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Marine found not guilty on 5 of 6 counts Charges stem from 2021 death of recruit
The court-martial trial of Marine Staff Sgt. Steven Smiley began in a Parris Island courtroom Monday, July 17, 2023. Smiley was acquitted of charges stemming from the death of Pfc. Dalton Beals, a recruit under Smiley's command, on June 4, 2021. Tony Kukulich/Post And Courier
By Tony Kukulich tkukulich@postandcourier.com PARRIS ISLAND — After 10 days of court proceedings, Marine Staff Sgt. Steven Smiley stood before a military judge and jury to hear the verdicts on multiple charges stemming from the June 2021 death of a recruit. Pfc. Dalton Beals was, at the time of his death, under the command of Smiley, who was serving as a senior drill instructor at the Marine Corps
Training Depot, Parris Island, in Beaufort County. WANT MORE? Smiley faced six From Beaufort to Bluffton and charges, including Hilton Head, The Post and Courier negligent homicovers news impacting your cide, dereliction of Steven community. Subscribe for more duty resulting in a Smiley local coverage at postandcourier. com/IslandNews. death and violation of a lawful general order. Eight Marines empaneled for Smiley's court-martial trial acquit- bacon," "pigs" and "war pigs." When the "not guilty" verdicts ted him on all charges related to Beals' death. He was found guilty of were announced late in the afterone violation of a general order for noon of July 28, Smiley appeared calling the recruits under his command names that included "sweet SEE MARINE PAGE A4
Greenway fired as Beaufort County Administrator Robinson promoted to interim county administrator; Audits, reviews ordered as investigation gains traction
Katelyn Lawton, 6, and her five-year-old sister Michaela were very careful not to disturb their painted faces as they drink bottled water during the Back to School Bash on Saturday at The Parish Church of St. Helena. The two girls, both students at Coosaw Elemetary, seemed excited to get back school, which starts Monday, August 21. Just out of camera range is sister Nevaeh Field. Bob Sofaly/The Island News
Beaufort County prepares to go back to school Families get ready for school year with Back to School events, upcoming tax-free weekend
By Delayna Earley The Island News It’s that time of year again. Students will be returning to Beaufort County School District (BCSD) public schools on August 21, for the 2023-2024 school year.
The back-to-school supply lists have been posted online, students are beginning to find out who their new teachers are going to be and families are preparing for the new school year. BCSD held their annual Back to School Expo on Saturday, July 29, at
Beaufort High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. “This event is really designed as an opportunity for us to build connections with our students and our fam-
SEE SCHOOL PAGE A7
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Teenage pilot lands plane on roadway on Lady’s Island.
Warriors lure Jasper County coaching legend back to bench
parentPULSE : Adjusting sleep schedule as kids head back to school.
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By Delayna Earley The Island News Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway’s employment was terminated following a Special Called County Council meeting on Friday, July 28, 2023, at Beaufort County Council Chambers in Beaufort. Greenway was put on administraEric tive leave with pay Greenway on Monday, July 24, following the first of a string of Special Called meetings that have been held over the past week. John Robinson, the Assistant County Administrator of Public Safety, was appointed as the acting county administrator at that time, but as of July 28 he has been temporarily promoted to interim county administrator. In Monday’s meeting it was decided that Robinson would receive an additional $3,000 a month while he held the county administrator role. Greenway, who initially took the job in June 2021, is leaving two years into his five-year contract.
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