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News
A Lowcountry school set a world record, a Bluffton family was honored for its legacy, and new destinations continue the growth of Hilton Head Island Airport. Here’s what made news during the previous month:
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RED CEDAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Red Cedar Elementary School set the Guinness world record for the most cereal boxes toppled in a domino fashion. On April 5, the school toppled 3,730 cereal boxes. The previous record was 3,416 boxes. The school collected 6,153 boxes, all of which will be donated to Bluffton Self Help with a handwritten message from a student attached to each one, the school said.
Kimberly Hall of Bluffton Self Help estimates the donations will provide close to 40,000 meals to those in need.
“It’s very meaningful and just spectacular to be part of this whole process,” she said.
USCB PLANS MOVE TO NCAA DIVISION II
The University of South Carolina Beaufort has accepted an invitation to join the Peach Belt Conference in NCAA Division II. Upon acceptance of the NCAA Division
MARTIN FAMILY
II provisional process, USCB will begin competing with full conference schedules beginning with the 2022-23 seasons.
USCB sponsors 11 sports: five for men and six for women. All of which are sponsored by the Peach Belt Conference, except for men’s and women’s indoor track and field.
The Sand Sharks will compete for PBC men’s championships in baseball, cross country, golf and track and field, while the women will compete in cross country, golf, track and field, soccer and softball.
Athletic director Quin Monahan said the university plans to add men’s and women’s basketball.
“Joining the Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division II is another step in this direction for our student athletes and for all USCB Sand Sharks,” said USCB chancellor Dr. Al M. Panu. The school, which began its athletics program in 2007, has been competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
BLUFFTON HONORS MARTIN FAMILY
The Martin family was honored by the town of Bluffton with a ribbon cutting for Martin Family Park. Jake and Ida Martin were recognized for being “exemplary” community leaders, the town said. At 60 years old, Ida founded Bluffton Self Help, Inc. in 1987. President Barack Obama awarded Ida the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2011. In 2012, she founded the Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen. Jacob Martin was a police officer in Michigan and Illinois. He was a teacher at McCracken High School in Bluffton and retired as a district office administrator after 23 years of service.
FACE MASK ORDINANCES EXPIRE
The town of Bluffton’s emergency ordinance that required face coverings in certain situations was not renewed. Town Council voted 4-1 not to extend the ordinance, which ended 12 p.m. April 14.
“Whether to wear or not wear a mask in Town limits is now an individual’s choice,” Mayor Lisa Sulka said. “However, we
CORBITT (LEFT) AND FARRELL
recognize there are still many who will prefer to wear their mask and we hope that individual choices will be respected by all.”
Beaufort County Council failed to receive the necessary eight votes in order to extend the provision requiring the wearing of masks in public buildings for unincorporated Beaufort County. Beginning April 16, face coverings were no longer required in unincorporated Beaufort County. Masks are still required in county courthouses.
Hilton Head Town Council is expected to discuss its face mask ordinance May 16.
HILTON HEAD RESIDENT WINS $1 MILLION IN LOTTERY
A Hilton Head Island resident bought a Powerball ticket in honor of her late mother and won $1 million, the S.C. Education Lottery said. The winner purchased 10 Powerball quick picks at the Speedway store on William Hilton Parkway on St. Patrick’s Day. The first five numbers matched to win her prize. The odds of winning $1 million are 1 in 11,688,054.
For selling the ticket, Speedway received a commission of $10,000.
SEA PINES NAMES DIRECTOR OF SPORTS OPERATIONS
John Farrell has been named director of sports operations at The Sea Pines Resort. Cary Corbitt, vice president of sports and operations, is retiring in May after a 44-year career at the resort. Farrell will be responsible for all golf operations in addition to overseeing golf operations for the RBC Heritage, tennis operations, and the longstanding relationship with the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy, a news release said. Corbitt joined The Sea Pines Resort in 1977 as a golf professional at the original Plantation Club. Corbitt has overseen sports, retail and resort operations, as well as special projects including golf course and clubhouse renovations.
