March 27 edition

Police: 2 students bring guns to Battery Creek High

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

Two students have been charged after allegedly bringing guns to a Beaufort County school on Wednesday, March 12

Battery Creek High School was under lockdown for several hours after the first gun was found on a student around 11:30 a.m., according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The student was searched by police after they received an anonymous tip regarding possible suspicious activity, and information from the first student led police to interrogate a second Battery Creek student, who was found with a handgun roughly an hour after the lockdown started.

As both students are minors, their names are not being released by police, but they have both been

petitioned to family court on felony charges of possessing a firearm on school property.

The lockdown was lifted by officials around 3:15 p.m. and all afterschool activities were canceled for the day according to the communication sent to parents from the Beaufort County School District (BCSD).

No additional information has been released as to why the stu-

dents had the guns at the school, but the communication sent to parents said that “there was no direct threat made to students or staff.”

Out of an abundance of caution, there was an increased police presence at the school for the remainder of the week, according to BCSD spokesperson Candace Bruder. Not only do the two students face criminal charges, but as per district policy, any student found in possession of a firearm on campus is put up for expulsion said Bruder.

Beaufort City Councilman appears on The Price Is Right

By Delayna Earley The Island News

A dream more than 30 years in the making was finally fulfilled for Beaufort City Councilman Neil Lipsitz in December, but the evidence finally aired on TV this week.

After 17 failed attempts to get onto the show The Price is Right, Lipsitz was finally selected to be on the show as a contestant, a dream that has been on his “personal bucket list” for a quite some time.

Lipsitz said he has been going to tapings of the show for about 35 years hoping to get picked, and in 2024, he was selected to participate on the December 4 taping of the show. That episode aired on Monday, March 24

Lipsitz was there with his sister, Judy Thornberry. Though she has not traveled with him to every taping, she has been there to support him along the way.

His wife has never gone with him

with him. “She is just glad I got it out of my system.”

After Lipsitz was selected in December, they attended one more casting call for the show to see if his sister would get selected, which she was not.

“I’ve always loved game shows,” Lipsitz said. “The first time I went, I camped out overnight just to get in there. Now they tell you where to sit, but back then it was a free-forall. Wherever you got was where you sat. I sat towards the front and Bob Barker talked to me quite a bit during the show.”

Lipsitz said that they look for someone who has an abundance of energy, so before he went to his casting, he drank several cups of black coffee, which he said is a lot for him. He is not typically a coffee drinker. While in his audition, he said the casting directors kept trying to get

to a casting session, though.

“She has no desire to go,” Lipsitz said about why his wife has not gone

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, 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.

Will Beaufort schools be affected by USDA budget cuts?

By Delayna Earley The Island News

The Trump administration has made moves to cut more than $1 billion in programs aimed at helping schools and food banks to buy fresh food and meat in early March, which has left many across the country asking about how this is going to impact them locally. The cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) primarily affect two programs for this fiscal year – the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), which helped to get goods from the local ranchers, farmers and fishers into schools, and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) which focused on providing food to food banks from small farmers within 400 miles.

In Beaufort County, students district-wide began receiving meals at no charge during this school year thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) which is funded by the USDA.

Each year a district policy requires the district to analyze the calculations of the CEP to see if any of the schools are eligible, according to Tonya Crosby, the chief financial officer for BCSD, and this year all Beaufort County schools were eligible for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to BCSD spokesperson Candace Bruder, the South Carolina Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) will be impacted by these cuts, but while Beaufort County does receive funding from that program, they are not dependent on them to provide meals to students.

“We received approximately $500,000 in each of the last two fiscal years for Supply Chain Assistance (SCA),” Bruder said. “No funds for this were received prior

Beaufort City Councilman Neil Lipsitz stands with host Drew Carey during a taping of the game show The Price is Right on Dec. 4, 2024, in this screenshot from the episode which aired on March 24, 2025. Screenshot from The Price Is Right

Beaufort City Councilman Neil Lipsitz, left, sits with his sister, Judy Thornberry, right, during the Dec. 4, 2024, taping of The Price is Right.

Lipsitz was selected to participate in the episode which aired on March 24, 2025. Photo courtesy of Neil Lipsitz

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

The Island News publisher Jeff Evans happened upon Lawrence Kenney playing his bagpipes in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Kenney, who recently moved here from New Jersey, said he started playing when he was 31 years old. 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 KEVIN EGAN

American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Kevin Egan, 74, who, in 1972 graduated from the Citadel, joined the United States Air Force in Charleston. After Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, he attended Emergency Medical Service (EMS) training at Shepherd AFB and honed his skills at Naval Hospital Charleston in the intensive care unit. He was then released to the Peace Corps and served in Paraguay. He returned to an Air Force

Reserve air evacuation unit at Charleston AFB from which he deployed to Jonestown, Guyana to rescue Congressional aides who were wounded by Jim

Jones’ people before the mass suicide, which came later. He also helped extract 12 Americans who were attacked by terrorists on the train to Machu Picchu in Peru and he deployed to Grenada during the troubles there. Commissioned into the AF Medical Services Corps thereafter, he deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield/ Storm to evacuate wounded to Germany and England. Other deployments took him to Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

The Air Evac Unit served two to three months of active duty per year. He earned seven Commendation Medals during his 30 years of service and retired as a Major.

Today he is the president of the Recreational Shrimpers of South Carolina.

– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.

Linda dorothy Beattie

Linda Dorothy Beattie (19482025) passed away at home surrounded by her family on March 24, 2025. Linda was born and raised in Albany, N.Y. She became a professional theatre actress in New York as a young woman. Later in life, to care for her mother, she moved to Beaufort, S.C. in 1987 where she lived out the rest of her days with her family.

Linda was a newspaper columnist, an avid gardener, and a devoted mother, grandmother,

and wife. She is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Robert Beattie, who was the love of her life and bridge over troubled waters. She is also survived by her four children: Dawn Beattie Randel [Bryan Randel] who has

ON THIS DATE

April 2

been her rock and steadfast care giver; Jeanne Beattie Shannon [Neil Shannon] who has been her joy and her light; Robert E. Beattie [Riann Chapman] her cherished only son; and Linda J. Beattie who was her baby and loyal shopping buddy. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Pearce, Andrew, Amelia, Bobby, Noah, and Isla. Nothing gave Linda more joy in life than spoiling her grandchildren, especially through the legendarily extravagant Christmas celebrations she gave them each year. She is predeceased by her

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. Please contact jeff.theislandnews@ gmail.com for more information.

mother Jeanne Arnold and brother Eugene Arnold. “Call me when you get there.” A graveside service will be held at Beaufort Memorial Gardens at 2 p.m., Friday, March 28, 2025

2019: The Island News hires Mike McCombs as its Editor-in-Chief. McCombs replaces Justin Jarrett, who resigned in March. – Compiled by Mike McCombs

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

Dog of the Week

Pita is a lovable, 2-year-old boy with a big heart and a playful personality. He adores people and soaks up attention like a sponge. While he takes his time warming up to other dogs, once he’s comfortable, his sweet and goofy nature shines through. Pita absolutely loves his plush toys. He carries them around, proudly showing them off to everyone he meets. He is up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.

Cat of the Week

This Cookie is oh-so-sweet! She's petite and just as charming

as she is adorable. Cookie is a chatty companion with a soft demeanor. Whether she's

greeting you with a cheerful meow, following you around, or curling up on your lap, Cookie knows how to make every moment delightful. She is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.

For more information on Pita, Cookie, or any of our other pets, call PAL at 843645-1725 or email Info@ PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.

– Compiled by Lindsay Perry

Do you value your free hometown newspaper – made by locals, for locals? Free news isn’t cheap. Please help support The Island News!

Donations gratefully accepted at www.yourislandnews.com or The Island News, PO Box 550, Beaufort, SC 29901

Kevin Egan

physicians in our area and by extension elevates Beaufort Memorial’s reputation.

REVIEWSGlowing

Recognize Our Doctors Today &

“ ” His concern and knowledge for his patients is wonderful. IT FEELS LIKE FAMILY.

“ ”

The care that Beaufort Memorial provided is the reason we have used doctors that are affiliated with your hospital for 17+ years and will continue, because we know we will get proper care and quality personnel.

“

This Doctors Day

“

Every Day!

She is able to make me feel like I’m her only patient. SHE’S VERY CARING, reassuring, encouraging, and highly professional. Her knowledge is extraordinary and she explains things so that I can readily understand them.

”

He was the only one who correctly diagnosed the fact I needed bi-pass surgery. I consider the fact that he SAVED MY LIFE in correctly diagnosing my condition.

”

WE CELEBRATE OUR PHYSICIANS with pride and gratitude knowing they receive an average of 4.8 out of 5 STARS in verified patient satisfaction surveys.

Patients go on to describe them as “amazing”, “caring,” “excellent” and “the best” while sharing how their physician has listened, answered their questions, involved them in decisions and gone above and beyond to meet their needs.

HAPPY DOCTORS DAY to each of the skilled and compassionate caregivers who shine every day. “ ” TOP NOTCH! Could not have asked for a better experience!

“ ”

Love the professionalism and care I am receiving. I have been coming to Beaufort Memorial and their doctors since I was a week old.

“ ” A 1ST CLASS superior physician!

Join Us in Honoring

EXTRAORDINARY PHYSICIANS

Consider turning your gratitude into a meaningful gift that acknowledges a doctor who made a difference and supports a healthier future for the community. Every gift made to the Beaufort Memorial Foundation in recognition of a provider is shared while celebrating them as an “Honored Caregiver.”

SCAN OR VISIT

BeaufortMemorial.org/HonorADoctor to donate and express your appreciation

Helena Square Assisted Living resident recently celebrated her 106th birthday. Submitted photo

Beaufort woman celebrates

106th birthday

Staff reports

June Stevenson, a longtime resident of Beaufort, celebrated her 106th birthday surrounded by family and friends on March 6 at Helena Square Assisted Living, where she is a resident.

Stevenson was surprised by friends, fellow residents, facility members and staff from Helena Square as well as members of her care team from Crescent Hospice with cake, balloons, a flashy tiara and a sash. Stevenson has taken the record for oldest resident within Helena Square Assisted Living, as well as the oldest patient on services with the Beaufort Crescent hospice office. She has two living daughters — Toni (Savannah) and Lynn (Beaufort) — as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is an accomplished artist and is still often found sketching, drawing and doodling in her art books. Living at Helena Square is “such a pleasure, I am so grateful to be here. It’s smaller than other facilities and really has that family feel,” Stevenson said. Stevenson continues to stay busy with activities, including bible study, game nights, singing, and her personal favorite, bingo.

“They all just take such great care of me,” she said.

Dancing With Lafayette

Monday protest

NEWS BRIEFS

Burn ban issued

The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties which took effect at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 22 . This ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burns, campfires and bonfires and other recreational fires.

This action follows a Red Flag Fire Alert issued Friday, March 21 , with high winds, gusty conditions, and low relative humidity expected to persist. These conditions create a significant wildfire risk, making outdoor burning especially dangerous.

Family Promise names

Trinh executive director

Family Promise of Beaufort County has announced John Trinh will be its new Executive Director.

Trinh has experience in numerous nonprofit organizations, and has built, developed, and improved many service-related and workforce development programs. He has worked with vulnerable populations to assist and support in areas of housing, employment, and education.

He holds a Bachelor's degree from Empire State University and a Master's degree from Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School.

In 2024 , a critical component of Family Promise’s long-term strategy was completed with the purchase of Freedom House. The house has provided an immediate upgrade and expansion to the services the nonprofit provides its homeless families.

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, S.C. State Rep. Shannon Erickson engages with 7-year-old Logan Andia from Parris Island during the Military Child Education Coalition's "Tell Me A Story" (TMAS) event at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy, a family literacy program designed for children ages 4 to 12. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Chat

With Council moved to Thursday, March 27

Beaufort County Council is hosting another "Chat With Council" as an opportunity for members of the public to get to know Council members and ask questions.

The chat will be held Thursday, March 7, from 6 until 8 p.m., at Hilton Head Island Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road. The chat will be informal and registra-

tion is not required. There will be a sign up sheet for those interested in speaking however no minutes will be taken, the meetings will not be televised, nor will County staff be on premises.

Council members are encouraging all members of the public to attend and ask questions on any topic of concern to them.

For more information, please contact the Clerk to Council's office at 843 - 2552180

Fort Fremont History Center announces expanded hours

Beginning April 1 and running through July, the Fort Fremont History Center will expand operating hours. The new hours are Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee.

Docent-led tours are available by request. The Fort Fremont Preserve is open from dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday. A self-guided walking tour is available for smartphones from the Apple or Google Play stores. For more information or to download the app, visit www.fortfremont.org.

Spanish Moss Trail

Albergotti

Trestle reopens

All repairs on the Albergotti Trestle have been completed, and the Spanish Moss Trail Albergotti Trestle has reopened as of Friday, March 21

Power of the Purse

Tickets on sale

Tickets are on sale for the 13th annual Power of the Purse presented by Tanger Hilton Head, happening April 10 at Saltus River Grill in downtown Beaufort. Go to https://bit.ly/4j7IV3f to purchase tickets. For sponsorship opportunities or to donate an auction item, call 843-837-2001 – Staff reports

from page A1

to [fiscal year] 2023 nor has any been received this year. These funds were not funds we planned on, they arrived at random times over the last two years, so the food service program is not dependent on them since there was no reassurance we would continue to receive the funds.”

27–APRIL 2, 2025

The food vendor used by BCSD, The Nutrition Group (TNG), is contractually obligated to purchase food and Bruder said they anticipate that all the recurring

revenue in the program to fully cover the costs of the food and other expenses of the school food service program. According to Bruder, the SCA program is ending, but not due to cuts made by the Trump administration.

The program was originally set to end on September 30, 2024, but funds are still being distributed from that program.

“The only item that could potentially impact Beaufort County Schools would be cuts to the communities program, but we have not yet received enough information from the USDA to fully understand the extent of those cuts,” Bruder said.

“We remain committed to providing high quality education and resources for our students, and we continuously monitor federal and state funding developments.

Should any policy changes arise, we will assess their potential effects and proactively plan to ensure that our schools, teachers and students continue to receive the support they need.”

Evelene Stevenson and her 9-year-old grandson, Ezra Leonard, both from Beaufort, dance together in the Arsenal Courtyard during the "Dancing with Lafayette" event, presented by the Beaufort History Museum, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The event was part of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration of the Marquis de Lafayette's visit to Beaufort during his Farewell Tour of the Nation in March 1825. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

More than 100 protesters gathered Monday, March 24, 2025, in front Beaufort City Hall at the intersection of Boundary Street and Ribaut Rad to voice their displeasure with the actions of Elon Musk and the Trump Administration. Jeff Evans/The Island News

Sparking Embers Fire Boot Camp for girls back for 2025

Staff reports

The City of Beaufort/ Town of Port Royal Fire Department is offering an exclusive free opportunity for females who will be high school students during the 2025-2026 academic year — Sparking Embers Girls emPOWERment Fire Boot Camp. Sparking Embers is a training program that will focus on empowering high school-aged girls and their minds to help them venture into potential careers in the

fire service.

Sparking Embers will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday, June 23 through Thursday, June 26 at the City of Beaufort/ Town of Port Royal Fire Department Station 2 at 1120 Ribaut Road.

This training will cover CPR, First Aid, all aspects of firefighting, auto extrication, firehouse life, and open the door of opportunities for

girls to become leaders in their communities and promote self-confidence.

Students who complete the boot camp will graduate with a certificate from the command staff.

If you are interested in a career or learning more about a fire service career, this is a great place to start. Fill out an application completely; incomplete, illegible applications will not

be accepted. All participants must have transportation and a recommendation letter from a current teacher.

Applications, available at https://bit.ly/4iAhWgN, are due no later than Tuesday, April 15

To sign up for Sparking Embers Girls emPOWERment Fire Boot Camp, complete an application along with the recommendation

letter and return it to City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department Headquarters Fire Station at 135 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, S.C. 299025. You may also email the application to rvezin@ cityofbeaufort.org or thodges@cityofbeaufort.org. For questions or more information, please contact Deputy Fire Chief Ross Vezin at rvezin@cityofbeaufort. org.

Revolutionary reenactment

ally started to kick in Lipsitz was running up and down the stairs, high-fiving people and yelling, “I’m number one, I’m number one.”

down Contestant Row, he fell flat on his face, but Lipsitz said they edited that part out of the show that aired.

call him an ambulance, but he declined.

him to stop talking, which is one of the reasons why he feels he was selected for the show.

“I was told the day before that if they can’t shut you up, you’re almost a shoo-in,” Lipsitz said. “So, I guess it worked.”

Both Lipsitz and his sister were sat in the front row right in front of the announcer, and as his coffee re-

“I made my way through the whole studio and everyone was chanting, ‘Neil! Neil! Neil!’”

He said that when they held up the cue card with his name on it calling him to participate in the show, he just leapt up and yelled, “That’s me! That’s me!” before starting down to Contestant Row.

As Lipsitz made his way

People from the audience helped to pick him up and in the aired taping of the show, host Drew Carey can be heard asking Lipsitz, “Neil, where were you? Weren’t you just right there?” and then someone from the audience yells, that he fell on the floor.

Lipsitz said they likely could not air him falling for liability reasons and tried to

He won the first prize on the show, two drones, but lost out on a shot at a showcase when spinning the wheel. Lipsitz said he had to get help from Carey to spin the wheel because his arm was hurt from the fall.

As for the drones, he is not going to keep them but instead plans to give one to his son and another to a friend.

“I win a lot of stuff, but usually I give it away,” Lipsitz said. “It’s rare that I keep anything that I win.”

Lipsitz said that this experience was one of the last on his personal bucket list, so now he plans to get back to accomplishing his bucket list for the City of Beaufort.

The only item that is still left for him to check off of his bucket list is to attend a Billy Joel concert and have decent seats, something that he asked for when giving his shout outs while spinning the wheel on The Price is

Right.

You must wait 10 years before you can make another appearance on The Price

is Right, but Lipsitz has already decided that he will be making a trip back to try and get on the show for a second time once that time is up. When asked if he was going to pick a new game show to try and get onto, he responded with, “You got one?” and then laughed.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, 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.

Attorney Fee; PATRICE A. BARNES & KIRK N.A. BARNES 22 BEAVERDAMS DRIVE WHITBY, ON L1P 0C4, 0.0073861610410129%, U1507-W6E, 3842/3103, 4401/2012, $1,032.90, $184.06, $450.00.; DARYL L. MINOR & LORI A. MINOR 3405 BENT GRASS COVE MEMPHIS, TN 38125, 0.0147723220820258%, U1205-W15B, 3544/2094, 4401/1964, $1,943.09, $184.06, $450.00.; DARYL L. MINOR & LORI A. MINOR 3405 BENT GRASS COVE MEMPHIS, TN 38125, 0.0147723220820258%, U1205-W15B, 3544/2094, 4401/1964, $1,943.09, $184.06, $450.00.; YVONNE O. ALEXANDER 403 SUMMERLAND KEY LANE LAFAYETTE, LA 70508, 0.0147723220820258%, U1202-W4B, 3586/1317, 4401/1963, $1,943.09, $184.06, $450.00.; GWENDOLYN A. MCMULLIN & JAMES KELLY SCOTT 3757 S ATLANTIC AVE DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, FL 32118, 0.01477232208202 58,0.0147723220820258%, U1307-W12B, U1507-W16B, 3694/1640, 4401/1956, $3,386.75, $184.06, $450.00.; ROBERT RAYMOND PRICE & BRENDA DENICE PRICE 20 HANNAH LN GREENUP, KY 41144-9361, 0.0073861610410129%, U2209-W46E, 3779/1155, 4401/1997, $8,740.15, $184.06, $450.00.; ALEXANDER CAMERON & SHIRLEE ANN CAMERON 102 COPPER BROOK LN POOLER, GA 31322, 0.0073861610410129%, U1104-W4E, 3785/257, 4401/2001, $1,943.09, $184.06, $450.00.; DENNIS AL PATANICZEK & GLENN THOMAS PARKER 4222 SAINT CHARLES DR SARASOTA, FL 34243-4224, 0.0073861610410129%, U1502-W34E, 3810/601, 4401/1955, $1,943.09, $184.06, $450.00.; BRANDI HEATH FAIRCLOTH & MARK ANTHONY FAIRCLOTH 157 SANDEFUR RD KATHLEEN, GA 31047, 0.0073861610410129%, U1504-W3E, 3815/849, 4401/1954, $1,943.09, $184.06, $450.00.; PRASUN CHAKRABORTY & SREEPARNA CHAKRABORTY 460 LONGCROSS CT SUWANEE, GA 30024, 0.0073861610410129%, U1204-W4E, 4077/2097, 4401/1951, $1,943.09, $184.06, $450.00.; PAUL EDWARD HUNTER 5800 BRUNTSFIELD PL CHARLOTTE, NC 282779649, 0.0147723220820258%, U2601-W19B, 4117/2079, 4401/1966, $4,055.96, $184.06, $450.00.; JEREMY LEE WATERS & ALLYSON KENDRA WATERS 105 SANDERLING DR WINTER HAVEN, FL 33881, 0.0073861610410129%, U1202W2E, 4148/2875, 4401/1972, $1,943.09, $184.06, $450.00.; VIRGINIA C. DASILVA-WEILER 3 AMHERST RD ASHEVILLE, NC 28803-3007, 0.0073861610410129,0.00738616104101 29%, U2605-W29E, U1606-22O, 4223/2611, 4401/1974, $1,755.83, $184.06, $450.00. NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND

Children and adults were sworn into the Continental Army on Saturday, March 22, 2025, during a Revolutionary War reenactment hosted by the Beaufort History Museum at the Beaufort Arsenal. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Rifles are being issued soldiers who were newly sworn into the Continental Army on Saturday, March 22, 2025, during a Revolutionary War reenactment hosted by the Beaufort History Museum at the Beaufort Arsenal. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Nominated SC health director defends COVID response over opponents’ claims

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — The governor’s pick to lead South Carolina’s public health agency told senators Thursday that people have threatened him while making “outrageously false allegations” about his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Henry McMaster nominated Dr. Edward Simmer, the previous head of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, to run the state’s newly created Department of Public Health. Simmer ran DHEC for three years before legislators split the agency into separate departments.

Since being nominated as head of the 2 000-person health agency, which he leads on an interim basis, Simmer has been called an “enemy of medical freedom,” a “health czar,” “not a real doctor” and “evil,” he told the 17-person committee Thursday during a lengthy opening statement. The committee did not take a vote on whether to advance his confirmation.

Complaints about Simmer have centered around the state’s response to COVID-19. Opponents have claimed Simmer pushed shutdowns, even though he still lived in Virginia until December 2020, when he retired after three decades in the Navy. He didn’t take the helm of DHEC until February 2021, nearly a year into the pandemic. Senators voted 40-1 to confirm him as the agency was rolling out vaccines.

“Dr. Edward Simmer’s track record during the pandemic demonstrated a clear disregard for South Carolinians’ values and freedoms, prioritizing mandates and divisive policies over individual rights,” Sen. Tom Fernandez, a Summerville Republican who sits on the committee, wrote on Facebook in a post Simmer specifically addressed Thursday.

That was “completely false,” Simmer said. Even if he had been in the state when the pandemic began in 2020, he wouldn’t have recommended closing schools or businesses, he said.

“Let me be perfectly clear, so that everyone on this committee and every citizen of this state can hear it directly from me,” Simmer said. “I have never prioritized any mandates, and I will continue to preserve and defend South Carolinians’ freedoms and individual rights.”

Simmer has received threatening letters, in which people have said they want to hurt him because he promoted vaccines they see as “putting poison in people’s arms,” he said.

Someone crumpled up his license plate and placed “a very crude attempt to make something look like a bomb,” composed of wires and a battery pack, under his car, in an apparent attempt to intimidate him, he said.

“No threats, no lies on social media, no smear campaign from cowards, many of whom hide behind anonymous letters and false social media identities, will ever deter me from continuing to serve the people of South Carolina to the very best of my ability,” Simmer told the committee.

COVID-19 response

Whether to wear a mask or get vaccinated is a personal choice people should make alongside their doctor, Simmer said. Demonstrating that personal choice, he wore a mask long after most others in the state had stopped because doctors for his wife, Peggy, recommended it, he said.

Peggy Simmer has medical conditions that put her at very high risk for getting COVID-19. The disease would likely be life-threatening for her if she contracted it, Edward Simmer said.

People “expressed outrage and have even mocked me for wearing a mask,” he told the committee.

“But believe me, I will wear a mask again without hesitation if that is what it takes to protect Peggy,” Simmer said.

Looking back, Simmer said he did the best with the information he had. If he could do it differently, he would have recommended lighter restrictions. For instance, instead of recommending that schools require students and staff to wear masks indoors, he would suggest schools leave the decision up to students, he said.

He lacked the authority to require that himself.

He issued guidance to the state Department of Education that schools require masks, but when McMaster ordered an immediate end in May 2021 to those requirements, he followed the governor’s directive to create a parental optout form. His repeated, public recommendation three months later came as he asked the Legislature to repeal its ban on mask mandates.

He also would have done more to explain why officials were making the decisions they did and what information drove them, he said.

“Indeed, my detractors often overlook that during the COVID-19 response, public health officials simply did not have all the information that we do today,” Simmer said. “No one did.”

Some of the vitriol directed toward Simmer could have been misplaced anger for Anthony Fauci’s response to the pandemic, suggested Sen. Josh Kimbrell. As chief

medical advisor to the president, Fauci recommended stay-at-home orders, mask mandates and social distancing in order to combat the spread of the virus.

“I think that was a heavy-handed response,” said Kimbrell, R-Boiling Springs. “Do you believe that your confirmation, your renomination, is colored at least in part by how (Fauci) responded to the national emergency?”

“Unfortunately, it probably is,” Simmer replied, adding that he also disagreed with some of Fauci’s decisions.

Sen. Tom Corbin questioned Simmer’s decision to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Repeating debunked claims that the vaccine can alter a person’s DNA, Corbin asked if Simmer felt it was responsible for the state health department to push it.

“It is my contention that it is wrong for this state to promote the vaccine as safe and effective when in my opinion it is not,” the Travelers Rest Republican said.

Studies have shown this is not true, Simmer said. The vaccine has some rare side effects, so people should consult with a doctor before getting it, but in the vast majority of cases, studies show the vaccine is safe and effective, he said.

“I want to make DPH’s public health role crystal clear,” Simmer said. “We inform. You decide.” McMaster, who is a Republican, has repeatedly defended Simmer as his pick for the job. Before tak

ing over DHEC, Simmer oversaw Tricare Health Plan, the military’s massive health system for care outside military hospitals. Before that, he spent 12 years working in various positions as a naval doctor, McMaster said.

DHEC had been without a permanent director for eight months when Simmer took over. He was also the first doctor in decades to lead the public health agency.

“He’s enormously qualified. He’s enormously talented,” McMaster said. “I don’t know why it is that people are criticizing him, because I don’t think anybody can put a finger on something he’s done that’s either unethical or wrong.”

Other accomplishments

The department’s work goes far beyond the COVID-19 recommendations that have become a political flashpoint, Simmer said.

As DHEC director, Simmer shepherded the agency through the split and a move to a new campus. The agency is building a “state-ofthe-art” laboratory, where researchers will test diseases, including screening newborns for potentially life-threatening but easily treatable genetic diseases, Simmer said.

Last year, South Carolina ranked 37th in the country for health outcomes, a metric that looks at premature deaths, prevalence of diseases and access to medical care. That’s not where the state should be, but it’s a big improvement over the many decades in which the Palmetto State consistently ranked in the bottom 10 states, Simmer said.

Leading the state Department of Public Health is Simmer’s “dream job,” he told reporters after the meeting.

With the threats he has received, there have been days when he has asked himself whether he really wants to continue doing the work, but in every case, he decides that he does, he said.

“I truly believe in our mission,” Simmer said. “I believe in the great work that we do. I have a wonderful team to work with, and every day I go to work, I can positively impact the lives of 5 million people.”

Skylar Laird covers the South Carolina Legislature and criminal justice issues. Originally from Missouri, she previously worked for The Post and Courier’s Columbia bureau. S.C. Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Dr. Edward Simmer, the governor’s choice to lead the state health agency, told the Senate Medical Affairs Committee that claims about his response to the COVID-19 pandemic were false on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Screenshot of SCETV legislative livestream

Chalk It Up!, Upcycled Art Auction highlight weekend

Staff reports

There will be a couple of unique art opportunities to choose from this weekend in northern Beaufort County.

First, Beaufort’s Tabby Place parking lot will be the site of the second annual Chalk It Up! festival.

Organized by the Freedman Arts District, Chalk It Up! is a free weekend festival that celebrates the artistic process while drawing the community together. Artists will be creating from scratch to finish, large chalk artwork on the pavement while chatting with the public, explaining what they are doing and telling their story.

There will be an Opening Reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 28, open to the public, to give the artists a warm welcome to the Lowcountry style. The evening’s entertainment features Beaufort’s Aunt Pearlie Sue, and Valinda Littlefield’s introduction to Beaufort’s Gullah history.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 29 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 30, artists will be chalking it up on the pavement, along with food, drinks and live music. Also on Sunday, local middle and high

school art class teams will be competing on their team art squares.

Attendees will determine the winners by voting for their favorites. Voting will be open during the whole festival and tallied toward the end of the Festival on Sunday. The awards ceremony is at 5 p.m.

On Saturday night, March 29, a whole different style of art will be up for sale as Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry holds its Upcycled Art Auction at the Weezie Pavilion at the Port Royal Sound Foundation at 310 Okatie Highway in Okatie.

The fundraising event features ordinary items transformed into stunning works of art—all in support of building a home for a deserving local family.

From 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, the auction will offer more than 70 one-of-a-kind pieces crafted from repurposed materials, highlighting the beauty of sustainability and the power of community-driven impact. Wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Tickets are $50 each in advance, $60 at the door, and can be purchased at https:// bit.ly/4ieC8EO.

USCB Center for the Arts to exhibit Rhodes Collection

Staff reports

The University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts and the South Carolina Artisan Center are proud to announce a new exhibit of African American Art collected by Dr. and Mrs. Harold M. Rhodes, III. The exhibit will be on display from Friday, March 28 through Monday, June 30 at the USCB Center for the Arts in Beaufort.

Although their collecting began in 1991, Dr. Rhodes explains that his interest in art has followed him all his life.

to 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 11 More information: USCBCenterForTheArts. com

“To me, art ignites the imagination and influences the decisions we make. … It affects each one of us differently, and that is the beauty of art,” Rhodes said in a news release. The Rhodes Collection includes work by such celebrated artists as Arianne King Comer, James Denmark, Tom Feelings, Tyrone Geter, Jonathan Green, Phil-

ip Simmons and Leo Twiggs. The artists represented are either native to or spent a significant time in their career working in South Carolina.

The selections from the Rhodes Collection range from paintings and sculpture to quilts, batiks and collage and are representative of the black Carolinian experience.

The public is invited to an opening reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 11 Dr. Rhodes will host a brief introduction to collecting art at 6:30 p.m. Other lectures and events have been planned during the exhibition dates, as well. For more information, go to uscbcenterforthearts.com or contact bhargov@uscb.edu.

Coastal Discovery hosting Beaufort County High School

Regional Art Exhibition

Staff reports The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, will showcase the talents of Beaufort County's young artists in a new juried exhibition featuring high school student artwork. The exhibition will be on view in the museum’s main gallery from Tuesday, April 1 through Wednesday, May 7

The public is invited to an opening reception on from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 2. The awards presentation begins at 6 p.m. The 4th annual Beaufort County High School Regional Art Exhibition presents more than 100 works by high school students from public and private schools, including Battery Creek High School, Beaufort High School, Bluffton High School, Bridges Preparatory School, Cross Schools, Hilton Head Island High School, Hilton Head Preparatory School, Island Academy

of Hilton Head, and May River High School.

“This year's exhibition reflects the depth and diversity of artistic expression in our schools," Director of Exhibitions Elizabeth Greenberg said in a media release. "We're seeing compelling work across disciplines – from traditional painting and drawing to photography, ceramics, mixed media, and digital art. It's inspiring to see how arts education can foster our students' creative potential."

The jurors for this year’s competition are Linda Constantino, artist and retired SCAD professor, and Jeana Hong Oh, photographer, producer, and founder of Anthology Productions.

The postcard image for this year’s exhibition was designed by Hanalyn Weitekamper, an 11th grader at May River High School.

JPII choir, band earn top honors at SCISA Music Festival

Staff reports

The John Paul II Catholic School music program hit all the right notes at the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) Music Festival held Thursday, March 13 at the University of South Carolina, earning top accolades for both ensemble and solo performances.

Under the direction of Choir Director Emily Brown and Band Director Victor Ney, the JPII Choir and Band delivered an outstanding showcase of talent, walking away with superior and excellent ratings.

“Both the small instrumental ensemble and the combined choir received gold (superior) ratings, a testament to their dedication and musicianship,” Brown said in a news release. “The instrumental ensemble wowed judges with its polished performances of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ and ‘Blue Moon,’ demonstrating strong technique,

steady tempo control, and dynamic instrumental and vocal solos.”

The JPII Choir impressed with its cohesion and artistry.

“The sopranos and altos received special recognition for their rendition of ‘O Love’ by Elaine Hagenberg, while their second piece,

‘Tres Cantos’ (arr. Marcos Leite), earned high praise for being both memorized and choreographed — an impressive feat that left a last-

ing impact on the judges,” Brown said.

The festival also highlighted the exceptional talent of JPII’s soloists: Gold (Superior) Ratings: Bella del Mazo (11th), Hailey Heckert (11th), Zach Reardon (10th), Clare Jolley (9th), Kinzlee Minton (6th) – Vocal; Samantha Justini (7th) –

Piano Silver (Excellent) Ratings: Abigail Clarke (11th), Walker Benson (7th), Victoria Mouhalis (8th), Parker Melvin-Robinson (8th) –Vocal

“This was an exciting and memorable day for the JPII music department,” JPII President David Lima said. “We are so proud of our students and the hard work they put into these performances. Their passion for music truly shone through. With this triumphant showing at SCISA, the JPII music program continues to set the bar high, proving that dedication and teamwork lead to excellence.”

Battery Creek’s Hamilton named Heritage Scholar

Staff reports Battery Creek High School’s Emma Hamilton was the among the 11 outstanding Beaufort County seniors named Heritage Classic Foundation scholars on Tuesday, March 18, for the 2024-2025 school year.

Seniors in all Beaufort and Jasper County high schools were eligible to apply, and applications were reviewed on the basis of academic success, community service, essays written by the student and financial need. Fourteen finalists were interviewed by the Scholar Committee. Accordng to her bio,

Hamilton has competed on the tennis and wrestling teams at Battery Creek and has participated in monthly Campus Clean-ups with the Interact Club. She has had a part-time job throughout high school and has a passion for sports medicine -- she works for the school athletic trainer and plans to pursue a career in the field. Other winners included Bluffton High School’s Genesis Hernandez Cabrera, Ava Elizabeth Rios and Vivian Zurakowski; Hilton Head Christian Academy’s Christopher Nguyen; Hilton Head Island High School’s Bryce Broome, Calvin Clay-

ton, Mia Diamond, Emeli Perez and Mia Ruxton; and May River High School’s James Holloman.

During Tuesday’s awards presentation, Heritage Classic Foundation Scholar Committee Chairman, Scott Richardson told the audience, “This is always an exciting day for the Heritage Classic Foundation. We believe the resumes of these young adults are better than ever. The teachers and administrators of our school systems, as well as the award winners, deserve special praise.” Richardson also pointed out, “You are not just straight A students.

TCL to hold open house events in April

The Technical College of the Lowcountry will kick off its summer and fall 2025 enrollment and registration season with a series of expos and open houses.

First up is the Culinary and Enrollment Expo and Job Fair set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, April 7, at the Culinary Institute of the South, in Bluffton.

Those interested in job or career opportunities in culinary arts or hospitality, or in attending the culinary institute, are invited to attend. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.tcl.edu/exporsvp.

TCL will also hold two “Catch the Wave” Open House events showcasing the college’s more than 60 career pathways and transfer programs. Those will take place in Beaufort (4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, April 17 at Building 12, Beaufort Mather Campus, 921 Ribaut Road) and Bluffton (4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, April 24 at New River Campus, 100 Community College Drive).

TCL offers certificates, diplomas and as-

sociate degrees in pathways ranging from Arts, Building & Industrial, Business Management & Accounting, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Health Sciences, Education & Professional Studies, Law & Criminal Justice and STEM. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.tcl.edu/wave.

TCL faculty and staff will be on hand and information on financial aid and scholarships will be available at all three events. All are free and open to the public.

Henry named to Mississippi State’s President's List

Noah Henry, of Beaufort, was named to the Mississippi State University Fall 2024 President's List.

Henry is among 4 569 students who have attained this honor. Students on the President's List achieved a 3 80 or better grade-point average, based on a 4 0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete

Sunday Morning Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 81 Lady’s Island Drive

Pastor Steve Keeler • (843) 525-0696 seaislandpresbyterian.org

You are leaders in your schools, communities and churches. Your interests vary from volunteerism to sports to caring for the environment.”

Six of the newly named Scholars – including Hamilton -- will receive a $16,000 scholarship over the next four years. Four additional awards carry a $20,000 opportunity.

Next fall, a total of 41 Beaufort and Jasper County collegians will be attending school and will have received Foundation grants at an expenditure of $193 000 A grand total of $5 6 million will have been awarded to

397 students after the 2025 distribution. In addition to these 11 scholarships, the Foundation is funding four $2,500 annual scholarships to the University of South Carolina Beaufort and two $1,500 annual scholarships to the Technical College of the Lowcountry. It was also announced at Tuesday’s luncheon that two large donations were granted to the newly created Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund. The RBC Foundation donated $25 000 to the fund and the Sea Pines Resort Community Fund donated proceeds totaling $25 000 from their inaugural Charity Golf Tournament held March 2. The endowment fund was created to strengthen the future of the Heritage Scholar Program. Learn more at heritageclassicfoundation.com/ heritage-endowment.

grades or grades lower than a C. Mississippi State University is a national STEM-focused, doctoral degree-granting, land-grant university offering a wide range of educational experiences for learning and growth to a diverse student body of more than 23 000 students.

Emerson’ Ellenberger earns Dean's List honors

Sawyer Ellenberger of Beaufort, majoring in Media Arts Production and a member of the Emerson College Class of 2026 has earned Dean’s List honors for the Fall 2024 semester. The requirement to make the Dean's List is a grade point average of 3 7 or higher for that semester.

Emerson College, based in the worldclass city of Boston, Mass., opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city's Theater District, is uniquely dedicated to the arts and communication, educating and inspiring storytellers and artists to impact and advance creative in-

Since 1987, the Heritage Classic Foundation has raised and donated $56 9 million to educational and charitable initiatives in South Carolina. The 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization hosts its world-class PGA Tour event, the RBC Heritage, as a primary fundraising effort.

dustries and media throughout the world.

Bennett elected to Phi

Kappa Phi

Emily Bennett of Beaufort was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at College of Charleston. Bennett is among approximately 20 000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7 5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines.

– Staff reports

The John Paul II Catholic School choir and band competed Thursday, March 13 in the SCISA Music Festival at the University of South Carolina. Submitted photo

Pringle in the portal, will test draft waters

Former Whale Branch, Gamecocks star on the market

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

The next chapter in Nick Pringle’s basketball career is yet to be written, but the setting won’t be the University of South Carolina.

The Whale Branch alum and former Alabama standout told On3 on Monday, March 24, that he has entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal, ending his time with the Gamecocks after one season. Pringle also told On3’s Joe Tipton he intends to test the waters for the 2025 NBA Draft.

It will be the latest in a series of changes of scenery on Pringle’s circuitous route to this latest crossroads.

After leading Whale Branch to the Class 2A state championship game as a senior in 2020, Pringle headed to Wofford but didn’t find consistent playing time and found himself unsatisfied with his trajectory. He hit the reset button at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College and became the highest-ranked junior college power forward in the country, drawing offers from numerous schools before opting to join Nate Oats at Alabama.

In two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Pringle had stretches of high productivity, including during Alabama’s run to the first Final Four in program history, but he also found himself on the end of the bench or in Oats’ doghouse from time to time.

Nick Pringle

When Pringle committed to come home to the Gamecocks this season after two years with the Crimson Tide, he thought it was his final year of college eligibility. But a ruling that has come to be known as the “Pavia Rule” granted Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s an extra year — and set a precedent that extended the eligibility of former junior-college players like Pringle.

The year in Columbia wasn’t all bad for Pringle, despite the Gamecocks’ last-place finish in the SEC gauntlet. Pringle played in and started all 32 games, averaging career highs in points (9 5), rebounds (6 3), and assists (1 1) over 24 5 minutes per game.

In this age of NIL deals reaching six and seven figures, Pringle would be foolish not to see what options are available to him in the coming year.

He is a free agent in what has become a lucrative market, and while it would seem a professional career awaits overseas, if not abroad, nothing is guaranteed.

A bunch of teams around the country are a dominant rebounders and rim defender who can score away from dreaming about cutting down nets, and if Pringle finds the right fit, he could be standing atop that ladder again this time next year.

The 15th annual

Beaufort Twilight Run

Runners take off at the

Future of undeveloped Jasper remains to be seen

It is Monday, and I’m at Port Royal’s Corner Perk drinking a vanilla infused latte. I have largely resisted the flavor revolution seeping through the world of coffee; but sometimes one has to experiment.

This morning I’m with Kate Schaefer, who heads the Open Land Trust, and this morning we’re focused on Jasper County.

Actually our conversation ranges from Schaefer’s childhood in Pittsfield, Mass., where she was first introduced to the fields and flowers of Berkshire County, to her work with Dana Beach in and around Charleston County.

In particular we talk about a four-lane highway that was built across John’s Island in order to connect Charleston with Kiawah Island — a road that extended Charleston’s urban growth boundary to Angel Oak.

“In every sense, Jasper County will get the benefit of the mistakes made in Charleston County. It also gets to ponder what happened in Bluffton,” Schaefer says.“In 2023, Jasper County Council decided to impose a moratorium (on

SCOTT GRABER

growth) and think about what could happen in their County.”

But now Jasper’s Council is coming out of it’s self-imposed “time-out,” where it tried to imagine it’s future.

Council is emerging from relatively relaxed discussions of existing zoning, existing infrastructure and what would be the logical, rational result if the current zoning and land use practices remain in place. Council is about to act on it’s meditations about where growth should be encouraged and where it should be discouraged. In this connection, it has identified a large chunk of land that runs from the Broad River on the North; to the Savannah River on the South; and roughly follows Highway 462 as it meanders around Ridgeland and down toward Hardeeville. This chunk is sometimes

called the “Euhaw Cultural Heritage District” and it takes in plantations and hunting clubs like Chelsea, Okeetee and Good Hope giving way — on its southern exposure — to the existing, explosive building of houses now underway in Hardeeville.

In terms of this cultural heritage area Council is considering a density of “one house for every 10 acres …”

When Schaefer says this, I groan because I remember what happened when we (here in Beaufort) tried to impose a rural, “one to five density” back in the early 90s. In those long gone, sepia-tinted days, I was involved with Beaufort’s first effort at comprehensive planning.

I remember that when this ratio was floated at the Lassiter Theatre (on MCAS Beaufort) there was immediate push-back from the “development community.”

I remember the shouting, the red-faced fist-shaking claims that “This is a taking!”

But what I also remember were the opportunistic, density-driven annexations that came next. In partic-

ular I remember Bluffton, Port Royal and Beaufort annexing large tracts of undeveloped land that were visually “contiguous” to their existing municipal boundaries. I remember watching Bluffton annex Palmetto Bluff; Port Royal annex Parris Island and then jump across Port Royal Sound and grabbing a parcel on the Chechesee River. I remember and regret the resulting cheekto-jowl auto-mile metroplex that now connects Bluffton and Hardeeville.

But as I relived those unhappy, unintended consequences, Schaefer cooled my fevered brow with “But then we have the recent acquisitions at Slater, Gregorie Neck and the Coosawhatchie Wildlife Management Area …”

These three tracts were recently acquired and protected from commercial and suburban development. These tracts are near Coosawhatchie and will keep the headwaters of Port Royal Sound pristine. “And the Wildlife Management Area will be open to the public”, Schaefer adds.

“Then there is the Marine Corps,” she says.

“But now Jasper’s Council is coming out of its self-imposed ‘time-out,’ where it tried to imagine its future. Council is emerging from relatively relaxed discussions of existing zoning, existing infrastructure and what would be the logical, rational result if the current zoning and land use practices remain in place.”

SCOTT GRABER, on the crossroads Jasper County faces in shaping its future.

Schaefer explains that the U.S. Marine Corps wants to expand what they call the “Military Special

Use Airspace” around the Marine Corps Air Station. It has become a player in this “acquisition of development rights” game wanting to keep the land (underneath its F-35s) sparsely populated, rural. For several months it has appeared that an “overlay district” of some diminished density was on its way to passage in Jasper County, However, Marty Sauls, proponent, recently resigned his seat. Thereafter there was also a race between Barbara Clark and John Kempt for an at large seat on the Council. Kempt defeated Clark by 5,000 votes. Recent referendum history shows Jasper’s propensity pay another penny for transportation ($376 million) and green belt acreage (94 million); but it remains to be seen if the new Chairman, John Kempt, and Council will still look to the “overlay” to protect the Northern, largely untouched and undeveloped parts of Jasper.

Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.

Turning the Public Service Commission into the Utility Service Commission

Since 2002, the SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce has intervened in 12 electric rate cases at the SC Public Service Commission.

We have had tremendous success over the years in fighting utility rate hikes to keep small businesses from unfair increases in their monthly bills.

This successful track record will largely come to an end if one piece of legislation now in the Senate passes without changes.

House Bill 3309 has two blatantly anti-consumer consumer provisions that will prioritize the profits of our two state public utilities (Dominion Energy and Duke Energy) and the recruiting of industry by the S.C. Department of Commerce in the electricity ratemaking process.

First, the bill adds to the mission of the Office of Regulatory Staff. This is the state agency responsible for reviewing utility rate proposals and working with groups representing residential, small business and large energy users to arrive at a consensus alternative rate proposal fair to all classes of customers and the utilities. If this effort is successful, Office

of Regulatory Staff submits the plan to the Public Service Commission for approval.

If not, there is a rate hearing before the full commission on the utility’s rate hike proposal.

After the V.C. Summer nuclear debacle, the state Legislature took the correct move to change the mission of the Office of Regulatory Staff so that it would no longer be concerned about the financial health of the utilities.

Today, the agency is not to favor any class of customer or the utility’s financial health in its work.

However, if H.3309 passes as is, it will turn the agency into a champion of the utilities and an arm of the Department of Commerce by adding to the Office of Regulatory Staff mission that its purpose includes economic

development, job attraction and the preservation of the financial integrity of the state’s public utilities.

The agency’s role to be fair to residential and small business ratepayers would be subservient to serving the financial health and growth of utilities to promote economic development.

The second blatantly anti-consumer provision in H.3309 would create new economic development electricity rates to attract industry to the state.

The Commerce website proudly points to a national development magazine which “consistently ranks South Carolina as one of the top five states to do business in the nation.”

We are continuously told that one of the reasons is that we have the lowest electricity rates in the Southeast. Our state’s anticipated industrial growth is used to justify the need to build more power plants, which also leads to higher rates for consumers and more profit for the utilities.

Clearly, we don’t need new electricity incentives to attract industry, especially if those incentives will result in higher electricity costs for residential and small

business ratepayers.

Yet, that is exactly what H.3309 would do by specifically giving utilities and the Department of Commerce authority to propose discounted electricity rates not only for prospective industrial customers but also to the competitors of those industrial customers already located in our state.

These incentive rates do not lower the cost of generating and delivering electricity. This provision would simply transfer an untold amount of those costs from industrial customers to residential and small business consumers guaranteeing them rate hikes.

With its mission changed and these industrial incentive rates, the Office of Regulatory Staff would be legally obliged to favor the utilities and the Department of Commerce.

No longer would the electricity ratemaking process at the Public Service Commission be a fair assessment of the utilization by customer classes to determine rates.

Instead, it will be driven by Commerce’s industrial recruitment decisions with the underlying premise that all residential and small business ratepayers

should be willing to pay higher electricity bills so that the state can have a few more industrial jobs.

The most egregious part of these industrial incentive rates is that some of the largest industrial prospects, referred to as “transformational customers”, could be offered rates lower than the cost of producing the electricity.

Residential and small businesses would not only be paying more than their fair share but subsidizing the actual cost of producing and delivering electricity for some industrial customers.

The concept of all classes of customers paying electricity rates based on their utilization is completely thrown out by these proposed industrial incentive rates in H.3309

For 23 years the SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce has fought to protect small businesses from unnecessary electric rate increases.

This bill, H.3309 as written, would make our job almost impossible.

Frank Knapp Jr. is the president, CEO and co-founder of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce.

FRANK KNAPP

Would your grandma put up with this mess?

The title of a bad network sitcom from the 1990s seems to be coming to life in today’s politics.

Men Behaving Badly, on the air for just 15 months on NBC in the mid-1990s, was the offbeat story of two college friends living a second childhood. Based on a six-season British comedy of the same name, the blip of the American version was considered too risque and racy for the day.

The series ended in December 1997. A month later, news broke of an alleged affair by President Bill Clinton and an intern, Monica Lewinsky. And that was the scandal that knocked decency guardrails off the political tracks.

The show had nothing to do with politics, but today, public life often seems to be

ANDY BRACK

one long episode of Politicians Behaving Badly – as if they continually try to top one appalling behavior with something worse.

Just in the last few days, the state’s budget debate devolved into a discussion involving crap. A congresswoman disparaged some of her constituents. And a state lawmaker felt so violated that he gave an impassioned speech upbraiding White lawmakers for treating Blacks differently.

As reported last week in Statehouse Report, the House budget debate seemed to devolve into a feud between uber-right Freedom Caucus members, who submitted outrageous amendment after outrageous amendment, and more traditional mainstream Republican members. As reported by bureau chief Jack O’Toole:

“Members of the chamber’s Republican supermajority took turns denouncing each other’s proposals as “crap” from the well of the House. “Can you say ‘no’ to the budget?” Freedom Caucus Rep. April Cromer (R-Anderson) demanded. “I can, because it’s chock full of crap.”

“The ‘crap’ she was referring to? A billion dollars in so-called “wasteful” state spending that she and her

Freedom Caucus colleagues claimed their amendments would cut from the budget.”

The problem: Their amendments weren’t worth anything close to $1 billion in cuts and instead were a 10th the size, which led GOP House Majority Leader Davey Hiott to retort, “I’m sick and tired of this crap, coming up here and making a farce out of what the state of South Carolina deserves and needs. That’s all this is — it’s a show.”

Also during budget discussions during a proposal to cut funding for diversity measures, Black state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, called out hypocrisy that got noticed on social media.

“You don’t like being called racist in here. You hate when we use the word racist,” he said, as

highlighted in a YouTube video and reported in Black Enterprise. “You hate being attacked. You hate when we bring up race and everything. But then, when we have an opportunity to show that we’re not racist, you let me down every time.”

In short, it wasn’t a shining budget week for South Carolina. Just like a comment this week by 1st District GOP U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace didn’t do much to heal. In a minute-long social media rant about how people were calling her office with disruptive, nasty messages (and yes, they were nasty) over her not attending a town hall to which she was invited, she branded some of her constituents as “a**holes.”

“So stop blowing up our lines, stop being a**holes

and start letting real people get their calls through.” Whew. Not what you expect from someone reportedly thinking of running for governor. Most candidates would be trying to build coalitions, not push people away. Calling constituents names seems to be the very epitome of someone who's tired of public service or is in it for the wrong reasons. So yes, it’s a time of people behaving badly. Perhaps legislators should use a grandma filter –determine whether they would say or do something as if they were running by their grandmother – before opening their mouths.

Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send it to feedback@statehousereport.com.

The new and improved radical, Part II

Let me talk about a corporation close to our hearts … Dominion Energy, Inc. This is a publicly traded entity with an executive board that likes to make money for their investors and shareholders. Many of us have watched as they have built a large solar field in Lobeco and now export that power in and up-state. We have also witnessed the major rehab of the huge power poles coming and going into and around Beaufort to help feed our outer islands. Some folks have received the dubious gift of a power-tower in their front or back yards. How about the new and improved lines along the most important section of the Spanish Moss Trail?

Did I mention the mutilation of our beautiful Beaufort trees?

Please let me know if anyone of you remember any discussions, public information and/or input, referendum, anything before these monstrosities rose before us?

Don’t worry, I’m taking it on the chin; Progress, right? I’m just using Dominion as, what I think of, a perfect example of a corpocracy without a government. It should be of note as well, Dominion recently merged with one of the largest electric/gas companies in Canada, Enbridge Inc. Seems like all democratic corporations vote in-house even if it’s a multi-national corporation. Wait until Port Royal locks horns with Blackstone Inc.

Blackstone is the world’s largest “alternative asset manager”. A

corporate entity that actually sits on real estate investments until they can be developed to match profits that Blackstone has itself already estimated. Steven Schwarzman is the Chairman, CEO, and co-founder and is worth is around $45 4 billion. Thanks Safe Harbor, enjoy your profits. Now, the important one. Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, (Space X). This is not a publicly traded entity. One must be a qualified, approved applicant to invest in its stock even though Elon Musk controls 79% of that stock. Space X’s mission statement is “To revolutionize space technology and enable human habitation on other planets.” (I like to think of Elon Musk as Hugo Drax, the “space” villain in the James Bond movie “Moonraker.”)

The branch of this corporation that I worry most about is an off-shoot, “Starlink,” Musk’s satellite-based internet service. Ukraine, much to its detriment, signed on for (or was forced to accept?) their internet services through the Starlink branch of Musk’s Space X. Musk has the

capability to turn off his already overloaded system; it has been hacked numerous times by Russia. Ukraine, on top of all its other suffering, has often been vulnerable to shutdowns with Starlink’s internet; Trump’s in on that game as well. On top of all this, Starlink is extremely expensive, out of line with other communication companies.

Yet, we may soon witness another government contract awarded to Musk with his wanting Starlink providing our own FAA with his internet service. YIKES!! Am I the only one worried about that development? He’s already got me paranoid about flying, but the Federal Aviation Administration under Starlink and Musk? That is simply insane.

The more I research Musk and Space X the more worried I become; His little fiefdom is a real rabbit-hole. I doubt he is buried in regulations either. He just complains about them because he doesn’t want any regulations. Would he, like Trump, just ignore them anyway? I think we can all agree to “yes” on that answer. I could write a tome about the level of power our corporations in this country have reached (in elections alone), and if you don’t see a U.S. corpocracy already forming then I believe you to be blind.

Musk and Trump are already herding us into a plutocracy/ oligarchy and will add the other poisons if our population allows them. I wonder how many Ger-

mans have wished in one era or other that they could go back in time in order to stop Hitler when they could have?

I can’t believe that Trump and Musk have been given the hen house and they are proceeding to hobble, if not cripple, this wonderful and once powerful country. They do not desire, nor are they capable, of making this country great. All they care about is power and wealth. Like Musk has said himself: He thinks that the vast majority of us are simply NPC’s … (I dislike video gaming so for me this is particularly insulting) … non player characters. They both are working to control us, not help us.

Technocracy is a different animal all together. Kind of like an artist stuck in Russia; able to do both good and bad. In today’s world, technocracy’s life blood is a mix of venture capitalism, gullibility, propaganda and addictive fun.

History will tell our great, great, great grandkids what TikTok ended up doing to the world with Zuckerberg being, perhaps, a footnote. Zuckerberg’s biggest claim to fame (infamy?) might end up being when he kissed Trumps ring and decided that fact checking (truth) was a waste of time and money, then rationalizing and implying that editing out lies may even be harmful to us.

Like the internet, social media has become all-consuming and seemingly integral to almost everyone; In, at least, a vast majority of people in wealthy, computer-

ized societies. I usually split social media into two groups, positive and negative. For example … Good: Fundraising for meaningful causes; mobilizing groups of people and events; Sometimes very funny. Bad: AI false propaganda, fear mongering, pornographic; Sometimes makes you very angry. One thing that can be said for us all -- social media today allows you to find the tribe in which you wish to be, and that tribe will constantly feed your values no what those values happen to be. When I have an acquaintance who shares videos of loud, fast cars and sexy women with me, I know straight away I will not become good friends with that person. One final thing about social media: It’s here to stay and probably should be regulated (yes, that sinful word!), not controlled by an individual. The takeaway I would love for people to keep from this piece is this: In a modern democracy, one that is crowded, diverse and extremely complicated (socially), social media is here to stay, as long as we have our phones, a way to keep them powered and our corporations empowered.

Tim and Kristy Wood moved to Beaufort in 1974. He worked as a carpenter in both restoration and new home construction, as well as operating a shop specializing in custom woodwork, Wood on Wood Specs.

The domino effect of NIH cuts: Why SC should be alarmed

Scientific progress doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It relies on a sustained investment in research, innovation, and the institutions that drive medical breakthroughs. For decades, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been a cornerstone of this investment, funding life-saving research that has transformed public health and economic growth.

Yet, the Trump administration’s deep cuts to NIH funding threaten to unravel these advancements, and the repercussions are not just national — they hit home right here in South Carolina.

The NIH is the largest source of public funding for biomedical research in the United States. It fuels discoveries that lead to cancer treatments, vaccines, and cutting-edge medical technology. Beyond the lab, it supports thousands of jobs and strengthens university research programs.

The Trump administration’s decision to slash NIH funding by

capping indirect cost reimbursements and terminating more than 100 research grants represents a dangerous step backward. These cuts will have an immediate chilling effect on America’s scientific progress. Leading universities and research institutions are already experiencing hiring freezes, project delays, and uncertainty over long-term funding. Prestigious institutions like Duke University have seen grant reductions disrupt major research initiatives. And while some argue that these cuts will promote more private investment, the reality is that private sector funding rarely

supports the kind of foundational research the NIH enables.

The domino effect of these cuts extends far beyond the laboratory. When research dollars disappear, institutions that depend on them suffer financially. Universities rely on indirect cost reimbursements to maintain lab facilities, provide administrative support, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Cutting these reimbursements forces institutions to divert resources from education and other critical services, creating a ripple effect that weakens the entire academic ecosystem.

For South Carolina, the impact is particularly alarming. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), one of our state’s premier research institutions, receives millions in NIH funding each year to conduct groundbreaking medical research. These grants support critical work on cancer treatments, Alzheimer’s research, and solutions to South

Carolina’s ongoing opioid crisis. The Trump administration’s cuts put these projects in jeopardy.

MUSC is not just a research institution; it is a driver of economic growth in the Lowcountry. NIH funding helps create jobs, attract top medical talent to Charleston, and fuel innovation that leads to new medical startups and technologies. With reduced federal investment, MUSC may face tough choices — delaying important research, losing talented researchers to better-funded institutions, or scaling back on initiatives that benefit South Carolinians.

The broader consequences are just as dire. South Carolina has long struggled with healthcare disparities, particularly in rural communities. NIH-funded research at MUSC helps address these disparities by developing treatments tailored to the needs of South Carolinians. If funding dries up, the consequences will be felt in hospitals, clinics, and households across the state.

This is not a partisan issue — it’s a matter of public health, economic stability, and leadership. South Carolina’s congressional delegation, regardless of political affiliation, must push back against these reckless cuts. Supporting NIH funding is not about government waste; it’s about ensuring that the United States, and South Carolina in particular, remains at the forefront of medical innovation.

At a time when we should be investing more in research, slashing NIH funding is a catastrophic misstep. South Carolina’s future— its health, economy, and standing as a research leader — depends on resisting these cuts before the domino effect causes irreversible damage.

Mac Deford is a Charleston attorney, veteran, graduate of The Citadel, and holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He was a Democratic candidate for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in 2024

The hypocrisy of banning diversity statements on free speech grounds

Hypocrites are like Bradford pear trees. These days, it seems like you see them everywhere you look, and they stink. Let me back up. The South Carolina Legislature is currently considering a bill that would outlaw diversity statements, along with a host of other things. Now, diversity statements have been unpopular for a while. They can feel like a minefield for applicants, and they produce a lot of cringe-worthy submissions that don’t necessarily help hiring committees evaluate candidates.

But H.3927 isn’t concerned with diversity statements because they’re ineffective or insincere. The bill outlaws diversity statements because, according to some right-leaning organizations, they’re a form of compelled speech. That is, they force people to say something they may

LETTERS

Please help stop the overdevelopment of Cane Island

not agree with, and that’s an infringement of a person’s First Amendment rights.

The Legislature is tackling this constitutional question by prohibiting government agencies and those who contract with them from “compelling, requiring, inducing, or soliciting any person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or give preferential consideration to any person based on the provision of a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement.”

Unraveling this issue from a free-speech perspective is complicated, though.

On one hand, hearing from diverse voices breaks down the intellectual stagnation that occurs when we only hear from the same people we’ve always heard from. And DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs help people speak up who’ve been silenced in the past.

In these ways, DEI supports everything free speech rights are supposed to protect. At the same time, there’s a plausible (though not airtight) case that a diversity statement violates a person’s rights if it compels them to make a statement against their beliefs or if it rewards those who share the views of the government while penalizing those who don’t.

So, that’s the situation. We rightly condemn racist views, but maybe we aren’t doing much good — and we might be doing some harm — by forcing people to parrot anti-racist

views they don’t hold. As unpalatable as the specific case might be, there’s a broader logic there.

But if we agree it’s bad to force people to say things they don’t believe, what should we do about the fact that H.3927 does just that?

According to the bill’s certification provision, “Before any agency … of this State … may enter into any contract or award any grant, the applicable contractor or grant recipient must certify that they do not operate any programs that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

Consider what this means: All companies, nonprofits, and individuals that want to do business with any state entity — from a local town council to the state’s public health agency to the University of South Carolina — have to first put down in writing that they don’t promote diversity.

It sounds like the new bill requires an anti-diversity statement. Somehow, we’re supposed to believe that compelling diversity statements is unconstitutional and immoral, but compelling anti-diversity statements is legal and proper. H.3927 would eliminate a version of compelled speech that the prevailing powers thought was bad and replace it with a version of compelled speech that the prevailing powers think is good.

Fortunately, the constitutional contradictions of this approach are clear enough that efforts like it have already been struck down.

The president’s anti-DEI executive orders, which contain nearly identical provisions, were recently blocked on First Amendment grounds.

This isn’t a secret, of course. The free-speech problems with H.3927

are known, and if the bill is passed without being revised, it will likely get tangled up in court. In any case, South Carolina residents are left wondering what to think of a bill that is probably unconstitutional and apparently hypocritical.

Some will shrug and say, “That’s politics.” Others will conclude that free speech apparently isn’t worth protecting if it means protecting the views of political opponents.

And many will conclude that — just like a Bradford pear this time of year — it stinks.

Patrick S. Lawrence, who holds a doctorate degree in English, is a teacher, writer, and researcher on free speech issues. He is an associate professor of English at the University of South Carolina, Lancaster. He is the author of "Obscene Gestures" (Fordham University Press 2022) and co-editor of "Out of the Gutters" (University of Texas Press 2025).

Since an article [was published] in the Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette, there has been much concern over the proposed oversized development on Lower Cane Island.

Beaufort County and the city of Beaufort are experiencing rapid growth that exceeds their current infrastructure capacity. Regrettably, the “Legacy” Planned Unit Development (PUD), which was annexed into the city over three decades ago, can be developed with minimal consideration for the already strained infrastructure and emergency services.

City leaders have expressed their inability to prevent this development, while state leaders are hesitant to intervene due to potential litigation.

Developers propose constructing hundreds of luxury condos, a hotel, marina, and restaurant on Lower Cane Island.

This proposal raises serious concerns and could adversely affect the environment and quality of life for Beaufort County residents.

Numerous residents have expressed their desire via an ongoing petition to persuade the Trask family to consider a different future for Lower Cane Island. By collaborating with the City of Beaufort and the County, funds from Beaufort County’s Greenspace program could be utilized to compensate the family and safeguard the natural resources and quality of life for residents.

In essence, Islands Causeway is a narrow and winding road that is incapable of accommodating the dense development envisioned for Lower Cane. This out-of-scale development would result in significant traffic congestion, including lengthy queues at the Lady’s Island Drive intersection. Furthermore, road widening may be necessary to accommodate additional traffic, potentially impacting the saltmarsh that is held in the

public trust.

An in-depth Traffic Impact Analysis should be one of the most important studies done in this area, in conjunction with SCDOT, and the Department of Public Safety where the Island Causeway bisects Ladys Island drive. This area is already rife with traffic accidents and incidents that will no doubt become worse if this development proceeds. Similarly, small tidal creeks surrounding Cane Island may be adversely affected by increased stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces. This could lead to the impairment of wildlife species such as deer, wild turkey, and bald eagles that inhabit the Lower Cane Island.

You can’t continue to build and expect the jewel of South Carolina to stay the same. This small enclave north of the Broad will just be another crowded venue for the benefit of noone but the developer, and the previous owner. Little regard will be given to the current residents, or the impact on wildlife and surrounding waters.

We urge the Trask family to take action and contribute to a distinct future for Lower Cane Island, ensuring its unique character is preserved. It is not too late for the owners to make a positive impact by leaving behind a conservation legacy, safeguarding the land for future generations to appreciate.

We kindly request your attention to this matter, as it is crucial to protect the remaining natural resources in the Lowcountry.

– Dennis M. Ross

Responding to Jim Dickson’s March 13 column

Actually it is Mr. Dickson who has "come out …" Finally a moderate Republican who has admitted that Trump has some bad ideas. The moderate, centrist Republican leaders (I hope there are some) need to follow suit, stand up and do the right thing.

I am sure they exist and they need to curtail the radicals in their

party who are running roughshod over our America.

The approach that the current Republican administration has taken is much more radical and dangerous than anything the leftist Dems have ever thought about. Just think about what they are destroying!

There are plenty of moderate Democrats like me who want to have an efficient, well run, compassionate government with a minimum of waste and fraud. But knocking the legs out from under much-needed agencies like the EPA, NIH, DOE and many others is not the way to achieve it.

Not to mention destroying relations with allies, imposing over-the-top tariffs, throwing DEI out the window, not believing in science, being too religious, making outrageous claims with no evidence, bullying, making everything transactional, etc., etc.

Thank you Mr. Dickson for your column, It is good that you know who the real crazies are, and that they are in your party.

– Bob Lewis, Port Royal

PATRICK LAWRENCE

Like it or not, Russia a big piece of the puzzle

In the midst of the avalanche of “edicts” being thrust into the maelstrom of politics, have we lost sight of a singular player in all of this? I would like to explore this.

First it behooves us to look at some of the presidential “executive orders.” The list is as vast as it is troubling. These orders (read losses) are achieved by the attempt to dismantle departments that have been distributing necessary benefits for decades.

For instance, the loss of services for our vets that so many depend on. As a military town, we should be horrified and angered by this. I recently heard a psychologist who worked at our Naval Hospital talk about the impact of canceled contracts over the past month. Why, by all that is rational, would the demolishing of psych services to our men and women who served to protect us be acceptable?

Disbanding the Department of Education. This is front and center of Project 2025. Gain control of the education of our young people by determining exactly what they shall read and hear. Book banning? Of course. Curriculum “cleansing?” Absolutely. Hitler 101

Invading the IRS, literally? The goody box has been opened, raided, and we are in a world of hurt, not yet knowing the full extent of what the thievery of our information will bring.

Social Security? Another treasure trove awaiting vandalizing.

I could continue with the Department of Agriculture, our beloved National Parks, Health and Human Services or the Energy Department. More of the same, and, I contend, all meant to reduce the status of the United States.

This dismantling takes place under the aegis of a mocking, chainsaw-wielding, alien from South Africa who thrives on white supremacy! But, dear reader, I digress!

So who is the single player to whom I alluded earlier? I believe many of us agree that hiding in the shadows (unless 47 becomes giddy enough to lose his thought process, loosen his tongue, and become flamboyantly overt) is Russia.

There are so many places to begin, but let’s go with what is documented. The jumping off point includes the name Alnur Mussayey. This man claimed Trump was recruited by the KGB under the code name Krasnov.

Mussayev’s background makes him uniquely positioned to know about an operation like this — not just because of his role in

Soviet intelligence, but because of the financial leverage tactics that would have been involved. Soviet intelligence didn’t just rely on ideology or blackmail — they exploited financial vulnerabilities to control their targets.

Given Trump’s known struggles with debt and his aggressive pursuit of business opportunities in the 1980s, the KGB would have viewed him as a prime target for manipulation. As someone with ties to the Soviet Union’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, which handled organized crime, corruption, and financial investigations, Mussayev would have had direct insight into how Moscow exploited figures like Trump through shady financial deals, money laundering, and quiet threats of exposure. Mussayev wasn’t just aware of Soviet recruitment tactics — he was in the system that managed those operations.(Estelle Nilsson Julien, Euroverify)

Similar allegations about Trump being a Russian asset have surfaced repeatedly in the past. In 2021, American journalist and author Craig Unger published his book, American Kompromat, in which he claims that Trump was recruited by Moscow.

Former KGB agent Yuri Shvets — who had a cover job as a correspondent for the Russian state-owned news agency TASS in Washington during the 1980s — was one of Unger's key sources for the book. Shvets told Unger

that Trump was tapped in 1987 Unger told Euronews there is a clear distinction between an agent and an asset.

"While an agent is employed by an intelligence agency and paid, an asset is a reliable friend who will do favours," he said.

(Euronews)

It must be stated here that this has never been successfully verified. That said, questions remain: why the meeting with Putin in Helsinki, July 16 2018 behind closed doors? This came days after the U.S. charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking. Trump defended Russia over claims of interference in the 2016 presidential election, contradicting U.S. intelligence by saying there was no reason for Russia to interfere. (Flora Drury, David Molloy, Ritu Prasad and Alexandra Fouché)

Then the name Natalia Veselnitskaya crops up. Despite earlier denials, she admitted in April 2018 to being an "informant" for Russia's prosecutor general. And it is worth noting that she met with Paul Manafort, Donald Trump, Jr. and Trump’s son-inlaw, Jared Kushner in June of 2016

She said the meeting was to discuss adoptions, but those who helped set it up said she was offering dirt on the Democrats and Hillary Clinton's campaign.

As for Paul Manafort, this is the man who served in the first Trump administration who admitted lying to investigators and

under oath before a grand jury about his contact with a Russian associate during the 2016 campaign. It was Bill Barr who released him in 2020, two years later.

As far back as May of 2017 Trump’s first term, he held a meeting with Russia’s foreign minister, banning all U.S. media, but allowing TASS, the Russian News Agency, to attend.

The issue was further inflamed by the presence of Kislyak, who has been at the center of several controversies involving administration officials, including now fired National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. (Newsweek)

And recently, at a news conference, with members of the U.S. press having been banned permanently, it was discovered that a reporter from TASS was present.

Certainly 47’s stance regarding Ukraine is a red flag. I have written of this before, and there is way too much to include here. Let it suffice that we know where he is on this through his actions with Zelensky. I see all of this as pieces of a greater puzzle, the picture of which remains to be pieced together as a whole. Let’s hope that puzzle is swept from the board, and sufficient pieces of a new image remain to be put into place.

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.”

Legislation can deliver real legal reform SC businesses need

Iam a proud South Carolina native, born and raised in the Upstate, and I love this state with my whole heart. South Carolina isn’t just where I live — it’s part of who I am.

It’s where I learned the value of hard work, where I built lifelong friendships, and where I’ve seen communities rally together in times of celebration and hardship alike. From small-town diners to family-owned bars and iconic live music venues, these businesses don’t just make up our economy — they make up our memories, our traditions, and the fabric of our lives.

They are the places we go to unwind after a long day, where we celebrate milestones, and where we find a sense of belonging.

That’s why it’s devastating to watch them struggle — not because of bad business decisions, but because of a legal system that sets them up to fail.

An unfair legal system hurting small businesses

South Carolina’s current

joint and several liability laws can leave bars, restaurants, and venues vulnerable to massive financial burdens.

While a business must be found negligent to be held liable, the reality is that once fault is assigned — even at a minimal level — the business can be forced to pay the entire verdict if the primarily at-fault party lacks the funds or insurance coverage to cover the damages.

This system creates a serious financial risk for small businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, where liability is often difficult to define.

Proving that a bartender knowingly over-served an individual beyond the legal limit is already challenging.

But under current law, bars and restaurants can still be targeted for a disproportionate share of damages simply because they have the means to pay.

This drives up insurance premiums, forces settlements to avoid devastating verdicts, and ultimately puts businesses at risk of closing their doors for good.

The impact on SC businesses

I have witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking impact of this legal system. Over the years, I have watched longtime favorite bars, restaurants, and venues close — not because they failed their customers, but because they were trapped in an unfair legal climate.

These weren’t just businesses; they were landmarks, gathering places, and sources of identity for entire communities.

It’s gut-wrenching to see the lights go out in a bar where generations have gathered. It’s painful to walk past an empty storefront where a family once poured

their heart and soul into a business.

Every time another small business shuts down, it feels like we are losing a part of our state’s identity. These are the places where we celebrate birthdays, first dates, reunions, and even the ordinary moments that make life beautiful. Their loss is more than just an economic blow — it’s a cultural one.

I refuse to stand by and watch more of these places disappear. Senate bill 244 is not just for business owners, but for the future of South Carolina’s economy and culture.

Bring fairness back to the courts

The bill being debated on the Senate floor introduces a “fair share” rule, ensuring that businesses are only responsible for damages that match their actual level of fault.

This commonsense reform protects small businesses from being unfairly burdened by lawsuits they should never have to pay for while keeping the legal

system fair for everyone.

The opposition claims this bill is bad for consumers. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

When businesses face fewer predatory lawsuits, they can keep costs lower, invest in their employees, and continue serving their communities. Reforming our legal system benefits everyone — except the lawsuit industry profiting from the status quo.

Why this matters now

This issue isn’t abstract — it’s happening to business owners across South Carolina every day. Many bars and restaurants are just one lawsuit away from shutting down.

We’ve heard their stories. We’ve seen the financial and emotional toll. And we refuse to stand by while more businesses fall victim to this broken system.

With bipartisan support and backing from Gov. Henry McMaster and Senate leadership, S.244 is a crucial step toward making South Carolina a business-friendly state that values fairness,

economic growth, and community sustainability.

Action is needed

The business community is watching. South Carolina voters are watching.

South Carolina’s small businesses need an end to the lawsuit abuse that has plagued them for too long. This isn’t just about one industry. It’s about protecting the future of our economy and ensuring businesses can thrive without the constant threat of legal exploitation.

South Carolina has the opportunity to lead the way in legal fairness. Now is the time to stand with small businesses.

Lex Hudson is a South Carolinabased advocate and communications coordinator for the S.C. Bar and Tavern Association. Born and raised in the Upstate, she has a background in project management and a passion for justice reform, focusing on amplifying critical policy conversations. When she’s not working on advocacy campaigns for legislation she's passionate about, she enjoys painting, watching documentaries, soaking up the sun, spending time with her dog, and graphic design.

CAROL LUCAS

LEX HUDSON

Colorectal Cancer Screenings: Endoscopy vs. Colonoscopy vs. Sigmoidoscopy

Colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies are types of endoscopies, procedures that look at the health of your large intestine

Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States each year. And while it might not always get as much press as some other cancers, that’s certainly alarming when you consider that many of us are faced with common issues involving our digestive tracts on a regular basis.

“The problem is in many cases, the symptoms that may be present with colon cancer are oftentimes ones we don’t routinely talk about like belly pain, rectal bleeding and constipation because they often indicate that nothing is wrong,” says colorectal surgeon Scott Steele, MD. “It’s sometimes hard to differentiate when it’s worrisome and when it’s just normal.”

That makes consistent cancer screenings and endoscopic tools invaluable when trying to identify tumors and lesions while they’re still precancerous or during their earliest stages of growth. But what tests are needed, how are they conducted, and what’s the difference between an endoscopy, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy? Does everyone need one? Or only those who are at highest risk for colon cancer?

Dr. Steele answers some of these burning questions about differences between endoscopy, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy

Endoscopy

During an endoscopy, a healthcare provider uses a long, thin tube called an endoscope. The end of this tube contains a small light and a camera that captures images and videos of the inside of your organs and other body parts. These procedures typically require some form of sedation or anesthesia so that it’s a pain-free experience. Most of these procedures allow you to go home within a couple of hours, though sometimes, you may need an overnight stay in the hospital depending on the procedure itself. Depending on what your doctors are looking at, endoscopes can be inserted into any of your orifices. During an upper endoscopy, for example, the endoscope is used to view the upper half of your digestive tract. It’s inserted into your mouth to view your esophagus, your stomach and duodenum (the upper part of your small intestine). A colonoscopy takes place on the opposite end of your body and describes a procedure when an endoscope is inserted into your anus

to view the lower half of your digestive tract.

And the thing that makes a sigmoidoscopy different is that it’s an even shorter version of a colonoscopy procedure. A sigmoidoscopy looks at just the lower third of your large intestine (your colon) and sometimes, even stops at just your rectum.

“The way I would think about is that we’re one long garden hose from our mouths to our bottom,” explains Dr. Steele. “Different parts of the GI tract have different functions and different anatomy, but we can use these endoscopes at either end to look at what’s happening.”

These endoscopes often contain channels through which a healthcare provider can feed other instruments to help surgically remove tissues or tumors or perform surgeries during an exam. In this way, endoscopies serve two purposes: They’re used as screening exams to catch problems early and often.

They also offer an opportunity to address problem areas as they’re spotted in real time.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is an internal examination of your entire large intestine—including your anus, rectum and colon. Some of the elements doctors look for during a colonoscopy include: Colon cancer. Hemorrhoids. Inflammatory bowel disease

(IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Bowel obstructions. Diverticulum (small pockets inside the lining of your colon) and other structural changes to your intestinal lining.

“It’s not only diagnostic for many people, but it also has the ability to be therapeutic,” says Dr. Steele. “If we see a polyp, it can be removed. If we see something abnormal, we can do a biopsy and get a diagnosis by taking a piece of tissue from the lining of the colon. If there’s a narrowing of the colon, we can work through the scope and actually dilate that narrowing.”

Who needs a colonoscopy? The American Cancer Society recommends that everyone, at minimum, should begin screening for colon cancer at age 45. Then, re-test every 10 years as long as their exam results are negative, they continue to show no signs of cancer and they continue to experience no symptoms or an increased risk for colon cancer.

Your risk for colon cancer does increase as you age. But other things can also increase your risk for colon cancer, including:

Having a family history of colon cancer, especially a first-degree relative or multiple second-degree relatives (like uncles or grandparents) who’ve received a diagnosis of colon cancer.

Genetic or hereditary conditions like familial adeno-

matous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome. Having chronic IBD (irritable bowel disease).

If you’re considered high risk for colon cancer, you may want to talk to a healthcare provider about getting a colonoscopy earlier on. You may also want to consider getting a colonoscopy earlier than 45 if you experience symptoms like: Rectal bleeding.

Changes in the shape or caliber of your stools.

Severe or new constipation.

Severe and new weight loss.

• Unexplained abdominal pain.

How to prepare for a colonoscopy: Before your colonoscopy, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare your bowels (the day before) for the procedure. If you think about it, you need to make sure the doctor has a clean path through your large intestine so they can see everything clearly.

Sigmoidoscopy

A sigmoidoscopy can only get so far into your large intestine so is less invasive than a colonoscopy because rather than winding its way through your entire large intestine, it only covers the lower third of your large intestine. This exam focuses mostly on your descending colon (which is located on your left side), your rectum and your anus. To get a full picture of what’s going on, a sigmoidosco-

py is often not enough when it comes to screening for early signs of cancer.

“In terms of colorectal cancer screening, a sigmoidoscopy would need to be followed up with a full colonoscopy to make sure we’re able to evaluate the entire colon,” states Dr. Steele.

Who needs a sigmoidoscopy?

Your healthcare provider may order a sigmoidoscopy if you

Experience rectal bleeding. Previously had polyps, tumors or tissues removed from the left side of your colon, rectum or anus.

Have hemorrhoids.

Have certain health factors that make sedation, anesthesia or colonoscopies difficult.

How to prepare for a sigmoidoscopy: In general, a sigmoidoscopy requires the same level of preparation as a colonoscopy. In most cases, sedation and anesthesia aren’t needed during a sigmoidoscopy, but you can discuss this with your healthcare provider and any other concerns or questions you have regarding how the procedure will go.

And here is—yes

The bottom line

Endoscopies are designed to be diagnostic and therapeutic, regardless of the type you have. If you’re concerned about your colon health, if you’ve never had a colonoscopy or if you experience any symptoms that are making you uncomfortable with what might be happening in your gut, talk to a healthcare provider today about if it’s time for an endoscopic exam.

“The unique thing about endoscopies is that they can detect tumors when someone is asymptomatic and they’re just at their infancy, at the small polyp stage,” says Dr. Steele.

Other cancers, like pancreatic cancer, are oftentimes diagnosed at a later stage. But an endoscopy has the ability to detect polyps, early-stage lesions and multiple polyps throughout the colon, or to even give people a peace-ofmind that they don’t have anything growing in their colon.”

Sources: https://www.cancer.gov/types/ colorectal/screening-fact-sheet; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/37193451/; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/whatsthe-difference-between-an-endoscopycolonoscopy-and-sigmoidoscopy

Tuesday, April 8* | 1 to 2 p.m. | Port Royal Medical Pavilion, 1680 Ribaut Road

Spring weather has landed in the Lowcountry, and more and more people are interested in getting outside and getting back to the activities they love: walking, biking, tennis, golf, jogging, pickleball, you name it.

While outdoor activities may be calling, achy knees or painful hips may present challenges for many in getting back out there

Dr. Vandit Sardana

this spring. Joint pain is far from unusual, with over 27 million Americans suffering from osteoarthritis (the most common type of joint problem in older adults, causing stiffness, soreness and mobility issues).

Beaufort Memorial board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr. Vandit Sardana will answer questions about osteoarthritis and more on Tuesday, April 8 at a free “Talk with the Doc: Solutions for Joint Pain” seminar in Port Royal.

Dr. Sardana sees patients with Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists in both

Port Royal and Okatie, specializing in joint replacement and preservation. He is also the chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

“There’s a lot of information out there about knee and hip pain, joint replacement and the measures that can be taken to alleviate pain before considering surgery,” Dr. Sardana said. “As an or-

thopedic surgeon, the top health concern my patients have is joint pain that keeps them from maintaining an active lifestyle and doing the things they love.”

Dr. Sardana will lead the interactive discussion about options to address hip and knee pain, including non-surgical treatments and innovative robotassisted procedures.

He will also cover common causes of joint pain, the benefits of early diagnosis, the latest minimally invasive surgical options and information about recovery from joint replacement. *This event is free, but space is limited, and reservations are required. To register to attend, visit BeaufortMemorial.org/ JointPain.

& WELLNESS

Join the composting crowd

How to determine if items can be composted

Composting is a cost-effective, viable way to reduce trash and produce a beneficial product for gardening and landscaping

Compost is an eco-friendly way to grow a healthy and flourishing garden bed or landscape. Full of nutrients and rich organic materials, compost is often called "black gold" by gardeners for the many benefits it provides. One of the main advantages to compost, apart from the way it boosts plant growth and health, is that it is relatively low cost to produce.

Food scraps and other non-toxic materials that are left to break down naturally create compost. Backyard composting speeds up the natural process of decomposition. In optimal conditions, organic matter can decompose more quickly. According to the University of Illinois Extension, microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes account for most of the decomposition that takes place in a

compost pile. However, insects also can do their part to create compost. Such insects are referred to as "physical composters" because they break down materials by chewing, grinding, and digesting them into

smaller pieces. Bacteria create an oxidation process that heats up the compost pile and aids in its decomposition. Earthworms are compost creation masters.

Homeowners can create their own compost piles with just a few

items. Some of the staples of composting include foods that normally would be discarded. Vegetable peels, fruit rinds, eggshells, coffee grounds, and the like can be put into a compost pile. Meats and poultry should not be placed in a

compost pile because of the threat of harmful pathogens and bacteria. Other items that are not food-related also can be added to compost piles. It may be challenging to determine which ones are applicable. These products are usually considered safe: paper plates with no coating products made from bagasse, a fibrous matter that remains after sugarcane or sorghum stalks are crushed cardboard boxes (remove cellophane tape and plastic shipping label pockets) paper towels wax paper wax-covered paper cups products certified as compostable by BPI • certified bio-plastics

Anything that is coated in plastic that is not a bio-plastic must go into the trash or be reused in another way.

Warning signs of colorectal cancer in younger adults

By Deb Balzer www.mayoclinic.org

Colorectal cancer has been rising among younger people for the past two decades. It is not one type of cancer but two cancers: colon cancer, which starts in the large intestine, and rectal cancer, which begins in the last part of the large intestine, known as the rectum.

Dr. Derek Ebner, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, notes that colorectal cancer has been increasing in adults under age 50, particularly for rectal cancer.

Warning signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer

Dr. Ebner says four key

symptoms have been identified for people under 50 who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Dr. Ebner notes that blood

loss after bowel movements, even if not visibly apparent, can lead to low iron levels.

"If on a blood test, for example, we see a sign of iron

Common childhood vision issues

The two most common childhood vision issues are a crossed or wandering eye and uneven focus.

Vision problems in children typically emerge when the child is between 18 months and four years old. When a child has a wandering eye, that eye will appear to drift during conversation or when the child is attempting to do something else, like watch television. A crossed eye is often easy to recognize, but few may know that a crossed eye is not a problem of the eye itself, but rather the wiring of the brain. When a child has uneven focus, he or she will have one eye that is more farsighted than the other. Un-

even focus is more difficult to detect because kids are unaware their vision is being compromised by poor focus. Such focus issues are all kids have known, so they are less likely to ask for help, believing that poor focus is natural. These issues are treatable, but wandering or crossed eyes and uneven focus require medical attention, as kids who do not receive adequate medical care regarding their vision run the risk that their brains will begin to ignore images coming from the weaker eye. Once the brain begins to ignore those images, nerve connections stop being developed as well.

When these issues go untreated, children may experience full and permanent vision loss in their weaker eye, and that loss may be apparent by the time a child reaches his or her tenth birthday. According to experts, your child needs to see an eye doctor when they are six months old if possible. It should be repeated before kindergarten in kids without apparent eye issues. A comprehensive pediatric eye exam is essential for children if the parents suspect the child has an eye problem.

Reference: https://health. clevelandclinic.org/eye-test-forpreschoolers

deficiency, that would then prompt us to explore further," he says. Even though it may be embarrassing, he stresses,

"If you have any of those symptoms, you need to share it with a healthcare provider. That way, they can navigate those subsequent steps." Which can lead to early treatment and better outcomes.

Reducing risks of colorectal cancer

While it's not possible to completely prevent cancer, there are ways to reduce your risks and that includes following a healthy lifestyle.

"Abiding by a healthy lifestyle is critical," says Dr. Ebner. "Following a well-rounded diet, staying physically active, for instance, perhaps can be protective. The other key, though, is just being very mindful of those symp-

toms, and then also underscoring the importance of screening."

Screening: Talk to your healthcare team about colorectal cancer screening.

• Exercise: Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days.

• Nutrition: Eat fruits, veggies and whole grains.

• Weight: Maintain a healthy weight. Lifestyle: Don't smoke, limit alcohol consumption.

Source: https://newsnetwork. mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayoclinic-minute-warning-signs-ofcolorectal-cancer-in-youngeradults/

Lucky

charms — The Beaufort Memorial Collins Birthing Center felt the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick's Day — Monday, March 17 — as two tiny leprechauns made their entrance into the world. Mia (right) was born at 7:57 am to Merlin Laine Orellana of Beaufort. She weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces. Born just a few hours later was Ky'Maine (left), born at 11:27 am at 5 pounds, 14 ounces to Varnville's Kylashia Williams. The crocheted outfits were created by Victoria Mayo, RN, and Merick Murdaugh, CST. Photos by Charlotte Berkeley

ART Catawba Pottery demonstration

2 to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 29, Morris Center For Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 S. Jacob Smart Blvd., Ridgeland. Witness the art of Catawba pottery come alive as potter Nancy White shares her skills and knowledge at the Morris Center. This demonstration will showcase the intricate and rich cultural heritage behind this traditional folk art. Observe as she shapes clay into stunning vessels, applying techniques that have been passed down through generations of Catawba potters. Please register by March 27. Register at https://shorturl.at/txgL5.

Coastal Discovery Museum 24th annual Art Market

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April

26 & 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, April

27, Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. $5 Admission, free for children 12 and younger. Free parking. Visitors will find a diverse range of mediums, including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, wood, metal, painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture. Beyond the art, visitors can enjoy live music and a variety of food and beverage vendors, with shaded seating under the Mary Ann Peeples Pavilion and throughout the scenic grounds. Proceeds from the Art Market support the Museum’s yearround programs, exhibitions, and events. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www. coastaldiscovery.org/.

Budding Artist After-

School Art Club

4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/ Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio. net.

CALENDAR

Lowcountry Food Truck Festival

11 a.m., Saturday, April 5, 1404 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.

Memories Do Matter 2025 Speaker Series – Lisa Hostetler Brown

10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, April

9, 31 St. Gregory Drive, Bluffton. Free. Online registration required. Attorney Lisa Hostetler Brown will be the guest speaker, discussing “Elder Law & Estate Planning.” Register at https://www.mymemorymatters. org/events.

MCAS Beaufort Airshow Saturday, April 12 & Sunday, April 13, MCAS Beaufort. Celebrate 250 years of the Marine Corps with us. From the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to unforgettable aerial thrills, it’s a weekend you don’t want to miss. Tickets are free for general admission but required! Reserve yours now to secure your spot. Go to beaufortairshow.com to reserve your tickets.

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to midnight, Mondays, Tomfoolery, 3436 17 Market, Habersham, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Karaoke

9 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort. With DJ Ali.

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie

O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.

Trivia with Tom — 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.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.

Karaoke at Willie’s

8 p.m., Thursdays, Willie's Bar and Grill, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Saint Helena Island. Come and showcase your singing talents or just enjoy the performances. For more information, visit www.GullahLove.com.

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.

Habersham Farmers Market

3 to 6 p.m., Fridays, Habersham Marketplace. Vendor roster includes B&E Farm, Cottonwood Soap, Flower Power Treats, Hardee Greens, Megs Sweet Treats, Vitamin Bee, Lady’s Island Oyster Company, Pet Wants.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Drive, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Port Royal Farmers Market

9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, 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 @ portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.

Slip and Splash Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 7 p.m., Saturdays, The Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd., Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Lt. Dan. Come early at 6 p.m. for Steak Night.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9:30 p.m., Saturdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Eric.

Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud 9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday each month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Students and other volunteers will read to young children, who are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals.

Karaoke with Melissa 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, Peaceful Henry’s Cigar Bar, 181 Bluffton Road, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

CLASS REUNION

Beaufort High School Class of 1975 Oct. 17 through Oct. 19, 2025, Beaufort. 50th Class Reunion Celebration. Request that graduates of this class contact the class Community Outreach Representative Barbara Gardner Hunter at 347-4979326 or email gardnerbarbara991@ gmail.com to provide current contact information.

DANCE The Beaufort Shag Club

6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.

DRAMA Lean Ensemble Theater — Skeleton Crew Through Sunday, March 30, HHPS Main Street Theater, 3000 Main Street, Hilton Head Island. At the start of the Great Recession, one of the last auto stamping plants in Detroit is on shaky ground. Each of the workers have to make choices on how to move forward if their plant goes under. Shanita has to decide how she'll support herself and her unborn child, Faye has to decide how and where she'll live, and Dez has to figure out how to make his ambitious dreams a reality. Power dynamics shift as everyone is torn between doing right by their family, and by the red tape in their office. Purchase tickets at https://www. leanensemble.org/.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

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.

BEMER Circulation Therapy

10 to 11 a.m., Fridays via Zoom. Already own a BEMER? Never heard of it but curious? Join to ask any questions about this leading-edge German technology that enhances blood flow 30% in 8 minutes. Sessions are designed to support those who have their own unit but everyone is welcome. Brought to you by BEMER Specialist -- Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.

HISTORY Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 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.

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

Watercolor Basics

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 12, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. Ages 14 and older. Adults will be introduced to the basics of watercolor painting through various techniques. No registration required.

Intro To Art Media For Kids

3 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 12, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. Ages 6 and older. Kids are invited to join us to “dabble” in art media. We’ll introduce different types of media from acrylic painting to sketching. Participants will leave with a fun multi-media art creation all their own. No registration required.

Toddler Storytime

11 a.m., Mondays through May 12, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. (Library will be closed Jan, 20 and Feb. 17.) Join us for a fun-filled time of stories. Books and activities will focus on toddlers/preschoolers, but siblings are welcome.

“Hidden Gems” Book Club

3 p.m., third Monday of each month, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. So many books, so little time. St. Helena staff have uncovered some great titles to get you started on your “hidden gem” journey. Join us for lively discussions and coffee or tea. No registration required.

Postpartum Support Group

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Join us fr a postpartum and parenting support circle, a weekly gathering for parents and caregivers navigating the postpartum journey. Led by full-spectrum holistic doula Tameka Walker, the circle provides a warm supportive environment where families can connect, share and learn together. Registration is requested but not required. Call 843-255-6487 for more information.

“Lego” With Lego

4:30 to 5:30 p.m., every Tuesday, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. Ages 5 and up. No registration required. Come see our new and improved Lego Club. Choose one of our new Lego kits and get going. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.

Career Navigator

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Tuesday, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free one-on-one resume writing and job application assistance with a Career Navigator from Palmetto Goodwill. No appointments necessary. For more information call 843-255-6458.

Bridge Club 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Beginning September 18. The first session is for beginners new to the game, and following sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.

Baby Time 10 a.m. Thursdays through May 15, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Is-

land. Join us for stimulating stories, activities, and more. Designed for babies, 0-18 months.

Mahjong Basics 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Join us to learn the basics of this fun tile game. Intructor Donna Misuraca will teach participants the structure and rules of the game and guide you through how to play. All game materials will be provided. Call 843-2556540 for more information.

Mahjong Club

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458.

MEETINGS

PFLAG Savannah –

Beaufort Peer Group

6:30 p.m., first Tuesday of every month, Fellowship Hall, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort (UUFB), 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. Free. The group will be moderated by Rick Hamilton and Kay Carr. The provides advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, family, peers, and allies in the Lowcountry. The peer group provides a safe and strictly confidential environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and allies to discuss the challenges faced in coming out or being out in neighborhoods, the workplace, school, or church. The organization offers resources for counseling, educating, and advocating to achieve an equitable, inclusive community where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Minors under the age of 18 are required to come with an adult parent, guardian, or mentor. Additional information about peer groups, membership, donations, and volunteering is on the website www.PFLAGSavannah.org and on Facebook.

Zonta Club of Beaufort 6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.

Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting 12:15 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.

Rotary Club of Sea Island social gathering 5:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of each month, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.

Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www.beaufortrotaryclub.org.

The Beaufort Trailblazers — A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, Herban Marketplace, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building off-road/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-5750021 or email universitybicycles@ hotmail.com.

Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252- 917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www. emotionsanonymous.org.

Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady's Island Dr., Ladys' Island. Catered breakfast from local chef. Speakers weekly. Occasional social events replace Friday mornings, but will be announced on our website, www. rotaryclubofthelowcountrybeaufort.org.

MUSIC

Music on Malphrus — Scott Ainslie

7 p.m., Saturday, April 11, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton. $25. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets available at the door or at https://www.uulowcountry.org.

Schedule — April 11: Scott Ainslie. April 26: Karyn Oliver.

Live entertainment 7 to 11 p.m., Wednesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.

Chris Jones 7 to 11 p.m., Thursdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.

Habersham Third Fridays Music on Market 5 to 8 p.m., third Friday of the month, Habersham Marketplace.

Live entertainment 9 p.m. to midnight, Fridays & Saturdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.

OUTDOORS/NATURE

The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old Point” and enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees. The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.

Tours of Hunting Island Every Tuesday, Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. Free, park entry fees apply. Sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For more information call the Hunting Island Nature Center at 843-838-7437.

SEWING/QUILTING

Sea Island Quilters “Southern Comforts” quilt show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, April 25, & 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 26, National Guard Armory, 1 Cavalry Lane, Beaufort. Featured at the show will be approximately 150 quilts of all sizes and styles from traditional to modern to contemporary art. A “Lowcountry Store” will sell used magazines, books, patterns, fabrics from “stashes”, and a few surprises. “Southern Elegance,” the Sea Island Quilters beautiful raffle quilt is in tribute to and in loving memory of its maker, Joanne Moss. A valued guild member for many years, Joanne passed away shortly before the 2023 Southern Comforts Quilt Show. The quilt was acquired from her husband. Tickets for the quilt are $1 each or six for $5. In addition to raffle, there will be an opportunity to purchase tickets for various themed gift baskets. A small Merchant’s Mall will be available for shopping. Items include fabric, threads, embroidery and wool supplies, long arm quilting demos, tools, templates, and more. Proceeds from the quilt show will be used to support guild activities such as making quilts for local children’s shelters and the Good Neighbor Clinic and making stockings for Christmas babies born at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in each of the 15 categories. Attendees also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite quilt to be awarded the “Viewer’s Choice” ribbon.

American Needlepoint Guild Meeting

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month. The Hilton Head Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in needlepoint to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at hiltonheadislandchapter@needlepoint.org.

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, crossstitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at lowcountrychapter@egacarolinas.org.

SPORTS/GAMES

ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret St. Events will be held weekly. Contact Director and Club Manager Susan DeFoe at 843-5972541 for location.

Bridge Club 11 a.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library. The first session is for beginners new to the game, and following sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843255-6458 for more information.

Beaufort Masters Swim Team 6 to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, Wardle Family Port Royal YMCA. Coached practices. Ages 18 & older, all skill & speed levels, no prior swim team experience needed. Visit lowcountryswimming.com for more information.

Behind the camera

A CH-53K King Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 supports helicopter support team training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The HST training is designed to prepare Marines to manage activities at landing zones and to facilitate the pickup, movement, and landing of helicopter-borne troops, equipment, and supplies. Sgt. Ryan Ulibarri/USMC

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brant Cushman, a combat videographer with Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, and a native of Beaufort, S.C., films helicopter support team training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The HST training is designed to prepare Marines to manage activities at landing zones and to facilitate the pickup, movement, and landing of helicopter-borne troops, equipment, and supplies. Sgt. Ryan Ulibarri/USMC

Help veterans by reporting wrongdoing

After the President fired 17

U.S. Department Inspector Generals, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General (IG), without giving the legally required 30-day notice, many veterans may wonder if the VA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is still operating. The answer is “Yes.”

Two of the many good things that the VA OIG does include issuing Crime and Fraud Alerts and providing resources to help veterans and VA employees identify, report, and prevent fraud.

Fraud Alert: Substance use disorder treatment scams

According to the VA OIG’s Fraud Alert, December 17 2024 “Fraud Alert: Substance Use Disorder Treatment Scams,” https://bit. ly/4iKJ7pq, the VA OIG is investigating allegations that certain drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities or treatment centers are attempting to exploit veterans with substance use disorders for profit through various unethical and illegal practices. Recruiters target veterans to use these facilities, often offering incentives and misrepresenting the services. The facilities then excessively bill the VA for unnecessary or unrendered treatment. Veterans and VA personnel can help by identifying and reporting these scams.

Veterans beware

Veterans should beware of anyone encouraging them to go to a specific (often out-of-state) facility when a closer VA or community option is preferred, especially if the veteran (or their friends or relatives) are being offered incentives like plane tickets, cash, gift cards, housing, or scholarships.

Report scams, fraud, waste, abuse to VA OIG VA employees, veterans, and

veteran family members should report suspected wrongdoing to the VA OIG if they learn that veterans have attended a facility but have not received promised services, such as counseling. VA employees and contractors should also report any instances in which they are pressured to circumvent procedures to place, admit, or extend veterans’ treatments. Submit complaints to VA OIG by going to www.vaoig.gov/hotline, phoning 800-488-8244, or writing to the VA Inspector General Hotline (53H), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420. The VA OIG FAX is 202495-5861

Anyone can download a “BE A VOICE FOR VETERANS REPORT WRONGDOING poster at https://bit.ly/4iDH32p. That poster encourages anyone to report: Crimes and violations of rules/regulations. Mismanagement or a gross waste of funds. Abuse of authority. Risks to patients, employees, and property.

VA OIG hotline

According to the VA OIG webpage (https://bit.ly/4i1nwYF), the OIG hotline is not a primary crisis response line. If you are a veteran in crisis or know of someone who needs immediate support, contact the VA's Veterans Crisis Line or visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/. If you are a veteran in

crisis, contact the VA’s CRISIS HOTLINE at 988 and press 1 or dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or chat online or text 838255

The VA OIG mission

The OIG oversees the VA's programs and operations and is legally authorized to access all VA records. VA employees who contact the OIG hotline may provide the OIG with medical and other VA records without violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or other privacy laws.

However, such information should be transmitted securely by registered mail, encrypted or password-protected email provided by an OIG employee, or secure fax. VA employees should not send personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), or other VA-sensitive information using the OIG web forms.

The OIG hotline receives, screens, and determines the disposition of complaints concerning veterans or VA-related potentially unlawful activity or violations, such as fraud, waste, abuse, and gross mismanagement of VA programs.

The OIG has transitioned to web forms only for complaints submitted in electronic format; this change means that the OIG no longer accepts free-form email submissions except when OIG hotline staff specifically direct such submissions to ensure the secure transmission of protected information.

Helpful resources

The VA OIG Fraud Alert, dated Dec. 17, 2024, titled “Fraud Alert: Substance Use Disorder Treatment Scams,” https://bit.ly/4iKJ7pq, also has links to the following three helpful resources.

1 Locate a VA Substance Use Disorder Program: The

VA’s Fraud Alert: Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Scams has a link to the VA’s Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program webpage https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/SUD.asp. Veterans can click on a state’s initials to view all Specialized SUD Programs in that state. VA Medical Centers without a specific SUD Program do offer SUD Treatment. Contact your local VA Medical Center and ask for the Mental Health clinic. Go to the VA’s locations finder at https:// www.va.gov/directory/ guide/home.asp to find information on the facility and key staff within 1 969 VA facilities. Many vet centers and VA community-based Outpatient clinics also offer SUD treatment. Many vet centers and VA community-based Outpatient clinics also offer SUD treatment.

2 Locating (non-VA) treatment facilities for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories: To search for SUD treatment outside of the VA, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA's) treatment locator: https://bit.ly/4iKJsbG. Call the facility before your visit to ensure they provide the services needed. This site can be filtered by facility types, including 1) Substances Abuse, 2) Mental Health, 3) Health Care Centers, 4) Buprenorphine Practitioners, and 5) Opioid Treatment Programs.

3 Make the Connection -Veteran Stories of Help and Hope: This site is found at https://www.maketheconnection.net and includes 1)

Stories, Videos, and Podcasts that provide helpful information and local mental health resources; 2) Life events like the death of family and friends, homelessness, preparing for deployment, and more; 3) Signs and symptoms that make daily life difficult, like alcohol/ drug abuse, anger, chronic pain, confusion, eating problems, hopelessness, flashbacks, gambling, headaches, sleeplessness, and more; and 4) Mental health conditions like PTSD, Substance Abuse, Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety, Military Sexual Disorder effects, TBI effects, and more.

The bottom line

The VA OIG is still doing vital work under Acting VA IG David Case. If you suspect drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities or treatment centers are attempting to exploit veterans with substance use disorders (SUD) or other health conditions for profit through unethical and illegal practices, report it to the VA OIG.

The past inspectors general for the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and six other federal agency watchdogs fired by the President days after he took office have filed a lawsuit against the president and his administration to regain their jobs.

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164

LARRY DANDRIDGE

SERVICE DIRECTORY

ATTORNEY

Christopher J. Geier

Attorney at Law, LLC

Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

16 Professional Village Circle, Lady's Island Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450 chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING

Beaufort Audiology & Hearing Care

Monica Wiser, M.A. CCC-A Licensed Audiologist

38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007 Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You

The Beaufort Sound Hearing and Balance Center

Dr. Larry Bridge, AU.D./CCC-A 206 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 31, Beaufort thebeaufortsound@gmail.com www.thebeaufortsound.com | 843-522-0655

CLASSIFIEDS & GAMES

THURSDAY’S CARTOON

ANNOUNCEMENTS

If veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, ask for Happy Jack® animal healthcare products for cats, dogs, & horses. At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc.com)

DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS. Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Cars, Trucks and Vans. Fast Free Pickup – Running or Not – Tax Donation – Call (888) 515-3810

Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material – steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-855900-1261

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 833-2308692

We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-855-704-3381

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400 plus procedures. Real dental insurance – NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855397-7030 www.dental50plus.com/60

#6258

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-877-852-0368

AUCTIONS

ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561

HELP WANTED – DRIVERS

ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Prepare for power outages with Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect(TM) standby generators – the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty of 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-855-212-3281

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-7750366 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-875-2449

TELEVISION & INTERNET SERVICES

DIRECTV OVER INTERNET – Get your favorite live TV, sports and local channels. 99% signal reliability! CHOICE Package, $84 99/mo for 12 months. HBO Max and Premium Channels included for 3 mos (w/ CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-855-237-9741

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84 99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-844-624-1107

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80 000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-877-542-0759

VACATION RENTALS ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 1 5 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561

YOUR AD HERE

Looking to advertise your business, announce a yard sale, or share other classifieds? Contact Amanda Hanna today at amanda@lcweekly.com to secure your spot and get your ad featured in our upcoming issue!

Who Is Jesus?

Jesus asks the apostles who they say that he is.

As the apostles journeyed with Jesus through the countryside, he asked them, “Who do people say that I am?” They answered that some say that Jesus is John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the other prophets who has come back to life. Then he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:16)

This is the question we each must answer.

Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” By saying that Jesus is the Christ, Peter means that Jesus is the messiah, the savior for whom many Jewish people had long hoped. By saying that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, Peter affirms that Jesus is not an ordinary human being, but somehow God.

If Jesus is not a lunatic nor a liar, he is Lord.

The four Gospels are reliable biographies of Jesus of Nazareth. As we read the Gospels, we can slowly come to the same realization about the identity of Jesus. We perceive that he possesses great clarity of mind and that he is a man of truth. Looking at the evidence, it becomes clear that we cannot dismiss him as either a lunatic or a liar.

The only logical option that remains is that Jesus is actually who he claimed to be: he is God.

This is the explanation that best fits all the evidence. When we understand that Jesus is God, everything about the Gospels clicks into place. He spoke and acted as if he were God because, as unthinkable as it is, this was actually the case! Jesus could teach as no one else has ever taught, for he was our creator revealing himself to us. Jesus could work miracles, because he created the laws of nature. Jesus cared for the poor and those considered unimportant, because this is how God loves. On the cross we recognize God giving himself for his people in a perfect act of love, and on Easter morning we recognize God triumphing victoriously over death by rising from the dead.

This is why Jesus changed the course of history.

The apostles left everything and went throughout the world to share the good news of Jesus: he is risen, and he is Lord! For the last two thousand years, Jesus has captivated the minds and hearts of those who seek to know him. No single person has changed human history more than Jesus. It is because Jesus is not merely a wise teacher, but the God who created each of us and entered the world so that we may know him.

Who do you say that Jesus is?

If we are intellectually honest, we cannot be satisfied by simply saying about Jesus, “He was a great moral teacher.” Jesus did not leave this possibility open to us. If he was lying or was a fool, then he is not a great moral teacher. If he was telling the truth, then he is more than just a great teacher: he is our Lord and our God, and our lives can never be the same.