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“ in the know ”

The Town of Hilton Head extended the contract of its manager, a Bluffton student was charged with school threats and a Lowcountry tennis legend was honored. Here’s what made news during the past month:

SMITH PAVILION

HILTON HEAD ISLAND TOWN COUNCIL EXTENDS TOWN MANAGER’S CONTRACT

Hilton Head Island Town Council voted 7-0 to extend the contract of town manager Marc Orlando and give him a bonus of $15,000. Orlando began working for the town on Feb. 22, 2021. The terms of the contract were amended to coincide with the February start date and continue through February 21, 2025. After 2025, the contract will automatically extend for one-year periods unless terminated. “We are very pleased with Marc’s performance and with the accomplishments of Town staff during his time with the Town,” said Mayor John McCann.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OUTDOOR PAVILION DEDICATED TO STAN AND MARGIE SMITH

The Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island held a dedication ceremony Dec. 12 for its new outdoor pavilion, which was completed this year. The pavilion was dedicated to Stan and Margie Smith as “Club Champions” in honor of their long-standing commitment to the Club’s mission to serve those in need, a news release said.

TCL

“We are extremely grateful to have Stan and Margie in our corner,” says Kim Likins, Club director. “Their tireless commitment to making sure our young Members have bright futures is truly remarkable.”

Stan Smith joined the Board in 1994 and has been an advocate for the Club’s mission ever since. The Club also recognized its “Great Futures” Capital Campaign donors who gave generously in support of the Club’s future.

Funding was made possible by a grant from the Town of Hilton Head Island’s HUD Community Development Block Grant.

MORE CHARGES FOR FORMER PROMINENT ATTORNEY

Alex Murdaugh, a former Lowcountry attorney involved in numerous criminal and civil cases, faced new charges as of early-December. S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Dec. 9 that Murdaugh faces seven indictments with 21 new charges. The Associated Press said the indictments include seven more alleged schemes between 2016 and 2020 where the attorney told clients their settlements were smaller than expected or they had to pay extra fees for things like accident reconstruction, according to court records. Murdaugh faces 12 state grand jury indictments, with 48 separate charges.

TCL HONORS ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING GRADUATES

The Technical College of the Lowcountry recognized 11 associate degree nursing graduates during a pinning ceremony at the Beaufort Mather Campus. The graduates are Stacy Bajorek, Krystal Deitsch, Isabella Fallon, Sharonda Jenkins, Rashida Johnson, Kerri Jones, Kimberly Lunceford, Katy Sandoval, Brittany Shuman, Kayla Sikes, and Nikole Wright. TCL’s two-year ADN program prepares graduates to practice as registered nurses.

Students experience on-campus learning using high-tech simulation equipment and receive intense additional hands-on practice at clinical sites located throughout Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties.