Beaufort County This Week

WELCOME to Beaufort County This Week! Today is Friday, July 31 and this week in 1973 the late Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney was born in Beaufort. 

I’m Matt Goldin and here are your top stories presented by Beaufort County TV!  

A famous mini totem pole in Beaufort is getting a new home. 

The outgoing Water Festival Commodore made quite a splash on Saturday

All this and more coming up on Beaufort County This Week! 

From the Island Packet

For decades, a weathered but optimistic face with coal-black wide eyes set in circles has greeted Beaufort residents walking along the sidewalk on Boundary Street, in front of a Thai restaurant and sushi bar. On Monday morning, rush-hour traffic rushed past the face like it wasn’t there. The drivers may not have even known that the landmark piece of art, carved by a legendary Beaufort figure near the base of the palmetto tree, even exists.

On Friday, the city announced on Facebook that it is removing the tree with the face before it declines naturally or is taken down by a storm.

However, the city added, the funky art will be saved and placed in new home at Morrall Park at the corner of Craven and Carteret streets, preserving the countenance for future generations.

Well-known local artist Hugh Patrick Knox Corry — known to many simply as “Driftwood” — carved the strange face many years ago, City Manager Scott Marshall said.

Marc Sviland, a local artist and woodworker, will mount the carving before it is permanently installed at its new location at Morrall Park, Marshall said.

Driftwood lived in a shack on the side of U.S. 21 on Harbor Island. He fashioned driftwood and horseshoe crab shells into art, according to previous Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet reporting.

His legend grew large in 20-or-so years around town, from about the early 1950s to the early 1970s. Driftwood died in 1981 in a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Atlanta.

From the Island Packet

The incoming commodore of the 2027 Beaufort Water Festival celebrated the cherished appointment by dancing with her husband and sons. The outgoing 2026 leader became the first commodore in the festival’s 70-year history to end his reign by jumping from a moving shrimp boat.

The highly anticipated “change of watch” came Saturday during the Commodore’s Ball near the close of the 10-day Water Festival. In one of the festival’s most cherished traditions, Cori Talbert, who has volunteered with the festival for 17 years, was chosen to lead the 71st festival in 2027 during the ball.

Talbert succeeded outgoing commodore Dusty Vickers, who made history when he jumped over the rail of the Gracie Belle, a shrimp boat owned by Craig Reaves, Sunday during the blessing of the fleet. He swam to shore, where he delivered his final remarks.

“I can’t recollect a commodore actually jumping off a shrimp boat,” Vickers told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet Monday.

Asked why he did it, Vickers said the move was planned and not spontaneous. He wanted to end the festival “with splash.” He added he had a scene from the 1994’s “Forrest Gump” in mind when he came up with the idea. In the movie, Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks, jumps off of a shrimp boat when Lt. Dan, played by Gary Sinise, arrives to join him in the shrimping business. The film was made in Beaufort.

Vickers also said the unusual move seemed to fit the theme of this year’s Water Festival, which was, “Sunny Days and Fresh Waves.” He also enjoys the water, he noted.

From Live5 News

Hilton Head Island Airport is adding a TSA PreCheck lane, officials announced.

To prepare for the new lane, the airport will host a PreCheck enrollment event next month for travelers who need to sign up or renew their membership.

The enrollment event runs Aug. 18–21 at the airport on Hunter Road.

Travelers must sign up or renew their PreCheck membership to use the new lane once it opens. Once approved, membership lasts five years.

And now here are  some events to get you Out and About this weekend!

***Out and About***

Thanks for listening to Beaufort County This Week! To learn more about BC TV, please head over to Beaufort County dot TV.  All Rights Reserved. 

WELCOME to Beaufort County This Week! Today is Friday, July 24 and this week US representative and Sumter native Jim Clyburn celebrated his 86th birthday. 

I’m Matt Goldin and here are your top stories presented by Beaufort County TV!  

Proposed legislation could bring $16 million in water infrastructure to Beaufort and Hilton Head

City of Beaufort has moved forward with two waterfront projects

and Burton, Sheldon Fire Districts conduct joint water supply training

All this and more coming up on Beaufort County This Week! 

From the Island Packet

Proposed federal legislation would provide $16 million in water infrastructure funding to Beaufort and Hilton Head. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 was passed by the Congressional Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 14, and earmarked in it are $10 million for the Town of Hilton Head and $6 million for the City of Beaufort. 

WRDA legislative packages are passed every two years to fund water infrastructure projects nationwide. The 2026 WRDA awaits congressional approval before funds are distributed. 

According to the WRDA, the $10 million authorized for Hilton Head will fund, “water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management.” The WRDA does not list the uses of the $6 million authorized for Beaufort. A press release from the office of Rep. Nancy Mace said the funds are for “water and wastewater infrastructure.” City of Beaufort Finance Director Alan Eisenman said it may take one to four years for Beaufort to receive the funds once authorized by congress. Once received, the city will use the funds for the Port Republic and Carteret Streets drainage project, he said.

From the Post & Courier

The city has moved forward with two projects related to the promenade at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park — including a search for a firm to help fix the failing riverside promenade now that the day dock has reopened. 

The request for qualifications for design services represents a “meaningful step” toward restoring the promenade, City Manager Scott Marshall said in his July 20 newsletter. 

The 1,200-foot-long riverside feature has been closed for more than a year. It sits atop a structure called a relieving platform, which was determined to be failing along with its support pilings due to erosion. 

The city is seeking a “qualified multidisciplinary consultant team to provide marine, coastal, geotechnical and structural engineering services” among other services for the massive construction project expected to take place in the next few years, said Assistant City Manager Eric Claussen. 

The RFQ was posted July 10. Responses are due by Aug.13. 

From WTOC

The Burton and Sheldon Fire Districts held their annual joint mobile water supply training Wednesday at Whale Branch Middle School. 

The exercise focuses on transporting water to emergency scenes in areas of both districts where fire hydrants are not present, using high-capacity water tankers. 

Burton Fire District Assistant Chief Jim Still said the yearly training is necessary to ensure crews are prepared before an emergency occurs. 

“Perfect practice makes perfect, so if we wait till two in the morning when somebody has that unfortunate event, and we have to respond and deploy the resources appropriately, that’s not the time to learn,” Still said. 

The joint mobile water supply training is one of several exercises the two districts conduct together annually to ensure smooth collaboration when responding to emergencies.

And now here are  some events to get you Out and About this weekend!

***Out and About***

Thanks for listening to Beaufort County This Week! To learn more about BC TV, please head over to Beaufort County dot TV.  All Rights Reserved. 

From the Island Packet

The NWS issued a coastal flooding advisory Tuesday as the high tide was forecast to inundate coastal areas with 6 inches or more of water. This phenomenon is called high-tide flooding, and it occurs when weather and astrological variables push seawater above normal high marks. It’s concerning for the Lowcountry, since much of it is low-lying and susceptible to floods. 

The NWS issued a coastal flooding advisory Tuesday as the high tide was forecast to inundate coastal areas with 6 inches or more of water. This phenomenon is called high-tide flooding, and it occurs when weather and astrological variables push seawater above normal high marks. It’s concerning for the Lowcountry, since much of it is low-lying and susceptible to floods. 

And the 2026 El Niño could make high-tide flooding a more frequent issue. El Niño are known to exacerbate high-tide flooding, and this year’s El Niño is forecast to be very strong.

From the Post & Courier

Changes are happening in Old Town Bluffton, but a new program ensures little disruption for visitors. 

To maintain seamless access to local shops, restaurants and parks during ongoing infrastructure upgrades, the town of Bluffton has launched a free shuttle service. The 12-week pilot program, which is currently underway, partners with Hidden Treasures, a Bluffton-based tour service, to provide a free hop-on, hop-off shuttle. The guided-tour company typically showcases the history of Gullah culture in the area. 

"They have contracted with the town in the past and have the beautiful golf carts to provide for this shuttle service," said Bluffton spokesperson Debbie Szpanka. "It’s a proactive thing we are trying to do to get people adjusted to the shuttles so that when the big projects get underway they will know how to navigate it all." 

Operating Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., two eight-seat carts run a continuous loop. This allows visitors to bypass the search for parking during ongoing streetscape improvements.

To ensure clear visibility, the town has established four designated stop locations marked with two-sided sandwich board signs. The shuttle loops continuously between Wright Family Parkat 111 Calhoun St., the corner of Mellichamp Drive and Bluffton Road, the M.C. Riley Sports Complex at 185 Goethe Road, and Oyster Factory Park at 63 Wharf St.

From WTOC

Beaufort County Mosquito Control has confirmed the first West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples of the year in Beaufort County. The samples were collected from surveillance trap locations in the City of Beaufort and tested in the agency’s laboratory. 

Beaufort County Mosquito Control said it is increasing mosquito trapping in the identified areas and will schedule more truck treatment missions to reduce adult mosquito populations. 

The agency said it deploys up to 80 mosquito surveillance traps each week throughout Beaufort County to detect mosquito-borne diseases including West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, and St. Louis encephalitis virus. Officials said West Nile virus is naturally found in the area, but detection can vary from year to year. 

STORY 1

From WSAV 

A loggerhead sea turtle nest laid on May 11 is the first of this season to hatch on Hilton Head Island.

Sea Turtle Patrol HHI made the announcement Wednesday. 

Approximately 30 hatchlings emerged Tuesday night. Sea Turtle Patrol HHI will watch the nest over the next few days to ensure an accurate count. 

DNA analysis shows the turtle that laid the eggs in this nest also nested on Hilton Head Island in 2019, 2023 and 2026.

Story 2

From the Island Packet

Firefighters battled a fire at a downtown Beaufort house Monday evening and saved some dragons in the process. Fire crews arrived at 7:30 p.m. to find a working fire at the 2,000 square-foot Wilmington Street residence, according to Ross Vezin, a spokesman for the Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department.

Beaufort County EMS and Beaufort police also responded. Crews quickly extinguished the fire but that’s not all. They also rescued three pet bearded dragons being kept in an aquarium inside the residence.

Social media comments applauded the firefighters’ work in saving these pets, with commenters calling them heroes. 

Story 3 

From the Post & Courier 

The heat and humidity are unrelenting, and extreme heat advisories from the National Weather Service are blanketing the counties along the South Carolina coast. Doctors say these conditions can be more than just miserable, they could be dangerous.

And that danger is increasing — between 1999 and 2023, more than 21,000 people died in the U.S. from heat-related illness, according to a study in JAMA Network. Those deaths more than doubled, from 1,069 in 1999 to 2,325 in 2023, the highest number of deaths so far, the study found.

The combination of the heat and the humidity work against people in these hot conditions. The body tries to cool itself by sweating and the evaporation of sweat off the skin, which can release body heat. That becomes harder and harder as heat and humidity climb.

It is already taking a toll in the Lowcountry, said Dr. Tejbir Dhindsa, medical director of the emergency room at Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital. While it is hard to know if it is more than previous years, “we are seeing a lot of heat-related illnesses,” he said. It runs the gamut — from feeling light-headed with some cramping to nausea, vomiting and the kidneys shutting down.

And it is not just the heat and humidity that is dangerous if people aren’t careful about sun exposure, Dhindsa said.

“We actually had to talk to a burn doctor yesterday about someone who had a pretty bad, extensive sunburn that had blistered and caused quite a bit of pain,” he said.

Heat exhaustion can have symptoms of sweating, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, cool and clammy skin, and an elevated body temperature, said Dr. Diann Krywko, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. Heat stroke, the more severe condition, can see confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness and even liver or kidney failure, she said.

The best advice, doctors said, is to avoid getting to that point in the first place. If you start to feel symptoms, stop what you are doing, go to a cool space, drink a lot of non-alcoholic fluids and try and hydrate.

STORY 1

From Post & Courier 

Two city blocks in Beaufort’s historic Northwest Quadrant will soon be converted into a new cultural campus under an expansion plan announced by the Freedman Arts District. The nonprofit organization recently acquired the municipal properties at 1407 King and 600 Wilmington streets to launch the Freedman School of Arts, Crafts & Culture. 

Local developer and Freedman Arts District board member Dick Stewart purchased the multi-property facilities through his real estate firm for $1,055,000 and intends to donate the buildings directly to the Freedman Foundation. Located close to the Pat Conroy Literary Center, the two buildings, approximately 8,000 square feet each, will help create a permanent downtown network focused on creative workforce education and neighborhood revitalization. 

“We are eager to support the arts and preserve the history of the area,” Stewart said. “It’s very ambitious and I think it is going to have a lasting impact on our area and will serve as a hub and help us connect all the creative outlets we have in Beaufort.” 

The project will repurpose a vacant former county government office and an active health department building into public spaces for hands-on learning. As part of the transition, the health department is leasing the space back from Stewart's firm until they finalize their relocation to a new facility. 

Story 2

From WSAV 

This week was runoffs for the South Carolina Primaries. In the Republican Governor race, Alan Wilson defeated Pamela Evette to earn the GOP bid. David Stumbo defeated Stephen Goldfinch to be the Republican Nominee for Attorney General. Cody Simpson defeated Danny Ford II for the Republican bid to be Ag Commissioner. Nancy Lacore defeated Mac Deford in the Democrat primary for US House District 1. On the Republican side of the District 1 primary Jenny Hosta Honeycutty beat Mark Smith. And in the Republican Primary for Beaufort County Council District 5 seat Joshua Hower defeated Mary Jeans Otto. Election Day is November 3, 2026. Head to BeaufortCountySC.gov/Vote or SCVotes.SC.Gov for more election information and to register to vote. 

Story 3 

From Explore Beaufort SC

From the depths of the ocean to USCB. A newly discovered species of deep-sea black coral has been named for Dr. Mercer R. Brugler, Chair of USCB’s Department of Natural Sciences and Professor of Marine Biology.

“Leiopathes brugleri,” described by scientists from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History and international collaborators, inhabits deep waters from Texas to Florida and the Azores.

The impressive tree-like corals can grow more than 2 meters tall and wide and may live for more than 4,265 years. These corals provide habitat for diverse marine life and are important indicators of ocean health.

The discovery was published in the journal “Coral Reefs” on June 15, 2026.

Dr. Brugler has dedicated more than two decades to studying the evolution and conservation of black corals, and this recognition celebrates his lasting contributions to marine science.

Also of note is some other promising information concerning the Earth’s coral reefs.

Breakthroughs in coral reef research published in mid-2026 reveal that approximately one-third of the world’s reefs are climate resilient. Scientists identified these vital refugia and are actively working on innovative, hybrid restoration projects to protect marine ecosystems.

STORY 1

From the WSAV

The 12th annual Mitchelville Juneteenth celebration returns this year to the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park with a three-day celebration.

“We’re going to talk about the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth Amendment would really make us free as Americans, those amendments really put us all on the same equal plain,” said Executive Director for Historic Mitchelville Freedom Ahmad Ward.

It’s set to be a big event held in the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the country.

“The tagline for Signature of Freedom Park is where Freedom began, because we look at this as a place where Africans in America were able to practice citizenship for the first time in a place where they were running all of the things, the facilities upstairs to move into and to use and to function,” Ward said. Ward said this celebration means the most to many people attached to the park, because of the celebratory aspect of the event.

“With Juneteenth being the quintessential freedom holiday, it just makes sense for us to be doing this here, especially now that it is a national holiday,” said Ward. “We were doing Juneteenth when it wasn’t as big of a national deal. So, for it to be a national holiday, it’s just fitting for the place where freedom began to have a celebration, celebrating freedom for it.” The events now start Thursday with a “sleep in” at the property itself.

“So, we do a sleepover with Joe McGill, who received one project. And Joe has slept in close to 40 different states,” detailed Ward. “In the United States, places where enslaved people lived flourished or were just plantations. And he is really dedicated to sharing the background of these folks and getting deep into the heart of a plantation.” Then, Friday is a chance to get into the rhythm of the holiday.

“The drum circle is right on Friday. And so this year, we have a kids’ drum camp earlier in the day. So we’re going to teach you how to do the drumming,” said Ward. “If you come back at 530 you can really get into it.” Then Saturday is the big event, the Juneteenth celebration.

“The big festival is Saturday, June 13, from 10 to 4,” Ward said. “It’s only $10 to come. You’ll have arts and crafts. You have all kinds of men. There are all kinds of food out here on Saturday. Okay. You never go hungry. Anything you can think of is going to be out here on Saturday. We also get some great music on tap. El Shaddai will perform, there an old school dance contest, and then one of my favorites, Stokely Williams from Mint Condition will close it out.” While the day will be about fun, you can also learn something as well and find out more about the ongoing history projects at the park.

“We have a full excavation going on the site right now. And this is the site of the future Interpretive Center. That will happen whenever I find $12 million,” Ward said. “So, if you know anybody out there, please. Please tell them to donate big. You will be able to have tours of the excavation. So, they actually lead you through some of the scenes, show you the stuff that they’re finding.”

Story 2

From Post and Courier 

A new display in the Fort Fremont Historical Preserve welcome center sheds new light on history of the fort and Beaufort County’s connection to the Spanish American War. Grabbing visitors’ attention is a 35-inch-long model ship with a green and black hull, contrasting sharply with a crisp white deck and superstructure. It’s the Gen. E.O.C. Ord, a mine planter that went in service in 1909 and once operated in the Port Royal Sound. Working in his wood shop, Friends of Fort Fremont member Dennis Cannady crafted the model from basswood in an astonishingly short nine weeks.

“This unveiling brings an end to this phase of telling the Fort Fremont story,” said Cannady during the June 4 premier of the new model.

Creating the Ord wasn’t Cannady’s first rodeo. The retired engineer, who spent his career at General Motors, already had three dioramas on display in the welcome center, the largest of which depicts that layout of the base when it was fully operational in the early 20th century. Still, he felt one more was needed.

“We realized that the last piece of the story of Fort Fremont hadn’t been told yet. And that is the mining that was done in the river,” Cannady said.

Story 3 

From wsav

A new case of measles in a Beaufort County adult was confirmed Wednesday by the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH).

The case has no known connection to the Lowcountry case reported in Hampton County on June 3. 

At this time, the patient’s vaccination status is unconfirmed, and the source of exposure is unknown. 

A DPH investigation identified various Lowcountry locations and times where exposures have occurred.

Publix Super Market at Lady’s Island

• June 1 – 2:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• June 2 – 3 – 6 p.m.
• June 4 – 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
• June 5 – 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Beaufort HS graduation, BHS Football Stadium

• June 3

Dataw Island Community Center pool/gym

• June 2, June 3 and June 4 – 5:50 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The risk of exposure is limited to the above specific locations and times. 

A spokesperson for the DPH said, “People who believe they were exposed at Publix, especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease, should monitor for symptoms for three weeks (21 days) after the exposure date. Those exposed at Beaufort High School should monitor for symptoms through June 24. The last day of symptom monitoring for those exposed at the Dataw Island Community Center is June 25.”

STORY 1

From the Island News

With South Carolina’s June 9 primary election approaching, Beaufort County election officials are encouraging voters to double-check their polling locations after several precincts were temporarily relocated and a new precinct was added for the upcoming primary and any runoff election scheduled for June 23. The Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections announced the changes in May. The relocations are temporary and apply only to the June 9 primary and June 23 runoff election. The changes affect voters in the Sheldon area, on Lady’s Island, on St. Helena Island and in portions of the Chechessee and Riverbend communities.

Election Day voting will take place Tuesday, June 9, with polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Voters must cast their ballots at their assigned precinct on Election Day. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote in a primary race, a runoff election will be held June 23. Early voting is underway and continues through Thursday, June 5. Early voting centers are open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections office, the St. Helena Branch Library, the Bluffton Branch Library and the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Hilton Head campus. Voters are required to present a valid photo ID before casting a ballot. Acceptable forms of identification include a South Carolina driver’s license, a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles-issued photo identification card, a voter registration card with a photograph, a military identification card, a Veterans Affairs identification card or a United States passport.

Election officials are encouraging all voters, even those whose precincts are not among the temporary relocations, to verify their polling location before Election Day by using the South Carolina Election Commission’s “Find My Polling Place” tool or by contacting the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections at 843-255-6900. The changes include several temporary polling place relocations as well as the creation of a new precinct in the Chechessee area.

Story 2

From Bluffton Today

The importance of protecting Bluffton’s waterways became the subject of an art contest and the winners were recently announced by the town. “Local Bluffton students recently submitted artwork to raise awareness of the need to protect our waterways and keep pollution out of the stormwater system,” a Town of Bluffton spokesperson said. One of the winning pieces of art was by A. DiPalma, a student at Cross Schools. The winners will soon have their artwork displayed on storm drains throughout Bluffton’s Historic District as part of this environmental awareness initiative.

The following students had winning designs:

• “What Goes Here, Flows There” - A. Di Palma, Cross Schools

• “Be Mindful - We All Share the Same Ocean” - A. Lindberg, River Ridge Academy

• “Never Litter. Love The May River” - L. DuBose, Hilton Head Christian Academy

• “Keep Bluffton Flowing” - E. Hernandez, Bluffton High School

Installation of the students’ artwork is tentatively scheduled for early June, dependent upon the weather, town officials said. “Thank you to all the students, schools, teachers, and families who participated in this project and helped raise awareness of the importance of protecting the May River and our local waterways,” a town spokesperson said.

Story 3 

From the Post & Courier 

June is “Trails Month” in South Carolina, and it kicks off with National Trails Day on June 6. In Beaufort County, officials are taking the opportunity to highlight the much-loved Spanish Moss Trail and its impact on local health and tourism. Considered a crown jewel of the Lowcountry, the Spanish Moss Trail is a recognized segment of the national East Coast Greenway and draws more than 100,000 annual visitors to its scenic pathway. The 10-mile paved greenway features new family-friendly additions, including a specialized kids' track, the Downtown Beaufort Connector and the Ribaut Road Crossing into Port Royal.

“We are incredibly proud of South Carolina, Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort and the Town of Port Royal for collaborating with the national celebration of trails for the entire month of June,” said Dean Moss, executive director of Friends of the Spanish Moss.

Built along the historic Port Royal Railroad right-of-way, the greenway winds over creeks, through wetlands and under moss-draped live oaks, offering pristine coastal wildlife views and historic points of interest. While owned by Beaufort County, the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail advocate for continued development of the popular location. The story of the Spanish Moss Trail begins with the historic Magnolia Line Railroad. Established in 1870, the railroad operations ceased in 2003. Five years later, the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority acquired the right-of-way to use as a utility corridor. In January 2011, they granted a surface easement to Beaufort County to develop 14 miles of the corridor as a recreational trail, what would eventually become the Spanish Moss Trail. Since 2013, nearly 10 miles of the trail have been developed and are open to the hundreds of people who use it each day, connecting the city of Beaufort and the town of Port Royal.

The public can participate in Trails Month by exploring the 12-foot-wide, Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible pathway from dawn to dusk through the six main trailheads: Westvine, Broome, Depot, Beaufort Plaza, Roseida and Clarendon. Participants can support the trail's preservation by practicing "Leave No Trace" principles, keeping pets leashed and adhering to the 15 mph speed limit for bicycles and Class 1 electric bikes. The “Leave No Trace” principles promote outdoor conservation by instructing visitors to plan ahead, travel on durable surfaces and dispose of waste properly. Outdoor visitors should leave natural objects untouched, minimize campfire impacts and respect wildlife by keeping a safe distance.

“The Spanish Moss Trail is a wonderful asset not only to the county but to the southeast area,” said Alice Howard, Beaufort County Council chair. “We see visitors from other states and other counties on the trail. It is a great linear ‘park’ with all ages and stages of people enjoying the trail through marshes and woodlands plus providing another mode of transportation besides vehicles.”

Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtags #SpanishMossTrail, #NationalTrailsDay and #SCTrailsMonth. Visitors can also download the trail's free mobile guide app or donate directly to the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail at SpanishMossTrail.com.

STORY 1

From the Island Packet

A critical decision on restoring Beaufort’s unstable boardwalk and the relieving platform supporting it was made Monday when the Waterfront Park Advisory Committee voted unanimously to endorse one of three options on the table. Committee members voted 6-0 to recommend that the city pursue Option 2, where the failing structure under the promenade known as the relieving platform would be replaced and modernized. The option is most like the current promenade in terms of looks and layout, so it won’t bring major changes to the feel of the park. However, the city’s engineering consultant says it would use contemporary materials and raise the platform 18 inches to add more flood control. It would have a lifespan of 75 years.

The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council, which will make the final decision and may discuss the issue at a May 26 meeting, said City Councilman Josh Scallate, who serves on the Waterfront Advisory Committee. If the City Council approves it, city staff will begin work on developing an engineering and design proposal that would be advertised.

“This gets it moving to the next step,” Scallate said of the committee’s vote. The decision to pick Option 2 comes a week-and-a-half after the city unveiled three options at a meeting at Waterfront Park attended by some 150 people.

Story 2

From WCSC

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources reported that the first two loggerhead sea turtle nests of 2026 were logged on Wednesday morning at Edisto Beach State Park and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. The two nests were left in situ, meaning they remain undisturbed, so the number of eggs remains unclear. Loggerhead sea turtles, which comprise the majority of South Carolina nests, are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Female loggerheads do not nest each year and may lay several nests two weeks apart while consuming little to no food at all, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources says. The year 2019 was the highest on record for loggerhead nest numbers in South Carolina, with 8,775 counted.

Last year, 3,901 were reported. Four species of sea turtles may nest on South Carolina beaches, and all are protected under federal and state law. Those species are: loggerheads, green turtles, Kemp’s ridleys, and leatherbacks. Sea turtle nesting season in South Carolina runs from May 1 through October 31.

Story 3 

From the Post & Courier 

Social media posts coming out of Jasper County during the afternoon of May 6 look like they belong back in 2020 or 2021. One post from Keith Horton, the county’s clerk of court, stated that the Jasper County Courthouse is closed until further notice due to a “significant number of employees testing positive for COVID-19.” Reached by phone, Laura Malphrus, the county’s chief deputy clerk of court, confirmed the closure and its cause, stating that several employees tested positive for the virus earlier in the day May 6. She did not disclose the exact number of employees who tested positive.

The courthouse is scheduled to be disinfected on May 7 and due to the chemicals used in that process employees were advised that the courthouse would not reopen until May 11, Malphrus added. 

STORY 1

From the Island News

The City of Beaufort’s City Council voted March 10 to pass amendments to the city’s single-use plastics ordinance on a first reading, making Beaufort the first municipality in Beaufort County to advance the measures. A second and final vote will be required before the rules take effect. The amendments, presented to council by City Manager Scott Marshall, significantly broaden the scope of the county’s original 2018 Plastic Bag Ordinance. Rather than simply addressing single-use plastic carryout bags, the revised ordinance transforms the chapter into a comprehensive single-use plastics and foam reduction policy.

What the ordinance would do

Under the amended rules, all plastic carryout bags would be banned outright. Stores would be required to offer customers reusable bags – specifically those made of cloth with stitched, not heat-sealed, handles. The ordinance would also prohibit businesses operating within city limits from providing to-go cups and food trays made of expanded polystyrene foam, commonly known as EPS or styrofoam. “No business establishment conducting business within the city limits may provide plastic carry-out bags or EDF disposable food service ware to its customers,” the amended regulations state.

Story 2

From the Island Packet

Cyclists, rejoice: a new scenic bike-friendly trail will open soon on Hilton Head Island. The Sea Pines Forest Preserve Foundation is putting “finishing touches” on a new bicycle-friendly trail in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, according to comments from David Henderson, Director of Special Projects and Operations, during a March 3 meeting of the Sea Pines CSA Board of Directors. Residents and visitors will soon be able to enjoy walking or cycling through the woods on the new leisure trail. 

“The experience is unique,” Henderson said at the meeting. “There’s nothing else like it on Hilton Head Island.” Where will the new trail be? The exact location of the new trail has not been confirmed by Sea Pines officials.

Story 3 

WSAV

- The RBC Heritage tournament is proving again that it’s about much more than golf. The charitable organization, the Heritage Classic Foundation, is making a difference in the lives of the next generation of future leaders from the Lowcountry. 11 Beaufort County seniors were named Heritage Classic Foundation scholars for the 2025-2026 school year. The students come from five different high schools in Beaufort and Jasper County. Applications were reviewed by the scholar committee based on academic success, community service, essays written by the students and financial need. During Monday’s awards presentation, Heritage Classic Foundation Chairman Simon Fraser told the audience, “This is always an exciting day for the Heritage Classic Foundation. We believe the résumés of these young adults are stronger than ever. The teachers and administrators of our school systems, as well as the award winners, deserve special praise.”

The Kirby Scholarship, a one-year $4,000 scholar award, was created in memory of past Scholar Committee Chairman Ward Kirby and is granted every year. Two of the scholarships honor Scholar Committee chairmen who have passed, John Zimmerman and Mike Malanick. One honors the late Scholar Committee member Charlie Brown, and the Tartan Club Award recognizes the donations made by the Tartan Club. Created by the Heritage Classic Foundation, the Tartan Club is a group made up of individuals throughout the community who share a desire to help others through the awarding of scholarship grants for area students.

STORY 1

From the Island Packet

Beaufort’s Bay Street is back in business after a $12 million storm drainage upgrade blocked vehicle traffic and hindered foot traffic into the city’s downtown business district for three long months. Gulf Stream Construction Inc. finished paving the intersection of Bay and Charles streets Friday and reopened it to traffic Monday. “We’re open for business!” Nan Sutton, the owner of Lulu Burgess, said in Facebook post announcing the reopening, as she stood, nearly dancing, in the middle of the intersection. “Woo-hoo!” The reopening of the intersection means vehicles can now easily reach downtown Beaufort from both directions of Bay Street — from both the Woods Memorial Bridge end, which had remained open, and the marina end, which had been closed. 

Downtown Beaufort remained open, but the closure of the western entrance reduced both vehicle and pedestrian traffic through the holiday season, a critical time for downtown businesses. 

“Our businesses need this,” Ashlee Houck, president and CEO of the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association, said of the reopening of the key intersection. “Downtown has been hit hard with the waterfront promenade closure, so this is what we need at this point in time. Some businesses didn’t last through January.” Besides the disruption caused by the stormwater drainage project, downtown businesses also are wrestling with the city’s closure of the promenade because of deterioration of the infrastructure underneath the Waterfront Park. 

Houck says businesses are hoping the reopening of Bay and Charles streets will stabilize foot traffic. The Bay-Charles intersection is just a part of a year-long, $11.9 million stormwater drainage project called the Charles/Craven Street Stormwater Improvements. The project will replace 1900-era pipes and install tidal check valves along the waterfront to reduce chronic flooding from hurricanes and other storms. With opening of the intersection, work is now proceeding north up Charles Street.

From the Bluffton Today

SouthernCarolina Alliance is celebrating its 30th year of service to the South Carolina Lowcountry with several major announcements in 2026.

"As we ended 2025 with announcements and expansions in Colleton, Bamberg, Beaufort and Hampton counties, 2026 kicked off with a major economic development project announcement in Bamberg County," said Steve Murdaugh SCA Chairman in the SCA's February newsletter. "As SCA reflects this year on our 30 years of service to the counties of our region, we look forward to what's to come as our region remains a hub for investment and job creation."

The SCA is a non-profit regional economic development organization founded in 1996 that serves seven S.C. Lowcountry counties: Beaufort, Hampton, Jasper, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, and Colleton counties with the goals of attracting, retaining, and expanding business investments, particularly in the automotive, aerospace and manufacturing industries.