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FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

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Voters guide to 2024 SC GOP Presidential primary

By Delayna Earley The Island News After weeks of campaigning across the Palmetto State, voters will cast their ballots on Saturday, Feb. 24 to decide who they want to be their Republican candidate for President.

Who can vote?

Voting on Saturday is open to anyone as long as you did not vote in the Democratic primary earlier this month.

Polling times Precincts will open at 7 a.m. and

will close at 7 p.m., although any- re-election bid in one in line before 7 p.m. will still 2020 to President Joe Biden, and be allowed to vote.

Nikki Haley.

Trump is runWhat to bring Voters should bring their S.C. ning under the driver’s license, S.C. Department same slogan that Donald of Motor Vehicles ID card, Federal he used during Trump Military ID, U.S. Passport or their his first presidenS.C. Voter Registration card with tial campaign, “Make America Great Again.” a photo.

Haley is the former South Carolina governor and former U.S. AmCandidates The candidates who are run- bassador to the United Nations. ning for the nomination are Don- Haley, who is a South Carolina naald Trump, the 45th president of tive, has made multiple visits to the the United States who lost his Lowcountry while campaigning for

Beaufort 1 – USCB Gymnasium – 1100 Boundary Street Beaufort 2 – USCB Gymnasium – 1100 Boundary Street Beaufort 3 – USCB Gymnasium – 1100 Boundary Street Burton 1A – Burton Wells Recreation Center – 1 Middleton Rec Drive Burton 1B – Robert Smalls Leadership Academy – 43 W.K. Alston Drive Burton 1C – Joseph S. Shanklin Polling locations Elementary School – 121 Morrall Before heading out to vote on Drive Saturday, make sure to confirm SEE PRIMARY PAGE A4 your correct polling place: Saturday’s primary.

Other candidates that will be on the ballot are Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ryan Nikki L. Binkley and Da- Haley vid Stuckenberb, although all of these candidates have suspended their campaigns since the ballots were certified.

Let the good times roll!

LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN

LOLITA HUCKABY

Safe Harbor discussions not so productive

T

PORT ROYAL he headline read two weeks ago Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips considered a recent meeting with Safe Harbor Marinas LLC “productive.”

Well, that story’s changed, thanks to Safe Harbor.

The City Council was prepared last week to celebrate not just Valentine’s Day but the first reading vote to an ordinance granting certain easements to the international marina development company for extension of the Spanish Moss Trail across Ribaut Road and through their waterfront project.

Alas, the council was jilted by an email prior to that meeting that Safe Harbor wanted more than the agreement.

Specifically, Safe Harbor said

At top: Tracy Wachholz of Port Royal, as one of the “jellyfish,” breaks formation long enough to mug for the camera during the Port Royal Mardi Gras parade as it makes its way down Paris Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 17. At left: The little drummer, Royal Walker, 6, marches with the Battery Creek High School March Band as he gets ready to make the turn onto 11th Street. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News

SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A8

ARTS

SPORTS

EDUCATION

INSIDE

City seeks mural artist to ‘leave their mark’ on Downtown Marina building.

Cummings performs well in European Championships.

TCL to hold ribbon cutting for newly renovated ‘HUB’ facility.

PAGE A9

PAGE B1

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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–8 Obituaries A7 Arts A9 Health A10–11 Sports B1–3

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Reader Ron Koris took this photo from afar of folks enjoying a nice February day on the beach at Hunting Island State Park. 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 and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK

Beaufort’s Conrad Alston, 64, joined the South Carolina Army National Guard here in Beaufort in 1979.

After Basic Training at Fort Knox, he trained as a cavalry scout and for military police duties. He was mobilized for state duties, including for Hurricane Matthews. He served

CONRAD ALSTON

Conrad Alston

two years of security duty at

Shaw Air Force Base before being mobilized for one year in Afghanistan where he handled convoy operations, force protection and quick reaction duties before returning to Beaufort.

In 2017 he was sent for a year to Guantanamo Bay as a Military Policeman. He retired in

Beaufort’s Historic Review Board, with its recent decision to allow two more demolitions in our Historic district, is providing encouragement to other owners of run-down properties. In essence they’re saying, “just continue to ignore them and allow them to deteriorate and we’ll let you tear them down.”

It seems that the national trend to give less and less value to tradition, authenticity and honesty has infected our National Landmark Historic District. Sure, it can cost just as much to renovate a long-ignored old house to high standards as it might cost to build a new one of similar size and finish, but what is worth more to an owner and the public in a historic district, a carefully restored vernacular house on its original site or a modern replacement?

In my 30-odd years of restoring buildings in Beaufort, I have been involved in the restoration of many that were in a similar or worse condition than the two houses the HRB has just slated for demolition – 807 North Street, 900 North Street, 707 Prince Street, 814 Charles Street and others were all in collapsing condition when work began and now, years later, they and lots of others like them have been restored and are in daily use and making their contributions to our historic heritage.

The owners restored them partly because of their own personal integrity and historic sensitivity and partly because they knew that the HRB of the day was committed to the Historic District and was not going to give them permission to demolish. That commitment seems to be lacking today as evidenced by the conflict between the city and our primary preservation organization and by the proliferation of demolition permits granted in the district.

There remain a lot of houses in the Northwest Quadrant in bad condition. Many

2019 as a Sergeant First Class.

When not activated, he worked for Beaufort County Public Works Department for 34 years.

– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207.

For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.

of them are vacant and abandoned. Almost all of them, like the two recently slated for demolition on Duke Street, are candidates for sensitive renovation by committed owners and talented craftsmen. There are lots of challenges in making that happen but those challenges can be met.

Unfortunately, as long as a vacant lot is worth more than one with an old house on it and unless the Historic Review Board develops the resolve to say “no” to demolition, the losses will continue until the whole NW Quadrant looks like Midtown.

has demonstrated she is ready for the world stage. She can work with others to achieve consensus, and would likely win in a landslide, pulling down ballot candidates with her. She is the only major candidate running who will not set the record of being the oldest president ever, and who could serve eight years in office working for the American people; ALL the American people.

– Randy Hahn, Simpsonville

Say ‘no’ to latest utility megaproject – Beekman Webb, Beaufort

Haley is the wiser choice Our country is at a crossroads, and in the upcoming Republican primary the people of South Carolina will determine whether we go down a path of decline or prosperity. We have two choices.

Donald Trump, despite enacting several policies that were popular, is a narcissistic, habitual liar, who coddles up to tyrants while calling American heroes who died for their country losers. His major campaign promises are revenge, retribution, and dictatorship.

The most important thing he wants to accomplish in a second term is to self-pardon himself for his efforts to overturn the last election and stealing, withholding, and likely divulging, top secret defense documents.

Although not as far gone as Biden, he is showing clear evidence of cognitive decline coupled with the unhinged rants and temper tantrums that don’t MAGA, they make America a laughingstock around the world.

Nikki Haley is a proven conservative, who as governor created tens of thousands of jobs, got tough on illegal immigration, increased government transparency, signed pro-life legislation, and cut taxes.

Her innate toughness, coupled with her experience as U.S. ambassador to the U.N.

Did you know that right now, S.C. House legislators are trying to fast-track another risky, expensive utility megaproject (remember VC Summer?) that will endanger our environment and lead to decades of high bills for ratepayers? They are.

Did you know that the S.C. House legislators are doing this even though the utilities have yet to disclose how much the project would cost? Or where the pipeline would run? Guilty on both counts.

Did you know that the S.C. House legislators are trying to throw out the protections (permitting and periodical project reviews, e.g.) that were put in place after VC Summer to prevent another similar disaster? They are.

South Carolina's economic development is booming right now, with several massive wins over the last year. A lot of this new industry falls within the Clean Technology sector. Why then would State Legislature (and the utilities themselves) want to force these companies – and us ratepayers – to rely on dirty, expensive energy when there are much better options readily available?

It doesn't have to be this way. Your legislators need to hear from you that the recently introduced proposals (S.909 and H.5118) should be rejected.

– Mike Bogle, Beaufort

February 23

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DISCLAIMER

1868: James Edwin McTeer, future Beaufort County Sheriff, is born.

1915: Robert Smalls dies. At the time of his death, he was suffering from malaria and diabetes.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK Cat of the Week: Smiley has the kindest spirit. His sweet half-smile marking and loving eyes are sure to make any one smitten. He is a social butterfly who loves to meet everyone who comes into his room.

Smiley is 10 years old, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

Dog Of The Week: Bailey loves to live life to the fullest.

Recently at an adoption event, Bailey showed us that she loves FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

delayna. theislandnews@ gmail.com

Sports Editor

ON THIS DATE

A2

Delayna Earley

843-343-8483 amanda@ lcweekly.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Beaufort is demolition crazy

Assistant Editor

kids. Her ears and tail perked up when she saw a family ready to meet her. Bailey would make a wonderful family dog who loves adventures just like her. Bailey is 4 years old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

If you are interested in adopting Smiley, Bailey, or any of our other pets, call our adoption center at 843-645-1725 or email us at info@palmettoanimalleague.org to set up an appointment.

All content of The Island News, including articles, photos, editorial content, letters, art and advertisements, are copyrighted by The Island News and Island News Publishing, LLC, 2022, all rights reserved. The Island News encourages reader submissions via email to theislandnews@gmail.com. All content submitted is considered approved for publication by the owner unless otherwise stated. The Island News is designed to inform and entertain readers and all efforts for accuracy are made.

Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Island News, its publisher or editors. Content published from Care Magazine® is intended as a reference and options source only, not as a guide to self-treatment or substitute for profession medical advice.

It is provided for educational purpose only. Readers assume full responsibility for how this information is used. The Island News reserves the right to refuse to sell advertising space, or to publish information, for any business or activity the newspaper deems inappropriate for the publication.

NEWS

Valentine Ball helps BMH meet community’s needs

From staff reports Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s (BMH) 35th Annual Valentine Ball was held Saturday, Feb. 10, at Tabby Place in Beaufort, featuring dozens of pre-ball dinner parties followed by live music performed by BOUNCE, a silent auction, cocktails, and dessert.

Co-chaired by Dr. and Mrs. Patrick Meehan, and Mr. and Mrs. Chris Ketchie, this year’s event will support the future nursing education center, a critical extension of the hospital’s efforts to continue providing career paths and opportunities for current employees and training new generations of health care providers to meet the growing needs of the community.

Since its 1989 inception, the annual event has raised more than $7 million dollars to establish, sustain, or grow key service lines and

Nonprofits invited to apply for Hospitality Tax funds From staff reports The City of Beaufort has opened its application process for Hospitality Fund appropriations, according to a news release. Nonprofit organizations in the City of Beaufort that focus on advertising to increase tourism to the City and support the local economy are invited to apply.

City Council annually appropriates 1.1% of the anticipated local Hospitality Tax funds to non-profit organizations associated with tourism. The Fiscal Year 2024 allocation is budgeted for $28,600.

Applications are available on the City’s website and are due by 2 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024.

They can be emailed to Jay Phillips at jphillips@ cityofbeaufort.org or delivered to Beaufort City Hall, 2nd Floor, Finance Department, 1911 Boundary St., Beaufort S.C. 29902.

Cal and Katie Hucks; and Kim and Travis Yawn.

Valentine Ball Co-Chairs Chris and Caitlin Ketchie and Meghan and Dr. Patrick Meehan. facilities, including the recently renovated Cochrane Heart Center, the Level-II Collins Birthing Center,

MUSC-affiliated Keyserling Cancer Center, and the expanded Sol Neidich Inpatient Mental Health Unit.

Sarah Blau, Dr. Kevin Blau, Dr. Scott Walmer, and Allison Walmer. Photos courtesy of Charlotte Berkeley.

Schmidtke joins Second Helpings Board of Directors From staff reports A Second Helpings Volunteer of the Year for 2023, Mark (Doc) Schmidtke of Beaufort, has been named to the organization’s Board of Directors.

Second Helpings recently celebrated the rescue and distribution of 50 million pounds of food during the 32-year history of the organization. That translates into enough food for 40 million meals

over that period.

Schmidtke has volunteered with Second Helpings for two years and serves as the Saturday day captain Mark for Beaufort. This Schmidtke volunteer resided in North Carolina for most of his adult life. He relocated to Beaufort in 2019, after retiring from a 30-

year career as an academic dentist, dental clinician, and dental practice owner. He has held leadership positions with dentistry organizations at the local, state, regional, and national levels.

Describing retirement as a “journey of self-discovery and creative self-expression,” Schmidtke is a kayak fisherman, inventor, artist, barbershop singer, and volunteer. His experience with Second

Helpings has reinforced a “great opinion of the organization.”

“In addition to rescuing food and feeding the hungry,” he added, “the program does a great deal to build community relations, promote community spirit with volunteers, and it is a great form of exercise.”

Marcus Tanner, executive director, said Doc Schmidtke has already proven to be wonderful as-

set to the organization. “As the Saturday day captain, Doc has formed a great team of volunteers who are committed to helping the hungry.

He volunteers on the truck regularly and we are excited to put that experience and his creativity to work for our nonprofit.”

To learn more about Second Helpings and how you can get involved, go to www.secondhelpingslc.org.

BEAUFORT MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

VALENTINE Ball - THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Invitation Sponsor Grayco Home Center

Save the Date Sponsor BMH Medical Staff

Auction Sponsors

AssuredPartners, Inc. CIGNA HealthCare-Carolinas

Cherub Sponsors

Charleston ENT & Allergy Partners Ewing Cole Kinghorn Insurance of Beaufort Scutta Advocacy Group Stantec

Dreamboat Sponsors

Ascendient Bezilla Kinney Phifer Wealth Mgmt. of Wells Fargo Advisors Beaufort Medical Imaging Charleston Pathology P.A.

Kick-off Party Sponsor Moore & Van Allen, PLLC

Corporate Environments Dave & Jan House Howell, Gibson & Hughes, P.A. Mitchell Brothers, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Steve Parks Phreesia Team Health

Heartthrob Sponsors

Achurch Group Charles Schwab of Bluffton DWG INC. Consulting Engineers Mr. & Mrs. William A. Himmelsbach, Jr. LS3P Architects, Ltd. Mr. & Mrs. Stephen F. Meyer Parker Law Group Mr. & Mrs. Stephen A. Wexler

Bar & Entertainment Sponsor MB Kahn Construction Company, Inc.

Lovebird Sponsors

303 Associates Athena Health AlphaGraphics Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Brunson Construction Company Charter One Realty Davis & Floyd The Island News Lynn & Wheeler OneBlood, Inc. Karen M. Peluso Southern States Imaging, Inc. True North Custom

FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

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NEWS

Meet Destiney Rains, the Passive Parks Naturalist

Republican Women’s Club Annual Membership Drive From staff reports Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner was the guest speaker as the Beaufort Republican Women’s Club hosted its annual membership drive luncheon Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at the Dataw Island Club on St. Helena Island.

Tanner, serving his seventh term in a career that spans 43 years, was the guest speaker. He fielded questions from the floor that covered a range of topics … alcohol and drug abuse are on the rise in our county; immigration laws are not enforceable at the local level; though law enforcement officers must qualify to carry a firearm, 80% of gun sales are person-to-person transactions.

On a final note, the Sheriff said we need to find the strongest candidate possible for the 2024 election or we’ll be looking at the “same old sheet of music.”

Membership Chairman, Mary Patrzalek, spoke about the benefits of joining the Republican Women’s Club, which currently has 103 members. She said our goal for this year is to get out the vote.

For more information, please go to www.beaufortrepublicanwomensc.com. The club will announce an event to be held April 5 to celebrate Robert Smalls’ birthday.

Lisa Clancy looks out across Crystal Lake to see what she might spot during the Meet the Passive Park Naturalist event on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, on Lady’s Island. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Destiney Rains, Naturalist for the Beaufort County Passive Parks Department, tells attendees about an upcoming event she is planning to teach about how to property use a cast net on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, during the Meet the Passive Park Naturalist event. Amber Hewitt/ The Island News

Destiney Rains, Beaufort County Passive Parks Department’s Naturalist, talks about the Redbay trees that have been affected by the invasive Redbay Ambrosia Beetle that bores into the tree and introduces a fungus that causes Laurel Wilt. Amber Hewitt/ The Island News

Georgia man gets 3 years in prison for traveling to have sex with Beaufort minor

From staff reports Leroy Lawrence Bolger, Jr., 75, of Kingsland, Ga., was sentenced January 26 to more than three years in federal court after pleading guilty to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

Evidence presented to the court showed that in early March 2022, members of the South Carolina Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), including Homeland Security Investigations, conducted an

undercover investigation targeting online sexual offenders. As part of this investigation, an officer created an undercover online persona of an adult male seeking individuals to have sex with his 13-year-old daughter residing in Beaufort, S.C. Bolger responded to the undercover officer’s internet ad and engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the undercover officer. In their conversations, Bolger discussed his desire to engage in various sex acts

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Burton 1D – Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary School – 121 Morrall Drive Burton 2A – Community Bible Church – 638 Parris Island Gateway Burton 2B – Community Bible Church – 638 Parris Island Gateway Burton 2C – Love House Ministries – 423 Parris Island Gateway Burton 2D – Love House Ministries – 423 Parris Island Gateway Burton 3A – Robert Smalls Leadership Academy – 43 W.K. Alston Drive Burton 3B – Burton Wells Recreation Center – 1 Middleton Rec Drive Burton 4 – Joseph Shanklin Elementary School – 121 Morrall Drive Burton 5A – Community Bible Church – 638 Parris Island Gateway Burton 5B – Community Bible Church – 638 Parris Island Gateway Lady’s Island 1A – Lady’s Island Middle School – 30 Cougar Drive Lady’s Island 1B – Lady’s Island Elementary School – 73 Chowan Creek Bluff Road Lady’s Island 2A – Coosa Elementary School – 45 Middle Road Lady’s Island 2B – David Smith Community Center – 140 Coosaw

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FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

with the undercover officer’s purported 13-year-old daughter, including sexual intercourse. Bolger also agreed to pay $50 to have sex with the child.

On March 1, 2022, Bolger drove from Kingsland, Ga., to a predetermined location in Beaufort, S.C. to meet the purported father and 13-year-old daughter, and to engage in illicit sexual conduct with the girl. When Bolger arrived, he encountered law enforcement officers instead and was placed under arrest.

Bolger admitted that he had planned to engage in illicit sexual conduct with the girl. He also stated that he was a retired teacher and athletics coach who had worked in schools in North Carolina and Florida during his 38-year career.

United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Bolger to 46 months imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was brought as

part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more

Elementary School – 73 Chowan Creek Bluff Road Lady’s Island 3C – Tidal Creek Fellowship – 290 Brickyard Point Road South Lady’s Island 4A – Lady’s Island Middle School – 30 Cougar Drive Lady’s Island 4B – Lady’s Island Elementary School – 73 Chowan Creek Bluff Road Lady’s Island 4C – Coosa Elementary School – 45 Middle Road Mossy Oaks 1A – Cornerstone Christian Church – 2301 First Blvd.

Mossy Oaks 1B – Beaufort Middle School – 2501 Mossy Oaks Road Mossy Oaks 2 – Mossy Oaks Elementary School – 2510 Mossy Oaks Road Port Royal 1 – Port Royal Town Hall – 700 Paris Avenue Port Royal 2 – Port Royal Town Hall – 700 Paris Avenue Dale Lobeco – James J. Davis Early Childhood Center – 254 Keans Neck Road Seabrook 1 – Beaufort County Public Works – 120 Shanklin Road Seabrook 2 – Whale Branch Middle School – 2009 Trask Parkway Seabrook 3 – Grays Hill Fire DeA poster showing the three questions that the Republican party included on its partment Station 82 – 14 Bruce K. presidential primary ballot. Graphic courtesy of the South Carolina Election Smalls Drive Commission Sheldon 1 – Elijah Washington Medical Center – 211 Paige Point River Drive Lady’s Island 3A – Tidal Creek Drive Lady’s Island 2C – David Smith Fellowship – 290 Brickyard Point Sheldon 2 – Booker T. WashingCommunity Center – 140 Coosaw Road South ton Community Center – 182 BookRiver Dr. Lady’s Island 3B – Lady’s Island er T. Washington Circle

information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), including Homeland Security Investigations, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Beaufort Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean H. Secor is prosecuting the case.

St. Helena 1A – St. Helena Library – 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road St. Helena 1B – Scott Community Center – 242 Scott Hill Road St. Helena 1C – Dataw Community Center – 43 Marina Drive St. Helena 2A – St. Helena Elementary School St. Helena 2B – Gloria Potts Community Center – 130 Seaside Road St. Helena 2C – Fripp Island Community Center – 205 Tarpon Blvd.

Problems or concerns Any issues or complaints should be brought to the attention of the poll manager, but if the issue does not get resolved, voters can contact the Beaufort County elections office as soon as possible.

The phone number is 843-2556900 and the address to visit is 15 John Galt Road.

Election fraud allegations can be reported to the State Law Enforcement (SLED) hotline at 843-4SCVOTE or by emailing any supporting documents and complaints to 4SCVote@sled.sc.gov.

For more information about precincts go to beaufortcountysc.gov or scVOTES.gov.

Delayna Earley 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.

NEWS

Working mom finds her path to a fulfilling career

By Michael Miller

A

s a mother of three girls, Hyacintha Gordon knows it takes dedication, love, patience and a positive attitude to be a parent. Over the course of her two years on the staff at Beaufort Memorial, she has learned the same qualities are essential to success in her work life, too.

Gordon started at Beaufort Memorial in August 2021 as a housekeeper on the environmental services team. In this position, she had the opportunity to work in different parts of the hospital, including the emergency room.

Seeing patient treatment up close in the ER piqued her interest in taking a more direct role in caring for patients.

“I love people, that’s first and foremost,” she says. “You’ve got to love people when you’re caring for people.”

Gordon began exploring her options to move into patient care and learned about the hospital’s PATH (People Achieving Their Highest) program. Structured to allow staff to continue working in their current role while participating, the program includes traditional education, clinical training, scholarships, and other financial assistance to encourage and incentivize individuals to advance their careers through a variety of different certification or degree programs.

Since Gordon wanted to work in direct patient care, she chose to pursue training to become a certified patient care technician (or PCT). Managing her education and job responsibilities while caring for three children was challenging, but she says she found all the support she needed from her instructors and trainers, who made

BMH OFFERING WALK-IN INTERVIEWS FOR HOSPITALITY JOBS Looking for a new job where you can make a difference? Consider joining the hospitality team at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

The hospital will be holding walk-in interviews Thursday, Feb. 22 from 9 to 1 a.m. and again from 4 to 6 p.m. for various food service and housekeeping positions, including cooks, servers, dishwashers, housekeepers, custodians and more. No appointment is necessary.

Full and part time, day and evening shifts are available.

BMH offers competitive pay, a sign-on bonus, and excellent benefits, including discounted child care, as well as opportunities for career growth. Visit BeaufortMemorial. org/HospitalityInterviews or text 843-929-8885 for more information.

Hyacintha Gordon loves her new job as a certified patient care technician (PCT) in the Beaufort Memorial Hospital medical/surgical unit. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital her even more eager to start her new role as a PCT. “I started doing clinicals, and when I was helping patients, I felt joy,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness. I absolutely love this.’”

Gordon now works in the Beaufort Memorial medical/surgical unit, where she and the rest of the 5T staff care for patients with a wide variety of diagnosis and illnesses, with a focus on oncology and end-of-life care. It’s a perfect fit for her natural talents and newly learned skills — and her calm demeanor is gaining positive

attention from patients and peers alike.

“When I care for my patients, I treat them like family,” she says. “I show them it’s OK to trust somebody to care for them, to put their walls down. I tell them, as long as I’m caring for you, you’re going to get the VIP treatment.”

Gordon is thrilled she’s found a career path she loves, but she isn’t done yet. She plans to continue her education by enrolling in a nursing program in the near future.

Once a shy child and young adult who struggled to find her place,

she’s excited and proud to be a role model for her daughters and others, including those just starting out in their careers.

“Beaufort Memorial is a good place to work because you have the opportunity to grow,” said Gordon. “You can come in as a housekeeper, and if that’s not your goal, you have an opportunity to pursue other things. I got a huge amount of support from my PATH instructors. Now I’m a support person, too. If anybody needs help, I’m on the fifth floor. Come find me.”

Managing her education and job responsibilities while caring for daughters, from left, Aubriella, Alivia and Giavonnia, was at times challenging, but Hyacintha Gordon felt supported by her instructors and the PATH team at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital

SC animal health officials ask backyard flock owners to isolate their birds

From staff reports Clemson University animal health officials are urging owners of backyard poultry flocks and pet waterfowl to keep their birds away from wild waterfowl and the waters they inhabit.

The warning comes after backyard flocks in Horry and Orangeburg counties contracted the Eurasian strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), presumably from wild birds and waterways frequented by wild birds.

In both cases, the flocks suffered major die-offs, and the remaining infected

poultry were depopulated to keep the devastating virus from spreading to other backyard flocks and jeopardizing the state’s $1.5 billion poultry industry.

The die-offs were self-reported by the flock owners.

The birds were tested by the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center, and then confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

So far, the South Carolina commercial poultry industry has stayed clear of the

deadly virus by practicing strict biosecurity protocols, but backyard growers haven’t been so lucky.

“It is imperative that all owners of backyard poultry and pet waterfowl keep their birds from mingling with wild waterfowl or accessing waters that could be frequented by wild waterfowl,” said State Veterinarian Michael Neault, who directs Clemson University Livestock-Poultry Health (LPH).

“These precautions not only protect their birds from contracting the virus, but also help keep the poultry industry (big and small) safe.”

In 2023, 21 states including Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia reported cases of Avian Influenza.

HPAI is considered low risk to human health according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is highly contagious to other birds, including backyard and commercial flocks of poultry. While the virus is also not considered a food safety threat, infected birds do not enter the food supply.

For information on biosecurity measures, visit the Clemson Livestock Poultry Health Avian Influ-

enza website (https://bit. ly/3StSQnW) or the USDA’s Defend the Flock Program website (https://bit. ly/3HSae0E).

Report sick or dead poultry to Clemson Livestock Poultry Health by calling 803-788-2260 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or using the online report form at https://bit.ly/42xJImL. Report sick or dead wild waterfowl to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources by calling 803-734-3886.

The warning signs of HPAI include: • High death loss in a

short amount of time; • Reduced energy, decreased appetite and/or decreased activity; • Lower egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; • Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb and wattles; • Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs; • Difficulty breathing, runny nares (nose) and/or sneezing; and • Twisting of the head and neck, stumbling, falling down, tremors and/or circling.

Friends of the Beaufort Library

2024 BOOKS

SANDWICHED IN Mondays 12pm-1pm January 22 through March 11

USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret St., Beaufort This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit friendsofthebeaufortlibrary.com FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

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NEWS

Economic Forecast

Megan Morris, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Interim President & CEO discusses population and household growth, median income, age, and employment throughout the Beaufort on Friday, Feb, 16, 2024 at the annual Economic Forecast at the USCB Center for the Arts. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Graham Somerall, Board Chairman of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, gives opening remarks on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 at the annual Economic Forecast at the USCB Center for the Arts. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling receives USDA grant

From staff reports Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling Division was recently awarded a grant for $273,600 from United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Composting and Food Waste Reduction Program.

The grant will help the County create a pilot program that encompasses a multi-phase approach to composting that will include:

• initiating a pilot project study; • implementing an outreach and education campaign; • diverting food waste and other organic materials; and • producing compost.

The program's goals are to increase education efforts regarding organic waste reduction and diversion, increase compost participation, de-

crease the amount of organic waste landfilled, and increase compost accessibility to local agricultural producers.

The program is tentatively scheduled to begin in July with a project study and planning session; implementation at the County Convenience Centers is estimated to begin in Spring 2025 and residential drop off sometime during the 2025 fiscal year.

"We are eager and excited to start this initiative with funding from the USDA and it marks a significant step towards sustainable waste management practices in Beaufort County," County Solid Waste and Recycling Program Manager Victoria Hoffman said in a news release. "Through partnerships with local stakeholders, businesses, and County residents, the Beaufort

County Solid Waste & Recycling Division plans to divert organic materials such as food waste into compost.

The program hopes to not only mitigate the environmental impacts of food waste but also contribute to soil health and agricultural sustainability in the region."

Hoffman emphasized the pivotal role this grant will play in helping achieve waste diversion goals set forth by

NEWS BRIEFS

Utility work to impact travel on Lemon Island, Broad River bridges

Beaufort Twilight Run in search of sponsors

The Beaufort Twilight Run is a little less than two months away – March 23, 2024 – and is looking for sponsors. A sponsorship is a wonderful opportunity to help support the students at Riverview Charter School and to promote a business or place of employment.

For more information, contact Christina Gecy, BTR Sponsorship Chair at christinagecy@gmail.com. Review the sponsorship packet at https://bit.ly/49fAygV or complete the sponsorship form at https:// bit.ly/48UqEBI.

According to a release from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, lane closures will impact travel on the Lemon Island and Broad River bridges through Friday, February 23, 2024, while utility contractors perform waterline inspection and repairs.

All work will be conducted during daylight hours. Motorists should expect delays.

Public test of Ballot Tabulating Machines

A public test of the Central Count Scanners (Ballot Tabulating Machines) for the Feb. 24, 2024 Republican Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) will begin on Friday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. at the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County office, located at 15 John Galt Road, Beaufort. For more information, call 843-255-6900.

Community Fish Fry set for Saturday

A Community Fish Fry celebrating Black History Month is being held from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (The Green), at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Sea Island Parkway on St. Helen Island.

There will be performances, fellowship and more. Attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Barbara Jean Gardner-Hunter at 347-497-9326; Claretha Singleton at 843-812-3148; or Ernestine Atkins at 843-252-6096.

Free Naloxone, training at Port Royal Government Center

The Beaufort County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department will be offering a free 5-minute Naloxone training Tuesday, Feb. 27, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., at Town of Port Royal Government Center, 700 Paris Avenue.

The training helps people understand how to identify the signs of opioid poisoning and how to help someone who may be exposed to opioid toxification or illicit contamination.

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FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).

The department anticipates a positive impact on the community and environment as a result of this pilot initiative.

Read the USDA release here at https://bit. ly/42sPOor. For more information on Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling Division, visit https://bit. ly/3OrvP3O.

Friends of Fort Fremont Oyster Roast

The Friends of Fort Fremont are hosting their annual Oyster Roast from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 15, at Live Oaks Park in USC Beaufort student Delaney Parrish, far left, tosses a big fuzzy bunny into the bin during the Port Royal. Tickets are $40 per person. inaugural Teddy Bear Toss during halftime of the men’s basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 14, Sea Eagle is catering oysters and chili, at the Cove in Bluffton. According to USCB Athletic Director Quinn Monahan, all the stuffed appetizers and desserts. Music will be provided by the Sweet Ferns. And once animals will be taken to Memorial Children’s Hospital in Savannah. Pushing the bin is USCB again, there will be a silent auction, infreshman Taniyah Bowman. Bob Sofaly/The Island News cluding pair of tickets to a Savannah BaNo appointment is required, and every- colors and the National Anthem will be nanas game.

Tickets are available online at www.fortone who takes the five-minute training will sung by Faith Polite. fremont.org.

They can also be purchased This program is free and open to the pubreceive free supplies of Naloxone. by mailing a check to FFF, P.O. Box 982, St. Free "Deterra Bags" will be available too. lic. No reservations are required.

Helena Island, S.C. 29920. The last day to For more information, contact John AbThese bags are the proper way to dispose of order tickets by mail is March 8. ney, VSO, Beaufort County Veterans Affairs expired, unwanted medication.

For more information visit www.beaufort- at john.abney@bcgov.net or 843-255-6883.

Use caution on Spanish countysc.gov/alcohol-and-drug.

Moss Trail extension League of Women Beaufort County wants to remind people Beaufort County VA hosting Voters Beaufort to use caution when moving through the Black History Month celebrating 7th birthday Spanish Moss Trail Port Royal Extension Veterans Program The League of Women Voters Beau- while it's under construction, particularly Beaufort County Veterans Affairs, in partnership with Technical College of the Lowcountry Student Veterans of America, is hosting a Black History Month Program, Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The event will be held at the TCL Auditorium, Building 12, 921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort.

The program theme is "Preserving the Legacy and Keeping the Promise." Master of Ceremony is Sgt. Major James E. Moore.

Guest speakers include USMC (Ret.), Mitch Mitchell, Brigadier General, USAF (Ret.), representing the Tuskegee Airmen, and Tyrone Jackson, Master Gunnery Sgt., USMC (Ret.), representing the Montford Point Marines.

The Whale Branch Early College High School JROTC Color Guard will post the

fort will be celebrating its seventh birthday on at its regular meeting Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort.

The League of Women Voters of Beaufort is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. With 104 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations.

The public is welcome. Come help celebrate the birthday. There will be cake.

the freshly poured concrete.

The project will extend the trail from the current southern terminus across Ribaut Road into Port Royal. The trail is heavily used by members of the public – pedestrians, rollerbladers, walkers and bicyclists – and that will continue.

Construction of the extension will continue for several more months dependent on weather and repair work. Please acknowledge and adhere to construction signing in the area.

For more information on the extension project, call Beaufort County Engineering Department at 843-255-2700.

– Compiled from staff reports

NEWS

~Weekly Specials~

Beaufort teen killed in crash on Valentine’s Day

By Delayna Earley The Island News A Beaufort man was killed in a two-vehicle collision on Robert Smalls Parkway early on Wednesday, Feb. 14, in Beaufort.

Ethan Fish, 19, was riding a 2019 Kawasaki motorcycle west on Robert Smalls Parkway when a 2012 Ford pickup made a left from Goethe Hill Road and collided with Ethan Ethan Fish, 19, was riding a 2019 Kawasaki Fish around 12:25 a.m. ac- Fish motorcycle west on Robert Smalls Parkway cording to Master Trooper William H. Bennett with the S.C. Highway when a 2012 Ford pickup made a left from Patrol (SCHP) in a media release.

Goethe Hill Road and collided with Fish Bennett said that Fish was pronounced around 12:25 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 14, dead at the scene due to his injuries. according to Master Trooper William H. The driver of the pickup truck was the Bennett with the S.C. Highway Patrol (SCHP) only passenger in his vehicle and was taken to an area hospital where he was treated, ac- in a media release. Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District cording to the release.

The pickup truck driver’s condition and Fish’s funeral and any other expenses that identity have not been released.

The fatal crash is still under investigation may occur, according to the page.

As of press time, the page had surpassed by the SCHP. A Go-Fund-Me page was started by Dylan the $5,000 goal set and had raised $28,835.

An obituary posted on www.erldc.org.

Fish to raise money to help pay for Ethan

February 21st – February 25th or until we sell out.

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OBITUARIES

James Campbell Wharton, Jr.

Marion Lenair Woods

DON’T LET SNORING

OR CPAP STRUGGLES

Marion Lenair Woods, 88, husband of Belva Jo "BJ" Saleeby Woods, of Beaufort, James Campbell Wharton, Jr., of SC, died Sunday, February 18, 2024 after Beaufort, SC, known as Jim to friends, a battle with cancer. Funeral services passed away peacefully at home with his will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 family on February 12, 2024. Jim was at 11:00 a.m. in The Baptist Church of born in East Orange, NJ to James and Beaufort.

Lois Wharton. Jim is survived by his Lenair was born on June 3, 1935 in beloved wife, Jennifer Heyd; sister Janet Grays Hill, SC. He is the son of the Simon of FL; sons James Campbell III late Jacob Eldridge Woods and Ethel and wife Jennifer Dieste of GA; Jason Sloman Woods. Lenair was a member Scott and wife, Lou Ann of FL; stepson of the Baptist Church of Beaufort for George [Trip] F Cormeny III and wife 77 years. He found many ways to serve Diana Walsh of NC; stepdaughter that included teaching Sunday School, Amanda Heyd Harrison of GA; and being a deacon, homebound visitor, and a eight grandchildren and four greatmember of the Handicap Ramp Building grandchildren to whom he was Pop Pop. WE HAVE SOLUTIONS FOR YOU! Team. After 35 years of service, Lenair Jim grew up in Montclair, NJ. After retired from Civil Service at Parris Island graduation from Montclair High School, he earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from in 2001. One of his greatest achievements during his years at Parris Island was the WE HAVE SOLUTIONS FOR YOU! the University of Maryland.

General's Commendation for his help in Jim followed in the footsteps of his building the Crucible. He was one of 6 father and grandfather by working in civilians who were hand-picked for this the construction industry. As a licensed project.

Professional Engineer, he participated in Lenair was a coach, gardener, the construction of the Flaming Gorge outdoorsman, woodworker, and avid Dam in UT; the Savannah River Nuclear Clemson Tigers fan! He was also a Facility in GA; the Grand Gulf Nuclear perfectionist who when he coached, Power plant in MS; the Waterbury Dam planted rows of vegetables, or built in VT; the Home Insurance Tower in NY; something, it was done with precision and the Ellis Square Underground Parking to the highest standard. facility in GA; along with many projects Surviving is his wife of 57 years, BJ, one in Washington, DC, including the Ford’s Struggling with your CPAP? daughter, Cynthia Lynn "Cindy" Woods; Theater, the Library of Congress Annex, the In Network with Medicare, offer custom-fit oral appliances as a more StrugglingWewith your CPAP? Federal Reserve Annex, the Freer Gallery of and two sisters, Joyce Woods and Gayle Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, comfortable, and easier-to-use alternative to his offer custom-fit In Network with Medicare, Art, and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Jim’s Carroll. He was preceded in death byWe oral appliances as a more and TriCare Insurance. parents, his sister Sue Burns, and brothers CPAP for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, career included work at Spencer, White and Struggling with your CPAP? Eugene, Ficklin, Clyde and Tommy comfortable, and easier-to-use alternative to Prentis; Raito, Inc.; and ten years running Network with Medicare, We offer custom-fit oral appliances as a moreand TriCareInInsurance.

Woods.

CPAP for snoring obstructive sleep apnea. SC 29414 Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, his own company, Wharton Construction, 1022and Physicians Dr. #B, Charleston, The family suggests that in lieu comfortable, and easier-to-use alternative to in Washington, DC. and TriCare Insurance. fax 866-462-0121 for Physician Referrals of flowers donations be made to The DANA BLALOCK, D.D.S. CPAP for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Following retirement Jim pursued his Baptist Church of Beaufort, P. O. Box 879, lifelong interest in boating by obtaining Beaufort, SC 29901 or Friends of Caroline 843-494-5004 | www.sleepbettersc.com his USCG 50-ton Masters License and Hospice, 329 Friends Lane, Ridgeland, SC delivering pleasure boats along the East Coast. He volunteered with Kairos Prison 29936.

Anderson Funeral Home and Ministry and Beaufort DragonBoat, and DANA BLALOCK, D.D.S. Crematory is serving the family. served as a docent at St. Helena Anglican Church in Beaufort.

843-494-5004 | www.sleepbettersc.com A service will be 10 a.m., March 2 347 Red Cedar St., #400, Bluffton, SC 29910 OBITUARIES at St. Helena Anglican Church, followed fax 866-462-0121 for Physician Referrals DANA BLALOCK, D.D.S. The Island News will publish obituaries DANA BLALOCK, D.D.S. by burial. Donations in Jim’s memory up to 300 words for no charge. This may be made to DragonBoat Beaufort service also includes a photograph. The Island News will have a charge of .25¢ per (P.O. Box 213, Beaufort, SC 29901) or 843-494-5004 | www.sleepbettersc.com 843-494-5004 | www.sleepbettersc.com word of obituaries beyond 300 words.

843-494-5004 | www.sleepbettersc.com St. Helena Anglican Church (507 Email jeff.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Newcastle St., Beaufort, SC 29902).

KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT

DON’T LET SNORING OR CPAP STRUGGLES KEEPSOLUTIONS YOU UP AT NIGHT WE HAVE FOR YOU!

DON’T LET SNORING OR CPAP STRUGGLES KEEP UP AT DON’T LETYOU SNORING ORNIGHT CPAP STRUGGLES

KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT WE HAVE SOLUTIONS FOR YOU! DON’T LET SNORING OR CPAP STRUGGLES KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT

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CALL US TO LEARN MORE!

FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

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NEWS

NPS Director Sams pays visit to Penn Center

From staff reports National Park Service Director Chuck Sams paid a visit to Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort on Friday, Feb. 16, when he highlighted the Department’s commitment to honoring the legacy and achievements of the Black community.

While at Penn Center on St. Helena Island, Sams, in commemoration of Black History Month announced five additions by the Department of the Interior to the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, which was created in 2019 to recognize and amplify sites and programs throughout the country that share stories of freedom, struggle, education and self-determination associated with the period of Reconstruction from 1861 to 1900.

With Friday’s additions, there are now 107 listings in the Network spread across 28 states and Washington, D.C. They include schools, museums, churches and organizations managed by local or private entities, as well as multiple national parks.

“Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, and every member of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, enable us to reflect on the struggles and successes that took place during a time of significant transformation in our country,” Sams said. “The diversity of sites in the network illustrate the depth and breadth of the people, places and events involved with the reconstruction movement.”

“As we commemorate Black History Month, the Interior Department remains steadfastly committed to celebrating and honoring the diversity and resilience of the Black community,” Secretary Deb Haaland said in a news release. “The additions to the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network underscore the Biden-Harris administra-

Penn Center Executive Director Robert Adams, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Superintendent Laura Waller briefly spoke with local educators Friday, Feb. 16 during Sams' visit Penn Center. Photo courtesy of NPS tion’s efforts to ensure that a more complete and honest account of American history is shared.”

The new additions to the network are: The 1838 Black Metropolis in Pennsylvania. This digital project examines the lives of 19th Century Black Philadelphians who built infrastructures for sanctuary for thousands of freedom seekers before, during and after the Civil War. Their website makes use of ArcGIS, Tableau and AI imaging combined with primary source archival research, to tell the histories of some of the most prominent Philadelphia families later involved with Reconstruction in South Carolina.

The Buffalo Soldiers Museum at Fort Lawton in Washington. Built in 1898, this site was the base for multiple African American Army units known as Buffalo Soldiers.

The Band Barracks building in the

Fort Lawton Historic District will house a new Buffalo Soldiers Museum, which will work to educate, preserve and present the local and national contributions of America’s Buffalo Soldiers from 1866 through Reconstruction and into the 20th Century.

The Dark Branch Descendants Association in North Carolina.

The association is an independent, descendant-led organization devoted to centering the narratives and lived experiences of African American communities along the Lower Cape Fear River in North Carolina during the periods of enslavement and Reconstruction.

Fort Stanton Historic Site in New Mexico. From 1866 to the 1880s, this was the home to a unit of the United States Colored Troops, and later Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments.

Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico. This site operated

throughout Reconstruction as a base for Buffalo Soldiers of the 8th and 9th Cavalry Regiments.

Research or educational sites, facilities and programs with connections to the Reconstruction Era of 1861-1900 can apply to be in the network. More information about eligibility and the application process is available online.

While in the park, Sams also toured two historic buildings with rehabilitation and preservation projects funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. GAOA funded Maintenance Action Teams composed of skilled craftspeople from the National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center are performing the work.

The exterior of the Old Beaufort Firehouse, which serves as the park’s main visitor center, began the process of be repointed on Feb. 19. The park is also nearing

completion of a major rehabilitation of the exterior of Darrah Hall.

Crews have installed an accessible entrance ramp, repaired the front porch, replaced lap siding sections and cedar gable shingles, and painted shutters.

GAOA is part of a concerted effort to address extensive deferred maintenance and repair needs in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA provides the National Park Service with up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education and enjoyment for current and future visitors.

Sams also had the opportunity during his visit to meet with park partners from the Penn Center and Camp Saxton, as well as 25 local teachers participating in a professional development field trip.

Burton Fire officials concerned with brush fires

From staff reports Since January 1 of this year, the Burton Fire District has responded to 14 fires involving brush or trash; six of those fires spread with two damaging or threatening structures.

In comparison, during the same time period last year, Burton firefighters responded to only four fires involving brush or trash with two of those fires spreading, however no structures were threatened or damaged.

Burton fire officials state that they are not sure why there has been such an increase in the number of these fires, but what is concerning is how quickly some have spread, and how some have endangered or damaged nearby homes.

“Most of these brush fires were caused by yard debris or trash fires that got away from the resident or were unattended; even two of the fires spread from fires that were inside burn barrels,”

Lowdown from page A1

they didn’t like the proposed 24-foot wide bike path and wanted that reduced to 8 feet; they wanted town approval to place storage containers on the dock site; they wanted permanent sewer connections for the on-site portable toilets; they wanted temporary dock-building operations for facilities other than Port Royal to be allowed to continue.

Apparently, the discussions will continue, behind closed doors since attorneys are involved. But Phillips, who happens to be an attorney told the council he’s willing to consider condemnation of Safe Harbor property if that’s what it takes to get the bike path across the road.

The council will meet for its annual planning retreat Friday and it’s a sure bet the project will be discussed, if not resolved. … oops there goes another one … or … Duke Street demolition approved by review board BEAUFORT – “It’s a sad moment in Beaufort’s preservation story.”

That’s what Historic Review Board Chairman Mike Sutton said last week about his own board’s unanimous vote to demolish two circa 1901 unoccupied structures in the Northwest Quadrant that were deemed too expensive to fix.

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FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

Burton Fire District Fire Investigator Steve Kenyon said. “People need to realize how quickly these fires spread and get out of hand, even if they believe the fire is contained by bricks or in a barrel.

“These fires need to be constantly attended by an adult with a continuous water supply nearby, and that they are fully extinguished by thoroughly soaking the ashes and surrounding area.”

Anyone who’s been watching the actions of HRB would know he should have said ‘ANOTHER’ sad moment since we’ve seen building after building being bulldozed for what some would call “progress.”

The two cottages at 1607 and 1609 Duke Street once housed a beauty parlor and a little neighborhood grocery long before the Midtown Center homes across the street were even dreamed of.

The three members of the board – the other two were absent or declared a conflict of interest – continued a debate begun two months ago about the value of restoring versus demolishing the buildings, a debate which has occupied the board for the past decade.

The current HRB ultimately agreed last week with the request of the property owner, who was supported by the Freedmans Art District and its founder Dick Stewart and contended the two buildings would be too expensive to repair.

Their vote was in conflict with the city’s planning director and staff who felt all “necessary options” to preserve the buildings had not been explored.

Beaufort Historic Foundation was part of the debate, asking that the buildings not be demolished, noting that at least 26 structures of historic significance had been lost within the district since 2001.

Sutton countered that the historic preservation community should step up and encourage the City Council to provide funding to help property owners

Burton fire officials also remind citizens that not only is burning trash in violation of Beaufort County and DHEC ordinance and policies, they can contain carcinogens and are extremely toxic and dangerous to the community.

“It is important that the citizens in the unincorporated areas of Beaufort County be very familiar with the county’s outdoor burning ordinance,” Kenyon said.

Since the start of the new year, the Burton Fire District has responded to an increasing number of brush or trash fires, with less than half of those fires spreading, and some threatening or damaging homes. Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District

Town may be growing but not its bank YEMASSEE – Some not so good news for this little, growing town in the northern part of Beaufort County – they’re losing their local bank.

Citizens showed up at a recent town council meeting to urge the elected leaders to “do something” about Truist Bank’s decision to close the town’s only bank.

The Yemassee branch is apparently one of 72 the Charlotte, N.C.-based financial institute announced they would be closing this year. As most people know, this national trend is a result of budget cuts and the realization that more than 60 percent of current bank transactions are Conservation group delivers some good done on line. news for northern Jasper County Not so for the citizens who showed up at YEMASSEE – And now some good the town council meeting. Many of them news in the battle for land preservation. reported family members and friends who The Nature Conservancy announced last have limited computer skills and a trip to week – on Valentine’s Day – the purchase of 4,000 acres in northern Jasper County, a the bank was something of a social outing.

The next closest banks are 25 miles piece of prime waterfront real estate.

The $35 million purchase encompasses away in Walterboro, where the Truist branch has already closed. But five other the Gregorie Neck property which sits banks are still open. on either side of I-95 and has deep-water Just another sign of the times. access to the Coosawhatchie and Tulifiny rivers.

The Conservancy is working with the Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer Beaufort County Open Land Trust to and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a establish easements on the property which reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah will limit construction of homes to no more Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort than six homes.

Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and No information on what the cost of those unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions. Her homes will eventually be but it’s a sure bet goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own they won’t qualify as “affordable housing.” observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com. preserve their buildings which are facing demolition by neglect.

Until that happens, he noted, review boards just have to follow the rules. Just like the folks who cut down trees in the city, they’re also following the city rules.

Old buildings … trees … things that gave Beaufort the character to make it a special place are disappearing. In exchange, we’re getting new traffic intersections, more sidewalks, maybe some traffic circles, a new shopping center to include a Hobby Lobby, more apartments complexes without a noticeable drop in rents … the list goes on.

ARTS

A strong T-shirt game

Artist in Residence Dorneisha Batson uses a hair drier to finish some of the painted T-shirts painted by children during the Artist in Residence: T-Shirt Painting Youth Workshop on Saturday at the Beaufort Library on Scott Street. At left is an unfinished portrait of her father, Calvin Batson. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Francesco “Trae” Trettly mixes colors to create a gold color for his T-shirt during Saturday’s Artist in Residence T-shirt workshop Saturday at Beaufort Library on Scott Street. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

City seeks mural artist to ‘leave their mark’ on Downtown Marina building From staff reports Are you a mural artist?

If so, you have the opportunity to leave your mark on historic downtown Beaufort!

According to a news release, the City of Beaufort, in collaboration with the Beaufort Cultural District, is seeking proposals from talented mural artists to design an eye-catching exterior wall mural for the City of Beaufort Marina Restrooms Building. The mural will be approximately 9 feet high by 18 feet wide.

The winning design will be chosen by a committee of art professionals and City staff. It should reflect the history, nature, and beauty of Beaufort. This is a fantastic chance to contribute to the cultural fabric of Beaufort and to showcase your talent on a public platform.

Deadline for contest is Feb. 28

semifinalists: Saturday, March 30.

Stipend for semifinalists: $250.

Final design selected: Wednesday, April 10.

Winner’s award: $4,000.

Mural painting: Summer of 2024.

Proposal submissions Submissions, including required attachments, must be submitted by the stated deadline via email to: abrandon@cityofbeaufort.org

THE DETAILS Location: Marina Restrooms Submittal Requirements Building, Downtown Marina, • Current resume or CV (PDF north wall. or Word format).

Deadline to submit: Wednesday, • One letter of reference regardFeb. 28. ing the artist’s creative work Semifinalists notified: Friday, experience.

March 8.

• 3 high-quality images of the artist’s previous work (.jpg or Final design submission for

The City of Beaufort, in collaboration with the Beaufort Cultural District, is looking for a mural artist to paint the north facade of the Downtown Marina restroom building. Photo courtesy of City of Beaufort .pdf format).

• The design should be “insta• Concept sketches illustrating grammable” to encourage visthe artist’s vision for this projitors to photograph and share ect. Artists may submit up to on social media.

3 different concept sketches.

• The design should demon(.jpg or .pdf format). strate the artist’s skills and • Optional written description creativity. for each concept sketch may be provided, at the artists’ dis- Other conditions cretion.

• The artists shall retain intellectual property rights.

Selection criteria • At its sole discretion, the City • The design should reflect the of Beaufort shall have the history, nature and beauty of right to retain the proposal Beaufort. materials (i.e. sketches, draw• The design should be a welings, illustrations, design imcome image for our visitors ages). Full credit will be given and residents to enjoy. to artist if materials are dis-

Lowcountry Community Concert Band presents ‘Folk Songs: Home and Abroad’

From staff reports The Lowcountry Community Concert Band’s (LCCB) first concert of the year opens at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Center for the Arts Building (CFA) at USCB’s Beaufort Campus, located at 805 Carteret Street. This event is free and open to the public, as well as wheelchair-accessible.

The program will contain a variety of great music from American and British traditions, played by more than 60 volunteer musicians. Selections include: Cajun Folk Songs, by Frank Ticheli; American Riversongs, a Folksong Setting for Band, by Pierre LaPlante; English Folksong Suite, by Ralph Vaughan Williams; Colonel Bogey March, by Kenneth J. Alford, arranged

by Andrew Glover; Second

Suite for Military Band in F Major, by Gustav Holst; and Irish Tune From County Derry, by Percy Grainger.

The LCCB performs under the baton of Conductor/ Artistic Director David Carbone, who has more than 30 years of experience in music education and the marching arts as a performer, conductor, educator, arranger and adjudicator.

Associate Conductor Deborah Hamner teaches Band, Music Appreciation, and Piano at May River High School. Her background includes years of prior experience with the U.S. Marine Corps as a clarinetist and later conductor of Marine Bands at Parris Island, as well as various overseas locations.

The LCCB is sponsored by the Osher Lifelong

Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. The LCCB provides an opportunity for musicians of all ages and abilities to play instrumental music together for enjoyment as well as to perform for the community. Any OLLI member is welcome to join.

Students and adults of any age can also join the band. The LCCB is 100% self-sustained and receives no state or local funding.

Donations are welcome, and are used for buying new music and equipment, repairing instruments, and rental of venue space for performances where required.

For further information, visit our LCCB website, at www.ollilccb.com, and click on the “Donate” tab.

ARTS BRIEFS

Sinise, Lt. Dan Band to play Saturday at MCAS Beaufort

Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band are playing a free concert Friday evening at the Barracks at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The gates open to spectators at 5 p.m., and the opening act goes on at 6 p.m.

The event, presented by the Gary Sinise Foundation, is billed as “paying tribute to the real-life heroes who serve our nation.

Secure your tickets now and be part of an evening that transcends entertainment, turning every note into a salute to our service men and women.”

Tickets are available at https://mccs-info.com/48sm2mc. Anyone without base access must register for a ticket via this link to get aboard MCAS Beaufort.

The concert is an outdoor event in a large grassy area. For spectators’ comfort and enjoyment, organizers encourage concert-goers to bring blankets, lawn chairs, strollers, and wagons, if needed.

Concessions will be available for purchase through onsite food trucks and beer booths.

The following items are prohibited: outside food and beverages; coolers; large bags; firearms or weapons of any kind; pets; or portable heaters of any kind.

seminated by print or digital means.

• Proposed artwork must be original and unique to this project.

• The final design winner shall enter into a contractual agreement with the City of Beaufort to complete the mural.

• The final design winner must commit to completing the mural during the summer of 2024.

• Supplies, materials, and equipment required by the finalist to complete the mural will be provided by the City of Beaufort.

Service animals and other medical necessities are permitted.

Meet the curator of Celebrating Black Mermaids

The University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts (CFA) invites the public to the meet Cookie Washington, the creator and curator for the exhibit Celebrating Black Mermaids: From Africa to America, on Tuesday, February 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Washington will be available to answer questions about the origin of the exhibit and the rich folklore and historic significance of black mermaid mythologies. A special 30-minute program will be held at 1 p.m. in the lobby of the CFA, hosted

by Washington.

The exhibit features the work of dozens of esteemed and award-winning fiber artists from across the United States, whose mixed-media works celebrate African goddesses as mermaid and water spirit, honoring the past and exploring them anew.

For a list of other activities planned with Mermaid exhibit, please go to the USCB Center for the Arts’ website at uscbcenterforthearts.com.

– From staff reports FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

A9

HEALTH & WELLNESS Options & References for a Healthier Life

Is eating apple seeds dangerous?

You might ask this question especially if you, or your children consume a lot of whole apples, or you juice using entire apples without first de-seeding. Eating a few apple seeds is unlikely to cause symptoms. However, eating or drinking large quantities of ground or crushed seeds could result in cyanide poisoning if the dose is high enough.

So yes, apple seeds can be toxic. They contain low amounts of a compound known as amygdalin.

If a person crushes or chews the seeds, this releases the amygdalin inside. In the stomach, the amygdalin then reacts with enzymes to produce a toxin known as hydrogen cyanide. Cyanide is very poisonous. However, it is important to note that for there to be any harmful effects, a person would have to eat a significant amount of crushed apple seeds, which is unlikely to occur.

Note that the apple fruit around the seeds is safe to eat and can be part of a healthy diet. Apples contain beneficial antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber.

A lethal dose of cyanide is around 50–300 milligrams (mg). A 2018 analysis of previous research states that a person would have to eat around 83–500 seeds to develop acute cyanide poisoning.

However, the exact amount of cyanide that will make someone sick depends on their body weight and tolerance. The variety of apple and condition of the seeds are also factors. An older 2015 study of apples (in the United Kingdom) found that the amygdalin content was highest in the varieties: • Golden Delicious • Red Delicious • Royal Gala Varieties such as Braeburn and Egremont Russet had the lowest amounts.

Nevertheless, it is probably a good idea to remove the seeds from all apples before giving them to young children or pets.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU EAT APPLE SEEDS?

Apples can be a healthy snack or ingredient. However, it is not advisable to eat the seeds, as they contain small amounts of a chemical that produces cyanide, which is highly toxic.

Eating one or two apple seeds by accident, or drinking juice that contains a few pulverized seeds, is unlikely to cause problems. But if a person or animal consumes a lot of apple seeds, it could make them sick.

The seeds of other fruits, including apricots and pears, also contain the same chemical.

People can eat these fruits safely by avoiding the seeds, pits, or kernels.

If a person has swallowed a lot of seeds, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use the POISONCONTROL online tool.

Cyanide poisoning

whole apples did contain detectable amounts of cyanide, while others did not. The products that did not contain cyanide had undergone pasteurization, which is a type of heat treatment that kills germs. Cyanide has a very low boiling point, so heating it causes it to vaporize, reducing the amount in foods.

The 2015 (UK) study of apple juices found that the amygdalin content in commercially-available More severe poisoning can lead products was low, at between 0.01 and 0.007 milligrams per millileter to: (mg/mL). The authors conclude • reduced consciousness that this is unlikely to cause harm, • low blood pressure but still recommend removing ap• seizures ple seeds before juicing.

• coma People have used cyanide as a poison throughout history. It works by interfering with oxygen supply to cells. The symptoms become apparent in a few minutes to a few hours.

Mild symptoms of cyanide poisoning include: • dilated pupils • headaches • dizziness • confusion

• death

What about apple juice?

Apple juice will not contain cyanide if it does not contain pulverized seeds. But if the juice or smoothie contains whole crushed applies, it may contain some amygdalin or cyanide.

A 2018 study of different juices and smoothies in the United States found that some products using

Do other plants contain cyanide?

Many other plant-based foods contain cyanide-producing compounds. Previous studies have found at least 55 different cyanogenic chemicals in over 2,650 species of plant.

Apples belong to the Rosaceae family of plants, many of which also contain amygdalin in their

careTALK©

When is the best time of day to take supplements?

The time of day you take dietary supplements doesn’t usually matter––find a time that works for you. Some supplements can interfere with the absorption of medications. If you take any medications, ask your health care provider if you should take your supplements and medications at different times.

Many supplements, such as vitamin D and fish oil, are better absorbed with a meal. And in some cases, certain nutrient

produces a small amount of cyanide, which is highly toxic.

People can easily avoid the amygdalin in apple seeds by removing them or eating around them. Choosing apple drinks that have undergone pasteurization is also advisable, particularly for children.

If a person accidentally eats a few apple seeds, it is unlikely to cause any harm. But in sufficient quantities, cyanide-producing compounds from any plant could be risky. Seek help if a person has eaten a large quantity of apple seeds or develops symptoms after eating apple seeds.

seeds, pits, or kernels. This includes pears, apricots and cherries.

Again, though, it is only the seeds that pose any risk. The fruits are safe to eat.

An exception to this are nuts in the Rosacaea family, such as almonds and cashews, as well as flaxseeds. These foods are in themselves seeds, and so do contain some amygdalin. However, the species influences how much amygdalin these foods contain. For example, bitter almonds contain significantly more amygdalin than the sweet almonds people can buy in stores.

Processing methods are also an Sources: Adapted from an article at https:// important factor. As with apple www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318706; juice, heating foods that contain Baker A, et al. (2018). Cyanide toxicity of cyanide causes the toxin to vafreshly prepared smoothies and juices frequently porize, making roasted or cooked consumed. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ almonds safer than raw almonds. pmc/articles/PMC7731941/; A 2018 study showed that pasBolarinwa IF, et al. (2015). Determination teurizing almond milk reduces the of amygdalin in apple seeds, fresh apples amount of amygdalin it contains to and processed apple juices. https://www. negligible levels. sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/ In summary, apple flesh and S0308814614013077; peel can be a valuable part of a Graham G, et al. (2023). Cyanide healthy diet. But chewing or crushing apple seeds releases amygda- toxicity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/ lin. In the stomach, this compound NBK507796/

wiseWORDS©

combinations can affect absorption.

For example, taking an iron supplement with a beverage that contains vitamin C, such as orange juice, can increase iron absorption.

On the other hand, taking iron at the same time as calcium can hinder iron absorption.

Always talk with your health care provider about the supplements you are taking, and follow the directions on product labels.

Why you’re waking up at 3 a.m.

Do you find yourself waking up at the same time every night?

Whether it’s midnight or 3 a.m., a sleep expert weighed in on why you might be seeing the same time on the clock again and again.

“It might be that over time your brain and body have become conditioned to wake up at a certain time.

It's just become like clockwork,” explained Alicia Roth, PhD, sleep psychologist for Cleveland Clinic.

To help break this cycle, try experimenting with

A10

FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

your bedtime.

Dr. Roth suggests going to bed 30 minutes to an hour later to see if you’re losing your sleep drive by calling it a night too early.

If that doesn’t work, frequently waking up can also be a sign of a disorder like insomnia, nocturia (waking up more than once a night to pee), or sleep apnea.

Dr. Roth said both conditions can lead to being overly tired throughout the day and other health consequences.

So, when should you seek help?

“When your sleep issues start to impact the way you're functioning, that would be the best time to have a detailed discussion with your primary physician. Obtain a referral to see a sleep specialist to talk about what issues you’re having, and what solutions there might be,” she said.

Dr. Roth adds that properly treating any long-term sleep issues is key for both you and your partner to get a good night’s sleep.

Source: ccnewsservice@ccf. org,Feb. 19, 2024

HEALTH & WELLNESS Options & References for a Healthier Life

What is the Atlantic Diet?

Research is ongoing about how diets influence people’s well-being and how they affect risk for various health problems. An Atlantic diet may help preserve metabolic health; a new study suggests.

• The Atlantic diet is a diet focuses on consuming fresh and local foods that are minimally processed.

• An area of research interest is how this traditional diet can improve health and how it may impact the environment.

• A study found that consuming the Atlantic diet may help reduce metabolic syndrome risk.

“You don’t often hear about the Atlantic diet, but it’s the traditional diet of Northwestern Spain and Portugal. It’s very similar to the Mediterranean diet because it focuses mainly on locally sourced fresh, minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and olive oil. It also incorporates a lot of fish and seafood consumption, cheese, milk, meat, and wine. The food is generally cooked via simple methods like grilling, baking, or stewing.”

- Karen Z. Berg MS, RD, CSO, CDN

ipants and dietary carbon footprint emissions.

Among the 574 participants, researchers found that those following the Atlantic diet significantly reduced their risk for metaA study published in bolic syndrome.

JAMA Network Open looked at how the Atlantic Does the Atlantic diet influenced metabolic diet influence syndrome among partic- metabolic health?

• low “good” (HDL) cholesterol.

Diet and other lifestyle changes can influence metabolic syndrome factors and thus impact the risk for even more severe health conditions.

Researchers of this particular study wanted to see how the Atlantic diet affected metabolic syndrome risk.

Berg continues, “The study found that the intervention group had less risk of developing metabolic syndrome after 6 months on the Atlantic Diet. Also, people who already had metabolic syndrome at the start of the trial were significantly less likely to exhibit an additional component of metabolic syndrome. That is

an important thing to note because when people have metabolic syndrome, it is imperative to stop or slow the progression of disease.”

Source: Excerpted from an article

By Jessica Freeborn —Fact checked

by Hannah Flynn https://www. medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ atlantic-diet-may-help-preventmetabolic-syndrome

Salt substitutes significantly lower high blood pressure risk, study finds

•

Excess salt consumption is a known risk factor for developing high blood pressure.

•

New research shows swapping regular table salt for a salt substitute could help regulate blood pressure in older adults.

•

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health factors that can increase the risk of stroke and diabetes. People with metabolic syndrome usually have three or more of the following: • abdominal obesity • high blood pressure • raised blood sugar levels • high triglycerides

Salt substitutes help minimize sodium intake while increasing potassium intake, both of which are associated with healthy blood pressure levels.

Overconsumption of salt is a global driver of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

New research indicates that using salt substitutes—flavorful food additives with less sodium— instead of table salt could help reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

An article published February 12, 2024 in the Journal of the

• kidney damage • osteoporosis Mounting evidence shows that salt substitutes can be a cheap, effective way to reduce salt intake.

Hidden salt in foods

American College of Cardiology, found that older adults with blood pressure above normal who used a salt substitute had lower incidences of developing high blood pressure. They also had lower blood pressure overall compared to those who used table salt.

Additionally, incidences of low blood pressure (hypotension), a potential health concern for those with healthy blood pressure, were nearly identical between the two groups.

“This means the salt substitute is beneficial not only to people with hypertension, which has been demonstrated in previous studies, but also to people with normal blood pressure, and that it is safe,”

Dr. Yangfeng Wu, Ph.D., senior author of the study.

Salt substitute cuts high blood pressure risk by 40%

Sodium consumption has less to do with the salt shaker at the table, and much more to do with how foods are processed today.

Only about 10% of sodium intake comes from the salt shaker, the vast majority comes from refined, processed foods and eating out.

“Ultra-processed foods are often very high in salt. Salt substitutes can play a role. However, it is often not my primary behavior change that I am trying to assist with my patients,” said Kristin Kirkpatrick, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic and author of Regenerative Health.

amount of salt, say a tablespoon, only 40% of it is sodium, which is why daily recommendations for salt intake differ from sodium intake.

The World Health Organization recommends consuming less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium or 5 grams of salt daily. In the United States, fewer than 2,300 mg of sodium per day is recommended.

Sodium doesn’t come exclusively from salt either, it can be found in preservatives like sodium nitrate and baking soda as well.

Different salt substitutes

On the other hand, salt substitutes, like the one used in the study, replace some of the sodium content with another mineral, potassium, as well as flavorings, such as mushroom, lemon, herbs, or seaweed.

Salt substitutes also show a double benefit by reducing sodium Should you reduce your salt What is the ideal sodium and increasing potassium intake — both of which have been shown to intake? intake per day?

Salt consumption has been asSalt and sodium are often used improve blood pressure. sociated with high blood pressure interchangeably, but it is important Source: Excerpted from an article by Gigen and other negative health out- to know the difference. comes such as: Table salt is made up of sodium Mammoser at https://www.medicalnewstoday.

• heart attack com/articles/salt-substitutes-significantlychloride, which is about 40% sodi• stroke lower-high-blood-pressure-risk um and 60% chloride. So, in a given Over the 2-year period of the study, researchers found that individuals in the salt substitute group were 40% less likely to develop high blood pressure than the salt group.

The content offered in this Care magazine® supplement are here to educate consumers on health care, wellness, lifestyle, and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Nothing in the content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The articles, references and options contained herein do not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing, or other professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. None of the products or services offered through this publication represents or warrants that any particular service or product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. We advise readers to always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions regarding personal health or medical conditions.

—Care magazine® editor, caremagazine@gmail.com

We’ll get through this together.

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A11

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FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

THE HARD WORK OF ALL ATHLETES DESERVES RECOGNITION

B1

Cummings performs well in European Championships

By Mike McCombs The Island News Beaufort’s C.J. Cummings returned to competition Saturday, Feb. 17, at the 2024 European Weightlifting Federation Senior European Championships at Arena Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.

The 23-year-old weightlifter snatched 151kg, lifted 190kg in the Clean & Jerk and totaled 341kg in a 4-for-6 performance in the B session of the 89kg weight class.

The total was Cummings’ highest in his last three meets and just

six kilograms shy of his career best – 347kg.

The Beaufort High graduate lifted 143kg to start, missing on 148 C. J. and finishing with Cummings a successful 151kg Snatch. In the Clean & Jerk, Cummings was successful n his first two lifts – 181 and 190kg – before failing at 195.

Bulgaria’s Karlos Nasar swept gold in the 89kg class with lifts

of 176, 215 and 391kg. There were 21 lifters in all, though Cummings was among a number who weren’t eligible to medal. Had he been eligible, his total would have placed him ninth.

According to the USA Weightlifting website, the U.S. was approved to participate in the European Championships in December due to acknowledged safety and logistical challenges related to the Pan-American Championships in Caracas, Venezuela. Team USA athletes were not eligible to win

medals at the European Championships, but their results count toward Olympic qualifying rankings.

“USA Weightlifting is extremely thankful that IWF President Mohammed Jalood and European Weightlifting Federation President Antonio Conflitti are allowing Olympic-eligible Team USA athletes to compete in the 2024 European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, instead of the Pan American Championships in Caracas, Venezuela. We’re appreciative that all parties involved have prioritized

our delegation’s safety and understand the significant logistical challenges our team faced in traveling to Caracas for the competition.

We’re additionally thankful for the assurance that results earned at the European Championships will count for Olympic qualifying,” USA Weightlifting said in a statement in a response to the International Weightlifting Federation decision.

Mike McCombs is the editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

USC Beaufort’s Shea Champine lays up for two of his 11 points against the Georgia College & State University Bobcats during their Peach Belt Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Cove in Bluffton.

The score was tied three times and the lead changed another six. The Bobcats took the final lead with only 4.3 second left to play and defeated the Sand Sharks, 93-90. The Sand Sharks dropped to 10-11, 3-10 in the Peach Belt Conference. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Upset bid falls short for USCB men USC Beaufort’s Mahkayla Premo goes up for two of her 25 points against Georgia College & State University on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Cove in Bluffton. The Lady Sand Sharks narrowly won over the GCSU Bobcats, 67-64, to improve their record to 6-14, 2-10 in the Peach Belt Conference. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Sand Sharks women flip script

By Brackin Lambert uscbathletics.com A payback that might've been planned for next season came earlier than expected as USCB pulled a massive upset over visiting North Georgia on Saturday, defeating the Nighthawks 66-59 to avenge a 103-38 road defeat last month.

"We were just going to give up twos, not threes," said USCB coach Sharon Versyp, whose team held the Nighthawks to 0-for-17 from 3-point range. "Every player that went in did something special for their team.

We have to learn how to win. If we're

ahead by six, don't turn the ball over.

We have to learn how to win."

Janiyah Heyward powered the Sand Shark offense, pouring in 19 points with nine rebounds, and Brielle Bartelt added 16 with two steals.

The win came on the heels of a 67-64 win over Georgia College on Wednesday in The Cove, giving the Sand Sharks their first back-to-back wins in Peach Belt Conference play.

Mahkayla Premo led the charge against the Bobcats with 25 points and a stellar defensive effort, playing the full 40 minutes, and Heyward and Bartelt each added 10 points for

USCB. The Sand Sharks (7-15, 3-11 PBC) have clawed within two games of Georgia College and Flagler, which currently hold the last two spots in the eight-team PBC Tournament, and they host Flagler in The Cove at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

"I'm just so proud of this group,” Versyp said after the win over North Georgia. “It wasn't pretty when we went down there but this right here takes that taste out of our mouth and our kids are starting to perform and starting to click. The players are buying in and it's great to see."

By Brackin Lambert uscbathletics.com It was almost a historic moment for USCB men's basketball Saturday in The Cove, as the Sand Sharks were on the cusp of knocking off No. 10 North Georgia, but the Nighthawks narrowly escaped with an 84-82 overtime victory.

Qurahn Anderson led Beaufort with 18 points, while Kenney Gaines posted a career-high 16 points along with five boards.

Larry Bulluck scored 15, and Shea Champine added 11.

USCB led for much of the first half, but the Nighthawks took a 2522 lead before Beaufort reeled off an 11-0 run fueled by Anderson's one-handed jam.

UNG battled back to tie it up at 34 heading into the break, and the aggressiveness picked up early in the second, as both teams picked up offsetting technical fouls. UNG held a four-point lead into the second media timeout of the half, but Anderson electrified the Frenzy with a posterizing jam off an assist from Bulluck, tying the game at 53.

Kyle Polce banked in a triple from the wing to give USCB a 6158 lead, and Gaines followed with

SEE UPSET PAGE B2

SPORTS SAND SHARK REWIND

Creek alum Martello claims PBC gold

From staff reports USCB has its first Peach Belt Conference champion in indoor track and field, and it’s a familiar name in Beaufort.

Battery Creek alum Michael Martello claimed gold in the weight throw and placed third in the shot put Monday at the inaugural Peach Belt Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships in Gainesville, Fla., earning all-conference honors in both events.

Martello was a state champion at Battery Creek and signed with Coastal Carolina, where he competed for two seasons before transferring to USCB this winter. In his first season competing in indoor season, Martello took quickly to the weight throw, and his mark of 49 feet, 1 inch was enough to claim the conference title, edging Embry-Riddle’s Chance Tressler by six inches.

Cameron Edwards also earned all-conference honors, finishing second in the long jump.

Softball splits at Mt. Olive round robin

The USCB softball team split four games over the weekend at the Mount Olive Round Robin, routing West Liberty twice but dropping two games to the host Trojans.

USCB's potent offense was on display in Game 1, knocking off West Liberty, 15-1, but the Sand Sharks dropped Game 2, 4-1, to host Mount Olive.

nightcap after Hunter Miller ripped a two-run double to the right-center gap to make it 4-3.

SLU plated four in the bottom of the fifth, but USCB clawed its way back, scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh.

A throwing error in the eighth allowed USCB to tie the game at 7 heading into the ninth, and coach Ted Falkner called upon freshman closer Ian Barnes to preserve the tie. But a leadoff single and balk put the winning run in scoring position, and Yazael Nunez singled to right to end the game.

The Sand Sharks (3-6) were at home Tuesday against Middle Georgia and host Shepherd for a three-game series beginning at 6 p.m., Friday at Richard Gray Complex in Hardeeville.

Battery Creek alum Michael Martello of USC Beaufort claimed gold in the weight throw and placed third in the shot put Monday at the inaugural Peach Belt Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships in Gainesville, Fla., earning all-conference honors in both events. Photo courtesy of USC Beaufort Taelor Chang went 4-for-6 on the afternoon with six runs batted in and a home run. Third baseman Mariah Stephens also had a stellar performance, going 3-for-7 with five RBIs and a homer. Cassie Brundage picked up the win in Game 1 and was tabbed with the loss in Game 2.

The Sand Sharks settled for a split again Sunday, topping the Hilltoppers, 11-3, before falling, 8-4, to the Trojans in the finale.

The bats stayed hot in Game 1, putting up 11 runs on 12 hits. Sec-

ond baseman Jaden Goodwin and left fielder Saria Simmons collected three hits each and combined for five runs batted in, while Devon Weller went yard for the first time this season.

In Game 2, the Trojans quickly jumped on Cierra Kinlaw (3-1), scoring four runs in the first. Stephens trimmed the lead to one after connecting for her fifth home run of the season in the fourth, but the Trojans broke it open with a three-run fifth.

The Sand Sharks (9-3) travel to

Bright leads USCB to T-5th in Savannah

Ellis Bright continued his strong face defending national champi- play this weekend at the Savannah on North Georgia this weekend to Intercollegiate, carding a 1-overpar score for the tournament and open Peach Belt play. finishing his third round 1-under to propel USCB up the leaderboard to Baseball drops pair finish tied for fifth. to No. 21 St. Leo The Trowbridge, England, native USCB’s game 2 comeback fell began his final round with a bogey just short, as the No. 21 Lions on No. 5, but quickly moved back to walked off the Sand Sharks in the even on the par-3 eighth. He cardnightcap, winning, 9-8, after tak- ed a birdie at No. 11 and played boing the opener, 9-1, earlier in the gey-free golf the rest of the way. day. Game 3 of the series was canBeaufort returns to the links at celed due to weather. the Rams Shootout at the Pines on Beaufort took the lead in the March 4-5 in Southern Pines, N.C..

HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS ROUNDUPS

JPII reaches state semis for first time

LowcoSports.com The girls basketball program at John Paul II reached uncharted waters when the Golden Warriors eased past Florence Christian 44-31 on Monday and into the SCISA 3A semifinals for the first time.

Cayce Graves anchored a terrific team effort on defense, and Brady Mahoney put up her customary double-double with 24 points and 16 rebounds to lead JPII, while Lily Termini also had a big night with 13 points and seven boards.

The Golden Warriors are set to face Orangeburg Prep at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with a spot in the championship game on the line, likely against five-time defending champion Hilton Head Christian Academy on Saturday in Sumter.

Freeman fuels BA to playoff win

After a sensational senior season to cap a stellar career at Beaufort Academy, Kamirah Freeman wanted one more game.

Following up numerous 30-plus point ef-

forts this season, including breaking the single-game school-record and hitting the 1,000-point milestone, Freeman scored 24 points to lead the Eagles to a 37-30 win over Andrew Jackson Academy on Friday in the opening round of the SCISA 2A state tournament. But BA’s season ended with a 50-33 loss to Cathedral Academy on Monday.

HS GIRLS PLAYOFFS SCHSL 3A 1st Round Waccamaw 52, Beaufort 17 Dillon 55, Battery Creek 28 SCHSL 1A 1st Round Lake View 73, Whale Branch 13 SCISA 2A 1st Round Beaufort Academy 37, Andrew Jackson 30 SCISA 3A 2nd Round John Paul II 44, Florence Christian 31 SCISA 2A 2nd Round Cathedral Academy 50, Beaufort Academy 33

Upset

from page B1 a pull-up jumper from the paint and then drained a triple for a six-point advantage.

The Nighthawks were able to tie it in the final seconds and the game went into overtime — the third overtime game this season for USCB — tied at 73. Gaines hit a triple to put Beaufort up 80-79 but UNG hit one of their own to make it 82-80 Night Hawks. Anderson dribbled through the defense and tied it at 82, but the Nighthawks went back to big man Frank Champion, who laid in the go-ahead basket and came up with a steal to help seal it.

USC Beaufort’s Larry Bullock moves in to A similar script played out Wednesday, score two of his 16 points against the Georgia as USCB let an eight-point second-half College & State University Bobcats on lead slip away in a 93-90 loss to Georgia Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Cove in Bluffton.

College.

The Sand Sharks (10-12, 3-11) have lost Bob Sofaly/The Island News five straight, with three of the defeats coming by four points or fewer, heading into USCB hosts Flagler at 3:30 p.m. Saturday a tough test at USC Aiken on Wednesday. for its final home game of the season.

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FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

Beaufort area boys teams bow out

LowcoSports.com The high school boys basketball season came to an abrupt halt this week for Beaufort area teams, with no local squads making it out of the second round of the playoffs.

Bridges Prep and Whale Branch went into the SCHSL Class 1A tournament with high hopes, and they were buoyed after blowout wins in the first round, as the Bucs routed Latta 74-46 at home and the Warriors lambasted Lamar 67-31 on the road, but the bubble burst quickly.

Whale Branch was never in it Saturday at Burke, falling 70-45 to the Bulldogs. Bridges Prep erased a 19-point deficit and took the lead early in the fourth quarter at Carvers Bay, but the Bucs couldn’t maintain the momentum and it unraveled at the end of a 73-56 loss to end the season.

The only other area team to get out of the first round was Beaufort Academy, which escaped with a 42-36 win over Marlboro Academy in the first round but was ousted

by Cathedral Academy on Tuesday.

Beaufort High was bounced 73-40 at Dillon in the first round of the Class 3A tour-

nament, while Battery Creek put up a fight at Loris before falling 63-57, and Orangeburg Prep ousted John Paul II 57-37 in the first round in SCISA 3A.

HS BOYS PLAYOFFS SCHSL 3A 1st Round Dillon 73, Beaufort 40 Loris 63, Battery Creek 57 SCHSL 1A 1st Round Bridges Prep 74, Latta 46 Whale Branch 67, Lamar 31 SCHSL 1A 2nd Round Burke 70, Whale Branch 45 Carvers Bay 73, Bridges Prep 56 SCISA 3A 1st Round Orangeburg Prep 57, John Paul II 37 SCISA 2A 1st Round Beaufort Academy 42, Marlboro Academy 36 SCISA 2A 2nd Round Cathedral Academy 77, Beaufort Academy 45

Eagles drop lax openers LowcoSports.com High school lacrosse season got underway Monday night with Beaufort High dropping its season openers.

Perennial power James Island routed the Beaufort boys, 16-3, but the Eagles had a strong defensive showing in an 8-5 loss to Bluffton’s girls.

Olivia Ridenhour scored three goals to lead Beaufort’s girls.

Beaufort’s girls play White Knoll at home Saturday, while the boys have home games against Bluffton on Thursday and Greenville on Saturday.

Beaufort High’s Jenna Michael, center, gets ready to grab the ball and shoot toward the net during the final seconds of first quarter against Bluffton on Monday, Feb. 19, at the Eagles Nest on Lady’s Island. The Lady Eagles gave up six unanswered goals in the second quarter giving the Lady Bobcats a 6-3 lead at the half. The Lady Bobcats went on to win the season opener, 8-5. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

SPORTS & EDUCATION

Bill seeks to reduce childhood obesity in SC with required play, more PE Teachers’ advocate concerned about existing shortages in PE teachers, time taken from core subjects

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — Recess would be required for elementary and middle school students in a proposal attempting to decrease childhood obesity rates.

The bill discussed by a House panel Tuesday would mandate at least 20 minutes of outdoor play every school day for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

It would also double the time sixth- through eighth-graders must spend in structured physical education classes, from 30 hours to 60 hours for the year.

The goal, said bill sponsor Rep. Patrick Haddon, is to get students more physically active to reduce obesity rates.

Nearly 40% of students in the state were overweight or obese last school year, according to data collected through the S.C.

FitnessGram program.

“This is a big problem that’s been in the making for some years now,” said Haddon, R-Greenville.

In nearly half the state’s public schools, students in second, fifth and eighth grades, as well as high schoolers, take the FitnessGram test to evaluate their general health and physical abilities. Those findings show childhood fitness has been falling, said Russell Pate, who leads a group at the University of South Carolina researching children’s physical activity.

During the 2022-23 school year, 54% of children received unhealthy scores on cardiorespiratory tests that involved running a mile and sprinting. When asked to do pushups to measure upper body strength, 44% of tested students needed improvement, according to the

Rep. Patrick Haddon, R-Greenville, proposes requiring more recess and time in physical education classes to reduce childhood obesity. Here, he’s shown talking with colleagues in the House chamber on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, during the opening week of session. Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the S.C. Daily Gazette most recent report.

That makes for “a critical public health issue,” Pate told legislators.

When children don’t have time to play outside, they don’t learn how to play, said

David Stodden, a professor of educational and developmental science at USC. “If kids can’t play, they can’t use this equipment,” Stodden said, showing lawmakers a photo of a playground.

Not using the playground means losing valuable interactions with other children, hindering them socially, Stodden said. Plus, exercise boosts the parts of the brain used to learn other skills, such as reading and math, he said.

The proposal, however, could add stress to already overburdened schools and teachers, said Patrick Kelly, a lobbyist for the Palmetto State Teachers’ Association.

Schools have been struggling to hire enough teachers in all subjects, and physical education is no exception, Kelly said. Plus, the additional 30 hours of physical education it would mandate for middle schoolers would take time away from lessons in math, reading, science and social studies, he said.

“The legislation seeks to allocate the most valuable and scarce resource we have

in our schools, which is the time that we have with our students,” said Kelly, who is also a Columbia-area high school history teacher.

More flexibility for schools struggling to meet those requirements would help, Kelly said.

While the panel of legislators did not vote Tuesday, they generally agreed they did not want to further burden teachers.

“The one thing that I don’t want to have happen is we implement something with the time (requirements), and we don’t have the structure and the personnel to actually make it happen,” said Rep. David Vaughan, R-Simpsonville.

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.

Elias’ Club Karate hosting 30th annual tournament

By Mike McCombs The Island News Chuck Elias never thought he’d be doing it this long. Heck, he never even wanted to learn karate.

He said it started out of boredom.

My brother and my buddy were taking karate, and I was hanging around,” he said by phone Tuesday, Feb. 21. “And the instructor told me, ‘if you’re going to be here, you might as well be on the mat.’”

But it was the karate tournaments that Elias latched on to.

“I would have never stayed in karate if I had not attended my first tournament,” he said. “I thought, ‘There’s something there I can grow with.’”

Elias said he has attended a lot of different tournaments – “Some good. Some not good.”

And that brings us to this weekend.

Elias and his Club Karate are hosting the 30th annual Goodwill

Tournament, set to take place Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Beaufort High School gymnasium. This milestone event promises an exciting showcase of martial arts skills, camaraderie, and community spirit.

Elias said he expects a couple hundred competitors across several divisions. Interested participants may pre-register for the competition at Club Karate or pay at the event. The entry fee is $65.

The spectator fee is $8. Those age 6 or younger are free.

Elias said when he opened Club Karate, he came to the realization that bad tournaments weren’t just bad, but that they would actually

cost him students. So he had to do something.

“I wanted to be sure my students had the opportunity to attend a good tournament,” he said. “The first one was 31 years ago, and here we are.”

When asked what a competitor might take away from Elias’ tournament that would convince him that he hosted a good tournament, he didn’t hesitate to answer.

“Hopefully they made a friend or two. Some of my best friends have been made at tournaments,” Elias said. “And hopefully they came away learning something. It’s not all about just winning and losing.

The only time you don’t win is when you don’t learn. If you learn something, you walk away a winner.

“It’s about growth. Preparing students for tournaments is preparing students for life.”

Elias said the tournament’s name isn’t for show either.

TCL to hold ribbon cutting for newly renovated facility

From staff reports The Technical College of the Lowcountry will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its newly renovated student services HUB facility later this month, according to a media release.

The event will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29 on the Beaufort Mather Campus and is open to the public. HUB and campus tours will follow the ceremony.

Traditionally known as Moor Hall, the 8,000-square-foot HUB serves as a one-stop enrollment center for new and current students and houses admissions, advising, financial aid, testing and related services. Work on the HUB began in 2023 and was completed in 2024.

“This project is a culmination of many years of work and community support,” TCL President Richard

Traditionally known as Moor Hall and originally part of The Mather School, Technical College of the Lowcountry’s (TCL) 8,000-square-foot HUB serves as a one-stop enrollment center for new and current students and houses admissions, advising, financial aid, testing and related services. Photo courtesy of TCL Gough said in the release.

“Preserving and restoring this building has been a priority for the college.”

The building itself dates to 1939 and is original to the Mather School, which opened in 1868 during Reconstruction and eventually became TCL. In 2020, Mather was named part of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network by the National Park Service.

Having all the services that a new student may need in one centralized location is critical to student retention and completion rates, said HUB Director Danielle Considder.

Those interested in attending the event are encouraged to RSVP at www. tcl.edu/hubrsvp.

TCL’s Beaufort Campus is at 921 Ribaut Road in Beaufort.

Club Karate’s Chuck Elias attends Chuck Norris' International Training Conference each year.

Submitted photo.

“We call it the Goodwill Tournament because we’re really, really, really trying to express Goodwill,” he said. “We don’t allow people to be jerks.”

He said the belief that isn’t so common anymore is a misconception.

“You learn to be humble, com-

passionate, … you learn respect,” Elias said. “I’m not alone. Most martial arts schools are the same.”

As for what would make the tournament “good” for Elias, he had a simple standard.

“Nobody gets hurt,” he said. “So far we haven’t had that. And that’s remarkable in itself. I already feel like its a success just from the excitement building and the pre-registrations.”

There will be demonstrations from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, along with the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard and a floor “flooded with competitors.” After 11 a.m., the competitors will be broken up into different divisions.

For more information, call or text Chuck Elias at 843-252-7283 or email Clubkick@gmail.com.

Mike McCombs is the editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Beaufort’s Boyd graduates from Ole Miss

arts institution located in Conway, located just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach. CCU offers baccalaureate degrees in more than 100 major fields of study.

Among the University's graduate-level programs are 27 master's degrees, one educational specialist degree, and the doctorates in education and in marine science: coastal and marine systems science.

Joshua Boyd of Beaufort is among the more than 670 students who graduated from the University of Mississippi in December 2023. Boyd, who majored in Political Science, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Liberal Arts.

December 2023 graduates are invited to walk across the stage at the University of Mississippi 2024 Commencement exer- 10 from northern Beaufort cises, which will be held May 8 through 12. County make Fall 2023 Morning Convocation will be held on Saturday, May 11 at 9 a.m. in the Grove. In the Dean's List at CCU More than 3,000 undergraduate stucase of inclement weather, Morning Condents at Coastal Carolina University, invocation will be held at 9 a.m. in the Sandy cluding 10 from northern Beaufort County, and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. were named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2023 semester. Students who make the Beaufort pair makes Fall Dean's List have achieved a grade point 2023 President's List at average of 3.5 or higher (3.25 for freshmen) for the semester.

Coastal Carolina Nine students from Beaufort – JaliMore than 1,300 students earned a spot on the President's List for the Fall 2023 se- yah Bates (29906), Layton Brakefield mester at Coastal Carolina University. Stu- (29906), Mia Crivaro (29902), Shirley dents who made the President's List have Cruz Perez (29902), Genesis Hernanachieved a 4.0 grade point average during dez (29907), Damaris Hurt (29906), Briana Mooney (29902), Joseph Mooney the semester.

Students from Beaufort who made (29902), and Thalia Moultrie (29907) – the President’s List include Leila Porter and one from Port Royal – Christian Wilborn (29902) – made the Dean’s List.

(29906) and Michael Walker (29907).

Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal – From staff reports FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

B3

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

I

Reasoning in part due to two SC women

t is Wednesday, early, and I have the Wall Street Journal.

This morning, the Journal tells us that a three-judge panel at the D.C. Court of Appeals dismissed Donald Trump’s arguments that his “efforts during the final months of his presidency to undue his loss, including by promoting false claims of voter fraud, fell within the ambit of his official duties …”

As I read the piece I noticed that the three judges were all women — one appointed by President George H.W. Bush; the other two appointed by President Biden. Of the three names, Judge Karen Henderson and Judge Michelle Childs seemed somehow familiar, ringing a bell in my creaking memory.

Before I could focus on that bell, my mind took me to a classroom in Capers Hall at The Citadel. It was 1966.

When I took Constitutional Law, Marbury v. Madison was where Professor Larry Moreland began his course.

The words and wisdom of Marbury are also parsed by every law student who matriculates at every law school in the land.

The fundamental argument made by Donald Trump’s lawyers was that the separation of powers doctrine “immunizes Trump from criminal prosecution” and in the words of Marbury,

I

SCOTT GRABER

“can never be examinable by the courts.”

But one can’t stop here.

Every law student knows that Marbury v Madison distinguished between discretionary and ministerial acts and yes, Marbury held that when the President is acting in his “discretionary” mode his acts are not “examinable.” But when an officer acts in his ministerial capacity — where he is engaged in a specific duty assigned by law — “he is liable to indictment.”

Quoting Justice Marshall, “When the legislature proceeds to impose of the officer other duties; when he is directed to perform certain acts; when the rights of individuals are dependent on the performance of those acts; he is so far the officer of the law; is amenable to the laws for his conduct; and cannot at his discretion sport away the vested rights of others.”

Under the current situation, a President who (allegedly) sports away the votes of citizens who had lawfully cast votes in Georgia, Arizona and

No man in this county is so high that he is above the law. No officer of the law may set that law at defiance with impunity.”

Wisconsin is acting in a “ministerial’’ realm and is “compelled to do his duty, and if he refuses, is liable to indictment.”

The Court of Appeals then moved to Youngstown Sheet & Tube v. Sawyer where Harry Truman seized control of the steel mills in 1952. In that case the Supreme Court found that the President exceeded his constitutional authority.

“President Truman could lawfully act only to execute Congress’s laws, or to carry

out his constitutional duties as Executive, and he lacked authority from either source to seize the steel mills.”

Further quoting Youngstown, “No man in this county is so high that he is above the law. No officer of the law may set that law at defiance with impunity. All the officers of the government, from the highest to the lowest, are creatures of the law and bound to follow it …”

This Appeals Court wrote, “Here, former President

Trump’s actions allegedly violated generally applicable criminal laws, meaning those acts were not properly within the scope of his lawful discretion; accordingly, Marbury and its progeny provided him no structural immunity from charges in the indictment.”

Years ago — perhaps 40 years ago — I met a young, attractive lawyer who was then working for South Carolina Attorney General Dan McLeod. It was, I think, a party, and we were standing

in a kitchen debating some arcane point of law. I can’t remember much about that conversation other than her enthusiasm.

Later on — maybe 30 years later — I was in the midst of a difficult trial in Jasper County — and things were not going well for me.

Notwithstanding those difficulties I was struck by the decisiveness of the young female judge.

As I re-read the 57 page-long opinion of the D.C. Court of Appeals this morning it occurs to me that Judge Karen Henderson was the same young women with whom I debated in that Columbia kitchen. And that Judge Michelle Childs was the same judge I argued before in that Jasper County courtroom.

Many Constitutional scholars believe that this Opinion is one of those foundational opinions that will become part of the legal canon studied by future law students. Henceforth, the reasoning of United States of America v. Donald Trump (23-3228) will now become, along with Youngstown Tubing, progeny of Marbury.

That enduring, consequential reasoning was fashioned, in part, by two South Carolina women.

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

Gold high-tops and red sequins

don’t know about you, dear reader, but I sat with my mouth agape when a photo of shiny gold high-tops, replete with a facsimile of the American flag and a “puffed-up” T appeared on my television screen. Listening to the newscaster describe these “Never Surrender High-Tops” prompted gales of laughter from which I didn’t emerge until five minutes later.

After gaining my composure, my first thought, honestly, went to the red-sequined shoes that Dorothy wore in The Wizard of Oz. You remember where she clicks the heels of those magic shoes and repeats, “There’s no place like home.”

So off I went to the computer to research those red shoes, which, by the way, were originally silver, but were changed to ruby red for the sake of technicolor limitations back in the late 30s. What I discovered was this: “the slippers represent the little guy’s ability to triumph over powerful forces. As the item that she – a simple teenage farm girl from Kansas – steals from the dictatorial Wicked Witch and ultimately uses to liberate the oppressed people of Oz, they're nothing less than a symbol of revolution.”

Thus began my idea for what could make the stretch and become a parody. How could I

evangelist would do with special holy water. Maybe he will become known as THE “sneaker con,” although I suspect “con” might make reference to something other than incarceration.

Let’s look at the business acumen of the former president and CAROL LUCAS his ability to sell. If gold sneakers aren’t your thing there is always his cologne, “Victory 47,” which compare the gaudy, gold high can be purchased for a mere $99 tops with a price tag of $399 and per bottle. And as the television a “puffy T” (that part underscores commercials often say, “But wait! symbolism at its best) to those There’s more!” The bottle cap delicate red sequined slippers? is a rendition of Trump’s head.

It seems that the former PresSomething just doesn’t smell ident made what was called a right, folks! “highly unusual” stop in PhilaIf my research is correct, it delphia on Saturday, hawking the seems that Donald Trump has new Trump-branded sneakers at been hawking merchandise of one what was called a “Sneaker Con,” form or another all of his life. Last a gathering that bills itself as the year he reported making between greatest sneaker show on earth. $100,000 and $1 million from a Apparently the former president series of digital trading cards that was greeted with boos as well as portrayed him, through photo cheers. editing, in a series of cartoon-like Let me take a moment to images, including as an astronaut, address what I consider to be the a cowboy and a superhero. Then notable aspects of the previous there was the Trump University paragraph. For instance the nodebacle for which he paid a hefty tion that the stop was highly unusual is suspect in that there were fine.

But back to those sneakers. The those toting signs that proclaimed new sneaker website says it is run “Sneakerheads Love Trump.” Are

by CIC Ventures LLC, a company sneakerheads like boneheads, or that Trump reported owning in even bobbleheads, sometimes his 2023 financial disclosure. The called wacky wobbles? website states the new venture “is Trump was said to be “hawking” the sneakers, much like a TV not political and has nothing to

do with any political campaign."

Really?

This $400 footwear is described as numbered, a “true collector’s item that is ‘Bold, gold, and tough,’ just like President Trump. They are your rally cry in shoe form. Lace-up and step out ready to conquer.” I repeat, “Really?”

The launch of this product came a day after a judge in New York ordered Trump and his company to pay a whopping $355 million in penalties, finding that the former president lied about his wealth for years, scheming to dupe banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements. That on top of the $83.3 million that is to be paid to E. Jean Carroll. With interest accruing daily, not to mention what he owes his lawyers, those “Never Surrender” shoes, as well as that cologne, had better start moving quickly.

And the shoes are … moving quickly, that is. The high tops are already sold out online, with further pre-orders available, according to the website. Customers are being given the opportunity to “be a part of history” by buying the shoes, with only 1,000 pairs supposedly being made.

“At least 10 pairs” will be autographed by Mr. Trump, according to the website selling the shoes.

A quick eBay search on Sunday showed a pair of the shoes going for just short of $5,000. One MAGA supporter claimed to have paid $9,000 bidding on an autographed pair.

Just a little addendum to all of this: while the Trump brand is often associated with American luxury, the reality is that Trump shoes are manufactured in various countries around the world.

Italy, Spain, and Portugal are key manufacturing locations.

One individual was heard to say, “Not sure which is more depressing, Trump’s tacky money grabbing antics or the utter madness of the people who pay for this.

So it’s the red sequin shoes vs. the bold, gold high-top. I suggest a blending of the two. Create a red sequined high-top that will become the symbol of revolution as stated earlier in this piece.

Meanwhile, buy several pair of the gold numbers, donate them to a local drag show, and bring in the flying monkeys from Oz. I’ll go see that production anytime as opposed to what we see happening daily on the political stage of this country.

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.”

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FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPLY Notice is hereby given to Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center is currently accepting applications for 2024-2025. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry is applying for funding to support programing in the following areas of Northern Beaufort and jasper Counties: Broad River Elementary; Whale Branch Elementary; Hardeeville Elementary. Applications will be available for public review on the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry website upon submission at https//www.bgclowcountry.org NOTICE OF APPLICATION Notice is hereby given that SliderBar intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license and/or permit that will allow the sale and on premises consumption of beer, wine, and/or liquor at 13 State of Mind St., Bluffton, SC 29910. To object to the issuance of this license and/or permit, you must submit Form ABL-20, postmarked no later than February 29, 2024. Submit protests online at MyDORWAY.dor.sc.gov, or email ABL@dor.sc.gov.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION Notice is hereby given that Sea Glass Stage Company intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license and/or permit that will allow the sale and on premises consumption of beer and wine at 1 North Forrest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. To object to the issuance of this license and/or permit, you must submit Form ABL-20, postmarked no later than February 29, 2024. Submit protests online at MyDORWAY.dor.sc.gov, or email ABL@dor.sc.gov.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION Notice is hereby given that C3 Golf LLC d/b/a Chechessee Creek Club intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license and/ or permit that will allow the sale and on premises consumption of beer, wine, and/or liquor at 5 East Cart Path, Okatie, SC 29909. To object to the issuance of this license and/or permit, you must submit Form ABL-20, postmarked no later than March 14, 2024.

Submit protests online at MyDORWAY.dor.sc.gov, or email ABL@dor.sc.gov.

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF BEAUFORT CALL FOR LOCAL HOSPITALITY TAX GRANT APPLICATIONS APPLICATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATIONS OF LOCAL HOSPITALITY FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.

Each year the City budget appropriates 1.1% of the anticipated local hospitality tax funds in accordance with the City ordinance Section 7-13003, which stipulates that the allocation will be awarded by the City Council based on application presentations of non-profit organizations. The City is requesting proposals from non-profit agencies that focus on advertising to increase tourism and revitalization of the downtown economy that best achieve the City Council’s strategic goals and purposes. The FY2024 allocation is budgeted amount is $28,600.

APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE AND ARE DUE BY 2:00 PM, MARCH 8, 2024.

Website link to applications: https://www.cityofbeaufort.org/DocumentCenter/ View/7804/HTAX-Application-2024-PDF Applications can be emailed to jphillips@cityofbeaufort.org or delivered to Beaufort City Hall, 2nd floor, Finance Department, 1911 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC 29902.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT CASE NO: 2024-CP-07-00103 SUMMONS (Suit to Quiet Title) DARRELL JENKINS vs.

Plaintiff,

THE ESTATE OF LARRY CHARLES JACKSON, ALVINA S FIELDS, MAMIE H. JACKSON, CHERISE T. CHISOLM, MAMIE JACKSON, A/K/A, MAMIE HARDIE, LANGDON, LP, JOY LOGAN, TREASURER OF BEAUFORT COUNTY, MARIA WALLS, DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY and JOHN DOE and MARY ROE fictitious names representing unknown minors, incompetents, persons in the military service within the meaning of Title 50, United States Code, commonly referred to as The Service Members Civil Relief Act of 2003, persons imprisoned, and persons under any other legal disability and JOHN DOE and MARY ROE, fictitious names representing unknown heirs, devisees, distributes, or personal representatives of the following deceased persons, THE ESTATE OF LARRY CHARLES JACKSON Defendants.

TO: THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer upon the subscriber, at his office situated at 27 Gamecock Avenue, Suite 200, Charleston, South Carolina, 29407, within thirty (30) days after service thereof, exclusive of the day of such service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

County, for the purpose of holding a hearing into the merits of said cause, together with the authority to enter final judgment therein, and to provide that should any appeal be taken from the final judgment of the Master-in-Equity, as aforesaid, that such appeal shall be made directly to the Supreme Court of South Carolina or alternatively to the South Carolina Court of Appeals

LIS PENDENS NOTICE IS HEREBY given that an action has been commenced and is now pending in Court of Commons Pleas for Beaufort County, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 53, Title 15, South Carolina Code of Laws for 1976, as amended, commonly known as the “Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act”, Chapter 67, and of Articles 1 and 3, Chapter 67, Title 15, and Chapter 61, Title 15, South Carolina Code of Laws for 1976, as amended, for the purpose of obtaining a determination of this Court that the plaintiff is an owner of the below described parcel of real estate; to determine adverse claims thereto, if any; and to quiet title thereto in the name of the Plaintiff and others, as tenants in common, and with fee simple title thereto pursuant to the provisions of Rule 71, South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE OF YOUR STATUTORY RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. “The Court shall provide for the non-petitioning joint tenants or tenants in common who are interested in purchasing the property to notify the Court of that interest no later than (10) days prior to the date set for the trial of the case. The non-petitioning joint tenants or tenants in common shall be allowed to purchase the interests in the property as provided in this section whether default has been entered against them or not.” 1976 SC Code of Laws, Section 15-6125 (A).

THE BELOW DESCRIBED parcel of real estate was at the time of the filing of this Lis Pendens, and at the time of the commencement of the action, situated, lying and being in the County of Beaufort, State of South Carolina, and is more particularly described as follows: PARCEL ONE ALL that certain piece, parcel, or lot of land, together with any improvements thereon, situate, lying and being in the Town of Port Royal, County of Beaufort, containing 0.338 acres, more or less, and being a portion of Lot 2 in Section 19, Township 1 South, Range 1 West, and being more particularly described as parcel A-l on that subdivision plat prepared for Cherese Chisolm and Melissa Johnson by David D. Youmans, RLS No.: 9765, dated August 17, 1998, and revised on February 10, 2003, and recorded on February 28, 2003 in Boole: 91 at Page 186 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Beaufort County, South Carolina. For a more particular description as to metes, bounds and distances, reference may be had to said plat of record.

This being the property conveyed to Larry C. Jackson

by Tax Deed of Joy Logan, Treasurer, County of Beaufort, on January 12, 2007 and recorded in the ROD Office for Beaufort County in Book 02506 at Pages 1519-1520 on January 12, 2007.

TMS No.: R l10 009 000 0225 0000 PARCEL TWO All that certain piece, parcel or lot of land, together with any improvements thereon, situate, lying and being in the Town of Port Royal, county of Beaufort containing 0.215 acres, more or less, and being more particularly described as parcel A-2 on that subdivision plat prepared for Cherese Chisolm and Melissa Johnson by David D. Youmans, RLS No.: 9765, dated August 17, 1998, and revised on February 10, 2003, and recorded on February 28, 2003 in Book 91 at Page 186 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Beaufort County, South Carolina. For a more particular description as to metes, bounds and distances, reference may be had to said plat of record. This being the property conveyed to Larry C. Jackson by Tax Deed of Joy Logan, Treasurer, County of Beaufort, on January 12, 2007 and recorded in the ROD Office for Beaufort County in Book 02506 at Pages 1519-1520 on January 12, 2007.

TMS No.: R l10 009 000 0224 0000 NOTICE NISI TO: SUCH OF THE DEFENDANTS IN THE ABOVE ACTION WHOM MAY BE INFANTS, INSANE PERSONS, INCOMPETENTS and INCARCERATED: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that there has been filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court, Court of Charleston County, State of South Carolina, an Order appointing for you as Guardian ad Litem, Nisi, Kelvin M. Huger, Esquire, who maintains an office at 27 Gamecock Avenue, Suite 200, Charleston, S. C. 29407. The appointment shall become absolute upon the expiration of thirty (30) days following the last publication of the Summons herein, unless you or someone on your behalf, on or before the last-mentioned date, shall procure someone to be appointed as Guardian ad Litem to represent you in the above action.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REFER TO: THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE NAMED: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that upon the expiration of thirty days (30) following the service of a copy of the within Notice of Intent to Refer upon you, the Plaintiffs intend to and will appear before the Honorable Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Beaufort, State of South Carolina, at the usual place of judicature, and will move His or Her Honor for an Order referring the above entitled action to the Master-in-Equity for Beaufort

NOTICE OF RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN NAMED:

January 19, 2024

s/Willie B. Heyward S. C. Bar No. 11063 Attorney for the Plaintiff 27 Gamecock Avenue, Suite 200 Charleston, South Carolina 29407 (843) 225-8754 wheyward80@gmail.com

TRUSTEE'S NOTICE OF SALE 95-8 Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §§ 27-32-300, et. seq., NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the undersigned Trustee, KING CUNNINGHAM, LLC, to sell the below described Properties at Public Auction to the highest bidders for cash on 3/7/2024 beginning at 9:30 A.M. The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bolchoz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910. Property Descriptions: A fee simple undivided interest (SEE EXHIBIT "A") in the Project as tenant(s) in common with the holders of other undivided interests in and to the timeshare property known as MBV VACATION SUITES, as established in that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Vacation Ownership Instrument for MBV Vacation Suites, recorded at Book 3406, Pages 1312-1365, et seq., of the records of the R.O.D. Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, as amended or supplemented (the “Declaration”), having Interval Control Number (SEE EXHIBIT "A"). The names and notice address of the obligor(s), record owner(s) of the timeshare estate (if different from the obligor(s), and junior interest or lienholder(s) (if applicable) (hereinafter referred to as “Obligors”) are identified in Exhibit “A”. The sale of the Properties is to satisfy the defaults in payment by the Obligors of the obligations secured by those certain Mortgages to HHI Development, LLC as recorded in the records of Beaufort County, South Carolina and detailed in Exhibit “A”. The amounts secured by the MORTGAGES, including accrued interest and late charges now owing along with a per diem amount to account for further accrual of interest and late charges are detailed in Exhibit “A”, together with any and all additional principal, interest, costs coming due and payable hereafter. The successful bidders shall be required to pay, in cash or certified funds, at the time of the bid, unless the successful bidder is the Creditor, which shall reserve a credit against its bid for the Total Owing as set forth in Exhibit “A”.

The successful bidders shall also be required to pay for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, and Recording Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or senior mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives no opinion thereto.

An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345.

KING CUNNINGHAM, LLC, Trustee and Attorney for HHI Development, LLC, by Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655, P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597, (843)249-0777. EXHIBIT “A” – NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE Owner(s), Address, TS Interest, TS Interval Control No., MTG BK/PG, Default Amount, Trustee’s Fee, Interest, Total Amount Due, Per Diem- SIMONE MARIA DE SA-JEFFERSON&PAUL A. JEFFERSON 2386 STONE GLEN CRESCENT, OAKVILLE, ON L6M 0C7, 0.0073861610410129%, U2407-W4O, 4237/2031, $16,568.34, $350, $373.09, $17,391.43, $7.8; JOSEPH NOAH JOHNSON, JR.&STEPHANIE LAVERN JOHNSON 957 CANDLE BERRY RD, ORLANDO, FL 32825-6322, 0.0073861610410129%, U2508-W48O, 4185/874, $12,554.73, $350, $354.22, $13,358.95, $6.08; BENJAMIN CLAYTON HACKMAN&PATRICIA ELIZABETH HACKMAN 7204 MONDOVI LANE, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32258-8491, 0.0147723220820258%, U2510-W10B, 3706/497, $18,555.32, $350, $354.22, $19,359.54, $5.81; CAROLE L . HARDING 311 W 82ND ST, NEW YORK, NY 10024, 0.0073861610410129%, U2201W5E, 3828/1560, $9,279.05, $350, $354.22, $10,083.27, $3.38.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NUMBER:_______________________

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NUMBER:_______________________

NOTICE OF HEARING TO DETERMINE HEIRS-AT-LAW

NOTICE OF HEARING TO DETERMINE HEIRS-AT-LAW

FRANCES GREEN, PETITIONER

FRANCES GREEN, PETITIONER

V.

V.

HEIRS-AT-LAW OF ADDIE MAE GREEN INCLDUING ROSE GREEN, LINDA GREEN, BESSIE M. GREEN, BETTY MITCHELL AND JOHN DOE AND MARY ROE FICTITIOUS NAMES REPRESENTING ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, INCLUDING UNKNOWN PERSONS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ANY MINORS, PERSONS NON COMPOS MENTIS AND PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHO MIGHT CLAIM TO BE HEIRSAT-LAW OF ADDIE MAE GREEN, RESPONDENTS.

HEIRS-AT-LAW OF JOSEPH GREENE INCLDUING ESTAE OF ADDIE MAE GREEN, ROSE GREEN, LINDA GREEN, BESSIE M. GREEN, AND BETTY MITCHELL AND JOHN DOE AND MARY ROE FICTITIOUS NAMES REPRESENTING ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, INCLUDING UNKNOWN PERSONS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ANY MINORS, PERSONS NON COMPOS MENTIS AND PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHO MIGHT CLAIM TO BE HEIRS-AT-LAW OF JOSEPH GREENE, RESPONDENTS.

TO THE RESPONDENTS ABOVE-NAMED:

TO THE RESPONDENTS ABOVE-NAMED:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a hearing has been scheduled for April 10th, 2024 at 2:30 PM ET at Beaufort County Probate Court, Beaufort County Courthouse, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina, for the purpose of determining heirs-at-law of Addie Mae Green. This action was commenced by Petitioner on January 11th, 2024 at the Beaufort County Probate Court to have the Probate Court declare that Frances Green, Rose Green, Linda Green, Bessie M. Green and Betty Mitchell were the sole heirs-at-law of Addie Mae Green upon her death on February 8, 1994.

Any objections to the Petitioner’s right to commence this action, as the current owners of the real property that was owned by Addie Mae Green at the time of her death, or to Petitioner’s prayer for relief declaring the aforementioned persons to have been the sole heirs-at-law of Addie Mae Green must be filed with the Beaufort County Probate Court on or before April 10th, 2024 at 2:30 PM ET or advanced in person at the scheduled hearing.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a hearing has been scheduled for April 10th, 2024 at 2:30 PM ET at Beaufort County Probate Court, Beaufort County Courthouse, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina, for the purpose of determining heirs-at-law of Joseph Greene.

This action was commenced by Petitioner on January 11th, 2024, at the Beaufort County Probate Court to have the Probate Court declare that the Estate of Addie Mae Green, Frances Green, Rose Green, Linda Green, Bessie M. Green, and Betty Mitchell were the sole heirs-at-law of Joseph Greene upon his death on November 30, 1982.

Any objections to the Petitioner’s right to commence this action, as the current owners of the real property that was owned by Joseph Greene at the time of his death, or to Petitioner’s prayer for relief declaring the aforementioned persons to have been the sole heirs-at-law of Joseph Greene must be filed with the Beaufort County Probate Court on or before April 10th, 2024 at 2:30 PM ET or advanced in person at the scheduled hearing.

Mikayla Mangle, Esquire Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation 8570 Rivers Ave, Suite 170.

North Charleston, SC 29406 Phone: 843-745-7055 Fax: 843-745-7054 mmangle@heirsproperty.org Attorney for Petitioner North Charleston, South Carolina ____________________, 2024 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NUMBER:_______________________ NOTICE TO RESPONDENTS, INCLUDING PERSONS UNKNOWN, MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND UNDER ANY OTHER DISABILITY FRANCES GREEN, PETITIONER V. HEIRS-AT-LAW OF ADDIE MAE GREEN INCLDUING ROSE GREEN, LINDA GREEN, BESSIE M. GREEN, BETTY MITCHELL AND JOHN DOE AND MARY ROE FICTITIOUS NAMES REPRESENTING ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, INCLUDING UNKNOWN PERSONS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ANY MINORS, PERSONS NON COMPOS MENTIS AND PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHO MIGHT CLAIM TO BE HEIRSAT-LAW OF ADDIE MAE GREEN, RESPONDENTS. To the Respondents above-named: And to any thereof that may be residents or non-residents of South Carolina, and to the natural, general, testamentary or other guardians therefor, and to the persons with whom they reside or by whom they may be employed if any there be, and to all other Respondents whose whereabouts cannot be ascertained.

TAKE NOTICE, that the Summons, Petition, Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem, Order of Publication, and Notice to Respondents were filed in the Office of the Probate Court for Beaufort County, South Carolina, and Sarah L. Clingman, Esquire, 3321 Forest Drive, Ste 1 Columbia, SC 29204, was appointed Guardian ad Litem, her appointment to become absolute twenty (20) days after the service of the Summons.

Mikayla Mangle, Esquire Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation 8570 Rivers Ave, Suite 170.

North Charleston, SC 29406 Phone: 843-745-7055 Fax: 843-745-7054 mmangle@heirsproperty.org Attorney for Petitioner North Charleston, South Carolina ____________________, 2024

Mikayla Mangle, Esquire Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation 8570 Rivers Ave, Suite 170.

North Charleston, SC 29406 Phone: 843-745-7055 Fax: 843-745-7054 mmangle@heirsproperty.org Attorney for Petitioner North Charleston, South Carolina ____________________, 2024 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NUMBER:_______________________ NOTICE TO RESPONDENTS, INCLUDING PERSONS UNKNOWN, MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND UNDER ANY OTHER DISABILITY FRANCES GREEN, PETITIONER V. HEIRS-AT-LAW OF JOSEPH GREENE INCLDUING ESTAE OF ADDIE MAE GREEN, ROSE GREEN, LINDA GREEN, BESSIE M. GREEN, BETTY MITCHELL AND JOHN DOE AND MARY ROE FICTITIOUS NAMES REPRESENTING ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, INCLUDING UNKNOWN PERSONS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ANY MINORS, PERSONS NON COMPOS MENTIS AND PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHO MIGHT CLAIM TO BE HEIRS-AT-LAW OF JOSEPH GREENE, RESPONDENTS. To the Respondents above-named: And to any thereof that may be residents or non-residents of South Carolina, and to the natural, general, testamentary or other guardians therefore, and to the persons with whom they reside or by whom they may be employed if any there be, and to all other Respondents whose whereabouts cannot be ascertained.

TAKE NOTICE, that the Summons, Petition, Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem, Order of Publication, and Notice to Respondents were filed in the Office of the Probate Court for Beaufort County, South Carolina and Sarah L. Clingman 3321 Forest Drive, Ste 1 Columbia, SC 29204 was appointed Guardian ad Litem, her appointment to become absolute twenty (20) days after the service of the Summons.

Mikayla Mangle, Esquire Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation 8570 Rivers Ave, Suite 170.

North Charleston, SC 29406 Phone: 843-745-7055 Fax: 843-745-7054 mmangle@heirsproperty.org Attorney for Petitioner North Charleston, South Carolina ____________________, 2024

FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

B5

STATE NEWS

Legislators consider changes as bar owners say insurance costs driving them out of business At issue is insurance state law requires SC bars and restaurants buy to serve alcohol

By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — Bar and restaurant owners across South Carolina are telling legislators they may be forced to close due to the skyrocketing cost of insurance the state requires to serve alcohol.

The rising cost and shrinking availability of this insurance — known as liquor liability insurance — has hit establishments of all sizes, from major restaurants to nonprofit Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. State legislators are trying to find a solution.

The VFW post in Elgin closed for three weeks as its leaders scrambled to find affordable insurance before re-opening Monday, according to Post Commander Christine Rogers.

The closure not only stopped member activities.

It hampered the food drive they were in the middle of working on for a nonprofit in their tiny town northeast of Columbia.

“By closing, we were not able to collect very much food,” she told the S.C. Daily Gazette.

In 2017, the state Legislature passed a law requiring businesses that serve alcohol past 5 p.m. to carry at least $1 million in liability insurance. That insurance covers a business if it is sued — for example, if a customer who bought alcohol there ends up driving drunk and gets in a wreck that seriously injures or kills another person.

Rogers said her post al-

The Elgin VFW post on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, during its three-week shutdown when members were unable to find affordable liquor liability insurance. Abraham Kenmore/S.C. Daily Gazette ready had a $1 million policy before the law. Last year, that policy cost $6,600.

But this year, the offered policy more than tripled to $23,000. Eventually, the post found a policy that cost roughly the same as last year, Rogers said.

The Elgin post is far from alone.

Some companies won’t even write insurance policies for VFW posts, said Charles Holloway, the District 2 VFW commander, which covers Elgin and another post that had to close.

“It has become a problem,” he said, noting liquor liability insurance for his Lake Murray post increased from $5,800 last year to $8,000 this year.

That’s tiny compared to giant leaps in costs elsewhere. One restaurant owner told a legislative panel his

insurance increased 86% in one year, and another VFW on the Isle of Palms faced a roughly 600% jump last year.

The questions before legislators: What’s causing the rates to jump and what can they do about it?

One House subcommittee is considering legislation that aims to incentivize more insurance companies to offer liquor liability coverage. The proposal would also reduce the amount of insurance coverage that bars and restaurants need if they meet certain requirements, such as being a nonprofit or closing by 10 p.m.

Susan Cohen, president and CEO of the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, told legislators Thursday she appreciates them tackling the issue and trying to help.

Clyburn stepping down from House leadership during re-election run

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn announced Wednesday he’s stepping down from his leadership role among House Democrats as he seeks a 17th term.

The 83-year-old congressman has been in various leadership positions in the House Democratic Caucus, most recently as assistant Democratic leader to Hakeem Jeffries of New York. He was previously the No. 3 Democrat in the House when Nancy Pelosi of California led the caucus, including her tenU.S. Rep. ure as House speaker.

Clyburn, whose 6th Jim Clyburn District stretches from Charleston to Columbia, plans to take a more active role in President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign this year. The details of what role Clyburn will play are not yet clear, said his spokesperson, Kennedy Anderson.

Clyburn’s endorsement ahead of South Carolina’s presidential primary in 2020 is widely credited for turning around Biden’s flagging campaign and catapulting him to the White House. Biden himself thanked him publicly repeatedly over the last

B6

FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

month as his campaign sought to energize Black voters to do it again.

“South Carolina, and our already-great nation, have made tremendous progress under the Biden-(Kamala) Harris administration,” Clyburn said in a statement.

But he has no plans to leave the seat he’s held since 1994. Clyburn is South Carolina’s longest-serving congressman and only Democrat in the delegation.

His objective following the leadership changes after the November 2022 election has been to be a mentor to Jeffries, and Clyburn feels he’s accomplished that goal, she said.

Tuesday night’s victories for Democratic candidates in special House elections in New York and Pennsylvania cemented that decision, according to Clyburn’s statement.

“I feel compelled to expand my efforts to maintain America’s greatness and make that greatness accessible and affordable for all Americans,” his statement read. “That has always been my life’s mission and I am proud of my efforts in that regard.”

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.

“We’re thrilled that they introduced this bill, because it allows the conversation and actual stories … to come out,” Cohen told the S.C. Daily Gazette after the meeting.

But the requirements are so narrow, they may not help many businesses, she said.

From her perspective, it’s a multi-pronged problem: The $1 million requirement has combined with an increase in lawsuits that name any business remotely related to a case. Those lawsuits lead to major payouts, which makes it harder for insurance companies to stay afloat and offer reasonable coverage, so fewer options exist.

“I don’t know what the average settlement is in these cases, but if they know you’ve got a million dollars in coverage, what are they going to go after?” Cohen

said. “It started sliding up in 2017, after the mandated minimum … It just snowballs.”

Cohen referenced testimony at a prior meeting by Michael Wise, director of the state Department of Insurance. Wise told lawmakers that between 2017 and 2022, insurance companies were consistently paying out, at best, $1.90 for every dollar they collected.

If payouts continue to exceed what companies bring in through premiums, Cohen said, companies will leave the state.

Legislators in the Senate have proposed a different approach.

Sen. Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, believes the problem is that state law makes the place that served the customer alcohol legally responsible for all damages in civil cases, even if a jury finds they had a small proportion of responsibility.

“We have businesses that are going out of business because of this system,” Massey said. “They’re going out of business because they cannot afford insurance coverage that is required, and they cannot afford the insurance coverage because our civil justice system … has created a system where it is impossible for insurers to evaluate risk and offer affordable coverage.”

Not everyone agrees this is the issue.

Jay Angoff, a former insurance commissioner of Missouri and New Jersey, told senators this week the

liability seems to have little relation to insurance prices.

Angoff, who was hired by the South Carolina association for trial lawyers to testify, said his research shows the civil liability law is not to blame for the increases. But, he added, it’s difficult to tell what is, since very little insurance information is public record in South Carolina.

“Not that Missouri is the repository of all insurance wisdom, but in Missouri this information would be public,” he told senators.

Twyla Reynolds, whose family members were killed and injured by a drunk driver going the wrong way on a Hilton Head Island bridge in 2021, told senators she opposes any changes that would make it harder to sue bars that serve people who are already intoxicated.

“We’ve heard people say ‘You know, the law is a problem because it’s closing restaurants and bars and that anyone can be sued for serving one drink,’ and that’s not true,” Reynolds said.

Meanwhile, restaurant owners and VFW members say whatever’s driving up insurance costs make it difficult to remain open.

“We have insurance for this year, but what’s going to happen in six to eight months when we have to renew this insurance?” said Holloway, the District 2 commander.

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.

Construction of $2B Scout Motors electric vehicle plant underway near Columbia

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com BLYTHEWOOD — Dump trucks rumbled across red dirt and cranes towered in the distance, signaling work was well underway at the future site of the $2 billion Scout Motors electric vehicle assembly plant north of Columbia.

To mark the occasion, executives of the Volkswagen subsidiary had taken a three-day, 650-mile road trip from Fort Wayne, Ind. — where the original Scout factory was located — to Blythewood, where the all-electric reboot of the nostalgic brand will take place. They rode in a caravan of vintage Scouts. The company even recruited the former general manager of the Indiana Scout plant to transport a brick from the original factory.

When Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh placed that brick on the podium Thursday, Feb. 15, an animation of the new plant flashed across the video screen.

Scout expects to begin automotive production at the end of 2026 or in early 2027. When operating at full capacity, the com-

Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh, left, participated Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the groundbreaking ceremony for Scout’s $2 billion electric vehicle assembly plant in Blythewood.

Keogh stands beside a vintage Scout II Rallye that was part of a three-day road trip from the former Scout factory in Fort Wayne, Ind., to the new Blythewood site. He’s talking to John Glancy, a Scout enthusiast from Ohio who took part in the caravan. Jessica Holdman/S.C. Daily Gazette pany will employ upwards of 4,000 people at the Blythewood plant making 200,000 vehicles a year.

Scout is promising wages ranging from $58,000 to $100,000, depending on the position.

For now, construction crews are at work leveling out the site. On the south end, workers are drilling 300,000 deep holes and filling them with stone to create underground pillars that will stabilize the soil and hold the weight of the factory. The buildings are

expected to be constructed and ready for equipment installation in early 2025.

At the peak of the factory’s construction, about 2,500 workers will be on site at one time, according to Scout officials. Between 5,000 and 6,000 people total will work there over the entire course of the project.

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.

STATE NEWS

Haley’s job as governor doesn’t matter for many SC voters

By Abraham Kenmore and Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — For many South Carolina voters choosing who they want to challenge President Joe Biden, Nikki Haley’s six years as governor here factors far less into their decision than who she’s trying to topple.

Home state advantage melts away against former President Donald Trump. Three-fourths of South Carolina voters say it makes no difference at all that Haley’s from South Carolina, according to a recent CBS News Poll.

Other results of the poll suggest why: Four of every five people likely to vote in the GOP primary said Trump “fights for people” like them, compared to just over half believing Haley does. Threefourths said Haley is not part of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. Voters’ answers also suggest Haley’s attacks on Trump may backfire among the MAGA faithful, with nearly two-thirds calling her criticism of Trump’s mental fitness unfair.

And despite her assertions that she’s more likely to beat Biden, most South Carolina voters still believe Trump has the better chance, according to the CBS poll of registered voters conducted between Feb. 5-10. “(Voters) may have a candidate they really like, policies in the past they really respected, but no matter what that person says or does, they’re not Donald Trump,” said Scott Huffmon, director of the Winthrop Poll.

His latest poll, released last week, showed Haley trailing Trump by 36 percentage points among people likely to vote in the Feb. 24 contest that pits the former president against the former governor. It also showed that twice as many GOP voters view Haley unfavorably, compared to three months ago.

Huffmon thinks this is due more to her increasing attacks on Trump than on any baggage from her past — on the contrary, Haley has been consistently popular before her run for the Republican presidential nomination.

“Since she’s been out of office, her favorability in any poll we’ve

done has been high among Republicans,” Huffmon said. “So, I don’t think anything from her past is inherently dragging her down.”

Not all voters in South Carolina, one of the nation’s fastest-growing states, remember Haley’s time as governor, which ended prematurely after Trump won the 2016 election and made her his first United Nations ambassador.

Some interviewed by the S.C. Daily Gazette still think she did well as governor. Others are more skeptical. But from Huffmon’s perspective, that skepticism is more recent.

“I think as this race is coming down to the wire, folks are looking for their own internal explanation for ‘why I am not supporting someone that I and my party have liked in the past,’” Huffmon said.

Some voters took issue with specific policies from Haley, such as a proposal to raise the age at which younger workers will be able to retire and collect their Social Security benefits.

But for many, the key differences are not in what the two candidates advocate. For example, for issues important for evangelical voters, who make up a large proportion of the Republican primary base, the two have very similar stances.

“In many ways, both candidates have similar views in standing up for and representing traditional values,” Jon Parker, executive director of South Carolina Faith and Freedom Coalition, told the Gazette. “Most of what I think your standard evangelical sees as different between the two is stylistic.”

‘Nikki Who?’ Kim Cessna, 58, of Mount Pleasant came to Trump’s North Charleston rally on Valentine’s Day with a sign reading “Nikki Who?” The message, which Cessna said she wanted to put on a T-shirt but didn’t have the time, borrows from Haley’s own recounting of her underdog run for governor in 2010, when the then-House member largely unknown outside her Lexington-area district beat a congressman, state attorney general and lieutenant governor.

“I do like her, I do,” Cessna said of Haley. “We need to do what’s

of North Charleston who dropped out and endorsed Trump. But she is skeptical of Haley as a candidate.

Her companion in line, Sal Seria, a 23-year-old manufacturing technician, said Haley is “shady” and disliked her proposal to raise the retirement age starting with workers now in their 20s. Both traveled from Manning in rural Clarendon County for the rally.

Limbaker, who works in tech support and as a rancher, said she remembers Haley’s tenure as governor.

“She’s not as conservative as she puts on,” said the 28-year-old, who would’ve been in her teens for much of it.

“She changes her opinion too much, depending on who’s funding her,” Seria said.

It’s an answer that resonates criticism from Haley’s opponents, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis before he dropped out.

Kim Cessna poses with her “Nikki Who?” sign in line for Donald Trump’s rally in North Charleston on Feb. 14, 2024. Abraham Kenmore/ S.C. Daily Gazette good for the party. I don’t think she’s offensive, but I think that she doesn’t have a clear path. She needs to stop, let it go, and then she can have next time.”

Cessna, a coordinator for a construction company, was also skeptical of where Haley is getting her donations. Haley has faced accusations from other Republican rivals that she is supported by wealthy, liberal Wall Street sources. Haley has countered that no one dictates policy to her.

Other supporters pointed to Trump’s experience in the White House in selecting him over Haley.

“I just think he’s got more experience, and he’s already done it before,” said Keith Painter, 51, an operating technician who came to the Conway rally from Sumter.

Standing in line for Trump’s rally in North Charleston, Cadie Limbaker said she was glad Haley ran and was proud to have two South Carolinians running for president — including Sen. Tim Scott

‘Kicking butt with high heels’ Many of Haley’s supporters appreciate her style as well as her track record as governor and ambassador. That includes her successful push in 2015 to remove the Confederate flag from Statehouse grounds following the massacre of nine worshippers at a historic Black church in Charleston.

“She did a great job for the state, and we’re looking forward to her kicking butt with high heels,” said Laura Dukes, a 62-year-old landscape architect who saw Haley in Newberry.

“I like her energy and her getting out there and sticking with it,” said Charlie Dukes, a 66-year-old retired mail carrier.

The Dukes, of Newberry, appreciated some of the things Trump had done but wanted a change. For other supporters, the fact Haley is not Trump is the most important thing about her campaign.

Michael Rose, 29, is a self-described moderate who said he supported Haley even when the primary field was more crowded.

“My primary motivation in this election, just like last election, is to beat Donald Trump,” he said at a Haley event in Elgin. “I hate that. I’d rather be focusing on policy and issues that matter to the

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The South Carolina Daily Gazette is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Gazette retains full editorial independence. Its name comes from the state’s first successful newspaper, the SouthCarolina Gazette, first printed in 1732. Seven years later, it also became the first newspaper in colonial America edited and published by a woman.

American people, but it’s not going to happen.”

Rose is skeptical that Haley will do well in South Carolina, however.

“The question in my mind isn’t, ‘What do I think about South Carolina?’” he said. “It’s, ‘How does she still win despite South Carolina?’”

Huffmon, the pollster, said that for Haley a smaller-than-expected loss in the state where she was once CEO is as close to victory as she is likely to get — especially with little time left to turn things around.

“If she loses her home state by 30 points, that’s a very tough thing to take with you into the Super Tuesday states,” Huffmon said, referring to the March 5 contest in 15 states. “If she can claw back and still lose the state but not by nearly as much, that will almost be seen as an incredible comeback.”

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.

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.

House, Senate GOP trade insults as reform fight stalls judicial elections

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — In another Statehouse showdown, South Carolina’s House speaker is blaming senators for blocking the elections of 24 circuit court judges who oversee criminal proceedings across the state, plus the next chief justice of the state Supreme Court.

Senate leaders contend it’s just a delay.

“We’ll have elections.

What I don’t know is when,” Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey told the S.C. Daily Gazette.

That’s because the election of judges — which in South Carolina is a function of the Legislature — has become intertwined with calls to reform how legislators pick who sits on the bench.

“It’s something that’s been talked about for years” without movement, said Massey, R-Edgefield.

As a way to force change, GOP Sen. Wes Climer threatened in October to filibuster elections until the Legislature changes the makeup of its judicial screening panel. Senate rules allow a single senator

to hold up legislation. But Climer has backup, as senators of both parties quickly pledged their support.

There’s been no actual filibuster in the Senate — at least, not yet. Senators simply haven’t taken up a resolution scheduling judicial elections. And no legislation proposing changes has advanced to either the House or Senate floor.

Frustrations are clearly growing, and time is nearing for senators to make a decision, Massey said.

House versus Senate The irritation became very public Feb. 7 — the date there was supposed to be a joint assembly for judicial elections — as leaders of the House and Senate traded barbs from their respective podiums.

“This is nothing short of a public safety disaster and a catastrophic blow to our criminal justice system,” House Speaker Murrell Smith told his colleagues in a speech directed across the Statehouse lobby at the Senate.

Smith, R-Sumter, claimed delaying the elections will

create a situation “where victims will not see justice, where sentences will not be handed down, where those on bond will be left free to reoffend.”

The Senate showed it was willing to elect the chief justice only. Who succeeds Don Beatty when he retires due to the state’s mandated exit age for judges was never in question. The next chief justice will be John Kittredge, next in line as the most senior justice and the only one who applied.

His election is a formality.

But Smith, in his remarks, made clear electing him only is unacceptable. After all, he said, the state’s high court decides a fraction of cases, and it’s the lower courts that put people in prison.

Senate President Thomas Alexander snapped back at the speaker’s remarks, painting it as an attempt at strong-arming.

“They want to elect judges so they can remove the only leverage those that want judicial reform have,” said Alexander, R-Walhalla.

Proponents of reform waved off Smith’s com-

ments as “hyperbole.”

There’s no immediate need for elections. Nothing changes as long as the Legislature holds judicial elections by June 30, when judicial terms end, said Climer, R-Rock Hill.

Push for reform He and Columbia Democrat Dick Harpootlian are leading the push in the Senate. Their focus is changing the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, the 10-member panel that screens judicial candidates and decides who advances to a joint assembly for elections. It’s composed of six legislators — all attorneys themselves — and four people appointed by legislative leaders.

Climer and Harpootlian, along with a chorus of prosecutors around the state, say the current system leads to judges selected based on who they know rather than merit. They also contend there’s an inherent conflict in lawyer-legislators picking the judges they’ll appear before in the courtroom.

The bipartisan duo said they’re confident the Senate

will pass legislation reforming the process. Whether it becomes law would be up to the House.

“Then the Speaker is going to have to put his money where his mouth is,” Harpootlian said.

Massey called the issue “a tough one, one that really needs committee work.” Yet a set of proposals remains stalled in the committee that’s supposed to be reviewing them.

Massey said something needs to advance soon, or the entire Senate will need to vote to skip the committee process and bring the debate directly to the floor.

Not wavering Meanwhile, Climer said he is not wavering on his commitment to block judicial elections.

“There’s no reason to believe that judicial reform will not be enacted in this session,” he said.

A bi-partisan proposal co-sponsored by almost half of the Senate — including Climer, Harpootlian, and Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler — would throw all legislators off the

judicial screening panel.

They would be replaced by appointees of the governor, solicitors, public defenders and the chief justice.

“We’re talking about some minor technical adjustments,” Harpootlian said in his own speech from the podium. “It’s not the end of the world, Mr. Speaker. It may be the end of your world where you, as a lawyer-legislator, get to handpick the judges you want.”

But his idea of “minor” is guaranteed to meet resistance in both chambers.

Even if the Senate manages to reach agreement on a proposal, what, if anything, the House approves may be vastly different. A separate House committee has been meeting since the fall on potential fixes. Legislation has yet to come out of it.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. Three months remain in the regular legislative session.

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.

FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

B7

WHAT’S HAPPENING CALENDAR Community Fish Fry 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, Martin Luther King Jr. Park (The Green), at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Sea Island Parkway, St. Helena Island. A Community Fish Fry celebrating Black History Month is being held.

There will be performances, fellowship and more. Attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Barbara Jean Gardner-Hunter at 347-497-9326; Claretha Singleton at 843-812-3148; or Ernestine Atkins at 843-252-6096.

Occasional Movie Monday 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Monday Feb. 26, USC Beaufort Center For The Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort. The Color Purple – Musical adaptation of Alice Walker's novel about the life-long struggles of an African American woman living in the south during the early 1900s. Directed by Blitz Bazawule.

Rated PG-13. 140 minutes. Starring Halle Bailey, Taraji P. Henson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Elizabeth Marvel. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/49et0LN. Hilton Head Bold Beer & Cigar Festival 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 2, Shelter Cove Community Park, Hilton Head Island. A diverse selection of cigars, high gravity, seasonal, craft, and international beers. Live music featuring the Joey & Mike Show. Food vendors offering a variety of delectable dishes. Sponsored

by The Mosquito Hunters and Carolina Cigars. Organized by Bear Foot Sports.

For tickets, visit bearfootsports.com.

9th annual Ole Fashioned Oyster Roast 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 9, The Gullah Museum, Hilton Head Island.

General admission ticket is $10. Ole Fashioned Oyster Roast is $50. There will be artisans, entertainment, and food vendors for non-seafood eaters.

Please visit www.gullahmuseumhhi.org to purchase tickets and for more information. Tickets can also be purchased at the event.

Friends of Fort Fremont Oyster Roast 5:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 15, Live Oaks Park, Port Royal. $40 per person.

Sea Eagle Catering oysters and chili.

Appetizers and desserts. Music by the Sweet Ferns. Silent auction, including pair of tickets to Savannah Bananas game. Tickets available online at www. fortfremont.org. Tickets can also be purchased by mailing check to P.O. Box 982, St. Helena Island, S.C. 29920.

The last day to order tickets by mail is March 8.

Karaoke with Melissa 8 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort.

Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

The Beaufort Shag Club 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road Port Royal. We also host a Saturday evening dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Interested in learning the Shag dance? Free lessons for members beginning in September through June.

Visit our Facebook page; The Beaufort Shag Club.

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.

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.

TECHconnect 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 3rd Thursday of each month, Beaufort Digital Corridor, 500 Carteret Street, Suite D, Beaufort. Free. The BDC's signature happy hour “meetup” networking event for tech professionals. Connect with like-minded people, fellow entrepreneurs, start-ups and VCs over local food and cold beverages. Call 843-4703506 or visit https://rb.gy/e7t2h for more information.

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.

Highway 21 Flea Market 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday, Highway 21 Drive-In. Sellers, vendors, handmade items, unique products and yard sale items. For information, email lowcountryfleamarket@ gmail.com.

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.

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.

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.

Wellness Happy Hour with Well House Juice 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, Celadon Health & Wellness Club, 61 Celadon Drive, Beaufort. Complimentary event, open to all. Learn about the benefits of adding cold-pressed juice to your wellness routine with Beaufort’s

local juicery, Well House Juice. Call 843-379-1088.

President’s Day Storytime & Craft with Sally Sue Lavigne of The Story Book Shoppe 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 19, Celadon Health & Wellness Club, 61 Celadon Drive, Beaufort. Complimentary and open to all. One-hour story time and craft for children themed around President’s Day. Opportunity to purchase books from Bluffton Story Book Shoppe at the event. Call 843-379-1088.

Celadon Supper Club 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, Celadon Health & Wellness Club, 61 Celadon Drive, Beaufort. Cost is $100 per person. First monthly Celadon Supper Club with Chef Robert Singleton. Enjoy a memorable evening with a price fixed menu including 3 courses, wine and community. February is Prime Rib. Open to all. This will be a monthly offering. Call 843-379-1088.

Full Moon Sound Bath 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Monday, Feb. 26, Celadon Health & Wellness Club, 61 Celadon Drive, Beaufort. Cost is $33.

Chandra Bergmann of Alchemy hosst monthly Sound Baths at Celadon Club. Holistic healing modality. Call 843-379-1088.

Wellness Happy Hour with Dr. Kallie Byrd Guimond OM.D, MPH, L. AC 1 to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28, Celadon Health & Wellness Club, 61 Celadon Drive. Complimentary event and open to all. Another Wellness Happy Hour learning how Traditional Asian Medicine and Acupuncture can support you in the Winter season. Call 843-379-1088.

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-ofthe-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 Care and Compassion for the Caregiver 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Presented by Friends of Caroline. Free and open to the public. No registration required. Are you the primary caregiver for your children, spouse, parents or other family members? Are you finding it difficult to manage everything that comes along with caregiving for your loved ones while taking care of yourself? You are not alone. The presentation is designed to equip and empower you to care for yourself without neglecting those under your care. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.

Solar Eclipse Art Noon, Saturday, March 23, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island.

Free and open to the public. All ages.

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the upcoming eclipse and make corona art. 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 843-255-6540 for more information.

Book Club 5 to 5:45 p.m., every Wednesday through May 22, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. Ages 6 to 11. Registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome.

Books that make you smile. Make friends and share what you are reading. Call 843-255-6541 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 American Association of University Women Beaufort 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27, downtown Beaufort. Guest speaker will be the owner of the Tout Sweet Co-op Kitchen, followed by the monthly AAUW business meeting. For more information, email jherbertaauw@gmail.com.

League of Women Voters Beaufort 5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. The League of Women Voters Beaufort will be celebrating its seventh birthday on at its regular meeting. The public is welcome.

Come help celebrate the birthday. There will be cake. The League of Women Voters of Beaufort is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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 offroad/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 a reconmc@aol.com or 843-252-8535.

MUSIC Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23, the Barracks, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Gates open to spectators at 5 p.m. Concert is free. Tickets are available at https:// mccs-info.com/48sm2mc.

Anyone without base access must register for a ticket via this link to get aboard MCAS Beaufort. The concert is an outdoor event in a large grassy area. For spectators’ comfort and enjoyment, organizers encourage concert-goers to bring blankets, lawn chairs, strollers, and wagons, if needed. Concessions will be available for purchase through onsite food trucks and beer booths. The following items are prohibited: outside food and beverages; coolers; large bags; firearms or weapons of any kind; pets; or portable heaters of any kind. Service animals and other medical necessities are permitted.

Lowcountry Wind Symphony 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25, St. John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. Free and open to the public, but donations are gratefully accepted. Under the direction of Donald F. Jemella. That's Entertainment offers a varied program of selections from Broadway to Hollywood, Sousa to Strauss. Also included are well-loved melodies from The King and I, and The Music Man along with excerpts from the film score Pearl Harbor. Peggy Copley will be the featured soloist in Artie Shaw's Concerto for Clarinet and Band.

USCB Chamber Music Series 5 p.m., Sunday, March 3, USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. Featuring Violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti, Violist Gabriela Diaz, Cellist Raphael Bell, Clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein, French hornist R.J. Kelly and Artistic Director and pianist Andrew Armstrong There are three ways to enjoy the concert: in person and virtually

by Live-Stream and On-Demand. All virtual concerts are professionally produced, creating great viewing opportunities. On-Demand is accessible four days after the concert and available to view at your leisure for three weeks. For concert, event, or ticket information, go to www.uscbchambermusic.com or call 843-208-8246, Monday through Friday.

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 843838-7437. The next Tuesday is August 1.

SEWING/QUILTING Maye River Quilters 10 a.m., Saturday, March 2, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville. Social time begins at 9:30 a.m. To attend the meeting as a guest, send an RSVP email to mayeriverquilters@gmail.com. For more information and for membership forms to join the group, call 978-464-0585.

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, crossstitch, 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.

LOCAL MILITARY

Visit, Board, Search and Seizure

U.S. Marine Corp Sgt. Jesse McManigle, of Beaufort, S.C., assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as a scout sniper, maintains overwatch aboard the forward-deployed amphibious landing dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) during a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercise Sunday, Feb. 11 in the Philippine Sea. The USS Green Bay, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 31st MEU, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian/U.S. Navy

Free park passes for veterans, military members, Gold Star families A ccording to the VA YouTube Video titled, “VR5: Free Lifetime Passes to U. S. National Parks” (https:// bit.ly/3wpPYRO) and the National Park Service (NPS) webpage (https:// www.nps.gov/), all military members, veterans, and Gold Star families are eligible for free lifetime U.S. National Park Service (NPS) passes.

LARRY DANDRIDGE

includes a list of places where veterans can pick up the free lifetime pass in person. All the veteran needs to do is show an Identification Card (ID) that indicates the veteran’s status (active duty, retired, veteran, etc.). The ID can be a valid VA ID, VA Health Identification Card, a Department of Defense ID Card, or a state-issued driver’s license with a veteran designation. Learn more about the “Types of Veteran ID Cards” at https://bit.ly/49ACC3X.

Road, Blacksburg, S.C. 29702. Phone: 864-936-7921, Ext. 3. Passes available: Access Pass, Annual Pass, Fourth Grade Pass, Military Pass, and Senior Pass.

No fee for in-person pickup of passes lifetime NPS Pass can also There is no fee to obtain get entrances to U.S. Fish the veterans’s free lifetime and Wildlife Services Sites pass when you apply in that charge entrance fees. person. There is a $10 Veterans and Gold Star processing fee if a veteran Two types of NPS free family Free and Forever applies online. It takes and lifetime passes NPS Passes also cover your up to three weeks for the to choose from standard amenity fees at pass to be delivered when All veterans, currently ordered online.

NPS Sites in SC to serving military members, Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, BuThe free forever NPS get passes in person disabled veterans, and reau of Reclamation Sites, Passes cover the pass • Reconstruction Era Gold Star Families are eliowner and all accompanyNational Historical gible for two different NPS and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer sites. ing passengers in a private, Park: 706 Craven Passes that are free and non-commercial vehicle at Street, Beaufort, S.C. good for the pass owner’s Get your NPS pass a “per vehicle fee area” or 29902. Phone: 843lifetime. They can pick in person or online the pass owner and up to 962-0039. Passes which pass they want. The All veterans, disabled available: Access Pass, three additional adults “at passes are: veterans, Gold Star FamFourth Grade Pass, and sites that charge fees by • the Forever Life Pass ily members, and service the person.”

Military. (sometimes called the members can sign up for • Fort Sumter and Fort Military Pass); and National Parks are our Moultrie Nation• the Forever Life Access these passes. There is no application required or nation’s crown jewels al Historical Park: Pass. filling out of a form to get United States parks are 1214 Middle Street, All veterans, currently America’s crown jewels.

Sullivan’s Island, serving, past veterans, their this free lifetime pass. The National Park Service webThere are 423 National S.C. 29482. Phone: Gold Star Families, and Parks that include 85 mil843-883-3123. Passes disabled veterans are eligi- page and its app are the best places to get your free available: Access Pass, lion acres of breathtaking ble for a free lifetime NPS pass and plan for your visit Fourth Grade Pass, and scenery. Every state has a pass. Both passes are free to a National Park. national park. There are Military Pass. and forever when requestWhen you are on the seven national parks or • Congaree National ed in person.

NPS webpage, just click national monument sites Park: 100 National the “Plan Your Visit” link to in S.C. and 12 in Georgia.

Park Road, Hopkins, More than 2,000 go to where the passes are.

More than 300 million visiS.C. 29061. Phone: National Parks and Veterans can also obtain tors visit our national parks 803-647-4396. Passes other Federal Sites their free and lifetime pass available: Access Pass, each year. Our beautiful These passes provide national parks provide Annual Pass, Fourth access to more than 2,000 at any national park that charges an entrance fee. inspiration, recreation, eduGrade Pass, Military federal recreation areas cation, relaxation, exploraPass, and Senior Pass. including national parks. In tion, and the opportunity to Where to get your pass • Kings Mountain addition to national parks, rejuvenate.

National Military in person with VA ID veterans and Gold Star National Parks offer a Park: 2625 Park The NPS website family members with a free

States' leading agencies for understanding history and culture. NPS preserves historic sites both within national park boundaries and beyond. NPS offers opportunities to help communities preserve their history. Whether you want NPS web site activities and topics search features to visit a historic national park, discover America's Veterans and Gold Star stories, or find assistance families can search 40 to preserve the places that different activities and 83 matter to you, you can different topics under S.C. discover something new on the NPS website when about our shared history at searching which park to a National Park. select to visit. NPS South Carolina “Activity” search options include things like The bottom line Military members, vetArts, Culture, Astronomy, Auto, ATV, Biking, Boating, erans, disabled veterans, and Gold Star Families Camping, Climbing, Fishing, Flying, Golfing, Guided can enjoy “for free” our National Parks, Forest Tours, Hiking, Hunting, Service and Bureau of Land Living History, MuseManagement Sites, Bureau um Exhibits, Paddling, of Reclamation Sites, U.S. Park Film, Playground, Fish and Wildlife Services Swimming, Tubing, Water Sites, and U.S. Army Corps Skiing, Wildlife Watching, of Engineer sites. Take and more. advantage of NPS free NPS South Carolina lifetime passes and enjoy “Topic” search options our national treasures – our include African AmeriNational Parks and other can Heritage, American free sites.

Revolution, Animals, Archeology, Architecture, Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War Arts, Aviation, Birthplace, wounded warrior, disabled veteran, Cemetery and Gravesite, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Climate Change, Coasts, Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel.

Islands, Colonization and He is a past Veterans Service Officer, Settlement, Dams, Dunes, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Engineering, Scenic Views, Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Science, Technology, Social Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Movements, Tragic Events, Veteran Affairs for the local Army Trails, Transportation, Association Chapter. Larry is the Unique Species, Wars and author of the award-winning book Conflicts, Waterfalls, WilBlades of Thunder and a derness, and many more. contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him History at LDandridge@earthlink.net or The National Park Ser843-276-7164. vice is one of the United variety of physical, mental, and social benefits, and an opportunity to spend time with nature. Many National Parks, Sites, and National Cemeteries are Military History Sites.

Love God, Love Others, Reach Out Join Us for Worship & Fellowship Sunday Morning Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 81 Lady’s Island Drive

Pastor Steve Keeler • (843) 525-0696 • seaislandpresbyterian.org FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

B9

SERVICE DIRECTORY ACUPUNCTURE

FURNITURE / HOME DECOR

1001 Bay St, Beaufort, SC 29902 open Tues.-Sat. noon to 5pm, Sun. by chance

furniture, home decor & more (843) 379-4488

Allison & Ginny DuBose, Owners aldubose@yahoo.com

ATTORNEY

HOME SERVICES

Christopher J. Geier

Attorney at Law, LLC Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

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843-812-7442

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B10

FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

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Other Services Include: Plant Design • Consultation Install • Landscape Maintenance

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

ERMAN P ROPERTY G ROUP

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843-441-9162

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206 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 31, Beaufort thebeaufortsound@gmail.com

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AUDIOLOGY & HEARING

The Beaufort Sound

residential commercial real estate

Brittany Riedmayer

16 Professional Village Circle, Lady's Island Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450 chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com

Monica Wiser, M.A. CCC-A Licensed Audiologist 38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007

PEST CONTROL

MOBILE HOME INSURANCE

John D. Polk Agency INSURANCE

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843-524-3172 info@polkagency.com

CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY!

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843-522-3331 CHSClean.com Locally Owned and Operated ROOFING

DA Roofing Company

Donnie Daughtry, Owner

Call us for ALL of your roofing needs. New Construction, Residential and Commercial, Shingles, Metal, Hot Tar & Hydrostop.

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YOUR AD HERE Put your business in the spotlight by advertising in the Service Directory.

Connect with our dedicated marketing team: Amanda Hanna – amanda@lcweekly.com Sandy Schepis – sandyschepis@gmail.com

CLASSIFIEDS & GAMES

THURSDAY’S CARTOON Read with caution; not necessarily the opinions of the editorial staff.

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HOMES FOR SALE OCEANVIEW CARAVELLE TOWER

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28. It ran away with the spoon 30. ROTC happenings 35. Figure skating jump 37. Grad 39. Arrogant one 40. Archaic preposition 41. PassÈ 43. Scrubbed 44. Sugarcoating 46. Money in Mexico City 47. What DJs do 48. Trickery 50. Swerves

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63. "Finnegan's Wake" author 64. Mother load offering 66. Java cotton tree 68. Artemis' companion 69. Fat of olives 70. *What actors do 71. Spinner's product 72. Wisecrack 73. Like Phoenix DOWN 1. Cornelius of the movies 2. Snap up 3. 'I' in Greek alphabet 4. Howard of radio fame 5. Death-related 6. One of the Earnhardts 7. Spermatozoa counterparts 8. Muhammad's birthplace 9. Review service, with .com 10. Use a ladle 11. At any time 12. *"No Country for Old ____" multi Oscar winner 15. Suitors

SUITE in Myrtle Beach. Furnished, full kitchen, fresh designer paint, HVAC 3 YR., new large balcony, onsite parking, pool and hot tub, HOA $531/ month covers all. $124,500. 843-4501309 Bob Hoffman Corp.

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YOUR AD HERE Email Amanda (amanda@lcweekly. com) or Sandy (sandyschepis@gmail. com) to place your classified ad here!

20. Trojan War story 22. "Just an ____-fashioned love song" 24. Slumber 25. Fl., as in fl. oz.

26. "A Confederacy of ____," sing.

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51. Meat-cooking contraption 54. Roaring of an engine 56. Hindu religious teacher 57. Forum, pl.

58. Deed hearing 59. Medical diagnostic test 60. Abe Lincoln's hat material 61. #20 Down, e.g.

62. Traditional learning method 63. *Da'Vine ____ Randolph 65. Orinoco or Grande 67. *Ryan Gosling's character

LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD & SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

FEBRUARY 22–28, 2024

B11

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843.521.4200

$625,000

CELADON | MLS 183840 3BDRM | 2B | 1506sqft Colleen Baisley 843.252.1066

$439,900

$1,895,000

MOSSY OAKS | MLS 182554

LUXURY NEW CONSTRUCTION DATAW ISLAND | MLS 183734

3BDRM | 2B | 1664sqft Bryan Gates 843.812.6494

MLS 174090 | 3BDRM | 3.5+B | Water Views Elevator | Secured Parking Edward Dukes 843.812.5000 www.1105baystreet.com

$849,000

4BDRM | 3B | 2400sqft | Golf/Pond Views Trudy Arthur 843.812.0967

www.LowcountryRealEstate.com

The Doctor Is In! Aren’t we all in need of healing?

Sometimes we are sick and we don’t even know it.

We have heard of situations where people feel perfectly fine, appearing to be in great physical shape, and yet they discover they have a serious illness. It is devastating news, but it is good that they finally know about it and can seek out a doctor’s help.

Although there are many who are sick, the doctor can only help those who recognize they need healing.

God the Father loves us despite our sin.

It is easy to imagine that God loves us less when we sin. But Jesus shows us that we are loved despite our sinfulness. The Father’s limitless love for us is not dimmed by our brokenness. We can’t decrease his love for us by our sins, nor can we increase his love for us by good actions. As a loving Father, his love for us is already overflowing, incapable of increase or decrease.

We are all in need of healing.

Even though we are created to know and love God, we often choose actions which separate us from God. This is what the Bible calls “sin.” In smaller ways or bigger ways, we all experience daily temptations to sin. When we sin, we end up hurting ourselves and those around us.

Reflecting back over the years, we can see how our hearts have been spiritually wounded by our sinful choices.

Jesus is the divine physician.

During his ministry, Jesus did not spend all of his time with the religious leaders of his day, those who thought of themselves as holy and close to God. Instead, Jesus usually sought out sinful men and women, those who recognized their need for forgiveness and healing. He explained, “It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

(Mark 2:17) God freely offers us his forgiveness.

Since Jesus was not an ordinary man, but God in our midst, he was able to forgive people’s sins. On one beautiful occasion, a woman with a sinful reputation came and began crying at his feet. Jesus recognized her sorrow for her sins and had pity on her. He told her, “Your sins are forgiven, go in peace!” (Luke 7) Christ’s healing brings joy.

Imagine the joy of that woman, who leaves Jesus knowing that she is forgiven of her sins! This is the joy that we have as Christians. Recognizing our spiritual brokenness, we follow the woman’s example and turn to Christ with repentance. And we too experience forgiveness and healing at the hands of the divine physician!

Next Week He Did It for You!

Reasons for Joy Message 6 of 8 70 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort • 843-522-9555 • www.stpetersbeaufort.org • office@stpetersbeaufort.org