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The Island News
COVERING NORTHERN BEAUFORT COUNTY
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
OCTOBER 22-28, 2015
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Chief Sammy Negron will retire Jan. 15, ending his 20year firefighting career in the Lowcountry.
BEAUFORT
FIRE CHIEF
PROFILE
Local yoga instructor believes that laughter is the best medicine.
see page 6
TO RETIRE
C Scott Quarforth’s winning cover shot.
2016 Land Preservation Calendar Photo contest winners are announced Fourteen photos will be featured in Beaufort County’s 2016 Land Preservation Calendar—Ripple Effects: Wetlands and Waterways, Creeks and Critters. The calendar is designed to promote the County’s Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program, which has conserved more than 22,000 acres of properties throughout the County since 2000. Scott Quarforth took two winning shots, including the cover, Winding Marsh PHOTO continued on page 4
hief Negron said he is retiring to dedicate time to his family as he fights Multiple Sclerosis, which he was diagnosed with in 2005. He will continue to be a member of the team as a fire consultant to the city, Beaufort City Manager Bill Prokop said. Negron, named Fire Chief in March 2010, originally joined the Beaufort Fire Department in 1999 as a Firefighter Recruit. Before that, he served 12 years in the U.S. Marine Corps with service supporting Operations Desert Shield/ Desert Storm and military involvement in Somalia, and he served in Bosnia. He was honorably discharged from the Marines after being injured in a training incident. “I love firefighting and I love our brotherhood of firefighters,” Negron said. “This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right decision. I will continue to support the City of Beaufort and the Fire Department because there is so much happening, so much good stuff to make Beaufort a better and safer community.” He served four years as a Beaufort firefighter recruit volunteer before joining the professional force. As he nears retirement, Beaufort is in the final stages of building a new fire
SOCIAL
YMCA holds Boots & Bling fundraiser.
see page 10
IGNO
Mini massages plus fabalous shopping equals a night of relaxation.
see page 15 Photo by Susan DeLoach Photography.
station at 1120 Ribaut Road which is a tribute to him for his hard work and dedication to the public safety needs of the community. The new facility will replace the aging and outdated fire station located beside Beaufort Middle School and across from Mossy Oaks Elementary School. “Chief Negron has been such an important part of not just our fire CHIEF continued on page 4
Trick-or-Treat Downtown Beaufort Trick-or-treaters are invited to don their Halloween costumes and bring their treat bags for the annual Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Beaufort event. Kids can visit more than 65 stores and businesses along Bay Street and beyond for “treats” on Thursday, October 29, between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Trick or Treat in Downtown Beaufort is a safe activity for the children of Beaufort. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend and stroll through the downtown with their children. Bay Street, from Newcastle to Carteret Street (Newcastle Street will not be closed) and Port Republic to Scott Street will be closed to automobile traffic from 4:15 to 6:00 p.m. Trick or Treat in Downtown Beaufort is hosted by Main Street Beaufort, USA, the City of Beaufort Police Department, and the merchants of downtown Beaufort, and sponsored by Coastal Pediatric Dentistry and Beaufort Memorial Hospital. For more information on Main Street Beaufort USA, please call 843-525-6644 or email director@downtownbeaufort.com.
INDEX
Community 2-4 Business 5 Profile 6 Health 8 Social 10 Schools 12 Arts 13 IGNO 15 Sports 16 Voices 17 Wine 18 Games 19 Pets 20 Events 21 Directory 22 Classifieds 23