as a urologist with Beaufort Memorial Urology Specialists, while Jessica Egan is the Practice Operations Administrator for Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics,Beaufort Memorial Primary Care, Beaufort Memorial Lady's Island Internal Medicine, Beaufort Memorial MAT Clinic, and AccessHealth of the Lowcountry. They are excited to play an integral role in this year’s Valentine
Vote from page A1
“By considering both items (the development agreement and the zoning map amendment) at the same time, the Council will have the clearest picture of the project with as much information as possible to make a well-informed decision,” Hannah Nichols, a spokesperson for Beaufort County said.
Unsure if this was the best decision, Glover said that if they had voted on the amendment to the zoning map during the committee
Ball fundraising efforts.
This year, the Foundation is ushering in an exciting new chapter for the Ball. While staying true to the heart of what has made the event so meaningful for decades, the 2026 Ball will have a fresh format that blends cherished tradition with new energy and unforgettable experiences.
Due to the growing popularity of the Ball, the 2026 festivities will begin with cocktail hour at Tabby Place rather than separate dinner parties hosted around the area.
“For nearly four decades, elegant dinner parties have been hosted across Beaufort, thanks to the gracious hosts who opened their homes and hearts,” said Kim Yawn, Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation Chief Development Officer. “In 2026, the tradition takes a new turn as the evening begins with a vibrant cocktail hour at Tabby Place, bringing everyone together under one roof to celebrate community, connection and the enduring spirit of the Ball.”
tion, launching two weeks before the Ball and closing on Feb. 8. It’s a perfect way for the entire community to take part in supporting Beaufort Memorial Foundation — whether attending the Ball or not — and perhaps take home something special.
Last year, the Ball raised $243 000 to support the Foundation’s Vision Campaign, and the 2026 event will build on that momentum. The Vision Campaign is a five-year, $10 million comprehensive campaign capturing the mission of Beaufort Memorial by focusing on three pillars: expanding access to quality healthcare, establishing innovative healthcare delivery systems and developing a strong workforce.
Festivities will begin at 7 p.m., welcoming guests to mix, mingle and raise a glass to the Foundation and the community’s remarkable impact. Guests will enjoy an array of food stations, desserts and signature drinks inspired by this year’s theme: the Amalfi Coast. At 8, the dance floor comes to life as the high-energy party band, MVP, takes the stage for an unforgettable night of music and celebration.
meeting and it failed, that would have ended talks regarding the development agreement as well.
The Cultural Protection Overlay is an agreement that has been in place since 1999 that essentially protects St. Helena Island from being overdeveloped with gated communities and golf courses and protects the Gullah/ Geechee culture.
Glover said that this practice of deferring a note is not normal, but Councilman David Bartholomew said that he expects this is going to become the typical way to do things going forward.
Regardless of the decision
to defer the Zoning Map Amendment until the next County Council meeting, Council still decided to have public comment during the Natural Resources Committee meeting to allow all those opposed to removing the Pine Island from the CPO the opportunity to speak.
Hosting 15 minutes of public comment at the beginning of the meeting and more than 45 minutes toward the end, the chambers were standing room only, filled with people on both sides of the issue.
“I think they should have moved the meeting venue to a location that could more
Adding even more sparkle, the “Bubbles and Bling” raffle will return. One lucky champagne coupe will hold a special piece of jewelry, while others brim with celebratory bubbles to toast the night. Also returning in 2026 is the event’s ever-popular silent auc-
The Wine Pull will invite guests to purchase a ticket for the chance to select a mystery bottle from a curated collection. Whether it's a classic favorite or a hidden gem, guests are guaranteed a great bottle and a good time.
appropriately accommodate the known public interest in this issue,” said Jessie White, director of the South Coast Office of the Coastal Conservation League.
This is the second time that a discussion and vote in the Natural Resources Committee has been deferred at the request of the applicant.
A vote was deferred on June 2, 2025, following the 7-to-1 vote by the Beaufort County Planning Commission to deny recommending a zoning map change.
Many of the people who stood up to speak before the committee on Monday did so to express to council how
Though this year’s format may look a little different than in years past, the purpose of the Valentine Ball remains constant: a celebration of generosity, community, and a shared belief in the vital role of local healthcare.
This impactful tradition would not be possible without the generous support of Valentine Ball sponsors, whose commitment continues to make this annual soiree such a success.
frustrated they are that after three years of fighting, there is still a chance that a Pine Island golf course development will be allowed progress to instead of upholding the CPO.
“How long does it take for you to see someone that is crooked unless you are looking at it with crooked eyes,” said Natasha Robinson of St. Helena Island.
There were those who stood up in defense of the downsizing plan put out by Pine Island, arguing that a golf course is better than more than 100 new homes.
State Senator Chip Campson was also in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting and read a letter he wrote to board Chairman Glover regarding his feelings about Pine Island.
“St. Helena Island is unquestionably South Carolina’s most culturally rich and consequently it’s most culturally vulnerable Sea
Island,” Senator Campson said. “It is at the heart of the South Carolina’s Gullah Geechee culture that is suffering gentrification everywhere else along the coast.” Campson said that the proposed zoning amendment application and development agreement “is a threat to this rich and irreplaceable cultural heritage. Both the development agreement and the ordinance will be heard by the full County Council on Sept. 22 for their first hearing and discussion. If the two items move forward from the first hearing, they will appear before council for a second hearing at the end of October.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
LEGAL NOTICES
From 2025's Valentine Ball, Nancy Askew, Ashley Wilson, Dr. Lou Plzak, Andy Burris, Marci Burris, Nikki Baker and Matt Baker. Dr. Plzak, a urologist with Beaufort Memorial Urology Specialists, will co-chair the 2026 event alongside Wilson and Jessica and Chris Egan. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Sparklight awards grant to Hopeful Horizons
Staff reports
Sparklight has awarded a $2 500 grant to Hopeful Horizons through its Charitable Giving Fund, according to a news release.
Funds from Sparklight will support Hopeful Horizons’ project to digitize historic client records, enhancing continuity of care and improving support for those affected by child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.
This spring, Sparklight awarded more than $125 000 in grants to 27 nonprofit organizations across the cities and towns it serves.
From children’s advocacy programs and mental health services to food banks and emergency response providers, the funding will help advance essential services that uplift lives and strengthen communities.
“Sparklight is proud to support organizations like Hopeful Horizons, which play a vital role in improving lives right here in Beaufort,” said Jane Shanley, Sparklight Senior Regional Director, Southeast. “These nonprofits are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods, and we’re honored to help amplify their
a
work through the Charitable Giving Fund.”
Secure digital access will allow Hopeful Horizons’ team to respond more quickly and effectively to client needs while maintaining the highest standards of privacy, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring the long-term preservation of critical data.
“We truly appreciate Sparklight’s support of our dig-
itization project,” said Julia Haddick, Hopeful Horizons Chief Development Officer.
“This investment will help us provide even more responsive, confidential care to survivors while enabling us to preserve essential records and demonstrate our impact to those who support our mission. Together, we’re working to provide safety, hope and healing for those who need it most.
Lands End Woodland River Festival
Murder
from page A1
video games inside his home when gunfire erupted from the roadway, striking the home and a vehicle parked in the driveway. Two other individuals were inside the home at the time but were not hurt.
Three others will face charges related to Washington’s murder.
Jeremiah Kieyonte Warren, 18, of St. Helena Island, was charged on May 15, 2025, with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and aggravated breach of peace in connection to Washington’s death. Warren was already incarcerated at the Beaufort County Detention Center for an unrelated murder charge tied to a September 2024 shooting at Magnolia Park Apartments in Burton, which resulted in the death of 17-year-old Arianna
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Mulligan. He remains in custody.
On May 10 2025, Alex Joseph Bush, 20, of Columbia, S.C., was charged with accessory before the fact to a felony for his role in the case.
Nashaun Jaden Arthur Benjamin, 20 of Savannah, Ga.,, has also been identified as a suspect. He is currently in federal custody on unrelated weapons charges. He will be charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and aggravated breach of peace in connection with Washington’s murder.
According to a BCSO release, the investigation remains active, and additional charges are possible. The BCSO is urging anyone with information to contact Sergeant Petrone at 843-255-3440 For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via theP3 Tips app, online at TIPSBFT.com or by calling 1-844-TIPSBFT (1-844-847-7238).
Sparklight awarded
$2,500 grant to Hopeful Horizons through its Charitable Giving Fund. Photo courtesy of Sparklight
Children and adults alike hit the dance floor as Sissy the Entertainer provides music during the Lands End Woodland River Festival’s opening night on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. The festival continued Saturday with drumming, storytelling, and demonstrations celebrating heritage and history. Asa Aarons Smith/The Island News
Jason Mott celebrates with NeverMore Books
By Teresa Bruce For Lowcountry Weekly
National Book Award winner brings his sequel to Beaufort as David and
The last time author Jason Mott
picked Beaufort’s NeverMore Books for a signing, co-sponsored by the Pat Conroy Literary Center, bookstore owners David and Lorrie Anderson predicted his “Hell Of A Book” would win the National Book Award. They were right.
Lorrie Anderson mark 10 years in the book business
scribed as hopeful and wise – in the way only a hometown friend can break bad news with a much-needed hand up, or heartfelt hug. Music fans might call it a jazz performance, full of lyrical passages and triumphant rhythm.
So it’s no wonder the celebrated Southern author insisted that his next book tour return to the Port Republic Street bookstore on Friday, Sept. 5 Could a repeat win be in store?
Mott’s not going to jinx it, telling Lowcountry Weekly he’s “not sure if I believe in good luck talismans, but I do believe in the awesomeness of NeverMore!”
Reviews of Mott’s sequel “People Like Us” suggest it will fly off shelves, calling it a “genre-bending tour-de-force” and “haunting, vivid literary fiction at its finest.”
Goodreads writes: “’People Like Us’ is wickedly funny and achingly sad all at once. It is an utter triumph bursting with larger-than-life characters who deliver a very real take on our world.” And while it’s a natural evolution from his last book, readers new to Mott will pick up the story line with ease. And “Hell of a Book” fans will find reminders of why it appealed to so many audiences for so many reasons.
“People Like Us” continues to tackle race, gun violence and loss, but could just as easily be de-
This time the protagonist, an accomplished writer confused with other famous Black authors, finds himself in two places at once –deciding whether to live with the brutal truth of his own country or to make new family from the nostalgic comfort of distance. Many a Beaufort newcomer from another part of the world will relate to this type of reckoning even if they’ve never experienced gun violence or racial profiling. Here’s a passage from when the hero goes on book tour in Italy:
“He grabs my luggage and leads me across a bustling Italian street to what I can only describe as the strangest car I’ve ever seen. First off, it’s old. And I’m talking Roosevelt Old. Too old for seat belts and high rates of passenger survival. Whole thing’s shaped like a snail if that snail could pull its top back.”
Mott’s unpretentious, outsider tone is a perfect match for NeverMore Books. Though the store’s owners keep a low profile, the “People Like Us” meet-and-greet on Friday also marks their 10th anniversary as Beaufort’s least ordinary business.
David Anderson started collecting first editions and rare books as a kid working in his parents’ Lincoln, Neb., furniture store. Estate sale books they bought as props for selling shelving units mysteriously
disappeared, hoarded away by the now grown-up NeverMore founder until he had a 2 000-book personal collection to launch the bookstore. He still reads 3 books at a time, though not “borrowed" from unsuspecting parents.
Lorrie Anderson developed her passion for books by practically taking up residence in her Camden, S.C., library as a child. Just like Mott, as it turns out, whose favorite memories of growing up in eastern North Carolina include long interludes at the local library. If he felt “weird” back then, he channeled it into the greatest joy his character Soot finds on tour:
“Soot just signs the book and offers the kid a smile and he hopes it’s enough. The kid takes the book
and he offers Soot a handshake and when they’re shaking hands the kid just says four little worlds. “Thanks for being weird.”
Mott says he’s eager to return to Beaufort for a real-life, First Friday book signing at Nevermore, where visitors find hand-written notes tucked between shelves like “unattended children will be given to the goblin king.”
“Weird is the right way to describe NeverMore, and that’s exactly why I love it,” Mott says. “It’s not trying to be any other store. It’s purely itself and that’s exceptionally rare. And of course, David and Lorrie are simply wonderful. Every time I visit, David will bring out some book I’ve been searching for – without me ever having to tell
him I was searching for it.”
Named in homage to Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting refrain, NeverMore Books leans into its gothic intrigue with curated shelves that reflect both classic sensibilities and unconventional tastes. From signed first editions to children’s literature, biographies, and art books, the store’s selection is as thoughtful as it is eclectic. And it’s a New York Times reporting bookstore, which means physically purchasing “People Like Us” from NeverMore Books gets Mott statistically closer to “The Big One” he writes about.
The Andersons think he’s already big time — calling him “the most genuine and approachable genius we’ve ever met.” Mott is the latest in a long line of celebrity authors in the NeverMore mutual fan club — from the late Pat Conroy to Delia Owens and Valerie Sayers. But it’s the reviews from readers that will keep the doors open for the next 10 years:
“Best bookstore, ever!” — happyfeet51
“The selection of books is amazing, the intriguing decor makes you want to step inside and browse, and the owners can tell you just about anything you want to know.”
First Friday at Nevermore Books (910 Port Republic Street), with author Jason Mott, happens from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5, and copies of “People Like Us” are available in advance or at the signing. For a full list of Mott’s tour dates, visit www. jasonmottauthor.com.
Conroy Center, PRSF co-hosting fall series
Staff reports
Throughout September and October, the Pat Conroy Literary Center and Port Royal Sound Foundation, both nonprofits, are collaborating on a quartet of educational programs highlighting the interconnectivity of the beauty of our Lowcountry with its capacity to inspire writers and storytellers. Registration is now open for all four programs, with additional details to be found on the organizations’ websites, PatConroyLiteraryCenter. org (under the Events tab) and Portroyalsoundfoundation.org (under Book a Program). The programs are as follows:
The Prince of Tides Book Club Discussion 3 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9 Pat Conroy’s 1986 masterwork The Prince of Tides is the quintessential Lowcountry novel, beloved by millions as their point of entrance into the lush southern geography, lyrical voice, and complex interweaving of fact and fiction which define the author’s literary legacy. Join Pat Conroy Literary Center executive director Jonathan Haupt and USC Beaufort English professor and Writer in Residence Ellen Malphrus for a book club discussion of the novel, its major themes, its 1991 Academy Award-nominated film adaptation, its
place in the Conroy literary canon, and its lasting impact on lowcountry literature and lore. Cost: $10 per person.
Firing the Clay: A Poetry Workshop 10 a.m. to noon, Monday, Sept. 15
In this writing workshop led by Tim Conroy, poets will explore approaches to revision, considering the content and sound of each word, line, and stanza of each poem. The workshop aims to clarify and challenge identity as poets, to elevate poems through improving habits and engaging in playful revision, to risk failure from disassembling and reassembling for
the chance to discover what the clay can reveal, and to forget expectations for an opportunity to find the soul, form, and sound of a better poem. Open to writers at all levels of experience. Cost: $45 per person.
Nature Writing: Kayak on the Chechessee and Write about It 2 to 5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29
We who live in the Lowcountry are fortunate to be surrounded by its extraordinary nature. In this workshop, taught by writer Katherine Tandy Brown, you’ll kayak on the Chechessee River with guides from the Maritime Center for an afternoon immersion in Car -
olina’s nature at its finest. Then – like Henry David Thoreau on Walden Pond – you’ll take pen to paper and write about any part of the adventure you choose. Dress for a journey on the water, and be sure to bring sunscreen, a water bottle, notebook or journal, and several pens. Cost: $70 per person.
Pat Conroy as Nature Writer 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21
An encore presentation! Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt and poet Tim Conroy will discuss the nature writing of Pat Conroy. From his obscure boyhood poetry to his
beloved lyrical adult prose, Conroy wrote about the beauty of our natural world as both wondrous and perilous, using the Lowcountry not only as a setting but as the central character of his many books. This presentation will highlight representative examples of Conroy’s nature writing from across the span of his writing life, drawing attention to how Conroy’s relationship with nature is also ultimately a relationship with his deeply felt spiritual and humanistic faith. The presenters will be assisted by students from DAYLO, who will be reading from Pat Conroy’s work and sharing original creative pieces in response. Cost: $10 per person.
Theresa King’s “Whispers From The Soul” featured at BAA Gallery
By Betty Cothran Beaufort Art Association
The Beaufort Art Association Gallery’s fall Featured Artist show is “Whispers from the Soul,” a solo exhibit by Theresa King. The exhibit is on display through November 1 at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery located on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort.
Theresa King’s show opening coincides with First Friday festivities. The reception — free and open to the public — will be from 5 to 8 p.m at the gallery, giving the community an opportunity to meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments. In addition, art by more than 70 exhibiting artists will also be on display in the gallery.
“My passion lies in creating beautiful, inspiring images infused with Healing Energy, a quiet offering of peace, hope, and transformation,” said King. A self-taught artist, King’s oil paintings reflect her deep connection to the natural world and her own spirituality. She has cultivated a distinctive style that blends vibrant color, natural elements, and healing energy.
She sees art as not only beautiful but as a powerful emotional tool for transformation. A cancer survivor and caregiver for several family members, Theresa has experienced firsthand the power of art and the enduring power of creativity. After losing her husband, she moved
from Ohio to South Carolina at the age of 70
“I sold everything but my art supplies and a few keepsakes my husband made (woodworking was his hobby), packed up my car and started driving along the East Coast, stopping in various cities for a few days until it felt right. I’d never been to this area before and my friends thought I was crazy, but it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made,” said King.
“Each piece of art I create is an invitation to pause, reflect, and receive healing on a deeper level,” said King. “Art is my sanctuary and my way of bringing light into the world.”
For more information about The-
King’s art,
NeverMore Books owners David and Lorrie Anderson mark 10 years in business. Photo provided
Jason Mott
Artist Theresa King’s exhibit, “Whispers From The Soul,” is now on display at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery. Photo provided
Shorts at High Noon continues
Staff reports
The Beaufort Film Society, in association with the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL), is presenting the popular Shorts at High Noon program once again this fall, and it continues this week.
During the months of September, October, and November you'll get a chance to catch encore presentations for many of the 2025 Beaufort International Film Festival films in the categories of Shorts, Student Films, Short Documentaries, and Animation Films. Spend your lunch hour at the movies. Get excited, get inspired, and get ready for BIFF 2026, the event’s 20th anniversary. Screenings are on Wednesdays only. Checkin time is 11:30 a.m., with screenings beginning promptly at High Noon.
TCL’s Auditorium is located at 921 Ribaut Road, Building 12 in Beaufort.
Admission is free. For more information, visit beaufortfilmfestival.com.
Shorts At High Noon 2025 Schedule
All screenings are from the 2025 Beaufort International Film Festival. Category or Individual winners are denoted by * Sept. 10
Indefinitely (6 minutes, Animation) Jupiter (8 minutes, Student)
Five Thousand Stars (16 minutes, Short)
*Silver Sizzle (14 minutes, Short)
Sept. 17
112 Steps (5 minutes, Animation)
Heartless (14 minutes, Student)
*1001 Cuts (25 minutes, Short Documentary)
Sept. 24
There Can Be Only One (3 minutes, Animation)
Living On The Edge (16 minutes, Student)
What I Am (26 minutes, Short)
Oct. 1
Love Photosynthesis (4 minutes, Animation)
Donor (11 minutes, Short)
Inhale (12 minutes, Short)
*Two Breaths (19 minutes, Student)
Oct. 8
My Friend Doubt (17 minutes, Short)
The Long Walk Home (15 minutes, Short)
The Rug (11 minutes, Short)
Oct. 15
Lovesick (20 minutes, Short)
Knead (12 minutes, Short)
*Game Night (19 minutes,
Short)
Oct. 22
Small Hours (22 minutes, Short)
4th Dementia (17 minutes, Short)
The Greatest Guy You
Never Met (9 minutes, Short)
Oct. 29
Familiar (18 minutes, Short)
Wakanyeja Kin Wana Ku Pi (11 minutes, Short Documentary)
Burning the Old Man (18 minutes, Short)
Nov. 5
*Neither Donkey Nor Horse (29 minutes, Short)
Love Less Likely (17 minutes, Short)
Nov. 12
Breakfast In Beaufort (29 minutes, Short Doc)
*Ms. Rossi 3: Ms. Rossi Meets the Mob (20 minutes, Short)
Nov. 19
BFS Members will vote on 1 of 3 BIFF 2026 film submissions to help determine an Official Selection for the upcoming festival. Proof of membership is required.
Street Music
Shawn McElroy and Tracy Van Harton share a dance during the second performance of the 2025 fall season of Port Royal’s Street Music with Marcella René Simien & Her Lovers, which was relocated to the Port Royal skate park due to weather conditions on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. The remaining schedule is Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos on Sept. 6, and Ladycouch on Sept. 20. The shows start at 6 p.m. on Paris Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets. Bring a chair, invite your friends, and enjoy a free night of live music in the heart of Port Royal. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
ARTS BRIEFS
McCoy kicks off USCB Lunch
With Authors
Sarah McCoy, the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novels “Whatever Happened To Lori Lovely?,” “Mustique Island,” “Marilla of Green Gables,” “The Mapmaker’s Children,” “The Baker’s Daughter,” and “The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico” will be the first author featured in USCB’s Lunch With Authors series at noon on Thursday, Sept. 11, at the
Belfair Club in Bluffton. To register, go to www.uscbcenterforthearts.com or call 843-521-4145. Cost is $67 per person.
Broderick Conroy Center’s writer in residence
Ciara Broderick was selected as recipient of the Pat Conroy Literary Center’s 2025 Writer’s Residency. Broderick is a fiction writer from a small village in East Co. Galway in Ireland. Her short stories have appeared
in several literary journals and competitions, and her debut novel, “Catfish,” was a winner of the Irish Writers' Centre Novel Fair 2025 and shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Prize.
Broderick was this year's UCL European Institute European Writer-in-Residence. She is very excited to spend time in the Lowcountry, a place that has long held a special place in her imagination. Learn more at www.ciarabroderickwriting.com.
– Staff reports
*Meeting schedule is subject to change. For the most current meeting schedule, and to register for a free support group, please scan, or go to BeaufortMemorial.org/SupportGroups For more info call Kianna Reese at 843.522.7328.
New Bluffton hospital will benefit Beaufort patients, too
It has been an exciting spring and summer for Beaufort Memorial, with construction moving swiftly for the Bluffton Community Hospital in the southern part of the county.
At this point, the foundation for the building has been completed, and the structure will start seeing vertical construction any day now.
We’re planning for the building to be topped out by the end of 2026
We broke ground on this 28bed, $103 million facility on May 7, and while the new hospital will sit on the corner of Bluffton and Buckwalter Parkways, it will benefit patients who live in Beaufort and neighborhoods in the northern part of the county, too.
Currently, a large percentage of Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s
RUSSELL BAXLEY
inpatients come from zip codes south of the Broad River. These patients choose to travel to our hospital in Beaufort to receive their healthcare services. Once the Bluffton Community Hospital opens its doors in Winter 2027 the services that these patients travel to Beaufort to receive will be offered in a more convenient location, right in their backyard.
This is a huge step for patients countywide; the addition of a second hospital in Bluffton will make it easier for those Bluffton patients to receive medical care closer to home. For patients who live in Beaufort, Port Royal and other areas in the northern end of the county, this shift will increase the availability for critical healthcare services at the hospital’s main campus in Beaufort.
This new facility will also allow for the recruitment of even more physicians to the market, expanding primary and specialty care services for residents throughout the Lowcountry as well – not just Bluffton.
The new hospital is an example of Beaufort Memorial’s strategic growth, allowing its current
‘Chickenpox for adults’
Protect
yourself from shingles by watching for symptoms
Special to The Island News
You might have heard shingles referred to as “chickenpox for adults” because it is caused by the same virus, varicella zoster, that causes chickenpox in kids.
And if you grew up in the days before the chickenpox vaccine was available, you might remember your childhood chickenpox as not being all that bad.
But while shingles is caused by the dormant virus popping up again when you’re an adult, it’s not just itchy blisters this time around. Shingles can be incredibly painful before blisters appear and cause nerve pain that lasts for months and months.
“The good news is that there is now a highly effective vaccine to prevent shingles and the nerve pain that often accompanies it,” says Kimberly Bean, MSN, FNP-C, a primary care provider at Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Primary Care.
The first signs
The first visible sign of shingles is usually a rash of tiny blisters that appears in a large patch or stripe on one side of the face or body. The week before the blisters appear, skin may tingle, itch or feel painful. Shingles can also cause fever and other symptoms, including an upset stomach or headache.
“Shingles can be especially dangerous if it is in or near the eye,” Bean says. “In the worst cases, it can cause temporary or permanent vision loss.”
What triggers a shingles outbreak?
Shingles can develop for no reason at all at any time in your life. About one-third of Americans will at some point experience shingles.
“People with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop shingles, and immune systems tend to get weaker with age, which is why older adults are at greater risk,” says Bean, who sees patients in the Okatie Medical Pavilion. “But simple preventive care like keeping your blood pressure low will help prevent shingles.”
The risk of spreading the virus to others is low if you cover your rash. The fluid from rash blisters can spread the virus to anyone who hasn’t had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. It isn’t contagious before the rash blisters or after it crusts over.
People who’ve never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine could potentially catch chickenpox from someone with shingles, but the risk of transmission is low.
Shingles and its long-term health effects
Between 10% and 20% of people who get shingles have nerve pain that lasts for months, even after the blisters have disappeared. For some people, this longterm nerve pain — called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) — can last for years. The pain can be so severe that it affects daily life. The risk of developing PHN from shingles increases with age. In severe cases, shingles
can cause hospitalization and other issues like: Blindness; Brain inflammation (encephalitis); Hearing problems; and Pneumonia.
Preventing shingles
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults age 50 and older get the Shingrix vaccine, a newer vaccine that is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and nerve pain. The vaccine requires two shots, given two to six months apart.
The CDC recommends that people who have previously had shingles or who got another shingles vaccine called Zostavax (which the CDC has found is less effective) should also get Shingrix. If you aren’t sure if you had chickenpox as a child, you should also still get the vaccine. People with severe illnesses or allergies and pregnant or breastfeeding women should not get the vaccine. Your primary care provider can help assess if you have any health conditions that could be affected by Shingrix.
“If you are healthy, you should get this vaccine,” Bean says. “It’s safe, and it’s effective. And although some people may experience pain at the site of the shot or a mild fever and headache afterward, the temporary discomfort from the vaccine is nothing like the weeks and possibly months of side effects from shingles. There is no reason to put off getting this vaccine immediately.”
healthcare providers to provide coordinated care countywide.
We have welcomed more than 50 new providers to the organization since the beginning of 2022, and our ongoing affiliation with MUSC Health supports our recruitment of skilled specialists to this market, increasing access to care throughout the region.
We have been expanding our footprint in Bluffton since 2006 The new facility in Bluffton marks a milestone step in the expansion of healthcare access throughout the county, benefiting patients from the northernmost tip of Beaufort to the southernmost tip of Hilton Head Island.
In Beaufort, the main hospital is currently undergoing several additional expansion projects,
including a multi-stage, $24 million renovation to the Surgical Pavilion, the addition of a crisis stabilization unit in the Pratt Emergency Center and the renovation of the state-of-the art angiography suite in the Beaufort Memorial Cochrane Heart Center.
With this growth and commitment to bringing needed healthcare services to a growing and evolving population, Beaufort Memorial continues its mission as a community hospital, transforming the landscape of healthcare in the Lowcountry.
&
and
Understanding ovarian cysts
Sizes, symptoms and when to seek treatment
By Melissa Mesenburg, DNP, APRN, FNP-C Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on the ovaries – they’re common, usually harmless and a typical part of a woman’s reproductive health.
While they often go away on their own, some cysts can grow larger, cause symptoms or lead to serious health problems.
Ovarian cysts are common among women of reproductive age. An ovarian cyst develops in or on an ovary, usually during ovulation, which happens every month and is when an ovary releases an egg. Most cysts are linked to the menstrual cycle and often disappear within a few weeks. However, some cysts can grow larger or require treatment.
Most ovarian cysts don’t cause symptoms, especially if they are small. When symptoms do occur, they can include: Abdominal pain or pressure, often on one side. The pain may be sharp or dull, and may come and go; Problems completely emptying your bladder or bowel; A dull ache in your lower back and thighs; Bloating or feeling full; Changes in your menstrual cycle; Pain during sex; Unusual vaginal bleeding; or Nausea or vomiting, especially if the cyst ruptures or twists.
Understanding the various types of cysts can help in recognizing potential symptoms and seeking appropriate medical advice. Some of the most common types of ovarian cysts include:
• Corpus luteum cysts, which occur when the follicle does not shrink after releasing an egg.
Cysts from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), characterized by multiple small cysts on the ovaries.
• Dermoid cysts, which contain tissue such as skin or hair.
Endometriomas, which result from endometriosis, where the uterine lining grows outside the uterus.
• Functional cysts: Cysts that form during ovulation and are the most common type.
Follicular cysts, which occur when a follicle doesn’t release an egg.
Cysts are common, and most are benign or non-cancerous. Knowing the type and size is important to determine if they could cause problems in the future. Cancerous, or malignant cysts, are rare and are more common in older women. Cysts that are cancerous are considered ovarian cancer. Ovarian cysts are less common after a woman goes through menopause, but postmenopausal women who do have ovarian cysts are at higher risk for ovarian cancer. The size of a cyst plays a big role in how risky it is, but most cysts are manageable and non-cancerous, or benign:
• Small cysts (1/2-2 inches): These are usually harmless and may not require treatment.
• Medium-sized cysts (2-4 inches): These may need ongoing monitoring, especially if they are causing symptoms. Large cysts (over 4 inches): These can cause serious problems, such as:
◦ Ovarian torsion, which can damage the ovary and is a medical emergency;
◦ Pressure on nearby organs, like the bladder or bowel; or A higher chance of rupturing, which can lead to sudden pain and internal bleeding and is a medical emergency.
Taking birth control pills can prevent functional cysts by stopping monthly ovulation. However, this won’t prevent non-functional cysts, like dermoid cysts. Most ovarian cysts are found during routine pelvic exams. If your health care provider suspects a cyst, they may recommend an ultrasound — an imaging test that shows the size and type of a cyst — and blood tests to help rule out cancer, although most cysts are benign.
Routine gynecology visits are one of the best ways to detect and manage ovarian cysts before they become dangerous. These visits are also an opportunity to discuss symptoms like pelvic pain or irregular periods with a women’s health provider. Early detection can prevent more serious issues and protect your overall health.
Russell Baxley, MHA, is the President
CEO of Beaufort Memorial, leading the organization in expanding access to
improving the quality of care in the Lowcountry since 2016.
Melissa Mesenburg, CNP, APRN, FNP-C is a board-certified nurse practitioner who sees patients at Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists in Beaufort and Okatie.
EDUCATION
Top honor for local principal
Thompson wins Tenenbaum Award
Staff reports
Battery Creek High School Principal Elandee Thompson was recently honored with the prestigious 2025 Inez Tenenbaum Leadership Award, a highly esteemed annual recognition presented to one principal as part of the School Leadership Executive Institute (SLEI).
This institute, developed and implemented by the South Carolina Department of Education in partnership with Truist Leadership Institute, is a rigorous, seven-month program designed to enhance the skills of principals in Instructional Leadership, Leading Change, Engagement, and Motivational Strategies.
At the culmination of the program, participants are tasked with nominating the individual who has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and has made the most positive impact on the class. This rigorous selection process led to the announcement of Thompson as the award recipient by Gerard Edwards, Education Associate in the Office of Leadership Effectiveness and lead for SLEI. Edwards, along with Brandon Gantt, previous Tenenbaum Leadership Award recipient and graduation speaker, presented her with her award on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, during the SLEI Cohort Graduation Ceremony at the State Department of Education.
Thompson, a product of the Beaufort County School District Battery Creek cluster and a S.C. Governor's School for Science and Mathematics graduate, has come a long way. Her 28-year career at BCSD, which began as a science teacher, has seen her hold assistant principal positions at Battery Creek, Beaufort, and May River high schools.
Thompson also serves as a South Carolina Department of Education course facilitator for VirtualSC-PD. Her educational journey includes a doctorate in Curricu-
Elandee Thompson
lum and Instruction from Liberty University, a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of South Carolina, and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.
Edwards said, "Dr. Elandee Thompson was a remarkable member of an outstanding group of school leaders across South Carolina. Her contributions and dedication to her cohort were evident from her selection by his peers."
After receiving the award, Thompson said, "I am immensely grateful for the School Leadership Executive Institute experience. Because of this opportunity, I have grown professionally and personally, allowing me to be my best self as a wife, mother, and school leader everyday.”
“I am humbled by my cohort peers’ selection of me as the recipient of the Inez M. Tenenbaum award,” Thompson continued.
“Our cohort consists of an amazing group of highly effective and successful principals who are doing such great things in their respective schools. I am proud and deeply moved – there are no words to express how much their affirmation of my work means to me."
Inez Tenenbaum served as South Carolina's State Superintendent of Education from 1998 – 2006. Under her leadership, South Carolina led the nation in education improvement. During her tenure, SAT scores soared, and students made notable gains, as indicated by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Inez Tenenbaum set the standard for leadership and high performance for all; that tradition still exists in our state today. She is recognized nationally for her work in education.
Beyond Our Strength Saved
by Grace Alone
How is Jesus our Savior?
What do Catholics believe about salvation?
Along with most of our fellow Christians, Catholics believe that humanity has been separated from God by sin. In our own way, each of us has chosen to turn away from God through selfishness and pride. Spiritually, it is as if we are standing on one side of the Grand Canyon and God is on the other. It is beyond our power to take a shovel and fill in the Grand Canyon; repairing the spiritual damage separating us from God is equally beyond our strength.
How does separation from God affect us?
God loves us and created us to be in union with him. Whether or not we recognize it, our hearts yearn for God. Separated from him by our sins, we do not experience the fullness of life that he intended for us. Sin hurts and enslaves us, as one can see in cases of addiction. We are like the people of Israel during their time in Egypt, enslaved and suffering cruelly, unable to free ourselves. This is why we needed Jesus to come into the world as our Savior.
To save the human race from our spiritual brokenness, God chose to enter the world himself. He became man as Jesus of Nazareth. Because Jesus is fully God and fully man, he is able to heal the division between God and humanity. In the time of the Exodus, God sent Moses to free the Israelites and bring them to a Promised Land. When Jesus gave his life for us on the cross, he was a “new Moses,” breaking the bonds of sin and offering us freedom and new life.
What if Jesus had not come into the world?
Without Jesus, we would have no hope of being healed from sin. Our separation from God would continue after death, for God cannot force us to love him. This state of separation is called hell. When we say that Jesus is our Savior, we mean that he forgives our sin and offers us the gift of eternal union with him one day in heaven. But as wonderful as this is, there is even more to salvation than this!
What more does Jesus desire for us?
As Jesus said in the Gospels, “I have come that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) In other words, he does not just want to save us from hell; he wants us to experience a fullness of life right now. He wants to transform us into adopted sons and daughters of God the Father, with hearts that gradually become more like his heart. We can have freedom from our old sins and evil habits, and have a new life. Like Paul, we can rejoice, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)
Do I have to earn this gift of salvation and new life?
Imagine parents looking at their newborn child: they love their child, even though there is absolutely nothing that the child has done to earn their love or the gift of life. The same applies to our relationship with God. He loves you more than the best parents ever loved their children, without any conditions, no matter what you have done in the past. You do not have to earn his love or his gift of new life: he offers it to you freely! We are saved by grace alone. (Eph 2:8-9)
Warriors run over Hurricanes
Bowers scores 4 TDs; Harris rushes for 181; White earns 1st win as Whale Branch coach
By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com
Jermon Bowers pinballed into the end zone for the second of his four touchdowns Friday night and pounded his chest. His team was still looking for its first lead in six quarters of football this season, but Bowers knew the Warriors were just getting started.
Bowers rushed for 144 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries, and Jayvion Harris rushed 24 times for 181 yards and a score behind a strong showing from Whale Branch’s offensive line, as the Warriors rallied after halftime for a 40-20 win on Community Night at Earl Campbell Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, both offenses found their footing, and Hardeeville’s Camari Brown landed the first few blows. Brown lined up as
Whale Branch’s Jermon Powers pounds his chest Friday night in Seabrook after the second of his four touchdowns against Hardeeville. The Warrions won 40-20. Justin Jarrett/LowcoSports.com
the holder and raced around the right end to the goal line on a fake field goal to open
the scoring, and after Joseph Ferguson pounced on Efrain Tinoco’s well-placed onside
kick, Emiliano Santiago hit a streaking Brown up the right hash to make it 14-0
Whale Branch’s ground game got going on the next two series, as Bowers broke free for a 54-yard touchdown to put the Warriors on the board and finished off a second scoring drive with his chest-pounding effort.
Brown answered, taking the ensuing kickoff to the house to give the Hurricanes a 20-12 lead at the break, but it was all Warriors after halftime.
Bowers found the end zone again to start the half, then connected for a two-point conversion to tie it at 20, and he plowed into the end zone again on the next series to give Whale Branch its first lead. The Warriors’ defensive front began to feast
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL – WEEK 1 ROUNDUP
as injuries mounted for a Hardeeville squad that lacks quality depth, and Harris took over down the stretch to milk the clock and give Willie White his first win as Whale Branch’s head coach. The Warriors (1-1) travel to Ridgeland on Friday with renewed confidence after a lopsided loss to Bluffton to open the season. The Jaguars have yet to score in two games this season, so Whale Branch is set up well to compete on the road.
Justin Jarrett is the sports editor of The Island News and the founder of LowcoSports.com. He was the sports editor of the Island Packet and the Beaufort Gazette for 6½ years. He has a passion for sports and community journalism and a questionable sense of humor.
Greenwood 48, Beaufort 8 Beaufort was never in this matchup of Eagles on the road, as Greenwood jumped out to a 21-0 lead after a quarter and led 41-0 at halftime. Beaufort lost several players to injury during the game, including Anthony Kahler to a broken collarbone. Backup Braydon Moyd-Smalls gave Beaufort a spark on offense in relief, rushing for 48 yards on 11 carries and hitting Qualeek Isnar for a 26-yard touchdown pass. — Justin Jarrett
Next week: Beaufort (0-2) vs. Philip Simmons
John Paul II 19, Battery Creek 14 Jadon Inabinett rushed for 108 yards on eight carries, including a 74-yard touchdown run that proved to be the game-winner, and Andrew Boyden added 90 yards on 18 carries in a pivotal win for the Golden Warriors. After Boyden scored on a 3-yard touchdown run and Alan Wolf took in the twopoint conversion, Battery Creek responded with a Michael Williams touchdown and a two-point run to briefly take the lead at 14-11 but Inabinett’s big run sealed it for JPII. Jackson Reilley booted a 44yard field goal but left on the next offensive series with a broken collarbone. — Ray Alonso
Next week: JPII (2-1) vs. Bethesda Academy; BCHS (0-2) vs. Keenan
Beaufort Academy 57, St. John’s Christian 20 Nych Underwood followed up his monster birthday game with
181 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 20 carries, and Nic Shuford Jr. rushed for 101 yards and a score on 10 carries and threw a TD pass to Devin Fripp to help the Eagles rout the Cavaliers in their home opener. Keeler Dineen had two interceptions, including a pick-six, for BA. — Justin Jarrett
Next week: BA (3-0) at Patrick Henry
Bluffton 49, Andrew Jackson 21
Aeden McCarthy passed for 315 yards and three TDs and added a rushing touchdown as Bluffton piled up 541 total yards on offense for a convincing win in their home opener. Backup running back Aaiden Howell impressed with 116 yards and two TDs on 14 carries, and Roman Benjamin led Bluffton’s vaunted receiving corps with six catches for 103 yards and two TDs. — Justin Jarrett
Next week: Bluffton (2-0) vs. Savannah Country Day
Woodland 20, Colleton Co. 7
The Cougars’ defense showed some mettle, holding the Wolverines under 200 yards of total offense and forcing three turnovers, but they couldn’t get anything going on offense to complement the strong defensive effort. Dustin Davis gave Colleton County life with an 83-yard kickoff return touchdown, and the defense twice got the ball back with takeaways, but the Cougars couldn’t cut into the lead. — Justin Jarrett Next week: CCHS (0-2) vs. Lower Richland
James Island 31, Hilton Head Island 8
Derrick Raniszewski scored a rushing touchdown to bring the Seahawks within 17-8 at halftime, but the junior quarterback left the game and was later diagnosed with a broken nose, and Hilton Head’s offense couldn’t keep pace in the second half. Jayvin Risher had eight tackles (four for loss) and a sack on defense and added 56 yards from scrimmage on offense for the Seahawks. — Justin Jarrett
Next week: HHIHS (1-1) at Aiken
West Ashley 31, May River 30 (OT)
Erik Robertello tied it in the final seconds with a dramatic 36-yard field goal, but a missed extra point was the difference in overtime as May River dropped a heartbreaker at home. Despite a solid night for Richard Bonneville’s defense, the Sharks couldn’t contain electric Wildcat back DeAnthony Coleman, who returned a kickoff to the house and added two rushing scores, including the eventual game-winner in OT. May River battled back from a 16-7 deficit in the second half in large part due to the work of Sean Mitchell, who led the way with 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. Andrew Johnson added 87 yards and a score on 17 attempts. — Wes Kerr
Next week: MRHS (1-1) at Lake City
Hampton Co. 57, Allendale-Fairfax 0 Jaylen Singletary scored touch-
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Creek at Beaufort, 7pm May River at St. Vincent’s, 7pm Stratford at Colleton Co., 6:15pm
Whale Branch at Military Magnet, 6:30pm
Ridgeland at Denmark-Olar, 6:45pm Hardeeville at Allendale-Fairfax, 5:30pm Andrew Jackson Academy at Cross Schools, 6pm Holly Hill Academy at Colleton Prep, 6pm Patrick Henry at Orangeburg Prep, 6pm
John Paul II at St. Vincent’s, 7pm Holy Trinity at Thomas Heyward, 6pm
Wednesday, Sept. 3
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Hilton Head at Savannah Christian, 5pm
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Bluffton at Summerville, 7pm
Cane Bay at Bridges Prep, 6pm
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS
Hampton Co. at Battery Creek, 4:30pm
Thursday, Sept. 4
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Ridgeland, 5:30pm
Denmark-Olar at Hardeeville, 5:30pm
Cross Schools at Coastal Homeschool, 7pm
Colleton Prep at Jefferson Davis, 6pm
Dorchester Academy at Patrick Henry, 6pm
Thomas Heyward at John Paul II, 6pm
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Ashley Ridge at Battery Creek, 6pm
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS
Oceanside Collegiate at Battery Creek, 4:30pm
Friday, Sept. 5
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Philip Simmons at Beaufort
Savannah Country Day at Bluffton
Lower Richland at Colleton Co.
Hilton Head at Aiken May River at Lake City
downs on three of his four rushing attempts, and Tarell Grant rushed for one score and connected with Karinton Sabb for another as the Hurricanes made quick work of the Tigers on the road. Braydon Blake returned a kickoff for a touchdown, Gavin Polite had nine tackles and scored on a fumble recovery for the second straight game, and EJ Capers got in on the action with a rushing TD for Hampton. — Justin Jarrett Next week: Hampton Co. (2-0) vs. Silver Bluff
East Clarendon 32, Ridgeland 0
The Jaguars’ defense again kept them in the game in the first half, and the passing game showed signs of life early, but the Wolverines’ swarming defense and ball-control offense took over after halftime. Ridgeland forced three turnovers but was hurt by three giveaways and held out of the end zone for the second straight game to start the season. — Justin Jarrett
Next week: Ridgeland (0-2) vs. Whale Branch
Bethesda Academy 53, HHCA 28
The Blazers debuted an explosive offense led by sophomore quarterback Jordan Turner and amassed 540 total yards, including 324 on the ground, to overwhelm the Eagles in a shootout in Savannah. Reid McCollum racked up 395 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception and collected 10 tackles on defense, while Joey Houpt had 11 catches for 168 yards, and Sam Strum had
Keenan at Battery Creek
Silver Bluff at Hampton Co.
Whale Branch at Ridgeland East Clarendon at Hardeeville
Bethesda Academy at John Paul II
Hilton Head Prep at Dorchester Academy
Beaufort Academy at Patrick Henry*
Orangeburg Prep at Thomas Heyward
Andrew Jackson Academy at Colleton Prep*
Cathedral Academy at Cross Schools*
Saturday, Sept. 6
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Cross Schools at Whale Branch Warrior Showdown
JUNIOR GOLF
18th Harvey Brock Orange Jacket Classic, Boscobel Golf & CC (Pendleton)
Sunday, Sept. 7
JUNIOR GOLF
18th Harvey Brock Orange Jacket Classic, Boscobel Golf & CC (Pendleton)
Monday, Sept. 8
SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Colleton Co., Military Magnet at Battery Creek, 6:30 p.m.
HHCA at Hilton Head Prep Patrick Henry at Calhoun Academy,
II at May River, 7 p.m.
North Charleston at Battery Creek, 6:30 p.m.
Colleton Co. at Stratford, 6:30 p.m.
five grabs for 71 yards and a score. Thomas Gehm’s 76-yard kickoff return touchdown made it 34-14, but the Eagles couldn’t keep pace with Bethesda’s talented backfield. — Justin Jarrett Next week: HHCA (1-2) is idle
Patrick Henry 29, Clarendon Hall 27
Rylin Brunson rushed for 128 yards and four TDs on 14 carries and picked off a pass on defense, but Alexander Buzzell’s tackle in the end zone for a safety proved to be the difference in the game, lifting the Patriots at Cone Field. Luke Sobey had a massive game to lead the defense with 15 tackles and a fumble recovery and added 57 yards from scrimmage, and Daivon Glover had a 53-yard interception return to set up the Patriots with a short field. — Justin Jarrett Next week: PHA (1-1) vs. Beaufort Academy
Colleton Prep 30, Thomas Heyward 13
Cale Owens was 10-for-12 passing for 154 yards and a touchdown and added 71 yards on 14 carries, and Braden Hiers and Ben Cain led a strong defensive effort from the War Hawks in a convincing region win in SCISA 1A. Perry Corbett had four catches for 101 yards and a touchdown for Colleton Prep. — Justin Jarrett Next week: CPA (2-1 1-0) vs. Andrew Jackson Academy; THA (0-1, 0-1) vs. Orangeburg Prep – LowcoSports.com
ART Budding Artist After-School
Art Club
4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.
CALENDAR
Roots & Rivers Festival
2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6, Bluffton Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf Street, Bluffton. $15 per person. A celebration of Black culture, creativity, and community. Expect a day full of music, flavor, inspiration, and connection right on the banks of the May River. Live music by Deas Guyz, food trucks, craft beer, artisanal vendors, kid zone, raffle prizes, and more. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit. ly/3JygvCW.
Patriot Day 8 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept 11, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort. Remembering and honoring those who served and died on 9/11.
Yemassee Shrimp Festival Friday, Sept. 19 & Saturday, Sept. 20, 101 Town Circle Yemassee. Live music includes the East Coast Party Band (8 p.m., Friday), sponsored by Comcast; and Funk Factory 5 (8 p.m. Saturday). Ore details to come. 2025 Beaufort County Youth Conference
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, USC Beaufort Center For The Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. The event aims to bring rising middle school and high school together from all over to address and tackle pressing challenges. For more information, call Lynn at 843476-1888; Brandon at 843-321-0373; or Carrie at 843-812-4399 for more information.
Gather & Give: A Family Promise Barn Bash
6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, The Barn at Hampton Lake, 7457 Hampton Lake Drive, Bluffton. $150 per ticket. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, good food, good company, and giving back — all in support of Family Promise of Beaufort County. Beer & wine included. Live music and more. To purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/45gHNpF.
Saint Peter’s Catholic Church 65th Annual Fall Bazaar
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, 70 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort. The Bazaar features international foods, a craft fair, a sweet shoppe, in-person and online silent auctions, wine and beer garden, plant sale, church and school tours, and a Kids Zone with inflatables, games, and the Beaufort Barnyard Petting Zoo. Artists and crafts people interested in a 10x10 outdoor space can send an email to gather@stpetersbeaufort.org for more information. The 65th Annual Fall Bazaar benefits Lowcountry Outreach, a ministry of Saint Peter’s parish that provides free office and meeting space for partner organizations, including Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, A Father’s Place, and several support groups. Lowcountry Outreach provides a rideshare program designed to assist individuals lacking transportation, enabling them to access essential services.
Inaugural Port Royal Plein Air
Invitational
5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10; all day Saturday, Oct. 11; all day Sunday, Oct. 12. 809 Paris Avenue, Port Royal. A threeday celebration of open-air painting and creative community, taking place at The Shed and throughout the picturesque streets and coastal landscapes of historic Port Royal. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4lLDpnA.
40th annual Hilton Head Kiwanis Chili Cookoff & Jeep Island Noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. All major debit and credit cards will be accepted for chili samples, food, beverages, and more. Local BBQ legend Orchid Paulmeier of One Hot Mama’s restaurant, fresh off of her Top 5 finish on the Food Network’s “BBQ Brawl,” will once again be competing in the Chili Cook Off! In addition to the traditional adult beverages and soft drinks, this year’s event also will include local craft brews from Local Legend Brewing Company! The event raises much-needed funding for many local youth charities, including Island Rec Association and the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island. Chili cooks will face off to determine the best concoctions in Professional, Amateur, and People’s Choice categories. Winners will earn cash prize donations to the local youth cause of their choice. Visit www.hiltonheadkiwanis.com to sign up online to cook, sponsor, and buy tickets. For more information, email the Hilton Head Kiwanis Club at hiltonheadislandkiwanis@gmail.com
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to midnight, Mondays, Tomfoolery, 3436 17 Market, Habersham, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Karaoke with Ali 9 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort. With DJ Ali.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.
Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary 7 p.m., Every Thursday, Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew 7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.
Karaoke at Willie’s 8 p.m., Thursdays, Willie's Bar and Grill, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Saint Helena Island. Come and showcase your singing talents or just enjoy the performances. For more information, visit www.GullahLove.com.
Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market 5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.
Habersham Farmers Market 3 to 6 p.m., Fridays, Habersham Marketplace. Vendor roster includes B&E Farm, Cottonwood Soap, Flower Power Treats, Hardee Greens, Megs Sweet Treats, Vitamin Bee, Lady’s Island Oyster Company, Pet Wants.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Drive, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Port Royal Farmers Market
9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www.portroyalfarmersmarket. com/, visit @portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.
Slip and Splash Saturdays
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.
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 Road, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
CLASS REUNION Beaufort High School Class of 1975 Oct. 17 through Oct. 19, 2025, Beaufort. 50th Class Reunion Celebration. Request that graduates of this class contact the class Community Outreach Representative Barbara Gardner Hunter at 347-497-9326 or email gardnerbarbara991@gmail.com to provide current contact information.
DANCE Lowcountry Shaggers 6 to 9 p.m., Mondays, Holiday Inn,
Living & Growing the Jesus Way
Sunday
Pastor Steve Keeler • (843) 525-0696 seaislandpresbyterian.org
2225 Boundary Street. Shag lessons with Tommy & Sheri O’Brien and others. Occasional ballroom and once-a-monh line dancing. Biginner, intermediate and advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers. com of email lowcountryshaggers@aol. com.
The Beaufort Shag Club 6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.
GOLF
4th annual Stingray Scramble Saturday, Sept. 20, Ocean Creek Golf Course, Fripp Island. Proceeds benefit Riverview Charter School. Early bird pricing is $650 for team of four through July 1. After July 1, $700 for team of four. Register online at https://bit.ly/4kTF4br. Visit https://bit.ly/4mWQ7ls for sponsorship opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry's 28th annual Golf Tournament
9 a.m., Monday, Sept. 29, Oldfield Club, 130 Oldfield Way, Okatie. Tickets and sponsorships start at $200. Through this event and the auction, Habitat aims to raise funds to build a Habitat home for a local family. With funding from the past several years’ tournaments, Habitat is currently constructing the “Larry Sanders House” in Ridgeland. That house is named in honor of Larry Sanders, who has been the tournament organizer for many years. Sanders continues to be involved by recruiting players and sponsors for the event. To register to play in the tournament or to become a sponsor, please visit www.lowcountryhabitat. org/2025golftournament.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
BEMER Longevity Technology
9 a.m., Wednesdays via Zoom. Seen the buzz on “life span VS health span?” Want to grow better, not older? Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Come for Q&A about how this longevity-enhancing medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being in just 8 minutes, 2 times a day. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.
HISTORY
Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.
The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-ofthe-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@ gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.
Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
“Hidden Gems” Book Club
3 p.m., third Monday of each month, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. So many books, so little time. St. Helena staff have uncovered some great titles to get you started on your “hidden gem” journey. Join us for lively discussions and coffee or tea. No registration required.
Career Navigator 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Tuesday, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free one-on-one resume writing and job application assistance
with a Career Navigator from Palmetto Goodwill. No appointments necessary. For more information call 843-2556458.
Bridge Club 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
Mahjong Club 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843255-6458.
MEETINGS
Beaufort Lions Club 6 p.m., first and third Monday of every month, St John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. For more information, visit thebeaufortlionsclub@gmail.com or follow on Facebook/Instagram/Nextdoor.
PFLAG Savannah –Beaufort Peer Group 6:30 p.m., first Tuesday of every month, Fellowship Hall, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort (UUFB), 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. Free. The group will be moderated by Rick Hamilton and Kay Carr. The provides advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, family, peers, and allies in the Lowcountry. The peer group provides a safe and strictly confidential environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and allies to discuss the challenges faced in coming out or being out in neighborhoods, the workplace, school, or church. The organization offers resources for counseling, educating, and advocating to achieve an equitable, inclusive community where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Minors under the age of 18 are required to come with an adult parent, guardian, or mentor. Additional information about peer groups, membership, donations, and volunteering is on the website www. PFLAGSavannah.org and on Facebook.
Beaufort Chapter of America’s Boating Club 6 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of most months, at various Beaufort/Port Royal venues. Regular meetings begin with a Social, followed by Dinner and often include an exciting Guest Speaker from the Lowcountry. For Meeting Information or Educational Opportunities, please contact Paul Gorsuch, Administrative Officer at admino@beaufortboatingclub.com . Boat ownership is not required, however a passion for safe responsible boating is mandatory.
Zonta Club of Beaufort 6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.
Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting 12:15 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Rotary Club of Sea Island social gathering 5:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of each month, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www. beaufortrotaryclub.org.
The Beaufort Trailblazers –A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, University Bikes, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building offroad/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/ jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.
Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252- 917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.
Al-Anon Beaufort County 7:30 p.m., Thursday, 80 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort. “Do you worry about how much someone drinks? Is it affecting your life? You are not alone. Al-Anon Beaufort Serenity Group offers help and hope. Join the group in Beaufort, or visit the Lowcountry page at https://bit. ly/3HvksaF for more times and locations.
Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady's Island Dr., Ladys' Island. Catered breakfast from local chef. Speakers weekly. Occasional social events replace Friday mornings, but will be announced on our website, www.rotaryclubofthelowcountrybeaufort.org.
MUSIC
Distant Sounds 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, Seaside Bar & Grill, St. Helena Island. Something for everyone, from the 60s to the 10s. David Ayres on guitar & vocals, Richard Knieriem on drums & vocals, Eric Roberts on bass, Paul Butare on guitar & vocals.
Distant Sounds 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, Another Slice Pizza, Harbor Island. Something for everyone, from the 60s to the 10s. David Ayres on guitar & vocals, Richard Knieriem on drums & vocals, Eric Roberts on bass, Paul Butare on guitar & vocals.
Warsaw Island Boys 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10, ShellRing Ale Works, Port Royal.
Campfire Tyler
RUNNING
VOICES
Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of
Use critical thinking skills to cut nimrodic blather
For the last two decades, there’s been a steady drumbeat of conservative messaging about how bad government is. But there’s not been much of a concerted effort to counteract the negativity.
Part of it’s human nature because it’s way easier to believe something bad about a person, program or effort than it is to use critical thinking skills to dispel what doesn’t make sense. And with everybody and his brother thinking they know how to really research something when most of them just pass along the latest social media trash, faith in government institutions has waned.
It hasn’t helped that the people now in charge from the president through the GOP in Congress and many state legislatures seem to
ANDY BRACK
simply hate government – or disrespect enough of what our founding fathers did to be the world’s biggest hypocrites.
And to top all of that off, the loyal opposition – the Democratic Party – does such a poor, milquetoast job of messaging that it’s no wonder the nation is in a fix.
So try to step back and think about what government – local, state and national – does to make your life better everyday: Internet: Yep, govern-
ment created it to free the flow of information. It also has made everyone a publisher and led to dark channels of rhetoric, misinformation and lies that hurt freedom. Yes, the internet works, thanks to government, but its unfettered openness helped to erode the foundations of democracy.
Military: America invests more in military spending ($997 billion) than the other nine countries in the top 10 of military spending ($985 billion). That means our defense spending tops the combined coffers of China, Russia, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, France and Japan.
Interstates: The nation's Interstate highway system allows for comparatively quick travel between major
metropolitan areas and is buttressed by the system of federal roads in between. All are paid for by the government. These roads connect people and markets, just as government-funded airports and ports do.
Satellites: Enjoy the Weather Channel, cable TV or Google Maps? Remember a government program launched satellites for weather, communications and mapping. And President Trump is threatening these –which makes no sense.
Our government makes a daily difference in our lives, from protecting our food and water supplies to educating our children and to keeping our communities safe.
Today, those functions are commonplace. We assume they’ll be there and too often forget how hard it was to build their infrastructure.
A dozen years ago in a book titled “Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government,” now-Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom described how people often are oblivious about how enriched their lives are by government because “government doesn't have an official PR department to help burnish its image.”
Well before Trump was a candidate, Newsom wrote, "When ordinary people feel politics is irrelevant, the whole Jeffersonian model of democracy is in peril. We're becoming a government of the elites, the opposite of what our forefathers intended, and the opposite of what has historically made America strong."
So here’s a challenge: Think seriously about how government positively
SC’s hands-free driving law doesn’t go far enough
The new hands-free driving law in South Carolina that takes effect Monday is long overdue. Thousands of lives have been lost while the legislation failed repeatedly.
The first state to pass a law making it illegal for drivers to hold cellphones when driving was New York in 2001. More than two-thirds of states have followed. (South Carolina became No. 33.) And all states except Montana have a no-texting-while-driving law.
In 2023, distracted driving resulted in the deaths of 3 275 people, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which reported that “texting is the most alarming distraction.”
According to the National Safety Council, more than 12% of fatal crashes in 2023 due to distracted driving involved cellphone use. That’s a percentage largely unchanged for several years.
In September 2023, the cellphone comparison site WhistleOut graded state cellphone bans across three categories. South Carolina was
DAN
among five to receive a D grade for not having a handheld ban or young driver cellphone ban.
The new law in South Carolina still allows cellphone use when the driver is stopped at a light. It has already gotten very frustrating for many of us while at lights which have turned green and one of the cars in front of us don’t move for a while — sometime to the point that the light turns red again before we get to the intersection.
With the new hands-free law, will it be any surprise if more drivers get on their phones waiting for the light to change?
Unfortunately, this law does not go nearly far enough to improve the safety on our roads.
Drivers rarely face consequences for breaking other laws. When raining during the day, most drivers have enough
Let officials focus on work for which they were elected
It used to be that the states decided whether and how to regulate spending in campaigns and elections. But a series of SCOTUS decisions culminating in Citizens United have warped the issue of freedom of speech into a prohibition of common-sense legislation to reduce the influence of money in our political system. The result? Our elected representatives now spend up to 70% of their time fundraising for elections instead of legislating solutions to address the needs of this nation. And we've learned all kinds of things about the influence of billionaires.
Americans from every walk of life, regardless of political positions, understand that corruption and waste accompany big money in politics. There is an initiative moving forward to pass a Constitutional Amendment to return transparency to political funding and recognize human rights over those of corporations and other non-human entities. It’s time to free up our elected officials from fundraising so that they can focus on the work for which they were elected.
Polling from the Pew Research, the Bren-
sense that when they turn on their windshield wipers, they also turn on their headlights. But some do not. A much larger number of drivers don’t seem to ever use or infrequently use their turn signals when turning or changing lanes. Those rules of the road are hard to effectively enforce and would require substantially increasing law enforcement on the roads and that, clearly, is not going to happen.
There are some other things government officials can do but will require more effort and money.
For example, the Biden administration had a committee working for about three years on technology that would keep intoxicated drivers from operating a vehicle. But the committee did not meet its 2024 deadline for recommendations.
Another technology being implemented in several other countries is that of vehicle speed control. A device installed in the vehicle can slow a vehicle down if it’s traveling over the posted speed limit.
Imagine if we required that on all vehicles in the United States — if, say on Interstate 20 or Interstate 26, where the posted
nan Center, and others, indicates majority support for the provisions of the For Our Freedom Amendment. Already, more than 20 states and 800 cities and towns have passed resolutions formally calling for the Amendment. To learn more at https://americanpromise.net.
– Carol Brown, Beaufort
Where is your line?
We have just completed six months of the second Trump Administration. I find myself looking back to this past January. I remember the absolute terror I felt knowing the carnage his administration would wreak on our country. At that time I considered asking people who voted for and supported Trump some questions.
I wanted to ask, “Where is your line?”
“At what point will you withdraw your support for Trump? There was no way to predict how his campaign promises would be enacted. Did you believe he would only go after serious criminals? Did you believe he would release the Epstein files? Did you believe he wouldn’t touch Medicaid?”
Six months later we can see what happened. I still have questions for Trump supporters.
speed is 60 mph, a vehicle couldn’t travel more than 65 mph.
Accidents and deaths would be reduced, and we might even be able to save millions of dollars in road construction costs with all vehicles driving at a more reasonable speed.
But this approach lacks support.
So, what else, if anything, could been done in South Carolina to make our roads safer?
Vastly increasing the number of law enforcement vehicles on the road could cut down on speeding. But even if that happens, the results would be limited: Stopping a vehicle, going through the license checks, writing a citation, etc. is just so time consuming that only a very small number of vehicles could be cited in an hour.
In addition, cars tend to slow down when they see a law enforcement vehicle and speed up once they are out of sight of that vehicle.
To help resolve this problem, we could equip unmarked law enforcement vehicles with cameras and radar to catch speeders without needing to stop them.
When a vehicle is going X mph over the speed limit, the cameras would record the vehicle along
“Are you okay taking SNAP Benefits (food) from children? Is it okay to take Medicaid coverage from disabled people? Is it okay to have, use and build more concentration camps in the USA? Where is your line?”
– Maureen Woodlock, Beaufort
Books banned again?
The Beaufort County Board of Education met on August 23 to again review books previously approved by parents and teachers. What is going on here? This is Groundhog Day all over again. It is obvious that some parents are bored and have nothing to do except create a problem: getting rid of "undesirable" books in school libraries.
Do these parents realize that we do not live in the stone age? If they believe that their child would be "influenced" when reading books that have sexual or "undesirable" content, then they are severely underestimating their child's knowledge. It is quaint that some people are worried about books now when kids can access porn or anything else any time on their phones or computers.
The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech. In a
impacts you and then start thinking more critically about the blather being shifted from one channel to one post in the media. Question that information. Maybe then, you’ll start appreciating how government is a civilizing force – and that’s why it scares so many who are trying to destroy it.
"Government is us," Newsom wrote in 2013. "It's the police officer, soldier, educator, IT worker, secretary, lawyer or engineer who lives next door. Helping people realize that would be a great first step in cutting through the disdain and mistrust people have for government today."
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send it to feedback@statehousereport.com.
with the license tag and vehicle speed for maybe 10 seconds.
The enforcement vehicle’s computer would then locate the address of the vehicle’s owner and generate a citation that included the speed, time, and location of the incident.
This would allow law enforcement vehicles to send 10 20 or more tickets every hour. Points on the driver’s license could not be assessed since there is no verification of who was driving, but after receiving a speeding ticket or two, I would hope the driver would slow down.
I can only guess how many persons might have lived or survived without severe injuries if we had addressed cellphone use 10 or 20 years ago. We now have great technology available to us if only we would consider using it. Why are we not doing more to save lives on the road?
Dan Reider worked for 40-plus years as a mechanical engineer designing primarily educational facilities, healthcare facilities, and performing arts centers. Upon leaving private practice, he began his new career as a project manager in the University of South Carolina's construction and planning department. He lives in Lexington.
1982 decision (Board of Education v. Pico), The Supreme Court considered whether a local school board violated the Constitution by removing books from a school library. The Court held that "… the right to receive ideas is a necessary predicate to the recipient's meaningful exercise of his own rights of speech … ." The Board of Education lost the case.
For those who are busy wasting the school board's time with banning books: Do you know if your child is looking at some "undesirable" web site, even one of the banned books, right now? If you don't have a child in school, the contents of a school library are none of your business.
– Terry Gibson, Beaufort
Get over it
Leave it to those who can't get over a Trump win by demonstrating during Fox & Friend's Peter Doocy visiting Beaufort. This was not a political visit, just Fox & Friend's highlighting beautiful towns across our country. NOT POLITICAL! Too bad some people can't appreciate that but prefer to ruin it for others by demonstrating their political views. Shame on you.
– Susan Wiley
REIDER
VOICES
Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of
The Trump Administration wants no real role
It is early, still dark, and cold — way beyond your Emporia, Kan., cold. A Kansas teenager sits in the crystalline darkness listening to the muttering, cursing and complaining of the Chinese soldiers as they put away their mess kits and get themselves ready for another assault.
A year earlier this Kansas teenager had been a high school senior focused on the junior-senior prom, a rented tuxedo and whether he would kiss another teenager named Claire.
The former farm boy had also been interested in seed quality; and if he and his father could repair their old, Massey-Harris combine.
But none of those skills mattered this morning. The only things that mattered were whether the 105mm artillery rounds would thin-out the ranks of the advancing Chinese infantry. Whether or not the Marine Corps F4U Corsairs would take off and lay down enough napalm. Whether or not his Browning Automatic Rifle would reliably fire when the young men from Chengdu got within “effective range.”
That scene — played out 73 years ago in Korea — is now being replayed in Kherson, Robotyne and Kupyansk in Eastern Ukraine. In many respects it is the same
scenario played out at Somme in 1916; and at Leningrad in 1943 But, of course, the weapons are different — this current class of displaced teenagers constantly tinkering with battery-powered drones hoping one can be crashed into an advancing, reconditioned T-72 tank forcing its crew to erupt out of the turret and flee.
These particular teenagers know that if the Russian (or North Korean) infantry get past Pokrovst, it is mostly downhill to the Dnipro River and after that the land is mostly flat all the way to Kremenchuk. So, all along the 700-mile Eastern front, grimfaced, sleep-deprived Ukrainians are now launching thousands of drones making any and every (Russian) advance costly, bloodsoaked, often suicidal.
Notwithstanding 200,000 to 250 000 Russians killed in action, they still line up when told to advance — some now riding
motorcycles across the battlefield in a desperate attempt to evade the drones. Like the Chinese in 1951 the Russian conscripts still obey their cold-eyed, detached, indifferent officers.
While these Ukrainians do the killing; their young wives and children the dying; the older generation does the pleading for more weapons — mostly thermal cameras and spare parts for the drones. While Ukrainian youth reconfigure speed boats to attack and sink Russian cruisers, their fathers plead their case with Western politicians hoping for something more than sympathy.
It is probably useful to look back at the Korean War for clues as to when and why the shooting ended in 1953
Everyone who has studied Korea knows that the North Korean Army quickly evaporated and the Chinese did the fighting and most of the dying. As long as the Chinese assembled their massive armies; as long as they rationalized their massive casualties; the war continued. But they, in turn, relied on the Soviet Union for their supplies, their ammunition and the Russian pilots who were flying brand new Mig-15s along the Manchurian border successfully, dramatically thinning out the waves of American B-29s
“Notwithstanding 200,000 to 250,000 Russians killed in action, they still line up when told to advance — some now riding motorcycles across the battlefield in a desperate attempt to evade the drones.”
SCOTT GRABER, on the war in Ukraine.
flying over from Okinawa. In March of 1953, Joseph Stalin died and his surviving, be-medalled colleagues decided they would no longer support Mao Z’dong and his ill-equipped conscripts.
Some also remember that Harry Truman had moved nine atomic bombs — without their plutonium cores — to Okinawa. A designated squadron of B-29s began practice runs on prospective Chinese targets but discovered there were
few tactical targets worthy of a nuclear bomb.
General Mark Clark (who would later move to Charleston and The Citadel) met his Chinese counterparts in Panmunjom and they agreed to cut Korea in half along the 38th parallel. Apparently Zhou Enlai decided that getting half a loaf was a better deal than risking a nuclear war with another Kansas-bred farm boy, Dwight Eisenhower.
It is clear that Vladimir Putin has gotten most of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk (the so-called “Crimean land bridge”) back into Mother Russia. But Vladimir doesn’t want the 28 500 U.S. troops permanently deployed in South Korea to be re-deployed into Ukraine. Nor does he want 30 000 French, UK and German troops deployed along that border.
Ukraine will surely get a redrawn border; but in the end it will be the size, location and composition of European, bootson-the-ground “guarantee” that will be the issue. Apparently the Trump Administration wants no real role in these matters.
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
The Waterfront Park: how we got here
The Beaufort City Council is currently grappling with what to do about Beaufort’s iconic Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The park’s foundations are deteriorating.
The park is built on a steel reinforced concrete relieving platform (shelf) held up by steel reinforced concrete pilings that were driven into the Beaufort River’s riverbed. The shelf extends about 65 feet inland from the seawall, and it runs the full length of the park, from the Woods Bridge to the marina parking lot.
Council has received various reports regarding the extent of the deterioration to the shelf and pilings. It was one of these reports from the city’s engineers that prompted the city to close the seawall promenade during this summer’s Water Festival.
Not that it will help solve Council’s problem – it will take money, and lots of it, to do that – but those who wonder “How did we get here?” are entitled to an explanation.
At the close of World War II, what we know now as the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park was a series of docks, wharves and slips, many of which were deteriorating. They extended out the back doors of the buildings we now know as, for example, Saltus and Luther’s. But in those days those buildings did not house restaurants. Although Luther’s was a pharmacy, many of the other downtown riverside buildings housed what was left of Beaufort’s oncethriving seafood processing businesses.
In 1946, Beaufort elected Angus Fordham its mayor. Fordham, a U.S. Army reservist who was called to active duty after Pearl Harbor and who served with distinction in the
Pacific throughout the war, had just returned home to open the hardware store that for two generations would bear his name.
These were exciting years in Beaufort. Mayor Fordham, who served as Beaufort’s mayor until 1963, did many things. Among them was the creation in the mid-1950’s of “Freedom Mall,” the area we know now as “the marina parking lot.” Downtown needed parking, and Mayor Fordham arranged for the city to secure easements to the riparian rights of the various landowners there. Then the city built a seawall around where the docks used to be and they pumped dredge spoils into the area bordered by the seawall and the high ground, thus creating what we know now as the marina parking lot. The marina came later.
The effort was very successful. Half a surplus quonset hut was hauled in to serve as a bandshell, and the first Beaufort Water Festival was held at the city’s new Freedom Mall in the summer of 1956 By 1959, according to the city’s 1959 Annual Report, plans were being made to secure the riparian rights of all the businesses from the marina parking lot down to the old bridge to Lady’s Island (the Woods Bridge hadn’t been built yet). The idea was to build a city street along the newly filled in and cleanedup waterfront that would open up more parking and relieve traffic on Bay Street.
When Henry Chambers
This image from the City of Beaufort’s 1959 Annual Report, distributed as an insert in The Beaufort Gazette, shows a graphic artist’s rendering of the proposed “Waterfront Thru-way,” the predecessor plan of today’s Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
became Mayor in 1969, all the necessary riparian rights had been secured and, according to the minutes of council meetings in the early 70’s, the plans for the “Waterfront Thru-way” were moving ahead.
However, from Council minutes it appears that it was at a March 1973 meeting in Washington with U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond that Mayor Chambers first learned of a pot of Federal money
called “Outdoor Recreation grants.” It was apparently the availability of large sums of this “new money” that gave Mayor Chambers the idea of jettisoning the “Thru-way” in favor of a larger project that came then to be known as the “Waterfront Recreation Project.”
Clemson friends of the mayor’s, engineers at the prestigious Spartanburg firm of Lockwood Greene, were brought in to engineer the new project and
there was, according to a councilmember who served at the time, “no controversy regarding the state-of-theart relieving platform plan.
If Lockwood Greene said that that was the way to go, then that was the way the city was going to go.”
Council minutes show bids were set to be opened on June 14, 1974, but without explanation the bid-opening process was at the last minute pushed back by three weeks. In that Mayor Chambers’ company,
Burton Block, was one of the bidders, the delay raises questions. Nonetheless, although Council’s minutes are mysteriously sketchy, those involved at the time agree that Burton Block who fabricated the seawall sections, the pilings and the deck sections, and TransAtlantic Construction out of Savannah who with their barge-mounted steam crane drove the seawall and the pilings into the riverbed and lifted into place the deck, were the park’s major builders. Lockwood Greene supplied the engineering and Robert Marvin out of Walterboro drew the aboveground plan. After the bids had been opened, Mayor Chambers told Council the “bulkhead” (which apparently included constructing and placing the seawall, the pilings, and the deck) would cost $2 7M. When the job was complete, Chambers, who had in innumerable trips to Washington raised the money from an array of Federal agencies, said the park’s total cost was $6 5 million, a figure that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator is equal to about $64 million in today’s dollars. According to Council’s minutes, in a telephone meeting “exclusive of the mayor” on Oct. 6 1976 Council voted to name the new park “The Henry C. Chambers Park,” and to celebrate Oct. 22 1976 as “Henry C. Chambers Appreciation Day.” In 2005, the city spent about $7M updating structural and use deficiencies in the park. This year’s price tag is yet to be known.
Bill Rauch was the Mayor of Beaufort from 1999 to 2008 and has won multiple awards from the S.C. Press Association for his Island News columns. He can be reached at TheRauchReport@gmail.com.
SCOTT GRABER
BILL RAUCH
BF-1 returns to MCAS Beaufort
U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), transport an F-35B Lightning II., Aug. 27, 2025, near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The F-35, known as BF-1, was the first F-35 to perform a vertical landing and was transported to MCAS Beaufort for use as a permanent static display. Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo/USMC
What veterans need to know about VSOs, VA Healthcare, the PACT ACT, VA Priority Groups
My last three articles for The Island News covered what veterans need to know about VAaccredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs), how the PACT Act expanded VA healthcare to over a million more veterans, what VA healthcare is, and how to enroll in VA healthcare. You can read those articles online at: Aug. 27 2025 Edition, VA Healthcare (And the RHJVA Medical Center & Healthcare System) -- https://bit. ly/4mIKl6i.
Aug. 20, 2025, VSOs -https://bit.ly/3K0vpC0
Aug. 13 2025, Series Introduction and VSOs -- https:// bit.ly/4mLO3w9
This week’s article will cover the need for veterans to read the information at the VA healthcare websites, using your VSO, and more on eligibility.
Do your homework, use a VSO I caution military members, veterans, and their families against assuming that all they need to know about VA benefits and services, as well as how to apply for them, can be found in my weekly articles. Even if veterans have read all my more than 260 articles on veterans’ benefits and how to apply for those benefits, they still need to: 1. Use a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to help them understand their state and federal benefits, apply for those benefits, and appeal VA and state decisions, and 2. Do their homework and read the information at:
The “Welcome to VA.gov” webpage at https://www. va.gov.
The “Choose VA” webpage at https://choose.va.gov.
The VA’s “2025 Federal Benefits Guide” at https://department.va.gov/get-started/.
The VA “Welcome Kit” at https://department.va.gov/ get-started/.
The VA “Health Care” webpage at https://www.va.gov/ health-care/.
The VA “About VA health benefits” webpage at https://
bit.ly/4gaN4mQ.
The VA “Eligibility for VA health care” webpage at https://www.va.gov/healthcare/eligibility/.
The VA “How to apply for VA health care” webpage at https://www.va.gov/healthcare/how-to-apply/.
The VA “Apply for VA healthcare (VA 10-10EZ)” webpage at https://bit.ly/3JC6TqX. The VA “After you apply for health care benefits” webpage at https://bit.ly/4lXnjHE.
The VA “Foreign Medical Program” webpage at https:// bit.ly/4nbFuKO. • The VA “Health and disability benefits for family and caregivers” webpage at https://bit.ly/45VY1Us. The VA “Dental Insurance Program” webpage at https:// bit.ly/4nbetqM.
The VA “Manage your health care with My HealtheVet” webpage at https://bit.ly/4lUl7AM.
The VA “Manage your health appointments online” webpage at https://bit.ly/47oFItx. The VA “Refill prescriptions and manage medications” webpage at https://bit.ly/4lUZAbe.
The VA “Review my medical records online” webpage at https://bit.ly/3JGW6f2
The VA “Send/receive secure messages” webpage at https://bit.ly/3JOUzDD. The VA (File for travel pay reimbursement” webpage at https://bit.ly/4g4F1Yk. The VA “Order medical supplies” webpage at https://bit. ly/3Vvwfcu. The VA “Get a Veteran Health Identification Card” webpage at https://bit. ly/3HXjmoy.
The VA “Review and pay your copay bill” webpage at https://bit.ly/3I5EJUF.
The VA “How to update your VA health benefits info” webpage at https://bit. ly/46jSTuw.
The VA “Current VA health care copay rates” webpage at https://bit.ly/4g12AkO.
The VA “Mental Health Services” webpage at https://bit. ly/3JMn9p7
The VA “Health needs/conditions” webpage at https://bit. ly/46ilyAf.
The VA “Chemical or hazardous material exposure” webpage at https://bit. ly/45J4K5i.
The VA “Veterans programs for health/wellness” webpage at https://bit.ly/3Vvw9l8
The VA “Community Care” webpage at https://bit. ly/3Vuu0WR.
The VA “Income limits and your VA health care” webpage at https://bit.ly/4lWBdd9
The VA “The Affordable Care Act and your healthcare coverage” webpage at https://bit. ly/3Vhf6Dz.
The VA “Million Veteran Program” webpage at https:// www.research.va.gov/mvp/.
The VA “Health Care Access/ Quality Information” webpage at https://www.accesstocare.va.gov. VA “Rights/Responsibilities of VA Patients and Residents of Community Living Centers” webpage at https://bit. ly/3I1YsVi.
And the websites referenced in my articles in The Island News and the above VA websites.
How do you know if you are eligible for VA Healthcare? According to the VA “Eligibility for VA health care” webpage (https://bit.ly/3JZKbsG), all veterans who meet basic service
and discharge requirements and who were exposed to toxins and other hazardous materials while serving at home and abroad are now eligible for VA health care. This includes all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11
You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and did not receive a dishonorable discharge. If you enlisted after Sept.r 7, 1980, or entered active duty after Oct. 16 1981, you must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless any of the descriptions below are true for you. You were discharged for a disability that was caused or made worse by your active duty service. You were discharged for a hardship or “early out” or You served prior to Sept. 7, 1980
National Guard and Reserves
If you are a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you do not qualify for VA health care.
What factors make veterans more likely to receive VA health care benefits?
You may qualify for enhanced eligibility status if you meet the minimum active-duty service and discharge requirements, and at least one of these descriptions is true for you. Enhanced eligibility means that we’ll place you in a higher priority group.
At least one of these must be true. You: Receive VA financial compensation for a service-connected disability. Were discharged for a disability resulting from something that happened to you in the
line of duty. Were discharged for a disability that got worse in the line of duty.
Are a combat veteran discharged/released on or after September 11, 2001
Are a former prisoner of war (POW). Have received a Purple Heart. Have received a Medal of Honor.
Get (or qualify for) Medicaid benefits.
Were exposed to toxins or hazards by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, X-rays, or other toxins. This exposure could have happened while training or serving on active duty, even if you were never deployed.
Served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and November 11 1998
Served at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1 1953, and December 31 1987
Get a VA pension.
Or you must have served in any of the locations listed at https:// bit.ly/3JZKbsG during the Vietnam War era.
If none of these descriptions apply to you, you may still qualify for health care based on your income. Find out if you may be eligible for free or reduced-cost health care based on your income at the VA webpage “VA Health Care Income Limits at https://bit. ly/4p5mgIC.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, exEnlisted 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
LOCAL MILITARY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 5 September 2025
Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel A. P. Bariletti
1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel G. T. Moynihan
Commander of Troops, Captain M. P. LaGalbo • Parade Adjutant, Captain S. D. Thompson Company “G”, 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Captain M. P. LaGalbo Drill Master • Gunnery Sergeant J. J. Merriweather, Staff Sergeant B. C. McGuigan
PLATOON 1056
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt K. B. Uzzle
Pvt Aciargentile, J. M.
Pvt Adams, A. C.
PFC Adams, L. H.
Pvt Adcock, A. K.
PFC Aguilarmendez, D.
Pvt Alameda, A. L.
Pvt Allen, T. G.
PFC Alonzo, B. A.
PFC Barton, T. A.
PFC Bastien, N. J.
Pvt Bautistaloarca, C.
PFC Beliard, E. M.
Pvt Berlinger, J. B.
Pvt Blanks, T. D.
Pvt Bridgers, M. C.
Pvt Brinkley, B. C.
Pvt Brown II, C. A.
PFC Campbell, D. D.
Pvt Campbell, M. E.
Pvt Carpenter, I. C.
PFC Carreto, A. T.*
Pvt Clark Jr, T. N.
PFC Cook, G. A.*
Pvt Cornejoparadis, J. R.
Pvt Cox, J. J.
PFC Craig, X. S.
Pvt Earnest, R. B.
PFC Edwards, J. S.
Pvt Gibson, J. T.
Pvt Gonzalez, A.
PFC Gonzalez, R. E.
PFC Gonzalezserrano, B.
Pvt Harrell, T. A.
PFC Hernandez, J.
Pvt Hernandezlongoria, B.
Pvt Hurley, G. I.
Pvt James, T. C.
PFC Jovanelly, B. W.
PFC Kemery, C. F.
Pvt King Jr, J. T.
PFC King, D. B.
PFC Labang, S.*
PFC Longwell III, S. K.
Pvt Lorenzogonzalez, A.
PFC Macedocarrasco, A.
PFC Macedovilleda, J.
Pvt Marqueznavarrete, B. O.
Pvt Melendez, M. A.
Pvt Mir, M. O.
Pvt Montes, R. L.
PFC Morales, J. J.*
PFC Nicastro, C. J.
Pvt Noe, Z. A.
Pvt Partin, R. V.
Pvt Perez, J.
Pvt Powell, C. A.
Pvt Ramsdell, T. S.
Pvt Richardson, A. M.
PFC Richardson, A. D.
PFC Robinson, A. M.
Pvt Rodriguez, L. A.
Pvt Rogers, K. K.
Pvt Shafiro, M. A.
PFC Simon, D. P.
Pvt Solanorios, J. C.
PFC Sparks, H. T.
PFC Steiger, C. Pvt Tapiagamez, E. A.
PFC Tate, B. J.
PFC Thornhill, B. S.
PFC Turner, J. I.
PFC Watts, B. M.
PFC Williams, M. P.
PFC Wiseman, M. S.
Pvt Worley, G. D.
Pvt Wright, C. A.
PFC Yun, Y.
PLATOON 1057
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt C. N. Contreras
Pvt Aguilar, I. J.
PFC Arias, E.
Pvt Banegasvillatoro, A. M.
PFC Beasley, P. L.*
Pvt Bernatz, R. A.
Pvt Brown, K. E.
Pvt Calixmaradiaga, S. A.
PFC Cannady, L. E.
PFC Cerrillovalencia, E. D.*
PFC Chang, C.
PFC Charles, S. A.
PFC Coachman, S.
Pvt Craft, A. L.
PFC Deloney, M. A.*
PFC Faulkner, W. A.
Pvt Fernandezrodriguez, Y. D.
PFC Garay, D.
PFC Godwin, S. M.
PFC Goodwin, J. M.
PFC Gray, A. N.
Pvt Grimsley, J. S.
PFC Hardiman, A. A.
Pvt Herd, M. R.
Pvt Hernandezgonzalez, K. A.
Pvt Hightower, I. R.
PFC Hood, T. P.*
PFC Hopkins, C. N.
PFC Howard, T. A.
PFC Huerta, R.
Pvt Ironhawk, J. C.
Pvt Jeffery, V. R.
Pvt Knox, A. T.
PFC Leonard, O. C.
Pvt Lyons, T. G.
PFC Maynard, E. R.
PFC Mcdaniel, A. L.
Pvt Mcphetridge, A. S.
PFC Moralessilva, V.
PFC Morenolopez, J. A.
PFC Nittolo, A. B.
PFC Norris, L. M.
PFC Okpo, B. K.
Pvt Ortegalopez, J.
Pvt Paw, E. D.
Pvt Perezambrosio, A.
Pvt Perezgomez, D. A.
PFC Plank, J. G.
PFC Poston, L. M.
Pvt Whitman, D. H. PLATOON 1058
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt B. P. Baumann
Pvt Allen S. W.
PFC Ayers T. S.
Pvt Baker L. R.
Pvt Barnhart L. J.
Pvt Byers D. B.
PFC Charles M. J.
PFC Cimino D. J.
Pvt Clark I. D.
Pvt Cottrill M. B.
PFC Crider C. R.
PFC Dasilva N. S.*
Pvt Davies A. J.
Pvt Deleon D. B.
PFC Dezurik A. M.
PFC Duarte R. N.
Pvt Footman D. O.
PFC Freebairnlopes X. A.
PFC Granville R. J.
PFC Hall J. N.
PFC Hoyle C. W.*
PFC Huamanialzamora C. A.
PFC Jennings J. A.
Pvt Kahn J. L.
Pvt Kurtz R. J.
Pvt Malone G. K.
PFC Mckenzie B. D.
PFC Mckenzie C. R.
PFC Mcmonagle P. S.
PFC Mcnamara T. M.
Pvt Melo K. A.
PFC Melopelaez J. N.
Pvt Miller G. A.
PFC Millington B. J.*
PFC Murphy N. K.
Pvt Newell W. T.
PFC Newman A. P.
Pvt Ngigi D. M.
Pvt Nicholson S. C.
Pvt Ogwynn L. N.
PFC Oliver C. Z.
PFC Olmsted J. G.
Pvt Parsons C. M.
Pvt Patterson B. J.
Pvt Patterson J. A.
PFC Payne E. M.
Pvt Pegues C. T.
PFC Pena E. R.
PFC Persyn D. D.*
Pvt Priemon L. D.
Pvt Rios B. A.
PFC Running E. M.
PFC Rymond Z. L.
Pvt Sabo E. W.
PFC Santiagoperez S.
Pvt Sellers J. H.
Pvt Smith J. M.
PFC Stclair J. M.
Pvt Stoots E. A.
Pvt Thrash S. W.
PFC Treadway G. A.
Pvt Vines A. K.
Pvt Vivas J.
Pvt Walters D. J.
Pvt Wilz C. L.
PFC Yost C. F.
Pvt Agrue A. J.
Pvt Albino E.
PLATOON 1060
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt N. B. Bradshaw
Pvt Abdulkareem, S.A.
Pvt Acevedohidalgo, A. J.
Pvt Amartey, F. J.
PFC Baggett, M.D.
PFC Banks, L.B.
PFC Basilio, M.
PFC Blanconguyen, A. N.
Pvt Chichester, J. K.
PFC Conti, B. J.
PFC Cook, L. P.
Pvt Cooper, P. C.
Pvt Cornish, M. J.
PFC Cruzhernandez, M. A.
Pvt Dattolico, I. K.
Pvt Davidson, T. I.
Pvt Dawit, K. T.
PFC Dean, T. J.
Pvt Delgadofantauzzi, Y. D.
PFC Dunn, R. L.
Pvt Eager, C. R.
Pvt Fernandez, J. S.
Pvt Fisher, E. B.
PFC Gallardo, M. P.
Pvt Gilmer, B. T.
Pvt Griggs, H. H.
PFC Guerrerosoto, I. R.*
PFC Harwell, J. B.
Pvt Hernandez, D. E.
PFC Hoffman, A. M.*
Pvt Holloway, J. N.
Pvt Holmes, B. M.
Pvt Hopkins, S. D.
Pvt Johnson, D. P.
PFC Jones, R. M.
Pvt Knapp, J. A.
Pvt Lang, J. A.
Pvt Lemoine, T. T.
Pvt Lewis, A. M.
PFC Luciano, J. M.*
Pvt Major, T. H.
Pvt Marriott, A. K.
Pvt Martel, M. A.
Pvt Mata, A.
Pvt Mcdaniel, C. A.
PFC Mckinney, I. E.
PFC Mederosleal, V. M.
Pvt Meus, A. R.
Pvt Mitchell, K. M.
PFC Morales, W. J.*
Pvt Norfleet, W. C.
PFC Ortegacolin, E.
PFC Osteen, J. M.
Pvt Page, L. B.
PFC Parker, J. I.
Pvt Perezduran, W. A.
Pvt Pierce, R. D.
Pvt Ramosrodriguez, F. L.
Pvt Reyesperez, E.
Pvt Rodriguez, K. E.
Pvt Rogg, L. S.
PFC Rohrbach, C. D.
PFC Smith, G. W.
PFC Smoot, K. S.
LCpl Stanley, T. L.*
PFC Thorhauer, E. D.
PFC Tiradogonzalez, E. H.
Pvt Trout, M. I.
Pvt Vance, S. P.
PFC Webb, C. W.
Pvt Wedding, H. W.
PFC Westbrooks, J. V.
Pvt White, J. J.
Pvt Williams, D. J.
Pvt Yother, G.A.
PLATOON 1061
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt N. Henriquez Belliard
PFC Allgood, A. A.
PFC Andresvasquez, M.
Pvt Andrews, D. C.
PFC Angelini, E. G.*
Pvt Ayler, T. D.
PFC Barros, M. D.
PFC Bedoyatorrecillas, J. M.
Pvt Black, Z. N.
Pvt Capellanrivera, J. N.
Pvt Delgadogonzalez, D. A.
Pvt Fleurinord, M.
PFC Fortier, J. D.
PFC Gabriel, A. E.
PFC Gomez, B. A.
PFC Hallis, G. L.
Pvt Hausam, A. K.
PFC Henson, A. F.
PFC Hunter, J. N.
Pvt Jeffrey, J. J.
Pvt Joyeau, S. C.
PFC Kuti, N. L.
PFC Lhamo, R.
PFC Marietti, N. M.*
PFC Mendoza, M. V.
Pvt Monroe, M. C.
PFC Muschette, T. C.
Pvt Niel, R. A.
PFC Odrain, M. R.
PFC Otengacheampong, T.
Pvt Post, H. L.
Pvt Ramirezluviano, A.
PFC Resendizlanda, B.
PFC Roblero, C. Y.
PFC Romantoro, C.
Pvt Rosasvillanueva, J.
PFC Ruizgonzalez, R. M.
PFC Saxton, I. L.
PFC Shum, A. E.
PFC Skinner, Z. L.
PFC Soniflores, M. I.
Pvt Stein, S.
PFC Stingley, M. S.
Pvt Sutton, C. P.
PFC Thomas, A. N.
PFC Torres, N. E.*
PFC Torresvelasco, E.
Pvt Valdezacuna, G.
Pvt Walker, B. M.
Pvt Wallace, L. A.
Pvt Wynn, B. M.
PLATOON 1062
Senior Drill Instructor Sgt J. D. Pitsch
Pvt Allen, I. B.
PFC Araujo, M. F.*
PFC Batson, C. J.
PFC Blackwell, B. A.
Pvt Brezill Jr, T. O.
Pvt Brogden, J. T.
Pvt Browning, J. G.
PFC Budgeon, J. J.
PFC Cabrera, B.
PFC Carberry, D. A.
PFC Carter, X. L.
PFC Cepeda, B. L.
Pvt Cepedasantelices, J. A.
Pvt Claudio, J. J.
Pvt Collins, J. R.
PFC Craig, J. A.
PFC Dominguez, D. D.
PFC Dominguez, I. M.
Pvt Durall, C. D.
Pvt Fernandez, D. E.
Pvt Garciaquijada, E. E.
PFC Gonzalezvazquez, E. A.
Pvt Grant, O. J.
Pvt Harris, J. C.
PFC Herreramarin, D. S.*
Pvt Johns, K. S.
Pvt Johnson, C. X.
Pvt Kinyunda, M.
PFC Ladd, K. D.
Pvt Lewis Jr, D. S.
PFC Lopez III, J. R.
Pvt Lopezcajiga, I. I.
PFC Loyd, L. N.*
Pvt Macias, J. L.
Pvt Malone, S. A.
Pvt Mari, M. M.
Pvt Miller, A. A.
Pvt Mitchell, D. P.
Pvt Moralestoaza, J.
Pvt Motinomaradiaga, K. E.
Pvt Nathan, J. A.
PFC Pagan Jr, J. E.
Pvt Papastefanou, S. M.
Pvt Perez, B. E.
PFC Perezlopez, L. A.
PFC Pope Jr, L. T.
PFC Raines III, T. A.
Pvt Ramosbetanzos, D. I.
Pvt Raymond, W. M.
Pvt Rivera, Z.
Pvt Rojas, A. W.
PFC Romerofuentes, J. J.
Pvt Rosalesblanco, M. A.
PFC Sanchez, J. D.
PFC Sanchez, K.
Pvt Santiago, W. A.
PFC Santillanpalacios, E.
PFC Schmidt, E. H.
Pvt Seymour, C. M.
Pvt Suarez, G.
Pvt Szala, S. J.
PFC Tavarez, M.
PFC Trejo, A.
PFC Vegaberiguete, E.
PFC Waite, R. D.
Pvt Weilacher Jr, D. A.
Pvt Young, I. A.
Pvt Zarumamuyolema R. A.
PFC Stasser, S. D.
Pvt Stephenson, L.V.
PFC Abraham, T. L.
Pvt Abreu, F. E.
*Denotes Meritorious Promotion
SERVICE DIRECTORY
ATTORNEY
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Attorney at Law, LLC
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation
2048 Pearl Street, Beaufort, SC 29902
Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450 chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com
AUDIOLOGY & HEARING
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Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You
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