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APRIL 11–17, 2024
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PRESORTED PERMIT NO. 97 BEAUFORT, SC 29902
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
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Solar eclipse shades Beaufort
hotographer Bob Sofaly captured Monday’s total solar eclipse in its entirety. The event did not bring the end of the world or any catastrophic events. “Neither I nor my wife went insane, nor did any of my canine pets,” Sofaly joked. The photos were all shot with a 300mm lens with
a 10x neutral density filter set at maximum density beginning with the first photo at 1:50 p.m. and then again periodically every 15-50 minutes, depending on high altitude clouds. Sometimes Sofaly had to wait for the clouds to dissipate. With the Beaufort area not in the path of totality, the
moon covered roughly 75% of the sun at its maximum at roughly 3:09 p.m. The next total solar eclipse in any part of the United States will be on March 30, 2033, when one will be visible in Alaska. The next total eclipse in the lower 48 states will be on August 23, 2044.
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
LOLITA HUCKABY
Hooray for more open green spaces
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BEAUFORT eaufort County’s been getting some pretty good media attention this month, and not just the usual appearance on Southern Living or USA TODAY’S “top 10” lists, which always mean more folks will be coming to visit. This time, it’s because the County Council, with some nudging by other groups, approved a $1 million expenditure for the county’s first acquisition through the one-year-old Green Space program. And it’s not just because this was the first expenditure; it’s because the 4,409 acres purchased happens to be in another county. “What?” you might ask. That group up there in the County Council chambers are now spending “our” tax dollars over in JASPER COUNTY? “Are they CRAZY? Like we don’t have enough
Rep. Shannon Erickson speaks during a public forum hosted by Beaufort County Council Member York Glover regarding the closure of the Russ Point Boat Landing on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the St. Helena Branch of the Beaufort County Library. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Russ Point Boat Landing gets another chance By Delayna Earley The Island News Russ Point Boat Landing on Hunting Island did close on April 1, but it will not be staying closed due to efforts from local elected officials and pressure from the community. A sticker saying “TEMPORARILY” has been placed over the word “PERMANENT” on the sign posted at the landing announcing the closure. The South Carolina Department
of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) they have now had approval from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and the Army Corps of Engineers to implement a temporary fix as a first phase to allow the ramp to reopen to the public while a more permanent solution is worked out, according to SCRPT spokesperson Sam Queen. SCPRT will add rip-rap and gravel to temporarily fix the road, thanks
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Chelsea South development hits speed bump; Town of Ridgeland council postpones annexation vote.
Antia leads BHS girls to Beaufort Track Classic title.
Island News’ Larry Dandridge recognized for military support.
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to a permit that they applied for months ago, well before they decided to close the boat ramp to the public. Currently, the office of state engineers is reviewing everything, but Queen said that she expects the project to go out for bid in the next few weeks, starting the state’s procurement process. SCPRT is hopeful that the landing
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