January 31, 2025

Beaufort County reconsidering plastic bag ban.

10 minutes

****STORY 1*****

For years, the most controversial topic in grocery shopping has not been organic veggies versus non-organic, nor the angst over the scarcity and never-ending rise of egg prices. It’s been the concerns about the plastic bags used to tote groceries from the store to the car to the kitchen. Beaufort County has launched a survey of residents and businesses as the county begins to rethink its plastic bag ban following a failed effort to update the current ordinance in May 2024. The proposed changes would have also included bans on plastic utensils and polystyrene containers.

Alice Howard, Beaufort County Council Chair, said that there were a number of questions and concerns regarding how the proposed rule would affect local businesses and restaurants. The council voted against moving forward with the changes in a 7-4 vote. The issue was sent back to a subcommittee, which decided that the county needed more data before moving forward with any updates.

Shortly after the ordinance went into effect in 2018, thicker plastic bags appeared in Target and Walmart. Grant McClure, the south coast project manager with the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, said he’s found these thicker bags in the area marshes. Since there is more plastic in the thicker versions of the plastic bag, they take longer to break down.

****STORY 2******

Laissez les bon temps rouler! The 2nd Annual Krewe of Port Royal Mardi Gras is marching back into the beautiful Town of Port Royal, SC.

Come celebrate and let loose on Saturday, February 22nd as The Town of Port Royal is turned into a lively festival of life, culture, and community; bringing the beads, music, floats, and all the excitement of Mardi Gras—Port Royal style.

Save the date and gather your krewe because the big parade starts at 4pm, following the same route as last year. Be sure to line up along Paris Avenue between 16th Street (Anchor/Mariners Park) and 11th Street to catch all the action.

The parade will conclude at Shellring Ale Works, where the after-party kicks off with the band Kanola playing all your favorite New Orleans music, food trucks, a face painter, and activities for the kids to do.

It features a variety of irresistible, authentic New Orleans dishes with classics including jambalaya, gumbo, beignets, crawfish, and more. Your senses will come to life as the air fills with the enticing aromas of Cajun and Creole spices, bringing the essence of New Orleans to life.

***STORY 3****

Beaufort County Council members have established their committee assignments. These assignments are for two years.
According to a media release from Beaufort County, the committee assignments are as follows:

Community Services Committee
Meets the first Monday at 2 p.m.