June 28 edition

Page 1

JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2018 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM

Penn Center fence stirs emotion, controversy among St. Helena residents BY JUSTIN JARRETT

COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY

Beaufortonians are no strangers to the “sound of freedom” — but it takes on a different tune this time of year. The sights and sounds of fireworks will fill the air Wednesday, as amateur and professional pyrotechnicians alike celebrate Independence Day. There are plenty of events scheduled throughout the area to help you get your prescribed patriotism.

PORT ROYAL

About half a dozen protestors show their distaste with the current Penn Center Board of Trustees on Saturday, June 23, at the intersection of Sea Island Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Event organizers said they can’t stop the fence around Penn Center from being built as construction there has already started. Jayme Bowman said, “we’ve changed our focus and are aiming at Penn Center Board of Trustees. It (the board) totally ignored and circumvented the Advisory Committee and disregarded all of our appeals” to not build the fence. A protest march along U.S. 21 from St. Helena Elementary School to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. is scheduled for Saturday, June 30. “We expect to have more than 100 people to march”, Bowman said. Photo by Bob Sofaly.

Protesters have become a mainstay at the intersection Penn Center is one of the most significant Afriof Sea Island Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive can-American historical and cultural institutions in exon St. Helena Island, expressistence today and was recently “The St. Helena ing their disappointment with named part of the Reconstruccommunity does not the decision to build a 5-foot, tion Era National Monument. It wrought iron fence on the camis on the site of one of the first want to be walled off from pus of the historic Penn Center. schools for formerly-enslaved a place that is supposed Opponents plan to gather at individuals in the United States to represent us... and served as a retreat for Mar10 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, We should be building tin Luther King Jr. during the and march from St. Helena Elcommunities, not walls.” Civl Rights Era. Darrah Hall, ementary School to the interJAYME BOWMAN, RESIDENT on the center’s campus, serves as section of Sea Island Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, where they’ve been a de facto community center for the St. Helena commuseen this past week holding signs with messages such as, nity, and opponents of the fence say it will cut off access “Build Communities, Not Fences,” and “Our Heritage, Our Legacy, No Fence At Penn.” SEE DIVIDE, PAGE A2

Fire Safety Education saves Beaufort home from extensive damage Firefighters from the City of Beaufort-Town of Port Royal Fire Department received a call just before 8 p.m. on Friday, June 22, for a home that had smoke and flames showing in the 2600 block of South Royal Oaks Drive. The first firefighter on scene was Lt. Gary Guldner (retired City of Beaufort-Town of Port Royal FD) who reported over the radio that the homeowner and neighbors had successfully extinguished the fire with their portable fire extinguishers. “We never want to see a fire happen and we believe a large majority of fires are completely preventable” Fire Chief Reece Bertholf said. “But when we do have fires, this is the outcome we want.

Swift, correct action, taken by trained individuals stopped the spread of this fire, which was moments away from entering the roof structure of this home and causing major, catastrophic, damage. When properly trained and capable, non-fire department personnel with a fire extinguisher can make a big difference.” No one was injured extinguishing the growing fire. Investigators with the fire department learned that an evening fish fry had gone wrong, causing the fire. The homeowner had the fryer set up on the covered back porch. At some point the oil overheated and caught fire, causing damage to the underside of the porch roof, melting the vinyl siding, and

LADIES NIGHT The Tavern at Royal Pines hosts the June Island Girls Night Out. PAGE A6

causing smoke to enter the home. Firefighters had to use electric fans to remove the smoke from the home and used hand tools to check the vinyl siding and soffit of the porch to make sure the fire was completely out. “Proper application of fire extinguishers saved the day here” said Captain Tim Ogden, Fire Marshal and head of fire investigations for the City of Beaufort-Town of Port Royal Fire Department. The following morning, Battalion Chief Warren “Chip” Cooler went door to door on South Royal Oaks Drive with an arm full of replacement fire

PARRIS ISLAND Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island hosts a traditional Independence Day celebration with patriotic music performed by the Parris Island Band, followed by a fireworks display. Gates open at 5 p.m., with the band performing at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks starting around 9:15 p.m. The event is free and the public is invited. Food and beverages, as well as patriotic glow sticks, bracelets, and headbands will be for sale. No coolers, pets, or outside fireworks are allowed on base.

SALUTE FROM THE SHORE Every year on the 4th of July, hundreds of thousands of people gather on the beaches of South Carolina in patriotic attire to wave the red, white, and blue and to demonstrate their gratitude to America’s finest for their bravery and commitment to protecting our freedom. The focal point of the Salute from the Shore has traditionally been highlighted with a flyover of military aircraft. This year, Salute from the Shore’s annual tribute will continue with a flyover of F-16s from the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base in South Carolina. SEE JULY, PAGE A2

SEE SAFETY, PAGE A2

FAMILY-FOCUSED FUN Get ready for July’s First Friday event, hosted by The Downtown Beaufort Merchants Association. PAGE B1

The Town of Port Royal is the sponsor of this year’s Fourth of July Celebration at Sands Beach. An enhanced roster of activities begins at 5:30 p.m. with the singing of the national anthem, patriotic temporary tattoos, John the Clown, balloon animals, and watermelon and hot dog eating contests. Find the folks wearing the “I am here to HELP” buttons for assistance with any activities or to register for contests. Information for all events is available on Port Royal’s Facebook page, where you can sign up and download all information. The festivities will continue with recorded music, a live band with an emcee, and food trucks on site, as well as beer and wine. Bring cash, and coolers are not allowed. The fireworks will be presented by East Coast Pyrotechnics. The Port Royal show will begin after the Parris Island fireworks. The exact time will be posted in the Port Royal newsletter and on Facebook. Plan to arrive to the Sands early so you can secure your perfect beach spot to enjoy the fireworks. This year more parking is available courtesy of the Port of Port Royal Development Group at the former Marine Terminal – follow the parking signs. No pets area allowed, with the exception of service animals. The event is rain or shine.

INSIDE Lowcountry Life A2 Business A3-4 News A4 Health A5 Voices A6 Wine A7

Community B1 Schools B2 B3 Sports Events B5 Directory B6 Classifieds B7


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