From the Island Packet

Beaufort County is the first in South Carolina to ban the use of glyphosate in its parks and recreational fields, according to a group that pushed for the change for environmental and public health reasons. Glyphosate is a herbicide best known as the active ingredient in some Roundup products, a popular brand of weed killer. The EPA says it doesn’t cause increases in cancer if used according to label directions. The World Health Organization has concluded that it is “probably carcinogenic.”

The local announcement about banning glyphosate county-run parks was made by Parks and Recreation Director Eric Brown at a meeting of the County Council’s Community Services and Public Safety Committee meeting Monday. It prompted applause from organics-first advocates who had been pressuring the county to make the change, and Congresswoman Nancy Mace. Mace, R-S.C., called the countywide ban on Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides “the first meaningful county-level pesticide safeguard in South Carolina.”

From the Island Packet

Beaufort County’s students are headed back to school this Friday. The Beaufort County School District’s (BCSD) schools traditionally start mid-week, but the district chose to start Friday to ease students’ transition back in and acquaint themselves with their teachers, classmates and school before full instruction begins, according to previous Island Packet reporting. But the start of school can impact us graduates too, mostly through traffic.

Here’s what you need to know as school gets back in session. When to expect traffic School traffic is most common around the start and end of classes each weekday. BCSD elementary schools start at 7:45 a.m. and end at 2:45 p.m., while middle and high schools start at 8:45 a.m. and end at 3:45 p.m.

From WTOC

The Beaufort County Engineering Department invited residents, business owners and commuters to review the U.S. 21 Corridor Study and provide feedback.

The study evaluates potential access management improvements along U.S. 21 from U.S. 17 to Neil Road.

“Public input will help guide future transportation planning efforts and identify priorities for improving traffic flow while maintaining access to homes, businesses, schools and community destinations,” the department wrote.

The U.S. 21 Corridor Study examines existing roadway conditions and identifies opportunities to improve:

• Traffic safety and reduce crashes
• Traffic flow and mobility along the corridor
• Access to businesses, neighborhoods and public facilities
• Bicycle and pedestrian connectivity where appropriate
• Long-term transportation planning to support future growth

Community members are encouraged to review the study recommendations and submit comments through the Beaufort County Connect project page located here.

Public comment will end on Aug. 14.