August 15 edition

LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN

Debby provides good practice

BEAUFORT

kay, Tropical Storm

ODebby can be considered a trial run.

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is one-third over (June 1 through Nov. 30), and Debby, which brought a reported 10 to 12 inches of rain to the Beaufort area, was a good test of the county and municipality’s readiness.

From all reports, we faired pretty well. Some trees came down and some roads were blocked, but let’s face it, this is the Lowcountry. And the pooling water that came from the sky more so than high tides threatened homes which were, unfortunately, built in low-lying areas.

Trees that were probably gonna fall naturally, like those beautiful oaks we try to protect, did come down and so did the pines, especially along Sams Point Road where the county’s only verified tornado touched down, according to the National Weather Service.

We were lucky. Seven people did lose their lives, none in South Carolina, luckily, that have been reported, but three in Florida because of fatal car wrecks and two as a result of falling trees.

But we didn’t get the 18 to 24 inches that the forecasters had predicted with adjectives like “catastrophic” or “historic.”

According to various reports, the City of Beaufort Public Works crews working with the S.C. Department of Transportation teams did a good job of clearing ditches and storm drains even before Debby came knocking. The $8 million Mossy Oaks drainage project seemed to do its job keeping what rain did fall out of houses in the 550-acre drainage area it was designed to protect.

The Mossy Oaks project was a collaborative effort by Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort and SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A4

Scallate files to run for Beaufort mayor

City councilman offers alternative to incumbent Cromer

By Delayna Earley The Island News

The race for mayor is heating up as incumbent Phil Cromer now has some competition.

Beaufort City Councilman Josh

Scallate put his name into the race when he filed on Friday afternoon, Aug. 9, to run for the top elected office in the city.

Cromer, who has held the office since January, won a special elec-

tion against opponent Mike Sutton after the previous mayor, Stephen Murray resigned in September 2023

mayor as “a community always benefits when there is a choice.”

Scallete agreed with Cromer about the importance of the community having a choice.

Josh Scallate

After Scallate filed to run for mayor, Cromer told The Island News that he applauds the councilman for offering himself for

“One of the main reasons I decided to run for mayor is because I have learned a lot about how important local government is while on City Council and [I] believe that our community deserves to have a choice when deciding who

Four people have filed to run for City Council member seats as well, including incumbents

as

They’re back at last

Beaufort County students start school following Tropical Storm Debby

By Delayna Earley The Island News

School is back for the Beaufort County School District (BCSD), but it was not without some Debby related delays at the beginning.

Students who attend BCSD public schools were supposed to start school on Wednesday, Aug. 7, nearly two weeks before they would typically have gone back to school, but due to expected weather from Tropical Storm Debby the first day of school had to be pushed back two days to Friday, Aug. 9

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Visit us in Port Royal and Lady’s Island.

Because the missed school days took place before students were issued devices, they were not able to have e-learning days and as a result they must make up the days that were missed.

“School districts have three make-up days that are put into the calendar every year and then we also are allowed to use five e-learning days, so in essence, we can make-up these two days during our make-up days and use our e-learning days to do that or we can have face-to-face days,” SEE

LOLITA HUCKABY

Mitchell and Neil Lipsitz, as well

Josh Gibson and Julie Crenshaw.

Students arrive at Beaufort Elementary School on the first day of school on Friday, August 9, 2024. Photos courtesy of Beaufort County School District

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

and include a description and/or names

people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK LILLIAN

Beaufort’s Harold Doctor, 63 joined the United States Navy in Atlanta in 1980. After Boot Camp in Orlando, Fla., he was assigned as a storekeeper aboard the USS Puget Sound (AD-38) stationed at Gaeta, Italy. After two years he returned to Naval Hospital Philadelphia for treatment. On release he was assigned to USS Inchon (MCS-12) which made two Mediterranean deployments while he was aboard. He next spent three years ashore in Norfolk before being assigned to Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center in Chesapeake. Following this he was an instructor at the Fleet Training Center, Norfolk; while there he married Lillian. He next spent three years aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) making an ad-

ditional Mediterranean deployment. In 2000 he retired with 20 years of service and began work-

& HAROLD DOCTOR

ing as a civilian at the Space and Naval Warfare Center, first as a contractor then as a Civil Servant. He then moved to New Orleans and worked for the Headquarters, Naval Reserve. He left government service as a GS-13 Lillian Doctor, 60, joined the United States Navy in Walterboro in 1988. After Boot Camp in Orlando, Fla., she trained as an Operations Specialist, serving first at Naval Air Station Pensacola and then at Fleet Combat Atlantic Training Center at Dam Neck, Va. She then served two years aboard USS L.Y. Spear (AS36) based in Norfolk, then with Submarine Group in Norfolk and the aboard USS Teddy Roosevelt (CVN-71) with a Mediterranean deployment. She separated in

1999 with 11 years of service and used tuition assistance and the GI Bill to earn a BS degree and a Masters in Education. She became a teacher in various Va., counties and in New Orleans. Since then she completed a Masters in Divinity Studies from Regent University. The Doctors moved to Beaufort in 2018. Together they are starting Lillie’s Hope Haven to address issues of homelessness, disability, counseling, housing and other needs, with an emphasis on veterans. See www.lillieshopehaven.org

– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.

August 15

2019: Democratic Presidential candidate Andrew Yang speaks at the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Beaufort. At the event, Beaufort-born South Carolina artist Ment Nelson gives Yang a portrait of the candidate he painted.

2021: In a private service, Beaufort’s Jill Striebinger becomes the first South Carolina woman ordained by the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. Her ordination is not recognized by the RomanCatholic Church.

August 16

1965: Joe Frazier makes his professional boxing debut with a heavyweight victory by TKO over Woody Goss at Convention Center in Philadelphia.

August 17

1837: Charlotte Forten (Grimke) is born a free Black in Philadelphia. Forten would later become the first Black teacher at the Penn School on St. Helena Island. She would reside at Seaside Plantation and chronicle her time there in a collection of essays, published in 1864 in

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

Dog Of The Week Chapel is a sweet, 4-year-old girl who loves to be loved. She has bursts of energy but is also happy to just lie down and relax. She's about 45 pounds, loves people, and can’t wait to meet you. She is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.

Cat Of The Week

Atlantic Monthly, entitled Life on the Sea Islands. She became close friends with Robert Gould Shaw, the commander of the famous all-Black 54th Massachussetts Regiment during their Sea Islands campaign. Among her writings in 1862, she was also one of the first writers to make reference to “the blues,” already attached to a sad, depressed state, to refer to a style of song or music popular among Blacks, in church and among the slaves.

2019: South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a Democratic candidate for President, speaks

Mr. Whiskers is a sweet, senior boy who loves food. As a matter of fact, if he knows you have food, he’ll follow you anywhere. Mr. Whiskers is diabetic, and we want him to experience

to supporters at Whale Branch Middle School.

August 19

2019: S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson speaks to Beaufort Academy students during the school’s annual convocation.

August 20

2021: Whale Branch running back Joseph Hicks scores six touchdowns in a 54-50 seasonopening win over Calhoun County.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

his senior years in a safe, relaxing home surrounded by someone who loves him best. He is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, and his adoption fee is waived.

For more info on Chapel, Mr. Whiskers, or any of our other pets, call Palmetto Animal League at 843645-1725 or email Info@ PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.

– Compiled by Lindsay Perry

These bags of Idaho potatoes, photographed by Habersham’s Ron Callari, will be French fries soon enough at Five Guys on the corner of Boundary Street and Robert Smalls Parkway. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos

of the

Lillian & Harold Doctor

NWS confirms tornado on Lady’s Island

By Delayna Earley The Island News

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston confirmed on Wednesday that a tornado touched down on Lady’s Island just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Aug. 6, during Tropical Storm Debby.

The event on Sams Point Road had previously been reported by The Island News as a potential tornado after speaking with residents in the area and reviewing a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center (NOAA), but at the time it had not been confirmed.

According to the report from the NWS, the tornado was a “short lived, high end EF0 tornado” that developed in an outer rain band of Tropical Storm Debby that initially developed over Point Creek, just south of

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado – a short-lived, high-end EF0 –touched down Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, off Sams Point Road on Lady’s Island as Tropical Storm Debby moved through the Lowcountry. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Lady’s Island on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

The tornado moved northwest across a marsh as it headed toward Holly Hall Road where it snapped a few small trees in an uninhabited area. Then the tornado

continued moving northwest across the marsh region of Rock Springs Creek where it ended near the 500 block of Sams Point Road.

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, according to reporting from The Post and Courier, Scott

Edwards and Trey Horn from the Charleston-based office of the NWS came out to Lady’s Island to investigate the report of a possible tornado.

Damage from the tornado included downed and split

trees, damage to the front of a car and to the singles on the room of a garage.

According to reporting from The Post and Courier, Edwards said that one thing that they to do determine if there has been a tornado is to evaluate the direction that the trees fell as well as the amount of damage.

Tornadoes cause debris to be thrown around and fly in different directions whereas straight line winds cause trees to fan out.

In addition to the confirmed tornado on Lady’s Island, there have been reports made by residents of a possible tornado on 1st Coleman Road on St. Helena Island.

Lucinda Cohen, who lives in the area, said that she heard a lot of wind following their power being knocked out. The next morning, she and her neighbors left their homes to find that trees had

been picked up and thrown all over the place, including on the power lines.

Cohen said that one of her neighbors told her that he heard what sounded like a freight train outside.

One person who lives in the area and had trees knocked down on his property was S.C. Rep. Michael Rivers. One large tree knocked down on his property fell onto his tractor. Rivers said that fortunately for him, though, he was asleep through everything and only saw the damage the following morning. Neither incident resulted in major damage to property, and no one was injured.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Public meetings on new Lady’s Island Middle School set for Saturday

Staff reports

As a result of the 2023 Beaufort County School District Referendum, Lady’s Island Middle School will be receiving a new replacement school

building that is expected to open at the start of the 2027-2029 school year.

The new educational facility is being discussed during the “first of many sessions” being held

on Saturday, Aug. 17, according to an email communication from Coosa Elementary School.

The architectural firm Quackenbush Architects + Planners will be in the area to host three data collection and community input

sessions that are open to the public, not just families who have students who currently attend or plan to attend Lady’s Island Middle School in the future.

“All voices are welcome,” the email reads.

The three sessions are being held at St. Helena Elementary School at 11 a.m. in the Media Center, at Lady’s Island Elementary School at 2 p.m. in the Media Center and at Coosa Elementary School at 4 p.m. in the Media Center.

At Beaufort Memorial, our advanced orthopedics and spine care team is committed to helping you be your best and enjoy life without pain.

Whether neck or back pain is slowing you down or your activities are limited due to hip or knee pain, our board-certified specialists will personalize your care using sophisticated diagnostic and treatment options. Our advanced techniques and technologies, including Mako SmartRoboticsTM and VELYSTM robotic-assisted joint replacement, will improve function and relieve pain quickly. Many surgical patients even go home the same day.

Visit BeaufortMemorial.org/Ortho for help addressing your pain.

At Beaufort Memorial you’ll also find:

• Joint preservation therapies

• Numerous non-surgical treatment options

• A personalized approach to restoring mobility and joint function

• Pre-operative education classes that engage patients and caregivers in the healing process

• An Optimization Program that follows you through the process to ensure the best outcomes

• Outpatient and in-home rehab services to get you back to doing what you love faster

Stand Down free community event to benefit veterans

Staff reports

Beaufort County Veterans Affairs is partnering with the Connecting Point to host a free community event aimed at providing immediate services for homeless and at-risk veterans.

The Spirit of Hope Stand Down event will take place on Friday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the AMVETS Post 70 at 1831 Ribaut Road in Port Royal.

Food, clothing and health screenings will be available for those who attend.

Referrals for healthcare, mental health, haircuts, employment, housing solutions, showers and essential care and substance use treatment will be available as well. Transportation will be available at 8 a.m. from Walmart on Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort, Parker’s Gas Station on Sea Island Parkway on St. Helena Island, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort, and Lowe’s on Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort. For more information call Lovel Henderson at 216-3558331.

According to the release, this is the first Stand Down event in Beaufort County.

Mayor from page A1

As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been no additional filings for the City Council or mayoral races.

The filing period for both the mayoral position and City Council seats ends on Thursday, Aug. 15

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Beaufort teacher turns beauty queen with a message

By Delayna Earley

News

The Island

A former Beaufort County English teacher recently competed in the 2024 Ms. USA Petite Pageant in Chicago at the end of July while advocating for her platform supporting women who are healing from abusive relationships.

Kristen Smith moved to Beaufort County in 2018 and spent several years teaching at Battery Creek High School.

Originally from Mississippi, Smith and her family had to leave their home and relocated to Tennessee after they were displaced during Hurricane Katrina. Even though she calls Beaufort County her home now, Smith represented her home state of Mississippi in the Ms. USA Petite Pageant.

Smith said that it has always been a dream of hers to go back and help the community that she grew up in and through the Ms. USA Petite Pageant she said that she has had the opportunity to go back and help the community.

While participating in the pageant, Smith’s platform was Heal, Sis!, an organization that Smith began after she left what she says was a 10-year-long abusive marriage leaving her to rebuild her life.

She said that the experiences that she had after leaving her mar-

riage and the way that the community banded together around her help lead her to do the same for more than 900 women globally through the Heal, Sis! Online network. Participating in pageants throughout her teens, this is her

first pageant as a mature woman. She said that she did not even think she had a chance to be selected because usually women do not get to participate after marriage.

“While I was there, I placed top 10 and I also brought home the Ms. Congeniality Award,” Smith said.

She advocated for her site and even chose her pageant dresses to reflect her message.

“The purple and pink dress is the colors of Heal, Sis! but the pattern also represents the scars that make us beautiful, and I really wanted to make it a testimony of healing for myself because when I was leaving my ex-husband I literally had to run out of my house with the clothes on my back and ran straight to my school, Battery Creek High School,” said Smith. “The way that Beaufort just wrapped their arms around me, especially the Sheriff’s Department, my coworkers and the families that I got to work with at Battery Creek –this was a testimony.”

Smith retired from her position teaching English for Beaufort County in May 2023 so that she could focus on the Heal, Sis! platform.

“Even though I left Mississippi as a broke teenager, this experience has allowed me to return as a queen, and I never imagined that this would have been possible,” said Smith.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

County Democratic Party opens satellite office in Beaufort

Staff reports

As the 2024 general election approaches, the Beaufort County Democratic Party (BCDP) has opened a satellite office in the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce building on Bladen Street in Beaufort.

This announcement

comes as Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee for president. She would be the first Black/Asian-American female President in American history.

The Beaufort County Democratic Party is running a historic full slate of local, S.C. House and S.C. Senate candidates this cy-

cle, including nine women, eight of whom are firsttime candidates.

“The enthusiasm around Kamala Harris is electric, but we want local voters to know the Democrats have impressive candidates up and down the ticket. We have been inundated with volunteer requests and in-

terest from voters across the political spectrum who are ready for the kind of change that Democrats deliver,” Beaufort County Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Hughes said in a news release. “Opening a second office North of the Broad will be essential to supporting our candidates and executing our organizing efforts on the ground.” The BCDP headquarters is located at 39 Persimmon Street, Suite 201 in Bluffton, and the new satellite office is open at 711 Bladen Street, Suite 310 in Beaufort. For more information, visit www.beaufortcountydems.org.

Shellring Ale Works helps HELP of Beaufort!

Lowdown

from page A1

the Town of Port Royal, partially funded by the county’s Stormwater Management fee, a charge that has shown up on property tax bills since 2005 when county leaders established the program. The seven-member board meets regularly to review project proposals and give direction to the county

15–21, 2024

stormewater department.

For those who raised questions about what, exactly, the city is doing about issues like stormwater drainage improvement, they’ll be able to get answers if they attend, or watch on Facebook, the City Council’s August 20 work session. The council members were already scheduled to review the city’s capital improvement projects list, which includes several major (read multi-million-dollar) drainage issues. It will be the perfect opportu-

nity to find out what city officials have been working on and how the council members feel about it, especially with the municipal elections coming up in November.

Nothing to worry about BEAUFORT – In case you missed it, South Carolina also experienced an earthquake Friday morning.

While most folks were focused on where Debby was headed or how the athletes were doing at

the Olympics, an earthquake with a magnitude of 2 29 was felt three hours northwest in Kershaw County. There was no reported damage, but it must have been somewhat unsettling for the folks of Kershaw who’ve already experienced five quakes this year. Beaufort is on the remote end of an established quake line, but the last recorded shake happened in 1989

For the record, the S.C. Geological Survey reported 28 quakes in

Kristen Smith poses while participating in the 2024 Ms. USA Petite Pageant in Chicago, Ill. Smith is a former English teacher at Battery Creek High School. Photo courtesy of Kristen Smith

Catheryn Guerrero seizes the opportunity to dunk her husband, Jorge Guerrero, a Port Royal Town Council Member, by hitting the red target for a good cause, with proceeds benefiting Help of Beaufort on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2024 at Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal. Councilman Guerrero pledged an additional $1 every time he “hit the water,” whether by a ball or a hand hitting the target. In his 30 minutes of dunk tank time, he hit the water 40 times. Amber Hewitt/ The Island News

Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips was taken by surprise when his 5-year-old nephew, Troy Viterbo, and Troy’s father, Steve Viterbo, dunked him by hitting the red target at a charity event. The event, hosted by Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal on Saturday, Aug.t 9, 2024, raised more than $400 to benefit Help of Beaufort. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Moore hosting ‘Women for Moore’ kickoff in Beaufort

Great-great-grandson of Robert Smalls looking to unseat Mace in 1st District

Staff reports

Michael B. Moore, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, has officially announced the Beaufort launch of "Women for Moore," a coalition of women throughout the Lowcountry who are supporting his campaign.

“Women for Moore” invites the community to celebrate the kickoff event from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 16 at Shellring Ale Works in Port Roya. The event is free and open to the public.

"I am honored to share the Democratic ticket with so many

Michael B. Moore

strong women candidates - from Vice President Kamala Harris to a host of other passionate and experienced women running for office at the state and local level," Moore said in a news release. "However, we want women to realize there is at least one woman on the ballot -- Nancy Mace -- who has consistently demonstrated that she does not support their interests. I'm counting on the women of this district to help me send her home."

Moore, a Mt. Pleasant businessman and the great-great-grandson of Civil War hero Robert Smalls, has been an outspoken supporter of women's rights throughout his campaign.

"From reproductive freedom to the future of our kids' education, the women of the Lowcountry have so much on the line this November," Moore said. "Extreme Republicans want to restrict women's liberties — but not me. I believe a woman's healthcare decisions are between her and her doctor. I also support women's right to grow their families with the help of fertility treatments. In

Congress, I'll fight to enshrine reproductive freedom, defend abortion rights, and protect access to IVF."

Moore was recently endorsed by Dr. Annie Andrews, founder of "Their Future," a national PAC aimed at prioritizing issues that acutely affect children. Andrews ran unsuccessfully against Mace in 2022

"Michael's dedication to building the brightest possible future for every child in America aligns perfectly with our PAC's vision," Dr. Andrews said. “We are thrilled to support his effort to unseat Nancy Mace, whose legislative re-

cord on these issues and so many others is abysmal.”

Moore will be joined by Melinda Henrickson, Democratic candidate for S.C House Seat 124, currently held by Republican Shannon Erickson. A 25-year Beaufort resident, Marine spouse, and mother of three, Henrickson is the founder of Families Against Book Bans (FABB), a grassroots activism organization to oppose the rise in censorship and book banning in South Carolina. You can learn more about Moore's campaign at michaelbmoore.com. To RSVP for the event, visit http://tiny.cc/W4Moore

County announces updates to Capital Improvements Projects

Staff reports Beaufort County is dedicated to providing high-quality services to its residents and enhancing the quality of life through strategic planning and development. The Capital Improvement Plan outlines the county's ongoing plans for infrastructure improvements and community enhancements. The Fiscal Year 2025 plan, now available online, serves as a guiding document for the county's development initiatives.

Spanish Moss Trail: The Spanish Moss Trail has fully reopened ahead of schedule.

School from page A1

FY25 Capital Improvement Plan released

This beloved trail provides a beautiful pathway for residents and visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of Beaufort County. The new addition of a fishing platform enhances the experience for residents and visitors.

Community Centers –ARPA Funded Buildings: Three new community centers funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are moving forward. These projects are currently out for bid, marking significant progress in enhancing community spaces.

Old Arthur Horne Site: The demolition of the old Arthur Horne building is

BCSD Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said.

While the Beaufort County Board of Education is invited to weigh in on how they make-up those days, the decision ultimately comes from the Beaufort County School District according to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez also reiterated some big changes for this year, including the cell phone ban put into place for Beaufort County students and free breakfast and lunch for all the students.

This is the first year since

complete. A new parking lot is in the procurement process. Multiple bids have been received. Staff is reviewing bids for final approval. This will greatly improve access to the Beaufort County Government Complex on Ribaut Road.

Charles Lind Brown Center: The Charles Lind Brown Center continues to see improvements, offering better facilities and services to the community.

Southside Pickleball Courts: The Southside Pickleball court project is under construction. The projected completion date is early October.

COVID-19 that this has been offered for all students in the county.

He also mentioned that BCSD is entering into an academic partnership with the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) to cover BCSD Tides, which is a dual enrollment partnership that will allow rising ninth graders to enroll in a full-time dual enrollment cohort at TCL’s New River Campus or Beaufort Mather Campus.

Some private schools in Beaufort, such as Beaufort Academy, went back to school earlier this week.

Beaufort Academy’s first day of school was on Aug. 13, and Head of School Carol Ann Richards said that she is excited for the beginning of the school year

Crystal Lake: The project at Crystal Lake is underway. The contractor is on schedule to complete work by mid-August, bringing new enhancements to this cherished passive park.

Whitehall Phase II: Whitehall Phase II is underway, with the project award-

and glad that they were able to avoid having to deal with Tropical Storm Debby.

Starting the 2024-2025 school year, Richards said that the most excited thing for their school is how much their roster has grown.

The school has added a kindergarten class and a Pre-K2 class for this school year.

Sea Islands Heritage Academy, a new charter school on St. Helena Island, opened its first year as a school on Monday.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

ed and just awaiting a dock permit.

Camp St. Mary’s: Bids have been received for the demolition of Camp St. Mary’s. This project will be presented to committee in August, marking a significant step forward in the site's redevelopment.

Fiscal Year 2025 CIP Plan

This e-book was produced by the Beaufort County Capital Projects Department. The Communications Department has provided internal indexing to this 305page document to help the user navigate the e-book. All items in the table of

contents, Pages 4 through 6, and each project listed on Pages 7 through 12 have been hyperlinked. Click on the title of each project, and the link will take readers to the page selected. Use Adobe’s built-in navigation tool at the bottom of each page to return to the table of contents. Beaufort County will continue to work to improve our community through strategic projects. For more detailed information on the Beaufort County’s Capital Improvement Plan, you can see the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan at https:// bit.ly/3AgKyKD.

Sydrena Chabliss gives words of encouragement to 1st Grader Xzavier as they walk into Beaufort Academy on Lady’s Island on the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Deadline extended on City’s RFQ to address Waterfront Park issues

Staff reports

The deadline has been extended on the City of Beaufort’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for consultant services for the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

The park is a major meeting hub and venue for festivals and concerts for the City of Beaufort.

The RFQ is open now and will now close at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6

On June 11, 2024, during a City Council Work Session, McSweeney Engineers presented an eval-

uation report following a periodic assessment of the park’s relieving platform. The report contained several recommendations based on the conditions of the structure discovered during the assessment. To help guide efforts toward pursuing these recommendations, the city is seeking the services of a qualified professional.

“This is the next step in identifying the best approach to a long-term solution to address the

recommendations made in the recent Relieving Platform Structural Evaluation – 2024 report,” City Manager Scott Marshall said previously in a news release.

The RFQ requirements include:

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience engineering complex civil, structural, marine, coastal, and waterfront type projects, preferably in the Southeast.

Previous experience with projects of similar scope, com-

plexity, and magnitude to that of the relieving platform.

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with local, state, and federal permitting requirements and processes associated with marine, coastal, and waterfront projects.

Demonstrated knowledge of available grant and other funding sources.

Demonstrated knowledge of local marine conditions asso-

ciated with coastal saltwater estuaries and impacts associated with forecasted sea-level rise.

Demonstrated experience working on complex projects that involve local, state, and federal purchasing, procurement, and contracting procedures.

For more details and instructions on how to submit a proposal, go to bit.ly/41Xi5Sm.

First homeless shelter serving Beaufort County opens

By Delayna Earley The Island News

Family Promise of Beau fort County has a lot to cele brate this month.

Earlier in August, the or ganization opened the first shelter for homeless families with children that services Beaufort County.

The organization pur chased a home in Hardeeville that they have named “The Freedom House” that they converted into a shelter that can house up to eight fami lies, according to executive director Tamika Blake. According to their web site, “this allows our families to receive a safe night’s sleep while they transition from homelessness to a home.”

The shelter will service both Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

People who are eligible to be serviced in their shelter program are parents or legal guardians with minor children who are homeless or in imminent risk of becoming so.

Families must be willing to temporarily reside in a supervised communal living environment and the parents or legal guardians must be able to maintain

fulltime employment. Blake said that the goal is to help these families in their time of need while they get back on their feet.

Families who reside in the shelter can do so for 120 days before they need to move out, hopefully into their own home.

Black said that prior to COVID-19, the organization would set up in churches, but after COVID-19 hit, church-

NEWS BRIEFS

Return of students to impact traffic

Move in for students at USCB to impact travel in Beaufort and Bluffton, August 17 and 18

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) warns that on Saturday, Aug. 17, and Sunday, Aug. 18, there are expected travel delays around the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) campuses in downtown Beaufort and in Bluffton.

From 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., traffic will be impacted around both Beaufort and Bluffton campuses on Saturday due to students moving into the dormitories. Traffic will be impacted around the Bluffton Campus both Saturday and Sunday. The BCSO asks that motorists plan accordingly and use caution during these times.

Those with any questions or concerns should contact USCB Department of Public Safety at 843-208-8911

Beaufort TEA Party meeting

Beaufort County’s 2024 Transportation Sales Tax Referendum will be the topic when the Beaufort TEA Party meets from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 19, at Olde Beaufort Cafe at 139 Francis Mar-

es declined to allow them to do that anymore.

For the past four years the organization has been helping homeless families in need by allowing them to stay in a hotel, but she said they knew that was not a permanent solution.

They originally wanted to build, but finding property was challenging and other options fell through as well. They started to look into

single family homes that would be able to be converted for their uses, and that is how they found the location in Hardeeville.

While this was a step in the right direction, Blake said that there is still so much that they need to be able to offer the care that these families need.

Most of the families that come to them do not have their own mode of transpor -

tation, and previously the organization used a bus to drive the homeless families around, but it is no longer running.

Blake said that the next important item that they need to acquire is a replacement for the bus, which she is hoping will be a 14-person van.

“With a van, anyone can operate it and they don’t need a CDL license,” Blake

said. Donations can be made to Family Promise of Beaufort County through https://familypromisebeaufortcounty. org/donation-information/.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

ion Blvd., Lady’s Island. For more information, contact Beaufort TEA Party Chair Annie Ubelis at btp@islc.net.

ATAX Committee hosting mandatory workshop for interested applicants

The State 2% Accommodations Tax grant cycle will begin in a few months. In order to apply for this year’s State 2% ATAX Grant, the State Accommodations Tax Committee is hosting a mandatory workshop to help ensure proper application and expenditure of funds. This will also allow applicants to ask questions and get a better idea of the process.

To be eligible for State 2% Accommodations Tax funds, a representative from each organization must attend one of the two workshops. RSVPs are not mandatory, but greatly appreciated. RSVP to atax@bcgov.net with name of attendee(s), organization, contact information and the workshop date of choice.

Attendees will be required to sign in at the workshops. Both workshops will be held in Beaufort County Council Chambers, 100 Ribaut Road:

Tuesday, Aug. 20 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 5:30 p.m.

The State 2% ATAX Grant Application will be available soon. The process has been streamlined to make it easier for applicants.

The deadline this year will be Friday, Sept. 13, at 11:59 p.m. Applications received after this time will not be eligible for funding. For questions and more information, contact Brycen Campbell, Senior Accountant for Beaufort County Finance at 843-255-2316 or Brycen.Campbell@bcgov.net.

County hosting electronics recycling event

Beaufort County is hosting its next electronics recycline event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, at 140 Shanklin Road in Beaufort. Any personal computers, laptops, CRT monitors, LCD monitors, CRT televisions, non-CRT televisions, printers, hard drives and miscellaneous electronics (cell phones, fax machines) will be accepted.

A construction reminder

IPW Construction Group will continue to perform shoulder clo-

sures and temporary lane closures

the entire length of Laurel Bay Road in Beaufort. Closures will take place between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday, until the end of the year.

During this time, please prepare for and expect minor delays in traffic. Drivers traveling through the area are asked to please be mindful of our traffic control team and the crews working within the area. In addition, the ramp coming off U.S. 21 onto Laurel Bay Road is permanently closed.

Free Summer Tax Prep Available for Lowcountry Residents Who Missed Deadline

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering a free summer tax preparation program for qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties who missed the traditional tax filing deadline.

This program – a collaboration between the IRS, Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, and United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) – is designed to assist low-income individuals and families, non-English speaking taxpayers, people with disabilities, and

seniors (age 60+) in accurately and efficiently filing their federal and state tax returns.

"We understand that filing taxes can be overwhelming, especially for those who have limited resources," United Way Volunteer and VITA Program Coordinator Sherry Halphen said. "Our summer tax preparation program allows residents to receive free assistance from IRS-certified volunteers, ensuring they receive every deduction and credit they deserve."

Program Details:

• What: Free tax preparation assistance by IRS-certified VITA volunteers. When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays, August 22 and September 26

Where: United Way of the Lowcountry Bluffton Office (10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite D, Bluffton, S.C. 29910)

• Appointments Required: Call 843 321 9071 or email lowcountryvitacoalition@gmail. com Visit www.uwlowcountry. org/VITA for eligibility requirements and a list of documents to bring with you to your appointment.

– From staff reports

Photos of the newly opened Freedom House in Hardeeville, S.C. The shelter is the first in the area that serves homeless families in Beaufort. Photos submitted by Holly Bounds Jackson

SPORTS

Area teams gearing up for kickoff

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

This is a friendly reminder on behalf of the area’s football coaches to not draw too many conclusions until the results count — and even then, to remember that it ain’t how you start, so much as how you finish.

The high school football season has arrived, ushered in extra early with Beaufort Academy’s 42-7 loss to Northwood Academy in the SCISA Kickoff Classic, and John Paul II kicks off Friday night at Colleton Prep, but in the meantime, folks are getting worked up about “scores” from scrimmages and jamborees, which rarely reflect accurately what might happen if the same teams played a complete game under ordinary circumstances.

So draw your conclusions carefully and don’t hold onto them too tight. This ride is just getting started.

With that said, Beaufort High got in its first scrimmage Monday night against Summerville, and coach Bryce Lybrand saw “some good, some bad” in a 40-33

loss, as is to be expected from the first live action of the season against someone in different jerseys and helmets. The Green Wave begin the season ranked third in Class 5A and provided the kind of stress test Lybrand likes to put his team through early to detect areas in need of improvement. As the score indicates, Beaufort’s offense was in good form, with Samari Bonds and Amare Patterson connecting for three touchdowns, but the defense is a work in progress, which is typical for mid-August.

The Eagles open Aug. 23 at Fort Dorchester, which was in action in a four-team scrimmage at May River on Monday along with Whale Branch and Midland Valley.

The Warriors held their own while punching above their weight against Class 4A and Class 5A schools, while both May River and Fort Dorchester — future Beaufort High

opponents — displayed runheavy attacks on offense. In a scrimmage. So take that with a grain of salt. They’ll play the games that count soon enough.

WB’s Hatcher on the mend

Longtime Whale Branch coach Jerry Hatcher was conspicuously absent from the sideline for Monday night’s scrimmage at May River — it’s hard to miss Hatcher’s bellowing voice and high-energy coaching style — but he will be back to full speed soon.

Hatcher had shoulder surgery last week and didn’t make the bus trip, but he was back at school Monday and expected to be back on the practice field Tuesday. The Warriors have a veteran coaching staff with several assistants who have worked under Hatcher for a number of years, so the team was in good hands and showed some bright spots against strong competition.

Whale Branch opens its season Aug. 23 at Bluffton.

BA overmatched in season opener

LowcoSports.com

The South Carolina high school football season kicked off Saturday night at Charleston Southern University, where a rebuilding Beaufort Academy team lost 42-7 to rising SCISA Class 4A power Northwood Academy in the SCISA Kickoff Classic. While the Eagles saw 64 percent of their total offensive output and a stalwart lineman graduate last spring, the Chargers returned a ton of talent and added depth in an effort to build on last year’s 6-5 debut under veteran coach Johnny Waters.

Nic Shuford

The mismatch was apparent from the start. The Chargers connected for a deep pass on the first play from scrimmage and had a touchdown called back on the second play, only to put it back in the end zone two snaps later. After a defensive stand on BA’s first series, Northwood quickly struck again for a 14-0 lead, which the Chargers extended to 35-0 by halftime. Battery Creek transfer Nyc Underwood didn’t have much room to run early as BA’s inexperienced offensive line had a difficult time containing the Chargers’ rush, but he found success in the second half and finished with 71 yards on 19 carries, get-

ting the Eagles on the board with a touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Senior quarterback Dietrich Shuford was 8-for-13 for 120 yards with an interception and rushed five times for 36 yards, with Devin Fripp snagging four passes for 48 yards and Jace Paulk adding 67 yards on three catches. Grady Lamm had a teamhigh six tackles and Paulk added five for BA’s defense.

BA (0-1) plays its home opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Hilton Head Prep. The Eagles beat the Dolphins 28-0 last season, and Hilton Head Prep takes a 24game losing streak into its first game under new coach Doug McFadden, a veteran college coach.

Bryce Lybrand

Beaufort High wide receiver Amare Patterson goes up for a pass against Battery Creek’s Blake Hinchey at Eagles Stadium during the 2023 season. Bob Sofaly/File/The Island News

Staff reports

The Technical College of the Lowcountry recently honored 66 health sciences graduates at various pinning ceremonies held from May through July at its Beaufort Mather Campus.

“We are so proud of our graduates for their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence,” TCL’s Health Sciences Dean Dr. Joey Swearingen said in a news release. “As the area’s leading institution in health science education, TCL continues to produce high caliber graduates who are ready not only to join the workforce but to make their mark on and contribute to the economy of the Lowcountry.”

Graduates represented a number of TCL’s health sciences programs including nursing, physical therapist assistant, massage therapy, medical assisting, surgical technology and radiologic technology.

Students in these programs experienced on-campus learning using the latest technology, instruction and equipment. In addition, many received hands-on practice at clinical sites located throughout Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties.

Associate Degree — Nursing (May)

Ashley Bentley, Annalise Bertrand, Erica Brown, Lillianna Delk, Desha Frasier, Ja’Kayla Harden, Heather Heslep, Rachel Kader, Hailey Lamar, Leigha Marion, Virginia Nightingale, Abimbola Osuolale, Rebecca Ramsey, Amber-Lin Reilley, Hannah Salus, Courtney Thompson,

TCL honors health sciences graduates

Mary Wallace, Samantha White

Associate Degree — Nursing (July)

Amanda Davis, Olivia Gee, Hannah Goldman, Alora Newton, Victoria Pelletier, Ashley Scheafer, Katy Sikes

Practical Nursing graduates (July)

Allison Brown, Latriciana Brown, Victoria Campbell, Brittany Cushman, Melissa Lebaron, Elisette Sinor

Massage Therapy Certificate graduates

Victoria Demarco, Angela Digennaro, Ilani Rivera, Gaven Ruiz, Hallie Van Camp, Emily Wilson, Jolene Zajicek

Medical Assisting graduates

Nicole Bruce, Autumn Catalano, Jasmine Davis, Latisha Fields, Marcia Frazier, Jocelyn Green, Taquoya Miller, Mahogony Platt, Shannon Stinsman

Physical Therapist Assistant graduates

Justin Blocker, Savannah Carpenter, Lawrence Dee, Guillermo Fuentes, Kate Gottschalk, Inah Monroe, Madison Nash, Janay Robinson, Jodie Weathers

Radiologic Technology graduates

Mackenzie Adams, Heather Hayes, James Lee, Justin McPherson, Blake Parsons, Miah Willison

Surgical Technology graduates

Hikaru Goto, Aury Hernandez, Morgan Shaffer, AnaBeth Thompson

Associate Degree graduates in Nursing for May are, from left, Courtney Thompson, Abimbola Osuolale, Heather Heslep, Erica Brown, Desha Frasier, Leigha Marion, Rachel Kadar, Jakayla Harden, Lillianna Delk, Rebecca Ramsey, Virginia Nightingale, Annalise Bertrand, Amber-Lin Reilley, Mary Wallace, Samantha White, Hannah Salus, Hailey Lamar and Ashley Bentley.

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH

Members of the Beaufort Port Royal Fire Department attending the Back to School

questions from attendees

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Port Royal’s Poulin to attend Honors College at College of Charleston

Marielle Poulin of Port Royal (29935) will attend the Honors College at the College of Charleston starting this fall.

Poulin joins an inspired learning community within the Honors College. Honors students enjoy personalized mentorship, unique opportunities, and small, seminar-style classes. They also engage in impactful activities like faculty-led research, internships, and community engagement to prepare them to become transformative leaders.

Poulin is a graduate of Bridges Preparatory School and plans to major in Meteorology at the College of Charleston.

The Honors College at the College of Charleston was recently recognized as one of the 50 best

honors colleges in the nation by College Transitions. Learn more about the Honors College experience at charleston.edu/honors-college.

The College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston offers the distinctive combination of a beautiful and historic campus, modern facilities and cutting-edge programs.

2 Beaufort students accepted into College of Charleston ARCH Scholars program

The ARCH Scholars Program is a distinguished learning community within the Honors College at the College of Charleston. The two-year cohort experience connects high-performing scholars with the resources they need to

thrive at the College of Charleston. The following local students have been accepted into the inaugural cohort of ARCH Scholars at the College of Charleston. Riley Cowan of Beaufort (29902) is a graduate of Bridges Preparatory School and will major in Psychology. Connor McCombs of Beaufort (29907) is a graduate of Bridges Preparatory School and will major in Art History.

4 from Beaufort graduate from University of Maryland Global Campus University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) graduated nearly 14,000 students worldwide during the 2023-24 academic year, including four from Beaufort. Students from all 50

states, three U.S. territories, and 24 countries earned UMGC degrees and more than 3,200 graduates attended ceremonies around the world, including in Germany, Japan, Korea, and Guam, as well as "Grad Walk" in Adelphi, Md., in May.

Beaufort graduates included Leandre Ingram (29906), Associate of Arts, General Studies; Chantal Sanchez Laucer (29906), Associate of Arts, General Studies; Tanner Myers (29906), Associate of Arts, General Studies; and Destri Stemme (29906), Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice.

University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military service members. UMGC offers online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 125 degrees and certificates.

Beaufort’s Morris graduates from Roger Williams

Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I., is proud to announce that Sofie Morris of Beaufort graduated with a B.S. in Criminal Justice in May as part of the Class of 2024 RWU offers 50 majors and robust offerings of graduate and professional programs across eight schools of study including Rhode Island's only law school. With small classrooms and a focus on undergraduate and graduate research and community engagement, a Roger Williams education blends the strength of liberal arts and professional studies, providing all students with the depth and breadth of interdisciplinary thinking and well-rounded knowledge necessary to succeed in our interconnected, global world.

– From staff reports

TCL’s

TCL’s Associate Degree graduates in Nursing for July are, from left, Victoria Pelletier, Olivia Gee, Hannah Goldman, Ashley Schaefer, Katy Sikes, Amanda Davis and Alora Newton.

TCL’s Practical Nursing graduates for July are, from left, Latriciana Brown, Victoria Campbell, Elisette Sinor, Allison Brown, Melissa LeBaron and Brittany Cushman.

TCL’s Massage Therapy graduates are, from left, Jolene Zajicek, Emily Wilson, Hallie Van Camp, Angela Digennaro, Ilani Rivera, Gaven Ruiz and Victoria Demarco.

TCL’s Medical Assisting graduates are, from left, Mahogony Platt, Autumn Catalano, Shannon Stinsman, Nicole Bruce, Jocelyn Green, Taquoya Miller, Jasmine Davis, Marcia Frazier and Latisha Fields.

TCL’s Physical Therapist Assistant graduates are, from left, back row, Savannah Carpenter, Guillermo Fuentes, Inah Monroe, Madison Nash, Janay Robinson and Jodie Weathers; from left, front row, Justin Blocker and Lawrence Dee. Not pictured is Kate Gottschalk.

TCL’s Radialogic Technology graduates are, from left, Mackenzie Adams, Heather Hayes, James Lee, Justin McPherson, Blake Parsons and Miah Willison.

From left, TCL Surgical Technology Instructor and Clinical Coordinator Michael Lane, BS, CST; TCL’s Surgical Technology graduates Aury Hernandez, Morgan Shaffer, AnaBeth Thompson, Hikaru Goto and TCL Surgical Technology Program Director Ashley Sumner, AS, CST.

Mike and Barbara Gammage's multi-award-winning publishing company, autographs books for students attending the Back to School Bash on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at St. Helena’s Anglican Church. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Bash on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at St. Helena’s Anglican Church answer

regarding the fire engine. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

EDUCATION

Laurel Bay First Day

SC Education Department celebrates move to new building

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Department of Education officially marked the move of its 940 employees out of the agency’s long-time downtown Columbia office building, cutting the ribbon Monday on a new, 150 000-square-foot headquarters built by a politically connected developer.

“For six decades that building stood sentry over South Carolina’s education struggles and triumphs as the home of the Palmetto State’s education mission and thousands of committed South Carolina Department of Education employees,” S.C. Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver said of the agency’s former building on Senate Street, two blocks east of the Statehouse.

“Now, exactly 60 years later, we celebrate the turning of another page and the opening of a new, hope-filled chapter in South Carolina’s education story,” Weaver continued.

The education agency’s move was part of a larger $133 million contract over 20 years, signed in 2022, with Columbia developer Bill Stern.

Stern, who chairs the state Ports Authority’s governing board and makes regular campaign donations — mostly to the state’s ruling Republicans but also to Democratic incumbents — agreed to build two new office facilities at the State Farmers Market in rural Lexington County.

He will lease them to the state Education and Natural Resources agencies for 20 years.

Stern was not among dignitaries in attendance at the ribbon cutting.

The state Education Department is the first of the two agencies to move in, joining the previously relocated state Department of Agriculture on the Farmers Market grounds.

The agriculture agency paid Stern $7 million in 2013 for two pieces of property to expand the State Farmers Market, according to a 2015 audit requested by legislators. Auditors found the market was running a deficit and suggested the state find new ways to support the site, The Associated Press reported at the time.

The education agency’s move to the building 10 miles away from its downtown home is not yet complete. Some employees are still moving in. The process started in June.

The three-story structure, which Weaver called “a visible token of the Palmetto State’s investment in and commitment to the educational future of all of our students,” boasts a cafeteria, exercise room, an atrium for employee gatherings and a wide variety of conference rooms and meeting spaces to host

trainings for teachers and administrators from school districts around the state.

Construction continues on the Department of Natural Resource’s building.

Two miles north, Stern is also taking ownership of another major office property that will house state agencies.

Dominion Energy named Stern the grantee for the utility company’s 100-acre South Carolina campus, according to filings on the Lexington County Register of Deeds website.

A new deed has yet to be filed, and the purchase price has yet to be made public record.

The massive headquarters, which Dominion inherited when it took over SCANA Corporation in a 2019 buyout, will be the new home of the state agencies that provide services for people with disabilities, mental health issues, and alcohol and drug addictions, as well as the state public health agency after its recent split with the state environmental department.

The state is expected to spend nearly $500 million relocating those agencies from the redeveloped BullStreet District in downtown Columbia. Similar to the new education and natural resources locations, the lease with Stern for the former Dominion campus is a 20-year deal.

Meanwhile, the University of South Carolina spent $2 2 million in December to purchase the education agency’s downtown office building.

The state’s largest university system is still exploring its options for the property, spokesman Jeff Stensland.

USC is in talks with private developers about the potential of converting the 14-story office tower, located just off the college’s historic Horseshoe, into a housing development.

Stensland said that could potentially include housing for graduate students. It would not be geared to undergraduates.

Previous plans by a private developer to turn the building into apartments in 2022 never materialized.

The building, constructed in the 1960s, has been on the market since at least 2017

In 2015, then-Gov. Nikki Haley included the tower among properties she called “money pits” that should be sold.

Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the S.C. Daily Gazette, she was a business reporter for The Post and Courier.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Ahmed T. Williamson, Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region commanding general, greets students Monday, Aug. 5, at Bolden Elementary School on Laurel Bay. The command teams for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort visited the schools to cheer on the students for the first day of the new school year. Lance Cpl. William Horsley/USMC

Options & References for a Healthier Life

Student athlete mental health

Tips to ensure student athletes have a positive experience on and off the field

Participating in sports can provide children and teens with fitness, fun, confidence, companionship, new friendships, and great memories. But mental health problems can creep in if parents and coaches don’t put in place guidelines to make sure the experience is positive for student athletes.

“Sports takes focus, discipline, determination, self-control, self-motivation, mental and physical toughness. It teaches us so many valuable lessons about life that we cannot get anywhere else,” explained Bradley Adams, Beaufort High School athletic director. “Though it teaches us life lessons, it is not all that life has to offer. Sporting competitions are temporary. They will all end at some point. What matters about the game is the lessons you learn from it,” said Coach Adams.

Playing Sports: What are the benefits for children and teens

Student athletes are more likely than their nonathlete peers to engage in health-promoting behaviors such as daily exercise, sleeping at least seven hours a night, healthy eating and drinking less soda.

High-school student athletes also appear to be more competent in school and have higher expectations to continue education beyond high school compared with nonathletes.

Student athletes also report higher perceived self-esteem and are more confident in their ability to achieve specific goals compared with their nonathlete peers.

Negative effects of playing sports for student athletes

As fun and beneficial as sports can be, there are some potential pitfalls. For young people with still-developing self-image and self-regulation skills, the strong emotions and internal and external pressures associated with playing sports can be difficult to cope with.

Increased physical activity often means increased risk of injury.

This is particularly true for youth who specialize in a single sport before reaching puberty and engage in year-round training with insufficient periods of rest.

Young athletes can experience a variety of mental health problems tied to playing a sport, including:

Associating Winning with Self-Worth: Young athletes may take it particularly hard when personal setbacks occur. They may have an unrealistic standard for themselves and start to equate their athletic performance with self-worth.

Unhealthy Perfectionism in Sports: Some children have a strong sense of perfectionism, and it does not always benefit them in sports. “It is important to avoid rigid perfectionism,” said Valerie Valle, a doctor of Psychology and sports psychologist in the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Institute for Brain Protection Sciences.

An athlete striving for unhealthy perfection may: Avoid taking risks and resist change for fear of failure.

Be overly sensitive to criticism. Get frustrated over the smallest mistakes. Procrastinate or give up on difficult tasks.

Downplay accomplishments or attribute them to luck instead of skill.

Student Athlete Stress and Anxiety: Young athletes can get stressed when they don’t make the team, make a mistake, don’t get the play time they want, or fall short of a metric they are working to achieve. Balancing sports participation with academics, hobbies, friends, family time and other social activities can also contribute to stress.

Even good stress can take a toll. A child or teen who is very excited about a big game can experience the effects of stress, even when it is in a positive context. Symptoms of being stressed out can include: Feeling on edge or overwhelmed or “checked out” and apathetic. Panic attacks. Agitation. Avoidance (skipping practice, for example).

Voicing reluctance or dread about going to practice or competitions. Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual. Stomach problems such as upset stomach, constipation or diarrhea. Headaches. Risk-taking behaviors such as problematic substance use.

Depression in Young Athletes: Depression can affect anyone, even high-performing young athletes. There are many factors at play, including genetics and personality, as well as the pressures of youth sports, especially for elite athletes.

Depression in children can look like boredom, distractedness or low energy. A few days of the blahs or sadness is nothing to worry about. But if your child loses interest in their sport or other things they normally enjoy, stay alert. These signs, along with others such as a weekslong sad mood, change in appetite or sleep patterns and other symptoms warrant a trip to the doctor to rule out depression.

Burnout in Youth Sports: Parents can be very enthusiastic when their child shows an interest in sports — especially if they demonstrate unusual talent. After concentrating on one sport for a while, young athletes may become tired of it, both emotionally and physically. Emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced sense of accomplishment and a feeling of declining value in the sport are all characteristics of burnout. Burnout can affect teens in many ways including:

Going to practice without the usual enthusiasm.

Choosing to spend more time away from the sport.

Feeling overly defeated and discouraged after losses or setbacks. Appearing fatigued or disinterested. Expressing desire to quit the sport.

What Parents and Coaches Can Do: Negative effects of youth sport participation like injury, performance anxiety and burnout do not discriminate based on the type of sport. Athletes involved in individual and team sports can be affected. But there are things athletes, parents, coaches and mentors can do to help build resilience and keep fun in sports.

Open a Dialogue and Listen: If you suspect something is taking a toll on your child’s mental health, acknowledge it. Ask open-ended questions such as “I’ve noticed that …..” about your observations. Listen to understand.

Evaluate the Extent of the Problem: One of the goals is to determine whether the athlete does not want to face a specific one-time situation or if it is a case of an ongoing stress, burnout, anxiety, or depression.

Set Meaningful and Achievable Goals: Parents, guardians and coaches can help young athletes build resilience by establishing an emotional foundation of “why” and help young athletes understand that events related to competition in most cases do not have permanent life-altering consequences.

Make Time for Breaks: Parents can work with coaches to give kids appropriate breaks from training. Rest is necessary.

Keep Sports Fun: It is important to keep sports fun. During childhood, talents emerge, and the ones that are genuinely enjoyable can become lifelong passions. Together, adults can help children and teens enjoy sports for what they truly are – a learning experience, pastime and hobby. “The game does not last forever but the lessons you take from it will carry you throughout your life,” said Coach Adams.

Source: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/ health/wellness-and-prevention/studentathlete-mental-health

this supplement help with a health

If so, how much is the recommended

Does this supplement have any harms associated with it? What are the potential side effects? Could this supplement interact with prescription medications? What about overthe-counter medications? Does this supplement contain what it says it does? An independent third-party, such as NSF.org, is a trusted product

To further meet the high demand among local residents for surgical services, Beaufort Memorial Surgical Specialists has added another general surgeon to the practice. Taylor Turnbull, M.D., comes to Beaufort after completing her residency in general surgery at Prisma Health Upstate in Greenville, S.C. Skilled in robotic and laparoscopic surgical techniques, she brings experience in the treatment of a broad range of acute and chronic diseases and disorders to Beaufort Memorial Surgical Specialists. Among her professional interests are complex hernia repair, colorectal surgery (including anorectal surgery), skin lesion repair, biliary surgery, and abdominal surgery. Beaufort Memorial Surgical Specialists

offers a full range of surgeries, from simple, minimally invasive procedures to complex operations and has locations at Beaufort Medical Plaza, 989 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, and Beaufort Memorial Okatie Medical Pavilion, 122 Okatie Center Blvd. North. Its highly experienced, board-certified surgeons are skilled in using the latest minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgical techniques. To make an appointment with Turnbull or any of the

Pimples, zits, lumps and bumps: How to keep your skin clear

By Rose Ewing

Keeping skin clear and healthy-looking is intentional. But can pimples, zits, lumps and bumps on your skin be controlled?

“While skin breakouts may be inevitable, establishing a routine to care for your skin will keep it looking healthy,” explained Connie Polk Nickles, a licensed esthetician with 18 years of skin care experience who manages the spa at the Celadon Club on Lady’s Island.

But what are these bumps?

Acne is often referred to as pimples or zits. It’s a skin condition that occurs when sebaceous glands become clogged and inflamed with dirt or oil. While zits are most often found on the face, they can also appear on a person’s neck or back. This condition is difficult to treat, but it can be controlled with proper skin care and lifestyle changes.

Sebaceous hyperplasia is the name for a condition where the sebaceous glands in your skin become enlarged and form small flesh-colored, umbilicated bumps. (Umbilicated means having a small depression in the center that resembles a navel.) It's a harmless, benign enlargement of a hair follicle. These typically do not go away on their own, but they can be minimized in appearance. While these two skin disorders cannot be controlled completely, success can be found by following these tips:

Establish a morning and nightly skincare routine. In the morning, cleanse skin. Very often, dirt, residue or makeup that did not come off the night before will come out of the skin overnight. Therefore, it is just as important to cleanse the skin in the morning

as it is at night. Moisturize with a noncomedogenic skin moisturizer; then apply sunscreen. If you wear makeup, make sure the makeup has sunscreen in it. “A successful skin care plan can be as simple as cleansing, moisturizing and using sunscreen,” explained Nickles. At night, remove all makeup and cleanse skin. Follow with a toner for sensitive skin on a fresh cotton disposable pad. Change out your pil-

lowcase regularly. Avoid touching your face throughout the day with dirty hands. Wash skin as soon as possible following exercise. Sweat can clog pores and make skin conditions worse, so shower or bathe after exercising. For large pores, breakouts, or anything that needs to be cleared, clay is a good option. Pre-moistened Bentonite Clay can be applied using a Q-tip or cotton ball. Spread on the skin

in the desired area. Let dry. When ready to remove, rinse to moisten, then wipe with a warm, wet wash cloth. This helps draw out impurities. To remove dead skin cells, exfoliate. Use baking soda on a damp wash cloth, or dip a finger covered with a wet washcloth in aluminum oxide crystals, found in the skin care aisle in drugstores. Rub to exfoliate. Avoid pressing too hard and avoid exfoliating areas with open sores. Once you have exfoliated, that area of skin will need extra care to prevent sun damage. Cut out all sugar and sodium from your diet. Sugar is the enemy of the skin and causes breakouts. To avoid puffy eyes in the morning, avoid foods high in sodium after 5p.m.

If you wear foundation makeup or concealer, use brands that do not clog pores. Look for ‘non-comedogenic’ on the label. Does it have a lightweight feeling when applied?

If you feel as if you are wearing a mask, keep looking for a different

brand. It is recommended to use a fresh makeup application sponge each time foundation or concealer is applied. If you use makeup brushes, be sure to regularly clean all makeup brushes, foundation brushes, blush or highlighter sponges to prevent bacteria buildup. To clean, wet with warm water, then use a drop of liquid dish soap and use your clean fingers to work it in followed by a good rinse. You may have to wash a couple times, then shake well to dry. Shake or tap the brush handle against the hand afterward to fluff up the brush. Dry with bristles upright.

“Good skin care and healthy habits in your 20’s and 30’s can prepare your skin for the effects of aging down the road. By following a regime, your skin will remain healthy as you age. You are never too young or too old to begin to take care of your skin,” said Nickles. For questions about specific skin issues or to make an appointment, contact Connie Polk Nickles, Celadon spa manager, at 843-3791088

How to deal with poor air quality

The hazy, hot and humid days of summer have arrived in Beaufort.

But even though you cannot see it, polluted air can cause difficulty breathing, flare-ups of allergy or asthma, and other lung problems.

Long-term exposure to air pollution can raise the risk of other diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

When the weather is warm, an invisible gas called ozone can make it harder for some people to breathe. This gas is created when sunlight triggers a chemical reaction between oxygen and certain pollutants from cars, factories, and other sources.

Ozone can irritate the lining of your airways and lungs. People with asthma and other lung conditions are more likely to feel its effects.

“When people with poorly controlled asthma are exposed to low

levels of ozone, the amount of inflammation in the lungs goes way up,” explains Dr. Daryl Zeldin, a lung and environmental health science expert at the National Institute of Health. “As a result, air passages narrow, which makes it much harder to breathe.”

Tips to breathe easier: Avoid outdoor activities in the afternoons on warm days when the risk of air pollution is highest.

Avoid strenuous outdoor activities if the air is polluted. Check your region’s air quality index (EPA). Orange and red mean it’s a bad air day, so

people with lung problems should avoid the outdoors. Purple and maroon mean air pollution is extreme, and everyone should try to stay in an indoor environment with clean air. Reduce pollutants in your home. Don’t let anyone smoke in your home. Avoid burning candles, incense, or wood fires. Run fans or open a window when cooking. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter instead of sweeping to avoid stirring up dust and allergens.

Source: http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/ breathe-easier

You have the right to know what’s happening in your community.

Public notices – information local governments are obligated to provide citizens – are required to be published in local newspapers to provide a public record that’s accessible to everyone.

Public notices keep you informed about your government. But, in some states legislators are trying to keep public notices from appearing in local newspapers. This severely impacts government transparency and, in turn, limits the public’s right to hold them accountable for their actions.

Let your state legislators know that you value being able to access notices in your newspaper and that they are worth the investment.

7 SC agency heads receive raises as high as $58K

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — The heads of seven state agencies will cumulatively get a salary hike of $300 000 as approved Thursday by a legislative committee.

The Agency Head Salary Commission voted unanimously Thursday to give six agency directors who answer to Gov. Henry McMaster the pay hikes he requested to put their salaries in line with what other states are paying, according to a salary study by a consultant based in Charlotte.

The head of the Ethics Commission, which is not in the governor’s

Cabinet, also received a raise, as recommended by the ethics board.

Individually, their pay hikes range from nearly $29 000 to more than $58 000. The salary boosts take effect immediately, so they’ll start seeing it in their next paycheck.

They are part of a larger effort in recent years to make the pay for the top jobs in state government more competitive with other states and the private sector.

“(The governor) has confidence in them. If he didn’t have confidence in them, he wouldn’t recommend these salaries,” said House Speaker Murrell Smith,

R-Sumter, who leads the commission that sets the pay for leaders of state agencies. “In exchange, as well, we’ve got confidence in these agency heads.”

How their salaries compare

Most of the governor-appointed directors receiving pay boosts were making less than the minimum amount the commission recommended for their positions, based on a study of similar positions in other states. Three were making slightly more than the minimum, according to data pro-

SEE RAISES PAGE B2

D-Columbia, during an Agency Head Salary Commission meeting Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Skylar Laird/S.C. Daily Gazette

Grant program to help SC dam owners pay for repairs

New program set to launch in October with $1.5M toward fixing dams, including those damaged during Tropical Storm Debby

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — A new state program will help landowners pay to repair their dams, including from damages left behind after Tropical Storm Debby pelted the state with rain, flooding rivers and stressing dams.

The program, created as part of this year’s state budget, will have

By Abraham Kenmore

$1 5 million available for dam owners to cover at least a portion of what it costs to fix problems found by state inspectors, whether caused by this most recent storm or not.

“If we have damage to dams because of this system, I’m excited to have that there so we can get repairs done,” said Rep. Russell Ott, a St. Matthews Democrat who sponsored the budget clause.

However, the amount is unlikely to go far. There are no estimates on how many dams the program could help fix. That will depend on how many people apply and the extent of needed repairs. But costs can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars — or more — depending on a dam’s size and design.

November ballot for president more crowded than voters realize

By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — With Vice President Kamala Harris formally becoming the Democratic nominee for president and selecting her running mate this week, voters’ choices between the major parties are clear.

However, when South Carolina voters go to cast their ballot — whether in 90 days on Election Day itself or sometime during early voting — they’ll have a lot more than two parties to pick between.

Beyond Harris leading Democrats’ ticket and former President Donald Trump as Republicans’ nominee, there will likely be six other parties on South Carolina’s

BALLOT PAGE B3

Wilson told reporters after the vote. “We’re only changing two words, so we didn’t feel it was needed.” The commission, which reviews all proposed constitutional amendments, consists of the attorney general, election commission director and legislative council director.

It

Senate President Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla; Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney; House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter; House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville; and Rep. Leon Howard,

Dam inspector Chuck Owens assesses a dam in Barnwell County on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Photo courtesy of S.C. Department of Environmental Services

STATE NEWS

Federal grant helping SC protect bats

By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — Bats aren’t exact-

ly cute and cuddly, but the furry fliers can save farmers statewide $115 million yearly in free pest control, according to the agency tasked with preserving South Carolina’s natural resources.

For that and other reasons, it’s important that bats keep playing their part in South Carolina’s ecosystem. But to protect them, the state’s ecologists need updated information on where bats live on public land. A $425,000 federal grant is helping the state Department of Natural Resources map out five at-risk bat species in South Carolina, two of which are endangered, and determine if the agency is unintentionally harming them.

“If we don’t have bats, we’re going to have a lot more problems,” Susan Loeb, a Clemson-based ecologist with the Southern Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service, recently told the S.C. Daily Gazette.

Bats are good at keeping agricultural and forestry pests in check, particularly those that target corn as well as oak and hickory seedlings, said Loeb, who is not associated with the grant.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conservation grant, an-

nounced in July, will support a study on five of the state’s 15 bat species: Northern long-eared, gray — which are the two endangered species —tricolored, little brown and hoary.

vided by the commission from Korn Ferry consulting.

Receiving the smallest proportional increase is Kevin Shwedo, director of the Department of Motor Vehicles since then-Gov. Nikki Haley appointed him in January 2011. His raise of nearly $29 000 represents just under a 20% increase.

The highest raise goes to Department of Public Safety Director Robert Woods, who was a 29-year veteran of the troubled agency when McMaster asked him to take the helm in 2020 Woods’ raise, about $58 300, is nearly as much as South Carolina’s median income in 2021, when half the population made less than $59 500, according to the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.

An advocate for teachers said she realizes it’s important to ensure state agencies are led by competent directors, and raising pay is the way to stay competitive and attract quality leaders.

At the same time, three of the raises approved Thursday are higher than the state pays starting teachers, said Sherry East, president of the South Carolina Education Association.

“I see (the state’s) point of trying to be competitive to get people into these positions, but they need to look at state employees as a whole, not just the state

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Resources better manage important locations for the most at-risk bat species, Kindel, the bat biologist, explained in an email to the S.C. Daily Gazette.

The federal grant covers 65% of the total cost. The rest will come from the state, according to a DNR spokesperson.

This study is just the latest effort by DNR to monitor and support bat populations.

Work the agency has been doing for decades includes installing towers for the state’s endangered Rafinesque’s big-eared bat to roost and putting bat-friendly gates on old mines and other places where the bats spend the winter. The state also monitors for the destructive white-nose syndrome, which is a fungal disease that has killed millions of bats since 2006, Kindel said.

“We can have healthy forests for bats as well as everything else out there,” Loeb said of the research.

The following lists the pay hikes approved Thursday, Aug. 8, along with the directors’ new salaries and the number of state employees they oversee:

• Public Safety Director Robert Woods’ salary rises $58,337 to $237,487 to run an agency with 1,327 employees; • Juvenile Justice Director Eden Hendrick: $57,282 to $215,702; 1,128 employees; Ethics Commission Director Meghan Walker: $48,458 to $194,058; 24 employees; Inspector General Brian Lamkin: $42,978 to $172,971; 14 employees; Aging Director Connie Munn: $32,414 to $162,414; 44 employees; Children’s Advocacy Director Amanda Whittle: $29,814 to $162,414; 205 employees; Motor Vehicles Director Kevin Shwedo: $28,768 to $177,998; 1,327 employees;

Source: Agency Head Salary Commission, S.C. Department of Administration

agency heads,” East said. The state-allowed minimum this school year for first-year teachers is $47 000 — a $4 500 increase from last year and $12,000 above the minimum pay five years ago. Lawmakers have set a goal of raising the salary floor for teachers to $50 000 by 2026 to help stem a growing teacher shortage. But advocates say that goal must be higher. In letters recommending

lature can put a question on general election ballots. And any resolution to do so requires supermajority approval in both chambers. The GOP-dominated Legislature repeatedly rejected all attempts over the last session to put an abortion question on the ballot.

But the citizenship question easily met the necessary two-thirds threshold, with a 40-3 vote in the Senate in April and unanimous approval from the House in May.

Some cities and towns around the country have allowed non-cit-

For example, when dead trees are cut down or controlled burns are used to reduce the potential of destructive wildfires, bats could be injured or killed. Just forcing them to relocate could negatively strain the nocturnal creatures, she said.

But there are also potential long-

The way National Resources manages state-owned property varies widely across the state. The grant will help determine when land management inadvertently contributes to bats’ demise, said Jennifer Kindel, a bat biologist for the state.

the pay increases provided to the S.C. Daily Gazette, Gov. Henry McMaster lauded agency directors’ work and pointed to specific challenges they have faced in recent years, as well as their experience in their fields. In most cases, he requested the agency heads make more than the proposed midpoint of the study’s salary ranges.

Eden Hendrick, for instance, “took over an agency in dire need for transformational change” when she was hired as director of the Department of Juvenile Justice in 2022, McMaster wrote.

Hendrick came in after her predecessor resigned following months of criticism and employee protests over their safety. She took over facilities plagued with overcrowding and facing a lawsuit alleging unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

She’s receiving the biggest boost by percentage, with a salary increasing by 36% to $215 702. She had been making about $11 300 less than what was considered the competitive minimum of $169 758

“She has done an outstanding job under less than perfect circumstances and her leadership continues to inspire others both within and outside the agency,” McMaster wrote.

Inspector General Brian Lamkin has not received a performance-based raise since he was hired in 2017 the governor wrote. That’s despite the Legislature increasing his responsibilities

izens to vote in local elections, although sponsors acknowledged none in South Carolina are proposing to allow that.

“This is just an additional safeguard to ensure that somebody might not make the argument that non-citizens could vote in a South Carolina municipal election,” Wilson said Monday.

One co-sponsor, Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Isle of Palms, called the proposed amendment a “belt and suspenders approach” to safeguarding elections.

Campsen pointed to San Francisco, where a local ordinance allowed noncitizen parents to vote in school board elections. The ordinance was upheld by the Cal-

term benefits, since clearing out dense forest could make it easier for bats, which use echolocation, to navigate in the dark.

“Maybe it’s not whether we do (a burn) or not but when’s the best time. When can we do it so we have the least impact?” Loeb said.

The two-year federal grant will help the Department of Natural

in 2022 when it authorized the office to investigate public schools.

Over the six years that Lamkin has led the agency, which the Legislature created in 2012, he has issued 256 findings and recommendations from his reviews, McMaster wrote, noting the vast majority were implemented.

“I think you will agree that Mr. Lamkin has done an outstanding job as inspector general,” McMaster wrote. “I also think that you will agree that there is no doubt that requests for investigations and reviews will only continue to increase in the future.”

Jeff Perez, who the Commission on Higher Education tapped in June to be its director, will make $240,071, the commission decided Thursday. That’s slightly less than his predecessor, who made $248,100

That director, Rusty Monhollon, stepped down ahead of his planned retirement after a report from Lamkin’s office found the commission allowed $152 million in unspent state lottery profits to pile up over six years.

None of the agency heads who got raises Thursday were among the highest-paid in the state.

Salaries for the state’s agency heads range from $100,560, for the head of the Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, to $296 066, for the Department of Administration director.

All but Lamkin were in the bottom half of pay for state agency heads. The raises

ifornia Court of Appeals based on similar language in that state’s constitution about “every” citizen being entitled to vote.

Although he acknowledged the issue is unlikely to come up in South Carolina in the near future, Campsen said the amendment would avoid a similar situation ever arising in the Palmetto State.

Abraham Kenmore is a reporter covering elections, health care and more. He joins the S.C. Daily Gazette from The Augusta Chronicle, where he reported on Georgia legislators, military and housing issues.

S.C. Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Abraham Kenmore is a reporter covering elections, health care and more. He joins the S.C. Daily Gazette from The Augusta Chronicle, where he reported on Georgia legislators, military and housing issues. S.C. Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

will bring five of the seven to the top half, with Woods and Hendrick becoming the 15th and 16th highest-paid agency directors.

Perez will be the 13th highest-paid director in the state.

Previous salary hikes

All seven agency leaders received a 4% pay bump last October, alongside dozens of others. Most had not had a raise in at least three years before that, according to commission staff.

At that same October meeting, the commission approved giving State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel — the state’s top law enforcement officer since 2011 — a $71 000 pay raise, bringing his salary to $267 000 annually.

A similar round of raises went out to state agency heads in 2021. The commission that year approved spending just more than $288,000 to boost the salaries of the heads of the Office of Regulatory Staff, Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections, Department of Administration and State Fiscal Accountability Authority.

In November 2022, the commission voted to raise salaries for six constitutional officers making $92 000 per year. Their salaries had been set by law and hadn’t budged since 1994, creating a scenario where statewide elected officers were making less, sometimes far less, than the people who reported to them.

So, the Legislature passed a law in 2021 directing the Agency Head Salary Commission to set the pay for statewide officers too, with the exception — at McMaster’s request — of the governor and lieutenant governor. By law, the governor’s salary is still $106 078, and the lieutenant governor, who’s considered a part-time employee, makes $46,500 The law called for adjusting the pay of the other constitutional officers every four years, starting after the 2022 elections. The adjustments, which took effect with the January 2023 start of their new terms, more than doubled the pay of Attorney General Alan Wilson (to $208,000) and newly elected education Superintendent Ellen Weaver (to $214 00).

The 11-member salary-setting commission is made up of four legislators from each chamber — including the House speaker, Senate president and the chambers’ budget-writing chairmen — and three people appointed by the governor. McMaster’s appointees include a former senator and the former director of the state’s tax-collection agency.

Skylar Laird covers the South Carolina Legislature and criminal justice issues. Originally from Missouri, she previously worked for The Post and Courier’s Columbia bureau. S.C.

A hibernating tricolored bat covered in dew. The species is one of five that the state Department of Natural Resources will be studying thanks to a federal grant. Photo courtesy of S.C. Department of Natural Resources

STATE NEWS

SC AG joins 14 other states in challenging health insurance for DACA recipients

By Tim Carpenter The Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit

Thursday on behalf of 15 states in an attempt to stop President Joe Biden from expanding health care access to DACA recipients by making them eligible for participation in the Affordable Care Act’s insurance marketplace.

Kobach, a Republican who built a political career concentrated on legal issues tied to undocumented migrants, was joined in the federal lawsuit by attorneys general in Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Virginia.

Kobach challenged the federal rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that would make people who arrived in the United States as children, sometimes known as Dreamers, eligible for taxpayer-subsidized health plans under the ACA.

The Biden administration’s initiative would enable DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood

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The money is meant for dams deemed high or significant hazards, meaning that if they broke, they would risk significant property damage or loss of life. The grants will cover up to 75% of the total cost.

The application process is still in the works. Policies, criteria and guidance for the program are set to be complete by Oct. 15, department spokeswoman Laura Renwick said in an email.

“The new South Carolina Dam Safety Repair Assistance Fund will provide a much-needed grant opportunity to correct deficiencies at our high and significant hazard dams,” Renwick said.

Just more than 2 000 of the 2 200 dams the state oversees are privately owned, according to the Department of Environmental Services. State and local governments, or some combination, are in charge of the rest. Of the total inspected by the state, 826 are considered dangerous to life and property if they rupture, according to the agency.

By law, whoever owns the dam is legally responsible for it. That means that when

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Arrivals, to be part of the health insurance marketplace on Nov. 1

The lawsuit urged the federal court to postpone the effective date of the HHS rule pending completion of the case. It also sought to vacate the rule as “both contrary to law and unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious.”

“Illegal aliens shouldn’t get a free pass into our country,” said Kobach, using an offensive term for undocumented residents.

“They shouldn’t receive taxpayer benefits when they arrive, and the Biden-Harris administration shouldn’t get a free pass to violate federal law. That’s why I am leading a multistate lawsuit to stop this illegal regulation from going into effect.”

Kobach said in the U.S. District Court complaint filed in North Dakota that the administration of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris intended to violate a federal law forbidding government benefits from flowing to

dams need repairs, private owners and homeowners’ associations are often the ones on the hook for costly repairs.

“We’re talking thousands upon thousands of dollars,” Ott said. That was the case after the historic 2015 floods that inundated much of the state. Inspectors issued emergency repair orders for 75 dams, requiring inspections from engineers and plans for repairs and replacements that some dam owners couldn’t afford, The Associated Press reported at the time.

people who weren’t citizens of the United States or were otherwise unlawfully in the country.

He said Congress limited eligibility for federal public benefits to certain “qualified aliens” in 1996 DACA recipients weren’t included in the definition of qualified immigrants, he said.

In addition, Kobach’s filing said Congress restricted eligibility to participate in the ACA’s qualified health plans to “citizens or nationals” of the United States or “aliens lawfully present in the United States.”

“Indeed, eligibility for DACA requires unlawful presence in the United States,” Kobach’s petition said.

Xavier Becerra, the secretary of HHS, said when the final DACA rule was published in May the change could lead to 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients enrolling in health coverage through the marketplaces.

“HHS is committed to making health coverage accessible for DACA recipients — Dreamers — who have worked hard to live the American dream,” Becerra said.

Many dams were already in bad shape before the storm.

About 37% of the state’s significant-hazard dams — which would damage property if they breach — and 31% of high-hazard dams, which would cause dead-

“Dreamers are our neighbors and friends. They are students, teachers, social workers, doctors and nurses. More importantly, they are fellow Americans.”

Kobach asserted the HHS rule would make as many as 200,000 DACA recipients eligible for health insurance through the marketplace. His total of DACA participants included 4,350 in Kansas and 2,550 in Missouri.

In terms of other plaintiff states, the numbers ranged from 7 810 in Virginia, 7,450 in Indiana, 6,360 in Tennessee and 4,840 in South Carolina to 220 in New Hampshire, 130 in North Dakota and 80 in Montana.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said extending health insurance through the ACA to 3,460 DACA recipients in Alabama represented a new “assault on the American worker.”

“First, this administration is demanding that hardworking Americans pay for someone else’s college degree, then it forces them to pay for medical procedures that violate their beliefs, and now they want to dictate paying for health care for

Ott said.

Inspectors had previously found damage to some of those dams’ spillways, which release water downstream to keep the pressure off the dam. On others, the spillways weren’t enough to release water at a high enough rate to prevent

It’s going to happen again. We’re going to continue to have flooding. We’re going to continue to have lots of water coming down these stream segments. But I hope we’ll be able to feel safe knowing private dams are in good repair on these stream segments.”

ly flooding if they rupture, were in poor or unsatisfactory condition, according to the most recent data available. And that was four years ago. The 2020 report gave the last statewide assessment.

damage. For others, it was the stability of the dams’ slope that caused the concern.

Leading into the storm, inspectors “didn’t identify any heightened safety concerns at any of those 19 dams,” Renwick said.

The number of dams needing repairs after Tropical Storm Debby is not yet certain. Environmental agency workers began Thursday inspecting high-hazard dams to see what damages the flooding left behind, Renwick said.

ballot for president. Finding your choice may take a minute. This year, the list will start with the Constitution Party and end with the Workers Party. It’s not because the parties are in alphabetical order. Republican and Democrat are listed fourth and seventh, respectively.

Rather, to eliminate any seeming preference, the South Carolina Election Commission rotates the list of all participating parties every two years, with the party at the top dropping down to the bottom.

More recognizable minor-party presidential candidates include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running under the Alliance Party banner.

That’s the party co-founded in 2013 by former state Superintendent Jim Rex — the last Democrat

As Tropical Storm Debby threatened the coastline, with forecasts predicting 10 to 20 inches of rain across the eastern part of South Carolina, 19 dams raised particular concerns for state inspectors. Most were privately owned, and nearly all were high-hazard dams in poor condition.

in statewide office — and Dr. Oscar Lovelace, who unsuccessfully challenged the re-election of Gov. Mark Sanford in the 2006 GOP primary, as an alternative to the polarizing two-party system.

Launched as the American Party, it joined with independent parties in other states in 2018 to become the national Alliance Party. Unlike in other states, including neighboring North Carolina, where Kennedy’s effort to get on the ballot has faced legal challenges, it wasn’t a problem in South Carolina.

The Kennedy campaign initially explored the possibility of being a petition candidate in the Palmetto State, according to John Michael Catalano, spokesman for the state Election Commission.

But that became unnecessary after Kennedy approached Alliance Party leaders, including Rex, the national chair emeritus.

When Kennedy signed a letter saying he would abide by the

But the grant program is meant to ease those sorts of concerns. Dam owners often don’t realize their dam has problems until it’s too late. Inspectors may point out costly repairs that don’t affect the day-to-day life of the dam but can be catastrophic when a flood hits,

party’s principles — which include being honest and transparent and working for people, not special interests — the party put him on the ballot, said Keisha Long, state chairwoman since 2022

“Back in March, we weren’t sure he was a good fit, to be totally honest,” Long said. “And then … we really started looking at his platform. But more importantly, we revisited our values and what we say we value, and he was willing to adhere to our principles.”

Progressive activist Cornel West is on the United Citizens ticket in South Carolina.

The former Harvard professor, author and philosopher of African American studies had planned to run as the Green Party candidate in 2024 but decided last fall to run as an independent instead.

Back on the ballot as the Green

people who shouldn’t even be in this country,” Marshall said.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said the lawsuit was necessary to derail the Biden administration’s unconstitutional move to broaden the reach of Obamacare.

“I’m sympathetic to these people who didn’t choose to be brought here,” Wilson said. “However, this is yet another example of the Biden administration trying to do something it doesn’t have the authority to do.”

Like S.C. Daily Gazette, Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions at info@kansasreflector.com. Follow Kansas Reflector on Facebook and X.

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 38 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International. Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

“It’s not like a car,” said the Calhoun County farmer. “When you’ve got problems with your car, you know you’ve got problems with your car.”

Along with repairing damages due to storms, the money will go toward preventative fixes so that residents and inspectors aren’t rushing to pinpoint emergency situations in the face of an oncoming storm. It will also help people who want to remove their dams entirely and restore the creeks they stopped, Ott said.

He’s been trying to get his colleagues to approve the program since the catastrophic floods of 2015 when dozens of dams ruptured amid a deluge of up to 2 feet of rain in some places from Hurricane Joaquin. That storm never came ashore but directed what federal authorities called a “fire hose” of tropical moisture directly at the state.

That’s not to say dam owners have had no assistance available. In recent years, the state has gotten millions of dollars through a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.

Since 2019, the state has gotten more than $8 4 mil-

lion, most of that as part of a wide-reaching federal law funding infrastructure projects, to help repair high hazard dams. But private owners can not apply for that money unless they find a nonprofit or local government to sponsor their request, according to the department. Over the coming years, Ott said he hopes to see the state invest more money into helping private dam owners. After all, the floodprone state is likely to need it every hurricane season, he said.

“It’s going to happen again,” Ott said. “We’re going to continue to have flooding. We’re going to continue to have lots of water coming down these stream segments.

“But I hope we’ll be able to feel safe knowing private dams are in good repair on these stream segments,” he said.

Skylar Laird covers the South Carolina Legislature and criminal justice issues. Originally from Missouri, she previously worked for The Post and Courier’s

Party nominee is Jill Stein, who also ran unsuccessfully for president in 2016 and 2012 Stein received about 1% of the popular vote nationally in 2016 but many Democrats faulted Stein as taking votes away from Hillary Clinton and helping Trump win in swing states. In South Carolina, Stein received less than 1% in 2016, coming in fifth in a seven-way field won by Trump, who won with 55% over Clinton’s 41% In 2020, there were five presidential contenders on South Carolina’s ballot, which Trump again won by 55%

This year’s Democratic ticket was finalized following a five-day virtual roll call that formally made Harris the nominee, the Democratic National Committee announced late Monday. She announced her

running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, on Tuesday. Trump officially accepted the Republican nomination last month, selectingOhio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate. South Carolina does not allow write-in candidates for president or vice president.

The state does have a petition process for presidential candidates. They can get on the ballot without the backing of a party if they collect at least 10,000 signatures from active, registered South Carolina voters by July 15 But no one did that this election cycle.

Abraham Kenmore is a reporter covering elections, health care and more. He joins the S.C. Daily Gazette from The Augusta Chronicle, where he reported on Georgia legislators, military and housing issues. S.C. Daily Gazette is part of States

Alan Wilson

Donald Trump

Kamala Harris

ART

Budding Artist

After-School Art Club

4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.

CALENDAR

Rotary Club of Sea Island Social

5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20, Windhorse Gallery, 809 Paris Avenue, Port Royal. See what the Rotary Club has to offer and mingle with a dynamic group. For more information about the Rotary Club of Sea Island please, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.

Beaufort County Electronics

Recycling event

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, 140 Shanklin Road, Beaufort. Any personal computers, laptops, CRT monitors, LCD monitors, CRT televisions, non-CRT televisions, printers, hard drives and miscellaneous electronics (cell phones, fax machines) will be accepted.

Roots & Rivers Festival

2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf Street, Bluffton. Presented by BlacQuity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs, this Coastal Cowboy and Cowgirl-themed event will include live music, line dancing, mechanical bull riding, artisanal vendors, craft beer, food trucks, and new to the festival this year, a Kid Zone and VIP experiences. The festival is set to invigorate coastal Beaufort County by providing a bustling marketplace for small businesses, artisans, and Black entrepreneurs to showcase their products. The festival aims to support the local economy and foster community growth by offering a platform for these talented individuals, creating a positive and inclusive environment for all. The festival boasts a lively beer garden, line dancing, captivating live music performances by Deas Guyz, and more. Early Bird general admission tickets for the Roots and Rivers Festival are now available for $15. For those who prefer to purchase tickets at the gate, they will be priced at $20. A limited number of VIP experiences are also available for $125. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www. rootsandriversfestival.com.

Lowcountry Boil

5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, Shellring Ale Works, 1111 11th Street, Port Royal. Tickets are $85. Proceeds support the work of Lowcountry Legal Volunteers. Live music by the Cluster Shucks. To purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/4flPRZr.

Beaufort County Youth Conference

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, Technical College of The Lowcountry, 921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort. Free for all Beaufort County middle and high school students. Interactive break-out sessions, music, food, fun, door prizes, and T-shirts. Parent and adult wellness workshop. Register today at 843812-4399 or 843-592-0013.

OktoPRfest

11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, Paris Avenue, Port Royal. Free. No pets. Local chefs, restaurants, and food trucks will offer German-inspired dishes such as brats and pretzels, along with American festival food favorites. There will be a wide selection of craft, imported, and domestic beers. The opening ceremony will feature a special surprise honoring the Town’s 150th birthday. Live musical performances and entertainment; a craft market area; kids zone; and Lollipop the Clown (noon to 4 p.m.). For more, https://fb.me/e/1zQlnKh37.

64th annual Saint Peter’s Catholic Church Fall Bazaar

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, Saint Peter’s Catholic Church campus, 70 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort. The Bazaar features international foods, craft fair with local artisans, a sweet shoppe, an in-person and online silent auction, wine and beer garden, plant sale, church tours, and Kids Zone with inflatables, games, and the Beaufort Barnyard Petting Zoo. Artists and craftspeople interested in participating can send an email to parishlife@stpetersbeaufort.org for more information. The bazaar will benefit Lowcountry Outreach, a ministry of Saint Peter’s parish that provides office space for area non-profits, meeting rooms for support groups, and services such as a ride program for those with limited transportation.

39th annual Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head Island Chili Cook Off & Jeep Island Noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, Lowcountry Celebration Park,

WHAT’S HAPPENING

94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. Event raises funding for local youth charities. Chili cooks will face off to determine the best concoctions in Professional, Amateur, and People’s Choice categories. Winners will earn cash prize donations to the local youth charity of their choice. The Jeep Island expo is a stunning array of Jeeps from around the nation – a must-see for any Jeep enthusiast. Local favorites RetroRoxx, Hilton Head Island’s explosive ‘80s party cover band, will be performing live! To sign up online to cook, sponsor, and buy tickets, go to https://hiltonheadkiwanis. com/chili-cook-off. For more information, email the Hilton Head Kiwanis Club at hiltonheadislandkiwanis@gmail.com.

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Trivia with Tom – Fat Patties

7:30 p.m., Every Wednesday, Fat Patties, 831 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.

Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary

7 p.m., Every Thursday, Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.

Karaoke at Willie’s 8 p.m., Thursdays, Willie's Bar and Grill, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Saint Helena Island. Come and showcase your singing talents or just enjoy the performances. For more information, visit www.GullahLove.com.

Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market

5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.

Habersham Farmers Market

3 to 6 p.m., Fridays, Habersham Marketplace. Vendor roster includes B&E Farm, Cottonwood Soap, Flower Power Treats, Hardee Greens, Megs Sweet Treats, Vitamin Bee, Lady’s Island Oyster Company, Pet Wants.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Dr, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Port Royal Farmers Market 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com/, visit @portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.

Slip and Splash Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.

Music Bingo with Mike –Bricks On Boundary

6 p.m., Every Saturday, Bricks

on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Play with a team or alone, win house cash! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/ o9nhwe.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

7 p.m., Saturdays, The Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd., Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Lt. Dan. Come early at 6 p.m. for Steak Night.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9:30 p.m., Saturdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Eric.

Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud

9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday each month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Students and other volunteers will read to young children, who are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals.

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, Peaceful Henry’s Cigar Bar, 181 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

DANCE

The Beaufort Shag Club

6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.

GOLF

Stingray Scramble

9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, Ocean Creek Golf Course, Fripp Island. Team of 4, $650. Individual, $175. Benefits Riverview Charter School. Shotgun start. 4-man scramble. Registration 8 to 8:45 a.m. Registration includes golf, gift, lunch, awards. Register at https://bit.ly/4bUzWPh.

Boy Scouts of America

LowCountry Classic

11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 30, The Cat Island Club. Hosted by the Boy Scouts of America Lowcountry District. $150 per golfer or $500 for foursome. 9 a.m. registration; 1 p.m. lunch; 5 p.m. cocktails/awards. Each player hits from the tee; team selects tee shot they wish to play from; each player may then place their ball within one club length, no nearer the hole and in the same condition (rough, bunker, etc.), and play his/her own ball from that point until holed; 2 lowest net scores will count towards teams total. Each player shall receive 75% of their published handicap; maximum handicap is 24. Proceeds benefit Scouting programs in the Lowcountry District of the Coastal Carolina Council, Boy Scouts of America. All the information for players and potential sponsors can be found at https://birdease.com/ BSACharityGolfEvent or contact Dave Soloman for more information at d.c.solomon@att.net.

27th annual Habitat For Humanity of the Lowcountry tournament Monday, Sept. 30, Oldfield Club, Okatie. Register to play or sponsor at https://bit.ly/4cnr58E. Event proceeds go toward building the Larry Sanders House, named in honor of the longtime volunteer organizer of the tournament.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes

5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.

BEMER Circulation Therapy 10 to 11 a.m., Fridays via Zoom. Already own a BEMER? Never heard of it but curious? Join to ask any questions about this leading-edge German technology that enhances blood flow 30% in 8 minutes. Sessions are designed to support those who have their own unit but everyone is welcome. Brought to you by BEMER Specialist -- Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.

HISTORY

Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.

The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.

Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www. fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

Introduction to Canning 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Participants will learn the basics of preserving food. Methods will include water bath, steam and pressure canning. Belinda and Tony Jones are the owners of Morning Glory Farm and are experienced farmers and canners. No registration is required. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.

“Lego” With Lego

4:30 to 5:30 p.m., every Tuesday, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. Ages 5 and up. No registration required. Come see our new and improved Lego Club. Choose one of our new Lego kits and get going. Call 843-2556540 for more information.

Career Navigator

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Tuesday, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free one-on-one resume writing and job application assistance with a Career Navigator from Palmetto Goodwill. No appointments necessary. For more information call 843-255-6458.

MEETINGS

Beaufort TEA Party

5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 19, Olde Beaufort Cafe, 139 Francis Marion Blvd., Lady’s Island. The meeting topic is Beaufort County’s 2024 Transportation Sales Tax Referendum. For more information, contact Beaufort TEA Party Chair Annie Ubelis at btp@islc.net.

Zonta Club of Beaufort

6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.

Beaufort Rotary Club

Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www.beaufortrotaryclub.org.

The Beaufort Trailblazers –A Volunteer Group

8 a.m., first Thursday each month, Herban Marketplace, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building off-road/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/jogging/ walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.

Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252-917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www. emotionsanonymous.org.

Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, Sea Island Parkway, Lady’s Island. A light

breakfast is provided before the program. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit our website at www.lowcountryrotary.org or contact our President, Bob Bible at reconmc@aol. com or 843-252-8535.

MUSIC

Deas Guyz 7 p.m., Fridays, Aug. 30, Sept. 27, Nov. 1, Nov. 29; Willie's Bar and Grill, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Saint Helena Island. $35. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit www.GullahLove.com.

Habersham Third Fridays Music on Market 5 to 8 p.m., third Friday of the month, Habersham Marketplace.

Street Music on Paris Avenue

6 p.m., Saturdays, Aug. 24, Sept. 7, Sept. 21, between 9th and 10th Streets on Paris Avenue, Port Royal. Free. Bring your chairs or your dancing shoes. Schedule: August 24, The Joe Krown Trio featuting Papa Mali; September 7, Kat Wright; September 21, Gabe Stillman.

OUTDOORS

The Beaufort Tree Walk

Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old Point” and enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees. The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.

Tours of Hunting Island Every Tuesday, Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. Free, park entry fees apply. Sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For more information call the Hunting Island Nature Center at 843-838-7437.

RUNNING

4th annual Move Your Mind 5K

8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, Providence Presbyterian Church on the south end of Hilton Head Island. 5K run and 1M walk on the beach. Free parking and a free pancake breakfast. During breakfast, race awards will be given, and prizes for Brain Trivia will be won. Register today at https://bit.ly/4dbP0IS.

SEWING/QUILTING

Sea Island Quilters

6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15, in person and by Zoom, Carteret Street United Methodist Church, 408 Carteret Street, Beaufort. Program this month is a trunk show with member Karen Guinne. Join Zoom meeting at https://bit.ly/4dIAOHp, meeting ID 818 6752 7108, passcode 086993. American Needlepoint Guild Meeting

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month. The Hilton Head Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in needlepoint to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at hiltonheadislandchapter@needlepoint.org.

Embroidery Guild of America Meeting Second Tuesday of every month, Palmetto Electric Community Room, Hardeeville. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in any type of embroidery including needlepoint, cross-stitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at lowcountrychapter@ egacarolinas.org.

SPORTS/GAMES

Inaugural Friends of Caroline Clay Shoot Friday, Oct. 4, Turkey Hill Plantation, Ridgeland. Details are being finalized. Presenting sponsorships available at $2,500 and $5,000. Station sponsors – up to 12 – start at $500. Sponsored 4-person teams $1,000. Contact Keriann for details or to reserve your spot at keriann@fochospice.org or 843-525-6257. Proceeds benefit Friends of Caroline Hospice.

ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret St. Events will be held weekly. Contact Director and Club Manager Susan DeFoe at 843-597-2541 for location.

Beaufort Masters Swim Team

6 to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, Wardle Family Port Royal YMCA. Coached practices. Ages 18 & older, all skill & speed levels, no prior swim team experience needed. Visit lowcountryswimming.com for more information.

VOICES

Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News

We need these kids, these Olympics

It’s Friday and I’m in Edenton, N.C. It’s early, Susan is still sleeping, and I have a cup of the hotel’s complimentary coffee and proximity to a television monitor bringing me news from nearby Norfolk.

The news this morning is the pervasive, all-consuming, feels-like-110 degree heat.

Last night Susan and I had “crab bites” at the Waterman’s Grill near Edenton’s waterfront. The owner, Brian Roberts, said his air conditioner “had been cranked-up, full throttle, all night long.” He then provided some descriptive background on the black and white photographs (on his redbrick walls); some showing the young, life-saving men who once swam into the troubled surf off Cape Hatteras. Eventually our talk came round to the controversial, embattled Confederate soldier standing 50

yards away from Brian’s front door.

Two years ago the Edenton Town Council decided to move the soldier from the town square to a less prominent location. But that move was blocked by a group of Edentonians who said the marble man was “protected by law.”

Later Council decided to sell the statue to the County—but the County wanted proof of ownership — and apparently the Town didn’t have that proof. So the wistful soldier remains atop his 20-foot-tall perch silently staring toward Bentonville and Averasboro.

As Roberts described these competing interests — frequently stopping his narrative and hugging departing customers — my eyes wandered over to a television monitor which featured young, small gymnasts silently, solemnly breaking altitude records in Paris. Then, after breaking these records, taking possession of medals the size of your average Krispy Kreme doughnut.

I must admit, here and now, that I follow the Olympics for one reason and one reason only — the women’s beach volleyball competition. Although I once swam competitively, I have little interest in the 200-meter butterfly or the 1 500-meter freestyle. I find my excitement (and wonder) in the bikini-wearing woman who “digs” a volleyball out of the sand; somehow passing that ball to a second, thinly-clad woman; who then smashes the ball into a third woman

on the other side of the net.

And, yes, I’m sorry that Misty May Treanor no longer digs balls out of the sand, but volleyball holds my attention better than wall climbing, break dancing or miniature golf. (And, yes, I know that the IOC has not yet approved miniature golf or parallel parking as medal-worthy activities.)

Every four years the Olympic Games remind us — even those who believe that Confederate statues belong in a forgotten warehouse — that the United States produces remarkable teenagers. NBC has this franchise and it unabashedly tells the heart-warming (sometimes heart-wrenching) stories of sacrifice, denial and deprivation that come with these kids. And these stories come none too soon and none too often.

We are, at this very moment, caught up in

arguments about our past; about our political leaders; about our national priorities. These arguments are played-out every hour of every day and have taken their toll on our national psyche — many believing we are diminished and divided beyond redemption.

We need these kids to remind us that there are teenagers in the United States who can defy the laws of gravity; who spend years swimming laps and somehow avoid serious shrinkage; and who often endure constant pain.

We need to embrace these young people as products of our own culture; and believers of our own values; and drink the restorative tonic that they bring to the table. We need this tonic to counter the anger and the tragedy that is also part of our culture.

If there is a “face” on these Olympic Games it is the face of the sprinters — the Black, women sprinters

who come to the blocks slowly, grim-faced, moving their legs in an effort to shake-off their anxiety. These young women come to the race with their hair pulled back from their face — faces that seem to be sculpted from the black, striated granite that lies under our tortured continent. They come out of the blocks with an explosion of energy quickly pushing their bodies to the front of the racing phalanx. And when they win their race, they do not raise their fists in protest — like what happened in Mexico — rather they wrap their sweat-glistened shoulders with the American flag. And with this flag they tell the world who they are, and who they represent, and that would be the United States of America.

Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.

Learn how hospice care is a blessing

Part of life is death. It can be painful, agonizing, emotional, numbing and scarring – for patients and surviving family members and friends. Fortunately, there are good people who provide trained care to help make the passing of someone easier for the person who is departing and for those preparing to mourn.

These are the professionals of hospice, who step in at the end of one’s life to make last days easier, more comfortable and of better quality when pain from cancer or crippling dementia from Alzheimer’s takes over. Hospice caregivers generally work at a patient’s home where they team with primary caregivers, often loved ones, to help the person who is transitioning to manage pain and deal with everything from keeping clean to going to the bathroom.

In recent years, about 1 5 million to 1 7 million Americans used hospice services annually at the end of their lives, much of it paid through Medicare for people 65 and over. But according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, twice as many people could benefit from sooth-

ing hospice care. And more than 80% of Americans don’t really understand what hospice is.

So here’s an easy-to-understand explanation: It’s care, not a cure.

It’s a way for someone to die with dignity and compassion in their home, often surrounded by family members.

In a powerful book titled “Being Mortal,” Rhodes scholar and Harvard-trained surgeon Atul Gawande concluded while modern medicine can keep people alive longer, its use at the end of someone’s life – particularly those with terminal illness – might be less appropriate than for someone to die at home and in some comfort. The end of the life of his father, also a doctor, at home had a particular impact.

“We’ve been wrong about what our job is in medicine,” he

The hospice philosophy of not seeking aggressive treatment can be difficult for people to wrap their minds around, but offering someone the chance to die living instead of live dying – and to understand they can make those choices – is often the last and most dignifying opportunity we can give them.”

wrote. “We think our job is to ensure health and survival, but really it is larger than that. It is to enable well-being. And well-being is about the reasons one wishes to be alive.”

Later he wrote it was encouraging that more patients were seeking palliative care at the end of life.

“Sometimes we offer a cure, sometimes only a salve, sometimes not even that. But whatever we can offer, our interventions, and the risks and sacrifices they entail, are justified only if they serve the larger aims of a person’s life. When we forget that, the suffering we inflict can be barbaric. When we remember it, the good we do can be breathtaking.”

One South Carolina hospice

professional said giving end-oflife care is the kind of work most people would find incredibly tough because it involves helping people at what may be the hardest time in their lives.

“Yes, there are very hard days, and yes there are those patients and families that you inevitably take home with you and cry with or cry for,” she said. “But guiding people through the difficult time, empowering them with the knowledge and ability to make those difficult decisions a bit easier and more peacefully is extremely rewarding.”

She said hospice care often helps patients feel some control in an uncontrollable situation at the end of their lives.

“The hospice philosophy of

not seeking aggressive treatment can be difficult for people to wrap their minds around, but offering someone the chance to die living instead of live dying – and to understand they can make those choices – is often the last and most dignifying opportunity we can give them.”

Hospice care really helped my sister, Catherine, who died two weeks ago. And it helped our family. For that, we are eternally grateful.

Catherine Coleman Brack, 19692024. Rest in peace.

Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Statehouse Report and the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to feedback@statehousereport.com.

SCOTT GRABER

ANDY BRACK

II’ll enjoy waltzing with Walz

nitially I was disappointed that the present governor of my home state, Josh Shapiro, was not the choice of Kamala Harris for her Vice Presidential nominee. I found him to be articulate, intelligent, and an all around “good guy.” And in addition, he was from Pa.; of course he had to be a great pick.

As I watched the opening campaign rally in Philadelphia, my assessment was proven correct by an introduction that brought the house down. Shapiro was great. Keep in mind that here was a man applauding a woman who has passed over him as her choice for her running mate. Additionally, Shapiro was given the task of praising, indeed endorsing, the man who had secured that position.

I believe that the Pennsylvania governor put aside his own ego, and he created an atmosphere that brought the Philly crowd of more than 12 000 to a fever pitch. Much like the move by President Biden, Shapiro’s was one for his party as well as for his country.

The man received a standing ovation, and a very lengthy applause when he assured them, “I love being your governor.” Even though the venue was in Pa., and Shapiro could have easily handed off this introduction to someone else, he didn’t. My guess is he wanted to show solidarity,

and that he did.

And so Kamala Harris, as well as her choice for a running mate, Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, strode onto the stage to deafening applause and the euphoria mounted from then on. Additionally, so did the size of the crowds who stood in line to see them as they made their first tour across the country. When the Vice President introduced Tim Walz, we all waited in anticipation. Shortly thereafter, it was made clear why this man was chosen. My disappointment soon turned to admiration as I listened to him speak. Here was an articulate man whose sense of humor was disarming. Later, as I began to read his vita, I came to see that I had a reason for my sense of connection. His wife Gwen was an English teacher in the same school where Walz taught and coached. I felt that immediate association, knowing my late husband and I taught in the same high school for 23 years. When I read some of the things their “mutual” kids

in school had to say about them, I was convinced. I could relate to this person. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen reflected so much of what my husband and I had experienced. It seems that there was a young man who came to Gwen Walz and told her, before he told his parents, that he was gay. She had announced to her class (10th-grade English -- the same as I taught), that her class was a safe place for gay students. Furthermore, her support was shared by her husband.

I knew, if asked, I could provide so many similar examples.

It was Tim Walz whom this boy approached about starting a Gay-Straight Alliance at the high school.

Having the backing of the football team’s defensive coordinator — a straight, married man and soldier in the Army National Guard — gave the plan a boost.

Walz, a world geography teacher, offered to be the group’s faculty adviser. I might add, that young person is now a 42-year-old lawyer in Minneapolis and was quoted as saying, “He had the ability to talk about issues of bullying in a way that helped both the bully and the bullied.” That ability has brought those of us who will listen to one conclusion: he is an everyday guy, from a working-class family, who can use the necessary jargon to bring home the point to everyday people.

Walz has, over the past week, delivered a handful of memorable comments against Republicans, though his most notable contribution has been to label the GOP, especially its presidential ticket of Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance. Walz has referred to the duo as “weird dudes,” before addressing their political agenda.

The phrase has stuck, becoming a central meme in the new campaign, a development that is delighting Democrats and apparently frustrating many on the right. They experienced further apoplexy when he told a “White Dudes for Harris fundraiser, “How often in 100 days do you get to change the trajectory of the world? How often in 100

days do you get to do something that’s going to impact generations to come?” Walz asked. “And how often in the world do you make that bastard wake up afterwards and know that a Black woman kicked his a**, and sent him on the road?”

This is a man who taught U.S. history, culture and English in Foshan, a city in the southeastern Chinese province of Guangdong; this was the beginning of his decades-long relationship with China. It has opened him up to criticism from Republicans, who are trying to portray him as being weak on the communist-ruled nation. U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, said Walz owes Americans "an explanation about his unusual" relationship with China.”

However, Walz has spent his political career criticizing the Chinese government, especially its human rights record. He has met with the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled leader, and has been critical of China's aggression in the South China Sea. No doubt I will continue to include this man in my articles for he is genuine -- the real deal. He’s what we desperately need!

Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”

To the ones who stand out in a good

Have you ever known someone that you admired because of who they were? There is something special and refreshing to witness the light and love of Christ shining brightly in one of His children.

I know a sweet lady like this.

I will not mention her name because she does not like the attention of anyone telling her how wonderful she is, even though it’s true. She just enjoys working and serving quietly in the background no matter where she is or what she’s involved with.

For example, if someone mentions that something needs cleaning she immediately goes to work. If something needs to be done, she is always the first one to show up and the last one to leave. More than this, she is genuinely kind, tenderhearted, gracious, generous, and filled with God’s love.

I’ve known this person and her husband for several years as he was an artist, and eventually,

they became involved in our local theatre where I am also a cast member. Her husband passed away recently, and he was also very humble and talented. We all miss him dearly.

If you’ve been around people like this, you know what I’m talking about as it seems they have a special glow around them. What is it? It has to be the Spirit of Christ illuminating from within them. I realize no one is perfect but God, but I believe there are still a few people in this world who have discovered how to be aware of God’s presence all the time. They

are determined to have a clean and pure heart because they are in love with Jesus and desire to do His will. This is no doubt how God wants all of His children to be. I will be honest, I’m drawn to people like this, I want to know more about how they live and what they do to be filled with God. I was thinking about this lady recently after one of our weekend performances at the theatre, and there she was glowing as brightly forever. I can't help it, it convicts me and makes my eyes watery. Maybe it convicts and exposes how I am not walking as close to God as I should.

I decided to give her a call and without being weird, I wanted to tell her that I sense God in her, and if she didn’t mind, I wanted to know her secrets of being a wonderful witness for Christ. Of course, she brushed off my compliments and was blushing as usual. She went on to say that she is nothing special and just an

average person. She said every morning when she awakens, she begins talking to the Lord. Her prayer goes something like this: “Jesus help me to be like you today. Help me to do and say what you want instead of what my flesh wants. May I have compassion and meekness, and may your presence shine in my heart so that others can see you. In your holy name, I pray, amen.” I realize that many of us start our day with something similar, but when she relayed this simple commitment, I could sense her childlike innocence and Godly wisdom. I believe that praying is the key to whatever we seek to accomplish for God, but also we must put works with our faith for it to succeed.

We find in Matthew 5:14, where Jesus compares His followers to light containers, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put a

way

covering over it.”

C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying, “Don’t shine so others can see you, shine so that through you, others can see Him.” When we realize what God wants us to be, we are then faced with deciding just how much we will do. If we truly want others to see Christ in us, our responsibility is to manage and control our thoughts. Being transformed by the renewing of our mind requires self-discipline or else our words and deeds will be governed by carnal thinking. Our behavior is the impression we leave, and in this light, we have the choice to be whatever type of person we desire to be. What people see is what they remember, and all that we have accomplished in the past means nothing if we are not manifesting the love of Jesus today.

Billy Holland is a licensed and ordained minister, author, and chaplain. Watch his music video, “Refuge” at billyhollandministries.com.

Will the real Kamala Harris please stand up?

Will the real Kamala Harris please stand up or, at least cackle loudly so that we can see if we are still dealing with the same Kamala Harris that we have known for the past five years or so?

I, like many of us, thought that we pretty well knew Kamala and what she believed after her run for President in 2019, and for the past three-and-one-half years as Joe Biden’s Vice President. Sometime last month an entirely new Kamala emerged on the scene that is a completely different person than she was a month ago. To be fair I am not basing that opinion on what she has said herself, but what campaign “spokespersons” have said about her and what she now believes. The only thing that I have heard

her say is what she has read from a teleprompter, which by the way she is very good at. I think that she may be a graduate of the Obama School of Teleprompter Reading, and that is the ultimate compliment. In my working life I was called upon to speak before groups from time to time and to use a carefully written script on a teleprompter, probably for the same reason they won’t let Harris speak without one any more.

I can tell you from personal experience that it is not as easy as it looks. When you are speaking another person’s words, to get the content and cadence to sound natural is not easy and she does a great job of it. Here are some of the reasons that I and others are confused as to the Kamala Harris with which we are dealing. In 2017, as a senator, she was one of the first to co-sponsors of Bernie Sanders Medicare for all plan, and she was for eliminating private insurance. She was for single-payer healthcare. While running for President she said that she was in favor of banning fracking and offshore drilling. She was in favor of the Green New Deal with Senator Sanders and A.O.C. Harris was advocating

a mandatory gun buyback and banning “assault weapons.” At one point she was all for doing away with ICE because it was so bad and starting all over again with something different. All of a sudden, over the past few weeks, she is not against any of those things except maybe “assault weapons.” Once again, to be fair, I have not heard her say that she has changed her mind -- it has all come from campaign spokespersons, but I have likewise have not heard her deny it. Most confusing is where she stands on the border, well let me correct myself, she has never stood on the border personally, but then on the other hand she has never been to Europe either. Last month she was all for an open border and

unlimited immigration by anyone and everyone who wanted to come. I say that not based on what she has said, but by what she has done in her three year role as the “Border Czar.” Just to add to the confusion, her spokespersons are now saying that she was never the “Border Czar,” and that was something that Republicans made up about her.

Somehow I remember a press conference a few years ago when President Biden proudly announced that he was putting Vice President Harris in charge of finding out the root causes for illegal immigration and getting it under control, but maybe that was something that the Republicans made up too. Who knows.

I am looking forward to the day that Harris will

answer questions without being scripted, and perhaps clear up some of confusion as to who the real Kamala Harris really is. To be honest I kind of miss the old Kamala. If nothing else she was always entertaining with a scramble of “word salad,” a big smile and good hardy cackle at the end. In our world today we all need a good laugh once in a while.

Born, raised and educated in the Southwest, Jim Dickson served in the U.S. Navy Reserve in Vietnam before a 35-year business career. Retired to St. Helena Island, Dickson and his wife are fiscally conservative, socially moderate and active in Republican politics, though they may not always agree with Republicans. Having lived around the country and traveled around the world, Dickson believes

CAROL LUCAS

JIM DICKSON

BILLY HOLLAND

LOCAL MILITARY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 16 August 2024

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel C. B. McArthur 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel K. R. Sile Commander of Troops, First Sergeant P. S. Ramos • Parade Adjutant, SSgt I. Colon Dominguez Company “C”, 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain T. C. Garibay Drill Masters • Gunnery Sergeant M. N. Moreno, Staff Sergeant J. A. Kolb

PLATOON 1040

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt B. B. Serquina

PFC Barr, J. R.

Pvt Blair, K. K.

PFC Bonnet, R. L.

Pvt Booher B. O.

PFC Brown Jr., P. D. *

Pvt Carrenonnegrete D.

Pvt Carrington, C. A.

PFC Carwyle, W. B. *

PFC Cohen, A. N.

PFC Diaz, E. A.

Pvt Ferreiraceron, E. J.

Pvt Garciaberrera, V.

Pvt Geoghegan, C. J.

PFC Gerald, C. E.

Pvt Green, D. E.

Pvt Hartford, J. C.

Pvt Hayward III, T. L.

Pvt Hill, J. X.

Pvt Holt Jr., M. J.

Pvt Jeantilus, E. E.

Pvt Jencks, B. E.

Pvt Lambright, L. A.

Pvt Lee, D. S.

PFC Luislopez, K. N.

Pvt Martinez, J. A.

PFC Mcallister, K. M.

Pvt Murphy Jr, D. J.

Pvt Ortega, C.

PFC Owens, A. P.

Pvt Owens, M. D.

Pvt Pizanamiranda, B.

PFC Plankmiller, A. R.

PFC Potter, R. E. *

Pvt Quintana, J. S.

Pvt Ragsdale, J. D.

PFC Rahlan, D. W.

PFC Renes, J.

Pvt Rosas Jr., M.

Pvt Rymer, C. A.

PFC Schoephoerster, K. C.

Pvt Shoemaker, J. E.

PFC Sims, N. A.

Pvt Soulsby Jr., C. A.

PFC Spencer, M. R. *

Pvt Stone, N. B.

Pvt Thomas, J. J.

Pvt Traitel III, V. E.

Pvt Tupler, B. M.

PFC Vasquez, M. A.

Pvt Velasco II, M. A.

Pvt White, L. Z.

Pvt Winn, K. A.

PFC Zavaleta, M. V.

PLATOON 1041

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt C. W. Hopwood

Pvt Barry, M, O.

Pvt Bradley, B. A.

Pvt Brooks, M. M.

Pvt Cartagena, A. M.

PFC Chaudhary, S.

Pvt Cooper, J. S.

PFC Crane, A. W.

Pvt Daniels, D. G.

Pvt Darhammouda, M. S.

Pvt Delarosa, E.

Pvt Dupuy, M. S.

Pvt Farrell Jr., J. M.

PFC Fitts, L. B.

Pvt Fulk, W. R.

PFC Garrant, L. G.

PFC Harrison, S. N.

Pvt Hoyosavila, D.

Pvt Keating, J. C.

PFC Kilgore, D. A. *

Pvt Kula, X. D.

Pvt Lopez, A. M.

PFC Lopez, C.

Pvt Marrerotavarez, A.

Pvt Mecouch, J. E.

Pvt Melsheimer, Z. E.

Pvt Mimnaugh, J.

Pvt Nadeau, T. P.

Pvt Nelson, E. J.

PFC Ortiz, G. E.

Pvt Ramoscardenas, I. F.

Pvt Recore, C. S.

Pvt Reyes, J.

PFC Reyes, J.

PFC Salasvasquez, A. R.

PFC Salasvasquez, E. R.

Pvt Sanchezchuquipoma, M. B.

Pvt Shin, C.

Pvt Simmons, A. W.

Pvt Sosa, J.

PFC Sotelogarcia, R.

Pvt Thibeault Jr., D. B.

Pvt Toland, A. K.

Pvt Valdovinos, J.

PFC Watkins Jr., J. *

PFC Watkins, D. R. *

PFC West, B. L.

PFC Williams, E. A.

Pvt Wobse, K. A.

Pvt Woodcock, G. T.

Pvt Zarlingo, M. P.

PLATOON 1042

Senior Drill Instructor

GySgt D. D. Buczkowski

Pvt Aikler, J. A.

PFC Azzalini, D. I.

LCpl Bergeron, Q. T. *

Pvt Blizzard Jr., C. L.

PFC Bond, E. J.

Pvt Brattole, J. E.

Pvt Bricha, J. M.

Pvt Burke, E. L.

Pvt Cachomatos, C.

PFC Carrano, C. N.

PFC Castagnetta, D. D. *

Pvt Coccionitti, E. R.

Pvt Dejesus, N. R.

Pvt Elizarrarazizquierdo, E.

PFC Gordon, A. J.

Pvt Gross, J. L.

Pvt Grulloncollado, V. J.

Pvt Headlam, A. J.

Pvt Hernandeztinajero, H. M.

PFC Hollingsworth, N. M.

Pvt Holloman III, S. E.

Pvt Hopkinson, C. J.

Pvt Huffman, J. J.

Pvt Janzegers, J.

PFC Jenkins Jr., M. J.

Pvt Jenkins, D. A.

Pvt Jerezcaguana, L. A.

Pvt Johnson, S. K.

Pvt King, K. E.

Pvt Lee, D. G.

Pvt Leibrock, D. J.

PFC Lin, W. *

Pvt Moore, C. E.

Pvt Morales, I. J.

PFC Orr, C. B.

Pvt Ovalle, D. J.

PFC Pennington II, J. D.

PFC Perezsilva, Z. W.

Pvt Porro, N. E.

Pvt Sewell, O. O.

PFC Smith, J. F. *

Pvt Smith, S. D.

Pvt Strika, J. A.

PFC Thompson, D. S.

PFC Thompson, P. T. *

PFC Thornton, I. H.

Pvt Whisenant, T. D.

Pvt Wijerathne, L. S.

PFC Williams, L. A.

PFC Zlatin, A.

PLATOON

1044

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt D. V. Garcia

Pvt Acevedoalvarez, D. R.

PFC Ahmed, A. T.

Pvt Alvarez, B.

Pvt Aponte, I.

PFC Barros, T. I.

Pvt Cadet, C.

PFC Cagno Jr., J. T.

Pvt Castillo, E. R.

Pvt Conner, J. M.

PFC Cornejo, E. S.

PFC Crabtree, C. T.

Pvt Davis Jr., A. D.

Pvt Davisrivera, M. C.

Pvt Delapava, J.

Pvt Diallo, N. M.

PFC Ding, G.

Pvt Divisonadames, A. H.

PFC Govea, J. A.

PFC Griffiths II, A. H. *

Pvt Gutierrez, N. A.

Pvt Guy Jr, K. A.

Pvt Guzman, C. A.

Pvt Hastings, A. M.

Pvt Hernandezchino, J.

Pvt Holgan, E. T.

PFC Holmes Jr., G. A.

Pvt Juarez, W.

Pvt Lotito, R. R.

PFC Maravilla, A. D.

Pvt Matthews, B. J.

PFC Moncayo, A.

PFC Nunezboitel, W. J.

PFC Ortizparra, Y. J. *

Pvt Papera, C. D.

Pvt Paul, J. K.

PFC Powell, B. P. *

Pvt Puello, J. I.

Pvt Rodriguez, S.

PFC Rodriguezsoto, J. K.

PFC Slade, T. I. *

Pvt Suarezfontalvo, J. R.

Pvt Tenecela, D. A.

PFC Tooley, J. L.

Pvt Trinidad, J.

Pvt Valladares, J. M.

PFC Vilchis, J. E.

Pvt Walton, A. O.

PFC Welch, T. A.

Pvt White, J. J.

Pvt Yearwood, C. S.

Pvt Zunigaudovenko, A.

PLATOON 1045

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt H. J. Benjamin

Pvt Ahmed, K. B.

PFC Banghart, B. H.

Pvt Barnes, N. J.

PFC Benoit, W. J.

PFC Bryer, A. D.

PFC Caldwell, J. I.

Pvt Campos Jr., J. A.

PFC Clark, S. J.

PFC Clark, Z. M.

PFC Clement, J. N. *

Pvt Cole, N. R.

Pvt Collins, J. B.

PFC Cullen, P. J.

Pvt Galvan, J. R.

Pvt Gambino, D. J.

Pvt Giorno Jr., D. L.

PFC Grant, A. B.

Pvt Grigsby, N. M.

Pvt Hicianoacosta, E.

Pvt Hopf, J. C.

Pvt Ivory, I. R.

Pvt Jeffery, R. W.

Pvt Jones, D. L.

Pvt Kennedy, K. S.

Pvt Kessinger, K. J.

PFC Landry, R. K.

Pvt Landry, V. W.

Pvt Lewis, D. R.

Pvt Lovio, H. A.

Pvt Lugo, M. A.

PFC Mallet, I. M.

Pvt Mayorga, M. J.

PFC McCoy Jr., D. W.

Pvt Mcnicholas, J. V.

Pvt Morales, J. A.

Pvt Nozzi, Z. J

PFC Olsen, W. H.

PFC Patton, J. K.*

Pvt Pearce, I. R.

PFC Pierre, W.

Pvt Prados, T. J.

PFC Redlich, C. D.*

Pvt Reiss, C. R.

Pvt Ruiz Jr., J. R.

Pvt Sazalsky, C. P.

Pvt Sheffield III, L.

Pvt Smith, O. W.

Pvt Travis, H. J.

Pvt Vegliante, B. M.

Pvt Ventroy, A. J.

Pvt Vo, J. T.

Pvt Williams Jr., T. J.

PFC Wood, C. L.

*Denotes Meritorious Promotion

Golf Company Final Drill

VA debt management continued

Continuing our series on managing debt related to VA benefits, this article will answer four important questions about managing debt to the VA. For more information, visit https:// bit.ly/46ASJxB and refer to the VA and The Island News webpages in last week’s article.

Question 1

Why do veterans sometimes owe money to the VA? Veterans could owe the VA money for varied reasons. Two of the most common reasons include:

Copayments: If you have received care at a VA health facility and you're in a priority group that requires copayments, you might be liable. Some veterans are exempt from copays due to their disability rating, income level, or special eligibility factors. To learn more about VA copay rates, visit https://bit.ly/3N9vBP8, and for information on VA Priority Groups, visit https://bit.ly/41UB9Rp.

Benefit overpayments: The VA paid a veteran, or his/her school, more than they were eligible to receive for a VA benefit payment. An overpayment can happen for any of these reasons: If a veteran did not report a life change that affects their eligibility, or If a veteran reports a change, but the VA cannot update the veteran’s benefit amount before his or her next payment, or Because of an error, like a double payment

If you're unsure why you owe the VA money, don't hesitate to contact the VA. The related VA benefit or health care office is there to help. Find their contact informa-

tion at https://bit.ly/44xIyHq.

Question 2

How can a veteran or military member find out how much debt they owe to the VA?

Online Check: If you’re a veteran or military member, you can check your VA debt balance online for these benefits: VA disability compensation; VA non-service-connected pension; GI Bill or other VA education benefits.

You’ll need a DS Logon, My HealtheVet, or ID.me account to sign in. If you don’t have any of these accounts, you can create one at https://bit.ly/46L2GIQ. The VA is moving to a more modern signin experience by removing the My HealtheVet option after January 31, 2025, and the DS Logon option after September 30, 2025. At this time, spouses and dependents of Veterans or service members cannot check the status of their VA debt online.

Learn more about managing your VA debt for benefit overpayments and copays at https://bit. ly/4coewcX, which explains what to do if they get a letter about suspended pension debt and how to: Review their benefit debt and copay bills online; Make a payment now; Request financial help or

dispute charges; and Ask questions about VA debt.

Veterans can also check their VA debt balance by phone:

For VA benefit debts, call the VA Debt Management Center at 800-827-0648 (or 1-612713-6415 overseas), Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

For VA health care copay debt, call our Health Resource Center at 866-400-1238 or 800698-2411, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

If you have hearing loss, call Text Telephone (TTY): 711

Question 3

What should a veteran or military member do if they think their VA benefit debt is due to an error?

If a veteran or military member gets a debt collection letter from the VA’s Debt Management Center and thinks there is an error, “contact the VA right away.” When a veteran or military member contacts the VA within the “time limit” in their first debt letter, “they can avoid collection actions.”

Send the VA a letter to dispute the debt in 1 of 2 ways: Online through Ask VA (see https://bit.ly/4dBahwp and https://ask.va.gov), or By mail at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Debt Management Center, PO Box 11930, St. Paul, MN 55111

Tell the VA why you think your debt is an error and provide any supporting information. For example:

If you disagree with the VA decision that resulted in this debt, you can appeal the decision. Learn more about the VA appeals process at https://bit. ly/4dk4xGR.

If you have questions about the cause of your debt, call your VA benefits office. You can find helpful VA phone numbers at https://bit.ly/44xIyHq. The Columbia, S.C. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Regional Office is at 6437 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, S.C. 29209, Phone: 800-827-1000

If you have questions about debt collection, call our Debt Management Center at 800827-0648 (1-612-713-6415 from overseas) (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

Dispute copay charges

Veterans and military members can find out how to dispute their VA copay charges at the VA’s “Dispute your copay charges” webpage https://bit.ly/3SGqF67

Request financial hardship assistance

If you lost your job, experienced a sudden decrease in income, or increased out-of-pocket family health care expenses, the VA can help. Read the VA webpage at https://bit.ly/3AfQaoI to learn how to request help with current VA copay bills or an exemption from future copays.

Question 4

What should a veteran do if they cannot repay all or part of a VA debt?

Contact the VA within the time limit listed in their first debt letter. The VA will help the veteran to understand his or her repayment or relief options. By requesting help within the time limit, the veteran can avoid late fees, interest, or other collection actions.

of four.

For VA benefit debt: Call the VA Debt Management Center at 800-827-0648 (or 1-612713-6415 from overseas), Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, or contact the VA online through Ask VA. If you are a veteran or service member, you can also request help with some VA benefit debts online. By following the instructions at https://bit. ly/3WPhDpX and submitting VA Form 5655 For VA health care copay debt: Call the VA Health Resource Center at 866-4001238, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

If the veteran gets monthly VA benefit payments, the VA will keep all or part of the veteran’s payments unless we approve another repayment or relief option. If the VA referred the veteran’s debt to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the veteran should call the number on his or her letter “right away.”

Continued next week.

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164

Rct. Michael Castro, a recruit with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, unslings his rifle Aug. 10, 2024, as he conducts Final Drill on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Final Drill tests drill instructors on their ability to give drill commands and tests recruits on their ability to execute the movements properly. Lance Cpl. Ayden Cassano/USMC

Recruits with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, conduct Final Drill Aug. 10, 2024, on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Final Drill tests drill instructors on their ability to give drill commands and tests recruits

movements properly. Lance Cpl. Ayden Cassano/USMC

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“Will

ENTREES:

Chicken Piccata

Carne Asada Bowl

Mahi Baja Bowl

Smashburger Sliders

PIZZA:

Seeking God

God Ruin My Life?”

Making a Total Gift of Self

Viewed from the outside, marriage can seem limiting.

A young man, for example, might perceive marriage as a tremendous restraint on his freedom. If he marries, he will no longer be able to date whomever he wishes. He won’t be able to go wherever he wants or to do whatever he’d like. He worries that he will be a shadow of his former self.

A healthy marriage actually brings more freedom. When this man finds the woman God is calling him to marry, he joyfully makes a total gift of himself to her in marriage. He then discovers that his earlier fears were unfounded. In a happy marriage, where both seek to build each other up and lead each other to Christ, he actually finds himself more free than ever before. By the daily gift of self in his marriage, he is becoming the man he was always meant to be.

This is the paradox of the Christian life. Our hearts were created for perfect, infinite love. In life, we only find purpose and meaning to the extent that we are giving of ourselves in a total gift of self. In order to give of ourselves totally to one person, we inevitably have to let go of other persons or things that could have a claim on our hearts. But in such a total gift of self, we free ourselves for a new and deeper love than was possible before. This is true in marriage, as well as our own journey with God.

From the outside, the Christian life can also seem limiting. With its high moral expectations, we can imagine the Christian life as a drag or a burden. We think that if we make a total gift of our heart to God, we will be limiting our freedom; we will no longer be free to do whatever we feel like doing. We worry that we would become unhappy, a lesser version of ourselves.

But God desires to bring us joy and true freedom.

God is not a grim taskmaster, intent on making our lives miserable with a lot of rules and burdens. Rather, like a loving husband who cares for his wife, the Lord desires our happiness and our wellbeing. As we grow closer to him, we naturally want to do those things which help us grow in our relationship with him and in our love for others. We will still enjoy many of the things that we thought were so important, but in a proper manner and in a way that builds us up.

Drawing closer to God, you will become more fully yourself. We have nothing to fear. A relationship with God will not take away our freedom; we will find a new, deeper freedom. Our lives will not become boring; we will experience life as an adventure with even higher stakes than before. We will not become a lesser version of ourselves, but the person we were always meant to be.