JUNE 11–17, 2020 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Spike in SC’s coronavirus cases causes new warnings By Mindy Lucas Since Memorial Day weekend, South Carolina has seen a record number of new coronavirus cases causing the state’s health officials to issue new warnings about the importance of continued social distancing. From a record weekend that saw more than 300 cases each day – on May 29, May 30 and May 31 – to days which recently saw new records of more than 500 cases each – June
6 and June 8 – the spike in cases is causing concern among officials. “The more people you expose yourself to, the more you multiply your risk of being exposed to the virus,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist, in a news release issued June 3. As expected, part of the increase in COVID-19 cases is likely a result of increased testing efforts across the state, the release stated. But other factors such as gather-
THE LATEST NUMBERS 14,800 – Total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina 557 – Total number of deaths caused by the virus Source: S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), as of June 8
ings at which people fail to practice safety measures, play a part as well,
the agency admitted. “There are those who are finding ways to hold graduations and open businesses safely through careful planning and attention to crowd density and safety measures such as wearing masks,” Bell said. “When we don’t do those things, we can put ourselves and others at risk, and case counts will rise.” The number of deaths are also climbing.
A daily record of 20 deaths were reported on Wednesday, June 3, and the seven-day average for deaths is also climbing, according to the Associated Press. The percent of positive tests averaged over 14 days, a statistic health officials say they are following carefully, is increasing as well. The increased numbers also have
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Peaceful protesters march across Beaufort
Food Lion acquires Port Royal Bi-Lo store Future uncertain for Bi-Lo on Boundary Street By Mike McCombs Food Lion is coming to Port Royal. The Salisbury, N.C.-based grocery chain announced Wednesday, June 3 that it was acquiring 62 BI-LO and Harveys Supermarket stores from Southeastern Grocers. The BI-LO located at 860 Parris Island Gateway is included in the sale. According to Food Lion, the stores will remain under their original banner until the transaction is complete, likely in the first half of 2021. “We are so excited to add these new locations to our more than 630 stores across Georgia and the Carolinas,” Food Lion President Meg Ham said in a release. “We’ve been serving customers in these larger regions for almost 60 years. We’re thrilled to add these locations and serve even more towns and cities across these three states with fresh, quality products at affordable prices every day with the caring, friendly service customers expect from their local Food Lion.” According to the release, Food Lion expects to hire more than 4,650 associates to serve customers at the 62 new stores. What about the Boundary Street BI-LO? While the BI-LO at 2127 Boundary Street wasn’t on the list of stores sold to Food Lion, it would be fair to expect change at the location in the near future. Employees at the location have been told to apply for employment with Food Lion, an indication that the future of the store is, at the least, uncertain. A Southeastern Grocers spokesperson said, “Southeastern Grocers will be exploring strategic options for these stores such as the Boundary Street location, however, they will remain open and ready to serve our customers and communities as those options are explored.”
A crowd of 150 to 200 people of all ages marched and carried signs in support of Our Peaceful Protesters and Black Lives Matter on Sunday from Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park to Beaufort City Hall without incident. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
Black Lives Matter group continues to make presence known
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very day since May 30, protesters have occupied some portion of the parking lot in front of the old Piggly Wiggly at the intersection of Boundary Street and Ribaut Road. The group originally gathered in response to the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, by the police in Minneapolis, Minn. But the protests, like some of those around the country, have become
On Sunday, June 7, the protesters went on a “Peaceful March” from Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park downtown, up Bay Street to Bladen Street, down Bladen to Boundary and then to the corner across from the courthouse all the while, sharing their messages of unity, nonviolence and most important of all, hope for the future. The string of people, around 175 long, carrying their signs, was
MIKE MCCOMBS
something more. “This teacher believes Black Lives Matter.” – Protest sign.
a diverse group – young and old, male and female, black, white and brown. “Your silence is violence.” – Protest sign. There were people trekking across town with people they would not usually take a short walk with. The protests were initially organized by Tim Garvin and JaCorey
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Red Piano Too closes its doors for last time St. Helena’s Mary Mack a legend like the gallery she loved By Mike McCombs
Mary Mack stands in front of the Red Piano Too along side a banner advertising the St. Helena Island art gallery’s final sale. Submitted photo.
A HELPING HAND
M
ary Inabinett Mack remembers how she felt when the Red Piano Too opened. Louanne LaRoche, an artist herself, opened the gallery, an outgrowth of the Red Piano in Bluffton, on St. Helena Island.
NOT STICKING TO SPORTS Parker’s donates 800 KN95 masks to Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
Beaufort studentathletes leading area protests.
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“She opened it, and I thought, “Oh God, how could she do that? It was my dream,” Mack said Monday night from home, remembering her disappointment. Mack had been operating an art and framing business out Mary of her home, and the Mack Red Piano Too was exactly what she had envisioned that business becoming.
“I had initially taught myself to frame, then got a business license and was running the business out of my house,” Mack said. “But Louanne allowed me to have a little space at the gallery.” And so began Mack’s journey with the Red Piano Too. That journey ended Saturday, 30 years later, as the gallery held it’s final sale before closing permanently.
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