March 4 edition

NEWS: ‘Last call’ returns to its normal time for many Beaufort bars. PAGE A4

MARCH 4–10, 2021

WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM

COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY

McFee wins special election Claims final seat on Beaufort city council

By Mike McCombs Longtime city councilman Mike McFee won Monday’s special election for the final open seat on Beaufort’s City Council.

In unofficial results, McFee got Mike 684 votes McFee (65.45 percent) of the 1,045 votes cast in the race for the seat, vacated by Stephen Murray when he was elected mayor in November.

Middle school principal Brantley Wilson second with 199 votes (19.04 percent), and retired Coast Guard Com- Brantley mander Fred Wilson White was third with 156 votes (14.93 percent).

McFee previously served from 2008 to 2020 on Beaufort City Council before finishing third by less than a percent in November’s Fred race for two White open seats.

The City of Beaufort Municipal Election Commission will meet at 10 a.m.

Thursday, March 4 at the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County to certify election.

McFee will be sworn in on March 9. The seat’s term will expire in December of 2022.

Indecent Conduct Former firefighter’s checkered past went unchecked for years before joining fire district

How did Brandon Thomsen – with a history of reckless, violent behavior, runins with law enforcement and a previous connection to another case involving sexual assault of a minor – land a job in the public trust?

The former Beaufort County firefighter was found and arrested in a Georgia hospital in December after fleeing the area.

It wasn’t the first time Thomsen tried to run from the law or evade accountability.

Thomsen, 47, has a history of run-ins

with local law enforcement and reckless and violent behavior, according to police reports, court records and other public documents.

What’s more, he has decade-old connection to another case involving

SEE CONDUCT PAGE A6

By Mindy Lucas When Brandon Thomsen made his first court appearance recently since being arrested on charges of soliciting and sending obscene messages to a 13-year-old girl, Thomsen’s checkered past wasn’t part of the discussion, but perhaps it should have been.

Winds of change blow hard on Hunting Island

Weatherford fired as manager of popular state park

By Mike McCombs Beaufort residents have gotten used to change, as it pertains to one of the area’s crown jewels – Hunting Island State Park.

The wind and water have changed the island drastically over the past two decades. But here’s a change that patrons of one of South Carolina’s most important state parks may not have been expecting.

Hunting Island State Park Manager J.W. Weatherford was fired

Wednesday, Feb. 24.

When reached by phone Sunday, Weatherford confirmed he was no longer employed by the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT). He declined further comment except to call his firing a “surprise.”

“We cannot discuss confidential personnel information,” SCPRT Director of Corporate Communications Sam Queen said in an email Monday afternoon. “I can confirm that Assistant Park Manager Austin Mitchum is temporarily filling (the Park Manager) role, with support from Region Chief Gerald Ives.”

It isn’t clear what the timetable is for replacing Weatherford or if Mitchum is a candidate for the position. The job is currently posted on careers.sc.gov.

A Gaffney native, Weatherford graduated from North Greenville University with a degree in American Studies, according to his S.C. State Park Service profile. After embarking on a 13-year career journey through Croft, Sesquicentennial, Huntington Beach and Lake Wateree state parks, Weatherford took the job as Park Manager at Hunting Island State Park in 2017.

SEE CHANGE PAGE A2

J.W. Weatherford, center, was fired last week as Park Manager of Hunting Island State Park. Photo by Bob Sofaly.

NEWS

SPORTS

INSIDE

Solicitor’s Office collects essential items for CAPA.

After a 15-year hiatus, baseball is back at Beaufort Academy.

PAGE A5

PAGE A8

Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–6 Legals A5 Health A7 Sports A8 Education A8

Voices Military Directory Classifieds Games Cartoon

A9 A9 A10 A11 A11 A11

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ISLAND NEWS PUBLISHING, LLC

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

PUBLISHERS

Jeff & Margaret Evans

FOUNDING PUBLISHERS Elizabeth Harding Newberry Kim Harding

EDITORIAL/DESIGN Editor-in-Chief Mike McCombs theislandnews@ gmail.com

Art Director Hope Falls

ads.theislandnews@ gmail.com

Sports Editor

Justin Jarrett LowcoSports@ gmail.com

Beaufort Reporter Mindy Lucas

mindy@ yourislandnews.com

SALES/BUSINESS Marketing Director

Amanda Hanna

amanda@lcweekly.com

Advertising Sales Betty Davis

Rev. Kenneth Hodges, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church on Craven Street, re-positions the flowers at the Memorial of S.C. statesman Robert Smalls on Monday morning, Feb. 23, after they were blown over by wind. Rev. Hodges said the flowers are placed at Smalls’ monument each year on the anniversary of his death. Smalls, an escaped slave and Civil War hero, was elected to U.S. Congress as a Republican in 1867. He died Feb. 23, 1915 at the age of 75 and is buried on church grounds. Photo by Bob Sofaly. 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.

Dog of the Week: Haxby would be perfect for an active and adventurous family. This sweet boy came back to us recently and longs to be in a home again. He would also thrive in a home with another dog. Haxby is neutered, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

If you are interested in Dutchess, Haxby or any of our other pets, call our adoption center at 843-645-1725 or email us at info@ palmettoanimalleague. org to set up an appointment.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK J. TOM COLLIER Beaufort’s J. Tom Collier, 101, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1940 in Eastover, S.C. He served in World War II in the Pacific, escaping from a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines in a homemade raft

and ending up in Australia.

Collier also served in Korea, making the landings at Inchon on Sept. 15, 1950 and fighting at the Chosin Reservoir. Later he was a Drill Instructor at Parris Island and a recruiter. He

Please count me as one who really appreciates this kind of coverage. We hope you will continue to seek good information that retired people in Beaufort need and print it in The Island News.

– Penny Howk, Beaufort

Change from page A1

At Hunting Island State Park, according to his profile, Weatherford managed “everything from retail operations to interpretation

A2

MARCH 4–10, 2021

retired in 1964 as a Sergeant Major.

– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9.

For nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.

In plain English!

I just read the article by Larry Dandridge on

how to get a Veterans’ Identification Card and Veterans’ designation on Driver’s Licenses. A plain English tutorial on how to do it without all the hype that is so prevalent in government publications. He is to the point and covers all the bases.

– Mike Hadbavny, Charleston Hadbavny is the president of Chapter 780 of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR MARCH 4-10

March 8 – Beaufort County Council Caucus, 5 p.m., watch on The County Channel March 8 – Beaufort County Council Regular Session, 6 p.m., watch on The County Channel March 9 – Beaufort City Council

April Ackerman

april@ aandbbookkeeping.com

Web Design

Ginger Wareham

ginger@picklejuice.com

843-641-9478

CONTACT US PO Box 550 Beaufort, SC 29901 www.YourIslandNews.com facebook.com/TheIslandNews

DEADLINE

Press releases & advertising – noon on Friday for the next week’s paper.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I wanted you to know how helpful the Veterans articles have been for my husband and me. We have received a great deal of instruction from them that we never would have had so easily. How nice that you save space for information that will be helpful to the many ex-military folks who live in Beaufort County.

Accounting

Billing questions only.

Cat of the Week: Dutchess lives up to her name, and she would love a home in which to rule. She will play catch with our staff, especially if the toy has catnip. She does not mind other cats but would take some time to warm up.

She is spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

Thank you for Veterans articles

843-252-9076

843-575-1816

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

J. Tom Collier

betty.islandnews@ gmail.com

Work Session, 5 p.m., Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., watch city’s Facebook page or via Zoom March 10 – Lady’s Island/ St. Helena Fire District Commission, 10 a.m., 146 Lady’s Island Drive, St. Helena Island

March 10 – Beaufort County Stormwater Management Utility Board, 2 p.m., watch on The County Channel March 10 – Beaufort County Public Library Board, 4 p.m., watch on The County Channel

March 10 – City of Beaufort’s Historic District Review Board Meeting, 2 – 5 p.m., watch city’s Facebook page or via Zoom Meetings are updated as of press time and do not reflect any last minute cancellations.

and education.”

He was in charge of a popular beach destination, the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina, an excellent coastal trail system, an important sea turtle nesting sight and, most recently, he was responsible for readying St. Phillips Island for

public tours. The remote 4,600acre island, was acquired by the state of South Carolina from media mogul Ted Turner not long after Weatherford came to Hunting Island.

But even without the addition of St. Phillips, Hunting Island is prize enough. More than one mil-

lion people visit the park each year. And it’s rumored Hunting Island State Park pays the bills for the rest of South Carolina’s state parks.

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

DISCLAIMER

All content of The Island News, including articles, photos, editorial content, letters, art and advertisements, are copyrighted by The Island News and Island News Publishing, LLC, 2020, all rights reserved. The Island News encourages reader submissions via email to theislandnews@gmail.com. All content submitted is considered approved for publication by the owner unless otherwise stated. The Island News is designed to inform and entertain readers and all efforts for accuracy are made. Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Island News, its publisher or editors. Content published from Care Magazine® is intended as a reference and options source only, not as a guide to self-treatment or substitute for profession medical advice. It is provided for educational purpose only. Readers assume full responsibility for how this information is used. The Island News reserves the right to refuse to sell advertising space, or to publish information, for any business or activity the newspaper deems inappropriate for the publication.

Letters to the Editor should consist of fewer than 275 words and be emailed with a name and contact information to TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

Thank You

TO OUR SPONSORS FOR BEING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE

2021 VIRTUAL VALENTINE BALL PREMIER

SUPPORTING

CHERUB Beaufort Medical Imaging

Kinghorn Insurance of Beaufort

DREAMBOAT Charleston Pathology P.A. Dominion Energy

Howell, Gibson & Hughes, P.A. Lowcountry Legacy Law Firm LLC

TD Bank

HEARTTHROB Beaufort Kratom Dick and Kathy Bradbury Brunson Construction, Inc. Charleston ENT & Allergy, Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head

Stephen and Susan Meyer Meredith and Joe Oliver Kathy and Steve Parks Raymond James/Tumlin Levin Sumner Bruce

Laura and Mark Furgeson Mr. Hugh Gouldthorpe and Mrs. Nelle Pender LS3P Associates, Ltd.

LOVEBIRD Alpha Graphics Andrews Engineering Co. Inc. Athena Marble Coppage Law Firm

Southern States Imaging, Inc. True North Custom Klaas and Bettie Van Esselstyn

David and Jan House Dr. John and Mrs. Pam Newman Josie and Bill Paddock SCP Wellness Works

SWEETHEART John and Ann Ballantyne J. Frank and Lucy Bell Mr. William Davidson and Ms. Charlsie Cantey Dr. and Mrs. Gene Grace Jan and Michael Gonzalez Gail and Bill Himmelsbach Brian and Regina Hoffman

Dr. James Hoffman and Dr. Karen Zabrensky Mr. Hampton Long and Dr. Jessica Rockwell-Long Lynn & Wheeler CPAs, PA McWaters Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mock Mr. and Mrs. W. Parker Moore

One Blood Karen M. Peluso Mark and Susie Rovnak Greg and Debbie Schuchmann Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Smalheiser Southern Tree Services of Beaufort Inc. Kim and Robert Trask Mr. and Mrs. Roberts Vaux

CUPID Dr. and Mrs. Kurt M. Gambla Dr. Ann Widener Gribb and Mr. John Gribb Hargray Dr. and Mrs. H. Kevin Jones Kevin and Kathryn Klingler Mr. and Mrs. Michael Long

Atlantic Asphalt Rich and Patty Branson Bright View Landscape Services Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Clark Delta Dental Dr. and Mrs. Michael C. Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Evec

Paul and Sue Mannheim Mr. and Mrs. John M. McCardell Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Rapaport Ribaut Medical Partners Saulisbury Business Machines, Inc. Katie and John Tashjian

ANGEL Andy and Elinor Borgert Tony and Pam Britton Carson Bruce and Tim Lovett Tom and Betsy Garrett Dr. and Mrs. Michael G. Hueber David and Annette Jussaume Levin, Gilley, Fisher & Reid, LLC

Vicki and Steve Mix Mock Plumbing Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Olsen Rob Petitgout and Melissa Venable Fran and Gray Sanders Sharon and Ross Sanders Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schaefer

VOLUNTEERS Geneva Baxley Kristen Bendle Lex Bomar Tony Britton Carolyn Evec Amy Geier Josh Gibson Katherine Hefner Nathalie Howell Katie Huebel Jimmy McDuff

Whitney McDuff Pennie Mead Meghan Meehan Meredith Oliver Chris Pettit Annie Powell Ty Reichel Kate Schaefer Chilton Simmons Becky Sprecher

Ian and Rebecca Scott David and Nancy Tatum Tupper, Grimsley, Dean, & Canaday, P.A. Brian and Laura Urban Mr. and Mrs. Eugene M. Waldron Charles and Martha Lynn Webb

CO-CHAIRS Mr. Bill and Mrs. Josie Paddock Dr. Heath and Mrs. Chilton Simmons SPECIAL THANKS Corks on the Vine

MARCH 4–10, 2021

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NEWS

The Island News fares well again at SC Press awards

Reporter Lucas leads way with 4 1st-place awards

From staff reports For the second year in a row, The Island News fared well in the South Carolina Press Association’s yearly newspaper awards.

Led by three first-place awards by reporter Mindy Lucas, the newspaper won a total of 14 awards, topping its previous high, 11, set just last year.

“Margaret and I would like to recognize the professionalism, skill, and dedication of everyone associated with The Island News and the quality of the newspaper they produce on a weekly basis,” Publisher

Jeff Evans said.

“We’re thrilled for their awards from the SCPA and proud to be associated with them all.”

Mindy The SCPA, Lucas which normally holds its yearly meeting and awards ceremony in March, hopes to hold an in-person event – if it’s safe – in the fall.

As a result of COVID-19, last year’s annual meeting and awards ceremony, originally set for March, was held virtually in September. Aside for the years during the Civil War and the Great Depression, the SCPA had offered an in-person gathering every year since 1852.

The Island News won nine first-place awards this year and 25 awards over the past two years, only one fewer than the total for the first nine years after The Island News began entering the SCPA contests (2011).

“I am ecstatic that the majority of this year’s awards were for our writing and proud of our small bunch of talented journalists,” Editor-in-Chief Mike McCombs said.

Lucas had three first-place awards in Health Beat Reporting, Enterprise Reporting (Who is The International Ecotourism Society?) and Arts and Entertainment Writing (A Songwriter's second act).

She also won a third-place

award for Business Beat Reporting.

Columnist Scott Graber won first place in Column Writing (I may have tried to steer Alex Haley wrong; A lot of life has happened on our deck; I will never believe they were ‘losers’), Scott as well as first Graber place for Series of Articles (Looking back on the tragedy of April 12, 1978; Facts of Gardner case twice lead to death sentence; We all played our roles but outcome was already decided) for his look back at a 1978 death penalty trial held – not once, but twice – in Beaufort.

Sports Editor Justin Jarrett won a firstplace award in Sports Feature Story (Running a lifeJustin time thing for Jarrett Moore) for his story about 12-year-old runner Gavin Moore.

McCombs won first place in Spot Sports Story (Beaufort River Swim + 5K a success despite Covid-19) for a piece on the Beaufort River Swim. He Mike also won third McCombs place in Column Writing (Parris Island

is the elephant in the room; Takin’ it to the streets; County Council’s tantrum sends wrong message) and third place in News Headline Writing (Takin’ it to the streets; Minimum force, maximum control; The other side of the pillow: Beaufort company shifts gears to make masks).

Bob Sofaly won a first place award Bob Pictorial, an Sofaly award that comes from all weeklies. He also swept all three spots in Sports Action Photo.

The complete list of winners is available at https://scpress.org/news-contest/.

‘Last call’ returns to its normal time for many Beaufort bars

By Mike McCombs As COVID-19 safety measures related to the sale of alcohol and mass gatherings came to an end Monday, March 1, several Beaufort bars and those that frequent them took advantage of the return to normalcy There was a steady stream of customers inside Hemingway’s on the Beaufort waterfront, though it was far from crowded. Several patrons could be heard exclaiming how strange it felt to be in a bar as the clock approached midnight after months of early last calls.

“I know it’s not what’s best for their tip jar, but this is really just about perfect,” one female Hemingway’s customer said, referring to the

smaller crowds.

Hemingway’s joined Crybabies Tavern and Rosie O’Grady’s among the establishments immediately returning to late-night hours.

On Sunday, when asked what the return to normal hours meant for her business, Hemingway’s owner Kanani Robinson called it “huge,” saying the late hours account for somewhere between 30 and 40 percent of her regular business.

It may be huge for business, but is it safe.

South Carolina’s COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death rates are all improving and have reached the pre-surge levels of this past November. But November levels were still

significantly higher than levels last summer.

It’s better in S.C. now that it has been for the previous three months, but it’s still far worse that it was for the first nine months of the pandemic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only three states – New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island – have higher rates of new cases per capita.

Still, in addition to relaxing the rules for serving alcohol, South Carolina Department of Commerce approval for events involving more than 250 people will no longer be required.

“With the spread of the virus consistently decreasing across the country and more of the most vulnerable South

Customers enjoy themselves Monday night at Hemingway’s in Beaufort as the clock nears midnight. Photo by Mike McCombs.

Carolinians being vaccinated every day, I believe these targeted and limited safety measures are no longer nec-

SPRING TIME AT SANDS

David Stewart, left, and Joan Schillhammer chat with their friends Jill and James LeMay on Sunday at The Sands Beach in Port Royal.

Stewart and Schillhammer live in Vermont but are wintering in Port Royal with the LeMays and took advantage of the perfect spring-like weather on the final day of February. Photo by Bob Sofaly.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

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 unionchurch1004@gmail. com or call 843-524-4333.

writers workshop led by Emily Davis-Fletcher and June Labyzon.

Cost is $120. Limited to 15 participants. To register or for more information, visit https://bit.ly/3plax8I.

ing, visit mayeriverquiltguild.com.

For additional meeting dates and times, and for membership forms to join the group, visit the website or call 843-530-1244.

Girl Scouts Troop 4105 Drive-Thru Cookie Booth Sale

18th annual St. Paddy’s Golf Tournament

Noon to 4 p.m., March 6-7 and 13-14, The Green at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, St. Helena Island.

Masks are required and social distancing will be enforced. For more information, call 843-476-9077 or visit girlscout4105@yahoo.com.

Love Across the Pages: Writing Poems of Love Maye River Quilters and Desire Guild meeting 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 10.

Pat Conroy Literary Center online

A4

MARCH 4–10, 2021

10 a.m., Saturday, March 6 via Zoom. To get the link for the meet-

Saturday, March 13, Ocean Creek Golf Course, Fripp Island. Registration is at 9 a.m. with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. The format is Captain’s Choice. All proceeds support the nonprofit Beaufort Water Search and Rescue and Fripp Island Sea Rescue, which provide 24-hoursa-day, seven-days-a-week marine search and rescue, boater emergency and boater assistance in the waters around Beaufort 365 days a year. Cost is $75 per player and in-

essary,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in a press release.

“The virus is still among us and we all must continue to

make responsible decisions to take care of ourselves and our loved ones, but those decisions are for South Carolinians to make.”

For information about how COVID-19 continues to impact South Carolinians, and the 30-day trends for “key indicators” visit SCDHEC’s website here.

According to the Governor’s release, “South Carolinians are still strongly encouraged to take appropriate safety precautions, including practicing social distancing and wearing face coverings when social distancing is not possible.”

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

Mossy Oaks news remains positive as finish nears From staff reports The weather has turned good to match the news in this week’s Mossy Oaks Project update.

According to Mossy Oaks Multijurisdictional Drainage Task Force Chair Neal Pugliese, Col. USMC, Ret., the finish line is near and the project remains on time and under budget.

Basin 1 As stated last week, the drainage project in Basin I is substantially complete and the entire system is working precisely as designed. This week, minor but supporting drainage was improved on Battery Creek Road and Coates Lane.

Further, a sewage system was repaired along Battery Creek Road.

Next week, finishing work will be done in the vicinity of the Duck Pond, and in the near future, finishing work will be completed in the ditch between North Royal Oaks and Battery Creek Road.

Lastly, preparations will be made for final road-paving in selected areas.

Basin 2 Work in Basin II is nearly complete. This week the temporary coffer dam was removed. In the following weeks, the newly installed tidal flap gates will be calibrated and the Spanish Moss Trail will be restored for the full enjoyment of our residents and visitors.

Safety!

Another perfect week of safety.

Dominion Energy is substantially complete with pruning operations, but crews will be in the area for the next few weeks completing punch list items and detail work. Dominion will have heavy machinery and trucks in the area.

Stay informed Those affected or interested in the Mossy Oaks Project should register with the “Notify Me” application found on the City of Beaufort website (https://www. cityofbeaufort.org/list.aspx) and subscribe to the Mossy Oaks Stormwater Project updates.

cludes tournament fee, cart, range balls, prizes and lunch.. To register a team, you must get the name of four players – along with their email addresses, handicaps and phone numbers – to Bob Bicknell at 364 Wahoo, Fripp Island, S.C. 29920.

Checks are to be made payable to Fripp Island Sea Rescue. The tournament is limited to the first 28 paid 4-player teams and will be closed when that number is reached. For more information, contact Bicknell at 845-521-4489 or frippislandsearescue@gmail.com.

er Bacon and Amelia Brown. Cost is $45. Llimited to 15 participants. To register or for more information, visit https://bit.ly/3plax8I.

Caves and Cathedrals: Writing a Novel in Dark and Daylight

6 p.m. Wednesday, April 14. Pat Conroy Literary Center online writers workshop led by Elizabeth Robin. Cost is $45. Limited to 15 participants. To register or for more information, visit https://bit. ly/3plax8I.

6 p.m., Thursday, March 25. Pat Conroy Literary Center online writers workshop led by Amber Wheel-

Hands-on Linked Haiku

6 p.m., Wednesday, April 7. Pat Conroy Literary Center online writers workshop led by Miho Kinnas.

Cost is $45. Limited to 15 participants. To register or for more information, visit https://bit.ly/3plax8I.

Writing as Healing

NEWS

Man killed, two wounded in Lady’s Island shooting

By Mike McCombs Adam Todd Saeed, 23, of Roswell, Ga., was killed Sunday night on Lady’s Island as a result of apparent gunshot wounds, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Two other adults were

wounded in the shooting – one was treated and released from Beaufort Memorial Hospital, and as of press time, the other is in stable condition but remains hospitalized.

At around 8 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 28, deputies responded

to a report of multiple gunshot victims at a residence on Stevic Court. There they found Saeed and the two surviving victims.

The shooter or shooters had fled the scene prior to the arrival of deputies. According to the Beaufort County Sher-

iff’s Office, there does not appear to be a threat to the general public.

Sheriff's Office investigators and the Crime Scene Unit interviewed witnesses and processed the scene for forensic evidence. As of press time, a fo-

rensic autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday, March 2 at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Anyone who has information related to the shooting is asked to contact Cpl. Dario Sosa at 843-255-3435 or – in

SC moves to Phase 1b of COVID-19 plan

From staff reports Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced Tuesday, March 2, South Carolina will advance to Phase 1b of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan beginning Monday, March 8.

South Carolina’s phased approach to its COVID-19 vaccine rollout recognizes the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 increases with age, and people with certain medical conditions and occupations are at higher risk of exposure to the virus. Because of this, South Carolina will continue to move phase by phase, based on risk level, with the goal of vaccinating every South Carolinian who wants to receive a vaccine by this summer.

Beginning March 8, appointments to get the

COVID-19 vaccine can be made by people in the following groups: • Anyone aged 55 and up; • People with increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease; • People aged 16-64 with one or more of the following high-risk medical conditions: Cancer (current, not a history of cancer), chronic kidney disease (any stage), chronic lung disease, diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), Down syndrome, heart disease (congestive heart disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension), HIV/AIDS, solid organ transplant, obesity (BMI >30), pregnancy, sickle cell disease; • People who have a developmental or other severe high-risk disability that makes developing severe

life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection more likely; • Frontline workers with increased occupational risk Frontline workers with increased occupational risk are people who: Must be in-person at their place of work, and perform a job that puts them at increased risk of exposure due to their frequent, close (less than 6 feet) and ongoing (more than 15 minutes) contact with others in the work environment. Examples of frontline workers include, but are not limited to, school staff and daycare workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, law enforcement officers, etc.; • Individuals at increased risk in settings where people are living and working in close contact;

• Residents and workers in group home settings for the mentally or physically disabled or those with behavioral or substance abuse conditions; • Workers and residents in homeless shelters; • Workers and residents in community training homes; • State and local correctional facility staff with direct inmate contact; • Correctional and immigration detention facility inmates; • Migrant farmworkers living in shared housing or reliant on shared transportation • All workers in healthcare and community health settings who have routine, direct patient contact and were not vaccinated in Phase 1a.

Public health officials estimate it will take 70 to 80

percent of the population getting vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity and stop COVID-19.

Based on current vaccine supply levels, DHEC anticipates Phase 1c will begin on approximately April 12, 2021. The phase will include: • People aged 45 and up; • Essential workers – This group includes those who work in essential job categories as defined by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) who are not included in Phase 1b because they do not have frequent, close contact with others in the work environment (examples may include construction workers, delivery drivers, utility workers, etc. who do not have frequent, close and ongoing contact with others).

Solicitor’s Office collects essential items for CAPA

From staff reports A carload of essential items was donated this week to the area’s only home for abused and neglected children, thanks to a community partnership between the Child Abuse Prevention Association, the 14th Circuit Victims Services Center and a Solicitor’s Office program.

The 14th Circuit Victims Services Center and the Pre-Trial Intervention program donated toiletries, healthy snacks, school supplies, and clothing to CAPA and the Open Arms Children’s Home, which primarily serves children ages 12 and older who have been removed from an abusive or neglectful situation.

“Our need for the essentials hasn’t stopped; if anything, it is greater,” CAPA

Executive Director Christina Wilson said. “While the pandemic has staunched our ability to fundraise in a traditional manner, we have seen the community’s support come through in different ways.”

Enter the Victims Services Center and the Solicitor’s Office Pretrial Intervention program. Donations of essential items by PTI participants helped them meet a community-service requirement. Such opportunities for service have grown more scarce during the pandemic.

The Victims Services Center is a community initiative launched by the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and its partners, to include CAPA. It brings together a team of professionals to help victims of domestic vi-

olence, sexual assault, child and elder abuse, and other crimes against vulnerable populations within the 14th Judicial Circuit. The center aims to reduce the number of times victims must tell their story and the number of places victims must go for help.

“The success of the VSC has been in-large part due to partners like CAPA coming together to provide services that are critical to helping victims,” 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone said. “It just makes sense to support CAPA in its mission to end child abuse and neglect.”

To learn more about the VSC and its community partners, visit https://scsolicitor14.org/victim services-center/. To donate, visit capabeaufort.org.

From left to right, Shannon Horton and Ashley Collins of the 14th Circuit Pre-Trial Intervention program, Director of Victim Services Michelle Fraser, and forensic nurse Heather Dollar gather Wednesday in the 14th Circuit Victims Services Center with a donation of essential items headed to the Child Abuse Prevention Association in Beaufort. Items were collected through the Solicitor’s Office Pre-Trial Intervention Program and the Victims Services Center. Submitted photo.

BJWSA asking customers to avoid stagger usage

From staff reports As it did in 2020, Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) is employing a voluntary irrigation program this spring to alleviate usage during peak hours and ensure public safety.

This move comes as the tourist and growing season puts higher demands on water supply during peak hours. These high demands can result in reduced water pressure in the distribution

system and low levels in water storage tanks, both of which adversely affect the performances of fire hydrants and other fire suppression facilities.

Customers with even-numbered addresses are asked to irrigate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from midnight to 2 a.m. or from 9 a.m. to noon.

Those with odd-numbered addresses are asked to irrigate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

LEGAL NOTICES Sailboat

To all persons claiming an interest in: 1981 Catalina 25 sailboat Hull #CTYK2555M81K last known owner, Kyle Bailey, Please Contact Safe Harbor Beaufort at 843-524-4422 within 30 days or this item will be sold at public sale.

Upon 30 days after the date of the last advertisement, if no claim of interest is made and the watercraft has not been reported stolen, then the SCDNR shall issue clear title.

NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND INTENT TO SELL Name and Address of Owner(s): BRIAN K. ANDERSON PO BOX 540 ARNOLD MARYLAND 21012-0540 MARYJO A. CHAMBERLAIN PO BOX 540 ARNOLD MARYLAND 21012-0540 Donald R. Brown 12901 Rock Springs Lane Huntley IL 60142 Contract Number: 6072538; the following described property: An undivided one fifty-first (1/51) fractional interest in Unit No. 8635, respectively, Grande Ocean Resort Horizontal Property Regime, lying situate and being on Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina, and being

more particularly shown and described by reference to the Master Deed, establishing the said Horizontal Property Regime, being dated May 25, 1993, and recorded in the Office of the Register of Mesne Conveyances for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on June 3, 1993 in Deed Book 626 at Page 2446; as amended by the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Amendments to Master Deed recorded in said Office, on July 2, 1993 in Deed Book 635 at Page 39; on August 26, 1993 in Deed Book 647 at Page 651; on May 23, 1994 in Deed Book 706 at Page 639; on December 14, 1995 in Deed Book 822 at Page 1007, and on January 21, 1997 in Deed Book 916 at Page 603, respectively, as may be further amended from time to time, and by reference to that certain plat entitled “As­Built Survey of Grande Ocean Resort Horizontal Property Regime” said plat prepared by Terry G. Hatchell, S.C.R.L.S. #11059 of Surveying Consultants, said plat being dated May 27, 1993, and recorded in the Office of the Register of Mesne Conveyances for Beaufort County, South Carolina, in Plat Book 46 at Page 102, said plat bearing last revision date January 7, 1997 and recorded in said Office in Plat Book 59 at Page 58, ae may be further revised from time

Mondays are reserved as “no irrigation days” to accommodate for the very high water demands that are typically experienced specifically on Mondays.

The guidelines were developed in cooperation with Clemson Extension Service in order to ensure that lawns are being watered at appropriate times for health and growth.

Director of Field Operations Andy Mattie said, “Collaboration with the Clemson

University Extension Service helped us develop a plan to strike a balance between the irrigating needs of our local landscapes and the operational needs of our water system. We encourage customers to implement these new irrigation usage times, which allows our water storage tanks to fill and also smooths out peak daily water usage demands that put significant strains on the water system.”

Customers are also encouraged, at planting time,

to avoid landscaping on hydrants and meters, as they impede the use of these important pieces of infrastructure and fire suppression.

Additionally, BJWSA customers may track their usage with the Eye on Water app, and may sign up at www. eyeonwater.com/signin.

For more information, go to https://bjwsa.org/ water-use/ or call 843-9879200. The mission of BJWSA is to inspire trust and enhance public health.

to time.

AND ALSO, all of the rights, privileges, easements, and common areas appertaining to the above-described property as set forth in the Master Deed and By-Laws of Grande Ocean Resort Horizontal Property Regime.

AND ALSO, all right, title, interest and privileges extending to Timesharing Interest Numbers(s) 9635-G-22; in each of the respective aforedescribed Units, as contained in that certain Time Sharing Declaration dated May 25, 1993, recorded in the office of the Register of Mesne Conveyances for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on June 3, 1993, in Deed Book 626 at Page 2533, and amended by that certain Supplement to Time Sharing Declaration, dated December 12, 1995 and recorded in said Office on December 14, 1995 in Deed Book 822 at Page 1035, as may be further revised from time to time.

MARRIOTT OWNERSHIP RESORTS INC. recorded in the Registrar of Deeds, Beaufort County, South Carolina on June 3, 1993 in Deed Book 626 at Page 2446, the lienholder has chosen to proceed with a non-judicial foreclosure procedure in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 32 of Title 27 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina.

If you fail to cure the default or take other appropriate action with regard to this matter within thirty calendar days after the date of this notice, you will risk losing your interest in this timeshare estate through a nonjudicial foreclosure procedure. However, under the nonjudicial procedure, you will not be subject to a deficiency judgment or personal liability for the lien being foreclosed even if the sale of your timeshare estate resulting from the nonjudicial foreclosure is insufficient to satisfy the amount of the lien being foreclosed. You may object to the sale of your timeshare estate through the nonjudicial foreclosure procedure and require foreclosure of your timeshare interest to proceed through the judicial process. An objection must be made in writing and received by the trustee before the end of the thirty-day time period. You must state the reason for your objection and include your

address on the written objection. In a judicial foreclosure proceeding that results from your objection, you may be subject to a deficiency judgment and personal liability for the lien being foreclosed if the sale of your timeshare estate resulting from the judicial foreclosure is insufficient to satisfy the amount of the lien being foreclosed. Furthermore, you also may be subject to a personal money judgment for the costs and attorney’s fees incurred by the lien holder in the judicial foreclosure proceeding if the court finds that there is a complete absence of a justifiable issue of either law or fact raised by your objections or defenses.

You have the right to cure your default at any time before the sale of your timeshare estate by payment of all past due loan payments or assessments, accrued interest, late fees, taxes, and all fees and costs incurred by the lien holder and trustee, including attorney’s fees and costs, in connection with the default.

Any response or inquiry should be made in writing to Daniel C. Zickefoose, who is serving as trustee in this matter, at the following address: Eck, Collins & Richardson, P.L. 4000 Faber Place Drive, Suite 300 North Charleston, SC 29405

Lien Book and Page 108/778 ; Total Amount Presently Delinquent, not including attorney’s fees: $17336.06.

You are currently in default under certain provisions of the Master Deed Establishing Grande Ocean Resort Horizontal Property Regime, Beaufort County, South Carolina by

order to remain anonymous or claim any reward – Crimestoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

Boat burns on Beaufort River Couple escapes flames with no injuries

By Mike McCombs Two boaters are safe, but their boat was a total loss after it burned on the water Sunday during a trip up the Beaufort River.

A little before noon, a couple from Bluffton were headed upriver toward Beaufort when an engine warning light came on as their 31-foot Sea Ray inboard/outboard off Parris Island, according to S.C. Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Dave Lucas.

The man opened the engine hatch and immediately saw smoke and flames. Lucas said the man deployed a fire extinguisher, but the fire was already too intense to put it out.

The couple jumped overboard and was picked up by a passing boater who took them to the Sands Boat Landing in Port Royal. Both occupants of the boat avoided injury.

An SCDNR officer interviewed the couple at the boat landing.

After the pair abandoned boat, the craft drifted into the marsh off Cane Island and grounded itself. According to Lucas, the boat burned up completely, leaving little else but the engine block.

Lucas said the boating accident investigation is essentially closed and noted that the fire is presumed to have been caused by a mechanical issue based on the interview with the operator.

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

KD Chapter hosts walk for CAPA From staff reports The Low Country Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter is hosting a Beach Walk t benefit CAPA starting at 10 a.m.

Saturday, March 20 at Coligny Beach Park on Hilton Head Island.

The Beach Walk will be followed by an optional, socially distant picnic at Lowcountry Celebration Park. The rain date is Sunday, March 21.

Can’t join the walk in person? Walk on your own anywhere before March 20 and send selfies to lowcountrykds@aol.com.

A minimum donation of $10 per person is suggested, and all donations will benefit CAPA (Child Abuse Prevention Association) of Beaufort.

Make checks to Lowcountry KD AC and send to Low Country SC Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter, ATTN: Jennifer Kaple, 301 Central Avenue, Suite 122, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. Or donate via Venmo to Jennifer-Kaple-SC1.

For more information, email kdjeanette@aol.com or visit lowcountry.kappadelta.org or FaceBook at Low Country, SC Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter.

MARCH 4–10, 2021

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NEWS

Conduct from page A1

the alleged sexual assault of another 13-year-old in Thomsen’s home.

All of which occurred before Thomsen was hired by the Burton Fire District in 2011 and prior to Thomsen’s 2018 encounter with Trey Pringle — who died after Thomsen was accused of employing a chokehold on the 26-year-old in an altercation involving police.

Now the question remains, how did Thomsen, with no previous experience as a firefighter or in public service, and with at least two criminal charges on his record prior to his hiring, manage to land a job as a firefighter in Beaufort County?

Recklessness, aggression and evasiveness Brandon Thomsen moved to the South Carolina Lowcountry from Colorado, in the year 2000. An electrician by training, Thomsen started his own electrical business and began working for himself, employment records show.

However, just two years after moving to town, Thomsen, then 28, and members of a group he is with, are involved in a physical altercation at the now-closed Cinelli’s Restaurant in Burton.

After members of the group take issue with their bar tab and begin cursing at the restaurant’s owners, a fight breaks out and Thomsen hits the man in the face and head, while his friends attack the man’s wife, a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office report states.

Thomsen is later picked up and arrested, but not before fleeing the restaurant on foot.

Found walking nearby by police, initially Thomsen denies being at the restaurant but is identified by the victims who are brought to where he is.

He is arrested for assault and battery and later pleads no contest in Beaufort Magistrate Court. It won’t be the last time Thomsen runs afoul of the law.

In fact, by the time he applies for a job with the Burton Fire District in 2010, he has wracked up more than a half dozen traffic violations and misdemeanors and paid hundreds of dollars in fines since moving to South Carolina.

A few charges such failing to wear a seat belt or disregarding a stop sign, are minor or less severe to be sure.

Others, less so.

In October of 2009, Thomsen is spotted staggering down Bay Street, in Beaufort, around 2 a.m. by several uniformed police officers on patrol.

Thomsen tosses a cigarette on the ground, walks between the officers nearly striking them as he tries to maintain his balance, and shouts in a “loud and obnoxious manner,” ‘Five O is here,’” according to a Beaufort police report from the time. Five O is slang for police.

Thomsen then begins to stagger away, but before he does, an officer tells him to stop. Thomsen says his father is a judge and he does not need to comply, the report states.

The officers ask for him to stop several more times as he continues to stagger farther away from them. When they catch up and detain Thomsen, they ask him about the cigarette. Thomsen denies tossing it on the ground, saying “I do not believe I did.”

He is charged for public drunkenness and littering and taken into custody.

In October of 2010, a year after the Bay Street incident and within days of applying for a job with the Burton Fire

A6

MARCH 4–10, 2021

District, Thomsen is charged with reckless driving.

He pleads guilty in Beaufort’s Municipal Court and is fined $445, according to court records.

The following year, in 2011, after only a couple of months on the job with the district, Thomsen is warned by Port Royal police to “watch his speed.” A resident has complained that Thomsen was driving at a “high rate of speed” near Port Royal Elementary School and peeled off after restarting his car near the school, according to an incident report from the time.

And Thomsen’s violations aren’t limited to the roads and streets of Beaufort County.

In 2009, he is charged with a violation in a no-wake zone, a charge which can include anything from going too fast on a waterway, to obstructing or interfering with navigational markers. He is charged again in 2019 with a similar charge of “obstruction of waters or marking system so as to endanger operation of watercraft/ no wake zone violation.” In both incidents he is fined $105, Beaufort County court records show.

Despite these documented charges for drunkenness, violence and reckless driving, Thomsen is sent by the fire district to South Carolina’s fire fighter candidate school in February of 2011.

There he receives training in the operation of emergency vehicles, handling of equipment and hazardous materials and other such courses needed to become a registered firefighter with the state of South Carolina.

More serious allegations While Thomsen’s traffic violations and run-ins with members of law enforcement begin to taper off toward his hiring, they don’t completely disappear. What’s more, new, more serious allegations begin to crop up as well.

In October of 2010, only weeks before Thomsen applies for a job with the fire district, he is linked to an investigation involving the alleged sexual assault of a minor in Port Royal.

According to a report filed by the Port Royal Police Department, police launch an investigation after the mother of a 13-year-old girl notifies them that her daughter has been sexually assaulted by four boys in Thomsen’s home.

Thomsen, according to the report, was with the girl’s mother at her home nearby at the time of the incident.

Earlier in the day, the three had gone to the Port Royal Farmer’s Market and Thomsen had told the girl she could take the golf cart out for a ride when they got back.

Around noon, the girl stops

by Thomsen’s home to pick up the cart. After that she checks in frequently with her mother, the report states.

Sometime later, Thomsen calls the girl’s mother on the 13-year-old’s phone and asks if she can go with him to have his phone repaired so that he can have access to her phone.

The girl’s mother OKs their trip to the store, and waves to them as they drive past her house, the report states.

After they return from the store, the girl goes to see a friend, and Thomsen goes to the mother’s house to watch a football game, the report states. The girl comes home later that night, has dinner with Thomsen and her mother, watches part of a movie with them and goes to bed. Thomsen returns to his home.

Several days later, the mother calls police after she overhears her daughter telling a friend on the phone that she was sexually assaulted at Thomsen’s home by four boys from school, the

Brandon Thomsen recently appeared via Webex for a preliminary hearing in Beaufort County Magistrate Court. Beaufort Police Investigator Stephanie Karafa appears top right corner, while Thomsen, bottom left, has his screen turned off. report states.

All of the boys are interviewed as well as Thomsen, the mother and the 13-yearold girl. From there, accounts vary on what happened that afternoon.

Thomsen tells police, after he and the girl got back from having his phone repaired, the girl took the golf cart out and he went to watch the football game at her mother’s house, the report states.

But when he returned home later that night, he found an overturned soft drink on the floor. Suspecting the girl had been in his home earlier “without his knowledge or permission,” he confronts her though she denies having been there, Thomsen says. She then admits to being in his home, saying she went in to rest, he says.

Police check Thomsen’s home for signs of bodily fluid with negative results, the report states.

In her interview, the girl says when she went to Thomsen’s house to pickup the golf cart, Thomsen “fixed her a couple of drinks.” They then smoked a joint together, and he tells her not tell anyone, that it is “their circle of trust,” she tells police.

After Thomsen leaves, she takes the golf cart out, picks up the boys, returns to Thomsen’s house where they then smoke the marijuana and consume alcohol, the report states.

That’s when the boys sexually assault her, she says.

In their interview with police, the boys, who range in ages from 13 to 17, all state they had sex with the girl but add that it was consensual and that the girl tells them not to tell anyone what they have done.

One boy tells police that while out riding in the golf cart, the girl told them she had had sex with her mother’s boyfriend, Brandon.

In the course of the investigation, the girl is asked if she had sex or any relations with Thomsen. She says no, the report says.

Investigators determine the girl was a willing participant in having sex with the boys, the report states. In addition, she tells police she will not testify against any of the suspects in the case.

No charges were filed in the case and while Thomsen was also not charged, he was named in a 2012 lawsuit filed by the 13-year-old’s mother, according to FITSNews and Beafort Police Investigator Stephanie Karafa.

Given all this, Thomsen still tries to make a go at his new job.

However, in 2018, Thomsen is involved in yet another disturbing investigation and subsequent lawsuit – this time for the wrongful death of a man whose family just wanted help.

A call for help Having never before served as a firefighter prior

to his hiring with the Burton Fire District, Thomsen has been on the job for seven years when Trey Pringle’s family calls for help in February of 2018.

Pringle, who has a documented history of mental illness, has smashed a TV and cut himself. His family says he is “behaving erratically” and has called 911 for medical assistance.

Pringle is calm at first when officers and emergency personnel from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Burton Fire District and Beaufort County EMS begin appearing on the scene. But when deputies attempt to restrain him he becomes agitated, according to news reports from the time.

That’s when Thomsen steps in.

According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in 2020 by the family, Thomsen employed a headlock/ chokehold “without authorization or training.”

Pringle was also Tased a total of five times during the altercation, reports say.

Pringle stops breathing and flat lines at which point restraints are removed and

service experience, or work history with any company for any length of time outside of his own. Again, the district chose not to answer questions directly.

In addition, The Island News has discovered that Thomsen’s name was misspelled in a criminal background check conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division on Oct. 25, 2010 as requested by the State Fire Marshal’s Office on behalf of the fire district.

In a 2010 email sent back to the district from the fire marshal’s office, Thomsen’s last name is misspelled with the words “No Record” listed beside it. Thomsen’s first name is also misspelled on a typed fire fighter registration data form.

According to SLED, if the name on a subject’s record differs from the one provided, it may result in a false negative or false positive result.

Asked specifically if Chief Rountree was aware Thomsen’s name appears to have been entered incorrectly in the state’s background check, no response was given.

The Island News recent-

You can’t let my wife know...”

EMS technicians perform CPR, but Pringle, who is unconscious and suffers cardiac arrest, dies in the hospital three days later.

An autopsy later determines that Pringle died during “restraint in a prone position with chest compression.”

Widely covered by news media, the case was brought up in various protests and on social media well into 2020. No charges were ever brought against Thomsen or relating to the incident.

Fire district questioned Thomsen, who had been on suspension since August, was fired in December, after warrants were taken out for his arrest, according to information recently obtained by The Island News through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Officials with the district previously refused to specify whether Thomsen was fired or had resigned, nor would they say why Thomsen was on suspension, stating only that the district did not discuss personnel issues.

However, in a one-sentence letter to Thomsen signed by Chief Harry Rountree received with the newspaper’s FOIA request, the letter states Thomsen was terminated for “immoral or indecent conduct.”

The Island News asked for comment on Thomsen’s long history of violations and run-ins with law enforcement and how Thomsen was hired – given he had no previous firefighting or public

ly conducted its own SLED background check through the South Carolina Press Association. The check immediately returned the two arrests mentioned in this article that occurred prior to his hiring – the 2002 assault and battery and the 2009 public drunkenness/ littering.

Asked had the background check returned these two charges, would that have prevented Chief Rountree from hiring Mr. Thomsen, again the fire district provided no response.

In an email sent on Tuesday, Fire District spokesman Dan Byrne reiterated the district’s stance, that it does not comment on personnel issues, and asked that questions be sent to the district’s attorney since it is “also a legal matter.”

Responding back, Beaufort attorney Fred Kuhn also reiterated that it was a personnel issue, then added that “Generally speaking, however, the District’s hiring practices have evolved and improved substantially over the years, and the District, like all employers in this more modern age, is now able to access information regarding candidates for employment that was not readily available ten years ago.”

‘You can’t let my wife know’ In his first court appearance since he was arrested in December on charges of soliciting and sending obscene messages to the 13-year-old daughter of a family friend, Thomsen appeared before

Judge Nancy Sadler, in Beaufort County Magistrate Court on Friday, Feb. 26.

The preliminary hearing was held via Webex and Thomsen’s screen was dark, his camera presumably turned off.

In November, the mother of the girl contacted police after she learned her daughter had received illicit messages from Thomsen via Snapchat over the weekend of Nov. 26 - 28, according to a police report.

In Friday’s preliminary hearing held to determine probable cause, Beaufort Police investigator Stephanie Karafa took the court through the evidence, which included multiple messages from Thomsen.

The 13-year-old asked him to stop saying, “I’m the same age as your daughter,” but Thomsen continued to send the girl messages asking her to send him nude photos and saying he was love with her, Karafa said.

He also told the victim she was “too young” and referred to the size of his genitalia multiple times.

The girl repeatedly asked Thomsen how his wife would feel if she knew he was messaging her.

“You can’t let my wife know that we’re talking on here,” he messaged her after becoming friends with her on Snapchat. He also told the girl that his wife didn’t love him anymore.

The next morning the 13-year-old told her mother about the messages. When confronted by the family via text, Thomsen said he was sorry and had messaged the wrong person, a police report stated.

After that weekend Thomsen sent the victim’s father an email in which he offered a “sincere apology” for “whatever hurt was imposed on you over the weekend.”

He also referred to problems with alcohol and “substance abuse,” testimony at the hearing revealed.

Other evidence investigators said they collected includes Google searches Thomsen made immediately after the incident – searches such as “How to make sure no one is tracking my phone” and “How do I know when the police are tracking my phone.”

Before fleeing the area, Thomsen also told his wife he had sent messages to “the wrong person.”

After picking up a rental car at the Savannah Airport, Thomsen tried to “harm himself” Karafa indicated. In addition, his cell phone and two laptops missing from the home have not been recovered, she said.

Despite his attorney’s move to have the charges against Thomsen dismissed, Judge Sadler denied the motions citing enough evidence to proceed.

Thomsen’s case will now move on to trial.

HEALTH & WELLNESS Options & References for a Healthier Life

WOMEN’S WELLNESS WEEK AT USCB

Event to offer week of lectures, workshops and more

By Mindy Lucas The Women’s Wellness Weekend at USC Beaufort’s Center for the Arts is back and not a moment too soon.

With more and more women serving in multiple roles due to the coronavirus, it’s now more important than ever to stop and take stock of our health.

And now participants will have not only a weekend but an entire week filled with activities dedicated to “elevating, empowering, enlightening, and enriching women,” event planners say.

Postponed from last March, the event is now set for March 20-28 and will feature a variety of lectures and workshops on such topics as meditation to time management to healing trauma.

The event will also include a Women’s Only 5K Race/Walk in Port Royal, and an opportunity to help build a home for a local family with Lowcountry

IF YOU GO

Women’s Wellness Weekend is March 20-28 at the Center for the Arts with some events taking place off site. Activities and events will include health and wellness workshops and lectures. Keynote speaker Dr. Linda Bell at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 20. Seating for in-person attendance will be limited/ spaced apart for social distancing. Some sessions can be seen in person while other sessions can be livestreamed. Participants can purchase a conference pass to watch any or all sessions for $20.

The Women’s Only 5K Race/Walk kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, in Port Royal, on a certified 5K course.

Participation is limited to 250 runners/walkers. Participants are encouraged to dress up as a woman who has been influential in their lives. Cost information available online.

Habitat Women Build is March 20, 23 and 25. Participants who want to volunteer to build a home for a deserving local mother and daughter along with Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity can sign up to participate in this event.

Cost information available online. For more information on all activities, call (843) 521-4145 or visit www. uscbcenterforthearts.com.

Habitat for Humanity.

In addition, South Carolina’s head epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell will serve as the event’s keynote speaker.

Having worked in public health for over 28 years including as an Epidemic

Intelligence Service Officer with the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Dr. Bell is currently the director of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control.

She will talk about the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and communities and what can be done to control the pandemic.

Others who were on the original lineup for the event are also set to return, including Board Certified Gynecologist Dr. Eve Ashby and Healthy Living Programs Director for YMCA of Beaufort Denice Fanning.

Dr. Ashby will speak in-person on menopause, nutrition and the changes women go through in their 40s and 50s, a topic she talked about with Lowcountry Weekly last year.

Symptoms for menopause can often start years before a woman has her last period, Dr. Ashby said last year, and many patients are in their 40s when symptoms can start to become noticeable.

“I hear that in my office constantly,” she said. “‘(They say) ever since I turned 40, I can’t get the weight off. Or,

‘Ever since I turned 40, I don’t enjoy sex with my husband even though I love my husband,” she said.

In addition, symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, painful intercourse, weight gain, insomnia and depression, may be treatable individually, either with medication or some other type of therapy or lifestyle change, as opposed to automatically seeking out hormone therapy.

That’s why it’s important to recognize when something is occurring and learn what can be done about it, she said.

Dr. Ashby’s talk will delve into the latest on menopause treatment, the controversies surrounding hormone replacement therapy, who should have it, what are the risks and what are the benefits.

She’ll also talk about other changes, such as weight gain and depression, that women may experience as a result of

menopause.

“I really think it’s important for women to take their own health into their hands,” she said, adding that often she sees mothers, wives, or caregivers, who put their own health last.

“They’ll put everyone’s care in front of their own,” she said. “But you can only be as good for your family if you’re OK.” Denice Fanning who will lead a session on time management and stress reduction said the idea that women are overworked and under cared for is nothing new, but the importance of women’s health – and caring for one’s self in particular – has become increasingly important in today’s stressful times.

“And I think that the emphasis has shifted on not necessarily being a certain body weight, but the ability to be healthy and strong,” Fanning said.

meditations at 11am CT each Thursday week on their YouTube channel. Spanish meditations are available Mondays at 5pm CT. Each meditation

focuses on a different essential aspect of navigating the turbulent world around us.

Topics include self-awareness, kindness, and widening your

support circle. The app uses neuroscience and skill-based learning methods to help you develop the skills for a healthy mind.

RegionPULSE© MUSC College of Nursing to host virtual concert at 8 p.m. on March 10, 2021 to fund student scholarships, education programs.

The concert will feature special performances by 2020 Grammy Award winner Ranky Tanky, Shovels and Rope, City of Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, Lee Barbour, an MUSC nurses’ choir

and more.

The virtual benefit concert is free to view by visiting the MUSC College of Nursing website(nursing.musc.edu/ benefit). Viewers are encouraged to give what they can to honor front line nurses and benefit nursing education programs and scholarship opportunities for future nurses.

In high demand even be-

fore the pandemic hit, welltrained nursing “rock stars” are vital to meeting the nationwide need for health care related, and in addition, to the COVID-19 virus. ***

Everywhere That People Care The trusted Care magazine is now back in print as a regular contributor to The Island News, with Karen Mozzo as editor. Together we’ll deliver information, references, and options for a healthier life.

HealthyMinds Innovations is a free service meditation app offering live-guided

Love Made Visible The Sacraments When we love someone, we express it in tangible ways.

Parents hug their children and tell them, “I love you.” A young man gives flowers and chocolates to his sweetheart. A husband leaves a love note on the bathroom mirror for his wife. Whenever we seek to communicate spiritual realities, such as our love or care for another person, we necessarily use such words or actions.

Through the body, spiritual realities are communicated.

Like the angels, we are immortal spirits, with the ability to know and to love. Unlike the angels, God created us as embodied spirits: an immaterial spirit united with a material body. Since we are “bodypersons,” we cannot communicate directly with each other in a spiritual manner, as the angels do. Instead, it is only through the body that we can make visible that which is invisible, communicating and interacting meaningfully with one another.

God reveals himself to humanity in physical ways, too.

Since God made us as body-persons, he always communicates spiritual realities through words and actions. Think of how he interacted with his people in the Old Testament: a voice from heaven, a burning bush, the parting of the Red Sea, a pillar of fire, manna in the desert, and many other signs and wonders. Whenever God wished to reveal himself or demonstrate his love for his people, it was in ways that they could perceive with their senses.

Jesus still continues his ministry today in a visible way.

It was not just his generation of believers that he wished to give new life, nourish, strengthen, heal, and forgive. He intended to continue giving these spiritual gifts to his people through his family of faith, the Church, until the end of time. For this purpose, he gave the apostles seven spiritual gifts, which became known as the sacraments. Through the sacraments, Jesus continues to minister to us in a personal, visible way in each generation.

Through the sacraments, Jesus expresses his love for us.

The sacraments are visible signs through which Jesus freely gives his spiritual gifts. He communicates his love for us still, in ways that are both physical and spiritual, in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders. In this message series, we will give an introduction to each sacrament and discuss how each is a gift by which Jesus continues to make his love visible for us today.

Jesus is the supreme example of God’s love made visible.

So deep was his desire to reveal himself fully to us and reunite humanity to himself, that God chose to become one of us, being born as Jesus of Nazareth. When Jesus walked among the people, God himself was walking in their midst and revealing his love in a personal, physical way. Since Jesus was ministering to body-persons, his gifts were almost always accompanied by words, touch, gestures, or other physical elements. For example, he healed the man born blind by spitting on the ground, making clay, and anointing the man’s eyes with the clay. (John 9:1-12)

The Sacraments Message 1 of 8

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MARCH 4–10, 2021

A7

SPORTS & EDUCATION

By Bob Sofaly After a 15-year hiatus, baseball spikes are again cutting into the baseball diamond at Beaufort Academy. Head baseball coach Danny McElhany said he’s been very busy and looking forward to this week’s season opener.

“It’s been 15 years, and baseball hasn’t be around,” he

Baseball back at BA

said. “We’re trying to rebuild the program.”

Literally.

“We’ve rebuilt dugouts, added a batting facility and rebuilt the infield,” he said.

Although his roster boasts 30 players – including JV and varsity players – it has been difficult to get them all together for regular practice sessions.

“Some of my players are dual(-sport) athletes and are just coming off basketball season,” McElhany said.

“Concerns over COVID-19 dragged out the basketball season. So those athletes are just now officially with the team.”

McElhany, watching his players running drills, said,

“we have a few kids who have never played organized baseball before.”

He smiled and added that they also have a handful of players who played club ball “help the younger ones. It’s all coming together.”

McElhany and his Eagles lost their season opener 13-7 against John Paul II Catholic

School on Monday, Feb. 28, in Hardeville. Braydon Dineen reached base four times with three hits, while Riley Thomson had two hits and a stolen base.

Right: John Howell laces up his shoes as he gets ready for practice.

Pictured at top from left: Danny McElhany, left, head coach of Beaufort Academy’s baseball team, said one of his biggest challenges is the inexperience of his team. Some players have never played organized baseball before. ••• After no baseball for 15 years, Beaufort Academy will be fielding both JV and Varsity baseball teams this season. ••• It wouldn’t be spring practice without running sprints. Here, some of the players run a drill to simulate base stealing from a standing start followed with the obligatory 70-foot sprint – over and over again. Photos by Bob Sofaly.

SPRING RIVALRY

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com Nearly half of the Lowco area wrestlers who took the mat Saturday for the Class 4A and Class 3A Lower State qualifier meets are moving on to the state tournament.

A total of 18 area wrestlers from five schools advanced to next Saturday’s SCHSL State Championships by placing in the top three in their weight classes at the Lower State qualifiers.

Class 4A dual runner-up May River led the way with six state qualifiers, including a trio of Lower State champions. Santiago Rueda (138), Gabe Juarez (160), and Eli Hall (220) all claimed gold, while Emilio

Right: Battery Creek’s Brendan Moore, left, and a Beaufort High player collide as both try to control the ball during a cold and rainy scrimmage Tuesday night at BCHS. The final score was unavailable as of press time. Photo

by Bob Sofaly.

SPRING SPORTS ROUND UP

GIRLS SOCCER JPII wins shootout in season opener

18 Lowco wrestlers punch tickets to state tournament

John Paul II girls soccer started its season off right with a thrilling shootout win over a tough Northwood Academy at home Thursday.

After trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Golden Warriors evened the match in the second half and won 3-2 in a penalty shootout to claim a hardfought victory.

Northwood took a 1-0 lead after a penalty kick was awarded for a handball inside the box, but JPII’s Paige Weniger brought the team back by outsmarting Northwood’s goalie and scoring in the corner with 10 minutes left in the game, forcing a shootout to determine the winner.

Gin White put on an amazing performance to lead a strong JPII defense that prevented Northwood

Mendoza (113) and Anthony Nelson (152) earned silver, and Chris Snowden (182) punched his ticket with a third-place finish.

Hilton Head High and Beaufort High each had four wrestlers qualify, including a pair of champions.

James Levy (113) and Drew Vigh (126) claimed gold for the Seahawks, while Zao Estrada placed second at 106, and KJ Holland rebounded after losing his first-round match to work his way through the consolation bracket and place third at 145.

Beaufort’s Colton Phares (182) and Theo Washington (195) earned gold, while teammate Jeremiah Sim-

mons (160) was second, and Matthew Durrance (152) placed third.

Bluffton High School had one qualifier — 152-pound champion Nate Elliston.

In the Class 3A meet, Battery Creek took eight wrestlers to the mat and will send three to state as Lower State champs. Elmer Linares (106), Sam Degroat (113), and Gunnar Degroat (132) all claimed gold and first-round byes in the state tourney.

The state championships will be held Saturday at Dreher High School. The 3A meet begins at 10 a.m. with the 4A meet to follow at 4 p.m. No spectators will be admitted.

LowcoSports.com

from pressuring freshman goalie Trinity Grace Maxwell, who also played an astounding first game with JPII after joining the team Monday following the SCISA basketball playoffs.

Maxwell made several key stops in the second half and in the shootout to lift her team to victory.

found the back of the net. Miller tacked on a pair of assists, and Ella Clark added a helper.

Sophomore Kate Twitty scored the lone goal for the Lions.

Holy Trinity (0-1) plays at Patrick Henry on March 11.

Hilton Head Prep girls soccer made a big splash on its wet home field Tuesday, dominating Holy Trinity 10-1.

Shania Diaz and Sadie Callen each notched a hat trick for the Dolphins to lead the flaming-hot offense, which has scored 18 goals in two days.

Ansleigh Crenshaw dazzled with two goals and three assists, while Bryn Miller and Kylie Foley also

John Paul II boys soccer traveled to undefeated Savannah Christian Prep on Monday and came home with an impressive 2-0 victory in the Golden Warriors’ regular-season opener.

Evan Slusne made several key saves to preserve the clean sheet behind a strong defensive effort led by Renzo Cedeno and Ben Richardson as the Golden Warriors shut down

BOYS SOCCER Lions, soggy conditions JPII blanks previously unbeaten Raiders can’t slow down HHP

a Raiders squad that had put up 25 goals during a 7-0 start that included wins over numerous Georgia public school programs.

Anthony Hill opened the scoring off of an assist from Gabe Orta, and Jackson Ogden finished off a nice assist from Nic Richardson with a well-placed shot to the upper corner to cap the scoring.

JPII (1-0) hosts Bluffton High School, Golden Warriors coach Josh Fox’s former team, at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

GIRLS LACROSSE Eagles earn first-ever win over Sharks

Beaufort High girls lacrosse opened region play on a strong note Thursday, going on the road and defeating May River for the first time

in an 11-9 decision.

The Sharks raced out to an early 5-2 lead, but Beaufort’s solid work on the draws and fantastic defensive adjustments turned the tide, giving the Eagles a statement win to open the region slate.

Amyah Todd led the way for the winning side, netting four goals and an assist while scooping up seven ground balls. Sophia Pellegrino, Abbie Baise, and Annabelle Hooper added two goals each while Lillian Carr scored the first of her career.

Carr was tremendous in the circle, controlling an impressive nine of 11 draws. Lilly Dangerfield and Sydney Lashley anchored a strong defensive showing, and Morgan Wright made 12 saves in goal.

Senior Venessa Matuzak led the Sharks with four goals and four ground balls, and Mary Agnes Wessels scored three goals.

Battery Creek educator honored as School Counselor of the Year

From staff reports Battery Creek High School Counselor Latoshia Middleton is the Beaufort County School District’s 2021 School Counselor of the Year.

In addition to honoring Middleton, the district also recognized River Ridge Academy’s Jillian Power as Middle School Counselor of the Year, Joseph S. Shanklin’s Latesha Jennings as Elementary School Counselor of the Year, and Hilton Head Island High’s Lisa Ditroia as Rookie School Counselor of the Year.

A8

MARCH 4–10, 2021

“We’re extremely proud of Latoshia Middleton,” Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said in a release. “She’s an amazing professional who is integral to her school community.”

“Good counsellors are essential to school success,” Rodriguez said. “They help students plan their futures and keep families informed about their children’s progress.”

A recent graduate of The Citadel’s Educational Leadership master’s degree program, Middleton is passion-

ate about helping young people explore their options for the future.

“Since I was a young girl, I loved to help people,” Middleton said. “Just knowing that I could leave someone in a better position than when I met them makes my heart smile.”

“The only reward I want in return is to see the students I work with build off of what they receive, continually improving, and paying it forward,” Middleton said. “This is my main reason for becom-

ing a counselor.”

Battery Creek Principal Chad Cox described Middleton as organized, interpersonal, and a strong communicator.

“There are no words grand enough to describe how valuable Ms. Middleton is to Battery Creek High School,” Cox said. “She is willing to help students and other teachers with instructional needs at all times.”

Cox credited Middleton with developing an incredible rapport with students,

working with district office personnel in developing programs to engage the entire community, organizing and supporting numerous events, mentoring new staff members, and helping teachers integrate technology to enhance their instruction.

Battery Creek Assistant Principal Denise Lessard praised Middleton for her patience, grace, and flexibility during this year’s pandemic as she served both face-toface and virtual students.

“Ms. Middleton made every

effort to ensure all students got exactly what they needed regardless of their instructional setting.”

A Battery Creek High School guardian said that over the past four years Middleton spent countless hours counseling, monitoring, guiding, and providing safe spaces for her child and others.

“She establishes a rapport with the students in earnest, enabling them to feel comfortable and trust her, but she also does the same with their parents and guardians.”

VOICES & LOCAL MILITARY Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News.

I

t is Saturday, and the rain, biblical by some standards, is gone. Because we have sunshine, and the temperature is warming, I’m sitting on my deck — a pleasant place where I can hear the indistinct sounds of basic training now under way on Parris Island.

Those sounds included reveille, as well as other bugle calls which occur throughout the day. Notwithstanding an adolescent history of living on army posts, I do not remember most of the bugle sounds that work their way across the water.

I am, this morning, reassured by these bugle sounds, and I’m reminded that they’ve been with us for thousands of years. I’m also aware that things are changing in the military, dramatically changing, especially for the Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps began as a modest cohort of rough, aggressive, ship-based

Marines doing more with less SCOTT GRABER

men tasked with forcibly boarding enemy ships and killing (or capturing) the crew. The British Marines were particularly good at boarding French ships and some historians argue their sword-fighting ability was a decisive factor in the rise of the British Navy and the British Empire.

By the end of the second World War, the Marine Corps had grown larger, acquiring tanks, artillery and it’s own air support. Along the way they also acquired their own reputation for physical fierceness — for close-in, bayonet-assisted fighting. A reputation

burnished on the beaches of Okinawa and in the jungles of Guadalcanal. A reputation that compares favorably with renown of the Roman Legionnaire before, during and after the time of Christ.

The Roman soldier was young man who had been schooled in war from the womb spending his first 10 years in the field or in camp.

Food was simple — bread, soup and sour wine — and discipline was swift, sometimes fatal for those who were hesitant or faint of heart.

Beyond discipline, the real advantage for the Roman Army was its organization.

From the time of Republican Rome, the Army understood that fighting as a group was the key to its success.

In the 6th Century before Christ, the Army was organized into a Greek-inspired Phalanx that was six soldiers deep and 500 men long. Each man carried a

long, thrusting spear called a hasta.

But in the 3rd Century BC the Romans began fighting in smaller units that were three men deep and 60 men wide. This change was responsive the rough, uneven landscape around the Mediterranean Sea. Then, 100 years before Christ, there was another shift to tactical units (cohorts) that were six men deep and 100 men wide allowing these “cohorts” to fight as individual units or in combination. Weapons also changed as a shorter, throwing spear (pilum), replaced the hasta.

The fundamental tactic of Roman infantry was sweeping ten cohorts on its right wing against the enemy’s left wing. This took advantage of the fact that the left side of a soldier, the side that held a heavy, cumbersome shield, was the weaker side.

The Marine Corps is

also making changes in its organization by shrinking the size of its squad which now consists a leader and 12 riflemen grouped into three “fire teams” of four. Henceforth the Marine Corps will have a leader, an assistant leader, a technician and nine riflemen divided into three ‘fire teams.’

“Technician?”

Presumably this new, tech-savvy soldier will control the drones that will be introduced into the ranks giving the Marines a reconnaissance capability that they never had before.

By 2030 the Corps plans to focus on “unmanned aerial systems” that will change the way it fights.

And sometime in the next 10 years it will discard its artillery and its tanks.

The Marine Corps will reorganize itself into smaller units capable of rapid deployment to the South China Sea, the Sea of Japan and

the Gulf of Aqaba. They will go ashore wherever there is a beach but they won’t be relying on their own attack helicopters or the controversial tiltrotor Ospreys that were first delivered in 1999.

Plans also call for reducing the F-35 squadrons from 16 planes to 10.

The recruits I am now hearing on Parris Island will embrace a new political reality — namely China, North Korea and the unstable states on the Persian Gulf. They will return their focus to the “littoral’” and be equipped to accomplished “sea denial and sea control”.

And like the Romans they will adjust the size of their units; embrace new technology and, apparently, do all of this with 12,000 fewer troops.

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

What citizens should know about police officers, use of force, and challenges the police and citizens face in the future

A

military veteran of many deployments to the war in Afghanistan once said, “I feel for the COPS in America. In the military we got deployed a number of times. But a COP is deployed every day or night and he puts on the uniform and proudly does his duty.”

It is evident that people outside of law enforcement have little idea of the stress, danger, trauma, and challenges that are inherent to being a police officer. COPS need to be social workers, rescue responders, marriage and family therapists, animal control specialists, medical providers, good Samaritans, mental health specialists, warriors, juvenile counselors, social justice advocates, and more.

To say the least, working in law enforcement is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. No other profession asks so much from so few, with so little compensation, support, and understanding, as we ask from police officers.

When people find out I was a police officer for 11 years and have worked as a continuous improvement consultant to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Army Military Police, and Customs, they frequently ask me questions like: • Why don’t the police just shoot the gun out of the hands of people who are threatening to kill or se-

EDITOR’S NOTE

LARRY DANDRIDGE

riously injure the officer or others? When can and should a police officer use deadly force?

• Why do police sometimes shoot teens, when they are only holding a BB, replica, or toy gun?

When can a police officer shoot a fleeing felon?

• When can a police officer use a choke hold? Why do the police need armored vehicles and other military type equipment? What risks do police face?

• Why do the COPS not chase down every person who flees from them in a vehicle? Why do some COPS read suspects the Miranda warning and some do not? Do COPS really profile people of color to make traffic stops?

In future editions of The Island News, I will attempt to answer these and over 40 other questions that the public needs answers to. The purpose of this column is to: • Educate citizens on what they should know about police officers, their use

Larry Dandridge is not an employee of THE ISLAND NEWS and his opinions are his alone.

Readers should rely on their local police and sheriff’s departments and their attorneys for all law enforcement information and legal advice. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of these articles, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.

Neither is any liability assumed by the author or The Island News for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein.

I feel for the COPS in America. In the military we got deployed a number of times. But a COP is deployed every day or night and he puts on the uniform and proudly does his duty.” of force authority, and the stress, challenges, and risks of the police profession.

• Improve the understanding, communication, transparency, trust, accountability, and cooperation of our police officers and the communities they serve.

• Encourage citizens to: attend citizen police academies, start neighborhood watches, encourage teens to join Police Explorer programs, make suggestions and complaints, promote veteran courts, report crimes, encourage increased funding for mental health services, promote social justice, and practice good personal security measures.

• Rally support for improved recruiting, screening, training, and management of those brave men and women and their families who serve so selflessly.

A selection of area home listings.

Question 1: What kind of risks are involved in police work?

The short answer. Deadly assaults, heart disease, vehicle accidents, being hit by vehicles while standing in or near roads, falls, trips, trauma, divorce, and suicide take a heavy toll on police officers. As a past police officer, people ask me frequently, “Were you not scared of being shot or stabbed to death by someone, when you served as a COP?” My answer was always: “No, I could handle persons trying to hurt me with a gun or other hand held weapon through my training and experience. It was driving and riding in vehicles, which accounted for more than half of my duty time, and standing in and near roads that scared me. That is because I knew if someone crashed into me while I was in a vehicle or decided to drive under the influence, recklessly, texting, or too fast for conditions, I could do almost nothing

to prevent it. I also always worried about not getting enough sleep and exercise, as they are both hard to find time for in a law enforcement career.”

According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund Web site at https://nleomf.org/ facts-figures:There are more than 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving in the USA, the highest figure ever. About 12 % of law enforcement officers are female (96,000) and about 30% (240,000) are made up of racial and ethnic minority officers.

There have been more than 22,000 officers killed in the line-of-duty. More than 1,675 law enforcement offi-

Larry Dandridge is an honors graduate of three police academies and a DoD Counter Terrorism course graduate. He served as a police officer and deputy sheriff in AL and MO. He has also worked as a consultant with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in GA and SC, and the Military Police and Customs operations in TX. An accomplished writer and motivational speaker, the owner of TVV Publishing, a retired Army Test Pilot, the author of the award-winning BLADES OF THUNDER (book One), a retired Aerospace Industry Region Manager, a past University Business, Writing, and Aeronautics Instructor, and volunteer Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Medical Center, he writes two columns, as a freelance writer, for the ISLAND NEWS, the Veterans Benefits Column and the What Citizens Should Know About Policing Column. You can contact Larry at his email, LDandridge@earthlink.net.

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See Into The Future . . . . . . read

cers died in the line-of-duty during the past 10 years, an average of one death every 54 hours or 163 per year. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report 2018 LEOKA report, there are about 59,000 assaults against officers each year. The deadliest day in law enforcement history was September 11, 2001, when 72 officers were killed while responding to the terrorist attacks.

The next two articles will cover when officers can use force and an article about the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and its special certifications, services, and challenges.

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THURSDAY’S CARTOON Read with caution; not necessarily the opinions of the editorial staff.

THEME: HEAD TO TOE ACROSS 1. *A or O, to blood 5. Catch a wink 8. "Don't know what to say" sound 11. Eon, alt. sp.

12. Severe blow 13. *Blood ____, type of blood test 15. Eastern ____, 1947-1991 16. *Respiratory rattling 17. Enormous ones 18. *Annual exam 20. Largest city of Norway 21. Like a romantic movie?

22. *Anatomical pouch 23. Work over with fists (2 words) 26. Levee next to water mill 30. Not cooked 31. What a terrorist wants to spread 34. Continental currency 35. Wide open 37. Charged particle 38. Colorado resort 39. Hipbones 40. Recede, as in tide (2 words) 42. Laos resident 43. Stinging shrub, pl.

45. Handrail's main supports 47. Caribou kin 48. Relating to a lobe 50. Saint's topper 52. *L in ACL 55. Bad-tempered 56. Affirm with confidence 57. Stain on Santa 59. Work the dough 60. Tiger Woods' pegs 61. Ruptured 62. "____ my party, and I'll cry if I want too..."

63. Store posting, abbr.

64. *Largest organ DOWN 1. Can opener 2. Crowd's judgement 3. Tubby little cubby 4. Enclose within a cyst 5. W.E.B Du Bois's org.

6. Assuage 7. Spa treatment 8. 2016 western "____ or High Water" 9. Type of shark 10. Not Miss or Ms 12. Influenza 13. Sandbar

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14. *Cardiac, smooth or skeletal ones 19. Quickly fry 22. Knightly title 23. *Cerebellum location 24. Two under on one hole 25. Look forward to 26. *Kissing disease?

27. Having two parts 28. Beatles: "He's ____ ____ nowhere man" (2 words) 29. Plural of #26 Down 32. *12 pairs of these 33. Rip off 36. *a.k.a. kneecap 38. Mr. T's team 40. Comic book cry 41. Unlocks the gate 44. Andrew Webber's middle name 46. Forcefully grabs 48. *Blood filter 49. S-shaped moldings 50. "The ____ for Red October" 51. Greek god of war 52. Strip of wood 53. Breakfast spot?

54. Spelling or Kelly 55. Biathlon equipment 58. One less than jack

LAST WEEK'S CROSSWORD & SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

MARCH 4–10, 2021

A11

Beaufort’s Leading Real Estate Firm 820 Bay Street • Beaufort, SC 29902

843.521.4200

$3,450,000

$247,900

DEEPWATER ESTATE | MLS 167297 DATAW ISLAND | MLS 169978 5BDRM | 6.5B | Deepwater | Private Dock Edward Dukes 843.812.5000

3BDRM | 2.5B | 2331sqft Trudy Arthur 843.812.0967 Nancy Butler 843.384.5445

$1,039,000

$389,900

FRIPP ISLAND | MLS 163922 6BDRM | 5.5B | 4740sqft | Oceanview Pat Dudley 843.986.3470

BATTERY POINT | MLS 168732 3BDRM | 2.5B | 2200sqft Julia O’Hara 1.201.456.8620

www.LowcountryRealEstate.com

Oyster Cay Collection

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Perfect for Lowcountry Living

Large Selection of One-of-a-Kind Teak Furniture, Indoor or Out

Online ordering, Curbside pick up & Delivery available Proud Sponsor of the Beaufort International Film Festival

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Old Bay Marketplace, 917 Bay Street • Historic Downtown Beaufort, SC 843-525-0485 • OysterCayCollection.com • Shipping & Delivery Available

136 Sea Island Parkway Open Monday – Friday 9am-6pm Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 11am-3pm

contact@beaufortkitchen.com