JANUARY 23–29, 2025
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Beaufort braces for winter weather
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) prepares equipment ahead of a winter storm. Photo submitted by SCDOT
By Delayna Earley The Island News At press time, it looked as though like Beaufort was set to get snow for the first time since 2018. Snow is exceedingly rare for the Lowcountry, an area more used to dealing with tropical storms, but as of Tuesday morning, meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston had become increasingly certain that Beaufort County would start to see wintery precipitation on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and continue into Wednesday.
When it snowed in January 2018, Beaufort received around four inches of snow. Current reports from NWS meteorologists were calling for the Beaufort area to receive freezing rain that will turn into snow and could result in one to two inches of accumulation. A Winter Weather Warning was issued for the Lowcountry beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 5 p.m. through noon on Wednesday as the risks of accumulating snow and freezing rain, as well as an “extended period of bitterly cold tem-
Beaufort celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day
peratures,” are expected to impact the area. The area's low temperatures were expected to be in the 20s, but with the wind chill, especially on Wednesday night, the potential was for Beaufort to see near-record lows. High temperatures during the day were expected to stay in the upper 30s and low 40s. In northern Beaufort County, there is only one cold weather shelter. Sea Island Presbyterian Church
SEE WEATHER PAGE A5
Larry Rowland holds plaques announcing his Order of the Palmetto award and USCB's new endowed Lawrence S. Rowland, Ph.D. Professorship. Photo courtesy of USC Beaufort
A lifetime of preserving history recognized Rowland honored with Order of Palmetto, USCB’s 1st endowed professorship
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he Beaufort County Awareness Group waves to parade attendees as they pass by during the City of Beaufort’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade held Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
BEAUFORT OYSTER FESTIVAL
Complete with a towelette and dipping sauce, a pan of freshly steamed pan of oysters are set on a table on the opening day of the 5th annual Beaufort Oyster Festival on January 18, 2025 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Downtown Beaufort. Lady's Island Oyster won this year’s Oyster Competition with their Single Lady Oyster with Honey Mignonette. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Andrew Smith, a U.S. Marine stationed in Beaufort, and Piper Davis from Alabama, indulge in freshly steamed oysters during the opening day of the 5th annual Beaufort Oyster Festival on January 18, 2025 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Downtown Beaufort. Lady's Island Oyster won this year’s Oyster Competition with their Single Lady Oyster with Honey Mignonette. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Staff reports BEAUFORT — History professor Larry Rowland is fond of saying “All of American history began in what is now Beaufort County.” And Rowland said it again earlier this month when he made a little history of his own. Rowland, the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB), as usual, emphasized the region’s pivotal role in shaping the nation, this time on Friday, Jan. 10, at a ceremony at the Dataw Island Club, where he was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, and became the namesake of USCB’s first endowed professorship: the Lawrence S. Rowland, Ph.D. Professorship. The Order of the Palmetto, established in 1971, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime of extraordinary service and contributions to South Carolina. On behalf of behalf of Gov. Henry McMaster, Jane T. Upshaw, USCB's Distinguished Chancellor Emerita, presented the Order of the Palmetto to Rowland, whose unparalleled efforts to preserving and promoting the state’s history has shaped the understanding of South Carolina’s cultural and historical legacy, Beaufort County in particular. USCB also recognized Rowland’s decades-long impact on historical scholarship and education by establishing the Lawrence S. Rowland, Ph.D. Professorship. This en-
SEE HISTORY PAGE A4
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Free tax prep returns for qualified residents.
Beaufort Children's Theatre to bring Disney's High School Musical Jr. to life.
Eagles on top: Beaufort High wins JPII Warrior Duals.
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