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Republican candidates make their case for 1st District nomination at forum
Mike Covert, center, holds a copy of the U.S. Constitution as he makes his remarks during the Republican candidate forum detailing why he should be elected to replace Democrat Joe Cunningham for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. At rear, from left are fellow Republican candidates Brad Mole, left, Nancy Mace, Chris Cox and Kathy Landing. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
By Mindy Lucas About 80 people turned out for a Republican candidates forum held at the Quality Inn in Beaufort, on Saturday, Jan. 25. While candidates running for the 1st Congressional District jockeyed to position themselves as the best person to unseat Democrat Joe Cunningham, some also underscored the importance of the race on the national stage. “This is one of the top
Burton man sentenced in connection with murder
take-back targets for Republicans nationally this year,” said Charleston candidate and South Carolina state Rep. Nancy Mace. South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District is one of 55 seats the National Republican Congressional Committee has said it is targeting this year as part of its strategy to retake the U.S. House of Representatives. While candidates at the
two-hour event, hosted by the Beaufort Federation of Republican Men, mostly agreed or voiced similar positions on the majority of the questions asked, there were times when they were seemingly at odds with each other. On the question, “What is the single most important issue facing voters in S.C. 1?” Beaufort County candidate and councilman Mike Covert said he had to rebut Chris
Cox’s stance on education. Earlier the Mount Pleasant candidate and founder of Bikers for Trump had cited infrastructure among other issues such as the opioid crisis among the important issues facing the district, but he also said when it came to education, South Carolinians needed to “get behind some of these narratives that are going
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BLAZING A TRAIL
By Mindy Lucas A Burton man has been sent to prison on murder and arson charges for his role in the killing of a disabled neighbor in December of 2016, officials say. John Dontue Priester, 27, was sentenced to 30 years for murder and 20 years for second-degree arson in connection with the killing of 56-yearold Teresa Seigler, according to a news release issued by the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, John Priester admit- Priester ted to helping in Seigler’s murder and in concealing the crime by setting fire to her Burton home, the statement said. Priester was the third and final defendant convicted for Seigler’s murder by the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. “Despite numerous health problems that caused her nearly constant pain, Teresa had a kind heart and was known for helping people down on their luck – people like John Priester and the other defendants,” said Assistant Solicitor Hunter Swanson, who prosecuted all three defendants. “John Priester, Brian Walls and Courtney Brock would
Beaufort County Councilman Paul Sommerville, along with county employees, volunteers and others, were on hand Thursday, Jan. 23 for the grand opening of the nature trail at Crystal Lake Park on Lady’s Island. Photo by Mindy Lucas.
Years-long creation of Crystal Lake Park culminates with opening of nature trail
By Mindy Lucas Beaufort County residents looking for a new place to view and interact with nature should look no further than Lady’s Island. Crystal Lake Park off Lady’s Island Drive held a grand opening for its
SEE MURDER PAGE A5
new nature trail on Thursday, Jan. 23. Part of Phase II of the Beaufort County passive park’s construction, the opening of the trail marks the culmination of its creation, created from “putting the pieces … together one by one” over a five-year period
and with an investment of about $3.5 million, said Beaufort County Councilman Paul Sommerville at the event’s ribbon cutting. The 25-acre park features a forested habitat, salt marsh and a manmade lake with redfish and mullet.
Fishing, however, is catch and release only since there is a potential for unacceptably high cancer and non-cancer health risks, a release stated.
SEE PARK PAGE A7
USCB Center for Arts hosting African American History Month events Staff reports USC Beaufort is bringing several events to the Center for the Arts for African American History Month:
written by Charleston native DuBose Heyward, focused on the Gullah community on the Carolina Lowcountry coast, and the community’s life, speech and music were reflected in “Porgy and Bess.” All seats are general admission. Adults are $20, and students are admitted for free. Tickets are available at the box office; online at www. centerforthearts.com or by calling 843-521-4145.
Porgy and Bess 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, USC Beaufort Center for the Arts This is a theater showing of a Met Opera Live broadcast in high definition. George Gershwin, inspired by a novel
PLANNING FOR PLAY
Eyes on the Prize 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, USC Beaufort Center for the Arts Auditorium There will be a screening and community discussion of two episodes – “Awakenings” and “Two Societies” – of PBS’ acclaimed documentary Eyes on the Prize. The documentary covered 30 years of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and brought home two Emmy Awards and two Peabody
MORE INSIDE
At 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, Gretchen Sorin will discuss her book Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights at the Historic Penn Center’s Frisell Hall. Sorin’s book charts the revolutionary impact of the car on the African American experience — and how access to the open road transformed black life in unexpected, far-reaching ways. See Page A7.
Awards. The backdrop of USC Beaufort’s African American History Month 2020 Series,
STATE CHAMPS
Eyes on the Prize will be followed by a “candid community dialogue about our collective vision for the future.”
INSIDE
City seeks input on new playground equipment at Waterfront Park.
Holy Trinity takes SCISA ‘Battle of the Books’ state title.
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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2-5 Business A5 Voices A6 Around Town A7-8 Directory A8
Education A9 Sports B1 Graduation List B2 Classifieds B3 Games B3 Legal Notices B4-13
Orangeburg Massacre 6-8 p.m.. Saturday, Feb. 8, USC Beaufort Center for the Arts Auditorium Three young, black students were killed by police gunfire on the South Carolina State University campus on the night of Feb. 8, 1968; 27 others were wounded. None of the students were armed. This presentation includes
SEE EVENTS PAGE A7