Communit y wide event FEATURING LIVE MUSIC, ARTISTS, FOOD VENDORS, A BEER GARDEN,, FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES, AND A SHRIMP AND GRITS COOK-OFF!
vited to the 6th annu n i e r ’ al You
General Admission is free THE BLOCK PART Y IS FROM NOON UNTIL 5 PM. THE SHRIMP AND GRITS COOK-OFF IS FROM 12:30 UNTIL 4:30 — OR UNTIL ALL SHRIMP AND GRITS ARE GONE!
Saturday, march 9 | Port Royal on Paris Avenue | presented by Ameris Bank
MARCH 7 - 13, 2019 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Tragic ending to search for missing boater
Volunteers Mike Szucs, left, and Mike Sackman go over their search plan before setting out in the Beaufort River on Saturday, March 2. Sackman was just part of the flotilla of volunteers to help find Mallory Beach, 19, who had been missing following a boating accident on Sunday, Feb. 24 in Archers Creek, a small cut between Battery Creek and Broad River. In the background is one of Beaufort Water Search and Rescue’s boats. From staff reports The search for a woman missing since a boating accident in the early hours of Feb. 25 came to a tragic conclusion Sunday afternoon, when the body of 19-year-old Mallory Beach was found in the Broad River near Habersham subdivision just west of the Broad River Bridge. An autopsy confirmed Beach died of blunt force trauma to the head from the boating accident and drowning. The search for Beach began in earnest after the boat she was riding in with five friends hit a group of pylons near the bridge on Archer’s Creek near Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island around 2 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25. Throughout the week, Beaufort County waters were crisscrossed by boats manned by various organizations, as well as a flotilla of volunteers who showed up with their boats wanting to help.
Mike Sackman of Beaufort, when asked why he was getting ready to launch his boat prior to heavy rains on Saturday, said “for closure for the family.” Althought he didn’t know the family directly, Sackman said his son knew Beach and he felt compelled to help. “I’m a Navy diver. I’ve done things like this before,” Sackman said. “I don’t want to interfere with the professionals. They are doing a great job, but the more eyes the better in this situation”. Sackman, drawing on his naval expertise, divided the Beaufort River, Battery Creek, and Archer’s Creek parts of the Port Royal Sound into six search zones. Sackman said he made a Facebook post on Thursday, Feb. 28, for anyone with a boat to come out and help search and quickly received 11 commitments. Beaufort Water Search and
A group of local volunteers got together to form the Citizen Angel group. According to organizer, Lottie Campenella, the group collected nearly $2,500 to be used to help offset some of the cost incurred by other volunteers searching for Mallory Beach. The proceeds were used to purchase snacks, food and drinks, supplies, and pre-paid Visa cards to cover fuel costs for volunteers spending hours and days assisting in the search. From left are: Jessica Webb, Jim and Nick’s Barbecue; Brooklyn Hussman, Gilligan’s Seafood; Lottie Campenella, event organizer; Aryanna Hussman, Gilligan’s; Erick Swansen, volunteer; and Alyssa Hussman, Gilligan’s. Photos by Bob Sofaly. Rescue had its three boats out each day and had an airboat on standby for searching the marsh, if needed, according to First Mate David Refosco. Refosco said members of Fripp Island Search and Rescue were also assisting. Other volunteers like Lottie Campenella assisted in
the search efforts without a boat. Campanella and a few friends started the Citizen Angel page on Facebook to help the volunteers at a small stand near the Chechessee boat ramp. “People want to help out,” Campanella said as one woman from Bluffton turned off
S.C. 170 to give them a cash donation. “We made enough money in just a couple days to give the searchers gift bags containing sunscreen, bug spray and other items one might need on the water.” Campenella also said they included a pre-paid Visa card in each bag to help offset the cost
Reconstruction Era National Park clears Congressional hurdle Congress last week passed the largest public lands package in a decade, including a measure that permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with broad bipartisan support. The wide-reaching legislation hits close to home because it also expands the Reconstruction Era National Monument and redesignates it as a national historical park. The bill authorizes the expansion of the park’s boundaries within the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District, on St. Helena
Island, and at the Camp Saxton Site in Port Royal and establihses the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, a program to preserve and promote Reconstruction Era sites around the country, which will be managed by the National Park Service. The package passed with enormous bipartisan support, including a 92-8 vote in the Senate and a 363-62 vote in the House. “I am grateful to join with so many of my colleagues today to support the Natural Resources Management Act,” said Congressman Joe
TOGETHER WE READ
Wilson (R-S.C.) “This measure permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conversation Fund and provides protections to millions of acres of federal lands. The broad bipartisan support for this bill shows that our public places are about people, not politics.” Congressman Wilson was one of several legislators who worked with Conservation Voters of South Carolina to ask Congress to reauthorize the LWCF. In October 2018, Wilson joined CVSC for a press conference and a kayak tour of LWCF
supported parks and river access on the Saluda River near Columbia. Congressman Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.) took the helm after Mark Sanford left office, but kept the momentum of his predecessor. “I’m proud to champion the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which enriches countless lives in the Lowcountry by investing in local parks, trails, public lands and outdoors spaces,” Cunningham said. “LWCF is the gold standard of conservation programs and has
ROAST OF THE TOWN
invested more than $294 million in South Carolina to protect its recreation areas and open spaces since 1965. While I believe this important, bipartisan program should never have been allowed to expire, I’m proud we could come together now to ensure future generations enjoy unfettered access to our great outdoors.” The bill now goes to President Trump’s desk. Since its expiration September 30, 2018, communities across the state have lost out on over $365 million for public space projects, according to CVSC.
of fuel for those not funded by state or county agencies. Local restaurants also helped out with drinks and sandwiches, all free of charge to those searching for Beach. One little girl also helping out said, “It’s like the whole place wants to help the family.”
Jacobs named county administrator After a nationwide search, Beaufort County Council has unanimously selected Ashley M. Jacobs as the next Beaufort County Administrator. Ashley Jacobs has Jacobs accepted the position and will start on Monday, April 15. “Selecting a county admin-
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Local students visit USCB for ‘Read Across America’.
Beaufort Charities’ annual oyster roast a success.
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Lowcountry Life News Health Business From The Front Sports
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Schools Around Town Voices Food What To Do Classifieds
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