STORY 1

From The Island News

South Carolina shoppers can buy school supplies, computers, clothes, shoes and more without paying any sales taxes this coming weekend. The state’s annual Tax Free Weekend starts Friday and ends Sunday. The tax holiday waives the state’s 6% sales tax as well as applicable local taxes, according to the state Department of Revenue.

Sales taxes are 6% in only three of South Carolina’s 46 counties: Beaufort, Greenville and Oconee. The other 43 counties charge their own sales taxes for local projects. At 9% total, sales taxes are highest in Charleston County and the city of Myrtle Beach.

Story 2

In response to growing animal services needs in Jasper County, Beaufort County has stepped forward in partnership to provide support and stability through a new Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). This collaborative effort reflects a shared regional commitment to public safety and animal care.

Last month, Jasper Animal Rescue Mission (JARM) formally notified Jasper County officials that it would cease intake of animals effective July 1, 2025. With the Fourth of July holiday, a peak period for animal control needs, just days away, Beaufort County began providing immediate assistance to shelter and provide medical care for animals from both Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

In mid-July, Beaufort County Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows continued assistance to Jasper County’s animal control operations for up to one year. This temporary partnership provides a critical bridge of services while allowing officials and stakeholders time to plan a sustainable, open-admission shelter model that better meets the needs of our communities.

Story 3

Beaufort County Veterans Affairs is hosting a series of End of Life Planning seminars for veterans and their families. The seminars will be offered at 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., and will be held at the following dates and locations:

• Wednesday, August 13
  Burton Wells Recreation Center, 1 Middleton Recreation Drive (map)
• Wednesday, August 27
  Bluffton Library, 120 Palmetto Way (map)
• Wednesday, October 1
  St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Rd. (map)
• Tuesday, October 14
  Hilton Head Island Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road (map)

This seminar specifically addresses things veterans and their families can do today to ensure their personal effects are in order. The seminar also discusses Veterans Affairs benefits that surviving spouses may be entitled to receive.

RSVPs are required for space and resource purposes. Please contact Crystal at 843-255-6880 to reserve your seat.

STORY 1

County Council Vice Chair Anna Maria Tabernik (District 6) and Council Members Lawrence McElynn (District 10), Paula Brown (District 8), Thomas Reitz (District 11), Joseph Passiment (District 5), Logan Cunningham (District 7), and Mark Lawson (District 9) will host a community meeting with guest Sheriff P.J. Tanner.

The meeting will be 5:30-6:30
p.m., Tuesday, July 22, at Beaufort County Library Bluffton Branch, 120
Palmetto Way (map).

Sheriff Tanner will answer
questions on the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program. The forum will be
question and answer only.

For questions and more
information, please contact Council Vice Chair Tabernik at 843-986-7380 or anna.tabernik@bcgov.net.

Story 2

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a raccoon found near West Cedar Road and Oakland Drive in St. Helena Island, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.

The raccoon was submitted
to DPH's laboratory for testing on July 10, 2025, and was confirmed to have
rabies on July 11, 2025. If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets
have come in contact with this raccoon or another animal that potentially has
rabies, please call DPH's Beaufort office at (843)
525-7603during normal business hours
(8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888)
847-0902 (Select Option 2).

It is important to keep pets up
to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most
effective ways to protect against the disease. This raccoon is the first animal
in Beaufort County to test positive for rabies in 2025. There have been 43
cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has
averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year. In 2024, two of the 81
confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Beaufort County.

Contact information for local
Public Health offices is available at dph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. For more information on rabies
visit dph.sc.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.

STORY 1

From WTOC

There’s always a lot of debate around the concept of NIL money in college athletics. But when the money is used to inspire change, there’s no debate around that being a positive. Seabrook, South Carolina native Xavier Chaplin is doing just that -- working to inspire change. The former football star at Whale Branch Early College High School spent the first three years of his college career at Virginia Tech before transferring to Auburn this past winter. On Saturday, he was back in his hometown, at his alma mater, giving back to his community. The offensive lineman hosted a Back to School Drive, where he handed out backpacks filled with school supplies, gave kids the chance to get a free haircut, held a Q&A all about mental health and wellness, and gave out raffle prizes, as well as five $500 scholarships. Chaplin was a starter for the past two seasons with the Hokies. In 2023, he started all 13 games and registered 813 snaps, with just 5 sacks allowed and was named Third Team All-American by College Football News. In 2024, Chaplin played a total of 607 snaps across 12 games, allowing just two sacks. He picked up an ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week honor during his redshirt sophomore season and was named All-ACC Honorable Mention. Despite all of his success at Virginia Tech, Chaplin said he felt Auburn was the best fit for him in his progression. We here in Beaufort County will look forward to watching him on the Plains this season. Auburn will begin the 2025 football season on Friday August 29 when they will travel to Waco, Texas to face the Baylor Bears.

Story 2

From Bluffton Today

The Town of Bluffton has received a 2025 South Carolina Historic Preservation Award for its Historic Preservation Grant Program, the town said in a news release. This is the second consecutive year the Town has earned this prestigious, statewide honor for its historic preservation projects, programs and policies. Since 1995, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Preservation South Carolina, and the Office of the Governor have recognized exceptional achievements in preserving, rehabilitating and interpreting the state's architectural and cultural heritage through a series of annual statewide awards. The Preservation Service Award, which Bluffton received, specifically honors projects and activities that make exemplary contributions to historic preservation efforts. Bluffton was one of 16 honorees statewide recognized June 18 for advancing preservation through its local initiatives. Town representatives accepted the award during a ceremony at the South Carolina State House in Columbia. In 2024, Preservation South Carolina awarded former Mayor Lisa Sulka the South Carolina Elected Official Award in 2024. The award, presented by Governor Henry McMaster, recognizes elected officials for significant achievements in supporting historic preservation in South Carolina.

Story 3

High School Football Season is almost upon us as Beaufort County sweats into the fall sports season. Media Day has been scheduled for July 22nd and will run from 11am to 3pm at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Rec Center on campus. Last year’s event featured athletes and coaches from 10 area high schools engaging media members and creating multimedia content. In partnership with Beaufort’s Own, BCTV will again provide local high school sports coverage across Beaufort County this fall.

STORY 1

From WCSC

One of the issues South Carolina lawmakers say they hear about all the time from constituents is the shape of the state’s roads.

They have some ideas on how to improve them, but want to first hear directly from South Carolinians on what challenges they face during their daily commutes.

It will be part of the work of a new committee at the State House, which will take a closer look at the South Carolina Department of Transportation. House Speaker Murrell Smith, who established the new South Carolina Department of Transportation Modernization Ad Hoc Committee, said its formation is not meant to criticize SCDOT but to improve and modernize it.

“This job is not to fix potholes. This is not to widen roads. Those are all being done right now. But it’s to build a foundation for long-term growth, safety and opportunity,” Smith, R – Sumter, said.

It comes as South Carolina’s growth shows no signs of stopping. But its infrastructure has not always kept up.

“When our road system was built, it was probably built with 2.5 million to 3 million people in mind,” Smith said, compared to the approximately 5.5 million people estimated to now call South Carolina home. “We have 71,000 miles of state roads, being one of the largest road systems per capita in this whole country, and so we have a lot of challenges.”

Areas where the Speaker wants the committee to focus include congestion, permitting reform, and SCDOT’s organizational structure. He also wants them to figure out whether South Carolina needs to revisit its decades-old toll statute and look at how it raises money to fix infrastructure. This includes potential new resident fees and raising the registration fee that electric vehicle owners pay.

Story 2

From WSAV

****STORY 1*****

Former Beaufort Mayor Billy
Keyserling received South Carolina's highest civilian honor last night. Awarded
to South Carolinians who demonstrate extraordinary lifetime achievement,
service and contributions of national or statewide significance, Keyserling
received the honor at a meeting Beaufort's City Council. Keyserling was
recognized for 50 years of dedicated public service, including 12 years as
Mayor of Beaufort from 2008 to 2020. Keyserling served 16 years on Beaufort
City Council in addition to two terms in the South Carolina House of
Representatives. Representative Shannon Erickson had the honor of endowing
Keyserling, whose candidacy was advanced by resident Stacy Applegate. A local
realtor, Keyserling graduated Brandeis University Magna Cum Laude and later
earned a Master's Degree in Public Communication from Boston University. An
avid boater, Keyserling was friends with author Pat Conroy, whom Keyserling
sailed to visit during his time on Daufuskie Island. Keyserling's personal
photographs of Daufuskie were used in the first print of the book "The
Water is Wide", which his mother transcribed from handwriting to
print. Known for riding a scooter to work and his "Straight Talk
with Billy K" television program, Keyserling championed advancement for
arts, humanities and environmental causes during his time in power. Keyserling
was integral in establishing the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
and Network in Beaufort, a federal landmark. His tenure as Mayor is marked by
the completion of the Boundary Street Project, which constructed Beaufort's
current City Hall. Congratulations to the Honorable Billy Keyserling.

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

Hilton
Head Christian’s baseball team rode a wave of emotion to a state championship
Friday night. Playing without one of their key players, the Eagles used it as
motivation as they defeated Ben Lippen, 7-3, in the deciding game of the
best-of-three SCISA 4A championship series at Minrow Field. It was HHCA’s
second straight championship and first in Class 4A. The Eagles won the 3A
championship last season. HHCA was without starting INF/OF Stone Burd, who had
a medical emergency shortly before the team got on the bus to leave for
Orangeburg and was taken to the hospital.

Coach Jay Scarboro said there was a thought of postponing the game until Saturday. But after the urging of Burd’s parents, the Eagles played the game. “It was a tough emotional day,” Scarboro said. “… One thing his mom asked us to do was go play our hearts out for him and I feel like our guys did.” Slaide Burd, Stone’s brother, played in the game and carried his brother’s jersey out during pregame introductions. HHCA wore purple ribbons in Stone’s honor and both teams gathered at home plate for a prayer before the game.

Slaide called his brother, who was sent home from the hospital later Friday evening, shortly after the game’s final out. “Meant a lot to me coming here and winning it for him,” said Slaide, a Georgia Southern commit. “Thinking in spirit, he was here and got our back. We knew we had to go out there and play the game for him. That’s what we did.”

Story 2

From the Island Packet

The wait was worth it for the Hilton Head Prep baseball team. After having the deciding game of the SCISA 3A championship series pushed back because of graduation, the Dolphins were up to the challenge Monday and defeated Orangeburg Prep, 5-3, to win the best-of-three championship series. The win continues another strong championship haul for the school, which also won championships in boys basketball, boys golf and girls soccer in the last few months.

The Dolphins (29-3) won the series opener, 3-0, on Wednesday but dropped Game 2, 6-5, setting up the deciding game at Dorchester Academy. Orangeburg Prep led 3-1 heading into the sixth inning before the Dolphins responded with four runs to take a 5-3 lead. Hilton Head loaded the bases in the inning on a pair of walks and a Brody Hausher single. A third walk to Sammy Middleton scored JP Pirkey to cut the lead to 3-2. The Dolphins took the lead on an Orangeburg Prep error that allowed Finnian Rooney and Hausher to score and make it 4-3.

Jackson Stanyard made it 5-3 on an RBI single to right field. Orangeburg Prep got two on in the top of the seventh with one out. But Brandon Espinoza got the final two outs, including the final one by strikeout to win the championship. Espinoza pitched a complete-game, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out five. Sammy Middleton was 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs while Espinoza, Stanyard and Calvin Middleton each had RBIs for Hilton Head Prep. Eli Pantaleon was 2-for-3 with a solo home run to lead Orangeburg Prep.