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.