April 30 edition

HENRY C. CHAMBERS WATERFRONT PARK

Taste of Beaufort branches out

BEAUFORT

It’s almost May Day, and this weekend, the community and visitors will get to celebrate with the annual Taste of Beaufort festival.

Beginning Friday night with entertainment in the Waterfront Park — giving everyone a chance to check out the city’s new “social district” — the festival kicks off with eating opportunities both Friday night and Saturday. Admission to the park is free, but not the tickets you have to buy to taste that food.

Thanks to the Waterfront Park being partially decommissioned, organizers of the festival have expanded the festival locations to include the USCB campus on Carteret Street, where the “Taste of the Arts” events will be happening, with a juried art show and art market with items for sale.

And … at long last, the newly renovated Washington Street Park will be the site of celebration, with a gathering planned to mimic entertainment events that attracted the community back in the 1940’s.

Organized as the Beaufort County Negro Recreational Center, the park located in the city’s Northwest Quadrant was the only public park for black families during times of segregation. The park recently underwent a major $1 3 million renovation which was funded with grants and money from the city’s Parks and Tourism Revenue Bond. A historic

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Option 2 would replace the platform and piles underneath the promenade at Beaufort’s Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park with a similar, more modern platform and piles “ensure safety, durability, and permanent access.” The promenade would be raised above the 8-foot flood level, above the park itself. Design renderings courtesy of the City of Beaufort

City of Beaufort provides design options for repairs to Waterfront Park promenade

By Mike McCombs

The Island News

About 150 members of the community members attended a Waterfront Park Design Concept Information Meeting on Wednesday evening, April 22, at the pavilion at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort to get a closer look at the proposed options for repairs to the park. And those in attendance made their preferences known – there is

a clear favorite.

The meeting was an opportunity for community members to review the proposed design concepts; ask questions of those in attendance from McSweeney Engineers, Davis & Floyd, and City staff; and share their feedback.

Four options were presented to the public — A simple (or not so simple) repair and three structural options, with the third being really a hybrid of the first two

Option 1 – Repair and stabilize the waterfront promenade and restore access

The simplest approach would be to repair the existing structure’s deteriorating substructure and pilings and restore access. This option, however, would leave the City with critical structural vulnerabilities and fiscal challenges.

Beaufort social district starts steady in first weekend; data

City officials say it is too early to measure impact of pilot program

By Delayna Earley The Island News

Beaufort’s new downtown social district saw a steady start during its first weekend, though city officials say it is too early to determine its overall impact.

The pilot program launched Friday, April 24, with a ribbon cutting along Bay Street, allowing visitors to carry beer and wine between participating businesses within a designated area of downtown.

City Manager Scott Marshall said early indications do not point to any immediate issues.

“Because I haven’t gotten any calls on the negative, to my knowledge there were no issues,” Marshall said.

Marshall said he has not yet received full reports from downtown operations staff or the Beaufort Police Department and does not yet have data on attendance or economic impact.

“I just don’t have that information yet,” he said.

Based on his own observations Friday, Marshall said downtown activity appeared consistent with recent weekends.

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

Ron Callari’s photo finds “Steve” taking a water break. Discover some of Beaufort’s old southern charm on a horse-drawn carriage tour throughout the town’s picturesque historic district. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK

EDWARD MICHAEL BURNS

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

American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Edward Michael Burns, 78, who joined the U.S. Navy in New Brunswick, N.J., in 1966 After Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Ill., he was assigned to USS Everglades (AD-24) homeported in Charleston. He then attended Radarman school back at Great Lakes before reporting to USS Sterett (DLG31) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan and serving on the line in Vietnam. In 1969 he transferred to USS Orleck (DD-886), also a Yokosuka ship but serving on the coast of Vietnam, where he was naval gunfire support coordinator. As the Vietnam drawdown began in 1970, he separated as a RA2 (E-5) and returned to New Jersey where he began a 35-year career as a pipefitter. In 2005 he began a job as a building inspector in Charleston and in 2010 he retired and moved to Beaufort.

Monday a busy day for Burton Fire District

House fire, brush/trash fires, medical emergencies among calls

Staff reports

If Monday, April 27, was any indication, it was to be a busy week for the Burton Fire District.

As of 7 p.m., Monday evening, Burton Fire District personnel had responded to more than 16 emergency calls including a house fire, a large brush fire, two trash fires and a critical medical emergency.

Just past 6:30 a.m., Burton, MCAS, and Sheldon firefighters responded to a large brush fire on Island Tank Road in Burton. Firefighters arrived on scene to find a large but slow-moving brush fire

along a ditch behind some homes.

The fire took longer than 90 minutes and 6 000 gallons of water to extinguish. It is believed to have been caused by outdoor burning that was not completely extinguished the evening prior.

Just past noon, and again just past 5 p.m., Burton firefighters extinguished two trash fires.

Just before 3:30 p.m., Burton firefighters and Beaufort County EMS responded to the Grays Hill boat landing on Clarendon Road after a personal watercraft exploded causing the teenage operator

serious injuries. Again, just after 5 p.m., Burton and MCAS firefighters, along with Beaufort County EMS and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a house fire at the Laurel Village Mobile Home Park on Shanklin Road. Fire crews arrived to find smoke coming from a home and reports of three children unaccounted for.

Firefighters entered and searched the home while simultaneously extinguishing the fire. Fire damages were contained to the stove area, and all three chil-

dren were located down the street at another residence.

The fire was caused by unattended cooking. The home had no working smoke alarms. No injuries were reported. Burton firefighters installed two smoke alarms before leaving.

Burton fire officials remind residents that South Carolina remains under an Outdoor Burning Ban –no outdoor burning is permitted.

The burning ban went into effect April 17. Since that time, the Burton Fire District has responded to 27 outdoor fires.

April 30

1973: The Beaufort Gazette moves to publishing five days a week.

2019: Beaufort Academy, behind individual runner-up Cal Harvey, claims its second straight SCISA Class 1A boys golf championship. The Eagles down runner up Cambridge Academy by 42 stokes at the Hackler Golf Course in Conway.

May 2

1903: James Edwin McTeer, known as the High Sheriff of the Lowcountry, is born in Hardeeville. McTeer served 37 years as Beaufort County Sheriff from his initial appointment in 1926 until his retirement in 1963. McTeer was widely known as a root doctor

and an expert on witchcraft, according to the Beaufort Gazette

May 3

1825: Laura Matilda Towne is born in Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1862, with help from her friend, a Quaker named Ellen Murray, Towne founds Penn Center on St. Helena Island, the first school in the nation for freed slaves. The school started with nine students in the back of a plantation house.

2019: Team Beaufort weightlifters, including future Olympian C.J. Cummings and future Junior National Champion Dade Stanley, hold an exhibition at CrossFit Beaufort.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

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

Donations gratefully accepted at www.yourislandnews.com or The Island News, PO

NEWS

Burton teen arrested after shootout with BCSO deputies

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

Andre Elijah Washington, 17, of Burton was arrested after a domestic disturbance call took a violent turn on Tuesday morning, April 21 on Wildcat Lane off Parker Drive in Burton. The call about a disturbance came in just before 5 a.m. on April 21, to the Communications Center according to Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Public information Officer Lt. Danny Allen. Shortly after arriving on scene,

deputies determined that the incident was domestic-related and an individual, later identified as Washington, began firing shots at the deputies, which resulted in them exchanging gunfire.

A perimeter was quickly established and deputies called in local law enforcement agencies to assist with the officer-involved shooting and to search for the suspect.

According to the BCSO, during the search of the area with K9 units, a firearm believed to have

been used by Washington was located. The weapon was collected for evidence and testing to confirm it is the same weapon used by Washington. Washington was eventually located and taken into custody without incident. He was unarmed at the time of his arrest.

Arrest warrants served on Washington include Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Person Under 18

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number, Aggravated Breach of Peace, Burglary – 1st Degree, and Trespassing.

At the scene assisting BCSO was the Beaufort Police Department, Port Royal Police Department, The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).

BCSO deputies involved in the incident were placed on adminis-

Take Back The Night

Horizons hosted its annual

trative leave until an Internal Affairs investigation is concluded in connection with this incident. Beaufort County School District was also made aware of the situation as a precaution and two schools were put on lockdown as a precaution as reported by WJCL.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

assault survivors, listen to their stories, and stand united in the fight against abuse. The longstanding event held every April during

powerful reminder of the importance of awareness, advocacy, and community support for those

continues

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• An Optimization Program that follows you through the process to ensure the best outcomes

• Outpatient and in-home rehab services to get you back to doing what you love faster

Taste of Beaufort: Bigger, tastier, better than ever

Staff reports

A Taste of Beaufort returns to downtown Beaufort on Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2 2026 bringing together the region’s best food, local flavor, and community spirit across an expanded lineup in three unique locations.

This year, the City of Beaufort has teamed up with the Cultural District of Beaufort to introduce a refreshed experience featuring new additions organizers hope will enhance the event for locals and visitors, alike.

What’s new for 2026

A Taste of Beaufort continues to evolve, and 2026 introduces several new elements that build on the festival’s legacy:

• Expanded Taste of the Arts Experience – In partnership with the USC Beaufort Center for the Arts, guests can enjoy creative talent from all over the country, adding a vibrant arts component to the weekend.

• Expanded Taste of the Community Experience – In partnership with the Washington Street Park Neighborhood, guests are invited to experience local music, storytelling, and history, bringing Beaufort’s culture and community spirit to life.

• Stronger Local Spotlight – A continued emphasis on local

restaurants, chefs, and businesses keeps A Taste of Beaufort rooted in the community it celebrates.

Waterfront Park: The heart of the festival Set against the backdrop of the Beaufort River, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park once again serves as the central hub of the festival — offering a full lineup of entertainment, activities, and unforgettable views.

The event runs from 5 to 11 p.m., Friday, May 1 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 2 and features:

• Live music all weekend long – Enjoy performances from Cody Webb, Deas Guyz, Lowcountry Mojo Band, the Parris Island Marine Corps Band, and Corey Tate — music spanning a variety of genres to create the perfect soundtrack for your tasting experience.

• Food vendors – Sample signature dishes from a wide range of local restaurants and food vendors, including Mother Smokin’ Good and Sea Eagle Market. From Lowcountry clas-

sics to creative bites, there’s something for every palate.

• Family-friendly activities Bring the whole crew—interactive activities and open green space make this a welcoming event for all ages.

• Art & artisan vendors –Browse unique goods from local artists and makers, adding a shopping element to your day downtown.

Taste of the Arts at the Center for the Arts

The USCB Center for the Arts will present Taste of the Arts, featuring both an outdoor art market and an indoor juried exhibition—bringing together visual arts, live entertainment, and interactive experiences.

The Outdoor Art Market will be open from 1 to 5 p.m., Friday, May 1 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday May 2 and will feature:

• Outdoor Art Market – Beneath the shade of the Center’s majestic live oak, visitors can stroll through artist tents showcasing original works in acrylic, pastels, oils, photography, wood, jewelry, outdoor water features, handbags, and more.

• Live music & festival atmosphere – Enjoy live music, food trucks, and additional attractions that create a lively, festival-style experience throughout the day.

Meet the artists – Connect directly with artists and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.

• Juried Art Exhibition – The exhibition will feature 73 works by 40 artists from Georgia, North Carolina, California, and South Carolina. More than $2,500 in awards will be presented during the opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 1

A Taste of Community at Washington Street Park

On Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Washington Street Park will host A Taste of Community—a vibrant celebration inspired by the gatherings that once brought the neighborhood together “back in the day.”

Reminiscent of historic traveling variety shows like the Silas Green from New Orleans tent performances, this event highlights local culture, history, and creativity through an engaging, family-friendly experience, featuring:

• Live entertainment & activities – Enjoy a lively lineup of musicians, storytellers, magicians, and interactive fun, including a scavenger hunt, time-period photo booth, dunk tank, and more.

• Community food offerings Featuring a Sons of Beaufort Lodge No. 36 fish fry, along

with hamburgers, hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, and a variety of baked goods prepared by local churches and community organizations. Student art showcase – A special clothesline art display will feature student artwork from Beaufort Elementary School and Robert Smalls Leadership Academy.

• Historical marker unveiling – Witness the unveiling of the South Carolina historical marker for Washington Street Park (SC-C-963), honoring the site’s cultural significance.

• Local history & tours – Representatives from the National Park Service will share the rich history of the area, with a focus on the Northwest Quadrant and Old Commons neighborhoods. Guided tours of the historic Stokes Cottage, located at 1313 Congress Street, will be offered by Second Founding of America: Reconstruction Era.

A weekend to savor

A Taste of Beaufort isn’t just a food festival — it’s a celebration of community, culture, and the charm that defines downtown Beaufort. For more information, visit atasteofbeaufort.com or follow A Taste of Beaufort on Instagram and Facebook for updates, highlights, and event details.

Johnson Creek Tavern ‘Dollar Pull Down’

Volunteers through the local Marine Corps’ “Single Marine and Sailor Program” pose for a photo during the “Dollar Pull Down” on Saturday, April 25, 2026. For the fourth time since 2018, the “Dollar Pull Down” will benefit Honor Flight Savannah, a volunteer group who raises money to pay for veterans to travel to Washington, D.C., to see their nation's war memorials. Photo courtesy of Gladys Tut

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marker outlining the park’s past will be unveiled as part of the day’s activities. Also part of the program will be storytelling and traveling musicians such as the groups that entertained the locals “back in the day.”

Plastic straw ban moves slowly along BEAUFORT — Last week was National Earth Day and across the country, including Beaufort County, there was some celebration. Some county employees got Friday morning off to work with public work crews from the county and city … wearing their bright orange vests — to do a concentrated roadside cleanup. The resulting pictures were impressive. There’s no doubt, throughout the year, the county leaders have taken steps to protect our natural environment. If nothing else, consider the Green Space Program which was approved by voters in 2022 to create a two-year penny sales program for the purchase of land to prevent development. (There’s a website https://beaufortcountygreenspaceprogram.

com/, if you want more information.)

Even before the Green Space program, taxpayers supported the purchase of land or development rights through the county Rural and Critical Lands Program which worked with the Open Land Trust to protect more than 29 000 acres.

But … there’s always a but … wouldn’t it have been a lovely gesture on the part of the County Council to celebrate the commitment to environmental protection, if they would move a bit faster on a proposed revision to the 2018 plastic bag ban ordinance.

Groups including the Keep Beaufort Beautiful board, Port Royal Sound Foundation and Coastal Conservation League are advocating for revisions that include further bans on all plastic bags, plastic cutlery, Styrofoam cups and straws since the Council passed the original ban, eight years ago.

Beaufort City Council has already given a first reading vote of approval to the proposed changes but are waiting to see what the County leaders do.

At the April 6 meeting, council’s Natural Resources Committee members voted, 5-2, Mark Lawson and Tab Tabernik opposing, to recommend passage

on

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April

amount, resulting in an

to the full council. Two different surveys conducted by the county planning staff showed widespread support for a total ban on plastic bags and Styrofoam cups and carriers.

The issue of eliminating straws and plastic cutlery has been more divided and the ordinance revisions now recommend businesses can offer straws and cutlery instead of a complete ban.

Also at that same April 6 Natural Resources Committee meeting, the county’s elected officials got a presentation from Kim Konte of Bluffton, who formed Non-Toxic Neighborhoods a nationwide program aimed at reducing pesticides in public spaces. She is asking for local governments to take a closer look at the insecticides and pesticides used on the public parks, recreation areas and roadsides.

The Hilton Head Island and Bluffton councils already adopted resolutions of support along with Rep. Bill Herbkersman who is working on a statewide effort, according to Konte. The committee members expressed general support and agreed to look further at the deals.

In the meantime, the plastic bag ban, Part 2, is expected to be on the County Council agenda in May.

City tackles FY27 budget, massages STR regulations BEAUFORT — For those of you who might have missed it (or even care — there are still local citizens who don’t know that STR’s stands for short-term rentals ... one of those things if you know, you know), the Beaufort City Council did NOT put the latest proposed regulations “to bed” last week.

The special meeting allowed them to make further amendments and set the groundwork for second and final vote on the ordinance.

Mayor Phil Cromer, at the conclusion of last week’s discussion, noted, it’s convoluted. But it’s done.”

Not surprising, the audience of about 20 concerned citizens exited last week’s meeting after the discussion and prior to the council’s commencement on the FY 2027 budget.

To a mostly empty council chamber, City Manager Scott Marshall began a detailed review of the proposed $73 5 million budget which includes a flat millage rate, something all politicians hope for.

The budget will be balanced by an increase in the value of the mil, which is used by the county treasurer to set financial guidelines for the next year’s spending plans.

The city’s budget, as is, includes a 2-percent cost-of-living increase for all employees and options for merit increases, at the discretion of department heads.

It includes $100 K to continue the home repair program, $402 500 to the tourism bureau to bring more visitors, and their spending dollars, to town, and a new $32 tag fee for vehicles to pay for right-of-way maintenance. The discussions will continue through May and up until the end of June when the budget, per law, must be completed.

Interestingly, but again not surprising, one public comment during the discussion of STR’s was, “wish you’d spend as much time on the budget as you do talking about STRs.” Obviously, budget discussions are not necessarily “sexy” … until tax bills come along.

Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah

A Taste of Beaufort returns May 1st & 2nd at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, bringing together the very best of Lowcountry

and

www.atasteofbeaufort.com

Tips for Daily Prayer

Talking with a Friend Prayer as a conversation with God

Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated.

When starting a daily prayer life, one might imagine prayer as a formal and stuffy endeavor, with a lot of words like “thou” and “almighty.” But it can be as simple as a conversation with a good friend. When two friends spend time together, catching up and sharing from the heart, time seems to fly by. This is how daily prayer is meant to be.

You can talk to Jesus as a friend.

In your daily time set aside for prayer, you can imagine Jesus sitting with you, and you can talk to him in a conversational way. For example, if your prayer time is after breakfast, you might start off, “Good morning, Lord! Here I am again. Thank you for this beautiful day you have given me, and for this strong cup of coffee! Help me to open my mind and heart to you this morning.”

There’s a lot to talk about!

You can talk to Jesus about whatever you wish. Tell him what’s on your mind. If you’re happy, tell him why you’re happy. If you’re worried, talk to him about what’s going on. Jesus already knows all of this, but he wants to hear you share it with him. You can say thanks, ask for help, pray for others, or ask for forgiveness.

A conversation is better than a list.

As you open your heart to Jesus, it is helpful to talk to the Lord about individual items rather than listing them. For example, rather than naming a bunch of things that he is thankful for, a husband could begin by first talking to Jesus about his wife: “Thank you, Lord, for Michelle. She is so caring and patient. I’m so glad that you brought her in my life. I don’t know what I’d do without her!”

Jesus will want to get a word in, too!

Like all good conversations, you will want to make sure your time with Jesus is not one-sided. It will be important to allow time for him to speak back to you. He doesn’t usually speak in a loud voice from heaven, but rather touches our hearts in the silence and in the reading of Holy Scripture. We will explore this in our upcoming messages.

You will get better at prayer as you keep practicing! Even if it is difficult at first, keep showing up to your daily prayer time. Just as fifteen minutes with a friend can pass without realizing it, the time you set aside for prayer will start to seem like it goes quickly. Jesus loves you and wants to give you his strength and peace; it’s as easy as talking with a friend!

Beaufort hires Danielle Cobb as Public Information Officer

Former WSAV journalist to begin role May 18

By Delayna Earley and Mike McCombs The Island News

The City of Beaufort announced Wednesday, April 22 that it has hired former WSAV-TV journalist Danielle Cobb as its new Public Information Officer.

City Manager Scott Marshall said Cobb will begin her role May 18. She will oversee the city’s communications efforts, including media relations, public messaging, digital outreach and community engagement, and serve as the primary liaison between the city and the public, media and community stakeholders.

Cobb, who lives in Beaufort and is originally from Spartanburg, joined WSAVTV in July 2024 as a multimedia journalist covering the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire. She graduated from the University of South Carolina Beaufort in 2024 with a degree in communications.

Cobb declined to comment for this story prior to her start date, citing employer policy.

In a message to The Island News, Cobb said she is unable to speak with media while still employed at WSAV-TV.

“I’m still employed with WSAV until the 15th of May and by Nexstar policy, I can’t talk with any media sources unless authorized by my station,” Cobb said, adding that she would be open to speaking after that date.

Mayor Phil Cromer said Cobb brings both regional knowledge and communication experience to the role.

“Danielle brings a deep understanding of our region and a proven ability to communicate effectively in both routine and high-profile

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situations,” Cromer said. “We are excited to welcome her to the City team and look forward to the positive impact she will have.”

Cobb said in the city’s announcement that she is eager to take on the role.

“I’m incredibly excited to step into this position,” Cobb said. “What makes this opportunity especially meaningful is that I not only work here, but I call this city home. I care deeply about this community and look forward to continuing to build strong relationships by listening with an open ear and an open mind.”

Her hiring comes as the city prepares to navigate several high-profile projects, including the planned reconstruction of the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park promenade, a project expected to require extensive public communication with residents and downtown businesses.

Her hiring, however, did not follow a traditional public application process.

Marshall confirmed the city did not post the job, saying he wanted to avoid a gap in a role he described as critical to daily operations and emergency communication.

“This is a very important decision. You don’t want a gap in the responsibilities any longer than you have to,”

Marshall said.

Marshall said he was already familiar with Cobb’s work through a professional relationship and approached her directly about the position.

“I was aware of Danielle’s

“Downtown has been busy the past few weekends that I’ve been down there, so I haven’t seen any drop off in attendance,” he said.

Whether the social district led to an increase in visitors remains unclear.

“The question will be whether there was any increase in attendance this past weekend. I just don’t know that yet,” Marshall said.

City officials say the program will be evaluated over time rather than based on a single weekend.

“We’re looking for more time than just one weekend to figure it out,” Marshall said.

The district operates Fridays through Sundays from noon to 8 p.m., and includes portions of downtown centered around Bay Street and the waterfront corridor. Boundaries are marked with signage throughout the area.

Under the rules, alcoholic beverages must be purchased from participating businesses and served in official social district cups. Drinks cannot be brought in from outside the district, carried into another restaurant or bar, or taken beyond the posted boundaries.

Alcohol is not permitted on the grassy areas of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, and visitors are asked to dispose of beverages before leaving the district or entering a vehicle.

To help guide visitors, businesses are displaying official window clings that indicate where drinks are sold, where they are allowed, and where they are not permitted.

capabilities and thought she might be a good fit,” he said. “I asked if she was interested, invited her to interview, and after that process, I offered her the position.”

While Cobb has not previously served as a Public Information Officer, Marshall said her background in journalism outweighed any concerns about experience.

“Maybe only briefly,” he said. “I look at that in the totality of what I’ve seen with her – her skills, her ability and her acumen on the other side of the microphone.”

Marshall pointed to her professionalism as a key factor.

“She likes to get the real story out to people, and that’s what we’re looking to do in the city,” he said. “We want to be transparent in what we’re doing.”

Marshall acknowledged that some may question the lack of a public posting, but said the decision was within his authority under the council-manager form of government. He added that there is no requirement for the position to be publicly posted.

“There’s no requirement for this hire to be transparent,” he said. “It was an expedient appointment of someone I feel was highly qualified for the position and was in the best interests of the city.”

He added that feedback from City Council members has been positive and said Cobb was not the only person considered, noting he had a short list of potential candidates if she had declined.

The city’s announcement also prompted a wide range of responses on social media, where comments reflected both support for

Cobb and questions about the hiring process.

Several commenters congratulated Cobb and expressed confidence in her ability to take on the role.

“Congratulations, Danielle. This is exciting,” one commenter wrote, adding that her perspective “is going to serve you really well stepping into this.”

Others raised concerns about transparency, particularly the decision not to publicly post the position or outline a formal hiring process.

“To my knowledge, this position was not formally posted or publicly advertised prior to the selection,” wrote Elizabeth “Ivie” Szalai in a comment that prompted extended discussion. “If that is incorrect, I would appreciate being directed to where and when the position was posted.”

In an interview with The Island News, Szalai said her concerns are focused on the process, not the individual hired.

“While I understand that the City Manager may have the legal authority to make appointments without posting a position, I was disappointed that this role was not publicly advertised,” Szalai said. “I am aware of several individuals who were interested in applying and were never given the opportunity.”

She said decisions like this, even if permissible, can affect public confidence.

“When the City consistently emphasizes transparency but then fills a highly visible public-facing position through what appears to be a private process, it raises reasonable concerns,” she said. “Whether permissible or not, decisions like this can erode

public confidence.”

Szalai also said the hiring process itself may shape early public perception of Cobb in a role closely tied to trust and communication.

“I want to be clear that I do not know Danielle Cobb personally, and my comments are not a reflection on her as an individual,” she said.

“That said, when someone is placed into a forward-facing role that is fundamentally tied to transparency and public trust, the process by which they are hired matters.”

She noted the timing of the appointment may add to public scrutiny, pointing to ongoing concerns in the community related to public records and communication.

“This appointment comes while the investigation into the handling of the Hollis FOIA matter is still pending,” Szalai said. “That context, fairly or unfairly, may contribute to public perception challenges that she did not create but will now have to navigate.”

The Hollis FOIA matter referenced by Szalai stems from an incident last year in which the city acknowledged it had mistakenly released thousands of pages of sensitive information, including records involving minors, in response to a public records request. The release prompted an internal review and an ongoing investigation into the city’s handling of FOIA requests.

Another commenter echoed concerns about leadership and consistency, writing that while Cobb may bring strong qualities to the role, “the person before her demonstrated those same qualities, but without that standard at the top, it doesn’t carry through.”

Locations marked “Sold Here” include businesses such as HopDog, Lost Local and Beaufort Wine, where customers can purchase beer or wine for the district.

“Welcome Here” signs indicate businesses that allow drinks inside, including a range of retail shops along Bay Street. “Not Permitted Here” signs identify locations where outside alcoholic beverages are not allowed, including some restaurants and businesses that have chosen not to participate.

City officials say the social district was created to support downtown businesses and increase foot traffic, encouraging visitors to spend more time in the area rather than leaving after a single stop.

In a post announcing the launch, Main Street Beaufort encouraged residents and visitors

to shop, dine and enjoy the day while reminding people to follow posted rules, use designated cups and drink responsibly.

While some see the district as an economic opportunity, not all business owners are on board.

Panini's On The Waterfront owner Paul Thompson previously raised concerns about liability for participating businesses.

“As a licensed ABL permit holder, there is too much liability exposure in this concept the city has put forth,” Thompson said. “Our liability insurance only covers to our property limits, and by giving people cups with our names and a date and time on them and they wander off over our property limits, that leaves a huge gap where we could be liable for anything that happened.”

To better track activity, the city is working with the Convention

and Visitors Bureau to monitor foot traffic within the district using geofencing technology, which will help provide more consistent data on whether visitation increases over time.

Marshall said the social district is expected to operate alongside existing events and festivals, noting that most festivals take place within the waterfront park, which is not part of the district.

As the pilot continues, city officials say they will be looking at trends over multiple weekends to determine whether the district is meeting its goals.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island

as well as

Cobb will be the third person to serve as the city’s Public Information Officer in roughly the past year and a half. She replaces Ashley Brandon, who held the role for about 14 months before leaving in March. Brandon succeeded Kathleen Williams, who retired from the position in late 2024 after joining the city in 2019 Szalai said the Public Information Officer role should serve as a consistent and transparent link between the city and its residents.

“The PIO serves as the public face and voice of the City,” she said. “That role should be grounded in transparency, responsiveness, and respect for the public’s right to information.”

Cobb said her focus entering the role will be centered on those same principles.

“My mission coming into this position is simple,” she said. “To prioritize the people, businesses and journalists that make up this community through transparency and honest communication.”

Editor’s note: The Island News assistant editor Delayna Earley previously interviewed for the City of Beaufort’s Public Information Officer position when it was publicly posted in late 2024. This is disclosed for transparency.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

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

and

County Register of Deeds hosting webinar to introduce new software

Beaufort County Register of Deeds is hosting a webinar from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, April 30, for members of the public to learn how to use the new software when searching for deed information.

The office has moved to a new cloud-based provider for property searches.

The webinar is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Go to https://bit. ly/4t5wVnt to register to attend the webinar. For more information, please contact Beaufort County Registrar of Deeds at 843-255-2555

The vendor will be hosting the webinar. The Registrar of Deeds office will be closed during the webinar for staff training.

Family Promise nets

$20,000 grant from home-builder Clayton

Family Promise of Beaufort County has secured a $20,000 grant from home-builder Clayton to prevent homelessness for families in the Lowcountry. The grant is a portion of the $2 million dollars Clayton is donating to the Family Promise national network.

The funds are a result of the recently announced partnership extension between Family Promise and Clayton. “A Future Begins at Home,” the initiative created through this collaboration is focused on supporting families experiencing homelessness by helping them remain in their homes and quickly regain stability. Since 2019, “A Future Begins at Home” has helped catalyze more than $14

Park from page A1

Structural issues would be repaired by replacing severely deteriorated piles, jacketing damaged but salvageable piles and adding new piles. All are expensive options and unknowns.

This option also would not mitigate any flood risk by maintaining the current height of the promenade.

The promenade and park are prone to flooding since the sea level is 7 inches higher than it was when the park was designed in 1974 That also means the park is vulnerable to king tides.

A repair of the current outdated structure would be expensive and a “shortterm band aid” because different parts of the structure will continue to fail over time. It would also be extremely difficult and expensive to drive new pilings without destroying the existing platform.

Option 2 – Build new and raise high: A highperformance elevated platform

This is the structural option most favored by the community members in attendance, at least according to the colored stickers they were asked by City staff to place on the design renderings to provide feedback on the three options. City Manager Scott Marshall called this option “the clear frontrunner,” and “basically what we have right now,” except higher. According to the engineers, this comprehensive approach replaces the failing structure with a modern design and modern materials that “ensure safety, durability, and permanent access.”

The design would create long-term resilience by building the promenade above the 8-foot flood

million in additional funding, resulting in more than 43,000 families served.

In addition to Clayton’s financial support, the company has donated 20 homes to the Family Promise national network since 2019. These homes are used primarily as transitional housing, allowing families to stay together while receiving case management and support services as they work toward permanent housing.

For more information about Clayton, visit claytonhomes.com. To learn more about Family Promise, visit familypromisebeaufortcounty.org.

Public test of central count scanners (ballot tabulating machines)

A public test of the Central Count Scanners (ballot tabulating machines) for the May 12 2026 School Board District 9 Special Election will begin on Friday, May 8 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County office, located at 15 John Galt Road in Beaufort. For more information, call 843-255-6900

‘Brunch on the Bluff’ tickets going fast

“Brunch on the Bluff,” the official birthday party of the Open Land Trust, is an annual spring event to celebrate the founding of South Carolina’s first land trust and the people who make this work possible: you.

Tickets for the event (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 9 1806 Bay Street) are on sale but are going fast. Last year the event sold out three weeks early.

The event features brunch, live

level, raising the promenade above the level of the park itself. There would be ramped pathways and stairs to the raised promenade.

Option 3 – Build new and raise: A resilient seawall and solid fill foundation

This option would mean an actual seawall, as the Downtown Marina has.

This approach replaces the failing structure with a modern design – building a seawall and backfilling -that ensures safety, durability, and permanent access for the community. The seawall would create longterm resilience by building the promenade above the 8-foot flood level.

The design builds a new promenade and sea edge with the latest methods. Once again, there would be ramped pathways and stairs to a raised promenade.

Marshall said this is and has always been a popular option. It is also the most durable design.

However, backfilling would be far more “problematic” today that it would have when the park was built in the mid-1970s.

“Technically, you’d be filling in wetlands,” Marshall said, “and from a regulatory standpont, that’s a longshot.”

Option 4 – Raise platform and enhance amenities: A transformative and resilient waterfront

This option is a hybrid approach that pairs the maximum structural resilience of Options 2 or 3 with specific amenities requested by the community to create a vibrant, world-class destination, such as a new splash pad and expanded public spaces designed for family-friendly, year-round use.

This option is a direct response to community requests for family-friendly

Pat Harvey-Palmer of the Beaufort Lions Club, along with fellow member Doug Filter, recently delivered 141 pounds of aluminum can tabs o the Ronald McDonald House in Charleston. The Beaufort Community has joined together to make this fundraiser possible for The Ronald McDonald House to care for families with children that have serious medical problems. The families are provided room and board free of charge until their child is ready to go home. They accept any size or color tab. This is the Beaufort Lions Club’ third year participating and 141 pounds of tabs is definitely a club record. Submitted photo

music and an open bar. Tickets are $175 each and can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/3Oa3qCu.

Beaufort County Veterans Affairs offering Life Planning seminars

Beaufort County Veterans Affairs is hosting a series of Life Planning seminars for veterans and their families. The seminars will be offered at 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., and will be held at the following dates and locations:

water features and interactive play spaces, according to the renderings.

Once again, this option would elevate the entire platform above the 8-foot flood level and provide a higher degree of resilience, reducing flood and wave risks significantly from King Tides and storms. This option could also features a new dock extending into the river, creating a direct connection for water-based recreation and offering a unique perspective of the shoreline, and possibly a new water-facing amphitheater, providing tiered seating for sunset viewing and shifting focus toward the river.

Option 4 is created by incorporating the proposed amenities into the designs of Option 2 or Option 3

Moving forward

“I saw a lot of interest from the public at each station,” Marshall said. “The community was asking questions, and they were definitely engaged.”

Going forward, the next step, or the most immediate step, is a the Waterfront Advisory Board meeting set for Monday, May 4

“The committee will talk about the feedback and will discuss a way forward in terms of a recommendation to City Council [from among today’s options] or whether they need more time to decide,” Marshall said.

He said the next step, once a design is decided upon, would to begin the permitting process, though its too early to speculate on an accurate timetable or a price tag.

“As soon as we know the type of design, there is a part of the permitting process we can begin,” Marshall said.

For those who could or did not attend the meeting, the City of Beaufort has cre-

Wednesday, June 10 Hilton Head Island Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road

Wednesday, July 15 St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road

Wednesday, September 16 Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Drive

Wednesday, November 18 Burton Wells Recreation Center, I Middleton Recreation Drive

Wednesday, December 2 Hilton Head Island Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road

This seminar specifically addresses things veterans and their families can do today to ensure their personal effects are in order. The seminar also discusses Veterans Affairs benefits that surviving spouses may be entitled to receive. RSVPs are required for space and resource purposes. Please contact Crystal at 843-255-6880 to reserve your seat. For questions and more information please contact Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-255-6880

– Staff reports

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

Bridges Prep’s fledgling baseball program turned a corner a year ago, and now the Buccaneers are in the straightaway.

The Bucs clinched the Region 5-2A crown with a 5-2 win over Barnwell on Thursday, April 23 as Tavin Almendarez and Dawson Cook combined to shut down the Warhorses and Finn Brock went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, and two RBIs.

Best of all? There isn’t a single senior on the roster.

The Bucs slipped up Friday on the road, falling 9-6 at Patrick Henry Academy to snap an 11-game winning streak dating to a 2-1 loss at Barnwell on March 20 The win streak included four shutouts, and the Bucs scored 10 or more runs in seven of the 11 consecutive victories.

Bridges ( 18 - 3 ) had two more non-conference tune-ups on the schedule Tuesday against Low -

Bucs wrap up first region baseball title

country Leadership and Wednesday at Hilton Head Island High.

The Bucs will open the SCHSL 2 A playoffs at home Tuesday against the No. 5 seed from Region 7 - 2 A.

JPII could earn another shot at HHCA John Paul II’s baseball team certainly wasn’t looking past Tuesday’s road trip to Augusta Christian to open the double-elimination SCISA 4A state tournament, but the Golden Warriors can’t help but think about what could lie ahead later this week — a postseason rematch with rival Hilton Head Christian Academy. The Golden Warriors (13-5) dropped a pair of tight games to the Eagles in the regular season, falling to the two-time defending state champions 6-3 at HHCA and 5-3 at home, and they would rather not wait until next year to take another swing at the champs, especially if it comes with a spot in the state championship series on the line.

Flying Frog 5K at the airport

SCISA 4A State Tournament

John Paul II vs. TBD

SCISA 2A State Tournament

Beaufort Academy at Lee Academy (G3 if nec.)

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

HHCA at John Paul II, 4:30 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER

Bridges Prep at Hilton Head Prep, 5 p.m.

Patrick Henry at Beaufort Academy, 5 p.m.

4 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER

HHCA at John Paul II, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 30

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

Oceanside Collegiate at Beaufort, 7 p.m.

Don’t ignore subtle signs

Diabetes affects women differently

Signs of diabetes in women:

Special to The Island News

Diabetes affects women differently than men, and many signs of diabetes in women can be easy to shrug off or attribute to something else.

Knowing these signs can help you seek care quickly, and early detection can set you on the path of effective diabetes management and reduce your risk of complications.

“Women’s experience with diabetes is different than men’s in many ways, starting with their risk factors,” says Dr. Bruce Vincent, a board-certified family medicine specialist at Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Primary Care. “Some factors, such as high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, excess weight and an inactive lifestyle, apply to both women and men. Women, however, have unique risk factors, including polycystic ovary syndrome, weight gain after menopause and gestational diabetes, which is diabetes during pregnancy.”

Risk factors aren’t the only ways this disease is different in women. Women with diabetes are four times more likely to develop heart disease, a common complication of the condition, than women who don’t have diabetes. Men with diabetes are only twice as likely than men without diabetes to develop heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Office on Women’s Health reports that women with diabetes have higher risks for blindness and depression compared with men who have diabetes, all the more reason for women to report potential signs of diabetes to their primary care provider.

Early clues

Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes — the major forms of the disease — differ in important ways, including how symptoms develop.

If you have Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t make insulin, a hormone that helps transport sugar from food into cells to convert into energy. Without insulin, too much sugar stays in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels. People with Type 1 diabetes often see symptoms develop quickly, sometimes within weeks.

Type 2 diabetes, the more common form of the disease, occurs when your body struggles to use the insulin it makes, which raises your blood sugar level. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes can take years to appear, if they show up at all.

Regardless of type, early signs of diabetes in women and men can include:

Frequent urination

Increased thirst

Numbness in the hands or feet (diabetes damages nerves and can reduce feeling in your extremities)

Skin changes (diabetes can lead to dry skin and slow wound healing)

• Unexplained weight loss

Vision changes

Stay alert for other, uniqueto-women signs of diabetes, including disruptions to your menstrual cycle.

“For some women with diabetes, their periods become less predictable,” Dr. Vincent says. “They may have a heavier flow, or their periods may last longer than they used to.”

In addition, diabetes can increase the risk of a health problem with which many women, unfortu-

nately, are familiar: urinary tract infections (UTIs). Around 60% of women will have a UTI at some point, according to the Urology Care Foundation.

“Diabetes reduces the body’s defenses against infections, including UTIs, by increasing blood sugar levels and hindering blood circulation,” Dr. Vincent says. “High blood sugar levels also increase women’s risk of vaginal yeast infections.”

If you develop frequent vaginal yeast or urinary tract infections, it’s worth investigating whether diabetes may be the cause.

Diabetes may also play a role if you have difficulty getting pregnant. This is due, in part, to how the disease can affect your periods. If you don’t have diabetes but develop gestational diabetes during

pregnancy, you may have a higher risk for pregnancy-related high blood pressure and premature birth.

Your risk for diabetes increases after age 40, and some signs of the disease in women may not appear until then. These include: Less interest in sex — Diabetes-related changes, including nerve damage and poor circulation, can cause vaginal dryness, which can get worse with menopause. Vaginal dryness, in turn, can cause discomfort during sex.

Postmenopausal symptoms — Diabetes doesn’t cause menopause but is linked with certain symptoms that can occur after your periods end. These include weight gain, which may force changes to your di-

How to quit smoking

abetes management plan, and vaginal dryness.

“Individualized diabetes care is so important,” Dr. Vincent says. “No two patients with diabetes are the same. Your primary care provider will set unique blood sugar targets to help protect your health. Additionally, they’ll create a multipronged, individualized strategy for managing diabetes, from taking medications to following a healthy eating plan to joining a fitness center to help you get active.”

Importantly, acting quickly when you notice potential signs of diabetes can help you stay ahead of complications for heart disease, as well as chronic kidney disease, vision loss and difficult-to-heal foot ulcers. Recognizing the signs of diabetes empowers you to take control of and protect your health.

Special to The Island News

Smoking is bad for your health. That’s not a secret, and it’s certainly not news.

But whether you’re an occasional or long-time smoker, it’s never too late to stop. Within the first 24 hours after stopping smoking, your heart attack risk is reduced considerably.

In 10 years, your lung cancer risk normalizes.

Stopping smoking means halting a powerful one-two punch: habit and nicotine addiction. That punch is more powerful than most people recognize. In fact, nicotine is more addictive than heroin.

When you combine those hurdles with the mental and social components of smoking, know that it will be a fight. These five steps can help

you get started.

Step 1: Make a plan

If you’re thinking about quitting cold turkey, consider this: Your success rate is a meager 3% to 5%. The most successful attempts combine therapeutics such as gum, patches, nasal spray, lozenges, inhalers and pills with a behavioral program, like the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking class.

Through the program, people who want to quit smoking can get help developing cessation plans and coping methods.

Add visualization techniques to reduce anxiety, daily affirmations to build motivation and support groups, such as Smoker's/ Nicotine Anonymous, to bolster your plan and your odds of success.

Step 2: Focus on short-term survival

Take it one day at a time, suggests Kathryn Sams, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CNE, of the Beaufort Memorial Medical Assisted Therapy (MAT) Clinic

“The reason you need to focus on one day at a time is because smoking is both a physical and brain addiction,

meaning the nicotine actually rewires your brain to crave it long after the nicotine has left your system,” Sams says.

That's why things like a nicotine patch can reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms. Sams also advises people who smoke that there is no downside to stopping and to focus on all of the positive health benefits (of which there are many).

Step 3: Avoid temptation

When you quit, you’ll want to stay out of situations where you used to smoke and avoid exposure to tempting secondhand smoke.

Even if you like your smoking buddies at work, don’t join them on breaks after you quit. Instead, join a friend for a walk. To disrupt your mental patterns, exit the building

through a different door than you took for smoke breaks.

Step 4: Reward yourself

Design and then sign a contract with yourself. No tobacco for a day, week or month and treat yourself to some kind of reward when you succeed. A small reward (your favorite Starbucks treat) or a large one (skipping weekend housecleaning) can lift your spirits and your sense of accomplishment on difficult days.

Step 5: Learn from setbacks and move on

You decide to quit smoking and slip into your old habit after a few days. Don’t assume all is lost. Just think about what went wrong. Were you stressed? In a tempting situation? Then

throw out your cigarettes and carry on.

“It’s important to know that it takes the average person eight to 10 attempts to stop smoking successfully,” Sams says. “Stick with your plan and reaffirm your commitment every day, and you will persevere.”

So, how long does it take? Six months without smoking generally means you’ve made it, according to the American Lung Association. Once you do achieve complete smoking cessation, keep your guard up. Don’t smoke an occasional cigarette or take a drag from a friend’s. Never forget your hard-won journey and live life knowing you’re one cigarette away from a full-time habit.

Your medication regimen matters

Tips for sticking to the plan

A medication regimen — sometimes called a drug regimen — is the plan you need to follow when taking medicine, including how much of the medicine to take at one time (the dosage), when and how often to take it (schedule) and how long the course of medication should last (duration).

“When your health care provider prescribes medication, it’s up to you to take it as directed, which maximizes its effectiveness,” said Dr. J. Russell Williams, a board-certified internist at Beaufort Memorial Primary Care. “Using some simple medication management techniques can reduce confusion and help your health.”

Medication regimens may be part of treatment regimens or the overall plans for managing an illness.

Manage medications like a boss

Medications often play a central role in treating common chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and arthritis. Regardless of diagnosis, many of the rules of managing medications for these conditions apply across the board.

That includes the No. 1 rule: working closely with your healthcare providers to help ensure your treatment is safe and successful.

“Tell your primary care provider, specialist or pharmacist about the medications and supplements you’re already taking so they can ensure a new prescription won’t interact with them and cause adverse effects,” Dr. Williams said. “In addition, if you need to take medications in dosage forms you’re not familiar with, such as injectables, your healthcare provider can explain or demonstrate how to do it.”

Use these tips to help adhere to your medication regimen and stay safe: Follow instructions to the letter. Take your medications exactly as your prescribing health care provider directs. Get organized. Fill a pill organizer each week and use it daily to help ensure you take your medications on schedule.

• Know the symptoms of a potential medication-related allergic reaction. If you develop an itch, skin rash or swelling, or have trouble breathing, seek medical care right away.

• Reach out for help. Ask a close friend or family member to call or text you daily to remind you to take your medications. Set alarms or write yourself reminders. Set alarms on your smartphone or use a medication management app to help you remember when it’s time to take your medicines. Want to skip the electronics? Write reminders on sticky notes and place them in strategic spots around your home, such as on your nightstand or next to your coffee maker. Stay the course. Managing a number of medications can be frustrating, but

CancerSupport

you shouldn’t stop taking them because management is challenging or you feel better and think you no longer need them. Take the entire course of medication unless your prescribing health care provider instructs otherwise. Talk to him or her if you’re concerned about side effects or how a medication is making you feel.

Support your medication regimen with safe storage

“In medication storage, as in real estate, location matters,” Dr. Williams said. “Where you store your medications can influence their effectiveness. If you choose the wrong location, such as a hot or damp environment, your medicines may degrade and go bad.”

Take the following steps to protect your medicines (and the people around you):

Store medicines in a locked cabinet or box to keep them out of children’s hands.

Leave medicines in their original containers with the labels intact.

Pick a cool, dry place for storing your medicines, such as the drawer of your nightstand. Don’t keep them in the bathroom, under sinks or near heat sources.

When it’s time for medications to go

Dispose of medications safely by dropping them in a medication disposal box in your community. Alternatively, check the Food and Drug Administration’s flush list to see if it’s safe to flush your medication. If it’s not flushable, mix the medication with dirt or coffee grounds, seal it in a container or bag with a zipper, and throw it away.

Second Wednesday of the Month | 6 – 7pm*

Fourth Wednesday of the Month | 1 – 2pm*

Beaufort Memorial Medical and Administrative Center

990 Ribaut Road, Beaufort • Room 317, 3rd Floor

To RSVP for a free Support Group, scan our code or visit: BeaufortMemorial.org/CancerSupportGroup

ad. Special to The Island News Modern medicines are scientific marvels, but they can’t do the job alone. You can only gain the most benefit from them by following the medication regimen — the instructions for taking each medicine.

*Meeting schedule subject to change and may be impacted by holidays.

Kianna Brown, LMSW • 843-522-7328

ART Budding Artist After-School

Art Club

4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.,

Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/ Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10

Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.

CALENDAR

Karaoke with Melissa

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

Karaoke with Ali

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

Karaoke with Melissa

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie

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

Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary

7 p.m., Every Thursday, Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market

5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.

Habersham Farmers Market

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

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

Port Royal Farmers Market

9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com/, visit @portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.

Slip and Splash Saturdays

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud

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

Karaoke with Melissa

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

CAMPS Broadway Bound Summer Camp

9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday June 15 through

WHAT’S HAPPENING

for the two weeks. Join the CFA and Beaufort Children’s Theatre for a summer camp bound for fun! Campers will engage in all aspects of musical theatre, while gaining self-confidence and the ability to express themselves as they learn basic acting skills, vocal instruction, and choreography. The highlight of the camp will be the children’s creation of their own show. Deadline to register is May 29. Limited scholarships available. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3Od8jus.

DANCE

Lowcountry Shaggers

6 to 9 p.m., Mondays, Albergotti Grill, Holiday Inn, 2225 Boundary Street. Shag lessons with Tommy & Sheri O’Brien and others. Occasional ballroom and once-a-month line dancing. Beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www. lowcountryshaggers.com of email lowcountryshaggers@aol.com.

The Beaufort Shag Club

6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. For more information, visit beaufortshagclub.com.

GOLF

9th annual Rooms of Grace Golf Tournament

8 a.m., Friday, May 1, Hilton Head Lakes Golf Club, 2130 Club Way, Hardeeville. Check-in at 8 a.m., shotgun start at 9 a.m. Four Players, Captain’s Choice. $125 per player, $475 for 4. Includes prizes, gifts, and lunch. For more information or to register, call 843-208-5353 or 484753-1134, or email Gary Harrell at gary.l.harrell@gmail.com.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

BEMER Longevity Technology 9 a.m., Wednesdays via Zoom. Seen the buzz on “life span VS health span?” Want to grow better, not older? Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Come for Q&A about how this longevity-enhancing medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being in just 8 minutes, 2 times a day. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.

Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.

HISTORY

Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.

The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.

Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public.

The History Center is open Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

South Carolina Bar Presents Law Talks at the Library: Elder Law 11 a.m., Monday, May 18, Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way, Bluffton. For more information visit beaufortcountylibrary.com.

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

Bridge Club 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays,

Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-2556458 for more information.

Adult Knitting & Crochet Group

10 a.m. to noon, Thursdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free. Bring your projects, a snack, and/or a beverage, and chat with knitting friends new and old. Open to all levels, whether you are a beginner or a lifelong expert. Please bring your own needles and yarn. For more information visit beaufortcountylibrary.org.

Mah Jongg Open Play

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Already know the basics of this fun and popular tile game? Join others for open play – all materials supplied. Cards may be purchased at nationalmahjonggleague.org.

Mahjong Club

9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458.

MEETINGS

Beaufort Lions Club

6 p.m., first and third Monday of every month, St John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. For more information, visit thebeaufortlionsclub@gmail.com or follow on Facebook/Instagram/Nextdoor.

PFLAG Savannah –Beaufort Peer Group

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

Beaufort Chapter of America’s Boating Club

6 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of most months, at various Beaufort/Port Royal venues. Regular meetings begin with a Social, followed by Dinner and often include an exciting Guest Speaker from the Lowcountry. For Meeting Information or Educational Opportunities, please contact Paul Gorsuch, Administrative Officer at admino@beaufortboatingclub.com . Boat ownership is not required, however a passion for safe responsible boating is mandatory.

Zonta Club of Beaufort

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

Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting

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

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

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

The Beaufort Trailblazers –A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, University Bikes, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building off-road/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.

Parents Alienated By Their Adult Children 10 a.m., Thursdays & 6 p.m., Fridays, Lowcountry Outreach Center, 80 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. This is a 12-step support group for Parents Alienated By Their Adult Children and is based on the international group, Parents Alienation

Advocates (PA-A). Contact Marye Jo Hartley or Greg Hartley at 703-9662014 for more information.

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

Al-Anon Beaufort County

7:30 p.m., Thursdays, 80 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort. “Do you worry about how much someone drinks? Is it affecting your life? You are not alone. Al-Anon Beaufort Serenity Group offers help and hope. Join the group in Beaufort, or visit the Lowcountry page at https://bit.ly/3HvksaF for more times and locations.

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

MUSIC

5th annual OPFOB Concert for the Heroes – Lee Brice headliner

6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9, 328 Lakeview Drive, Ridgeland. Tickets start at $87.21. Benefit concert for Operation Patriots FOB (OPFOB), which exists on a 268-acre recreational property in Ridgeland, where it hosts veterans, active duty, first responders and their families. Its mission is to create and foster positive experiences for these local heroes by connecting through outdoor and recreational activities. The lineup includes Lee Brice headlining, with Jerrod Niemann, Craig Campbell, and Rick Trevino. Ticket sales are limited, and every year we sell out our VIP Experience. To purchase tickets, visit https://shorturl. at/KSb4N.

Drivin’ n’ Cryin’

5:15 to 10 p.m., Sunday, May 24, Shellring Ale Works, 1111 11th Street, Port Royal. Tickets $49.87 per person. Celebrating their 35th Anniversary together, Atlanta-based folk-rock act, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’, have spent most of their career on tour. Don’t miss the amazing chance to catch them in the Lowcountry. To purchase tickets, visit https://shorturl.at/YmJsi.

Joe Nichols — Water Festival Concert in the Park

6 p.m., Saturday, July 18, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Bay Street, Beaufort. Gates open at 6 p.m., showtime at 7 p.m. Featuring Joe Nichols, Tyler Reese Tritt, & Blake Proehl. No strollers, coolers, or professional photography. For more information visit bftwaterfestival.com.

Campfire Tyler 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays, The Fillin’ Station, Lady’s Island.

Lowcountry Wind Symphony rehearsals 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort High School Band Room. The Lowcountry Wind Symphony, a 65-member concert band, invites new members. Woodwind, Brass, Percussion. Open to adults and talented high school youth. For more information, email director@lowcountrywindsymphony.com or call 843-304-0543.

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

Chris Jones

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

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

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

OUTDOORS/NATURE

70th annual Beaufort

Water Festival Fishing Tournament Captain’s Meeting

5:30 p.m., Friday, May 8, Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply, 1734 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. All boats should send a representative to the meeting, which will be the deadline for all entries, plus a chance to get bait and last minute tackle! Weigh-ins are May 9, 2026 or May 16, 2026 with the banquet scheduled for May 17 at 2 p.m. at Live Oaks Park. To register, visit www.bftwaterfestival.com.

Free boating inspections Get a free vessel safety check by local members of the America's Boating Club of Beaufort. If your boat passes, you will receive a VSC decal to mount on your boat that will be visible to other boaters and maritime law enforcement personnel. Email Safety@beaufortboatingclub.com.

The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old Point” and enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees. The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street. Tours of Hunting Island Every Tuesday, Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. Free, park entry fees apply. Sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For more information call the Hunting Island Nature Center at 843-838-7437.

RECYCLING

Computer recycling program St. Andrew by the Sea Methodist Church, 20 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. St. Andrew by the Sea has started a program where your trashed computer is wiped clean of all data and recycled to Missioncentral.org — a 100% charity cause.

RUNNING 70th annual Beaufort Water Festival 5k-10K 8 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 904 14th Street, Port Royal. Cost is $25 for 5K, $30 for 10K. Registration ends April 30 at noon. This wonderful flat course takes you along the moss-draped giant live oaks with beautiful views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The 5K is run or walk, the 10K is run only. Participants pre-registered by April 22, 2026 will receive a 70th annual Beaufort Water Festival 5K/10K T-shirt. Registration after April 22, 2026 and walk-up registration does not include a T-shirt. There may be some T-shirts for sale the day of but this cannot be guaranteed. Timing is provided by Grounded Running. Awarded categories include: overall male, overall female, and the top 3 in each age division. To register and find more information, visit https://bit.ly/415U2mk.

SEWING/QUILTING

American Needlepoint

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

Embroidery Guild of America Meeting Second Tuesday of every month, Palmetto Electric Community Room, Hardeeville. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in any type of embroidery including needlepoint, cross-stitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at lowcountrychapter@egacarolinas.org.

SPORTS/GAMES

Moms, Mimosas, and Mahjong

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, May 8, Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club, 30 Yacht Club Drive, Beaufort. Tables of 4 for $60. Join us for open play. Including Raffle prizes, mimosas, tea, and light snacks in a stunning waterfront setting. For more information visit byscnet.com.

ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club

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

Charity card game

3:30 p.m., first Tuesday of each month, Mangiamo‘s Pizza, 2000 Main Street, Hilton Head Island. The Hilton Head liberal men’s group is sponsoring a free social/charity event with a fun, easy to learn card game. A percentage of the money spent on food and drink goes to the charity of our choice. Come socialize, have fun, and support a good cause. Reserve a spot by texting Dave Desjardins at 202-460-5286.

Bridge Club 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-2556458 for more information.

Beaufort Masters Swim Team

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

Get rid of cruel abortion bill or take away the Viagra

This is not something shared lightly: I will discourage my collegeage daughters from returning to live in South Carolina as long as venal Republican legislators keep trying to make the state’s already barbaric anti-abortion restrictions even stricter.

These young women — and millions of South Carolina women — shouldn’t have to live in a state that wants to take away freedoms and health care decisions because of narrow-minded zealots on some mission to turn back the clock.

What six white male GOP senators have been pushing, particularly in the last few days, is ratcheting up venom, hate and cruelty. They’re trying to impose their deluded wills on South Carolina’s women. It’s nothing short of morally and physically disgusting.

So shame on these six state GOP senators who are actively backing the so-called “Unborn Child Protection Act” (S. 1095):

FSens. Richard Cash, the Anderson ringleader, as well as Danny Verdin of Laurens, Tom Fernandez of Summerville, Carlisle Kennedy of Lexington, Billy Garrett of McCormick and Rex Rice of Easley.

The summary of the bill is pretty succinct. It seeks to “prohibit abortions.” But it wants to do so in such a brutal, vulgar manner that it would ban abortion from the moment a pregnancy was detected clinically as well as eliminate exceptions of rape, incest and fatal fetal anomaly, which currently is allowed under S.C.’s already restrictive law. Even worse: Anyone connect-

ed with an abortion could face felony charges – even doctors, who could face up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. A woman who received an abortion could face a misdemeanor charge and up to two years in prison.

Translated: These men — who can’t give birth and really know nothing about it — are as serious as heart attacks in an election year with yet another wicked scheme to inflame people about abortion. I wish pro-choice legislators would start introducing bills to ban Viagra, Cialis and other erectile dysfunction drugs. Maybe anti-abortion male nimrods would wake up a little bit if they saw their health choices being limited.

So it came as no surprise Wednesday when the S.C. Senate Medical Affairs Committee, chaired by Verdin, rammed through this cruel bill on an 8-4 voice vote. Garrett, Fernandez and Cash are members of the committee. Three Democrats and Republican Tom Davis of Beau-

fort voted against the measure.

For South Carolina’s women, Davis is the new hero in this long, continuing abortion debate which led to the ouster of three vocal Republican women senators in the 2024 election.

On Wednesday, Davis vowed the anti-choice cabal’s draconian abortion bill would not make it through the state Senate this year — even if he had to filibuster it after senators dealt with the state budget. (The General Assembly will adjourn May 14.)

“I don’t want to be associated with this,” Davis said this week.

“I don’t want the party that I am affiliated with to be associated with this. I’m embarrassed.”

Later he added the restrictive bill does not reflect the views of most South Carolinians: “Somebody has got to yell stop. We jumped the shark on this. This is ridiculous. This bill is so out of line of where South Carolinians are on this issue, I doubt that 5% of South Carolinians think that this is a good idea."

Vicki Ringer of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic said in a statement that anti-abortion lawmakers were endangering lives with bills like S. 1095

“South Carolina has risen in infamy as a state where it’s too hard to get reproductive and pregnancy care and where it’s dangerous to give birth, particularly for Black women,” she said. “But instead of working toward solutions that bring more providers into this state and make health care more accessible, all our lawmakers offer are prayers, platitudes and harsher threats.

“If lawmakers won’t hold themselves accountable for their actions, we must do it for them. We won’t stop fighting — and we won’t be silenced.”

Good. Job No. 1: Stop the bill dead in its tracks. Job No. 2: Get rid of their ED medication.

Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment?

Send it to feedback@statehousereport.com.

‘Michael’ critics can just beat it

ull disclosure: As I’m writing this, I have not seen “Michael,” the new movie biography of late pop superstar Michael Jackson.

I was, and remain, more a fan of Prince.

In my eyes, Jackson was a strange visitor from another planet who from his earliest childhood could sing and dance like no one else, while simultaneously singing and dancing exactly like performers everyone already knew and liked.

To borrow a reference from the world of video games, Jackson was the final boss of popular music.

Every song we had listened to or dance move we had seen up to that time came together in him. Whatever we thought a music video could be was perfected by him. When he called himself the King of Pop, it felt more like a statement of fact than a marketing campaign.

Based on feedback from

Wscreenings, audiences and critics are watching two different films.

Last weekend, “Michael” was tied for the highest popcorn (aka audience) rating of any new movie on the Rotten Tomatoes website. It was tied with a concert film from the Korean boy band BTS, whose members borrow heavily from Jackson’s style and moves in their music. Critics ranked it thirdworst among current releases, with many criticizing the film for glossing over Jackson’s odd public behaviors and scandals, including allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

Now, people can say Jackson acted strange at times, but hadn’t we seen that with other entertainers? How about Elvis Presley and the caped jumpsuits he styled after the comic book hero, Captain Marvel Jr.? Or his quest to become an agent of the that era’s version of the Drug Enforcement Administration?

Supposedly, Elvis became a federal agent for an anti-drug agency so he could travel legally with his personal stash of guns and drugs. Lord-a-mighty, I feel my temperature rising at the absurdity of that notion. They say Jackson became addicted to plastic surgery. True, his facial features changed from more representative of the African diaspora to borderline anime pixie fairy, but again, that’s nothing we haven’t seen before. Hollywood is full of stories of stars changing their features to hit it big, from Clark Gable’s

ears to Marilyn Monroe’s nose. Would these critics be shocked to learn Lucille Ball wasn’t a natural redhead? Or to find out (gasp) Elvis wasn’t born with jet-black hair?

As far as the sex abuse allegations, I say this: I have no idea. As we all are in are learning more each day, when you reach a certain level of fame and wealth, you become a part of a sphere where laws and morals are seen as mere roadblocks in the face of making more money and gaining more power.

I’m not forgiving Jackson for anything. At some level, I just have ask myself, where in hell were these children’s parents?

I grew up reading biographies of people who would later be seen as problematic. Among the sports biographies I tucked into my nightstand as a child was one about O.J. Simpson, the NFL’s greatest rusher at

that time.

I watched and enjoyed movies that omitted key details or simply made up stuff about George Gershwin, Glenn Miller, and Charles Lindbergh. And it wasn’t just old black-andwhite movies.

“Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Ray,” and “Rocketman” are modern box-office smashes that in some ways can be described — generously — as jukebox fictions based on real people. TV movies about the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, and The Temptations are cut from the same cloth. I watched them all.

I remember an exchange between movie critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert about critiquing a film by comparing it to what the critic wanted versus evaluating it for what it is. Critics are missing the point if accuracy is what they are focusing on with “Michael.”

Accuracy was the focus of an intended nine-hour

documentary of Prince. It was put together by Ezra Edelman, the same filmmaker who created the Oscar-winning “O.J.: Made in America.” The handful of people who have seen the movie describe it as a masterpiece. It will probably never see a broad release because the Prince estate — including family and others with vested interests — view it as an attack on his legacy. Even super-fan Questlove said, it was “a heavy pill to swallow when someone that you put on a pedestal is normal.” With so much bad going on in the world right now, let Jackson and his fans have this movie. We all could use a smile and warm nostalgia. If anyone asks why, why, tell them that it’s human nature.

Terry E. Manning is a Clemson graduate and worked for 20 years as a journalist. He can be reached at teemanning@gmail.com.

Trust is built through follow through

henever I think about this situation, I find myself imagining what it would feel like as a parent to sit at a kitchen table and open documents I never expected to see. Pages and pages of information. Names. Details. Records that were never meant to leave the hands of those responsible for protecting them. Somewhere in those files could be pieces of someone’s child. Darkest moments. Vulnerable moments. Moments that were never meant to leave the space in which they were shared. In that moment, it becomes very real how much trust is placed in a system and how easily it can be broken.

That is how I understand how the City of Beaufort got here.

In August 2025, city leadership publicly acknowledged that the release of thousands of unredacted files, including sensitive records involving minors, was a “self-inflicted wound.” They accepted responsibility and stated that affected individuals would be identified and notified.

That was months ago.

As a school counselor who has spent years advocating for youth

and families in this community, I know how deeply families rely on the belief that their children’s information is handled with care and protection. That trust is not assumed. It is built over time and easily lost.

As of February 2026, public reporting confirmed the investigation was still ongoing, with no clear timeline for completion or notification. As of today, based on publicly available information, there have been no clear public updates indicating that this process has been completed.

That should concern everyone. Because this was not a minor error. It involved the release of thousands of files, including deeply sensitive information tied to minors.

In my view, what makes this harder is not just what happened,

but what has followed. Silence. Scattered updates. And no clear public indication that affected families have even been notified or formally informed.

That is not transparency.

Recently, the City appointed a new Public Information Officer while this matter remains active and unresolved. The individual selected previously reported on this issue in February while it was still under active investigation, including first-hand review of materials related to the release.

Now, just a couple of months later, she has stepped into a role responsible for communicating on behalf of the same City that acknowledged responsibility for the breach.

That transition may be entirely permissible. It may even be understandable from a professional standpoint. But from a public perspective, it is difficult to ignore the timing and what it may represent to the public.

For a community still seeking clarity and for minors whose information was part of this breach, this moment carries weight. It is not just about a position being filled. It is about how decisions are made, how they are commu-

nicated, and whether they reflect the level of care, awareness, and accountability the public expects.

In response to public questions about the hiring process, the City has emphasized that it had the legal authority to make the appointment without publicly posting the position. That may be true.

But the City’s own stated commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparency sets a higher standard.

In my opinion, the issue is not whether the City had the authority to make this decision. The issue is whether that authority was exercised in a way that reflects transparency, sound judgment, and respect for the public.

When something this serious happens, especially involving minors, communication cannot be an afterthought. It cannot be delayed, filtered, or quietly corrected later. It has to be clear the first time.

That standard has not been met.

The City Council’s role is to provide leadership, oversight, and accountability. When communication breaks down like this, it does not sit at the staff level. It sits at the top.

And that is where accountability belongs.

This is not a capacity issue. It is a leadership issue.

As someone who works closely with youth and families, I see how quickly trust can shift. When families begin to question whether their children’s information is safe, it changes how they engage, how they communicate, and how they view the systems meant to protect them. With an election approaching, this matters more than ever. Not in a dramatic way, but in a real one. People are paying attention to how situations like this are handled. Because public trust is not built through statements. It is built through follow through. And the City of Beaufort deserves better.

The public deserves clear answers. And the minors and their families deserve clear answers.

Amanda Patel is a mom of two, a wife, and a proud rescue owner to Lucky. She is a passionate educator with a master’s degree in school counseling, a master’s degree in leadership, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in public policy. She is always looking for ways to grow and serve her community, with the hope that her children will one day return after college and call it home.

VOICES

Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News

Back to the future?

It is Thursday, early, and I’ve got a cup of Chock Full o’ Nuts Premium Coffee (circa 1932); a small tub of Chobani Vanilla Yogurt; and a recent editorial by George Will.

Most know that George Will — a columnist who has been around since Pleistocene times — is a conservative who provides reliably thoughtful commentary.

Once, long ago, Will wrote a positive piece about (our own) Ernest “Fritz” Hollings who had thrown his hat into the presidential primaries in 1983. For a time Billy Keyserling ran Hollings’ campaign; and I still believe “Fritz” would have made a good President had he survived the primaries.

Last month Will wrote about Iran and why bombing that country was necessary. He says it was “a necessity for beginning to reestablish a precondition for a more peaceable world; the credibility of U.S. deterrence.”

A “precondition for a more

SCOTT GRABER

peaceable world?”

“A nadir of post-1945 U.S. power — and its precondition, confidence — was the 1975 departure of the last helicopter from the U.S. Embassy roof in Saigon. A second low point was reached when Barack Obama drew, in 2012, and then ignored a red line (concerning Syrian chemical weapons). A third was in 2021 when Joe Biden produced a chaotic exit from Afghanistan.”

“Unlike in Venezuela, mere decapitation — regime modification, is insufficient for Iran. The ayatollahs’ regime loathed not just modernity, which America exemplifies, but humanity, whose dignity

My dear Wormwood, Be sure that the patient remains … fixated on politics. Arguments, political gossip, and obsessing on the faults of people …serve as an excellent distraction from advancing in personal virtue, character, and the things the patient can control. Make sure to keep the patient in a constant state of angst, frustration, and general disdain towards the rest of the human race … – Uncle Screwtape

In “The Screwtape Letters,” C.S. Lewis wrote advice from an experienced devil, Screwtape, to his devil nephew, Wormwood. The “patient” is any human being who listens to the news. Screwtape and Wormwood were really busy during the last few weeks. Recently, some news cycles kept bringing up the “feud” between Pope Leo XIV and President Trump. Some of the events that created this imbroglio began on April 7. President Trump threatened the Iranian regime with destruction of their civilization if it did not enter into a ceasefire. This extreme intimidation was probably designed to force whichever Iranian who was then in charge to enter negotiations. The President gave a very short deadline for a response.

Well, dear reader, I admit to being totally flummoxed as I sat down Sunday afternoon to compose my article. It certainly wasn’t a lack of possible subjects that confronted me; rather it was which one to choose.

As I sat pondering this dilemma, a musical ditty invaded my brain. It ran like this: Which one, which one will it be? I’ve got to choose one of the three.” I swear this is true, but for the life of me, I couldn’t place the origin of that jingle. This is one time when the internet was gracious enough to provide some “viable” information.

Do you remember the old Monty Hall show “Let’s Make a Deal.” This was based on a brain teaser, in the form of a statistical probability puzzle. Suppose you're on a game show, and you're given the choice of three doors:

is in imagining betterment through reason banishing superstition.”

As much as I admire Will, I take issue with his short history of our international blundering since World War II. I believe this history starts with Korea.

Our first post-World War II encounter was on the Korean Peninsula when we faced off against the Chinese. Nobody wanted this war — few even knew where Korea was located and, at first, it was fought by National Guard units who were outnumbered, almost “obliterated” at Pusan, and ended with a ceasefire — negotiated in part by Gen. Mark Clark.

But that unhappy ceasefire paved the way for the remarkable, modern-day rebirth of South Korea that manufactures automobiles, oil tankers and serves as an example of what free markets can do when given room to grow.

Let’s now consider Vietnam and a combat

Into this nailbiter, Pope Leo XIV opined that Trump’s threats of annihilation were “truly unacceptable.” He called on “all people” to “reject war, especially a war which many people have said is an unjust war.” The Pope stepped out of his role as religious leader and into the political arena when he further stated, “I would like to invite everyone to pray, but also to seek ways to communicate — perhaps with Congressmen, with authorities, saying that we don’t want war; we want peace.”

Once the Iranians agreed to a ceasefire, Mr. Trump charged like a bull at a matador calling the Pope “weak on crime” and “terrible on foreign policy.” The Internet lit up with continuous commentary. Reporters kept prodding for a jibe.

On Sunday, April 12, cardinal archbishops from Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Newark lambasted Mr. Trump’s Iran War

experience that cost 50 000 American lives including 10 classmates from my college. Despite the humiliating helicopter evacuation mentioned by Will, we were smart enough (20 years later) to make amends with these folks.

That rapprochement fostered a booming economy and a Vietnamese population who (now) loath the Chinese as much as we do.

The final verdicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are not yet obvious; but we did commit troops in each of those fights. That flesh and blood commitment sent a message to the world saying we were horrified with the autocratic leadership in those places, but also worried about women’s rights, endemic poverty and the survival of Israel. And yes, of course, the desperate airport evacuation of Kabul was reminiscent of our helicopter evacuation from Saigon.

But now, today, this Administration’s diplomacy

and immigration policies on 60 Minutes.

Later, Pope Leo asserted that he is not political. Yet, on April 9, the Pope met with Democrat super-operative David Axelrod. Mr. Axelrod stated the meeting was planned months ago. However, this meeting, happening in the midst of a contretemps between Pope and President, gave the appearance that Pope Leo may be putting his thumb on the scale of America’s forthcoming election.

When he was Cardinal Robert Prevost, Pope Leo often posted articles on X, formerly Twitter, that criticized Mr. Trump’s immigration policies. The day after his papal election, the “drprevost” X account was deleted. Some pundits claim that President Trump has resurrected those tweets, and his reaction to Pope’s Leo’s statement, at a sensitive time in the Iran war, was prompted by the Pope’s past disapproval as well as current censure.

Mr. Axelrod may have been meeting with the Pope to lay groundwork for a photogenic meeting with Barack Obama. In an election year, a warm meeting between Pope Leo and the former President could sway some undecided voters.

President Trump’s statements about the Pope and his comments were disrespectful and rude.

is more or less organized around the Tomahawk shipto-shore missile; the F-35 all-purpose fighter-bomber; and special forces troops inserted to kill the leadership. This “diplomacy” avoids any long term commitment of troops; or follow-up effort to deliver humanitarian relief; or rebuilding what we have broken.

The most obvious example of this strategy would be Nigeria — a huge country with three competing tribes that are historically uneasy with each other — where we fired 12 Tomahawks into Sokoto Province in hopes of taking out a group of pro-Muslim bandits.

That’s it.

Our “solution” in Venezuela was to kidnap their President, and his wife, and do an oil deal with the surviving pro-Maduro autocracy.

Done.

It is not clear what the “final solution” in Iran will look like. Will says that the restoration of Iran will be

Pope v. President WHO ARE WE?

Behind one door is a car; behind the others, goats. You pick a door, say No. 1, and the host, who knows what's behind the doors, opens another door, say No. 3, which hides a goat. He then says to you, "Do you want to pick door No. 2?" Is it to your advantage to switch your choice? (The American Statistician)

Just a sidebar from me: Note that two doors have behind them a goat. So much I could say, but I digress.

So, the menu on Sunday was voluminous. Which topic do I choose? The illegal Iran war and the

ugly — there will be blood — but he says we can’t deliver “constitutional government in a box” with “boots on the ground” like Japan. Apparently Will doesn’t believe Colin Powell’s oft-quoted dictum — “If you break it you own it.” In 1902, we sent our Asiatic Fleet into China by way of the Yangtze River Patrol to protect American citizens and our commercial interests in China. If you want details about this diplomacy pull up the 1966 movie, “The Sand Pebbles” starring Steve McQueen. What is now happening is a return to the “Gunboat Diplomacy” we saw on the Orinoco River in Venezuela in 1898; the Yangtze River Patrol in China in 1902; and the attack on Veracruz in 1914

“Back to the Future?”

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

Although he did cross a line, the Pope’s mission is the promotion of peace, unity, and hope in the world. He is not just another “pol.” Mr. Trump failed to give him the esteem his position demands. Many Catholic leaders have called for the President to apologize.

To add insult to the injury he caused himself, the President posted an image of himself as the Almost Divine Healer. Many people cried “blasphemy!” Immediately after the image was posted, it was taken down, but it was up long enough to be copied.

This unnecessary post of the “what was he thinking?” variety, has further alienated some Christian supporters who were already rattled by the President’s never-ending hubris. As Mama always said, “Pride goeth before the fall.”

Having an ongoing clash with the Pope will serve neither the President nor the Vatican. As a spiritual father, the Pope must work for reconciliation. Pope Leo could recognize that, as painful as it is right now, the successful outcome of Operation Epic Fury will be peace in the perpetually war-torn Middle East. His Holiness might also acknowledge that pacifism is not the same thing as peace. Sometimes force must be employed for the good to smite the thorough-

ly evil like Iran’s leaders for peace to be established. Just look at the Books of Joshua and Judges. Mr. Trump must recognize the utility of peace with the Pope if he plans to retain Catholic voter support in November 2026. Apologizing would go a long way to rehabilitating his image. No one is asking him to kneel on the church steps in Canossa and ask the Pope for forgiveness as Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV did in 1077. A simple expression of regret and sorrow would do. Maybe the President should send Secretary Marco Rubio to the Vatican for some quiet talks. Mr. Trump also needs someone to review his posts before he puts them on Truth Social. He may have thought his Almost Divine Healer post showed him doctoring the U.S., as he said, because he did not look at it long enough to realize the implications. The President needs just enough humility to get a trusted person’s opinion before he presses “enter.” All of the non-progressives who cherish the Declaration of Independence and what it stands for depend on him.

Louise Mathews retired from a career in community colleges and before that, theater.

A 13-year come-here in Beaufort, she has been a dingbatter in North Carolina and an upstater from New York.

seemingly unending consequences thereof? The ever-present don’t-lose-sightof-the-Epstein-files? The removal of a dead raccoon’s penis by the deplorable head honcho of our health department?

In front of his kids, no less, but again, I digress. Sorry, dear reader, you cannot make this stuff up! Digression is simply too tempting.

And then, of course, the almost disastrous attack on the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, in Washington, on Saturday, April 25, 2026. In many respects it is disastrous because, once more, an innocent person took a bullet to the chest. While at this time he is said to be in good condition, the question is always, “What if?”

And so in the wake of this incident, do we talk about gun control? Perhaps not, given that the deaths of how many children, not to men-

tion others, has brought about no substantive action.

On that note, however, was a quip, ill-timed as it was, by none other than White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt. She noted, prior to the scene that showed people under tables, that “tonight shots will be fired.” No, MAGAs, I don’t intend to make that sound prophetic, unless, of course, more comes to light.

It’s way too early to jump to conclusions about this incident. First let me be very clear. I am not gleeful about this. Regardless of what the perpetrator’s motives were, this should never be accepted as who we are … NEVER!

Furthermore, shots ringing out in a school is NOT who we are. I will add to this ICE is not who we are with their shots killing citizens. I will stop here regarding the depths to which we have sunk, depths that have ultimately changed the world

view of our country.

Information that I accessed on Sunday suggests that there is something to be investigated regarding the elevators at the Hilton Hotel where the perpetrator supposedly stayed the night before. The report stated that usually people must use their key to activate the elevators, that this has always been the case, and it is the first time anyone can remember that not being the case.

As I type, I have to believe more details will be made available in the coming days. Of course one can’t help but be reminded of the incident in Butler, Pa., and the so-called assassination attempt with the “miracle ear” regeneration. No, I’m not talking about a hearing aid … that would really be a digression.

I want to be optimistic; I want to think that my grandchildren and great-grandchildren will

have a much better life that today’s situation portends. This much I know; we must turn ourselves around and follow a path that doesn’t include acceptance of shootings as part of who we are. So, yes, I guess I have made this a gun control issue in spite of myself. We must not move on from this with a “ho-hum” attitude. We need stricter legislation that includes a waiting period and a background check at the very least. If you are legitimate, neither should bother you. As it stands, I am saddened by what we have become, by what we are tolerating, by “who we are.” And I pray for better days ahead.

Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”

LOCAL MILITARY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 26 April 2026

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel A. P. Bariletti

2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel A. Yang Commander of Troops, Captain W. T. Barnes • Parade Adjutant, First Lieutenant Anidi Company “F”, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Captain W. T. Barnes Drill Master • Staff Sergeant D. M. Brodie, Staff Sergeant X. J. Francisco

PLATOON 2016

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt M. B. Menani

Pvt Almagrosantiago, Lucas A.

Pvt Avery Jr, Eric Q.

Pvt Bailonalban, Justin M.

Pvt Barrientos, Eduardo

PFC Braswell, Zackery L.

Pvt Bridges, Israel J.

Pvt Burden, Romello Z.

PFC Carver, Dagan R.

PFC Cathey, Cayden T.

Pvt Cifuentes, Emanuel

Pvt Cordoza, Kaeden W.

Pvt Cronmiller, Michael W.

Pvt Cruz, Zaiden A.

Pvt Cruzpedraza, Esteban

Pvt Delacruzrodriguez, Felix J.

PFC Durham Jr, Harlon C.*

Pvt Flanigan, Jay

Pvt Gaines, Kameron N.

Pvt Garvey, Demarcus A.

Pvt Gonzalez, Julian W.

Pvt Gonzalezramos, Angel

Pvt Gray, Jordan K.

Pvt Gryder, Max M.

PFC Guillen, Oscar O.

Pvt Herndon, Raymond J.

Pvt Hill, Cinsere A.

PFC Hughes, Grayson N.

PFC Jardonolivares, Rolando*

Pvt Jateff, Chandler J.

PFC Jett, Clarence N.*

Pvt Johnston, Tristan R.

Pvt Kennedy, Trevor L.

PFC Kruskic, Ekrem*

PFC Kubesch, Sammy R.

PFC Kumpis, Mykolas

Pvt Lewis, Kaiden O.

PFC Maravilla Jr, Ismael M.

Pvt Mekelburg, Noah W.

Pvt Metz, Micah P.

PFC Minnihan, Alexander R.

Pvt Moreno, Oscar M.

Pvt Muniz, Tristan E.

PFC Neil, Omari J.

Pvt Pearson, Zamar R.

PFC Pierre, Enoc J.

Pvt Porcelli IV, Arthur R.

Pvt Rhodes, Kaleb J.

Pvt Rogers, Jacob S.

PFC Rosalesvaldez, Eric

Pvt Smith, Nicoy D.

PFC Sollozomelgarejo, Gabriel

Pvt Sortogranados, Jorge A.

PFC Steible, Male

Pvt Sullivan, Marquez E.

Pvt Tull, Braydon T.

Pvt Walker, Kameron D.

Pvt Weresch, Michael H.

PFC Wilson, Calab K.

Pvt Young, Collin A.

PFC Zelaya, Anthony A.

PLATOON 2017

Senior

SSgt

Agudoblanco, Lizbeth D. Alanisgarcia, Daril D. Albertson, Yashira K. Alexander, Emily M. Alves, Ludmila C.* Axiotis, Georgia F. Barnhardt, Gabriella R. Beamon, Jurniah S. Bubeck, Maren K. Cadet, Joselynnsie K. Carabalilopez, Kimberly J. Cardenassoriano, Abigail S. Castelan, Vianney Caya, Ryann E. Chan, Dora T. Cintronfigueroa, Elivette N. Cobb, Laney R.* Delarosafeliz, Noemi Dickerson, Jayda A. Garayantonetti, Sofia A. Garcia, Damaris M. Gazi, Saleha Gonzalezmenchu, Sheila M. Granados, Berenis Hamwright, Aleycia B. Harrell, Isabella A. Harryaninwe, Emmanuella C. Henderson, Lillian R. Hernandezrodriguez, Ashley Hortontavarez, Angela M. Johnson, Lareiyna C. Klugo, Zoie T. Lopezfugon, Nataly M. Luna, Sarai L.* Mancebo, Siul Matamoros, Crystal A. Mcbride, Aydin M. Mendoza, Jalicia M. Messimer, Kailee L. Minchala, Kimberly N. Minns, Seni K. Mollendor, Lillyin J. Moreno, Amaris Y. Morris, Deneisha N. Osteen, Lily A. Paz, Vanessa M. Perezgarcia, Mia S. Quispilema, Tiffany S. Sarmiento, Athena I. Savoy, Serenedy J. Seely, Alanna K. Swanner, Adalynn V. Temple, Breana J. Trado, Emma J. Valladarestorres, Nohemy* Wesley, Kimberly C. White, Bethany M. Yakymenko, Irina A. Zelayacabrera, Diana L. Zuniga, Diana

PLATOON

Alegre, Ricardo J. Alexander, Izekiel A. Andrews III, David L. Armaan, Mohammed Badayramirez, Steve F. Banks, Samuel I. Barron, Jordan E. Bedoya, Santiago Benoit Jr, Isaiah E. Bilecki, Jackson T. Branning, Austin J. Bryant, Ethan M. Cortijodelvalle, Kenneth R. Curtis, Patrick N. Dejesusotero, Angel G. Dole, Patrick H. Dominguez, Jason D.* Dornelas, Pedrolucas D. Edwards, Keondre M. Floresperez, Kenny D. Frayre, Alexis F. Gayle III, Herbert J. Gutierrez, Taylor A.* Gutierrezlira, Leandro

Hidalgo, Christian A. Hutchins, Brody M. Johnson Jr, Loren E. Joughins, Isayah R. Juarez, Jovani M. Larosemichel, Jonathan Lattisawquesada, Elvis C. Lewis, Matthew D. Lopezsanto, Josue Lopeztorres, Mario A. Luy, Raoul W. Maaswinkel, Ethan R. Mcleod, Trevor M. Mcmillian, Uryan D. Merrifield, Russell B. Michel, Dave A. Molina, Steve A. Morales Jr, Edy J. Negronrodriguez, Daniel E. Ortizramirez, Luis E. Pierre, Tristen S. Pourteau, Tyler A. Ramosrobles, Diego A. Reyessierra, Christhian L. Richards, Saveion J. Robertson, Michael A. Rodriguez, Adrian M. Rodriguez, Angel L. Rodriguez, Ethan A. Sipos, David J. Stewart, Malachi S. Vigistaineng, Julio E. Walters, Gabriel R. Welch, Wesley B. Willis, Dolin K.* Wilson, Logan T.*

Abbott, Reese T. Agosta, Josh A. Argubright Jr, Joshua A. Atchley, Tommy L. Atkinson, William B.* Baldridge, Wyatt L. Baute, Trent M. Benke, Garrett D. Bernstrom, Abel R. Blue, Tyler E. Calixsandoval, Daniel I. Chandler, Christopher A. Childs, Samual C. Cribb, Thomas S. Cunningham, Charles K. Davis, Noah C. Doolittle, Joseph C. Eden, Matthew C. Fasso II, Alexander P. Flunder IV, Charles B. Gorman, Matthew R. Griffin, Christian L. Hills, Judah V. Kemp, Brendan J. King, Ethan R. Lopez, Giovanni W. Maldonadohernandez, Michael J. Marchante, Alex C. Masters, Tristan J. Miles, Landon A. Miller, John C. Morris, Brycen A. Nila, Victor R. Ogle, Jonathan D.* Paneto, Daniel J. Perez, Jacob L. Persful, Gannon L. Rabil, Chuck G. Ramey, Logan P. Rawlins, Wyatt A. Rodowski, Zachary R.* Rosa, Erick J. Salguero, Alexander M. Sheedy, Adam P. Shoughgermann, Dillon J. Stauffer, Joshua M. Terry, Johnathan W. Tharau, Gerishon N.* Thomas, Michael A. Valenzuela, Juan Velez, Brian H. Walrath, Reed F.* Wardrick Jr, Larry Warren, Christopher K. Wilkins, Ciranno G. Williams, Noah Woods, Ezekial D.

PLATOON

Acostapineda, Luis G. Bailey, Matthew A. Bogacki, Nicholas O. Brooks, Caiden N. Cancharimachuca, Elmer A. Chiliquinga, Junior E. Christy, Tristen R. Clinton, Seth A. Coates IV, Warren S. Collins, Michael J. Coyman, Zarek A. Crosswhite, Alexander J. Daversa, Adam L. Elliot, Cody W.* Fazzino, Jesse R. Garrett, Davinci V. Gilson, Nahmare T. Gocan, Javon A. Gueye, Mamadou Hauswirth, Zachary D. Howell, Romaine T.* Jenkins, Jeremiah N. Johnson, Khalil E.* Kajiwara, Breadon C. Keller, Brayden P. King, Gavin R. Kirkley, Billy J.* Lemons, Sully M. Lopez, John C. Lopezmaldonado, Yadiel Maher, Devin E. Martin, Jakob N. Martinez Jr, Felix J.* Mcintyre, Christopher M. Menaaranda, Jose M. Monroy, Bryan Morgan, John S. Nelson, Donovan A. Nelson, Samuel J. Palacio, Nicholas T. Palacios, Sean X. Perro Jr, Lawan J. Ramirezfeliz, Randal A. Rodney, Brandon E. Rousseau, Graysen R. Ruiz, Kristopher Sedrick, Niyogusenga Shaffer, Hunter B. Skaggs, Jaylen L. Sloezen, Matthew A. Smith, Christopher M. Suquinaguaorellana, Edwin P. Thornton Jr, Michael W. Timmins, Christopher P. Tucker, Gage T. Turner, Haiden N. Washelesky, Eli M. Watson, Brendan M. Younis, Mikhael S.

PLATOON 2022

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt E. F. Fuentes

Pvt Anderson, Xavier D.

PFC Ariasramos, Yeison J.

Pvt Arnold III, Herbert J.

Pvt Barrett, Kareem A.

Pvt Bennett, Brayden J.

PFC Benson, Joseph L.*

PFC Biggar, Joshua S.

Pvt Borrerocolon, Michael A.

Pvt Bunny, Jaiden P.

PFC Dambrozio, Kaden R.

Pvt Dangelo, Rocco A.

PFC Dougovito, Vincent P.

Pvt Dovalsanchez, Steven.

PFC Flores, Yohan D.

PFC French, Kenneth M.

Pvt French, Kristopher C.

Pvt Gallipeau, Brent J.

PFC Gomez, Erick A.

PFC Henderson, Kevon M.

Pvt Lafaver, Lincoln

Pvt Londono, Jayden A.

Pvt Lugo, Trestan R.

Pvt Mangold, Marshall M.

Pvt Martinez, Giovanni

Pvt Martinezperalta, Ronny D.

LCpl Martinsgomes, Luis G.

PFC McDougle, Elijah P.*

PFC Miller, Matthew T.

Pvt Miller, Wesley A.

Pvt Mount, Dilin W.

Pvt Neal, Jaden D.

PFC Nzegwu, Emmanuel C.

Pvt Ocelotl, Orlando G.

Pvt Ortizvasquez, Raul A.

PFC Overby, Nasir T.

PFC Pamittan, Antonio J.

Pvt Pearson, Fortune I.

Pvt Pitman, Caleb R.

PFC Poindexter, Brooks M.

PFC Prudencio Jr, Franklin S.

PFC Reese, Daiyan N.*

Pvt Reyes, Xavier

Pvt Riverahernandez, Jeffery Z.

Pvt Riveravasquez, Josue L.

Pvt Robertson, Bobby E.

Pvt Rodriquez, Bryan M.

Pvt Rodriguez, Carlos R.

PFC Rosaguzman, Frank M.

Pvt Santiago, Yarette J.

Pvt Sarkozi, Connor J.

Pvt Serranotorres, Jowel J.

Pvt Serranotorres, Onix X.

PFC Sites, Connor T.*

Pvt Sotosamayoa, Angelo G.

PFC Spence, Marvin Y.

Pvt Tran, David N.

Pvt Turner, Lionel W.

Pvt Valentino III, Anthony J.

Pvt Vasquezmaldonado, Daniel E.

PFC Willis, Justice J.

*Denotes Meritorious Promotion

By Michael O’Day Department of War Education

Activity Americas

MCAS BEAUFORT — Firstgrade teachers at Elliott Elementary School in the DoWEA Southeast District are building strong foundations in early literacy by prioritizing daily phonics and phonological awareness instruction — essential skills that support lifelong reading success and informed citizenship. Through intentional, structured literacy practices, students engage in foundational skills such as phoneme isolation, blending, substitution and categorization. These daily routines help students develop a deep understanding of how sounds work within words, strengthening their ability to decode and read with confidence.

In Elliott Elementary’s first-grade classrooms, phonics instruction is embedded throughout the literacy block. Teachers provide explicit, systematic instruction while also creating opportunities for students to actively apply these skills in meaningful reading and speaking tasks.

“Building a strong phonics foundation is critical at this stage,” said Chris Humphries, a first-grade teacher at Elliott Elementary.

LOCAL MILITARY

‘More confident and capable readers’

First-grade teachers at DoWEA Elliott Elementary build strong reading foundations through phonics

“When students understand how sounds work, they become more confident and capable readers.”

As students grow in their phonics knowledge, teachers intentionally connect these skills to authentic reading experiences. Using texts from the curriculum, students apply their decoding skills in context, strengthening both fluency and comprehension. This integration supports students in retelling stories, identifying key details and making meaning from what they read.

“We are very intentional about connecting phonics to real reading,” said Madie Andew, another first-grade teacher. “Students are not just learning sounds in isolation — they are using those skills to understand and talk about texts.”

Teachers have observed that this consistent focus on foundational skills leads to increased student confidence and engagement. As students become more proficient in decoding, they are more willing to take risks, participate in discussions and read independently.

Elliott Elementary ensures instruction meets the needs of every learner through targeted support and differentiated practice. Students who need additional help

First-grade students at Elliott Elementary School in the DoWEA Southeast District participate in a phonics lesson, practicing phoneme patterns and word building on whiteboards while a student models writing words on the interactive display in April 2026. Photo courtesy of Elliott Elementary School

receive guided intervention, while those ready for greater challenge are given opportunities to extend their learning.

“Our goal is to ensure every student is growing,” said Brittany Laurido, a first-grade teacher at Elliott Elementary. “By meeting students where they are, we can support their progress and help them build

the skills they need to be successful readers.”

Strong phonics instruction forms a cornerstone of early literacy development and prepares students to engage with increasingly complex texts. At Elliott Elementary, first-grade teachers are creating a structured and supportive environment where all students can build

the skills, confidence and enthusiasm needed to become successful, independent readers — ready for the civic understanding and classical learning that define DoWEA’s mission.

DoWEA operates as a field activity of the Office of the Secretary of War. It is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing prekindergarten through 12th-grade educational programs for the Department of War.

DoWEA operates 161 accredited schools in 9 districts in 11 foreign countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico, serving over 66 000 military-connected students.

DoWEA Americas operates 50 accredited schools across two districts on 16 military installations, including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard bases in seven states, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Committed to excellence in education, DoWEA fosters well-rounded, lifelong learners through DoWEA’s academic programs, ensuring continued innovation and excellence, while advancing a strong focus on patriotism, classical learning, and civics education in support of military-connected students worldwide.

How does the VA determine whether a veteran is eligible for (free or with copays) VA Health Care, Part 4

This article continues the explanation of VA Priority Groups, which is detailed at https:// bit.ly/4cLH6Y3

Priority Group 6

The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if all of these descriptions are true: The veteran served in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11 1998; and The veteran was discharged from active duty on or after Oct. 1, 2013; and The veteran meets the minimum active-duty service requirement.

Note: The veteran has 10 years of enhanced eligibility from the date of their discharge or release. At the end of this 10-year period, the VA will assign the veteran to the highest priority group they qualify for.

Assignment based on exposure to toxins or other hazards: The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service at home or abroad in any of the ways listed below.

The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) while serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.

The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were assigned to a duty station (including airspace above) in certain locations during specific periods: On or after Aug. 2, 1990, in Bahrain, Iraq,

LARRY DANDRIDGE

Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the United Arab Emirates; or On or after Sept. 11, 2001, in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, or any other country that VA determines is relevant.

The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were deployed in support of any of these: Operation Enduring Freedom; or Operation Freedom’s Sentinel; or Operation Iraqi Freedom; or Operation New Dawn; or Operation Inherent Resolve; or Resolute Support Mission.

The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were exposed to ionizing radiation: During atmospheric testing; or During the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; or While conducting cleanup of Enewetak Atoll between Jan. 1, 1977, and Dec. 31 1980; or While participating in onsite response efforts in Palomares, Spain,

between Jan. 17 1966 and March 31 1967; or

While participating in onsite response efforts on Thule Air Force Base, Greenland, between Jan. 21 1968 and Sept. 25, 1968

The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 6 if they were exposed to Agent Orange and served in any of these locations and times: The Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7 1975; or Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai base between Jan. 9 1962, and June 30 1976; or Laos between Dec. 1, 1965, and Sept. 30 1969; or Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province, between April 16 1969, and April 30 1969; or Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off of Guam or American Samoa between Jan. 9 1962, and July 31, 1980; or Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll between Jan. 1, 1972, and Sept. 30 1977

Priority Group 7

The VA may assign a veteran to Priority Group 7 if both of these descriptions are true: The veteran’s gross household income is below the geographically adjusted income limits for where he or she

lives; and The veteran agrees to pay copays. Review “Current VA Health Care Copay Rates” at https://bit.ly/3QJ8oa7

Priority Group 8

The VA may assign the veteran to Priority Group 8 if both of these descriptions are true: The veteran’s gross household income is above VA income limits and geographically adjusted income limits for where the veteran lives; and The veteran agrees to pay copays.

Sub-priority Groups

If a veteran is assigned to Priority Group 8, their eligibility for VA health care benefits will depend on the sub-priority group the VA assigns them to.

Sub-priority Group A: All of these must be true: The veteran has a non-compensable service-connected condition that the VA rated as 0% disabling; and The veteran enrolled in the VA health care program before Jan. 16 2003; and The veteran has remained enrolled since that date and/or was placed in this sub-priority group because the veteran’s eligibility status changed.

Sub-priority Group B: All of these must be true: The veteran has a non-compensable service-connected condition that the VA rated as 0% disabling; and The veteran enrolled in

the VA health care program on or after June 15 2009; and The veteran has income that exceeds current VA or geographical limits by 10% or less

Sub-priority Group C:

All of these must be true: • The veteran does not have a service-connected condition; and The veteran enrolled in the VA health care program as of Jan. 16 2003; and The veteran has remained enrolled since that date and/or was placed in this sub-priority group because their eligibility status changed

Sub-priority Group D:

All of these must be true: The veteran does not have a service-connected condition; and The veteran enrolled in the VA health care program on or after June 15, 2009; and The veteran has income that exceeds current VA or geographical limits by 10% or less.

A veteran is not eligible for VA health care benefits if the VA places the veteran in one of these sub-priority groups:

Sub-priority group E:

All of these must be true: The veteran has a non-compensable service-connected condition that we’ve rated as 0% disabling; and The veteran does not meet the criteria for sub-Priority Group A or B above.

Note: The veteran is

eligible for care for only his or her service-connected condition.

Sub-priority group G: All of these must be true: The veteran does not have a service-connected condition; and The veteran does not meet the criteria for sub-Priority Group C or D.

VA may change the Veteran’s Priority Group A veteran’s priority group may change in some cases, such as if the veteran’s income changes, or service-connected disability gets worse, and the VA gives the veteran a higher disability rating. Learn how to update VA health benefits information at https://bit. ly/41TKStB. Learn how to file for disability compensation by making an appointment with your local VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) and at https://bit.ly/4sXSx54

Continued next week. Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired

LOCAL MILITARY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 1 May 2026

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel A. P. Bariletti 3rd Recruit Training Battalion • Lieutenant Colonel B. L. Tye Commander of Troops, Captain J. A. Richardson • Parade Adjutant, Captain S. A. Carroll Company “K”, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion • Captain J. A. Richardson Drill Master • Staff Sergeant T. H. Washington

PLATOON 3024

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt J. B. Frank

PFC Alanizbarrera, Anthony A.

PVT Alvaradoanduray, Nelson Y.

PVT Anderson, Jonathan T.

PVT Ball, Nicholas J.

PVT Beckford, Anthony D.

PVT Brown, Jacob D.

PVT Camposperez, Cesar

PVT Chavezabarca, Ethan X.

PVT Chernobelskiy, David

PFC Conway, Chase A.

PFC Crews Ii, Reginald D.

PVT Day, Angel N.

PFC Dempsey, Quinn J.

PFC Dickson, Weston M.

PVT Dohan, Kenneth C.

PFC Dormer, Sean P. *

PVT Errahimi, Yassine A.

PVT Gill, Zachary O.

PVT Gonzalez, Matt J.

PVT Hess, Jayden J.

PVT Hinson, David C.

PVT Jackson, Barrett A.

PVT Jaramillo, Jacob A.

PVT Kohn, Elijah E.

PVT Kravchenko, David

PFC Lathrop, Taran B.

PFC Mahabir, Anthony R.

PVT Mays, Cory A.

PVT Mcneal, Marqayvius Q.

PFC Northcut, Tyrell J. *

PVT Page, Ronnie K.

PFC Price, David A.

PFC Pruitt, Tristan L. *

PVT Reed, Xavier E.

PVT Sadlerwalton, Etienne E.

PVT Sanderson, Noah N.

PVT Sesay, Markantonio K.

PVT Simmons Iii, Willie F.

PFC Steckel, Cordai J.

PFC Thatcher, Luke D.

PVT Thomas, Dakota J.

PVT Tingen, Nolan R.

PFC Titus, Daniel A.

PVT Vendura, Nathaniel P.

PVT Ward, Dominick E.

PLATOON 3025

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt A. M. Whelton

PVT Amburn, N. C.

PVT Arevalos, B. J.

PVT Beacham, W. L.

PVT Bell, J. G.

PVT Benvenutti, M. L.

PVT Boedecker, T. R.

PVT Boing, T. S. *

PVT Brehm, A. R.

PVT Cervantez, R. N.

PVT Cesenadeleon, J. R.

PVT Coppess, N. A.

PVT Crossan, O. T.

PVT Duck, D. X.

PVT Escalante, M. Y.

PFC Fernandez, J. A.

PVT Gutierrez, J. R.

PVT Hackney, K. M. *

PVT Hairston, T. M.

PFC Harris, N. O.

PVT Harris, T. J.

PVT Jordan, F. D. *

PVT Largent, J. J.

PVT Martin, A. C.

PVT Mattiacci, N. J.

PVT Oliver, D. R.

PVT Olmo, A. J.

PVT Paz II, M. T.

PFC Perez, G. J.

PVT Pusey, C. A.

PVT Ramonaguillon, A. A.

PFC Richards, K. T.

PVT Rogers, M. S.

PVT Sakser, A. P.

PFC Scaffidi, N.

PFC Sterling, C. A.

PVT Tremaroli, C. L.

PVT Velazquezlopez, R. J.

PVT Washington, J. E.

PVT White, J. E.

PVT White, J. C.

PVT Winn, K. O.

PFC Yackel VI, E. O.

PVT Zapata, D.

PLATOON 3026

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt J. M. Furlough

PFC Anderson, V. A. *

PFC Badillo, M. A.

PVT Bates Jr, B. J.

PFC Butler Jr, S. M.

PFC Cabrera III, G.

PVT Carkido, S. E.

PVT Celestin, E. B.

PVT Cronktroutman, W. A.

PFC Driver, R. L.

PFC Farrlley, A. J.

PFC Gasway, G. G.

PVT Gerstenfeld, A. L.

PFC Gomez, A. *

PVT Gonzales, I. A.

PVT Gonzalez, D. A.

PFC Gutekunst, C. L.

PVT Hallowanger, M.

PFC Hewitt, K. C.

PVT Hunley, T. L.

PVT Jacone, R. K.

PVT Kelly II, D. M.

PVT Laster, L. D.

PVT Macon, B. A.

PFC Martinezgonzalez, J. C. *

PVT Melcher, A. W.

PFC Moran, B. J.

PVT Moufid, A.

PVT Musler, M. R.

PVT Ocegueraaguilar, B.

PFC Patton, C. L.

PVT Ramirezmiguel, A.

PVT Robinson, K. A.

PVT Roblerolopes, F. D.

PVT Russell, A. M.

PVT Sanabria, M. A.

PVT Silvafreire, D.

PVT Smith, P. D.

PFC Stone, J. R.

PFC Strauss, C. D.

PVT Tan, W.

PFC Taverasgarcia, S.

PFC Thompson, A. J.

PFC Velasquezgonzalez, W.

PVT Zouma, A. L.

PLATOON 3028

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt R. L. Shirrel

PVT Arcevillalta, E. L.

PVT Avaloslopez, F. R.

PFC Ayers, G. C.

PVT Bordner, L. J.

PVT Brauninger, E. S.

PVT Casasrivas, D. A.

PVT Ciprianorendon, J. J.

PFC Clements, Z. Z.

PFC Colondisla, A. E.

PFC Colonramos, I. P.

PFC Conley, N. M.

PVT Cornejo, N. D.

PVT Douglas, J. J.

PVT Fuentes, J.

PVT Ganey, H. M. *

PFC Gibson, A. H. *

PVT Graham, C. J.

PFC Green, D. P.

PVT Hyder, E. C.

PVT Johnson, E. A. *

PVT Jones, A. J.

PVT Kudi, A. N.

PVT Lapid, B. N.

PVT Letendre, N. H.

PVT Medeiros, T. M.

PFC Meredith, O. W.

PVT Messer Jr, B. A.

PVT Mitchell Jr, T. A.

PVT Moralestorrez, C. M.

PVT Morano, A. C.

PFC Negrontorres, C. J.

PVT Pearsontower, K. P.

PFC Reed, T. A.

PVT Revilla, I.

PFC Salinas, J. M.

PFC Scataglini, N.

PVT Scifers, E. O.

PVT Sherban, E. C.

PVT Sumpter, J. M.

PVT Surgent, J. W.

PVT Tennapel, J. J.

PVT Trajean, B.

PVT Vargas, B.

PVT Williams Iv, P. T.

PLATOON

3029

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt G. K. Crooms

PFC Bony, B. B.

PVT Bouchie, E. J.

PVT Cruzcabrera, A. Y.

PVT Cutler, C. C.

PVT David, K. B.

PVT Delarosa, M. L.

PFC Farinoreyes, J. J.

PVT Ferguson, B. R.

PVT Fleming, L. L.

PVT Gonzalesmorales, J.

PFC Gonzalezponce, J. L.

PVT Gould, P. T.

PVT Hall, J. E. *

PVT Hamblen, J. D.

PVT Harrington, T. R.

PVT Hebert, J. D.

PFC Luna, C. A.

PVT Luttonseignoret, D. L.

PFC Mailloux, M. C.

PVT Maldonado, J. R.

PFC Maldonado, N. E.

PVT Mccloskey, D. J.

PVT Mcswiggan, W. M.

PVT Milstead, T. L.

PVT Overstreet, G. T.

PVT Perez, A. O.

PVT Presnall, C. S.

PFC Rivera, E. J.

PFC Salaslopez, S. D.

PVT Sanchez, K. M.

PVT Schmuck Jr, R. W.

PVT Silveira, L. M.*

PVT Smith, B. T.

PVT Stankwich, B. J.

PVT Staten Jr, J. T.*

PVT Vanasse, J. A.

PFC Vargasrosario, J.

PFC Velez, J. J.

PVT Whaley Jr, T. A.

PVT Williams, E. G.

*Denotes Meritorious Promotion

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

2048 Pearl Street, Beaufort, SC 29902

Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450 chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING

Beaufort Audiology & Hearing Care

Monica Wiser, M.A. CCC-A

Licensed Audiologist

38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007

Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You

The Beaufort Sound Hearing and Balance Center

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

CHIMNEY SERVICES

Seen, Be Chosen!

CLASSIFIEDS & GAMES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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AUCTIONS

ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 80

S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803750 - 9561

HELP WANTED – DRIVERS

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

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Audien Hearing. The world’s first hearing aid with touchscreen controls. No tiny buttons, apps or prescriptions. 45day risk free trial. Free shipping. Lifetime support. More than 1 5 million happy customers. Call Audien 1-855-620-9614 Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844775-0366 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

TELEVISION & INTERNET SERVICES

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

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84 99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-844-624-1107 Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-877-542-0759

VACATION RENTALS

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

YOUR AD HERE

Looking to advertise your business, announce a yard sale, or share other classifieds? Contact Amanda Hanna (amanda@lcweekly.com) or Sasha Horne Hirshout (sasha.theislandnews@gmail. com). It’s an easy and affordable way to reach thousands of local readers right here in the Lowcountry.

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