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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
LIZ FARRELL
And finally, I’ve stopped laughing
L
WALTERBORO ately I can’t stop laughing. This is a murder trial. Murder trials are inherently sad and serious affairs. Two people were brutally killed and might not see justice for their deaths. But every day — at least for the past week — I have found myself shaking my head, unable to form words and compensating for that silence with uncontrolled laughter. It is highly unprofessional. A source called me over the weekend to tell me about the next set of charges to expect in one of the many cases connected to Alex Murdaugh. I had nothing to say. No response. And the more I had nothing to say, the more the laughter came. Not joyful laughter, mind you. Not the kind that boosts your spirits and has you searching for eye contact so you can share the moment. The kind of laughter where you briefly step outside of your body and take a pause to reflect not just on the absurdity in your life but on life itself. It is “Peggy Lee”-like laughter. “Is that all there is?”-type laughter. Like the song. The house has caught on fire. The whole world has gone up in flames. We’re at the circus. Is that all there is to love? The trial of Alex Murdaugh is now in its sixth week. Don’t worry. I’m not losing it. But do help me with this one: How many lies is too many lies? Let me rephrase that. How many lies can a powerful man tell before he loses credibility? So far — for some — that answer seems to be “an infinite number.” Here is a comment that gets relayed to me at least a few times a day: “I think he did it but if I were on the jury I’d have to say Not Guilty.” You … think he did it? But … not guilty? Is it because they think the
Plans to develop 12 acres surrounding the Cherry Hill Plantation live oak were scuttled last fall, and now the property owner is seeking a conservation solution that would preserve the land and the oak, the oldest and largest in Beaufort County, seen here in Port Royal, Wednesday, Feb. 22. The 350-year-old behemoth has a circumference that is reported to be a few inches larger than the iconic Angel Oak in Charleston. Tony Kukulich/The Charleston Post & Courier
A near miss
After narrowly avoiding development, oldest and largest live oak in Beaufort County on the path to preservation By Tony Kukulich tkukulich@postandcourier.com
F
BEAUFORT or nearly four centuries, the Cherry Hill Plantation live oak, which rivals Charleston’s beloved Angel Oak in both size and age, stood while its contemporaries fell victim to storms or the ax. Then, late last summer, the giant oak faced its own existential threat: a developer announced plans to build approximately 200 apartments and six townhomes on the 12-acre site surrounding the tree.
Development Associates wanted to build three-story buildings. The developer appeared before WANT MORE? the Port Royal’s design review board From Beaufort to Bluffton and Hilton in September to request a building Head, The Post and Courier covers variance. news impacting your community. Subscribe for more local coverage After enthusiastic public opposiat postandcourier.com/IslandNews. tion, the board voted unanimously to deny the request, which the developThe zoning for the property, which er subsequently withdrew. “It’s definitely a near miss,” master is off Oak View Road sandwiched between Parris Island Gateway and the arborist Michael Murphy said. Murphy contended that the marshes on the west bank of Battery Creek, allows a maximum of 2½ stories. Spartanburg-based Johnson SEE TREE PAGE A6
BA gets $40 million from USDA
Loan will help school enhance facilities, leadership education programs
SEE FARRELL PAGE A4
By Mike McCombs The Island News Beaufort Academy announced Thursday night, Feb. 23, that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a $40 million loan to the school which will be used to completely transform Beaufort Academy’s programs and facilities for the benefit of students, educators, and the community.
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Beaufort hosts event to address public safety concerns.
Beaufort International Film Festival wraps with awards.
USS Chancellorsville renamed for Robert Smalls
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The announcement that the loan was officially a “done deal” was made by Beaufort Academy Board President and Chair of the USDA Application Committee Katie Huebel in front of a small gathering of alumni, parents and friends of BA in the gymnasium. “It’s transformative,” Huebel said after the reception. “It immediately changes the trajectory of our school.” In a statement released by the
school, Huebel lays it out. “In an ever-changing, fastpaced world, Beaufort Academy is committed to developing well-rounded, open-minded critical thinkers that are prepared to be the problem-solvers and leaders of the future. To do that, we must continue to foster worldclass education, inclusion, and collaboration. The USDA Loan
Beaufort Academy Board President Katie Huebel speaks with a woman on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the school. SEE MILLION PAGE A8 Mike McCombs/The Island News
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