January 11 edition by The Island News

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Beaufort High sophomore hurt in New Year’s crash Football standout faces long recovery after neck surgery By Bob Sofaly and Mike McCombs The Island News A New Year’s Day car crash on St. Helena Island has left a Beaufort High School sophomore hospitalized and facing a long recovery. According to Lance Cpl. Nick Pye of the S.C. Highway Patrol, Jayden Jayden Simmons Simmons was seriously injured and taken to “a local medical facility” after the 2016 Jeep sport utility vehicle he was driving north on U.S. 21 veered into a ditch and overturned at about 12:48 p.m. Pye said Simmons, a standout football player for the Eagles, was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the accident. No charges have been filed, and the case is still under investigation, Pye said. The accident took out a fire hydrant beside the ditch. The Jeep appeared to have come back onto the highway before coming to rest in a private driveway. The engine was separated from the vehicle and laying on the ground nearby. Nothbound traffic was re-routed down Seaside Road after it had backed up significantly. According to a Facebook post by Brian Simmons, Jayden’s father, the teen was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, where he underwent emergency Anterior

SEE CRASH PAGE A4

L.J. Washington has his picture taken with an L.A. Galaxy player whom he was told he resembled. Washington, 14, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting while playing video games in his living room on New Year’s Day in Burton. Photo from Club Beaufort de Fútbol Facebook page

Saying goodbye to LJ

Community mourns Burton teen killed New Year’s Day By Delayna Earley The Island News The first week of the new year was a very difficult one for those in the Beaufort community who’s lives were touched by 14-year-old Jerrieme “L.J.” Jermaine Washington, Jr. Washington, who went by the nickname L.J., was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting while playing video games in his living room

on New Year’s Day in Burton. he was most known for were his The two other people in the skills on the field with Club Beauhome were not injured. fort de Fútbol. He started playing soccer when Full of life and joy he was seven, according to the L.J. was, by all accounts, a founder and director of the club, hard-working and devoted young Imer Hernandez. man who gave his all in all that he Hernandez said that L.J. was did. just as passionate about the game A freshman at Battery Creek on the field as he was off. High School where he was a memSEE GOODBYE PAGE A4 ber of the drum line in the band,

Beaufort woman injured in plane crash just after take-off

By Delayna Earley The Island News A Beaufort woman was seriously injured after her plane crashed in Colleton County just after taking off from the Beaufort Executive Airport on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A knowledgeable source confirmed the plane was being piloted by the plane’s owner. Per the Federal Aviation Association’s website, the plane is registered to

Theresa McDonald of Beaufort. The plane crashed into a pond on private property in the 5000 block of Wiggins Road just after 11:30 a.m. The pilot, according to the FAA report, reported experiencing engine issues and was attempting to turn back toward Beaufort when she crashed. According to a release from Colleton County Fire-Rescue (CCFR), the property owner told investiga-

tors that he was in his yard when he heard the plane hit several trees as it nose-dived into a small pond in his yard. He said that the engine was no longer running when the plane struck the tree. Following the crash, he ran to help the woman, who was the sole occupant of the plane. The pilot was unconscious and suffered

A plane crashed in rural Colleton County just after taking off from the Beaufort Executive Airport on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. The pilot, who apparently experienced mechanical issues, suffered multiple injuries. Photo SEE PLANE PAGE A4 courtesy of Colleton County Fire-Rescue

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Allen Chaney: However bad you think SC’s DJJ is, the truth is worse.

Bobcats take Coach Trap Duals on tiebreaker.

McMaster seeks to revamp how SC teachers are paid; increase by $250M.

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The Parish Church at Habersham celebrated the Epiphany once again at their Second Annual Oyster Roast & Burning of the Greens (Christmas trees, wreaths and evergreen garlands) January 7. Habersham’s Ron Callari took this photo as the Burton Fire Department provided supervision over the evening’s bonfires. 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

Carl L. (Mac) McCleod

Beaufort’s “Mac” McCleod, 87, joined the United States Marine Corps in Baltimore, Md., in 1953. After Boot Camp at Parris Island, he was assigned to duty in Korea followed by duty at Camp Lejeune. He served in the Corps for 30 years, retiring

NEWS BRIEFS

League of Women Voters to hear about book bans

CARL L. (MAC) MCCLEOD in 1983 as a Master Sergeant. Thereafter he joined the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy. He rose through the years to become Sheriff from 1994 to 1998 before Sheriff P.J. Tanner. Today, he enjoys his retirement after 46

years of service to the nation and community. – Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.

City offices to close Monday for MLK holiday

January 15

1944: Future world champion boxer Joe Frazier is born to Dolly Alston-Frazier and Rubin Frazier in Beaufort. He is the couple’s 12th child.

2008: A report is released ending the investigation by the Navy into the April 21, 2007, crash of the No. 6 U.S. Navy Blue Angels McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet during the final minutes of the air show at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The lone fatality was the pilot, Lt. Commander Kevin "Kojak" Davis. Eight nearby residents were injured, and millions of dollars worth of private property damage were caused by the crash. The report states that when LCDR Davis pulled back into a 6.8-G pull,

1944: A battalion of Women Reserves, including 21 officers and 55 enlisted women, are activated at Parris Island, serving as lifeguards, musicians, truck drivers, and garrison troops for Page Field.

he lost control of the aircraft due to G-forceinduced Loss Of Consciousness (G-LOC).

Cat of the Week: Mama Hops is one special cat. She is often found snuggled up in her comfy box waiting for someone to walk by ready to pet her. Mama Hops has a deformed back paw so she cannot scratch her left ear, so anyone who is willing to help her out will be her friend. She loves to talk and follow people around letting them know what is one her mind. Mama Hops is 2 years old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped. JANUARY 11–17, 2024

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Letters to the Editor should consist of fewer than 275 words and be emailed with a name and contact information to TheIslandNews@gmail.com

January 17 1711: The Lords Proprietors charter the “building of a town to be called Beaufort Town” in honor of the new Proprietor, Henry Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort. The town is “to be located on the Port Royal River on Port Royal Island.” The Port Royal River was later renamed the Beaufort River. – Compiled by Mike McCombs

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

Justin Jarrett

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

January 12

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Sports Editor

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ership attributes; and commitment. To apply, download PDF application at https://bit.ly/41QkpMw and submit completCity of Beaufort offices will be closed on ed application along with resume/CV and a The League of Women Voters of Beaufort is beginning its 2024 activities as the year Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther professional bio to info@beaufortdigital.com holds key elections for the state and nation. King Jr. Day. by deadline of January 31. Members and friends are invited to join and become involved with the community Beaufort Republican Certified Barbecue Judging through the League’s new structure. The first General Membership Meeting of Women’s Club holding Class coming to Columbia 2024 will be held at 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. membership drive luncheon The South Carolina Barbecue Association 11 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship The Beaufort Republican Women’s Club (SCBA) will hold a one-day seminar in ColumBeaufort, 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. will hold its annual membership drive lun- bia to train new barbecue judges. The seminar Special speaker, Mary Foster of Families cheon at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 in the is Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Against Book Bans, will discuss how losing Carolina Room at the Dataw Isand Club, 123 recreation hall at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, our rights and freedoms begins at home with Dataw Dr., St. Helena Island. located at 1715 Bull Street. book bans. The League will also meet in colThe buffet luncheon is $42 per person. To Registration for the seminar is open to laboration circles for members to interact reserve a seat or seats, please mail checks to SCBA members and costs $45 per person, and to get involved. The event is free and BRWC, P. O. Box 1835, Beaufort, S.C. 29902 which includes a catered barbecue lunch. open to the public. by January 27. For additional information, Non-members may join SCBA prior to or call Diane Rooney at 843-838-4972. while registering for the seminar to be eligible to attend. SCBA annual membership dues are Omega Psi Phi $55 for an individual or $70 for a family. Beaufort Digital Corridor hosting Seafood Bash The seminar is the first step in becoming a The Beaufort area chapter of Omega Psi accepting applications for SCBA Certified Barbecue Judge. After comPhi is hosting a Seafood Bash from 2 to 6 pleting the class, potential judges will continanticipated board openings p.m., Saturday, Jan. 13 at Live Oaks Park in The Beaufort Digital Corridor is now ac- ue their training with hands-on experience as Port Royal, 904 14th Street. cepting applications for anticipated board novice judges at three SCBA-sanctioned barFish platters are $20, while oysters are $35. openings in 2024. The application deadline is becue competitions. Competitions are held around the state at festivals and fairs, as well January 31. MLK Parade set for Monday The board's nomination task force will reas other community events or stand-alone A parade honoring Martin Luther King Jr. view all applications and notify candidates BBQ contests. Those interested in becoming SCBA certiis scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on Monday. for interview. Candidates will be evaluated on The parade will proceed from Adven- the following criteria to determine eligibility: fied judges and attending the seminar should ture Street to Boundary to Carteret and Previous volunteer/leadership experience; in- visit www.scbarbeque.com to register for the Bay Streets. volvement with the Beaufort Digital Corridor; seminar and/or join the SCBA. The parade is sponsored by the Beaufort skill/expertise relevant to support the BDC's County Ministerial Alliance. current mission; fundraising experience; lead– Compiled from staff reports

ON THIS DATE

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Dog of the Week: Indy is as fast as a race car. She loves to spend her time running laps when she is outside no matter the weather. Indy originally came to PAL with her six puppies several years ago, and has found her way back to us. She is a sweet and happy dog who would love to be in a home again. Indy is 5 years old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

If you are interested in adopting Mama Hops, Indy, 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.

DISCLAIMER 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 LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN

Drive-by shooting no way to start new year

BEAUFORT o community wants to start the new year off with death. We like to focus instead on new babies, predictions for the year ahead, reflections on the year past. But Beaufort, like too many communities around the world, had its share. In addition to all the loved ones lost due to natural causes, we had a senseless drive-by shooting of a 14-year-old boy in his own Burton area home, playing video games on New Year’s Day. By accounts, L.J. Washington was a dynamic member of his soccer community and a positive, cheerful influence to those who knew him. And yet L.J., on Jan. 1, became another statistic in this country’s growing epidemic of deaths by gun violence. Sheriff’s Office reports said the shooting was a “targeted incident,” and we are left to imagine what that means. “Targeted” or not, a

LOLITA HUCKABY

young man with great promise is dead, and those who knew him and loved him are left to wonder why. While the great debate over gun control and gun violence continues in the political arenas, folks will continue to shake their heads and cry for the lost, while encouraging families to be strong and serve as good role models. In the meantime, someone out there in our community knows something about the shooting. Hopefully they’re working with the investigators to bring some justice for L.J. Hopefully before it happens to another family.

Heads up, they’re heading back to Columbia BEAUFORT – Talking about crime, the S.C. General Assembly goes back to work in Columbia this week and one bill still sitting on their desks from last year is H. 3594. The House passed the bill last year which allows almost anyone to carry a gun, without a permit and without any training. The bill increases penalties for convicted criminals to carry guns but law enforcement agencies are on record opposing certain elements in the right-to-carry legislation. It’s all part of the Second Amendment debate, the right to carry, and it, like other issues including support for public education and natural resources protection, will be on the Legislature’s agenda. At least they don’t have to spend time on discussing “Carolina Squats.” The ban

against vehicles with elevated front fenders higher than the rear fenders went into effect last summer. No word yet on any arrests. But this is an election year, so we can only guess what our state elected officials will be spending their time talking about and the changes they’ll make to regulate our lives. Support your local shrimpers BEAUFORT – One piece of legislation we can expect to see pretty quickly come across Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk for signing is a declaration of economic disaster dealing with imported shrimp. Municipal councils along the coast, including Beaufort, Port Royal and Bluffton have already signed proclamations urging the Governor to sign the document, hoping the federal government will impose trade restrictions on foreign

shrimpers such as Vietnam and India. It’s an economic situation that’s developed over the past decades, as the cost of shrimping – once a livelihood for many in this part of the Lowcountry – has increased and driven the local fishermen out of business. You can tell that just by the scarcity of shrimp boats at local docks. In the meantime, if you want to help keep those photogenic shrimp boats floating, ask your server, when ordering shrimp at a local dining establishment, if it’s local. They’ll probably say yes, whether it is or not, but you can try. Or better yet just support your local seafood dealer. SC minimum wage sees slight hike BEAUFORT – A small bit of good news for those employees making minimum wage; Here in the Palmetto State, the minimum in-

creased on Jan. 1 from $9.75 an hour to $10.10. Nationwide, 22 states have small increases this year compared to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 which has been the same since 2009. It will be interesting to see if that slight minimum increase in any way will help employers of the “big box” stores planned for retail shopping centers like our Beaufort Station, find employees. Or the plethora of fast-food restaurants that seem to be coming our way. Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions. Her goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com.

Second Gentleman visiting Beaufort on Jan. 11

From staff reports Doug Emhoff, the Second Gentleman and Vice President Kamala Harris's husband, will visit Beaufort on Thursday, Jan. 11. Emhoff will speak at the Old Grace Chapel AME Building at

502 Charles Street at noon. He will be speaking as part of the 2024 re-election campaign for President Joe Biden. The public is cordially invited and encouraged to attend. However, those who plan to attend should arrive early because there

will be security screening by the Secret Service and seating will be limited. Attendees can park in the lot across the street from Old Grace AME or in the Baptist Church's parking lot, one block north of Old Grace AME on Charles Street.

Those who park in the Post Office lot are subject to being towed. An attorney for more than 30 years, Emhoff began teaching courses at Georgetown University Law Center in 2020. He and the Vice President have been married

for eight years and are the proud parents of Cole and Ella Emhoff. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in Matawan, N.J., by his parents, Emhoff is the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president.

BEAUFORT MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

Valentine Ball February 10, 2024

9 p.m. - 12 a.m. • Tabby Place CO-CHAIRS

Mr. Christopher & Mrs. Caitlin Ketchie Dr. Patrick & Mrs. Meghan Meehan

Pre-Ball Dinner Party • Silent Auction Open Bar • Live Music • Black Tie

RSVP for a Pre-Ball Dinner Party by Friday, January 12

JANUARY 11–17, 2024

NEWS

Restaurant Week kicks off Thursday, culminates with Oyster Festival From staff reports It’s here, the foodies’ favorite time of year. Tides to Tables Restaurant Week kicks off Thursday, Jan. 11 as some of the top restaurants in Beaufort and Port Royal exhibit their culinary delights during this 11-day foodie extravaganza, culminating with the Beaufort Oyster Festival held Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 20-21 at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Participating restaurants will feature exciting new dishes, customer

Crash

from page A1 Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery for 3 fractured discs in his neck. He remains in Intensive Care at MUSC. “He’s alive and well! Thank you Lord!!!” Brian Simmons said in his Facebook post. “No paralysis, no broken bones, no brain damage, just a long 8-14 week recovery.” As of press time, The Island News had been unsuccessful at reaching Brian Simmons for comment. Brian Simmons did, however, set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for will likely be significant medical bills. “With the cost of medical bills, post-recovery treatments, travel, etc., we’re gonna need your support!” Brian Simmons wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Thank

favorites and multi-course menus. It is a win-win for diners, restaurants and the local economy. Among the participating restaurants are Breakwater Restaurant & Bar, Brody’s Bar And Grill, Chef Frank’s Bistro, Dockside, Fat Patties, Fishcamp on 11th Street, Foolish Frog, Hearth Wood Fired Pizza, Locals Raw Bar, Old Bull Tavern, Plums, Q On Bay, Ribaut Social Club, Saltus River Grill and Shellring Ale Works. Most of the participating restaurants' special menus for the

event can be found on the Beaufort Oyster Festival's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ BFTOysterFestival). The Beaufort Oyster Festival kicks off Saturday morning, Jan. 20

with the Oyster Boogie 5K at 8 a.m. for details and sign-up information, visit https://bit.ly/47tVvmX. The Oyster Festival itself runs from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday. Live music will be provided

by 12th Street (10 a.m. to noon), Southbound 17 (noon to 2 p.m.), Boondockers (2 to 4 p.m.) and Shan Tan & the Oyster Reefers (4 to 6 p.m.). On Sunday, Jan. 21, the Oyster Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music will be provided by Campfire Tyler (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and The Fabulous Clams (1 to 4 p.m.). There is a cornhole tournament at 1 p.m. Interested participants can sign up at https://bit. ly/4aOV21K.

you in advance.” According to SpineHealth.com, “anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of neck surgery that involves removing a damaged disc to relieve spinal cord or nerve root pressure and alleviate corresponding pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling.” According to the website, the surgery has 2 parts – the anterior cervical discectomy and the fusion. In the anterior cervical discectomy, the surgery is approached through the front of the cervical spine (neck). The disc is then removed from between two vertebral bones. A fusion surgery is done at the same South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Bryce Flood is protective of a crash scene just off U.S. time as the discectomy operation in order to stabilize Hwy. 21 on St. Helena Island on New Year’s Day. A Beaufort High School sophomore was the cervical segment. A fu- injured when he veered his SUV into a ditch and overturned. Bob Sofaly/The Island News sion involves placing bone Among the well-known competition are NFL quar- Major League Baseball playgraft and/or implants where the disc originally was in or- professional athletes who terback Peyton Manning, er David Wright, and NHL der to provide stability and have undergone the surgery golfer Tiger Woods, NFL legend Mario Lemieux. then returned to high-level quarterback Tony Romo, It is unclear if the injury strength to the area.

and surgery will limit Simmons’ future athletic participation, only that he faces a lengthy and significant recovery. According to MaxPreps, the 5-foot-11, 225-pound sophomore, who wears No. 56, played in 12 games in 2023, recording 78 total tackles, 51 solo. He recorded 5 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries and an interception. Simmons won the Freshman Award on the 2022 Eagles team that won the 3A State Championship. Jayden Simmons’ GoFundMe page can be found at https://gofund. me/524e8071. Bob Sofaly has been photographing people and what they do in Beaufort since Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980. He can be reached at bobsofaly@gmail.com. Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

Goodbye from page A1

“He would always get angry when I would pull him off the field, just like any player who loves the game does,” Hernandez said of L.J. “But then he would start giving support to his teammates from the side like he was an assistant coach.” According to Hernandez, L.J. was liked by all his teammates and often would do what he could to help them. A few years ago, Hernandez said he noticed that L.J. needed some help himself, as he didn’t always have a ride home after the club’s practices, so he stepped in and began giving L.J. rides home. On occasion, the two would stop at Bruster’s in Beaufort for an ice cream. Hernandez said he felt that he was a father-figure for the teen. He and L.J. would often talk about soccer, but they would also talk about the other important aspects of L.J.’s life, his home life, school and his faith. L.J. was an active member of the youth program at Cross Community Church in Beaufort, which was where his funeral was held on Saturday, Jan. 6. Saying good-bye Almost 700 people showed up to pay their respects and say goodbye to L.J. during his funeral on Saturday. Hernandez said that there were people standing outside of the sanctuary of the church during the service because there was not enough room for them inside. “We realize that it is standing room only, all throughout the

A screenshot from Cross Community Church’s livestream of L.J. Washington’s funeral on Saturday, Jan. 6. building, and we hope that Michelle (L.J.’s mother) and family are overwhelmed by the support that you have seen here today,” said Taylor Burgess, Lead Pastor of Cross Community Church. During the funeral, Hernandez, teammates and members of the church, including Student Minister Cole Forrest, spoke about the impact that L.J. made on the world. “He was the greatest kid I’ve ever known,” Hernandez said during the service. “He was a role model for everyone, and his memories will stay in our hearts forever.” Teammate Isaac Vega spoke about when he found out about L.J.’s murder. “The day that I found out what happened, a part of my heart left, and when I think of someone like L.J., I think of a kid who is very strong, sweet and goal-driven,” Vega said. “A kid who strives to be better and better every day.” Both Vega and Hernandez spoke about L.J.’s dreams to play professional soccer. The Battery Creek Marching Band played a tribute to L.J. outside of the church following the

funeral service. Burgess concluded the gathering with messages of support to law enforcement investigating L.J.’s murder. He also addressed those who are responsible for L.J.’s death, encouraging them to turn themselves in and turn to Christ. Lastly, he addressed the community and pleaded with them to come forward if they know something that would lead to the arrest of L.J.’s murderers, but said that retaliation for L.J. is not the answer. “L.J. was a young man who was full of life and joy, and we do not honor his legacy by repeating cycles of violence and hate,” said Burgess to mourners at the funeral. “So, if you find yourself so full of anger or rage over what’s happened that you feel propelled to take action that might perpetuate further harm, please speak to someone who can help you.” What happens now As of Tuesday, Jan. 9, no suspects have been identified, but investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office believe the

Plane

from page A1

First responders on the scene of a plane that crashed in rural Colleton County just after taking off from the Beaufort Executive Airport on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Photo courtesy of Colleton County Fire-Rescue A4

JANUARY 11–17, 2024

multiple injuries. The pilot was in critical condition when paramedics arrived, and with help from bystanders, she was removed from the plane, transported to a CARE Flight

Beaufort resident Ian Leslie addresses Beaufort County Council about L.J. Washington during the first County Council meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 8. Washington, 14, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting while playing video games in his living room on New Year’s Day in Burton. shooting was a targeted incident based on the crime scene. Many in the community have taken to social media to express their outrage about this act of violence that resulted in L.J.’s death, but Beaufort resident Ian Leslie took his anger one step further and addressed Beaufort County Council members during the first County Council meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 8. “I am incredibly concerned by the gun violence and gun deaths occurring amongst our teenage population,” Leslie said during the public comment section of the meeting. “He is the third Battery Creek student to die from gun violence since August and I believe the fourth in just the past year.” Leslie tasked council members with taking action to make sure that the schools and local law enforcement have access to the resources that they need to try and prevent future gun violence among the Beaufort County youth. As of Tuesday evening, a Go-

medical helicopter nearby, where paramedics administered whole blood and airway management before flying her from the scene to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where she remains hospitalized as of Tuesday, Jan. 9. The location of the crash is a rural area approximately five miles south of ACE Ba-

Fund me page created to help the family with funeral and other expenses as they grieve has raised more than $41,700. As for the grieving community, Hernandez has a message for them in honor of L.J. He tasks all parents to try and work a little less and spend more time with their children. “Spend that extra hour with your kids. Go to the park, play a game, enjoy that time together. You can’t control what will happen in the future, but you can control what you do today,” Hernandez said. “So make the most of it.” Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to call the BCSD non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777, or if wishing to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1110. 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.

sin Parkway (U.S. Hwy. 17), 12 miles south of the Green Pond Community. The plane was on the edge of the pond, and one wing was ripped off the fuselage, spilling a large amount of fuel into the water and around the scene. S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and the Feder-

al Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the scene, and CCFR was on the scene for four hours, according to the release. 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

Zonta honors Evans with Leadership Award

From staff reports The Zonta Club of Beaufort presented Margaret Evans with its Leadership Award on Friday, January 5, 2024. The longtime co-publisher and editor of Lowcountry Weekly and co-publisher of The Island News started her career in local journalism in the mid-90’s as the editor of Beaufort Magazine. Her articles and essays have appeared in magazines and anthologies throughout the South, including State of the Heart: South Carolina Writers on

the Places They Love, Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy, and ‘Southbound’ magazine. The South Carolina Press Association named her the state’s top newsweekly columnist of 2021 and its top humor columnist of 2022. Evans believes she owes much of her career to the unwavering encouragement of her longtime friend and mentor, Pat Conroy, for whom she worked as a researcher in her late 20’s, then, much later, as an editorial assistant. Working with Conroy on his literary

imprint, Story River Books, remains one of the greatest honors of her life. Locally, Evans has served on the boards of the Arts Council of Beaufort County, the Beaufort Orchestra, the S.C. Playwright’s Center, and Lowcountry Shakespeare. She has worked on benefits for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Beaufort County, partners each year with the Beaufort International Film Festival, and has sung second soprano in the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian church for 17 years.

Members of Zonta presented Margaret Evans (second from right) with their Leadership Award on Friday, Jan. 5. Submitted photo

Supporting the community

Dick Deuel, Past President of the Rotary Club of the Lowcountry, presented checks to 14 different worthy organizations in Beaufort. The club has two main fundraisers during the year to support the community – a golf tournament in June and an oyster roast in November. Pictured with Dick are representatives from the following organizations: Adaptive Golf Experience, Friends of Hunting Island, Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail, Good Neighbor Medical Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, Historic Port Royal Foundation, Hopeful Horizons, Lowcountry Outreach Center, Sea Island Rotary Club Smile Mobile, Wreaths Across America and the YMCA. (Missing are Alzheimer’s Family Services of Beaufort, HELP of Beaufort, and Neighborhood Outreach Connection.) Congratulations to all the recipients. Submitted photo

Volunteers invited to MLK Day of Service From staff reports From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 15, Reconstruction Era National Historical Park invites the public to mark the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by volunteering on a trail cleanup project along the Capers Creek Nature Trail in the historic Penn Center National Historic Landmark District on St. Helena Island. MLK Day of Service is a defining moment in volunteerism, as Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to build the Beloved Community of King’s dream. While King believed this community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is a call to action at NPS sites around the nation on this federally designated day of service. Volunteers will meet at 10 a.m. at Darrah Hall and work along the Capers Creek Nature Trail, which was restored and re-opened as part of last year’s MLK Day of Service. This trail connects Darrah Hall to the Retreat House, which was constructed by Penn Center in the late 1960s to accommodate Dr. King and other leaders who came here on planning retreats. Tools will be provided, and volunteers are encouraged to wear long sleeves and closed-toe shoes. For additional information, including registration, visit https://go.nps.gov/REERMLK2024 or contact the park’s Volunteer Coordinator, Emma Murphy-Novak, at emma_murphy@nps.gov.

USCB Center for the Arts presents ‘Broadway’s Next Hit Musical’

From staff reports WANT TO GO? “Broadway’s Next Hit MusiWhat: “Broadway’s Next Hit cal,” the acclaimed improv muMusical” presents “The Phony sical that has toured extensively Awards” throughout the United States When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 18 and internationally, will present Where: USCB Center for the Arts “The Phony Awards,” an original Tickets: $48 for adults, $40 for musical awards show, at USCB seniors and military, and $20 for students. They may be purchased Center for the Arts in Beaufort at at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 18. or by calling the CFA Box Office A show within a show, “Broadat 843-521-4145. way’s Next Hit Musical” presents “The Phony Awards,” – where master improvisers gather spontaneous evening of music, (made-up) hit song suggestions comedy and a ton of laughs! The from the audience and create a audience then votes for their fa-

vorite song and watches as the cast turns this Phony Award-winning song into a full-blown, improvised musical — complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, plot twists galore and songs that you will be humming for days! “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical” has been praised by critics and audiences alike. The New York Times calls it “Hilarious!” Time Out NY says “At last! A musical of, for, and by the people.” TheaterWeek hails the show as “brilliant” and The New York Post

calls it “remarkable.” Don’t miss the next great American musical – it could be written by you! Tickets are $48 for adults, $40 for seniors and military, and $20 for students. They may be purchased at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com or by calling the CFA Box Office at 843-521-4145. The USCB Center for the Arts is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit us online at USCBCenterForTheArts.com.

Surgeon Stoddard retires after nearly 40 years

From staff reports Beaufort Memorial board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Leland Stoddard retired from practice recently. During his 38½-year career, Dr. Stoddard treated thousands of Beaufort area patients with joint and bone disorders and injuries. “Throughout that time, I have remained in awe of his professionalism, commitment to excellent patient care, common sense, calm demeanor and just overall pleasant aura,” Beaufort Memorial Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kurt Gambla said. Dr. Stoddard joined Beaufort Memori- Among those attending Dr. Leland Stoddard’s al Orthopaedic Specialists in 2015 when retirement event were the Stoddard family, Lowcountry Medical Group was acquired from left, son Andrew, daughter Austen, Dr. by the hospital. Prior to his role as a founding partner of Lowcountry Medical Group, Stoddard, daughter Anna Grace, grandson he was in private practice with Carolina James and wife Karen. Submitted photo Sports Medicine. Staff and colleagues joined together at preciation and thanks for the care and comShellring Ale Works to celebrate Dr. Stod- passion he provided to patients throughout dard’s distinguished career and to share ap- the Lowcountry.

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 JANUARY 11–17, 2024

NEWS

Vezin earns fire department’s Career Achievement Award

From staff reports Deputy Fire Chief Ross Vezin has been chosen as the recipient of the 2023 Joseph C. Robinson Career Achievement Award by the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department. The award is voted on by all members of the department. “I am thankful to work with the men and women in our department,” Vezin said in a post on the

fire department’s social media. “I truly work with some of the best firefighters on the job. Special thank you to all of our famiRoss Vezin lies who allow us to do this job”. Vezin, from Jupiter, Fla., moved to Beaufort in 2008 to start his career with the City of Beaufort/

Town of Port Royal Fire Department. In 2011, Ross earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and in 2013 he graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Public Administration. In 2014, Ross graduated from the South Carolina Leadership Institute through the South Carolina Firefighters’ Association. In 2015, he graduated from Leadership

Beaufort through the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2020, Ross graduated from the Risk Management Institute through the Municipal Association of South Carolina. Ross currently serves on the Executive Committee as the chair of the Member Benefits Committee for the S.C. Firefighters’ Association. He is a Past President of the of the Burned Children’s Fund,

where he has served as a volunteer camp counselor since 2010. In 2016 and 2022, Ross was selected to attend the International Association of Firefighters National Burn Camp in Washington D.C. In 2019, Ross was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Beaufort Alumni Award at the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Civitas Awards ceremony.

Rotary Club of Beaufort Reading of the 1619 Project set for Saturday supports Helianthus Project

By Mike McCombs The Island News The First Beaufort Community Marathon Reading of the 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones will take place at 7 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 13 during Martin Luther King weekend at the Tabernacle Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Beginning at 7 a.m., multiple volunteer readers will read the work from beginning to end in 15-minute blocks. (Readers can follow the QR code with this story to volunteer to read.) Organizers estimate the reading to finish around midnight. But if it’s not finished, the reading will continue until it is. Snacks and drinks will be provided to those who read. T-shirts will be given to each reader and offered for sale. NeverMore Books and Beaufort Bookstore will be present, as well, selling various books. The 1619 Project, a piece of long-form journalism from the New York Times

WANT TO GO? What: Beaufort Community Marathon Reading of the 1619 Project: A New Origin Story When: 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 13 Where: Tabernacle Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Beaufort Cost: The event is free and open to the public

and the New York Times Magazine, is essentially an anthology of essays reframing American history and the institution of slavery’s impact on the United States’ economy, laws, society, and the livelihoods of Black Americans. The project is often critical of many traditionally revered figures and events in American history. The work has earned both praise and criticism from historians. Hannah-Jones, who has been invited to the marathon reading, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for her introductory essay. TZiPi Radonsky, one of

Want to read? Follow this QR code to volunteer to be a reader.

the event’s organizers, said the intent is to tell the truth, the whole story. Quoting Hannah-Jones, she said, “if we are truly a great nation, the truth cannot destroy us.” Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

OBITUARY

Mihai Radulescu

(November 7, 1941 – January 6, 2024) Like so many who have settled in Beaufort and in this country, Mihai Radulescu was an immigrant who escaped from Communist Romania to proudly become “your fellow American.” In 2017 he and his wife, the legendary literary agent Marly Rusoff, left New York to make Beaufort, S.C., their home. The son of a Greek mother, who was the daughter of an opera singer, and a Romanian father, who was a pharmacist and amateur musician, Mihai was the great grandson of Commander Gheorghe Pastia, a philanthropist and highly decorated war hero who served in the war that freed Romania from Ottoman Rule. The family was rich in vineyards, and early in the twentieth century, Pastia used the family wealth to build an Opera House and Regional Theater which he donated to his hometown of Focsani, a midsized city that sits in the wine region at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. This architecturally spectacular building, built over a century ago, remains a gathering place and home that celebrates music and the arts. The Romania into which Mihai was born was distinctly Latin in temperament and language, but also a Francophile country with ties to France that went back to the 1848 Cultural Revolution. This was the backdrop that made Mihai

Marly Rusoff (left) and Mihai Radulescu the person he became: a lover of wine, people, music, beautiful architecture, and not least of all, freedom. After growing up under the thumb of one of the worst Communist tyrants of the past century, in a country where freedom of speech did not exist and where citizens could arbitrarily be imprisoned or tortured, Mihai became a passionate supporter of his adopted country as well as those in the American military who risk their lives to keep us free. While in Romania, Mihai studied architecture, philosophy and received a law degree. Before leaving for America, he learned English by listening to an Arthur Miller play so often he had memorized it. When he met his wife, Marly, he joked that he could speak English for an hour and a half “as long as no one interrupted me.” After their marriage, he opened a business in Soho, New York, serving architects, developers, and real estate firms. Mihai’s Beaufort story began after he

From staff reports January is “National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month,” and at its January 3 meeting, members of the Rotary Club of Beaufort learned more about this insidious crime. Human trafficking, also known as modern slavery, occurs throughout the world, and is a major focus of Rotary International. In support of learning more about this crime and how to spot it, the Rotary Club of Beaufort invited Beaufort resident Rachel McBride, who, with her husband Mark founded “The Helianthus Project,” to educate its members about human trafficking at the global and local level. The Helianthus Project is a local Latina- and veteran-founded nonprofit with the mission of assisting minor/youth victims of human trafficking. McBride explained the project’s emphasis in three major areas: education, advocacy, and healing. She dispelled many of the myths about human trafficking and provided statis-

Beaufort Rotary President Barry Wilson (left) presents a check for a $1,000 grant to Rachel McBride (right), founder and director of “The Helianthus Project.” tics on how pervasive the crime is, even in the local Beaufort area. As an expression of its support to McBride’s efforts,

left the world of architecture to become a partner in his wife’s literary agency. Mihai became a fervent supporter of the agency’s many authors and particularly enjoyed presenting new books to the international book community at the annual London Bookfair. There, his gregarious personality and his skill in making tasty little sandwiches at the agency’s table made him popular with rights directors from around the world. Mihai was a natural host, a skill he later joyously used in Beaufort when, as a regular patron of Saltus Bar and Grill, he felt responsible for making sure everyone around him had a great time. Every Tuesday was devoted to his Taco Tuesday group organized by his “brother from another mother,” Roland Gardner. Among their agency’s clients was the celebrated Lowcountry writer Pat Conroy. Mihai became a friend and a passionate supporter of Conroy’s work. Following Pat’s death on March 4th, 2016, Mihai applied his marketing and computer skills to reach Pat’s readers from around the world in order to raise the financial support needed for The Pat Conroy Literary Center in the hometown that Pat so loved, a love that Mihai would come to abundantly share. Mihai is preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Alex, a brilliant musician who taught at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 39 years, Marly

Beaufort Rotary President Barry Wilson presented The Helianthus Project with a check for $1,000 as a grant for its programs.

OBITUARIES

The Island News will publish obituaries up to 300 words for no charge. This service also includes a photograph. The Island News will have a charge of .25¢ per word of obituaries beyond 300 words. Email jeff.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Rusoff, as well as an extended family which includes sister-in- law, Tamara RusoffHoen; nephews, Daniel and Ben Rusoff; stepdaughters Kari Andrade (husband Arthur); Clea Felien. His grandchildren include Matthew Andrade, Allison Andrade, and Cooper Felien. While there will be no monuments to Mihai, his deep spirituality and love of music carried him through many difficult times. Many will miss him terribly, but his spirit may live on in music. Mihai could not live without his playlist and was comforted daily by the song Seven Spanish Angels as sung by Willie Nelson and Ray Charles. On January 6th, 2024, when Mihai’s battle against cancer was over at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, we lost a great man when his “seven Spanish Angels took another angel home.” He will be remembered fondly by all those who knew his great heart, and its huge capacity for generosity and loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be gratefully received in Mihai Radulescu’s name by the Pat Conroy Literary Center.

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300 Words or Less are FREE (includes picture). Over 300 words billed at 0.25¢ per word. Contact Island News at 843-233-9465 or Jeff.TheIslandNews@gmail.com A6

JANUARY 11–17, 2024

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF APPLICATION Notice is hereby given that Lady’s Island Marina – Marina Store intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license and/or permit that will allow the sale and 7 day off-premises beer and wine consumption at 73 Sea Island Pkwy STE 14, Beaufort, SC 29907. To object to the issuance of this license and/or permit, you must submit Form ABL-20, postmarked no later than, January 25, 2024. Submit protests online at MyDORWAY.dor.sc.dov, or email ABL@dor.sc.gov. TRUSTEE'S NOTICE OF SALE 95-4 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 12/21/2023 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- VERONICA BLACK KODZAI 8127 IVY HOLLOW DR, CHARLOTTE, NC 282272438, 0.0073861610410129%, U1305-W5E, 4180/2459, $13,734.46, $350, $390.88, $14,475.34, $5.81; JEROME GETER&ANGELA J. GETER 119 MISTY FOREST WAY, PIEDMONT, SC 29673-9829, 0.0073861610410129%, U2607-W27O, 4230/52, $35,886.91, $350, $390.88, $36,627.79, $15.96; WILFRID JEAN, JR.&TIESSENCE ARQUEIA JEAN 2400 NW 33RD ST UNIT 1110, OAKLAND PARK, FL 33309, 0.0073861610410129%, U2502-W4O, 4213/1943, $18,258.49, $350, $221.38, $18,829.87, $8.52; CIRO RAFAEL SANTANA&LILIANA MARIA LINARES 7383 BIG CYPRESS COURT, HIALEAH, FL 33014, 0.0073861610410129%, U1105-W29E, 3766/2810, $21,935.08, $350, $221.38, $22,506.46, $7.27; E. CHRISTINE MOLL 1090B ARGYLL CIR, LAKEWOOD, NJ 08701-6948, 0.0147723220820258,0.0147723220 820258%, U2210-W34B,U2307-W25B, 3897/2468, $77,416.56, $350, $221.38, $77,987.94, $30.96; NAVANEETHA KRISHNAN PURUSHOTHAMAN 43227 HERON DR, NOVI, MI 48375, 0.0073861610410129%, U2106-W3E, 4212/2906, $13,851.98, $350, $221.38, $14,423.36, $5.44; HAZEL R. CLARK 8576 JAMESTOWN WAY, JONESBORO, GA 30238, 0.0147723220820258%, U2301-W27B, 3809/3109, $28,982.15, $350, $221.38, $29,553.53, $13.05; TRISHA MARIE HARRISON&MICHAEL PAUL HARRISON 128 ROCK ISLAND ST, SPRING VALLEY, IL 61362-1628, 0.0147723220820258,0.01477 23220820258%, U1302-W9B, U1302-W47B, 4094/2504, $54,091.59, $350, $221.38, $54,662.97, $22.23; DOMINIC ANTHONY CATALLO&NICOLE JANA LYNN CATALLO 2861 SIERRA MADRE AVE, CLOVIS, CA 93611-5084, 0.0073861610410129%, U1203-W48E, 4137/2214, $11,825.38, $350, $221.38, $12,396.76, $5.84; DIANTE S. JOHNSON 900 ARMY NAVY DR # 1411, ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4928, 0.0073861610410129%, U2408-W4O, 4424/2115, $14,263.02, $350, $221.38, $14,834.40, $7.3;DEE ANN MYERS&STEPHEN CHARLES HULL 2924 SOUTHWEST 16TH ST, LEES SUMMIT, MO 64081, 0.0073861610410129%, U1106-W11O, 3717/879, $13,801.35, $350, $221.38, $14,372.73, $4.69;CYNTHIA C. CABRERA&ERIC T. JACKSON 3085 PONY RIDGE TURN, DUMFRIES, VA 22026-2765, 0.0073861610410129%, U2108-W30O, 4197/702, $34,680.49, $350, $221.38, $35,251.87, $17.44;BARAK KERNS BAKER&LISA BETH BAKER 283 CYPRESS TRAIL DRIVE, ORMOND BEACH, FL 32174, 0.0147723220820258%, U2503-W41B, 3861/2721, $32,880.62, $350, $221.38, $33,452.00, $13.03;FRANK J. RALLY 361 BRECKENRIDGE DR, AURORA, IL 60504, 0.0073861610410129%, U1308-W3O, 4009/1637, $14,837.36, $350, $221.38, $15,408.74, $5.95;COURTNEY NICOLE LOVE 121 BOZEMAN DRIVE APT B, FORT MILL, SC 29715, 0.0073861610410129%, U1105-W4O, 4028/300, $11,991.42, $350, $221.38, $12,562.80, $5.94.

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq., NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the undersigned Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 1/18/2024 beginning at 9:00 A.M.. The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bolchoz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910. Property Description: Unit Number 444, Vacation Week 18, Designated Season GOLD Timeshare Interest consisting of 1 undivided 1/102 interest(s) in fee simple as tenants in common in and to the below described Condominium Unit, together with a corresponding undivided interest in the Common Furnishings which are appurtenant to such Condominium Unit, as well as the recurring (i) exclusive right every calendar year to reserve, use and occupy an Assigned Unit within Royal Dunes Beach Villa sat Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property Regime (the “Project”); (ii) exclusive Furnishings located within or otherwise appurtenant to such Assigned Unit; and (iii) non-exclusive right to use and enjoy the Common Elements of the Project, for their intended purpose, during the Vacation Week or one (1) or more Split Vacation Periods (up to maximum of seven (7) days and nights) in the Designated Season identified above as shall properly have been reserved in accordance with the provisions of the then-current Rule and Regulations promulgated by Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Owners Association, Inc., all pursuant to the Master Deed for Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property Regime, duly recorded in the RMC Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, in Record Book 698 at Page 940, as amended from time to time (the “Master Deed”). Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different from the Obligor; and any Junior Lienholders is as follows: LARRY B. DENT & VEDA J. DENT , 906 LOWER MILL ROAD, HIXSON, TN 37343. The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN as recorded in Lien Book 157 at Page 2528, records of Beaufort County, SC. The amounts secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN, are

The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN as recorded in Lien Book 158 at Page 395, records of Beaufort County, SC. The amounts secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN, are

The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bolchoz Law Amount currently in default (including interest) Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910. $ 3,751.02 Costs $ 248.66 Property Description: Unit Number 214, Vacation Week 7, Attorney Fees $ 350.00 Designated Season Bronze Total Amount Due $ 4,349.68 Timeshare Interest consisting of 1 undivided 1/51 interest(s) in fee simple as tenants in common in and to the below deTogether with any and all additional dues, assessments, scribed Condominium Unit, together with a corresponding costs, other fees, and interest coming due and payable here- undivided interest in the Common Furnishings which are after. appurtenant to such Condominium Unit, as well as the recurring (i) exclusive right every calendar year to reserve, use The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be and occupy an Assigned Unit within Royal Dunes Beach Villa required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of sat Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property Regime (the “Projthe bid. If the Creditor is the successful bidder at the sale, ect”); (ii) exclusive Furnishings located within or otherwise it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount appurtenant to such Assigned Unit; and (iii) non-exclusive Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay right to use and enjoy the Common Elements of the Project, for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, for their intended purpose, during the Vacation Week or one and Recording Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, (1) or more Split Vacation Periods (up to maximum of seven easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or senior (7) days and nights) in the Designated Season identified mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives above as shall properly have been reserved in accordance with the provisions of the then-current Rule and Regulations no opinion thereto. promulgated by Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal ReAn Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior sort Owners Association, Inc., all pursuant to the Master Deed Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date for Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Horizontal of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to Property Regime, duly recorded in the RMC Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, in Record Book 698 at Page 940, S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345. as amended from time to time (the “Master Deed”). King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee, by Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or from the Obligor; and any Junior Lienholders is as follows: W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 WILLIAM A. BRADLEY JR. & SHIRLEY L. BRADLEY , 92 WEST P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 STREET APT 323, WILMINGTON, MA 01887. (843)-249-0777 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq., NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the undersigned Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 1/18/2024 beginning at 9:00 A.M..

The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN as recorded in Lien Book 158 at Page 391, records of Beaufort County, SC. The amounts secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN, are

The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN as recorded in Lien Book 158 at Page 387, records of Beaufort County, SC. The amounts secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN, are Amount currently in default (including interest) $ 3,750.82 Costs $ 851.36 Attorney Fees $ 350.00 Total Amount Due $ 4,952.18 Together with any and all additional dues, assessments, costs, other fees, and interest coming due and payable hereafter. The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bidder at the sale, it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount Due. The successful bidder 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, 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 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq., NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the undersigned Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 1/18/2024 beginning at 9:00 A.M..

The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bolchoz Law Amount currently in default (including interest) The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bolchoz Law Amount currently in default (including interest) Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910. $ 4,696.49 Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910. $ 7,887.29 Costs $ 855.46 Costs $ 248.66 Property Description: Unit Number 331, Vacation Week 4, $ 350.00 Attorney Fees $ 350.00 Property Description: Unit Number 131, Vacation Week 3, Attorney Fees Designated Season Bronze Total Amount Due $ 9,092.75 Total Amount Due $ 5,295.15 Designated Season Bronze Timeshare Interest consisting of 1 undivided 1/51 inter Timeshare Interest consisting of 1 undivided 1/51 interest(s) est(s) in fee simple as tenants in common in and to the Together with any and all additional dues, assessments, in fee simple as tenants in common in and to the below de- Together with any and all additional dues, assessments, below described Condominium Unit, together with a correcosts, other fees, and interest coming due and payable here- scribed Condominium Unit, together with a corresponding costs, other fees, and interest coming due and payable here- sponding undivided interest in the Common Furnishings after. undivided interest in the Common Furnishings which are after. which are appurtenant to such Condominium Unit, as well appurtenant to such Condominium Unit, as well as the reas the recurring (i) exclusive right every calendar year to The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be curring (i) exclusive right every calendar year to reserve, use The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be reserve, use and occupy an Assigned Unit within Royal required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of and occupy an Assigned Unit within Royal Dunes Beach Villa required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of Dunes Beach Villa sat Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bidder at the sale, sat Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property Regime (the “Proj- the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bidder at the sale, Regime (the “Project”); (ii) exclusive Furnishings located it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount ect”); (ii) exclusive Furnishings located within or otherwise it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount within or otherwise appurtenant to such Assigned Unit; Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay appurtenant to such Assigned Unit; and (iii) non-exclusive Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay and (iii) non-exclusive right to use and enjoy the Common for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, right to use and enjoy the Common Elements of the Project, for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, Elements of the Project, for their intended purpose, during and Recording Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, for their intended purpose, during the Vacation Week or one and Recording Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, the Vacation Week or one (1) or more Split Vacation Perieasements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or senior (1) or more Split Vacation Periods (up to maximum of seven easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or senior ods (up to maximum of seven (7) days and nights) in the mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives (7) days and nights) in the Designated Season identified mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives Designated Season identified above as shall properly have been reserved in accordance with the provisions of the above as shall properly have been reserved in accordance no opinion thereto. no opinion thereto. then-current Rule and Regulations promulgated by Royal with the provisions of the then-current Rule and Regulations An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior promulgated by Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Re- An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Owners Association, Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date sort Owners Association, Inc., all pursuant to the Master Deed Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date Inc., all pursuant to the Master Deed for Royal Dunes Beach of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to for Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Horizontal of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to Villas at Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property Regime, duly Property Regime, duly recorded in the RMC Office for Beau- S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345. recorded in the RMC Office for Beaufort County, South CarS.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345. fort County, South Carolina, in Record Book 698 at Page 940, olina, in Record Book 698 at Page 940, as amended from as amended from time to time (the “Master Deed”). time to time (the “Master Deed”). King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee, by King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee, by Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 from the Obligor; and any Junior Lienholders is as follows: P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 from the Obligor; and any Junior Lienholders is as follows: P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 RAY GORDON HODGES , PO BOX 6365, SEVIERVILLE, TN (843)-249-0777 TIMOTHY M. KOVALCIK & HELENE A. KOVALCIK , 18 EDGE(843)-249-0777 WOOD CT, DECATUR, IL 62526. 37864. TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq., NOTICE IS the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the CLAIM Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq., NOTICE IS the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the CLAIM HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the undersigned Trustee to OF LIEN as recorded in Lien Book 158 at Page 383, records of HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the undersigned Trustee to OF LIEN as recorded in Lien Book 158 at Page 402, records of sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the Beaufort County, SC. sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the Beaufort County, SC. 1/18/2024 beginning at 9:00 A.M.. 1/18/2024 beginning at 9:00 A.M.. The amounts secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN, are The amounts secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN, are The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bolchoz Law The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bolchoz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910. Amount currently in default (including interest) Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910. Amount currently in default (including interest) $ 3,750.82 $ 5,667.53 $ 854.64 $ 851.36 Property Description: Unit Number 334, Vacation Week 3, Costs Property Description: Unit Number 234, Vacation Week 6, Costs Attorney Fees $ 350.00 Attorney Fees $ 350.00 Designated Season Bronze Designated Season Bronze $ 4,955.46 $ 6,868.89 Timeshare Interest consisting of 1 undivided 1/51 interest(s) Total Amount Due Timeshare Interest consisting of 1 undivided 1/102 inter- Total Amount Due in fee simple as tenants in common in and to the below de- est(s) in fee simple as tenants in common in and to the below scribed Condominium Unit, together with a corresponding Together with any and all additional dues, assessments, described Condominium Unit, together with a correspond- Together with any and all additional dues, assessments, undivided interest in the Common Furnishings which are costs, other fees, and interest coming due and payable here- ing undivided interest in the Common Furnishings which are costs, other fees, and interest coming due and payable hereappurtenant to such Condominium Unit, as well as the recur- after. appurtenant to such Condominium Unit, as well as the re- after. curring (i) exclusive right every calendar year to reserve, use ring (i) exclusive right every calendar year to reserve, use and and occupy an Assigned Unit within Royal Dunes Beach Villa The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be occupy an Assigned Unit within Royal Dunes Beach Villa sat The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be sat Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property Regime (the “Proj- required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property Regime (the “Project”); required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of ect”); (ii) exclusive Furnishings located within or otherwise the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bidder at the sale, (ii) exclusive Furnishings located within or otherwise appur- the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bidder at the sale, appurtenant to such Assigned Unit; and (iii) non-exclusive it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount tenant to such Assigned Unit; and (iii) non-exclusive right to it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount right to use and enjoy the Common Elements of the Project, Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay use and enjoy the Common Elements of the Project, for their Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay for their intended purpose, during the Vacation Week or one for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, intended purpose, during the Vacation Week or one (1) or for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, (1) or more Split Vacation Periods (up to maximum of seven and Recording Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, more Split Vacation Periods (up to maximum of seven (7) and Recording Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, (7) days and nights) in the Designated Season identified easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or senior days and nights) in the Designated Season identified above easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or senior above as shall properly have been reserved in accordance mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives as shall properly have been reserved in accordance with the mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives provisions of the then-current Rule and Regulations pro- no opinion thereto. with the provisions of the then-current Rule and Regulations no opinion thereto. mulgated by Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort promulgated by Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Owners Association, Inc., all pursuant to the Master Deed An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Owners Association, Inc., all pursuant to the Master Deed An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior for Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Horizontal Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date for Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Horizontal Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date Property Regime, duly recorded in the RMC Office for Beau- of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to Property Regime, duly recorded in the RMC Office for Beau- of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to fort County, South Carolina, in Record Book 698 at Page 940, S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345. fort County, South Carolina, in Record Book 698 at Page 940, S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345. as amended from time to time (the “Master Deed”). as amended from time to time (the “Master Deed”). King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee, by King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee, by Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or from the Obligor; and any Junior Lienholders is as follows: W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 from the Obligor; and any Junior Lienholders is as follows: W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 JAMES C. SCHAEFER & E. ANNE SCHAEFER , 800 NATCHEZ P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 CHARLES W. BAVIS , 11656 LAKE WILLIS DRIVE, ORLANDO, P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 TRACE, UNIT 27, LEXINGTON, TN 38351. FL 32821. (843)-249-0777 (843)-249-0777

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HEALTH & WELLNESS Options & References for a Healthier Life

Diabetes and cold medicines

How does illness affect your blood sugar?

When you’re sick, it can be hard to keep your blood sugar in the normal range. The stress of illness can trigger the release of hormones that cause your blood sugar levels to rise. And sometimes, illness can cause a lack of appetite and your blood glucose levels may plummet. It can be a delicate balancing act to manage your blood sugar when you’re sick, even if you’re taking your diabetes medications as prescribed. If you do get sick, it’s important to check your blood glucose readings frequently (at least 4 times a day). If readings are consistently higher than 250 mg/dL, you need to check your urine ketone levels and let your healthcare provider know. High glucose and urine ketones can be a sign of a serious complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This is when your blood sugar levels become dangerously high. It can cause problems ranging from dehydration to kidney failure and even coma and death. Illnesses like a cold or the flu are an important—but preventable— cause of DKA. If you are fighting an illness, your provider will help you adjust your diabetes medications so that you can avoid DKA. If you have diabetes and catch a cold, some of the medications used to treat it can make your diabetes harder to manage. Some over the counter (OTC) cold medications can affect your blood glucose level, making it harder to keep in the normal range. Also, the infection itself can cause your blood-sugar levels to go up. If you’re living with diabetes, it’s important to have a plan of action before catching a cold. Let’s take a closer look at what cold medications are safe for you to take to feel better and reduce your symptoms.

Some common over the counter (OTC) cold medications can make diabetes harder to manage. Certain cold medications can raise or lower your blood glucose. Some medications can also interfere with continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). If you have diabetes, it’s important to have a plan of action in place if you catch a cold. This will help you know what to do and how to recover faster.

What medication can you take for a cough with diabetes?

If you have diabetes, you will want to look for cough medications without added sugar or alcohol. The two main ingredients in OTC cough medications to look for are Guaifenesin, which loosens mucus and/or Dextromethorphan, which quiets your cough. You can use these medications separately, or you can find them combined. Some common combination cough medications for people with diabetes include: • Robitussin Sugar-Free • Diabetic Tussin • Safetussin • Scot-Tussin

Which cold medications should you avoid if you have diabetes?

You may want to avoid certain cold medication ingredients when you have diabetes. Let’s take a closer look at cold medications that may impact your blood sugars.

Cough syrups: A lot of cough syrups have added ingredients that can make diabetes harder to manage. Be sure to check the label of your cough syrup for ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, honey, and/ or alcohol. If you must take a cough syrup with added sugar, make sure to take the extra carbohydrates into account for your meals or when deciding how much diabetes medication you need to take. Decongestants: Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is a common OTC decongestant, but it may raise your blood glucose levels. Most nasal decongestant sprays—like oxymetazoline (Afrin)—also carry a warning for people with diabetes. If you do use them, make sure you keep track of your blood glucose readings. That way you can adjust your medications as needed. Pain and fever reducers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and salicylic acid (aspirin) can both interact with certain CGMs to cause abnormal readings. Taking acetaminophen when you have a cold may cause

your CGM to have a false high reading. Meanwhile, aspirin may cause your glucose level to appear low. You may need to check your blood sugar with a glucometer (finger prick) rather than a CGM if you decide to use aspirin or acetaminophen for your cold symptoms. You’ll also want to check the labels of OTC cold medications, as these medications are often found in them.

When should you visit your doctor if you have diabetes and a cold?

If you have diabetes and a cold and your symptoms aren’t improving, you should let your provider know. Seek medical care right away if you: • Have trouble breathing. • Have urine ketones. • Are unable to keep fluids down. • Lose more than 5 pounds while sick. • Can’t keep food down for more than 24 hours. • Have a temperature over

101°F for more than 24 hours. • Are confused. • Have a glucose level lower than 60 mg/dL. The bottom line is that colds are normally not very serious. But some cold medications can make diabetes harder to manage. Some cold medications can raise your blood sugar or make your glucose readings inaccurate. Always read the labels and check the ingredients on any cold medication you take when you have diabetes. Fortunately, taking care of a cold with diabetes doesn’t have to be complicated. Have a plan for sick days ahead of time so you’ll know what medications you can take and which ones you should avoid. Excerpted from an article by Frank Schwalbe, MD and reviewed by Karla Robinson, MD, published Sept., 2023 Sources: https://www.goodrx.com/ conditions/diabetes/cold-medicine; References: American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Preparing for sick days. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Managing sick days.

parentPULSE©

Healthy things to do with your kids

Bring your bike. Go for a family bike ride and discover your neighborhood. Because you can ride farther than you'd be able to walk, you and your kids can explore more on bikes than on foot. Who knows what delights have been hidden in some undiscovered part of your town? Take a hike. Go for a stroll locally, take a walk in the park, or seek out walking trails and explore! Families who are looking for a walking adventure can explore the National Park Service's website to find incredible

trails that are practically in their own backyard. Create a "Family Footsteps Challenge." A pedometer (there’s one on your smartwatch if you have one) is a great little device that counts a person's steps. Have everyone in the family take a turn wearing it for a day and see who takes the most steps. Choose a healthy prize to reward the winner of the challenge. Show your green thumb. Dig and plant in the garden with the kids. Help everyone plant his or her own fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

Don't worry about crooked rows and weeds: what's important is getting the whole family together in the dirt. Walk the dog, or the neighbor's dog, if you don't have one of your own. A dog's enthusiasm for everyday people and things can be infectious. One note of caution: Make sure that whoever is holding the leash can restrain the dog if it wants to bolt after a squirrel. Up, up, and away. Go fly a kite! Kite flying is a tradition that goes back almost 3,000 years. It was even

instrumental in Ben Franklin's discovery of electricity—although it goes without saying that you should never fly a kite in a lightning storm, like he did!

and on Rainy days... A novel idea. Have kids write and illustrate their own book. Place a few sheets of white paper on top of a piece of colored construc-

tion paper. Fold in half and staple it together so it opens from the right. Encourage kids to write the story first (one line or paragraph per page) and then create the pictures. or... Make play clay. Combine 2-1⁄2 cups flour, 1⁄2 cup salt, 2 packages of unsweetened Kool-Aid Drink Mix, and 2 tbsp. cream of tartar. Add 2 cups boiling water and 2 tbsp. vegetable oil. Mix together with a fork for 3-4 minutes, or until cool enough to handle. Knead on wax paper. (Remind kids not to eat this clay.)

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While you may think that an ‘exercise snack’ means trying a new smoothie or protein bar, the term actually refers to doing short bursts of intense activity throughout the day. But like any other exercise, doing it regularly will make it more likely you’ll see an impact. “Consistency is key. When we are doing any form of exercise, it doesn't necessarily become beneficial if we're doing it inconsistently,” said Katie Lawton, MEd, exercise physiologist with Cleveland Clinic. “When we do things consistently over a period of

a year, that's when we tend to see more benefits.” Lawton explained an exercise snack is typically a high-intensity activity that lasts around one to two minutes. These can be anything from climbing stairs to jumping jacks and don’t require a gym membership or other equipment. While more research is needed to see the overall health benefits of exercise snacking, it can be a good reminder to get up and move throughout the day. Many people are getting fewer steps with remote and

hybrid working schedules. Lawton said it’s best to plan out times to be active— whether that’s through exercise snacking or traditional workouts. “It’s hard for some people to just stop what they're doing to go exercise,” she said. “You should try making exercise part of your schedule.” Lawton adds that it’s important to warm up before any physical activity and encourages people to talk with their healthcare provider if they’re unsure about workout plans. Source: ccnewsservice@ccf.org; January 3, 2024

HEALTH & WELLNESS Options & References for a Healthier Life

Preventing caregiver burnout Tips and support for family caregivers

Providing care for a family member in need is a centuries-old act of kindness, love, and loyalty. And as life expectancies increase and medical treatments advance, more and more of us will participate in the caregiving process, either as the caregiver, the recipient of care, or possibly both. Unfortunately, caregiving can take a heavy toll if you don’t get adequate support. Caregiving involves many stressors: changes in the family dynamic, household disruption, financial pressure, and the sheer amount of work involved. The rewards of caregiving—if they come at all—are intangible and far off, and often there is no hope for a happy outcome. If you’re caring for a family member, it’s essential that you get the support you need before burnout occurs. The good news is that you’re not alone. There is help for caregivers available. As the stress piles up, frustration and despair take hold and burnout becomes a very real danger. But you can prevent caregiver burnout by following a few essential guidelines: • Learn as much as you can about your family member’s illness and about how to be a caregiver as you can. The more you know, the more effective you’ll be, and the better you’ll feel about your efforts. • Know your limits. Be realistic about how much of your time

By 2030, more than 70 million Americans will be 65 or older and at least 90 percent of them will be licensed to drive. Nearly half of the nation’s older drivers worry about losing their freedom and mobility when it’s time to give up driving, according to a new survey by AAA. If your elderly loved one is still licensed and driving, follow this checklist: Check medications They can impair driving by making seniors drowsier or more distracted than usual. Seniors should avoid driving for a few days once they begin a new medication, so they know how the drug affects them. Be sure they consult their physician and pharmacist before

10 TIPS FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS 1.

Caregiving is a job and respite is your earned right. Reward yourself with respite breaks often.

Watch out for signs of depression, and don’t delay in getting professional help when you need it.

When people offer to help, accept the offer, and suggest specific things that they can do.

4. Educate yourself about your loved one’s condition and how to communicate effectively with doctors. 5.

and yourself you can give. Set clear limits, and communicate those limits to doctors, family members, and other people involved. • Accept your feelings. Caregiving can trigger a host of difficult emotions, including anger, fear, resentment, guilt, helplessness, and grief. As long as you don’t compromise the well-being of the care receiver, allow yourself to feel what you feel.

There’s a difference between caring and doing. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one’s independence.

Trust your instincts. Most of the time they’ll lead you in the right direction.

Caregivers often do a lot of lifting, pushing, and pulling. Be good to your back.

Grieve for your losses, and

Common warning signs of caregiver burnout: •

You have much less energy than you used to.

•

It seems like you catch every cold or flu that’s going around.

•

You’re constantly exhausted, even after sleeping or taking a break.

•

You neglect your own needs, either because you’re too busy or you don’t care anymore.

•

Your life revolves around caregiving, but it gives you little satisfaction.

• Confide in others. Talk to peothen allow yourself to dream new dreams. ple about what you feel; don’t 9. Seek support from other keep your emotions bottled • caregivers. There is great up. Caregiver support groups strength in knowing you are are invaluable, but trusted not alone. friends and family members 10. Stand up for your rights as a can help too. You may also caregiver and a citizen. • benefit from seeing a therapist Source: National Family Caregiver’s Association or counselor. Find additional information at Caregiver Alliance’s Family Care Navigator, a state-by-state and resources for older or disabled resource intended to help you lo- adults. http://www.helpguide.org/ • cate services for family caregivers elder/caring_for_caregivers.htm

AGING DRIVERS

starting a new medication, to see if it will affect their ability to drive. Have eyes checked - Eyes change with age. Seniors’ peripheral vision narrows, they are less sensitive to light and their eyes lose the ability to focus quickly. A 60-year-old driver requires 10 times as much light to see as a 19-year-old. Night driving often becomes difficult for a senior. Be aware of sleep issues 37 million older Americans suffer from frequent sleep problems. The drowsier behind the wheel, the slower the reflexes. Reflex and awareness This can be especially risky if getting behind the wheel of a car. Statistics reveal that older drivers are more

likely than younger ones to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes, particularly at intersections. Editor’s

note: In my experience, the cause of an intersection accident is often another and usually younger person not

paying attention, running a red light while texting or talking on a handheld cell phone. Seniors are usually

You have trouble relaxing, even when help is available. You’re increasingly impatient and irritable with the person you’re caring for. You feel overwhelmed, helpless, and hopeless.

the accident victim—not the cause, in this case. Check vehicle for signs of damage when he/she is not with you – This can be a good indicator about their ability to drive. Driving tests can miss the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s that affect judgment, understanding and memory which can cause accidents on the road. If it’s time to take the keys away, adult children should reassure their elderly parents they can still see friends and be involved in activities even if they can’t drive. For more information, visit www.seniorhelpers.com. Sources: Smart Motorist, American Automobile Association (AAA), AARP, National Safety Council.

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

JANUARY 11–17, 2024

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

However bad you think SC’s DJJ is, the truth is worse

he tragic death in custody of Easley Jeffcoat, a 16-yearold boy arrested for nonviolent and noncriminal conduct, is but the latest consequence of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice’s chronic failure to protect children in their care. The truth is, every child in DJJ’s custody is in danger. Facilities are staggeringly overcrowded, woefully understaffed, and chronically failing to meet the physical, mental, and emotional needs of vulnerable and traumatized youth. Without radical reform — including a dramatic reduction in incarceration — there will be more casualties. The public facts are shocking enough, but we at the ACLU of South Carolina have discovered more evidence during our ongoing lawsuit challenging the conditions in these facilities, SC NAACP v. SC DJJ.

children are forced to spend each night in “boat beds” (plastic bins the size of sleeping bags) on the floors of unsecured hallways and common areas.

Overcrowding DJJ’s Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) is where most children are held while they wait to resolve their delinquency cases. Located in Columbia, JDC is built to hold 72 children. But because of over-incarceration (often for status offenses, like truancy), delays in family court proceedings, and the closure of some county-based facilities, JDC regularly detains more than 130 children. As a result, as many as 85

Violence Years of overcrowding and understaffing have led to tragic consequences. DJJ’s own violence statistics paint a haunting picture. In May and June of this year, there were 197 youth-on-youth assaults and 148 violence-related injuries across DJJ’s 5 secure facilities. Children have been hospitalized for head injuries, had their jaws broken, and had teeth knocked out.

ALLEN CHANEY

Understaffing DJJ is chronically understaffed. At JDC, for example, one-third of security positions are unfilled. As a result, 130-plus children are frequently supervised by only six to eight correctional officers. Other facilities are being operated with less than half the staff necessary to maintain security.

Photos taken at the Juvenile Detention Center, a pre-detention facility operated by the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice, show a broken shower, water on the floor, and a sheet being used as a shower curtain. Children reported getting sick for months due to mold, and rooms smelled like urine because the toilets did not work properly. Photo courtesy of ACLU-SC

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

It’s time for an honest conversation

Enough

Toilets in S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice facilities are frequently stopped up for weeks, leaving human excrement in the open where the children sleep. In one instance at the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), children used sheets to fill a stopped-up toilet in a futile attempt to cover the stench. In another instance at JDC, weeks went by with only one working toilet on a pod that housed more than 20 children. Photo courtesy of ACLU-SC Lack of mental health services By DJJ’s own estimation, the majority of children in their care meet criteria for at least one mental health disorder. Despite that, most are never screened, evaluated, diagnosed, or treated. Rather than receiving care, some children are mistreated Misuse of solitary because of their impairments. confinement One child with autism was Overcrowding and understaffing have created an over-reliance held in isolation because correctional officers lacked the time on placing youths in isolation. or training to accommodate his In violation of federal law, DJJ behavior. Another child suffering uses prolonged solitary confinement (for days or weeks at a time) from psychotic episodes was held in solitary confinement and was as punishment for misconduct. forced to rely on another child to Officials also use facility-wide bring him food to eat. isolation (i.e., locking everyone Even in the rare instances in their cells) to compensate for their inability to ensure children’s where a mental health professional intervenes on behalf of a safety. child, their recommendations — Given the well-researched and long-lasting developmental harms for example, that a child should be removed from isolation — are caused by isolation, this “soluignored by security personnel. tion” merely replaces physical harm (exposure to violence) with What can be done? mental and psychological harm. First, South Carolina must stop In fact, research shows that arresting and detaining nonvimore than half of all suicides attempted in juvenile facilities oc- olent children. Youth who are curred during periods of isolation. truant, run away from home, or Children have been attacked for not joining gangs, for refusing to be extorted, and for no reason at all. Some facilities are so dangerous that staff have refused to come to work out of fear for their own safety.

It is so good to hear you affirm the presence of “far right wackos” in the We're a military town and I'm proud of Republican ranks, but then you buy into it. I stop, look up and smile whenever F-18s After reading Jim Dickson's (January the false narrative of “millions of illegal or F-35s pass overhead. Out of interest I've 4) column, it is clear we need to have immigrants” at our border — when in fact attended graduations at Parris Island and an intelligent and honest discussion on those wackos you mention hold (funding) been to the Marine Museum several times. immigration reform and the crisis at the for both Ukraine and border needs hostage However, the frequent Marine-related U.S. southern border. to an extreme agenda. On another note, I articles in your paper are AWFUL! They Since President Biden was inaugurated was offended when you granted the local read as if written by a crudely programmed in January 2021, his administration has Republican leadership of South Carolina AI bot. Full of stilted military speak that repeatedly reached out to Congressional credit for the impending fix to part of I-95. leaves the previously interested reader Republicans offering to work on a biparThat funding is coming from Biden’s Intotally uninformed. tisan immigration reform package. Even frastructure bill — which both Senator Tim If you want me to read it, write it in the though the Republicans claim this is a Scott and all six South Carolina Republican language I speak. Humanize it. De-jargon matter of national security, they have steadU.S. House members voted against! it. I doubt that even Marines talk this way fastly rejected all offers from the Biden Finally, Jim, you cannot echo the extremto each other. As a physician, I guarantee administration. ist views of border issues on the one hand I could write an article for your paper that The reason for their rejection is glaringly then mention why the world’s oppressed would be totally technically correct and obvious. They saw what happened in 2023 masses wish to come here, while not detotally unintelligible to any reader except when Republicans suffered a string of emmanding the Republicans negotiate on just a physician. A waste of paper space and barrassing defeats across the country (Wis., that issue alone, in good faith. Besides, we reader time. Pa., Ohio, Va., Kan., Ky., etc.). Whenever have not even begun to see the potential Perhaps hire an editor. reproductive choice was an issue, Republifor climate-related human migration we – Tom Downs, Beaufort will all face when we do not deal forthrightcans lost. 2024 figures to be even worse for Republicans unless they find something to ly with climate change and our role in it. at least partially counteract the unpopular- My minority view? My mind says we likely agree more than ity of their position on reproductive choice. But, wait! Is it? Compared to Jim Dickson, disagree on many matters, and it wandered They have chosen the border crisis as their somewhere and the lyrics of Joni Mitchell’s I am as far to the “left” or Democratic side key issue in 2024 and they absolutely need as possible, yet I am sure we agree on many 1967 “Both Sides Now” came to me. So all to keep it alive, even if it means jeopardizin love and kindness, hope we can see both things. Great Beaufort Hospital system and ing our national security. sides of the vast ideas we debate. Happy docs, yes. Great American democracy, yes As voters, we must not allow ourselves New Year! (worth protecting in 2024). to be fooled by this dangerous and But, Jim, it is not public school teachers – Tim Dodds, Lady’s Island disingenuous ploy. We must reject and librarians who are “woke” (who are the politicians who knowingly put our nation's problem) — but a minority who wish to deny security at risk just so they can score cheap Tell me why teachers their right to teach the truth, or political points. Why is it rich Republican lawmakers librarians the right to offer first amendment – Peter Birschbach, Port Royal reading rights to students. want to strip away voting rights; strip

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JANUARY 11–17, 2024

possess alcohol need intervention — not arrest and incarceration. Second, we need a speedy trial law that requires solicitors and family court judges to resolve delinquency proceedings more quickly, so that youths are not stuck in pre-trial detention. Third, DJJ needs more funding so that they can provide basic physical safety and meaningful access to the rehabilitative care demanded by South Carolina law. South Carolina’s treatment of detained youth doesn’t just harm the children; it also exacts a grave social cost. Children held by DJJ will be released back into society. At present, they are released far worse off than when they arrived — and our state is worse off as a result. Public safety demands a better system where children stand a real chance at rehabilitation. Chaney joined the ACLU of South Carolina as legal director in July 2021. He brings a deep ideological commitment to civil liberties and a passion for protecting and vindicating the rights of the poorest and most marginalized members of our society.

women's right to make their own decisions about their body and health care; not allow expanded Medicaid; block military promotions; fight aid to Ukraine; block Democratic presidents from Supreme Court Justice nominees so they can pack the court; believe in the lie that 2020 election was stolen despite the fact states did multiple recounts and 61 federal courts threw out frivolous lawsuits protesting the vote? Republicans … try reading the Constitution and be more human. There are three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial. The Bible is not one of our government branches. Keep your religion to yourselves! The United States has more gun and mass shootings than the rest of the world combined. But Republicans are not concerned. They want NRA campaign money — sweet, caring guys. John Schneider: He made a public threat on Biden's life and his son. He said its was his First Amendment right. Comedian Kathy Griffin did a set with a mask and fake blood about Donald Trump and she lost her job and endorsements. Schneider said she was much worse than him. Really? She does comedy and you threaten the life of a president. But again, Republicans living in an alternate galaxy. The Crew: This story brought me to tears. So many service men and women fall through the cracks either because they don't know or are too proud to admit they need help. God Bless the Crew. – Don Cass, Beaufort

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

The Marines have a knight on the chessboard

t is Friday, early, cold and clear. Some mornings I can hear bugles and rifle range fire from Parris Island. But not this morning. But I do have my coffee, the Wall Street Journal, and a piece titled “Marines’ Transformation Stirs Debate.” Many know that the Marine Corps is reducing its manpower; giving up its tanks; its artillery; and is cutting back on its fixed wing aircraft (F-35s). More importantly it has narrowed its role in providing security to the sedentary, argumentative, seldom satisfied people in these United States. We all remember Tarawa and Guadalcanal and the hotly contested amphibious landings on those beaches. We also remember the Marine Corps fighting up (and down) the Korean Peninsula. And most know that almost 18,000 Marines were stationed in Okinawa. The (sometimes) controversial deployment of Marines in Okinawa was fundamental to our commitments to defend Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. And it was a stark, obvious reminder to China that we were prepared to honor these promises with

The Marine Corps plans to meet these Chinese threats by deploying amphibious combat companies, each having about 200 men in 12 separate teams, who will show up in Osprey tilt-wing transports along with ‘100 loitering munitions’ and a limited number of ship-sinking cruise missiles having a range of 500 miles.”

SCOTT GRABER

Marine Corps muscle. But times they are a’changing, and in 2020 General David Berger, then the Commandant of the Marine Corps came up with “Force Design 2030” which changed the mission of the Corps. According to the Marine Corps Gazette (See the December 2022 issue) Force Design 2030 centers on China and, specifically, the South China Sea. We all know that China is currently transforming that body of water into its wholly owned, artificially improved swimming pool. The Chinese bring a huge amount of crude oil (and a large percentage of their natural gas) through the Straits of Malacca; and more than 220 undersea cables carrying transoceanic communications litter the sea floor. They intend to own these approaches.

The Corps, in writing-up Force Design 2030, is also mindful of the Chinese CSS 5 anti-ship missile which is also called, by some, “The Carrier Killer.” Whether or not this missile can, indeed, sink an aircraft carrier is the subject of some debate – but it is clear there will be forthcoming, better engineered models of the CSS 5 that will endanger our current carrier-enhanced dominance in the Western Pacific. The Marine Corps plans to meet these Chinese threats by deploying amphibious combat companies (each having about 200 men in 12 separate teams) who will show up in Osprey tilt-wing transports along with “100 loitering munitions” and a limited number

of ship-sinking cruise missiles having a range of 500 miles. Assuming the sinking of an American vessel, these small companies would work with troops from the host country and would presumably be based near the Straits of Malacca, the Lombok channel and other maritime choke points along the First Island Chain. The Marine Corps has taken notice of “loitering munitions” that are now being used in the Ukraine. These resemble large, propeller driven model airplanes and can tossed into the air by a single soldier. Once airborne they fly at 500 feet, can linger over a target of 40 minutes and destroy a tank if one rolls

into camera range. They are cheap at $50,000 a pop. These Marines will also have the Naval Strike Missile for any Chinese warships cruising further offshore — each missile costing about $2 million. The Marine Corps believes that it will require a salvo of eight missiles to insure the destruction of one ship. These smaller, dispersed units will require a “daily sustainment” of 928 tons of food, fuel and weapons that would be stockpiled in multiple, secret “iron hills” located throughout the region. There is ongoing debate in the Marine Corps about this new plan and some think that relying on the Army (for tanks and

artillery) and leaving its traditional maneuver role behind is a mistake. Critics point our that nervous host countries could deny “landing rights” to the tiltwing Ospreys, or deny the stock-piling of Marine Corps ammunition on their soil. While some countries (Vietnam) would surely welcome the Marines, others, Malaysia in particular, are currently being courted by Chinese. Some (the Philippines) seem to have lost confidence in the United States. Unlike the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Marine Corps has always worried about its existence. The Corps points out that they were left alone, and defenseless, at Wake Island and Guadalcanal. They know there is a natural antipathy between big battalion boys and their red-headed, bare-footed stepchild (Marine Corps). But the Marines have re-imagined themselves and now have themselves a knight in play on the geopolitical chessboard. Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.

A different kind of ‘Trail of Tears’ … why?

n Thursday, Jan. 4, the breaking news of the morning was a punch in the gut, another school shooting. As I sat and watched the information come in, my first thought was how early in the year it was, knowing from my own experience in the classroom that kids had probably just returned from the holiday vacation. When it was disclosed that the tragedy had occurred in Iowa, my mind jumped to the Republican presidential candidates who were there to make their pitch, and I wondered how they would handle the obvious questions that would arise, given their stance on gun control. Furthermore, what would be the responses from the residents of Perry, Iowa, the small town of 8,000, where still another senseless mass shooting had happened? As deeply red as this area is, would the citizens find a way to gloss over the loss of a 6th grader, and the shooting of a principal who attempted to stop the carnage, as well as the wounding of others? Last month I committed to writing about those topics that are positive. After all, said I, “’tis the season to be jolly.” or some other inane narrative. And I kept to my commitment, although there were surely issues that could have flowed from my computer that would have been less than joyful. God knows that wars continued to rage, and people continued to be slaughtered, but not wanting to be a total Grinch, I opted to back burner those thoughts and focus on lighter

CAROL LUCAS

material. However, it is a new month, in fact a new year, and I am now in the mood to take off my angora mittens, and don my boxing gloves. The shooting in Iowa calls for, indeed, demands it. What is it going to take? I have asked that question ad nauseam and have yet to receive a viable answer. But let’s turn to the illustrious solutions provided by those Republicans who are striving to lead our country for the next four years. My digging found the following responses when the “elephant in the room” (no pun intended because nothing about this topic is humorous) was finally addressed after the tedious touting of so-called accomplishments and the self-aggrandizement was concluded by those campaigning in Iowa. Ron DeSantis was introduced as the most pro-Second Amendment candidate, and was finally asked what he would do about mass shootings. He then launched into a long diatribe about the shooting in Parkland, Fla., before he became governor, and stressed that he had removed the sheriff and school board members for the law

enforcement response to the shooting. Well, that certainly must have had a profound effect. Said DeSantis, “Parents out there can count on me as somebody that is going to put the safety of our kids and the safety of our souls on the front burner. It’s important.” Several questions on other issues were asked, and at the end of the event, the topic was turned back to mass shootings. DeSantis made note of the Perry shooter’s age, 17, and said he was too young to legally own a gun. He added that whoever allowed him to have one needs to be held accountable, and then segued into a rant about criminals in Democratic-run cities. “You have to hold people accountable,” DeSantis said. Yes, Governor, you certainly do. As for the safety of our souls, have you now become Rev. DeSantis? I guess anything is acceptable when you are vying for the Presidency. On Friday, former President Donald Trump addressed the issue at a rally in Sioux Center with a very cogent response. “It’s a very terrible thing that happened, and it’s just terrible,” he said. “To see that happening. That seems terrible. So surprising to see it here. But we have to get over it. We have to move forward. We have to move forward.” Excuse this English teacher’s response to that … say what? As for “we have to get over it,” Mr. Trump, may I suggest that the parents of that 11-year-old boy will never get over it. The principal who unselfishly took

bullets so that other kids might escape will carry this trauma to his grave? Who knows how this event may affect his health in the future? Furthermore, the kids that endured that experience will deal with the nightmare for the rest of their lives. Getting over it isn’t an option. And then there was our own Nikki Haley whose response calls for some scrutiny. Haley said we have to secure our schools the way we secure our airports. I can only assume our former governor hasn’t recently traveled the airways in the same manner as “John Q Public.” Has she seen the lines at the airports as people wait to go through the detectors? Picture, if you will, kids standing out in the sub-zero weather, waiting to be “scanned” so they might go to their homerooms. Given the school populations, they might get into their lockers by 9 a.m., assuming they don’t have frostbite and have to go to the nurse. While you may deem this an exaggeration, I ask you to look at the dynamics of that solution. Furthermore, the next day at a Des Moines Rotary Club meeting, she failed to address the shooting at all. Said one Haley supporter, “I was waiting to see if she would mention it. I was surprised she didn’t. It was obvious that even words of condolence should be said.” Well, my dear, it’s called empathy, and apparently the need to gain votes negates that feeling. None of these so-called remedies represent anything close to believable. They are excuses at

best and shams at worst. I admit this is a complex issue that needs input from multiple sources across the spectrum. I also realize we have probably passed the point where we will have “control” of all the guns out there. Furthermore, I accept that there are many, probably most, who use guns responsibly. However, I will not be pulled into the conspiracy idea that any gun control is equal to the notion that “they are coming for our guns.” Yes, mental health is an issue, but so are our gun laws, and the sooner we accept that as concerned citizens, the better off we will be. We are not the only country with mental health issues. "Investigators are still working to get a ‘good grasp’ of who Dylan (the 17-year-old shooter) was, and the parents have been cooperating,” said one source. The investigation will include Butler’s background along with the “environment of the school,” he said. By that, I assume he was referring to the bullying said to have taken place. If that was known and yet ignored, it must be investigated. So the trail of school shootings continues. Columbine, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Uvalde, Nashville. Our country seemingly accepts another “Trail of Tears.” I ask again, “Why?” 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.”

Focused on our clients and helping them hit their targets. (843) 379-1065 • WWW.CWACPAS.COM • 1411 QUEEN STREET JANUARY 11–17, 2024

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By the Eucharist Alone Eucharistic Miracles Can a person survive on Holy Communion as their only food? Jesus understands that it can be difficult to believe that he is truly present in Holy Communion. To help strengthen our faith, Jesus has allowed many Eucharistic miracles to happen throughout history. Some of the most common are those of miraculous nourishment, in which holy men and women have lived for months or even years with the Eucharist as their only food or drink. Of these, the most recent and best-documented is the story of Alexandrina da Costa. Alexandrina was born in Portugal in 1904. When she was fourteen years old, she shattered her back trying to escape from an attacker. Over the next six years, she gradually lost her ability to walk. She became completely bedridden at the age of twenty, with every movement causing her great agony. Alexandrina gradually came to accept these sufferings as an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus and pray for those in need of mercy. Though she was in such pain, she continued to fall more deeply in love with Jesus.

At the age of 38, she began to live on the Eucharist alone. Beginning on Good Friday in 1942, Alexandrina could not keep down any food or drink other than the Eucharist. At first she thought it was an illness, but Jesus revealed to her that he was allowing this as a miraculous sign for others. For the next thirteen years, Alexandrina’s only nourishment was a single host (wafer) of Holy Communion, brought to her every morning by her parish priest. Despite this, she was not hungry or thirsty. Other than the damage to her back, her health remained strong and she kept a joyful spirit. Medical experts could not explain the phenomenon. As people began to hear about this miracle, some were skeptical. In 1943 at the urging of her family, Alexandrina consented to stay in the nearby hospital for a medical observation. She was under the constant surveillance of skeptical doctors and nurses for forty days. Afterward, they confirmed that she had received no food or drink whatsoever during all that time, yet her vital signs were strong, her weight stable, and her blood tests those of a well-fed person. They could offer no explanation for what they witnessed. Alexandrina lived for thirteen years on the Eucharist alone. Until her death in 1955, Alexandrina lived on nothing more than Holy Communion each morning. She once asked Jesus in prayer why he was allowing this to happen, and she heard him respond, “You are living by the Eucharist alone because I want to prove to the world the power of the Eucharist and the power of my life in souls.” Alexandrina’s story shows the importance of the Eucharist. One can see photos of Alexandrina and read more about her online. Jesus worked this miracle in her life to remind the world that he is truly present in the Eucharist, and how deeply he desires to be one with each of us in this beautiful sacrament. If Jesus can choose to give a person physical nourishment in such a miraculous way through the Eucharist, how much more powerful must the Bread of Life be for your spiritual nourishment and growth?

The Bread of Life Message 8 of 8

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SPORTS&RECREATION

JANUARY 11–17, 2024

THE HARD WORK OF ALL ATHLETES DESERVES RECOGNITION

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

USC Beaufort’s Marcus Overstreet gets kneed in the chest by Augusta University’s Ja’Queze Kirby during the first period of their NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference game Wednesday, Jan. 3, at USCB Recreation Center in Bluffton. The hometown Sand Sharks went on to narrowly beat the Jaguars, 114-112. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

USCB men make splash in Peach Belt debut By Brackin Lambert uscbathletics.com BLUFFTON — USCB men's basketball put the Peach Belt Conference on notice last week, as the Sand Sharks pulled off a thrilling 114-112 victory over the Augusta Jaguars on Wednesday in the Cove. The Sand Sharks had five players score in double-figures led by Larry Bulluck's best outing of the year with 26 points, while Sand Shark big man Marcus Overstreet fell just one rebound short of his fifth double-double of the season with 21 points and nine rebounds despite playing less than four minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. Shea Champine made his first start of the season, collecting 17 points while dishing out three assists, Kevaughn Price continued his strong season with 14 points, and Qurahn Anderson added 10 off the bench. "An incredible feeling tonight," USCB coach Ron Fudala said. "We said, ‘Don't blink. They’re going to make a run, we're going make a run. We've got to play our game for 40 minutes.’ It was a complete team effort from everyone on the court, all of the fans, it was tremendous." Beaufort started off red hot, opening the game on a 9-2 run before the first line change. Augusta trimmed the lead to four but Kobe Shewry drilled a triple from the wing to make it an eightpoint game. Dylan Lewis's layup gave the Sand Sharks a 10-point advantage through the game's first five minutes. Midway through the period the Jags cut the lead to single digits, but Champine sunk a three-ball and was fouled on the play, then converted the free throw to put

SEE SPLASH PAGE B3

Battery Creek’s defending state wrestling champion Andrew Legree, top, controls Hilton Head Island’s Alex Flencio during their 157-pound wrestling bout during the Coach Trap Duals on Saturday at Battery Creek High School. Legree pinned Flencio during the third period for the win. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Bobcats take Coach Trap Duals on tiebreaker LowcoSports.com Tiebreaker criteria don’t come into play all that frequently in high school wrestling duals, but they were critical in determining the outcome of the annual Coach Trap Duals on Saturday at Battery Creek High School, where the host Dolphins used a tiebreaker to their advantage to knock off Waccamaw and forge a three-way tie atop the standings. But the same criteria

benefited the Bluffton Bobcats, breaking the tie and crowning them the champs. If that sounds confusing, you aren’t alone. Battery Creek coach John Rutherford joked on the Lowco Grind presented by Reverence Wrestling Club that he asked several coaches and a couple of wrestlers to check his math before determining the Bobcats took the title after they wound up tied with

the Dolphins and Waccamaw at 4-1 after the six-team round-robin. And that was after they tracked down head official George Dixon to ask how to break a three-way tie in a round-robin dual tournament. Incidentally, it was only because of tiebreaker criteria that the three-way tie existed. The Dolphins would have

SEE DUALS PAGE B3

Lowco stars take on Georgia foes Saturday Annual Blitz Border Bowl set for noon in Savannah

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com The top seniors from the Lowco will get one last shot to strap on the pads in their high school football careers and represent their state in the annual Blitz Border Bowl, which pits the Lowco stars against their Savannah-area rivals with kickoff scheduled for noon at Memorial Stadium in Savannah. Team Lowco is looking to bounce back from a tough loss last year after rallying for a thrilling win in 2022. Bluffton Bobcats head coach Hayden Gregory will lead the Lowcountry squad and bring a number of the stars from his high-flying offense with him, including quarterback Owen Bayes — one of three QBs on the Lowco roster — and prolific receiver Brandon Bryant. Battery Creek’s Juju Gordon will also be

among the Lowco receiving corps. Beaufort’s Jadyn Andrews and Whale Branch’s Darrell Cummings round out a backfield led by S.C. Mr. Football finalist and Gatorade S.C. Player of the Year Zion Dobson. The Hurricanes will also lend two of the linemen who helped pave the way for Dobson to work up front alongside Beaufort’s Adrian Lamb to anchor the line.

Whale Branch star defensive lineman Bradford Thompson gives the Lowco two lethal pass rushers with Hampton’s Ka’Von Chisolm on the opposite side, and Warriors defensive back KJ Chisholm and Beaufort’s Dom Camacho will help anchor the secondary. Tickets are available at WSAV. com. Proceeds from the game benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire. TEAM LOWCO QB: Jackson Bibee, HHI; Owen Bayes, BLF; Dylan Clark, HHCA RB: Zion Dobson, HC; RB Jadyn Andrews, BFT; Darrell Cummings, WB; Eitan Golphin, BLF WR: Zamone Lofties, HC; Jake Huggins, HHI; Kyler Vick, BLF; Brandon Bryant, BLF; AJ Houpt, HHCA; Tyshon Mansell, HHCA; Juju Gordon, BC

TE: Cayson Simmons, MRHS; Ka’von Chisolm, HC OL: Adrian Lamb, BFT; Dan Anderson, HC; Trent Robinson, HC; Thompson May, HHI; Jason Jose, HHI; OL Will Mauro, MRHS; Chamber Eldridge, BLF; Jonathan Orr, RHHS DL: Ka’von Chisolm, HC; Adrian Gaston, MRHS; Braylen Kitty, HHI; Kuron Green, MRHS; Shane Whittaker, BLF; Bradford Thompson, WB LB: Quion Rivers, BFT; Cody Segars, HC; Bryce Harris, MRHS; Jeremiah Curry, BLF; Wyatt Tant, BLF DB: Dom Camacho, BFT; Kam Mitchell, MRHS; KJ Chisholm, WB; Wesley Jones, RHHS K/P: Tucker Tevepaugh, HHCA ATH: Xaviar Garvin, HC; Maurice Brown, RHHS

EDUCATION & SPORTS

McMaster seeks to revamp how SC teachers are paid

Budget proposal would increase teacher pay by $250M, keep college tuition steady for 5th year By Seanna Adcox SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — Gov. Henry McMaster’s budget recommendations would pay K-12 teachers more over their entire career, keep college tuition steady for South Carolina students, and put more money into scholarships toward both degrees and certifications. But he also wants a wide-ranging study on the future of higher education in South Carolina, which may eventually lead to debate over closing and merging public campuses — something former Gov. Mark Sanford advocated unsuccessfully for years. Education is a big beneficiary of increased tax revenue in McMaster’s budget proposal, with K-12 and colleges collectively receiving more than 40% of the additional $1.6 billion available to spend in 2024-25. Changes he seeks in return include revamping the way K-12 teachers have been paid for nearly 50 years. His proposal would put $250 million into increasing teachers’ salaries, which would boost the salary floor for teachers to $45,000, up from $42,500. That would represent a $10,000 jump over five years in the base pay for first-year teachers with a bachelor’s degree. But McMaster’s plan would not provide every teacher a $2,500 boost over their current salaries. It largely follows recommendations released last May by a task force studying how to stem the state’s ever-growing teacher shortage crisis. That includes collapsing the state salary schedule, which since 1977 has paid

teachers based solely on their level of college degree and years of experience in the classroom. Instead of receiving yearly, often-insignificant adjustments for those so-called steps, teachers would jump to the next level every few years. And those jumps would continue until their 27th year in the classroom. Currently, the state provides teachers no additional money for experience past 23 years. Teacher advocacy groups have for years asked legislators to extend the salary schedule to compensate the state’s most veteran teachers. “I think it is a pro-teacher budget,” said Patrick Kelly, a lobbyist for the state’s largest, the Palmetto State Teachers Association. While McMaster’s plan doesn’t entirely match the teacher salary recommendations Kelly helped craft, it would result in teachers earning tens of thousands of dollars more over their career compared to the traditional method of annual, incremental raises, according to Kelly’s calculations. He applauded the governor for staying on track toward his pledge of raising first-year teachers’ salaries to $50,000 by 2026 while advancing the report’s suggestions. Cleary, he said, continuing to increase teachers’ pay the normal way is doing nothing to dent the teacher shortage. It’s only gotten larger in the last five years. This school year started with more than 1,600 vacancies, a 9% increase from the year before, according to the state Center for Education Recruitment, Retention and Advancement’s annual report.

Gov. Henry McMaster talks about his proposed budget Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at the Statehouse. Skylar Laird/S.C. Daily Gazette “He’s very much in the spirit of the task force report,” said Kelly, who’s also a Richland Two high school history teacher. “Somebody’s got to start the conversation. We can’t keep doing what we’ve been doing,” he continued. “We’ve got to think creatively outside the box.” Like the report, McMaster’s plan would also provide ways for teachers to earn bigger boosts, often for things they already do without any monetary recognition. For example, veteran teachers could get more money by mentoring young teachers. McMaster suggests putting $10 million toward what’s dubbed a career ladder. Kelly hopes the Legislature puts more into that initiative. McMaster’s recommendations are just that. They’re recommendations to legislators on how to spend state tax dollars. The governor has no control over the state’s purse strings, though McMaster has had considerably more success in getting his suggestions passed than his predecessors, largely be-

cause he’s consulted with the Legislature’s budget writers ahead of releasing his proposals. That includes providing public colleges money in return for their promises not to raise tuition on instate students. McMaster’s budget would continue that for a fifth year. But he suggests putting $3 million into a study of the state’s 33 public two- and four-year colleges. Evaluations should include the sustainability, accessibility and affordability of campuses, along with potentially consolidating space, certificates and degrees, he wrote in his budget message to legislators. Lower birth rates, overall declining enrollment and public distrust in higher education are leading to an “enrollment cliff” that will most affect the state’s four-year campuses, he wrote. But the University of South Carolina graduate told reporters he has no pre-conceived thoughts on what might need to consolidate or close. “We want to see if we’re doing the best we can with the assets and the people

that we have,” McMaster told reporters. “We want to be sure that we are providing the right instruction for the students and we’re not overlapping, we’re not wasting our time or money.” Changing the teacher salary schedule K-12 public school teachers are paid according to their years in the classroom and their level of college degree. The state sets the minimum that districts must pay teachers, though most pay more by supplementing state taxes with local property taxes. For decades, the state salary schedule has required pay to rise with each additional year of experience, through 23 years, and when teachers earn a higher degree. There are five degree steps: Bachelor’s, bachelor’s plus 18 hours of credit, master’s, master’s plus 18, and doctorate’s. McMaster’s proposal would shrink the salary schedule in two ways. Instead of yearly incremental raises for experience, salaries would jump every three years. And degrees

would fall into two categories instead of five: bachelor’s and graduate level. His plan also extends how long the state increases pay for experience. Instead of stopping at year 23, the jumps would continue to year 27. The above shows the minimum pay for teachers in 2024-25 under McMaster’s proposed revisions. It would raise the minimum pay for most teachers, with a notable exception: Doctorate-degree teachers. About 1,300 of the state’s more than 55,000 K-12 teachers hold such an advanced degree. The current state salary schedule requires that group to be paid at least $75,500 at year 23 and beyond. The above would mean substantially less. However, the governor’s plan includes a “hold harmless” provision that ensures no teacher would see a drop in their paycheck due to the conversion. On the other hand, veteran teachers with a bachelor’s degree would see a substantial increase. Currently, the state-funded minimum for bachelor’s degree teachers at 23 years’ experience and beyond is $56,600. The governor’s office says teachers shouldn’t have to spend the time and money to get an advanced college degree in order to notice a boost in their paycheck. S.C. Daily Gazette reporter Skylar Laird contributed to this report. Seanna Adcox is a South Carolina native with three decades of reporting experience. She joined States Newsroom in September 2023 after covering the S.C. Legislature and state politics for 18 years. Her previous employers include The Post and Courier and The Associated Press.

EDUCATION BRIEFS

added to the end of the wait-list. Price Lunch Program. Riverview 3.8 or higher while completing a the Dean's List for their academic Riverview Charter Applications may be submitted does not discriminate on the basis minimum of 12 credit hours. success, is a private, comprehenaccepting applications online at www.RiverviewCharter- of race, color, national origin or As the westernmost institution sive liberal arts institution offering Riverview Charter School is now accepting Kindergarten through 6th Grade applications for the 2024-2025 school year. Riverview no longer enrolls new students for 7th and 8th grade so new student applications for these grades are not available. Open enrollment will run through January 31. Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 31 to be considered part of open enrollment and included in any ensuing lottery. Applications received after this day and time will only be considered on a space-available basis and in the order upon which they are received, with those students’ names being

School.org. Anyone interested in learning more about Beaufort County’s first charter school can attend the Open House on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. Visit www. RiverviewCharterSchool.org for more details. As a public school in the Beaufort County School District, Riverview is open to all Beaufort County residents. There is no tuition and no selection process. Before and after care for students from 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. is available daily (scholarships available). The school participates in the USDA Federal Free and Reduced

ethnicity in admission. The school, located at 81 Savannah Highway, administers all required state tests in compliance with the South Carolina educational system.

Ramirez on Western Carolina Chancellor's List

in the University of North Carolina System, WCU in Cullowhee, N.C., attracts students from around the globe for its nationally ranked programs, affordability through N.C. Promise and exceptional student support.

a variety of career-oriented majors in the arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing. Piedmont's campus is nestled in the foothills of the north Georgia mountains, with a satellite campus situated in the heart of downtown Athens.

McBurney on BJHEC meeting Piedmont’s Dean’s List Beaufort Beaufort’s Eric McBurney is canceled

Nana Ramirez of was named to the Western Carolina University Fall 2023 Chancellor's List. Ramirez was among more than 1,600 students to achieve this honor. To qualify for the Chancellor's List, students must earn a GPA of

among the nearly 270 Piedmont University students who earned a GPA of 3.50-3.99 to qualify for the Dean's List for the fall 2023 semester at Piedmonr University in Demorest, Ga. Piedmont, which congratulates all of the students on

The Beaufort Jasper Higher Education Commission (BJHEC) meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9 was canceled. The meeting will be rescheduled at a later date. – Compiled from staff reports

GIRLS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Freeman puts up record 36 for BA

Bridges Prep’s Makayla Lapp, left, has trouble bringing the ball into play as Bamburg-Ehrhardt’s Jada Sanders applies the pressure during their Region 7-1A game Friday night at Bridges. Bob Sofaly/The Island News B2

JANUARY 11–17, 2024

LowcoSports.com It has been a tough start to the season for the Beaufort Academy girls basketball team, which looks to rebuild after a stellar run led by graduated stars Tahleea Heyward and Mike’Ala Washington, but the heir they left behind made her mark on program history last week. Senior Kamirah Freeman poured in 36 points in a 57-29 win over Holy Trinity on Thursday, breaking Washington’s school record of 34. She made just one 3-pointer and put up 21 in the first half. And she could have had even

more — she was just 3-of-9 from the foul line. Freeman has led an inexperienced BA squad to a 3-5 record heading into Wednesday’s scheduled home game against Colleton Prep.

Dolphins open region with heartbreaker

Battery Creek’s girls nearly opened region play with a home win, but the Dolphins were unable to capitalize on opportunities late in a 45-44 loss to North Charleston on Friday. Battery Creek was fouled shooting a 3-pointer at the

buzzer, but the Dolphins were unable to connect on any of the three foul shots, allowing the Cougars to escape with the win. Either Battery Creek or Beaufort will earn its first win in Region 8-3A play when the Eagles host the Dolphins on Wednesday. The game was postponed by Tuesday’s storm.

BP (1-5)

Bethune-Bowman 37, Whale Branch 36 Beaufort Academy 57, Holy Trinity 29 BA (3-5): Kamirah Freeman 36p (school-record)

HS GIRLS HOOPS SCORES

Ashley Ridge 71, Beaufort 13 BFT (3-10)

North Charleston 45, Battery Creek 44 Creek (2-8, 0-1)

Bethune-Bowman 63, Bridges Prep 37

Bamberg-Ehrhardt 86, Bridges Prep 15

SPORTS

Bucs 2nd, JPII 3rd at Raptor Rumble

BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Mohawks shake up Region 7-1A outlook

Bridges Prep.’s Loranzo Moyd, left, goes up for two points as BamburgEhrhardt’s Christian Nimmons tries to stop him during their Region 7-1A game Friday night at Bridges. Despite the Red Raiders’ quick defense, the Buccaneers pulled out a 59-44 win to go to 1-1 in the region and 9-2 overall. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Duals

from page B1 been mathematically eliminated against Waccamaw has the Warriors’ bench not been dinged for two match misconducts, costing them two team points. When John Coker secured a pin at 120 pounds, it pulled Bat-

LowcoSports.com After earning high rankings in Class 1A early in the season, the boys basketball teams from Whale Branch and Bridges Prep planned to be among the frontrunners in Region 7-1A, but both ran into trouble in the first week of region play in the form of the Bethune-Bowman Mohawks. The Mohawks spoiled Bridges Prep’s region opener Tuesday, flustering the Bucs with their fullcourt press in the fourth quarter to rally from a nine-point deficit and stun the Bucs in a 54-52 road win. Bowman also knocked off visiting Whale Branch, 54-42, on Thursday to jump out to the early lead in the region race. The Warriors opened region play with a 49-26 win over Allendale-Fairfax, and the Bucs bounced back with a 59-44 win over Bamberg-Ehrhardt, so both sit at 1-1. The first meeting between the crosstown rivals is Jan. 22 at Bridges, and the rematch at Whale Branch is slated for Feb. 6.

tery Creek even at 39, and the Dolphins were awarded a point on the first tiebreaker criteria — team points lost due to match misconduct. That gave Creek a chance to keep the hardware at home with a win against Bluffton, but the Bobcats had too much firepower and claimed a 54-24 victory that kept their hopes alive despite a 53-30 loss to Wac-

Wins hard to come by in 8-3A

Beaufort and Battery Creek earned some wins against strong opponents in the non-region season, but both opened Region 8-3A play with tough losses Friday. The Dolphins were plagued by turnovers early against North Charleston and couldn’t dig out of the hole in a 62-46 loss, while the Eagles fell, 64-59, at Philip Simmons. The crosstown rivals were slated to go at it on Tuesday at Beaufort, but the game was postponed to Wednesday due to severe weather.

HS BOYS HOOPS SCORES

13p/7r/3b, Bradford Thompson 11p/8r, KJ Chisholm 10p/8r/4a Bethune-Bowman 54, Whale Branch 42 WB (7-6): Greggory Gilbert 15p/7r/5b, Kevin Jenkins 8p/5r, Bradford Thompson 6p/11r Beaufort Academy 65, Holy Trinity 26 BA: Zeke Gonzalez 11p, Matt Moukanda 11p, Devin Fripp 10p North Charleston 62, Battery Creek 46 Creek (8-7, 0-1)

Ashley Ridge 50, Beaufort 32 BFT (6-6)

Philip Simmons 64, Beaufort 59 BFT (6-7, 0-1)

Bethune-Bowman 54, Bridges Prep 52 BP (8-2)

Bridges Prep 59, Bamberg-Ehrhardt 44 BP (9-2, 1-1)

Whale Branch 49, Allendale-Fairfax 26 WB (7-5, 1-0): Greggory Gilbert

Hampton Co. 54, Whale Branch 45 HC (11-4), WB (7-7)

camaw earlier in the day. Bluffton scored the most total points in head-to-head matchups among the tied teams, so the Bobcats were crowned champions. Tiebreaker criteria also came into play in determining fourth and fifth place, as Beaufort and Hilton Head Island wrestled to a 42-all draw, but the Eagles were awarded a point by virtue of

giving up fewer forfeits. All of the area teams will go head-to-head again Saturday at the Bobcat Duals at Bluffton. For more in-depth coverage of high school wrestling in the Lowcountry, tune in to the Lowco Grind presented by Reverence Wrestling Club, now streaming on-demand on the Lowco Media Network on YouTube.

COACH TRAP DUALS At Battery Creek High School 1. Bluffton 2. Waccamaw 3. Battery Creek 4. Beaufort 5. Hilton Head 6. Whale Branch

4-1 4-1 4-1 2-3 1-4 0-5

*Bluffton wins three-way tiebreaker (total team points scored)

LowcoSports.com The Bridges Prep and John Paul II wrestling teams each went 4-1 on Saturday at the Raptor Rumble Duals, where host and champion Academic Magnet was the only team to knock off the Bucs and Golden Warriors. Bridges went 4-0 in pool play with wins over Georgetown, North Charleston, Trinity Collegiate, and Stall, but the Bucs endured injuries to two starters over the course of the day, and the lineup was too depleted to overtake Academic Magnet in a 54-30 loss in the championship match. The Raptors got the better of John Paul II in the opening round, winning 54-24, but the Golden Warriors rattled off wins over Manning, Colleton Prep, and Military Magnet to earn a spot in the thirdplace match. Brian Orta and Gavin Byrne both secured pins after trailing in their matches to help JPII edge the Warriors, 42-36, for third place. JPII will compete in the Bobcat Duals at Bluffton on Saturday, while the Bucs travel to the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raider Duals. For more in-depth coverage of high school wrestling in the Lowcountry, tune in to the Lowco Grind presented by Reverence Wrestling Club, now streaming on-demand on the Lowco Media Network on YouTube.

Sand Sharks drop first two in PBC

By Brackin Lambert uscbathletics.com BLUFFTON — USCB women's basketball team put together a strong effort in its Peach Belt opener versus Augusta University, but 19 first-half turnovers hurt the Sand Sharks in a 74-67 on Wednesday in The Cove. Janiyah Heyward led the way for USCB with 21 points and eight boards, while Brielle Bartelt knocked down 16 points. Mahkayla Primo didn't score until the second half but finished with 14 points while dishing out four assists. "Very, very pleased with our effort," USCB coach Sharon Versyp said. "Turnovers hurt us and that's what shot us in the foot, but it's our first time playing a Peach Belt opponent and Augusta is a very good team. Again, very pleased with our effort as we finally got into a rhythm with our point guards and really executed." The Sand Sharks (4-5, 0-1 PBC) forced Augusta into a number of errant shooting opportunities throughout the first quarter, as the Jaguars shot only 33 percent from the field compared to Beaufort's 77 percent. Heyward put USCB on the scoreboard with a 17-footer from the wing, but AU's Mone Florence drilled a triple 10 seconds later to take the lead. After Heyward sank another bucket from inside the paint, Kay'Mar Griffin made it a three-point game scoring off a fast break. The scoring picked up after that as the two teams were tied or the lead was exchanged three times throughout the period. Bartelt knocked down both ends from the

Splash

from page B1 USCB up 11. Bulluck followed with back-to-back triples as the Sand Shark extended the lead, but Augusta battled back to within 61-55 going into the break. The high-scoring affair continued throughout the second half. The Jaguars brought the score within two points multiple times before finally tying it up at 84 after a Ja'Queze Kirby dunk. Zyere Edwards put AU on top for the first time

charity stripe to tie the game at 16 and then gave USCB the lead as she laid one in as time expired. Augusta jumped out to a five-point lead three minutes into the second quarter, but Bartelt made a circus-like jumper in the paint coming out of a timeout and followed it with a three-ball to tie it back up at 25. The Jags quickly answered with a 12-4 run to close out the half, heading into the locker room up by eight. USCB opened the second half with backto-back threes as Premo and Shaniya Rose cut the lead to four, but AU used a 9-2 run midway through the period to go up by 11. Heyward's turnaround jumper ended the run, but the Jaguars would go to the freethrow line four times as the period winded down to take a 10-point lead heading to the final period. Autumn Phillips’ 3-pointer with 7:06 remaining gave Augusta its largest lead of the night at 13, but USCB went on a 9-4 over the next three-plus minutes fueled by Premo's five points, making it a six-point game. The Sand Sharks cut the lead to as little as five after Taniyah Bowman picked up a steal and flew to the basket for two, but Beaufort was on the wrong side of the clock as the comeback fell just seven points short. "We showed our grit and had some growing pains, but pleased with the outcome,” Versyp said. Slow start dooms USCB at Clayton St. Taniyah Bowman posted a career-best 11 points off the bench and the Sand Sharks trimmed the lead down to five, but couldn't overcome a few late turnovers and fell to

at 92-91 with just over eight minutes to play. The lead grew as large as four for the Jaguars, but it was short-lived. Bulluck's 3-pointer with seven minutes to play made it 99-98 Jaguars, and Overstreet put USCB over the century mark with a layup before Bulluck drained a step back triple to make it 105-101. With just two minutes to play, Augusta made it 111-109 after David Viti connected for three, but Kenney Gaines knocked down one from the charity stripe and intercepted the final full-court heave from the Jaguars as the Sand Sharks

went on to win, 114-112. "We're becoming a family, that's what is most important to me,” Fudala said. “The wins or losses, the baskets or dunks, it's just about becoming a family."

Lakers snap Sand Sharks’ streak

Kevaughn Price dropped a season-best 27 points along with seven boards, but USCB fell to Clayton State 98-86 in the Sand Sharks’ first PBC road game Saturday. "Tough one against a good Lakers team, but its easy to be happy when

USC Beaufort’s Mahkayla Premo moves the ball against a tight Augusta University defense Wednesday, Jan. 3, during their NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference game at the USCB Recreation Center. Despite Premo’s efforts, the Jaguars went on to best the Sand Sharks, 74-67. Bob Sofaly/The Island News Clayton State, 62-48, Saturday afternoon in Morrow, Ga. "This is a tough one because we did a lot to ourselves," Versyp said. "We've got to a better job of limiting our own mistakes moving forward." you're winning," Fudala said. "But winning can make you let up a little bit. We'll get back to it on Monday and prepare for Lander." The Sand Sharks started off in unfamiliar territory to open the game, falling behind early. USCB fell behind by as many as eight, but Price made a basket through traffic to make it a two-point Lakers advantage. It was a track meet for the most of the first half as both teams continued to run and down the floor. Clayton State kept its lead close to double figures with over two minutes to

Janiyah Heyward scored in double figures for the eighth straight game and Shaniya Rose fell just one point shy of a double-double, posting nine points and 10 boards. USCB was held scoreless for the first three-plus minutes until Heyward converted the Sand Shark's first bucket, ending the Lakers 8-0 run to begin the game. Clayton State pushed its lead out to double-figures, going up 13 after Jadah Waite converted one of her three first-quarter triples. The Sand Sharks faired better in the second period, finding Rose down in the paint to cut the lead to single digits. But White drained another 3-pointer to put the Lakers up 11. Premo picked off a pass and converted the basket to head into the half down eight, 27-19. Madison Self contributed four points to in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Lakers continued their man-to-man defense, forcing multiple turnovers and converting those turnovers into points. Clayton State's lead sat at 10 heading to the fourth quarter, but USCB continued to put the pressure on, forcing the Lakers into poor shooting opportunities and trimming the lead to six. Waite connected on another triple to make it a 10-point Laker advantage, but Bowman went coast-to coast putting her into double-figures and making it 57-48. That would be the last basket USCB scored in a 62-48 defeat. The Sand Sharks return home this week with Lander visiting The Cove on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and Georgia Southwestern coming to town for a 1:30 p.m. tip Saturday.

play in the half, but Kyle Polce drained a triple from the wing to make it a threepoint game. CSU picked up the pace in the final minute, forcing a number of turnovers and errant shots, and went into the break with the score 43-35. USCB opened the second half on a 5-0 run through the first two-plus minutes and made it a one point game after Kenney Gaines picked off an inbound pass and passed it along to Price, who made the bucket forcing a Lakers timeout. Qurahn Anderson tied it at 54 with a layup and Nolan Paladu-

gu gave the Sand Shark its first lead of the game with a 3-pointer from the top of key with under 12 to play. The lead was exchanged or tied four different times throughout the period's first 12 minutes, but the Lakers retook the lead, 66-64, and extended it back out to six with 7:41 to play. Clayton State pushed the lead into double-digits and finished with a 98-86 victory. USCB has two home games on tap this week, welcoming Lander to The Cove on Wednesday and hosting Georgia Southwestern on Saturday. JANUARY 11–17, 2024

LOCAL MILITARY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 12 January 2024 Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel C. B. McArthur 2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel C. J. Kearney Commander of Troops, Captain B. S. Sheppard • Parade Adjutant, Captain Eunwon Lee Company “E”, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain B. S. Sheppard Drill Masters • Gunnery Sergeant E. B. Owrey, Staff Sergeant R. J. Royer PLATOON 2000

PFC

Wiggins, J. S.

Pvt

Esqueda, J. E.

Pvt

Driver, W. J.

Pvt

Bennett, T. G.

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt W. C. Gardner

Pvt

Williams, A. L.

Pvt

Etienne IV, J. M.

PFC

Dube, D. M.*

Pvt

Brinning, A. M.

PFC

Wren, D. M.

PFC

Fernanders, C. B. *

Pvt

Dulaney, E. M

PFC

Bullard, D. S. *

PFC

Anderson, N. M.

PFC

Zampogna, W. C.

Pvt

Francois, E.

PFC

Dunford III, J. L.*

Pvt

Burnap, K. E.

Pvt

Arbogast, J. E.

Cannon IV, C. H.

Pvt

Barnes Jr., D. S.

Pvt

Barnette, D. K.

Pvt

Berry, G. J.

PFC

Bogda, Z. W.

PFC

Brawner, C. A. *

Pvt

Brewner, H. X.

PFC

Brown, A. J. *

PFC

Cabarle, J.

PFC

Chavez Jr., J. C.

Pvt

Clairmont, I. L.

Pvt

Collins, T. D.

Pvt

Conklin, N. J.

PFC

Cox, M. L.

Pvt

Curry, J. D.

Pvt

Desrosiers, L. D.

Pvt

Dieuvil, S.

Pvt

Dowell, N. P.

Pvt

Ellis, J. D.

Pvt

Ellison Jr., G. L.

PFC

Fernandez, C. A.

Pvt

Finkle, E. C.

PFC

Foxworth, W. K. *

PFC

Hagman, J. M.

Pvt

Haire, M. J.

Pvt

Hamer, J. N.

Pvt

Hardisty, T. T.

Pvt

Hastings, P. C.

Pvt

Helms, N. C.

Pvt

Herrera, M. A.

Pvt

Hill, B. K.

Pvt

Hoefler, D. J.

Pvt

Holley Jr., Q. M.

Pvt

Javier, C. A.

Pvt

Jennings, B. T.

Pvt

Johnson, M. H.

PFC

Joseph, M. D.

PFC

King, J. A.

Pvt

King Jr., C. D.

Pvt

Kuhlman, P. A.

Pvt

Lubin, R.

PFC

Lyman, M. I.

PFC

Marshall, D. L.

PFC

Martin, Q. M.

PFC

McDonald, C. E.

Pvt

McKenna, D. M.

Pvt

Mcleroy, C. J.

Pvt

McMillan, J. B.

PFC

Merfeld, Q. D.

Pvt

Mirandaangeles, T. A.

Pvt

Moore, G. N.

Pvt

Mrkonja, S. D.

Pvt

Naranjomoyon, J. E.

Pvt

Naranjorabi, Y.

Pvt

Perez, C.

Pvt

Phillips, C. L.

PFC

Poljak, B. J.

Pvt

Portillo Jr., H. H.

Pvt

Rajabisenejani, D.

Pvt Pvt

PLATOON 2001

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt V. C. Gonzalez Pvt

Alvaro, C. L.

Pvt

Atchariyakornchai, A. A.

Pvt

Ayorazhagui, K. C.

Pvt

Barracks G. A.

Pvt

Bermudez J. I.

PFC

Botello, A. R.

PFC

Cooper, C. S.

PFC

Dathan, V. D.

Pvt

Davis, N.

Pvt

Deasonbuck, S. R.

PFC

Didomenico, A. N.

PFC

Edwards, T. S.

Pvt

Familiaramirez, F.

Pvt

Goings, A. R.

PFC

Hanson, J. S. *

Pvt

Henderson, K. W.

Pvt

Hewett, P. K.

PFC

Htoo, E.

PFC

Hutcheson, A. A. *

Pvt

Idrissa, J. K.

PFC

Johnson, K. N.

PFC

Jolly, C. V.

PFC

Kane, M. L.

PFC

Knotts, C. R.

Pvt

Kukar, M. A.

Pvt

Leon-pu, A. M.

PFC

Marinlopez, E.

Pvt

Matablanco, R. B.

PFC

Matos, L. S.

Pvt

Meadows, F. L.

Pvt

Mendonca, M. C.

Pvt

Montoyaprieto, A.

Pvt

Morales, M. E.

PFC

Myatt, P. R.

PFC

Nievesrivera, N. M.

PFC

Ogunfeitimi, A.

PFC

Pedrosoprades, P. M.

Pvt

Perez, E.

Pvt

Ritschard, A. N.

PFC

Rosaleshernandez, W.

PFC

Sanesramos, S. M.

Pvt

Sosaespana, A. J. *

Pvt

Stallings, T. S.

PFC

Velazquez, H.

Pvt

Velazquez, Y.

PFC

Vossekuil, C. M

Pvt

Walker, A.

PFC

White, N. M.

Pvt

Fritz, E. J.

Pvt

Edwards, D. L.

PFC

Pvt

Fuhrman, J. M.

Pvt

Ellienger, C. L.

Pvt

Capozziello, S. A.

Pvt

Garcia, M. J.

Pvt

Garcia, J.

PFC

Carcich, L. P.

Pvt

Glen, G. W.

Pvt

Gholsonpayne, J. A.

Pvt

Carvalho, G. P. Chen, A.

PFC

Gonzales, A. J. *

Pvt

Gilleo, J. J.

Pvt

PFC

Gregory, E. J.

PFC

Gioia, M. T.

LCpl

Ciaccio, N. A.

Pvt

Guevara, S. J.

Pvt

Gotez, J. C.

Pvt

Cinelli, R.

Pvt

Hernandez, M. E.

Pvt

Gonzalezporfinio, A. B.

Pvt

Clark, C. M. Comisariorios, A. K.

Pvt

Hernandezlopez, J. A.

Pvt

Gregoriolerebours, L. G.

Pvt

PFC

Hoskins, K. C.

Pvt

Grimes, J. M.

Pvt

Connors, T. K.

PFC

Howard, T. D.

PFC

Grosso, B. M.

Pvt

Cruzhernandez, A.

PFC

Hutchinson, H. J.

Pvt

Guney, U. B.

Pvt

Devers, I. J. Dorme, O. S.

PFC

Johnson, B. A. *

Pvt

Hall, S. A.

PFC

Pvt

Jones, A. D.

PFC

Harding, A. A.

Pvt

Dresser, J. J.

PFC

Kinsman, R. J. *

PFC

Hargrove, S. M.*

PFC

Dulgeroglu, O.

Pvt

Kovats, M. H.

Pvt

Harkey, M. H.

PFC

Eversole Jr., K. R. *

PFC

Kozak, F. P.

PFC

Hatcher, S. H.

PFC

Fitzsimmons, L. C. Flaherty, M. J.

Pvt

Lara, I.

Pvt

Iftahin, F.

Pvt

Lardinios, H. M.

PFC

Johns, N. B.

Pvt

Floresgonzalez, E.

Pvt

Leahy Jr., T. J.

PFC

Konys, W. P.

PFC

Fobbs, J. I.

PFC

Leath, D. J. *

Pvt

Lamboy, J. J.

Pvt

Galvez, R. K. Germain, J. T.

Pvt

Lopez, N.

Pvt

Leo, D. R.

Pvt

Mapes, B. M.

PFC

Lliguicota, C. J.

Pvt

Gomezgomez, E. D.

PFC

Martinezvazquez, C. R.

Pvt

Maduskiue, R. A.

Pvt

Gonzalez, B.

PFC

Matthews, S. J.

Pvt

Maffei, B. T.

Pvt

Heinonen, A. F. Hill, G. R. *

Pvt

Merritt, H. A.

Pvt

Mahamanhamissoui, A.

PFC

Pvt

Mitchell, T. T.

Pvt

Marquezbartolo, J.

Pvt

Hill, W. T.

Pvt

Munezero, A. R.

Pvt

May Jr., J. W.

Pvt

Holliday III, C. R.

Pvt

Murphy, E. L.

Pvt

Mcgirr, K. F.

Pvt

Howard Jr., L. A. Jack, K. A.

Pvt

Newlen, A. B.

Pvt

Mckinney, R. A.

Pvt

Oritz, J. E.

Pvt

Milazzo, V. J.

Pvt

Kitchen, J. C.

Pvt

Panamabarreto, A. D.

Pvt

Mong Jr., T. A.

Pvt

Lopezlopez, I. A.

PFC

Parente Jr., P. M.

PFC

Moon, R. A.*

Pvt

Maldonado II, E. S.

PFC

Mcintosh, J. I. *

Pvt

Mera II, J. P.

Pvt

Mercready, J. P.

Pvt

Merrill, Z. K.

Pvt

Montrond, L.

Pvt

Morleygilbert, J. D.

Pvt

Nino III, N. N.

Pvt

Nixon, D. A.

PFC

Norman, T. M. *

PFC

Ortegarosado, M. Y. *

Pvt

Pereiraayala, S. G.

Pvt

Phillips, W. A.

Pvt

Primus, J. W.

Pvt

Ramos, H. P.

Pvt

Ream, K. A.

Pvt

Renshaw, D. F.

PFC

Ridgeway, W. S.

Pvt

Riosgiraldo, G. C.

Pvt

Robbins, S. W.

Pvt

Rojas, D. A.

Pvt

Ruizrosales, J. D.

Pvt

Ryan, L. E.

PFC

Salasbastidas, E. M.

Pvt

Sanchezpolanco, S.

PFC

Santiago Jr., V. J.

PFC

Saunders, S. T. *

PFC

Scott, J. Z.

Pvt

Shao, J.

Pvt

Sites, A. J.

Pvt

Sprong, G. A.

PFC

Taylor, K. D.

Pvt

Torres, A. E.

PFC

Torresmercado, J. O.

PFC

Valle, N.

Pvt

Vasquez, J. M.

Pvt

Vegarivera, J.

Pvt

Velazquez, C. E.

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt B. D. Davis

Pvt

Villegas, D. E.

PFC

Walton, C. M.

Alacantara, F. C.

Pvt

Ward Jr., F. F. Wilder, K. R.

Pvt

Parra, M.

Pvt

Munozdelgado, E. Y.

Pvt

Parmis, R. D.

Pvt

Naddeo, J. L.

PFC

Pleaseants, J. M.

Pvt

Ortizcolon, A. G.

Pvt

Purify III, J. M.

PFC

Parkinson, M. A.*

Pvt

Ramosdejesus, L. D.

Pvt

Pereriacurz, U.

Pvt

Reigel, N. J.

PFC

Pinkevitch, D. M.

Pvt

Rowland, M. L.

PFC

Polancobetancourt, K. W.

PFC

Sain, C. R.

Pvt

Reboul, B. A.

Pvt

Schaible, N. W.

Pvt

Rentzsch, J. M.

PFC

Schisler Jr., C. D. *

Pvt

Reynosogermosen, B. J.

Pvt

Sejour, M.

PFC

Ricks, C. A.

Pvt

Serranoperez, X. Y.

Pvt

Roa, J.

Pvt

Sorto, E. A.

Pvt

Rogerssantana, M. D.

Pvt

Taylor, D. L.

Pvt

Rosario, D. C.

Pvt

Thornton, B. K.

Pvt

Rosenberg, A. E.

Pvt

Tubbs, D. C.

PFC

Rosier Jr., J. P.*

PFC

Turley, V. T.

Pvt

Rubalcavaginez, A. M.

Pvt

Valdiviezo, R. C.

Pvt

Rudd II, J. D.

Pvt

Vazquez, C. D.

Pvt

Selleck, D. J.

Pvt

Villagomezperez, R.

PFC

Skoglund, R. P.

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt S. Plaskon

Pvt

Walston, G. W.

Pvt

Stafford, M.

Pvt

White, J. D.

Pvt

Adornogarcia, J.

Pvt

Stone, C. M.

Pvt

Whitworth, J. B.

Pvt

Allen, T. M.

Pvt

Tolentino, A. J.

Pvt

Winn, G. C.

Aquinosuarez, J. G.

PFC

Urenarumaldo, G.

Pvt

Woodberry, T. A.

PFC

Arache, E.

Pvt

Valerio, D.

Ramirez, E. A.

Pvt

Zamot, D. E.

Pvt

Arevalo, G. B.

Pvt

Vanpelt, W. A.

Rape, J. M.

Pvt

Armold, D. C.

Pvt

Velaquezponce, A. G.

Pvt

Victorin, J. M.

Pvt

Villasanna, J. F.

Pvt

Welden, M. R.

Pvt

White, G. J.

PFC

Wilder Jr., W. J.

Pvt

Williams, I. I.

Pvt

Yaeger, J. D.

Pvt

Zhao, Y.

PLATOON 2002

PLATOON 2004

Pvt

Rigdon, T. S.

PFC

Baumhover, N. D.

PFC

Rodriguez, K. A. *

Pvt

Bennett, Z. J.

Pvt

Rodriguezcardona, D. A.

PFC

Borja, R. D.

Pvt

Allen, B. W.

PFC

Sall, M.

Pvt

Blair, E. D.

Pvt

Arias, E. B. Bailey, H. W.

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt D. S. Benevides

PFC

Salumu, B. E.

Pvt

Branyan, E. J.

Pvt

PFC

Sanchezcastellanos, S. J.

PFC

Brath, K. J.

Pvt

Bowers, N. G.

PFC

Sanchezoliveros, S. *

Pvt

Byer, T. D.

Pvt

Briceno, J. A.

Pvt

Saravia, D. J.

Pvt

Camp, D. B.

PFC

Brickett, N. S. *

PFC

Schneider, J. D.

PFC

Casciano, D. W.

PFC

Brinson, D. A.

Pvt

Smith, J. B.

Pvt

Curry, D. R.

Pvt

Cardenasorozco, J.

PFC

Stallings, E. A. *

PFC

Clark, O. R.

Pvt

Cartegena, R. A.

Pvt

Stottlemyer, A. J.

Pvt

Clow, S.

PFC

Comonfort, A.

PLATOON 2005

Pvt

PFC

Tannery, A. J.

Pvt

Collins, D. A.

PFC

Conyers, T. J.

Pvt

Alexopoulos, N. G.

Pvt

Tomlin, T. L.

Pvt

Delattre, L. H.

Pvt

Cyrille, S. K.

Pvt

Allen, A. G.

Pvt

Yager, M. L.

PFC

Wallace, T. W.

Pvt

Descartes, M. S.

Pvt

Dawood, K.

Pvt

Alvarez, I.

Pvt

Zuniga, A. C.

Pvt

Watsonwatters, D. S.

PFC

Dorffner, G. S.

PFC

Dewald, N. M.

PFC

Banghart, R. M.

Pvt

Weary, D. T.

Pvt

Durbin, K. R.

Pvt

Diazolivares, S. C.

Pvt

Baratta, A. M.

JANUARY 11–17, 2024

*Denotes Meritorious Promotion

LOCAL MILITARY

Honor and humility

Gail LaGrone Newton, Regent, Thomas Heyward Jr. Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), presents the DAR Medal of Honor to David Edwards, Beaufort Coordinator for Wreaths Across America, on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 during the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Beaufort National Cemetery. The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious honor awarded by the DAR. The Medal of Honor is given to an adult man or woman who is a United States citizen by birth and has shown extraordinary qualities of leadership, trustworthiness, service, and patriotism. The recipient must have made unusual and lasting contributions to our American Heritage by truly giving of himself or herself to his or her community, state, country, and fellowman. Since its creation in 1972, the honor has been presented to less than 2,000 individuals across the United States. “David Edwards has been leading the Wreaths Across America (WAA) program at the Beaufort National Cemetery for nearly 20 years. His selfless determination to honor the veterans who lie in rest is remarkable. The past two years all 26,000 internments have been adorned with a WAA wreath thanks to David’s tireless efforts. The Thomas Heyward, Jr. Chapter is inspired by David’s work and dedication to veterans and delighted to present him with the DAR Medal of Honor.” Newton said. Submitted photos

WREATH RETIREMENT JANUARY 20; 2024 WREATH MATCHING HAS STARTED The Wreaths Across America Beaufort Wreath Retirement is scheduled for 8 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 20 at Beaufort National Cemetery. Volunteers are needed to remove the 26,000 wreaths placed on December 16. Volunteers are asked to bring a long-handled item – such as a broom or rake – to scoop wreaths. It makes things go more quickly and is easier on the arms and shoulders. Wreath matching has already kicked off for 2024. Every wreath sponsored before Tuesday, Jan. 16, will be matched one-for-one for 2024. Wreaths can be purchased specifically for Beaufort National Cemetery by going to wreathsacrossamerica.org/GA0175P.

WHAT IS A VET CENTER?

ave you ever wondered what a VA Vet Center does for veterans and their families? You can find that answer on the VA’s webpage titled, “Vet Centers” found at https://www.vetcenter. va.gov. Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional counseling to eligible veterans, service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Counseling Services Counseling services include: • Couples/Family; Greif/ Bereavement; Lesbian; Gay; Bisexual, and Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) + Veteran Care; • Mental Health, Military Sexual Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Returning Service Member, Whole Health, and Women Vet Care. Many Vet Center counselors and outreach staff are veterans themselves. They are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief, anxiety, depression, and transition after trauma. According to the Vet Centers webpage, “Life isn't always easy after a deployment. That's where (Vet Centers) can help. Vet Centers offer confidential support for veterans, service members, and their families at no cost

LARRY DANDRIDGE

in a relaxed, non-medical setting. Services include counseling for needs such as depression (and anxiety), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). Vet Centers can also connect you with more support in VA and your community. All services are strictly confidential.” Veterans and their family members can find a Vet Center at the “Find VA Locations” webpage https:// www.va.gov/find-locations/. Vet Centers serving veterans in the SC and GA coastal areas: • Savannah Vet Center: https://www.va.gov/ savannah-vet-center/, 321 Commercial Drive, Savannah, Ga. 31406. Phone: 912-961-5800. 39.1 miles from Beaufort, S.C. and 68 miles north of Brunswick. • Charleston Vet Center: https://www. va.gov/charleston-scvet-center/, 3625 West Montague Avenue, North Charleston, S.C. 29418, 843-789-7000. 47.7 miles North of Beaufort. • Myrtle Beach Vet Center: https://www. va.gov/myrtle-beachvet-center/, 1101 Johnson Avenue, Suite 201, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, 843-232-2441. 57.4 miles East of Dillon, S.C.

• Columbia Vet Center: https://www.va.gov/columbia-sc-vet-center/, 1710 Richland Street, Suite A, Columbia, S.C. 29201, 803-765-9944. 37.4 miles NW of Orangeburg, S.C. • Jacksonville Florida Vet Center: https:// www.va.gov/jacksonville-fl-vet-center/, 3728 Phillps Highway, Suite 31, Jacksonville, Fla. 32207, 904-3998351. 60 miles South of Brunswick, Ga. • Fayetteville, N.C. Vet Center: https:// www.va.gov/fayetteville-nc-vet-center/, 2301 Robeson Street, Suite 103. Fayetteville, N.C. 28305, 910-4886252. 50.4 miles north of Dillon, S.C.

Suicide Prevention Veterans and their family members should call the Veterans Crisis Line 24/7 at 988 and press 1 to get support anytime day or night. Veteran Connections The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Healthcare System (RHJVAMC/HCS) supports the Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Savannah Vet Centers. Vet Centers understand that navigating the variety of resources can be a challenge. For example, Vet Centers can help educate you on topics such as: • How to get VA medical benefits and register for care with the RHJVAMC, Phone 843-577-5011/Mental Health 843-789-6500 or one of its Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). • How to contact the Beaufort S.C. CBOC, Phone 843-779-0444/

Mental Health 843789-6500. • How to contact a S.C. County Veterans Service Office or a Georgia Area Veterans Services Office. Find S.C. County VSOs at https://scdva.sc.gov/county-veterans-affairs-offices. Find Georgia VSOs at https://veterans. georgia.gov/locations/ veterans-field-serviceoffice-near-you.

Community Engagement Vet Centers provide private organizations and community agencies with education on their veteran community and military culture. Vet Centers build referral networks to expand support for veterans, service members, and their families. Vet Centers partner with groups such as local veteran/service member support organizations, military installations, National Guard and Reserve units, county and other Veteran Service Offices, universities/colleges, Base Exchanges, law enforcement, and others. Appointments. Once you contact a Vet Center, the center will take your information and then schedule your initial appointment. Anyone who is in crisis will be helped immediately. Contacting a Vet Center Contact your nearest Vet Center any time during their posted hours. If you need to call outside of those times, National Vet Center is available 24/7 at 877927-8387. First-time Visitors or Walk-ins If you’re a first-time visitor, you may stop by during

the Vet Center’s office hours or call.

Military family member eligibility Building, Parking, and You can use Vet Center Transportation informacounseling and services tion when your participation You can find building, would support the growth parking, and transportation and goals of the veteran information on the Center or service member in your webpage. family. If the veteran or service member considers What to bring you family, so does the Vet You don’t need to be Center. registered for care at the You can also use Center VA, rated for a service-con- bereavement services if any nected disability, or receivof these descriptions is true for your family: ing any other form of VA • The veteran or service benefits. On your first visit, member died while Vet Centers ask that you serving on active duty; have access to one or more or of the following discharge • The veteran was using documents (i.e. a DD214), Vet Center services at receipt of certain awards, the time of their death; deployment orders, and othor er documents you may have • The veteran or service received that show qualifymember died by suiing military service. cide. Veterans can request a copy of their Military SerSafety and Privacy vice Records through the Vet Center records can’t National Archives web page be accessed by other VA https://www.archives.gov/ offices, the DoD, military veterans. DD214 and other units, or other community separation documents, networks and providers Official Military Personnel without your permission or Files, replacement medals, unless required to avert a and medical and health life-threatening situation. records can be requested At Vet Centers, you can be online, by mail, or by FAX. as open as you want. No The Vet Center will work one at a Vet Center will prewith you to establish your judge you, put you down, or eligibility. If you’re a Veteran or ser- mistreat you. vice member (including NaLarry Dandridge is a Vietnam War tional Guard and Reserves), wounded warrior, disabled veteran, you’re also eligible for Vet ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Center services if any of Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. these are true for you: He is a past Veterans Service Officer, • You’re a Vietnam Era a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Veteran who used Vet Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Center services before Good Will Ambassador, and the VP January 2, 2013; or for Veteran Affairs for the local Army • You experienced miliAssociation Chapter. Larry is the tary sexual trauma (no author of the award-winning book matter your gender or Blades of Thunder and a contributing service era); or freelance writer with The Island News. • You currently use any Contact him at LDandridge@ covered VA educationearthlink.net or 843-276-7164. al assistance benefits.

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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 JANUARY 11–17, 2024

WHAT’S HAPPENING CALENDAR Lowcountry Ques Seafood Bash 22 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 13, Live Oaks Park, 904 14th Street, Port Royal. The brothers of The Omega Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity are hosting a Seafood Bash. The event will consist of an oyster roast with fried fish, Lowcountry boil and sides. Tickets can be purchased from most of the local brothers of the Lowcountry Chapter. Proceeds raised at the event go to help fund scholarships given out by the Fraternity. For more information or to purchase tickets you can call 843-476-1070. All are welcome to come out and enjoy good seafood and enjoy themselves. Russo's 2024 Oyster Roast 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, Russo's Fresh Seafood, 246 Red Cedar Street, Bluffton. All-you-can-eat-oysters and fun for the whole family, including live music and bounce houses. This event helps support Palmetto Animal League, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in the Lowcountry. There will also be Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, so treat your furry friend to delicious pup treats and paw-some swag. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs, beverages, and, most importantly, their whole family, including their four-legged companions. Tickets are $65 and available at https://bit. ly/3vv830c. Children younger than 8 are free.

HIGHWAY 21 DRIVE-IN The movies scheduled for this week (Friday, Jan. 12 through Thursday, Jan. 18) at the Highway 21 Drive-In are Mean Girls (PG-13, 6 and 10 p.m.; 8:45 p.m. on Sunday and Thursday) and Wonka (PG, 8 p.m.) on Screen 1; Anyone But You (R, 7:30 and 10:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday and Thursday) and Night Swim (PG-13, 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8:45 p.m. Sunday and Thursday) on Screen 2; The Beekeeper (R, 6 and 9:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday and Thursday) and Aquaman (PG-13, 7:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8:45 p.m. Sunday and Thursday) on Screen 3. Online ticketing is available at hwy21drivein. com on the Now Playing page. Patrons are asked to arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights. Gates open at 6 p.m. “Our family at the Hwy. 21 drive in feel a responsibility to our community,” a statement from Highway 21 Drive-In management reads. “We are concerned about many things in these trying times and in making the right decisions. We are concerned with our employees, our patrons, our business, our community’s businesses, and the health and well-being of all.” A reminder: no outside food or beverages can be brought into the drive-in. Upcoming movies include Kung-Fu Panda 4 (Jan. 12) and Argylle (January).

duce, 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 @ Sharing Hearts Support Group 5:30 to 7 p.m., second Tuesday of portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook every month, 2201 Boundary Street, or call 843-295-0058. Suite 208, Beaufort. Free. Come tell your 10-minute story of a life lesson or Slip and Splash Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, healing message using your own creative expression through a song, po- Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin etry, reading, art or verbal storytelling. Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Come away with an uplifting sense of Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per persupport and connections or to just son. Stay busy for hours climbing on listen. Register by leaving a voicemail our inflatable challenge track. with name, phone and number of attendees at 843-525-6115 or send email Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud 9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday each to reneesutton@healthierhealing.com. Notification will be done of any loca- month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, tion change due to seat requirements. Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Students and other volunteers will read The Beaufort Shag Club 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets to young children, who are encourClub, 1831 Ribaut Road Port Royal. We aged to bring their favorite stuffed also host a Saturday evening dance animals. the second Saturday of each month HISTORY from 7 to 10 p.m. Interested in learning the Shag dance? Free lessons for Beaufort History Museum members beginning in September at the Arsenal through June. Visit our Facebook 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through page; The Beaufort Shag Club. Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, Trivia with Mike – 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. Trivia with Mike – 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. 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. 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.

713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.

The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333. Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.

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 LIBRARY ACTIVITIES with like-minded people, fellow entrepreneurs, start-ups and VCs over Pete’s 2nd annual Perfect local food and cold beverages. Call Pizza & Popcorn Party 4:30 p.m,, Thursday, Jan. 18, Lobeco 843-470-3506 or visit https://rb.gy/ Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway. e7t2h for more information. Music, stories, crafts and more, starring our favorite cat, Pete! Our popHighway 21 Flea Market 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Saturday and corn popper is popping and Pete is Sunday, Highway 21 Drive-In. Sellers, bringing the pizza. All ages welcome! vendors, handmade items, unique Registration required. Call 843-255products and yard sale items. For in- 6479 or stop by to reserve your spot. formation, email lowcountryfleamarket@gmail.com. Community Expo 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, Port Royal Farmers Market Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year Street. Get information on some of round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ri- the area's agencies and sServices baut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. and programs offered – including You will find fresh, local, seasonal pro- Neighborhood Outreach Connection,

JANUARY 11–17, 2024

Good Neighbor Medical Clinic, Alcoholics Anonymous, Second Helpings, Beaufort County Veterans Affairs, Habitat for Humanity and Narcotics Anonymous. Where’s My Money: An Interactive Tax & Finance Workshop 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27, Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway. Receive expert guidance from a credentialed tax professional/ Enrolled Agent and certified financial planner from Pearling Tax Solutions, as they provide clarity on what steps you can take as an employee to ensure that your taxes are correct each year. Light refreshments served. Registration encouraged. Call 843-2556479 or stop by to sign-up.

logo and go upstairs to her studio. The studio, itself, is warm and cozy and is a delightful venue for our meetings this winter. While there, explore the various classes in art, music, yoga and others that are offered. All are welcome. It is family friendly. It is free. No percussion or music experience necessary. Some extra percussion instruments for attendees to borrow. No need to bring a chair as many are available. We plan to return to the Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort in March.

Every Child Will Have A Home 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 31, St. Gregory The Great Catholic Church, Parish Life Center, 31 Saint Gregory Drive, Bluffton. Evolution Big Band and Panney Lynn Smith. Doors open at 6 p.m. Delicious desserts and non-alcoholBasic Computer Skills Class ic bevereges. Tickets are $40 at the 11:30 a.m., every other Friday (Jan. door. 12, 26, Feb. 9, 23), Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway. PersonOUTDOORS alized computer classes led by SC Works for job seekers, beginners, or The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club inthose looking to refresh their skills. vites you to take a meandering walk For more information, call 843-255through the Historic “Old Point” and 6479 or stop by for more information. enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees. The “Walk” takes about an hour, MEETINGS is a little over a mile starting at the Just Sharing – Community corner of Craven & Carteret streets Gathering and Discussion in Morrall Park and concluding in Wa6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, USCB Cen- terfront Park. Booklets with map and ter for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, information about each tree are availBeaufort. Free and open to the public. able free at the Visitors Center in the A community gathering and presenta- historic Arsenal on Craven Street. tion in collaboration with South Carolina Humanities. The event will feature Tours of Hunting Island presentations by a panel of scholars Every Tuesday, Hunting Island State and historians who will share stories of Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. Free, the past and lessons learned that will park entry fees apply. Sponsored by inspire our community to strengthen Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted our collective trust and empathy. The and his team. For more information event will include time for audience call the Hunting Island Nature Center discussion followed by a reception at 843-838-7437. The next Tuesday is and light refreshments. Everyone is en- August 1. couraged to attend. For more information, visit https://www.uscbcenterfortSEWING/QUILTING hearts.com/just-sharing. American Needlepoint Guild Meeting Indivisible Beaufort 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st Tuesday 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 13, Downtown each month. The Hilton Head ChapBeaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. Len Levesque, a 35-year veteran of the ter of the American Needlepoint Guild American Emergency Services, as welcomes anyone, beginner or expewell as a veteran of the United States rienced stitcher, who is interested in Army, will focus on the opioid and fen- needlepoint to join us for stitching, tanyl epidemic in the community. The learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at hiltonevent is free and open to the public. headislandchapter@needlepoint.org. Tanner to speak at Beaufort Tea Party meeting 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 15, AMVETS Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner will be the guest speaker and will discuss current public safety issues, crime prevention, other resources and address questions and concerns. Seating will be limited, so RSVP to btp@islc.net. Include your name and any guests accompanying you.

Embroidery Guild of America Meeting Second Tuesday of every month, Palmetto Electric Community Room, Hardeeville. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in any type of embroidery including needlepoint, cross-stitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more Beaufort Republican Women’s Club 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, Caroli- information, please contact us at lowna Room, Dataw Island Club, 123 Da- countrychapter@egacarolinas.org. taw Drive, St. Helena Island. The club will hold its annual membership drive Sea Island Quilters 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 18, Cartluncheon. The buffet luncheon is $42 per person. To reserve a seat or seats, eret Street United Methodist Church, please mail checks to BRWC, P. O. Box 408 Carteret Street, Beaufort. Attend 1835, Beaufort, S.C. 29902 by January by Zoom, as well. Program this month 27. For additional information, call Di- will be by Anne Marcellus – “My Journey to Creative Quilting.” She offers ane Rooney at 843-838-4972. Tips, tricks and demos as well as a trunk show. Zonta Club of Beaufort 6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Maye River Quilters Smokehouse, Port Royal. 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 3, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Way, Hardeeville. To attend as a guest, Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, RSVP to mayeriverquilters@gmail. 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. com. For more information or a memCatered buffet lunch, followed by a bership form, call 987-464-0585. guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and Stitch In Public Day 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 3, upcoming speakers, please visit webBluffton Branch of the Beaufort Counsite www.beaufortrotaryclub.org. try Library. Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America will The Beaufort Trailblazers – hold “Stitch in Public Day.” Anyone A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, interested in any type of embroidery Herban Marketplace, Beaufort. Any- (including needlepoint, cross-stitch, one interested in supporting or build- surface and beaded embroidery, ing off-road/dirt/wilderness mountain hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc.) is biking/jogging/walking trails near is welcome to come see our work, and encouraged to attend. For more in- learn about the art of embroidery and formation, call 843-575-0021 or email about our group. We will have materials available if you would like to try a universitybicycles@hotmail.com. little embroidery. Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island PresSPORTS/GAMES byterian Church, Sea Island Parkway, ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club Lady’s Island. A light breakfast is pro9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, vided before the program. For further Carteret St. United Methodist Church. information and upcoming speakers, Games and events will be held weekly. please visit our website at www.lowDirector Gene Ogden. Contact Jane countryrotary.org or contact our PresSimpson 803-226-3491. ident, Bob Bible a reconmc@aol.com or 843-252-8535. Beaufort Masters Swim Team 6 to 7 a.m., Monday through FriMUSIC day, Wardle Family Port Royal YMCA. Coached practices. Ages 18 & oldBeaufort Drum Circle 6:30 p.m, Friday, Jan. 12, Susan er, all skill & speed levels, no priStone's Studio (The Arts Port Royal), or swim team experience needed. 1404 Paris Avenue. Lots of free park- Visit lowcountryswimming.com for ing on the street. Enter at the "ARTS" more information.

STATE NEWS

McMaster: Put $500M in state surplus toward fixing SC bridges

By Seanna Adcox SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — With the recent emergency closure of a span of Interstate 20 illustrating what he wants to avoid statewide, Gov. Henry McMaster is asking legislators to put $500 million of surplus toward fixing South Carolina’s deteriorating bridges. Nearly a third of the 8,400 bridges on South Carolina’s roadways are either approaching or already past their intended lifespan. Roughly 500 of them are at least 90 years old, according to the state Department of Transportation. The aging bridges are statewide and along every kind of road on South Carolina’s extensive system — country roads, major highways and interstates. The westbound span of I-20 that closed to traffic four days before Christmas should serve as a wakeup call, according to the governor’s office. His letter Thursday to legislative leaders who control the state’s purse strings asks them to send the DOT at least $500 million from a surplus of state sales taxes that’s accumulated since 2020. McMaster believes putting the money toward bridge repair is the best way for taxpayers across the state to benefit from a onetime transfer. “Many of these bridges are 60, 70 and even in excess of 80 years old and are crumbling before our eyes each day,” he wrote in the letter provided to SC Daily Gazette. “Far too many have been closed while others are in such a state of disrepair that the required restrictions render them useless for commercial trucking, school buses or fire trucks

The dots show the locations of bridges that are nearing or already exceed their intended lifespan. The yellow dots represent bridges 60 to 70 years old. The purple dots represent bridges more than 90 years old. Provided by SCDOT needed to serve our state’s increasing population.” At any given time, roughly 65 bridges are closed statewide, requiring detours that are generally less than 10 miles but can be much longer, depending on the outage. An additional 675 are load-restricted, meaning they’re closed to 18-wheelers, fire trucks and most school buses because they can’t handle the weight, according to the DOT. Not only do detours create an inconvenience for residents and money-waster for businesses, but they have the potential to endanger lives if a fire truck can’t get somewhere fast enough, the governor’s office said. “With our state’s aging and crumbling bridges, time is most definitely not on our side,” McMaster wrote to four GOP legislative leaders. That I-20 bridge temporarily closed across the Wateree River in Kershaw Coun-

ty is actually on the younger end of the state’s problem bridges, at 53 years old. DOT officials closed it Dec. 21 immediately after an inspection showed the deck — or bridge surface — had sunk along an expansion joint in the bridge, causing a 3-inch gap from one section to another. Without the emergency repairs, which shored up the deck with a steel beam, the bridge would have eventually collapsed, according to DOT officials, who stress they closed it to ensure that didn’t happen. The bridge was a known problem. Contractors had already been hired for more permanent repairs, allowing for a quick fix to get interstate traffic flowing again in 50 hours. It could’ve been far worse. Not only were crews prepped, but I-20 happens to be South Carolina’s lowest-volume interstate. DOT officials shudder to think

This bar chart shows when bridges across the state were built. The red represents bridges on what’s commonly called farm-to-market roads but can also include major urban roads such as Harbison Boulevard in the Columbia area and Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston. The blue represents bridges on major state highways. Bridges on interstates are in green. Provided by SCDOT

of needing to unexpectedly shut down a bridge on I-95 or I-26, requiring major detours to and from the port, South Carolina’s economic engine. House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister said he agrees with the governor that it’s critical to fix the state’s bridges. The issue is where McMaster suggests getting the money, Bannister said. Where’s it coming from? The transfer would come from an account intended for property tax relief, as required by a 2006 law touted as a tax swap benefiting homeowners. The law, known as Act 388, removed school operating costs off property tax bills of owner-occupied homes and increased the state sales tax by a penny on the dollar — from 5% to 6% — to reimburse counties for the lost revenue.

The law created all sorts of unintended consequences, to include shifting the burden of tax increases primarily to businesses, rental properties and vacation homes. Groups ranging from the state Chamber of Commerce to the state School Boards Association have for years called for a complete overhaul of the much-maligned law. But undoing it would immediately and substantially increase property tax bills for homeowners, making it untouchable for legislators. The supposed tax swap also didn’t pay for itself — at least, not until 2020. For 13 years, that additional penny sales tax didn’t cover what the state needed to send counties as required. The shortfall exceeded $110 million for five of those years, which the Legislature had to cover with other state taxes. Then in fiscal year 202021, a surplus appeared. That penny-on-the-dollar generated an extra $74.5 million that year. The surplus rose to $199 million in 2022-23 before shrinking. The account is expected to have a cumulative surplus of roughly $600 million by this summer, according to the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. Huge gaps in what’s collected from the sales tax and what must be sent to counties are not expected to continue. But McMaster contends the massive existing excess doesn’t need to just sit in an account. And if legislators are going to spend it, the governor’s office wants to avoid another year of legislators putting hundreds of millions of one-time surplus toward local and pet projects. Last year, earmarks topped $700 million. McMaster says a one-

time, $500 million transfer for emergency bridge replacement will put a major dent in a critical need, while not risking the state’s property tax relief obligations. Why not? Bannister, chairman of the House budget-writing committee, counters it’s not nearly that simple. Any discussion on Act 388 “would be opening a hornet’s nest,” said the Greenville Republican. Transferring the money would require a law creating a one-time exception. Some legislators will want to use the money in other ways. Others will insist on wholesale tax reform. “I’m not sure there’s going to be an appetite for that kind of debate in an election year in the General Assembly,” Bannister said. But the idea will be considered, he said. Another possibility would be to send the DOT $200 million annually over the next five years, as the agency has requested in its last two budget requests. Last year, McMaster’s budget recommendations and the House’s initial spending plan included the first $200 million toward the $1 billion total request. But the Senate took it out completely. “Nothing’s off the table because bridges are a critical issue we have to address,” Bannister said. “We’re riding on bridges with a life expectancy of 50 years, and they’re well older.” Seanna Adcox is a South Carolina native with three decades of reporting experience. She joined States Newsroom in September 2023 after covering the S.C. Legislature and state politics for 18 years. Her previous employers include The Post and Courier and The Associated Press.

S.C. Department of Transportation employees and contractors work on emergency repairs on Interstate 20 near the Wateree River in Kershaw County on Dec. 22, 2023. The split in the rail on the right-hand side shows how the bridge had settled about three inches along the expansion joint. A steel beam custom made overnight and inserted underneath shored it up. Photo courtesy of SCDOT

VP Harris to be featured speaker at SC’s annual King Day at the Dome

By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver the keynote speech at King Day at the Dome on Monday, Jan. 15, according to the NAACP South Carolina State Conference, which hosts the annual event on Statehouse grounds honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the New York Democrat who is minority leader in the U.S. House, will lead the interfaith prayer service that traditionally starts the King Day events at Zion Baptist Church downtown. Attendees will then march the roughly half-mile to

the Statehouse’s front steps. U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, South Carolina’s only Democrat in Congress, is listed as Kamala Harris attending as a distinguished guest. It was Clyburn’s endorsement of Joe Biden ahead of South Carolina’s presidential primary in 2020 that catapulted him to the nomination and, ultimately, the White House. The visit will be Harris’ second this month as Democrats seek a big win for Biden in the first primary recognized by the national party. The party’s “first in the na-

tion” bus tour across South Carolina launches two days before King Day. Biden, who is expected to campaign here himself as well, faces two extreme long-shot candidates on the Feb. 3 ballot. This Saturday, Harris is the featured speaker at the 7th Episcopal District AME Church Women’s Missionary Society annual retreat in Myrtle Beach. King Day at the Dome began in 2000 as a protest against the Confederate flag flying above the Statehouse under the flags of the United States and South Carolina. Legislators passed a law later that year that took it off the dome and put a square version on a 30-foot

pole beside a Confederate soldiers’ monument on the front lawn. While smaller, the rebel battle flag was more visible there, and the NAACP never accepted the compromise, which also made both MLK Jr. Day and Confederate Memorial Day permanent state holidays. It took the massacre of nine people at a historic African American church in Charleston in 2015 for the Legislature to pass a law removing the flag — and the pole — entirely. King Day has become a go-to event for Democrats vying for the White House. This year, the focus will be on the importance of voting, accord-

ing to Brenda Murphy, president of the NAACP State Conference. The theme is “ballots for freedom, ballots for justice, ballots for change.” Besides the keynote on King’s legacy, there will also be a voter registration drive, according to the event flier. Voters must be registered by Thursday to vote in the Feb. 3 primary. Speeches at the Statehouse are scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon. Abraham Kenmore is a reporter covering elections, health care and more. He joins the SC Daily Gazette from The Augusta Chronicle, where he reported on Georgia legislators, military and housing issues. JANUARY 11–17, 2024

STATE NEWS

Medical marijuana debate reignited in SC Statehouse

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA – The medical marijuana debate is back at the South Carolina Statehouse and the Senate medical committee chairman wants a “redo.” The latest iteration of legislation to legalize and regulate the prescription of cannabis to treat the symptoms of cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism and other debilitating diseases is currently stuck in the Senate. Proponents are pushing for a vote early in the legislative session, which begins Tuesday. Speaking to a room full of reporters a day ahead of the session, Senate Medical Affairs Chairman Danny Verdin was forceful in calling for senators to take it up and pass it. The Laurens Republican, while sitting beside one of the bill’s staunchest opponents, said he’d be “sorely disappointed” if the Senate left it to languish on the calendar. “I’m committed to a medicinal cannabis program that is for the health and well-being of South Carolinians,” Verdin said. Last February, Verdin successfully pushed for the bill to skip his committee and go straight to the Senate calendar for floor debate. And that’s where it’s been

Senate Medical Affairs Committee Chairman Danny Verdin called for Senate passage of a medical marijuana bill during a preview of South Carolina’s legislative session Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Jessica Holdman/S.C. Daily Gazette stuck. The objections of two Republicans have since blocked senators from considering it. Sen. Tom Davis, who’s led a nine-year effort to legalize marijuana for medical use, hopes 2024 is the year it finally passes. For years, he’s tried to tweak the bill to address the opposition of law enforcement, led by State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel. But Keel remains emphatic that he will not support regulating marijuana until the federal government makes it legal. Davis contends his mea-

sure is “very conservative.” He believes it would make South Carolina’s law the most restrictive among states that allow marijuana for medical use; 38 states already do. Under his bill, for example, smoking marijuana would remain illegal. Prescribed cannabis would have to be ingested through edibles or inhaled through vapes. It limits legal cannabis growers to 2 acres, requires licenses for pharmacies allowed to fill prescriptions and sets qualifications for

medical marijuana patients to receive cannabis cards. It also creates an electronic patient registry. And it excludes anyone working in public safety, commercial transportation or with heavy machinery from legally partaking. The Senate’s already passed the bill once. After years of debate, Verdin’s committee first advanced it in 2021. A supermajority of senators then voted in February 2022 to give the bill special debate status, overruling objections which — as it’s been over

the last year — left it stuck on the calendar. After three weeks of floor debate, it passed 28-15. When it got to the House floor, however, it was thrown out on a technicality. A Republican opponent raised the point that any bill creating a tax must start in the House, and it was tossed without debate. “We got a procedural trick played on us,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield. Two years later, a nearly identical bill sponsored by Davis — minus the tax component — is again blocked on the Senate calendar. (Under Senate rules, a single senator can block debate. But a supermajority vote can overrule it.) The two Republicans with an objection holding it up this time include Senate Education Chairman Greg Hembree, R-Little River. The former solicitor has called marijuana a “gateway drug” to the abuse of narcotics and said he worries those peddling medical marijuana would just be using it to make money off people with addictions. Davis said it’s his goal to move the bill quickly through the Senate and send it to the House in early February, with hopes the House will take it up before that chamber’s budget debate. Massey, who voted in favor

of the bill in 2022, said a debate is likely. “This bill is about providing what South Carolinians want,” Davis said. “What they want is to empower doctors and to give patients access to medical treatments that the American Journal of Medicine right now has conclusively said is a benefit.” But even if it passes the Senate a second time, it will face heavy opposition in the House. A pair of House committee leaders voiced their opposition Monday. “Once you open Pandora’s box, it’s open and you cannot close it,” said Rep. Bill Sandifer, R-Seneca. The chairman of the House Labor Commerce and Industry Committee pointed to other states that started with medical marijuana and later opened it up to recreational use. Verdin waved off the argument that medical marijuana is just a portal to legalizing the drug for recreational use. He called on senators to “give our House colleagues the necessary chance to take this very significant step forward within the realm of legitimate, honest expansion of medical freedom.”

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.

Presidential candidates excluded from SC ballots sue Rejected GOP candidate sues to get Trump removed from Republicans ballot

By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA — Two long-shot candidates excluded from South Carolina’s presidential primaries have filed separate lawsuits in federal court — one trying to get on the Democratic ballot, the other trying to kick former President Donald Trump off the Republican ballot. Both have been rejected by their parties in South Carolina and face extremely long odds of winning their cases here. But they’re undeterred. Cenk Uygur, who sued the South Carolina Democratic Party and a host of state officials, says he’s willing to take his fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The founder of the progressive news outlet Young Turks TV wants to challenge President Joe Biden in Democratic presidential primaries. But to do that, he’s challenging a clause in the U.S. Constitution that limits the presiCenk dency to citizens Uygur born in the United States. Uygur was born in Turkey, moved to the United States at 8 years old and later became a naturalized citizen. The Los Angeles resident launched his legal battle in South Carolina federal court Dec. 22 after he filed to be a candidate on the presidential primary ballot here and paid the required $20,000 registration fee to the state Democratic Party. The party did not include him, citing the Constitution. He argues the cited section, which dates to the original document ratified in 1788, is discriminatory and has been nullified by subsequent amendments. South Carolina’s among seven states that have kept Uygur off the ballot, while six others have listed him, according to his campaign. But he picked South Carolina as

JANUARY 11–17, 2024

the place to sue for several reasons, Uygur told the S.C. Daily Gazette. For starters, it will be a new issue for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The federal court for South Carolina cases has issued no rulings on the clause, unlike at least five others that swatted down a similar attempt by naturalized citizen Abdul Karim Hassan in 2012. South Carolina’s status as the first-in-the-nation Democratic primary recognized by the national party also played a role, Uygur said. “It’s an early state, and we need that to be able to get a judgment quickly enough to affect the rest of the race,” he said. Plus, he believes South Carolina was “particularly egregious” in taking his $20,000 filing fee and then not returning it after rejecting his candidacy. He says the money came from “grassroots donors,” though who’s given him money and how much is unknown. He hasn’t filed any federal campaign disclosures. That $20,000 is collected by all applicants and sent to the state Election Commission to help pay for the primary. The state party makes clear it is nonrefundable, said state Democratic Party Chairwoman Christale Spain. The three candidates “who met the requirements to be on the Palmetto State’s first in the nation Democratic primary ballot” were certified, she said in a statement. They are President Joe Biden and two other long-shot candidates: U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and self-help author Marianne Williamson. That primary will be Feb. 3. Early voting starts Jan. 22. Absentee ballots to overseas and military ballots have already been sent out. But Uygur said he’s unconcerned about the timeline. The court can find a solution if it sides with him, he said. Even if Uygur loses primaries nationwide but still wins the court case, it will be worth it, he said.

His argument is essentially that the Constitution is unconstitutional, based on several later amendments and federal laws. It largely rests on the 14th Amendment, which says all persons “born or naturalized in the United States” are citizens, and no state can diminish the rights of citizens. Ratified in 1868, the amendment was about recognizing and protecting former slaves as citizens. Congress required former Confederate states like South Carolina to agree to it before they were readmitted to the Union. But Uygur argues it also overturns the Founding Fathers’ requirement that presidents must be a “natural born citizen.” The Republican suing On the Republican side, John Castro’s lawsuit to remove Trump from South Carolina’s primary ballot is based on a different clause of the 14th Amendment. He makes similar arguments John that led to the ColCastro orado Supreme Court’s ruling last month that tossed Trump from that state’s GOP ballot and the Maine secretary of state deciding on her own to remove Trump, who is appealing both decisions. Trump is among seven Republicans certified for South Carolina’s Feb. 24 ballot. Castro himself is not. Nevertheless, Castro, a tax attorney who said this is his first foray into election law, claims Trump’s presence on the ballot damages his campaign. He applied and sent in a check for the state GOP’s $50,000 registration fee, causing the party to initially list him among candidates on a press release in late October. But then he canceled the check. State GOP Chairman Drew McKissick dismissed Castro’s arguments completely, saying they come from someone who “tried to

pay his filing fee with a bad check,” which is why he’s not on the ballot. In South Carolina, unlike other states, the political parties themselves — not the state election agency or a lone elected official — decide who’s eligible for their primary ballots. “(Castro) is trying to frustrate the will of voters in South Carolina, and we’ve been able to stop that here in South Carolina,” McKissick said during an interview on Newsmax. He notes Castro’s lawsuit in South Carolina, one of several states where he’s sued, dates back to last fall. “There’s been no word from the federal judge” since, and the ballots are a done deal, McKissick said. The case filed Sept. 7 against Trump and the South Carolina Election Commission claims Trump is disqualified from the ballot due to his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. As other anti-Trump lawsuits have done, he cites the clause in the post-Civil War 14th Amendment that bars people from office who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the Constitution. Castro, of Mansfield, Texas, says it’s Trump’s actions he opposes, not his policies. “There’s almost nothing about Trump’s political policies that I disagree with,” Castro said. To successfully sue, people must show the court they’re directly harmed by their reason for suing. In Castro’s case, he argues Trump’s presence on the ballot pulls votes and donations from his own candidacy — an argument that will be very hard to make with Castro not actually on the South Carolina ballot. After getting tossed, he tweaked the lawsuit to also sue the state Republican Party, claiming the $50,000 registration fee is an unconstitutional burden. “Their first argument, obviously, is going to be ‘he’s not even on the ballot,’” Castro told SC Daily Ga-

zette. So, “the second claim in my lawsuit is that you guys effectively blocked me from … the ballot by setting an outrageously high and unconstitutional fee.” Other states charge similar fees. Idaho Republicans also charge $50,000 for example, while the Democrats charge $2,500. But many charge far less. In Colorado, the fee is just $500. In South Carolina, the whole $50,000 doesn’t go to the Republican Party. Like the Democrats, Republicans send $20,000 to the state. But the GOP charges an additional $30,000 to keep. Regardless, party officials say, the fact he sent in a check that was no good shows Castro is not a serious candidate and lacks standing to sue. The state party had to pay a $35 fee because his account lacked the funds, a party spokeswoman said. Castro told S.C. Daily Gazette he was prepared to dip into his child’s college fund to pay the fee. But then the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in another case brought by Castro that the fact he paid a filing fee in that state did not give him standing. Castro estimated he’s spent $40,000 of his own money on his campaign so far. He didn’t want to risk losing $50,000 without a guarantee that would help his case. No matter the outcome, Castro said, the lawsuits have given him far more attention than he would have otherwise received, without spending much money. “Kill multiple birds with one stone: You get to stand behind your principles. It’s your breakout moment,” he said. “People that would have never known your name are now going to know your name. And that can lay the foundation in the future for a more serious run.” 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.

STATE NEWS

Biden evokes history at campaign rally in Charleston

President says Black voters in SC put him in the White House, pitches a second term By Abraham Kenmore SCDailyGazette.com CHARLESTON — At a historic Black church in Charleston where a hate-fueled massacre shocked the nation in 2015, President Joe Biden on Monday, Jan. 8, evoked the memories of that horrific night as he campaigned for a second term. “The word of God was pierced by bullets of hate, rage, propelled by not just gunpowder but by a force, a force that for too long has poisoned our nation,” Biden told an audience of several hundred supporters at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. “What is that force? White supremacy.” Emanuel AME Church is known as Mother Emanuel because it’s the oldest AME church in the South. That’s why an avowed white supremacist chose it for his murderous plot, which he hoped would spark a race war. After being welcomed into a Wednesday night Bible study and praying with his victims for an hour, he opened fire. The nine people killed included the church’s pastor, state Sen. Clementa Pinckney. Their murderer is on death row in federal prison. Instead of fueling a race war, the crime sparked an outpouring of collective grief and a coming together, as then-President Barack Obama led an impromptu singing of “Amazing Grace” at Pinckney’s funeral and the Confederate flag came off the Statehouse grounds for good. Biden opened his campaign speech with the slayings and recalled visiting the church as vice president afterward. He then turned to what he saw as future threats in the erasure of history, including the claim by former President Donald Trump that the 2020 election had been stolen. “Losers are taught to concede when they lose — and he is a loser,” Biden said of the former president. In contrast, Biden said, “instead of erasing history, we’re making history.” Biden made clear who he credited for the outcome of the 2020 election — the people before him. “I’m here to speak to another

ABOUT THE SOUTH CAROLINA DAILY GAZETTE

The South Carolina Daily Gazette is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news site covering state government and officials and how their decisions affect people across the Palmetto State. The site offers a free newsletter delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. To subscribe, visit https://scdailygazette.com/ subscribe/. The content is free both to readers and to other outlets, which can republish its work under the Creative Commons license. 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.

President Joe Biden delivers a campaign speech at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, saying that Black voters in South Carolina propelled him to the White House the first time — and asking for a second term. Abraham Kenmore/S.C. Daily Gazette truth,” he said. “It’s because of this congregation, the Black community of South Carolina and, not an exaggeration, Jim Clyburn, that I stand here today as your president.” In 2020, South Carolina gave then-candidate Biden a significant win in the Democratic primary following a key endorsement by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn. Until then, Biden had trailed with a fourthplace finish in Iowa and fifth-place finish in New Hampshire. Clyburn opened for Biden at Monday’s event and harkened back to four years ago. “Presidential candidate Joe Biden offered himself to the American people, and he made a lot of promises and commitments,” Clyburn said. He contends Biden has fulfilled those commitments, to include appointing more women of color as judges and trying to relieve student debt. Biden continued with that theme, saying he wants to close the wealth gap between Black and white Americans. He closed with

a tribute to the historic role of the Black church itself in Ameria. South Carolina’s racial diversity is why national Democrats moved it to the front of their voting calendar. The Palmetto State has a far larger Black population than either Iowa or New Hampshire, and they make up an even greater share of South Carolina’s Democratic base. (New Hampshire is still technically holding an earlier, unauthorized presidential primary on Jan 23, for which Biden refused to register.) Biden needs to shore up his support among Black voters. Recent national polls show a big drop in their enthusiasm for Biden. Betty Doctor came from Ridgeville, about 45 minutes away, to see the president. She called the visit a “blessing.” She plans to vote for Biden in the February primary. The 70-year-old retiree’s top priority is “getting the right person” in the election. “That’s it,” she said. The speech largely centered around domestic policies. But several minutes in, half a dozen

attendees stood up and chanted “Ceasefire now,” calling for Biden to support a full ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. “I understand your passion,” Biden said as the protestors were led out of the event. To drown out the protestors, other attendees began chanting “four more years.” Dozens of protestors held a rally calling for a ceasefire in a park near the church. Marcus McDonald, 27, a lead organizer with Charleston Black Lives Matter, said Emanuel is his family’s church. “We find it so disrespectful that President Biden has come to the place of a massacre while actively benefiting and promoting a genocide and a massacre in Gaza,” McDonald said at the rally following Biden’s speech. The president’s visit follows one by Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday, when she spoke to the annual retreat of the 7th Episcopal District AME Church Women’s Missionary Society. On Saturday, the state party is starting a get-out-the-vote bus

tour, and two days later Harris will speak at the Statehouse for the NAACP’s annual King Day at the Dome for Martin Luther King Jr. event. Even Democratic leadership acknowledges that South Carolina is likely to vote for a Republican in November. His win Feb. 3 is all but guaranteed. Biden faces two extremelong-shot candidates on Democrats’ presidential primary ballot here: U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and author Marianne Williamson. A recent poll puts his support among Democratic primary voters at 69%. But the party is still hiring a number of staffers with a “six figure” investment ahead of the primary. They include six regional directors, a campus organizer, and 12 event coordinators who will work through mid-February, as well as 30 workers hired specifically for the week before the primary to encourage people to vote. 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.

SC agency recommends larger scholarships, more training for high-demand jobs with lottery surplus

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com COLUMBIA – Potential ways to spend $152 million in unused lottery profits include degree-finishing programs for adults, tuition help for high schoolers taking college classes, and training for in-demand jobs, according to the state agency that doles out South Carolina’s lottery-backed scholarships. Legislators chastised leadership at the state Higher Education Commission after an audit released last month by the state’s inspector general found the agency allowed unspent lottery profits intended for college scholarships to pile up over six years. In the wake of the report, the House’s education committee asked the agency for recommendations on spending those excess funds. Commissioners discussed possibilities Friday ahead of the legislative session that resumes next week. The unspent money was slated mostly for the state’s three merit-based scholarships — HOPE, LIFE and Palmetto Fellows — awarded to eligible South Carolina students who go to college

within the state. Awards range from $2,800 for students’ freshman year only to $10,000 yearly for students pursuing math and science degrees. Criteria include at least a 3.0 grade point average for HOPE and LIFE scholarships and 3.5 GPA for Palmetto Fellows. Voters approved the lottery in 2000 as a way to fund college scholarships and make a degree affordable for South Carolina students, who can put it toward costs at the private or public college of their choice. The inspector general’s report angered several on the legislative panel who said the money could have been spent in other ways. “Frankly, your report to us upsets me and I think it probably upsets a lot of people,” said Rep. Tim McGinnis, R-Myrtle Beach, who chaired the committee. While the money sat untouched, no eligible student was denied scholarship funding, the agency’s director, Rusty Monhollon, emphasized. “Every student that was eligible for a lottery scholarship received the lottery scholarship,” he said. The error was in predict-

S.C. Commission on Higher Education Executive Director Rusty Monhollon, center, presents recommendations during a commission board meeting Jan. 5, 2024, for how lawmakers might spend $152 million in unused state lottery scholarship funds. Jessica Holdman/S.C. Daily Gazette ing how much was needed to fully cover the state’s three largest scholarship programs for eligible students. The agency has since adjusted its prediction methods, Monhollon said. Scholarship awards peaked in 2021 at $302 million, the Inspector General’s report said. Instead of continuing to rise, scholarship totals have declined but the

commission kept asking for money as if nothing had changed. Now it’s up to state lawmakers to decide what to do with the funds. For his part, Gov. Henry McMaster in his budget proposal suggested spending $100 million of the surplus, keeping the rest in the account as a cushion. His proposal breaks down

eight — or providing tuition aid specifically for summer or Maymester classes. The agency’s suggestions also include funding to in-demand degree programs at the state’s technical and four-year colleges, but not for one-time equipment purchases. It instead suggests aid for high school students taking college courses; funding for a program known as Reconnect SC, which caters to residents who have some college education but did not finish a degree; and raising the size of merit and needsbased scholarships, which haven’t increased since 2007. Other ideas batted around by members of Commission on Higher Education’s governing board included allowing students who complete a degree in less than four years to apply any remaining scholarship dollars to a graduate degree and expanding financial aid for those attending two-year colleges.

to $30 million for the state technical college system to cover the cost of equipment used in training for high-demand jobs; $70 million would go toward a combination of scholarship aid for university degrees: Spending more on scholarships Jessica Holdman writes about for poor students, allowing the economy, workforce and higher merit-based scholarships education. Before joining the SC Daily to fund a ninth semester — Gazette, she was a business reporter for currently, they’re limited to The Post and Courier. JANUARY 11–17, 2024

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

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