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Judge: Protect Beaufort has standing to sue City over marina Safe Harbor joins lawsuit as co-defendant By Mike McCombs The Island News On Monday, July 28, two motions were ruled on in the lawsuit filed by Protect Beaufort Inc. against the City of Beaufort in December 2024 in the 14th Circuit Court of Common Pleas regarding the legality of the City’s lease of the Downtown Marina to be operated by Safe Harbor. In the first, filed March 7 and heard July 17, the City argued Protect Beaufort did not have legal
The Beaufort Downtown Marina on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. Amber Hewitt/ The Island News
standing in the case and asked for 2. To oppose and reverse the privatization and commerthe lawsuit to be dismissed. cialization of property owned Circuit Court Judge S. Bryan by governmental entities in Doby denied the City’s motion. the city and the county. In the second, also filed March 3. To promote the adoption 7 and heard July 17, Safe Harbor and enforcement of laws Marina Beaufort LLC petitioned to and contracts of the city, the intervene in the case. county, the state, and the naDoby granted this motion, and tion for the purposes stated Safe Harbor will become a party to in paragraphs 1 and 2. the case as a defendant. Protect Beaufort Inc. is a nonGraham Trask, son of foundprofit founded in 2024 by George er George Trask and a Protect Trask. Its stated goals are: Beaufort board member, was not 1. To protect and enhance the surprised the City had been quiet unique public community and environmental qualities that exist in Beaufort, S.C. SEE MARINA PAGE A7
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
Isis Nunez swings outside Sea Sea’s Honey Hole on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. Amber Hewitt/ The Island News
LOLITA HUCKABY
Summer ‘doldrums’ not impacting Island growth plans
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ST. HELENA ISLAND t seems like a slow news season for the proposed Pine Island development, but things may soon pick up with the County Council agreeing last week to hire an outside attorney to review the development agreement the developers hope the elected officials will endorse. It was in May that the County Planning Commission rejected the latest plans from developers of the 400-acre island on the grounds they still violated principles in the Cultural Protection Overlay, or CPO, district which calls for the land to remain rural. The plans, which have been under discussion for the past three years, are described by the developers as “down zoned” because of a reduction in the number of homes from 149 to 49.
Sea Sea’s says ‘thank you’
Owner of Port Royal bait shop throwing anniversary party By Mike McCombs The Island News
her shop with what else? A fish fry. The Miami-born Nunez might PORT ROYAL not have seen a bait and tackle think food brings people shop in her future. She joined the together and makes people U.S. Army at 21, served five years happy, which, in turn, makes as a military police officer and me happy.” was deployed to Afghanistan. It really is that simple for Isis She separated in 2016, and a job Nunez. The 36-year-old owner of interview brought her to MCAS Sea Sea’s Honey Hole Bait & Tackle Beaufort, where she worked several in Port Royal is celebrating the years as a civilian military police third anniversary of the opening of officer.
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She came to the Lowcountry for employment, but Beaufort is where Nunez discovered she had fishing in her blood. “I learned how to fish locally here in South Carolina and became really intrigued by it,” she said. “I enjoyed it very much and would fish about every weekend.”
SEE PARTY PAGE A8
SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A6
NEWS
STATE NEWS
HEALTH
INSIDE
Black Chamber of Commerce awards grants to Gullah groups.
Rep. Nancy Mace officially enters SC governor’s race; 5th GOP candidate.
BMH CEO shares key trends affecting healthcare in the Lowcountry.
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