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 Island News
 The Beaufort County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department (BCADAD), in partnership with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, is again participating in the DEA National Rx Take Back program that allows people to properly dispose of unused prescription drugs.

 The event will be held Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at two locations:

Beaufort County Bluffton Government Center, 4819 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton;

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center, 2001 Duke Street, Beaufort.

 Drop-off is for pills only. Please do not bring liquids or sharps/needles. Both locations will have proper at-home disposal solutions for all who stop by.
Story 2

From the Island News October is a month of ghosts, hobgoblins, spirits and mischief. In celebration of Halloween season, Beaufort County Television (BCTV) kicks off a new series entitled Sea Island Spirits.

 Sea Island Spirits is based on different haunts in the Beaufort County area, sharing the history behind the most famous buildings, superstitions, and folklore. Multiple locals, historians, and folklore storytellers are interviewed and tell the story of each legend as they have heard and researched it.

 Episodes include local legends such as Bottle Trees, the Lands End Light, and Fort Mitchel.

 Sea Island Spirits airs on Wednesday at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

 Story 3 

From Bluffton Today, The southern area of Hardeeville in Jasper County will now have better communications, thanks to a brand new, 300-foot tower that helps to keep first responders safer. The tower was made possible due to partnerships between the City of Hardeeville, Jasper County and Motorola. The tower is located off US 17 on Speedway Boulevard.

 A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Sept. 30, with several dignitaries and city staff attending the event along with representatives from Motorola.

 "One of the greatest things happening today, not only is the city taking the lead on this and city staff getting involved; it is a collaborative effort with Jasper County for the good of everybody," Hardeeville Mayor Harry Williams said.

 Story 4

 From the Island Packet, Nearly 300 Beaufort County high school students will be randomly drug tested each month as part of the district’s revamped efforts to deter drug use in schools. 

 Those eligible to be selected for testing include any high school student playing sports or participating in other voluntary extracurricular activities, such as robotics and debate clubs, and those with parking permits. Other students will not be tested. 

 The program is similar to testing the district implemented from 2015 until 2020 when it was paused due to COVID. It was polarizing among the community then. Now, we want to hear what you think. At least one school board member, who is also a parent, is outspoken against the policy.
Story 5

From the Island Packet  The Beaufort Academy volleyball team used a dominant postseason on its way to another state championship. 

 The Eagles defeated The King’s Academy, 3-1 (21-25, 25-14, 25-12, 25-12), to win the SCISA Class 2A championship on Monday at Wilson Hall in Sumter. 

 It was Beaufort Academy’s third state championship in program history, all coming since 2017. Beaufort Academy dropped the first set to the Lions and was down 8-7 in the second set before winning 17 of the next 24 points to even the match.

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.