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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
South Carolina under statewide burn ban Brush fires continue to cause trouble locally while wildfires plague much of state
Firefighters with the Burton Fire District work to extinguish a brush fire that destroyed a shed and its contents on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, on Bruce K. Smalls Drive in Burton. Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District
By Delayna Earley The Island News Several families were displaced from a Beaufort apartment complex on Thursday, Feb. 27, after what started as a brush fire. The City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department got called to Garden Oaks Apartments
just after 2 p.m. for a brush fire. According to Beaufort/Port Royal Deputy Fire Chief Ross Vezin, the fire quickly spread to one of the buildings on the property and was upgraded to a structure fire after it spread to several AC units and the apartment building. Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department, Beaufort County EMS, the Red Cross, Beaufort Police Department and Dominion Energy all responded to the fire, which was extinguished in five minutes, according to Vezin. Despite the quick response time
in getting the fire under control, five families were displaced following the fire due to “Dominion securing the power to the building.” While the origin of the fire is still under investigation, Vezin said that he is positive that the fire spread as quickly as it did due to the dry conditions that most of the state of South Carolina is experiencing currently. S.C. Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Saturday, March 1, due to the wild-
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LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
LOLITA HUCKABY
Safe Harbor Marinas sold
T
PORT ROYAL wo weeks ago, The Island News headline announced, “Port Royal, Safe Harbor reach agreement.” Those who have watched the evolution of development at the former S.C. Ports Authority property for the past four decades were a little skeptical but willing to accept that maybe, just maybe, the proposed marina project and accompanying commercial and residential projects might actually take place. Well, hold on there. Word came late last week, via the internet, that lo-and-behold, the international Safe Harbor Marinas, LLC is being sold by Sun Communities to an even larger conglomerate, asset manager Blackstone Infrastructure for $5.65 billion. Since Safe Harbor, which purchased the Port Royal waterfront property in 2021 for $20.5 million, owns and operates 138 marines across the county, no one
The Southern Heat Band opens up for the headliner during the Annual Beaufort Charities Festival on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal. The two-day festival, which began as a golf tournament in 1976 and morphed into an oyster roast before adding a second day in recent years, celebrated 50 years of dedicated service to the Beaufort County community. All proceeds directly benefit local nonprofit organizations. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Beaufort Charities th celebrates 50 in style
Staff reports The masses converged on Live Oaks Park in Port Royal over the weekend for hot oysters, cold beer and live music at the 50th annual Beaufort Charities Festival. The two-day event, which began as a golf tournament in 1976 and morphed into an oyster roast
before adding a second day in recent years, celebrated 50 years of dedicated service to the Beaufort County community. "Reaching this 50-year milestone fills us with immense gratitude," Beaufort Charities President Kevin Livingston said in a media release. "This isn't just about an organiza-
tion; it's about the unwavering spirit of Beaufort County. Every volunteer, sponsor, and attendee has woven a tapestry of generosity that has empowered us to give back for half a century." As usual, all proceeds will directly benefit local nonprofit organizations.
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ARTS
STATE NEWS
MILITARY
INSIDE
New SCETV documentary honors remarkable legacy of Harriet Tubman.
Attorneys for man accused by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace demand evidence or apology.
All-Army women take home the gold at Armed Forces Golf Championship.
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Hundreds of Native Plants for sale!
Native Plant Sale AT THE MARITIME CENTER
30+ Species of Grasses Trees
Flowers
Saturday, April 12 10am - 2pm GREAT VARIETY OF PLANTS & EDUCATIONAL VENDORS
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