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News
The CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry announced his upcoming retirement, Hilton Head is expanding a land ordinance to benefit Gullah Geechee neighborhoods, and two area youth teams reached the baseball World Series. Here’s what made news during the previous month:
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ST.GREGORY THE GREAT
Chris Protz, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry, plans to retire Dec. 10. Protz has worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs for 46 years, including the past nine years as CEO.
“It has been a great privilege to work with some incredible, dedicated staff and board volunteers who are so committed to helping young people, particularly those who need our services the most,” Protz said. “Together we have made a huge difference for so many kids.”
During his tenure the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry has grown from five Clubs to nine, extending services from 595 youth per day to over 1,000 per day, a news release said.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry board of directors has established a CEO Search Committee. The goal is to have a new CEO in place by November.
HILTON HEAD ADOPTS LAND USE RECOMMENDATIONS BENEFITTING GULLAH GEECHEE NEIGHBORHOODS
Hilton Head Town Council voted to expand its Land Management Ordinance which will primarily benefit properties in the historic Gullah Geechee neighborhoods. The ordinance will define and include uses for family compounds and family subdivisions, a news release said. The family compound amendment allows multiple homes to be built on a single parcel of land with decreased setbacks, buffers, and access widths. The family subdivision amendment allows property to be subdivided without putting in the required infrastructure up front. This gives a family the option to build on the parcel or save it for future generations. The amendment has requirements for access easements and rights of way. The amendments are expected to help families better preserve land for future generations
GOMEZ JR.
FILING PERIOD SET FOR TOWN OF BLUFFTON ELECTIONS
The Town of Bluffton Municipal General Election is set for Nov. 2. Two council seats are up for election: Mayor Pro Tempore/ Councilmember, held by Fred Hamilton, and the council seat held by Larry Toomer. The filing period for candidates began Aug. 3 and ends 12 p.m. Sept. 3. For more information, email kchapman@ townofbluffton.com or call 843-706-4505.
Bluffton Town Council unanimously approved a final reading to annex St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church and School into the town of Bluffton. Council approved a master plan for the property that includes potential expansions of the church and school and commercial and multi-family residential development.
USCB STUDENT LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO REDUCE WASTE ON THE BEACH
University of South Carolina Beaufort senior Bethany McDonald launched Finnegan’s Sharing Shack July 31 at Driessen Beach Park. The initiative is designed to reduce waste and promote sustainability by recycling beach gear for free for visitors and locals, a Town of Hilton Head news release said. McDonald and Haven Banks, also a USCB student, encourage beachgoers to take what they need from an array of toys, tents, towels, chaise lounges and more. The inventory at Finnegan’s Sharing Shack is salvaged from the beach and collected from local resorts, sanitized and offered to new owners. Finnegan’s Sharing Shack is a collaboration between USCB and the Town of Hilton Head Island and is sponsored by the University’s Center for Event Management and Hospitality Training. It is at Driessen Beach Park Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the end of September.
For more information, contact Bethany McDonald at blm8@email.uscb.edu or 304546-9246.
MAY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL EARNS CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM STATUS
May River High School has been authorized to offer the Cambridge International Secondary Program for students ages 11 to 19.
Cambridge International provides students with a world-class curriculum, high-quality support for teachers, and integrated assessment. May River High School will initially participate in the Cambridge Upper Secondary stage and transition to Cambridge Advanced.
HILTON HEAD MAYOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY
Hilton Head Island Mayor John McCann signed a local state of emergency in response to increasing COVID-19 cases and transmission. The emergency order went into effect Aug. 16. McCann encourages residents to wear masks in enclosed areas with other individuals; get an approved COVID-19 vaccine; practicing good hand hygiene; and practicing social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, a news release said. The emergency order gives Town Manager Marc Orlando the authority to implement administrative changes in how the organization functions during the emergency and allows for virtual public meetings. Orlando requires the public to wear face coverings inside of town buildings.
PALMETTO DUNES TO HOST ELITE PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center will host the Association of Pickleball Professionals Hilton Head Open, scheduled for Oct. 13-17. The APP Hilton Head Open at Palmetto Dunes is a “golden ticket qualifier” for amateurs and professionals for Nationals held at Indian Wells in California this December.
BLUFFTON BASEBALL PLAYER SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS EVENT
Bluffton resident Gustavo Gomez Jr., a 14-year-old at May River High School, competed recently at the Baseball Factory National World Series. The July event in Bradenton, Fla., featured top players from the country. He played second base, right field and first base. Gomez Jr. was also picked to compete next January at the Baseball Factory Pre-Season All American Rookie Tournament.
