News

“ in the know ”

Tropical Storm Elsa brought to the Lowcountry heavy rain and power outages, a Bluffton native was crowned Miss South Carolina, and the U.S. 278 improvement project’s recommendation was revealed. Here’s what made news during the previous month:

TROPICAL STORM ELSA

TROPICAL STORM ELSA KNOCKS OUT POWER, BRINGS DOWN TREES

Trees and power lines were knocked down the night of July 7 and early July 8 during Tropical Storm Elsa. Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue said it responded to more than 66 incidents, including 33 trees fallen in the road. Palmetto Electric reported approximately 19,800 outages on Hilton Head Island at the height of the storm, a HHI Fire Rescue news release said. Bluffton Township Fire District said it received six reports of trees falling on houses.

No injuries had been reported. Rain soaked the Lowcountry with a reported 4-5 inches of rain in Bluffton and on Hilton Head Island. Wind gusts of 81 mph were recorded on the Calibogue Sound at 11:13 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.

The National Weather Service said a storm survey confirmed there were tornadoes in Port Royal and Parris Island.

BLUFFTON WOMAN CROWNED MISS SOUTH CAROLINA

Julia Herrin of Bluffton was crowned Miss South Carolina on June 26. Herrin, 19, is an Auburn University student. She will participate in this year’s Miss America competition and will receive a $60,000 scholarship. She competed as Miss Clarendon. The Miss America competition is scheduled for December.

“I am honored and humbled to be Miss South Carolina 2021,” Herrin said in a Facebook post. “I can not say thank you enough to every person who has encouraged and loved on me, not just over the last few days, but on my entire journey in the Miss America Organization over the last six years.”

PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE US 278 PROJECT

The U.S. 278 Corridor Improvements documents are available to view, and the formal comment period has begun. View

MISS SOUTH CAROLINA

all materials online through Aug. 22, or schedule an appointment at the Island Rec Center (20 Wilborn Road) Aug. 18-21. The plan, in part, is for South Carolina Department of Transportation to widen U.S. 278 between Moss Creek Drive and Squire Pope Road from four to six lanes. It would replace the existing four bridges to the island with a single, six-lane bridge. Estimated cost is $289,902,745. For more information, visit scdot278corridor.com.

BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL PASSES 2022 BUDGET

Beaufort County Council approved a $132.6 million budget for the 2022 fiscal year. It includes a millage rate increase of 0.6 mills. The budget increased by $2 million because of an 8 percent increase in tax revenue because of population growth, the county said. A news release noted eliminating unfilled staff positions creates about $800,000 in savings. The

budget includes a $1.97 million increase in emergency medical services and a $1.6 million increase in parks and recreation.

SECOND REFERENDUM SET FOR NOVEMBER

Residents of Beaufort County will decide in November whether to change the county’s form of government from the current form of council-administrator to council-manager. Council voted 6-5 on June 28 to include the question on the Nov. 2 ballot. If the referendum passes, council then will be able to, under a councilmanager setup, make the county treasurer and auditor appointed positions. Those positions are currently elected. The other referendum for voters will be to decide whether to approve a 1% sales tax.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS ON NEW BUSINESS LICENSE LAW

The Revenue Services Department for the Town of Hilton Head Island is hosting a public information session to update business owners about a proposed new business license ordinance. The session is Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Stephen G. Riley Municipal Complex (Town Hall), 1 Town Center Court. Attendees will learn about changes to the Town’s business license ordinance.

BEAUFORT COUNTY SUES AUDITOR

Beaufort County sued its auditor Jim Beckert for his “failure and refusal” to perform his duties, according to a lawsuit filed July 9. The suit alleges Beckert has a “contentious and adversarial” relationship with county employees and officials and he’s made “frequent threats or promises not to do things that state law plainly requires him to do.” The suit says the county seeks for Beckert, an elected official, to do “what he is statutorily required to do.”

SCHOOL DISTRICT HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY RENOVATIONS

Battery Creek High School celebrated the beginning of construction on the school district’s project to be funded through the bond referendum approved by county voters in November 2019. A total of $56 million in referendum funds was budgeted for the renovations. The completion date is expected to be September 2023.

HILTON HEAD’S GRIZ QUALIFIES FOR U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Hilton Head Island’s Jonathan Griz tied for medalist honors in U.S. Amateur Qualifying at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek, N.C. He shot a 4-under-par 140 over 36 holes July 5 to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship, which is set for Aug. 9-15 at the Oakmont Country Club and Longue Vue Club in Pennsylvania.