STORY 1

Last week, Beaufort County celebrated a pair of groundbreakings at Parks & Recs locations in the Beaufort County. On January 7th, ground was broken for the Wesley E. Felix Community center located at 179 Ball Park Road on St. Helena Island. The speakers included County Council member York Glover, who spoke about the importance of baseball to St. Helena’s community and history. Again on January 9th the county broke ground on the Agnes A. Major Community center at 21 Agnes Major Road in Sheldon. Council member Gerald Dawson was amongst the speakers and highlighted the accomplishments of Ms. Major’s life and her impacts on the community. You can watch the groundbreaking ceremony on Youtube.com/@BeaufortCountyTV and on BCTV.

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From the Island Packet

Freezing rain is the main concern for the Lowcountry this weekend as a powerful winter storm sweeps across the eastern United States, the National Weather Service’s Charleston office said Wednesday afternoon. By Monday, a sharp drop in temperatures, with coastal lows in the mid to upper 20s, could cause any snow or ice to persist into next week. Despite continued uncertainty about specific impacts, the Lowcountry as of Wednesday afternoon appears to be near the southernmost periphery of the storm, and the greatest impacts are expected to take place late Saturday into Monday morning. Since Tuesday, the storm’s forecast track has shifted northward, lessening the overall potential impacts for South Carolinians living south of I-20, according to a midday report from Frank Strait, severe weather liaison with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Climate Office.

Beaufort County is right on the edge between a 20–40% chance of ice accumulation and a lower risk below 20%, according to the briefing.

How to prepare for the winter storm

Dominion Energy, one of the county’s largest providers, wrote they were preparing and “ready to respond” in the event of severe winter weather throughout the state. They encouraged their customers to Pack emergency kits, including flashlights, batteries, portable radios, first-aid kits and enough bottled water and non-perishable food to last several days. Stay away from any downed power lines with the assumption that they are still energized and dangerous. South Carolina customers should call 888-333-4465 right away to report a downed power line. Prepare for potential property damage, since crews can only repair electric service up to a home’s point of connection.

If a customer loses power and has any storm damage from the weatherhead down to its meter base, an electrician must first repair it before Dominion can reconnect power to the home. Stay connected with their provider on social media for updates and alerts. Report and track outages on the Dominion Energy app and website. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division provides a winter weather resource guide and checklist to help residents prepare for possible winter storms.

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- The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Week starts next weekend, kicking off Sunday, January 31st and running through February 7th. From Bluffton to Hilton Head Island, more than 80 local restaurants are serving up special pre-fixed menu featuring new creations, signature favorites, and can’t-miss dishes from the area’s top chefs. A Kickoff event at Rollers Wine & Spirits will run next Thursday, January 29th from 5 to 8pm. For more information including a full list of participating restaurants and menus please visit hiltonheadisland.org.

Beaufort County celebrated the groundbreaking of two new community centers

Tim Scott and Joe Wilson push for a Coast Guard training base in Beaufort

And Beaufort Veterans affairs will host a symposium for Healthcare/Social Work professionals

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

STORY 1

Last week, Beaufort County celebrated a pair of groundbreakings at Parks & Recs locations in the Beaufort County. On January 7th, ground was broken for the Wesley E. Felix Community center located at 179 Ball Park Road on St. Helena Island. The speakers included County Council member York Glover, who spoke about the importance of baseball to St. Helena’s community and history. Again on January 9th the county broke ground on the Agnes A. Major Community center at 21 Agnes Major Road in Sheldon. Council member Gerald Dawson was amongst the speakers and highlighted the accomplishments of Ms. Major’s life and her impacts on the community. You can watch the groundbreaking ceremony on Youtube.com/@BeaufortCountyTV and on BCTV.

Story 2

From the Island Packet

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and Congressman Joe Wilson are on board with a new Coast Guard training base in Port Royal, which a new report says would generate $300 million in revenue and more than 2,000 jobs. In November, the Coast Guard announced it was seeking a location for a second boot camp to train some of the 15,000 additional personnel expected to join the military branch over the next few years. The Coast Guard issued a solicitation for potential locations for the new facility, with a deadline set for Dec. 7. The Beaufort County Economic Development Corp (BCED), Beaufort Area Chamber of Commerce and Beaufort Defense Community Partnership Task Force applied for consideration, saying Naval Hospital Beaufort could be a perfect fit. The hospital grounds are located between the Beaufort River and Ribaut Road in Port Royal. Gov. Henry McMaster and Congresswoman Nancy Mace previously announced their support for the application.

The Naval Hospital’s access to the Intracoastal Waterway is one reason it is an ideal location for a new Coast Guard training facility, local officials say. Beaufort County Economic Development Corp. Now Scott and Wilson have added their names to the growing list of local, state and federal officials backing the proposal. On Monday, Scott and Wilson sent a letter of support to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. John O’Toole, who heads the BCED, said the letter from Scott and Wilson is a welcome addition to the application, which is under review by the Coast Guard and Homeland Security. Over the weekend, BCED officials also were busy working on a report on the economic development impact the training base would have on the area. That report was requested by Gov. Henry McMaster’s office to be forwarded to the federal officials for consideration, O’Toole said.

“It is my understanding we made some sort of first cut by the Department of Homeland Security on the training facility,” O’Toole said. “I don’t know how many communities are still standing.” The economic impact report said a training facility at the Naval Hospital would have an economic impact on the region in excess of $300 million and create 2,200 direct and indirect jobs, O’Toole said. The established military community in Beaufort and Port Royal, which includes Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, makes it ideal for the Coast Guard base, the letter from Scott and Wilson says.

STORY 1

From the Island Packet

A photo of Daufuskie Island’s oldest living resident lit up TV screens across the country Sunday morning. Cleveland Bryan, affectionately known as “Cleve,” appeared on Sunday TODAY celebrating his 100th Thanksgiving meal, a program that he “never misses.” “Here’s to many more, Sir,” said Willie Geist, the show’s host, as Bryan’s smiling face filled the screen. Born in 1925 on Prospect Road, Cleve is considered the island’s greatest treasure. His family has deep roots on the island; both his mother and grandmother were born there. Cleve’s great-grandmother was a former slave. His childhood home is now located within the island’s historic district. For Deborah Smith, Bryan has become a close friend.

She has shared Thanksgiving dinner with him for the past 12 years. Their friendship started when Smith stopped by for a visit after discovering their shared love of jazz. The pair bonded while listening to the “jazz greats” like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday on Bryan’s old record player. It turned out, Bryan had met some of the performers when living in New York City in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Smith describes their time together as “like spending time with a living library.” Treated like a local celebrity Cleve has told stories about living in the 20th century in the North and the South. After working as a crabber on Tybee Island for many years, Bryan moved to New York City in 1946, where he found a job as a sheet metal worker for the New York Police Department and began his bodybuilding days.

He recalled paying just $1 to watch Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, warm up at Madison Square Garden, he told The Island Packet on his 98th birthday. He eventually returned to Daufuskie in 1988, where he’s lived ever since. Smith is among the many community supporters who step in so that Cleve can continue living on his own. Some years, he enjoys Thanksgiving at the island’s annual community dinner, where he’s treated “somewhat like a celebrity.” This year, he and Smith shared the meal at his kitchen table, where he ate from his red mobility scooter. Pumpkin pie was his favorite. Smith was the one to send in Cleve’s photo to the network.

“Gee... that’s really something,” Cleve told Smith by phone after his TV debut.

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From WSAV

With the Christmas season now in full swing, many children are ready to mail off their Christmas lists to the North Pole. The Burton Fire Department has volunteered to help get those letters delivered. For over a decade, Burton firefighters have coordinated with Santa and his elves by placing Santa mailboxes at their fire stations

Boxes are at all five of their stations, giving children an easy location to mail their Christmas wants and needs. All the letters need a legible name and address. Burton Fire officials said if the letters contain a name and address, they can promise a reply from Santa.

Santa’s Mailboxes will be located at:

Station 81 – 36 Burton Hill Rd.

Beaufort Station 82 – 14 Bruce K Smalls Rd.

Grays Hill Station 83 – 602 Parris Island Gateway

Shell Point Station 84 – 158 Bay Pines Rd.

Pinewood Station 85 – 2 Market Street, Habersham

At the end of each day, the letters will be collected by the firefighters and locked up until either Santa himself or his helpers come to collect them. Burton Fire Battalion Chief Chris Moyer said Santa will also be visiting Burton neighborhoods along with the fire team in the coming weeks.

“Starting tonight, Santa is going to start making his rounds and delivering gifts to all the kids in the community,” said Moyer.

To keep up with Santa’s visit schedule, you can track it through Burton Fire’s Facebook.

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.
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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 Bluffton Today

The holidays are right around the corner, and the Town of Bluffton is seeking entrants for its 54th Annual Christmas parade.

The holiday season in the town gets underway the first weekend in December with its parade and tree lighting events.

The tree lighting will be held Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Martin Family Park followed by Santa’s Workshop which will be held at the DuBois Park Pavilion. Following the workshop there will be a 6:30 p.m. showing of the movie, Arthur Christmas.

The holiday festivities will continue Dec. 6 with the town’s Christmas parade which will begin at 10 a.m. and travel through Bluffton’s Historic District.

“The Bluffton Christmas Parade, a cherished community tradition for more than five decades, continues to grow along with the town’s population,” a town spokesperson said. “With this growth, public and personal safety remain the top priority. Parade participants and spectators are asked to follow all rules outlined in the parade application to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for everyone.” Head over to Bluffton Today dot Com for high lights and guidelines for the Parade.

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From the Island Packet

What started as a routine Saturday round of golf at Crescent Pointe quickly turned into a wildlife rescue story the community won’t soon forget. Two golfers, teeing off on Hole 9 on Nov. 22, spotted something no one expected to see beached along the shoreline: a manatee. These gentle, elusive giants are no strangers to the shallow waterways of Beaufort County — but finding one stranded on a golf course is another story. The golfers immediately called the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, setting off a coordinated response that soon included Crescent Pointe staff, local residents and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

“I’ve never seen one other than at an aquarium, so this was a first for me and for the course,” said Crescent Pointe’s Director of Marketing, Dylan DeBellis, who helped lead on-site efforts. Teeing off the rescue As soon as the call came in, General Manager Ron Schiavone worked closely with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office to secure the area and redirect golfers, so the distressed manatee could be given space. From there, the sheriff’s office maintained direct communication with SCDNR while they consulted with Florida partners to determine the safest plan.

“It was a bit high stress — we weren’t sure if it was going to make it,” DeBellis said. Under SCDNR’s guidance, Cpl. Dean Entrup with BCSO began relaying step-by-step instructions to keep the manatee stable: gently misting its skin, keeping it covered with damp towels and making sure it stayed warm enough — never too much water, and never too cold. Staff and community members stepped in to keep the manatee stable when it was stranded at Hole 9 at Crescent Pointe Golf Club. Courtesy of Crescent Pointe Golf Club DeBellis and a Crescent Pointe community member sprang into action, shuttling back and forth and hauling buckets of water to hydrate the animal until a better solution could be created.

The rescue comes during the tail end of South Carolina’s manatee season. These large marine mammals typically travel north from Florida in warmer months and can be spotted in Beaufort County between April and November, especially in sheltered areas like inlets and marinas.

By late fall and early winter, they begin their migration south, where the water stays above their survival threshold of 68 degrees. Seeing one in late November or December in South Carolina can be a sign of trouble, according to Kelly Lambert, SCDNR’s manatee response coordinator. If you spot a manatee in South Carolina waters in late fall or early winter, contact the SCDNR hotline at 1-800-922-5431.