May 21 edition

Honoring our fallen should be a yearround task

Soon, the gatherings and happenings of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, though still fresh on the mind, will be headed for our stack of memories, slowly fading.

When the grill has been cold for days, any leftovers are likely already gone from the fridge, and those of us that enjoyed a long weekend on the water or out of town are home again and have spent several days back at work, it may seem like the time to look forward to the next holiday, our next celebration, our next vacation. Instead I want to linger on this one for a while.

Decoration Day begot Memorial Day. A day to recognize and honor the Americans before us who paid the highest price in service of their country.

The ultimate sacrifice. They died for us, so that we may be free.

So how do we honor those men and women? What do we do to celebrate such a somber occurrence?

Given the celebrations, laying of wreaths and parades, do we do enough?

How can we repay them?

SEE MCCOMBS PAGE A4

Honoring those who gave all

This weekend’s activities include parade, ceremony at Beaufort National Cemetery, ‘Decoration Day’ performances, Gullah Festival, Flags In & Flags Out

Staff reports Once again, it’s the time of year when, as Americans, we pause to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation and our freedoms, as Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day.

Of course, the event most affiliated in people’s minds with

CFO Harriott no longer employed by Beaufort County

By Delayna Earley The Island News

Beaufort County’s Chief Financial Officer, Pinky Harriott, is no longer employed by the county, county officials have confirmed.

The news began circulating on social media Wednesday morning, May 13, with at least one county council candidate publicly questioning the timing of the move as the county remains in the middle of budget discussions for the upcoming fiscal year.

When reached by The Island News on Wednesday, Beaufort County Public Information Officer Hannah Nichols confirmed Harriott’s departure in a brief statement.

“All I can confirm is that Ms. Harriott’s employment with Beaufort County ended on May 12,” Nichols said.

The county did not provide any additional information regarding the circum-

stances surrounding Harriott’s departure, though The Island News has learned she was terminated.

Pinky Harriott

Harriott was selected as Beaufort County’s Chief Financial Officer in November 2024 after previously serving as the county’s budget director before later taking a position with the University of South Carolina Beaufort. In her role as CFO, Harriott oversaw the county’s budget and procurement finance divisions and had recently been leading presentations and discussions surrounding Beaufort County’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget.

Just days before her employment ended, Harriott presented the county’s proposed budget during a special-called Finance,

SEE EMPLOYEE PAGE A10

Memorial Day in Beaufort is the annual parade.

The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, will put on the annual Memorial Day parade beginning at 10 a.m., from the corner of Adventure and Boundary streets. Lineup of all

groups, floats and individual participants begins at 9 a.m.

The parade route starts in front of Beaufort National Cemetery, will head down Boundary Street, curve onto Carteret Street, turn right onto Bay Street, and eventually

SEE ACTIVITIES PAGE A5

Video questioning Seifert’s role in ‘Squiresgate’ incident circulates online

Anonymous political video targets candidate for sheriff ahead of June 9 Republican primary

By Delayna Earley The Island News

An internet video is raising questions about the role a candidate for Beaufort County Sheriff played in a September 2025 incident in which a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office [BCSO] deputy, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, held a group of teenage boys at gunpoint.

A still from a video showing Doug Seifert of the Sept. 28, 2025, “Squiresgate” incident on Hilton Head Island.

A politically charged video targeting former BCSO investigator Doug Seifert,

a Republican candidate for Beaufort County Sheriff, is circulating on social media ahead of the June 9 primary, reigniting public discussion surrounding the Sept. 28 2025, incident in which former deputy William “Billy” Squires held several teenage boys at gunpoint after accusing them of vandalizing property in his Hilton Head Island neighborhood and possessing a weapon. The video was shared by an anonymous Facebook page called “Beaufort County Citizens for Accountability,” though it

SEE VIDEO PAGE A6

Wrinkles, be gone: Dermal fillers offer minimally invasive option.

B3

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

include

VETERAN OF THE WEEK LARRY WADLEY

American Legion Beaufort

He spent three years in the nearly non-stop transfer of personnel and war supplies.

He separated in 1966 as an Airman First Class and moved to Myrtle Beach, where he used

Post 207 brings you Larry Wadley, 81, who joined the U.S. Air Force in Duluth, Minn., in 1962 He attended Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base and aircraft maintenance training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas before being assigned to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii as the buildup in Vietnam was in full swing. There, he serviced many C-124 Globemaster II heavy transports ferrying material between the West Coast and Vietnam.

OBITUARY

Dabney Thacker

1952 – May 11, 2026

Charleston, S.C.

Dabney Fox Thacker passed away on May 11, 2026, in Charleston, S.C., from complications from cancer. She is survived by her husband, Andy Thacker; her daughter, Heather Thacker; her son, Dr. Stephen Thacker; his wife, Mary Thacker; and their grandchildren, Ethan, Dabney, and Jacob Thacker, and all of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. She is also survived by her nieces, Janice Velton of Queens, N.Y., and Kate Hemenway of Lowell, Mass.,, and her nephew Todd Velton of

Hartsdale, N.Y.

Dabney Thacker

Dabney taught public school in Eden, N.C., for 39 years. She taught third grade for 27 years and finished her career teaching exceptional children at the middle school level. She devoted her whole life to learning and shared her love of reading with every student who passed through her classroom, a gift that countless children carried with them long after leaving her care.

Upon her retirement, she and Andy made their home

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

May 21

2022: An afternoon of sailing takes a near-tragic turn for former City of Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling when his boat overturns, throwing both Billy and his brother Paul Keyserling into the Beaufort River. While witnesses said that initially both Billy and Paul were alert and appeared to be uninjured, within minutes Billy was unresponsive, and saving his life became a critical race against time for the passing boaters who attempted his rescue. Other boaters pulled Billy Keyserling from the water, performed CPR and rushed him to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, where he was initially admitted to the intensive care unit and placed on a respirator. The then-73-year-old Keyserling, who suffered broken ribs but recovered, served three terms as mayor of Beaufort. He was first elected in 2008 and ran unopposed in 2012 and 2016. He opted not to run in 2020

May 23

2019: The Beaufort County Board of Education approves a fouryear contract with Frank Rodriguez, the veteran educator selected to become the new Beaufort County School District Superintendent. Rodriguez was a regional superintendent in Palm Beach County, Fla.

Larry Wadley

the GI Bill to earn a BS degree in Business Management from the University of South Carolina Coastal (now Coastal Carolina) and in Columbia. He then moved to Washington, D.C. and spent 13 years working for Texaco followed by work in Philadelphia before retiring in Myrtle Beach. He and his wife moved to Beaufort in 2020 – Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.

in Beaufort, S.C., where Dabney embraced the unhurried rhythms of the Lowcountry. She could often be found with a book in hand on the beach, perfectly content with the sound of the waves and a story to get lost in. She was active in the local YMCA and volunteered alongside her husband for the Lowcountry Rotary Club. One of her greatest joys in these later years was watching her grandchildren shine on stage. Whether in the grace of a dance recital or the drama of a theater performance, she was their most devoted audience, beaming from the seats. She never met a stranger and

May 25

OBITUARIES

The Island News publishes obituaries, including a photo, free of charge. Please contact theislandnews@gmail.com for more information.

had a way of lighting up every room she entered. Her warmth, her curiosity, and her belief in the power of a good book left a mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Beaufort-Jasper YMCA, the Beaufort County Library, or Blood Cancer United.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.

1745: Prince William Parish is carved out of St. Helena’s Parish.

May 26

1925: In the early morning hours, according to the Beaufort Gazette, on the river side of Bay Street, a fire ravaged the blocks between West and Scott streets. Numerous businesses, including the River View Hotel, the Austin Grocery Company and the E.E. Lengnick department store, were destroyed.

2021: Beaufort attorney Mary Sharp is sworn in as the President of the South Carolina Bar.

May 27

2019: Beaufort High School varsity boys basketball coach Will Lowther is dismissed from his coaching position and placed on administrative leave from his teaching position after his arrest for allegedly transferring alcohol to a minor in an April 6 incident in which he met with a minor on a dating app.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

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Donations gratefully accepted at www.yourislandnews.com or The Island News, PO Box 550,

NEWS

Hilton Head Island man arrested in connection with Burton shooting

Staff reports

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jason Aiken, 37, on Hilton Head Island for shooting a 28-year-old female victim during a domestic altercation at Magnolia Park Apartments.

Aiken was served with arrest warrants for domestic violence high and aggravated nature, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, and

unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of violent offense.

The incident took place shortly before 6 a.m., Friday, May 15, 2026. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a call regarding a gunshot victim at Magnolia Park Apartments in Burton. While deputies responded to the scene, the BCSO received further information that involved

parties left the area in a vehicle to possibly seek medical attention.

Sheriff’s deputies were provided with a description of the vehicle and later advised that the suspect parked the vehicle at a business near 3500 Trask Parkway and then fled the scene on foot prior to deputies arrival. Deputies made contact with the female victim in the car who was suffering from a gunshot wound.

Deputies called for medical assistance and tended to the victim until Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived to transport her.

A perimeter was quickly set up by deputies and after a brief search in the surrounding area, Aiken was located hiding on a nearby property and taken into custody without incident. He was unarmed at the time of his arrest. During the search

for the suspect, there was no threat to the public.

During the search of the area with K9 units, a firearm believed to have been used by Aiken was located. The weapon was collected for evidence and testing to confirm it is the same weapon used by Aiken.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Beaufort Police Department and Port Royal Police Department.

HBF’s Lafayette Soiree

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to suspicious or criminal activity to report it by calling the non-emergency dispatch line at 843-5242777. If wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app on your mobile device, online at tipsbft.com or by calling 844-TIPS-BFT (844-847-7238).

From Beaufort and Jasper counties to Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Hardeeville, EMS professionals are often the very first step in a patient’s care journey—bringing comfort, critical care and hope when it matters most.

This NATIONAL EMS WEEK , Beaufort Memorial proudly recognizes the EMTs, paramedics and first responders who serve our Lowcountry communities with extraordinary skill, compassion and dedication.

Whether responding to emergencies, supporting patients through moments of uncertainty or working alongside healthcare teams across our region, your impact reaches far beyond the call itself.

Thank you for your partnership, commitment and compassionate care.

We look forward to continuing to serve alongside you as emergency care access expands across the Lowcountry in 2027, through the opening of Bluffton Community Hospital and the new Emergency & Urgent Care facility on Hilton Head Island.

Waterfront committee backs rebuilding existing promenade design at Waterfront Park

Public overwhelmingly supports restoring, elevating existing waterfront structure

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

Members of Beaufort’s Waterfront Advisory Committee are moving toward a recommendation to rebuild Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park’s failed relieving platform largely in its current form after engineers said public feedback overwhelmingly favored restoring the existing promenade design while elevating it to better address flooding and longterm resilience concerns.

The relieving platform is the structural waterfront promenade beneath much of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, built on pilings that allow water to flow underneath portions of the walkway.

During the committee’s Monday, May 4, meeting, engineers with McSweeney Engineers presented the results of public input gathered during the city’s recent waterfront design concepts meeting and online surveys.

According to project engineer Bill Barna, “Option 2” — rebuilding the current relieving platform while raising it slightly — received the strongest support from residents.

“So the takeaway that I

got out of it by looking at the data and looking at just being present at the public meeting is Beaufortonians want back what they have,” Barna said.

The proposed option would largely preserve the existing appearance and layout of the waterfront promenade while incorporating engineering improvements intended to address flooding, sea level rise and long-term structural deterioration.

What ‘Option 2’ would include

Under the concept currently receiving the strongest support, the city would rebuild the existing relieving platform structure while raising it above current elevations to reduce routine tidal flooding and improve long-term resilience.

Barna said the design would maintain many of the park’s defining visual elements, including the promenade layout, swings, brickwork, tabby-style paving and tree-lined waterfront aesthetic that residents repeatedly identified as priorities during public engagement sessions.

“They love the brick, the

red brick, the tabby pavers, the swings and the trees,” Barna said. “They love what they have and they want it back.”

The rebuilt structure would also be designed to better withstand flooding and environmental stress that engineers say have dramatically worsened since the original promenade was constructed in the 1970s.

Presentation materials shown during the meeting noted local relative sea levels have risen approximately seven inches since construction of the original promenade began in 1974

Engineers said modern king tide events now reach portions of the relieving platform and support structures far more frequently than the original design anticipated, accelerating deterioration of the structure beneath the promenade.

The project would likely also involve rebuilding portions of the old seawall beneath the structure.

“We’re probably going to have to replace that old seawall,” Barna said during the discussion.

Barna said replacing the seawall would likely be nec-

Burton fire battles 2 threatening outdoor fires

Staff reports

The Burton Fire District responded to two outdoor fires in less than 24 hours that threatened property, one of which caused damages.

Sunday, May 17, just before 2:30 p.m., the Burton Fire District, assisted by the Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department, responded to a boat fire on Castle Rock Road that was spreading and endangering nearby structures. Fire crews arrived on scene and found a boat ablaze with flames spreading toward a shed and mobile home.

Firefighters quickly contained the fire before it ignited the structures; however, both sustained heat damages. The mobile home was vacant. No injuries were reported. The fire is believed to have been caused by trash burning in a nearby barrel.

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Just after 4 p.m., Sunday, Burton firefighters responded to a reported brush fire on Angel Lane. Fire crews arrived to an approximately half-acre fire in a wooded area behind some residences which had spread to within 50 feet of a home. Firefighters contained the fire from spreading and were on scene for an hour soaking the area down.

Just before 7 a.m., Monday, firefighters were called

The answer is complicated, and yet it’s simple. The first and biggest step is to stop making it something we do just once a year. It should be a part of our lives every day. And then the second step is to be worthy of their sacrifice. How to do that is a little less clear.

I’ve seen this sentiment on social media and T-shirts. And I think some of the people I’ve seen

back to Angel Lane when some areas began to smolder again. Firefighters remained on scene for two hours soaking the area down; however, due to the thick underbrush, firefighters will continue to monitor the area.

No injuries were reported. The fire is believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette along a walking path through the wooded area.

it from might disagree with me on exactly what it means.

It’s not about being more patriotic. It’s not about supporting the military. Although those things aren’t necessarily bad.

It’s not about being more “American.”

It’s about being a better American. We should do the things we can do as Americans to make America better. We should be good citizens. First of all, we should be informed. And we should vote.

We should hold our elected officials — from our towns and

essary if the city wants the project to achieve a projected lifespan of 75 to 100 years.

Why engineers favor rebuilding instead of filling

Committee members also discussed “Option 3,” which would replace the relieving platform with a massive seawall and backfilled promenade extending farther into the Beaufort River.

However, Barna repeatedly cautioned that the seawall-and-fill concept would likely become dramatically more expensive and substantially more difficult to permit due to the site’s environmental conditions and recently updated critical line determinations from the state.

According to Barna, state regulators now officially consider the area beneath the existing relieving platform to remain protected water area because tidal water still flows beneath portions of the structure.

As a result, replacing the promenade with a filled seawall system would require extensive excavation, massive amounts of fill materi-

al and significantly larger retaining walls than many residents may realize.

“The water depth right now at the corner by the pavilion where we had the public meeting is 24 foot deep,” Barna said. “So you’d have to have a 30-foot tall seawall there.”

Barna said the wall itself would likely need additional piling support due to both its size and the depth of the river bottom.

Engineers also warned that expanding the project to include larger flood mitigation efforts for surrounding downtown areas could quickly escalate costs beyond what the city could realistically manage.

“When we started to look at it from that angle, then the cost just starts to get so out of hand you can’t really manage it all,” Barna said.

Design, permitting expected to take at least 18 months

Even if the city ultimately selects “Option 2,” engineers cautioned the design and permitting process alone is expected to take at least 18 months before construction could begin.

“There is still a heck of a lot of work left,” Barna said. That work includes additional surveying, geotechnical investigations, permitting analysis and phased engineering design work. The city has not yet released a final projected construction cost for the project. Committee members also discussed the possibility of seeking state and federal grant funding to offset both engineering and construction expenses.

Engineers said the next phase of work will likely include a formal alternatives analysis ranking each waterfront option based on permitting difficulty, resilience, cost, longevity, schedule and public feedback before a final recommendation is presented to the city. The committee is expected to continue discussions as the city moves toward selecting a design and permitting firm later this year.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Burton Fire assists driver after vehicle strikes home

Thursday afternoon, May 14, the Burton Fire District and Beaufort County EMS and Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a home that was struck by a vehicle. At approximately 3:15 p.m., emergency crews responded to a reported vehicle collision involving a vehicle striking a home on Riley Road. Crews arrived on scene to find a vehicle, with the driver still inside, that had left the roadway, drove through a fence and struck the corner of a mobile home. No one was in the home at the time and it is unknown if the home is occupied. Firefighters and EMS personnel helped remove the driver who appeared uninjured but was still transported by EMS to the hospital as a precaution. It is believed the driver may have had a medical emergency that resulted in the collision. Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District

counties to Congress and the White House – accountable. Right or left, Democrat or Republican, we should hold them to the same standards. And we should insist they follow the law.

We should be vigilant so that we don’t require the same sacrifice our fallen men and women made frivolously. We should question our leaders vigorously any time they want to send our troops into harm’s way. It’s our responsibility. And our leaders work for us.

And when our men and women in uniform come home broken, we should address their needs

adequately and promptly.

But our responsibilities shouldn’t just be toward our government and our military. We should take care of those who came before us, our elderly. We should care about children, even those that are not our own.

We should help and show empathy toward the sick, the mentally ill, the homeless and the poor.

We should endeavor to be kind to one another. We should give blood. We should give to charity.

We should care about our environment.

We should speak out when there is wrongdoing, racism, bigotry, dishonesty, or greed.

All these things seem idealistic. Maybe they are.

But they can be done. And they can be done every day, even if in small doses.

And they will make this country a better place, and the people will be better for it, as well.

And that’s how you repay them. That’s how you honor them.

Beaufort City Council removes proposed vehicle fee from FY2027 budget

Residents question legality, fairness, spending priorities during lengthy debate

By Delayna Earley The Island News

The Beaufort City Council voted Tuesday, May 12 to remove a proposed annual vehicle road use fee from the city’s FY2027 budget following an extended debate over legality, fairness, transparency and broader city spending priorities.

The proposed ordinance would have established a $32 annual fee on vehicles registered within Beaufort city limits to help fund roadway maintenance, street sweeping and right-of-way upkeep.

City staff estimated the fee would generate approximately $325,000 annually.

According to budget documents presented to council, city officials argued the fee would provide a dedicated funding source for roadway-related services already being funded through the city’s general budget. Staff also said generating the same amount of revenue solely through property taxes would require adding slightly more than two mills to the city’s tax rate.

City Manager Scott Marshall said the proposal was intended to create a more balanced funding structure by spreading costs more broadly among users of the city’s transportation network, including renters.

“These are ongoing obligations tied directly to the use of our transportation net-

Activities from page A1

work,” Marshall said during the budget presentation.

The proposal quickly became one of the most heavily debated portions of Tuesday night’s nearly four-hour meeting.

Residents challenge fairness and legality

Several residents argued the proposed fee would unfairly place additional financial burdens on city residents while roads maintained by the city are heavily used by commuters, tourists and non-residents traveling through Beaufort daily.

Resident Patrick Canning said many of the roads targeted for maintenance, including Boundary Street and Carteret Street, serve large numbers of drivers who would not pay the proposed fee.

“Many drivers on major thoroughfares such as Boundary Street are simply passing through on their way to Lady’s Island and beyond,” Canning said during public comment. “They will not pay the fee, yet they use the same roads.”

Canning also argued residents were already absorbing increasing financial pressures through reassessed property values, inflation and multiple existing taxes and fees.

“Regardless of what you call it, a fee, a surcharge, an assessment, if it comes out of a resident’s pocket and goes

end at the intersection of Boundary and Bladen Streets.

Grand Marshals for this year’s parade are two U.S. Army World War II veterans, both more than 100 years old — Master Sgt. Danile N. Mack and Pfc. Paul Logan.

Rev. Sam T. Spain Sr. leads the organizing committee for the Memorial Day Weekend Celebration. He has been the pastor of the historic Lady’s Island Baptist Church for longer than 30 years, is a retired Master Gunnery Sgt. in the U.S. Marine Corps, and is the Commander of the Sons Of Union Veterans, Camp 21 of Beaufort.

“This weekend is a meaningful opportunity for reflection and unity,” writes Spain. “We encourage participation from all – faith communities, youth groups, civic organizations, and individual residents. Let us come together to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

In case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled.

A ceremony at the Cemetery

At the end of the Memorial Day parade there will be a ceremony at noon inside the Beaufort National Cemetery on Boundary Street.

The keynote speaker for the ceremony is Lt. Col. Patrick R. Moran, USMC, retired.

The event will open with a musical prelude by the Parris Island Marine Corps Band, followed by Master of Ceremonies Master Chief Petty Officer William Green, U.S. Navy, retired, the posting of the colors and a Parris Island Marine Corps Band’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Rep. Michael Rivers Sr. (D-124) will offer the invocation, follwed by introductions by City of Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer and then Beau-

to government, it is a tax,” Canning said.

He also raised legal concerns tied to the South Carolina Supreme Court’s 2021 Burns v. Greenville County Council decision, which struck down a similar vehicle road maintenance fee imposed by Greenville County.

“In 2021, the South Carolina Supreme Court struck down a nearly identical fee in Burns v. Greenville County Council,” Canning said. “Greenville’s $25 per vehicle road maintenance fee was ruled an illegal tax.”

Canning warned the city could expose itself to future legal challenges if Beaufort adopted a similar structure.

Other residents also questioned why Beaufort taxpayers should shoulder the cost of maintaining South Carolina Department of Transportation rights-ofway without reimbursement from the state.

“As reported in the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet, the city manager acknowledged the city receives no reimbursement from SCDOT,” Canning said.

Several speakers additionally criticized the city for pursuing new fees while continuing to fund outside organizations and capital projects they viewed as lower priorities.

Resident Paul Trask urged council to reconsider funding tied to organizations including the Beaufort County

fort National Cemetery Assistant

Director Michael Brophy.

Offering remarks will be Master Sgt. John Abney, USMC, retired, of Beaufort County Veterans Affairs; a speaker from Tri-Command; and Maj. Gen. Harold L. “Mitch” Mitchell, U.S. Air Force, retired.

U.S. Army veteran James A. Morrall will introduce a distinguished guest, then Steven F. Green of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will read Gen. Logan’s order.

Kehlani Malia Cummings of Lady’s Island Middle School will then read Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Master Sgt. Richard Bennett, U.S. Air Force, of the Beaufort High School JROTC will hold the POW/MIA Ceremony.

U.S. Army Maj. Philander McDomick will introduce the keynote speaker followed by a musical tribute performed by Loghan and London Bryan.

Following Lt. Col. Moran’s Memorial Day Address, the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Women’s Relief Corps will participate in the laying of rht Memorial Wreath.

After the presentation of Dr. Yulinda Tatum of the Women’s Relief Corps, Chairman and Rev. Spain will offer remarks.

The ceremony will close with the Benediction, the Firing of Volleys, the playing of “Taps,” the retiring of the colors and a medley of U.S. military service songs.

The 2026 Original Gullah Festival

The annual Gullah Festival will take place from Thursday, May 21 through Sunday, May 24 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

The festival is free, though individual events may require an entry fee.

Recognized as one of the nation’s premier celebrations of Gullah culture, the festival brings together history, music, food, art, storytelling, education, and cul-

Economic Development Corporation, South Coast Cyber Center and Digital Corridor instead of creating new fees.

“Stop funding the South Coast Cyber Center. Stop funding the Digital Corridor. And stop funding the BCEDC,” Paul Trask said.

Resident Graham Trask also encouraged council to identify broader spending reductions before adding additional fees for residents.

“I do find it mind-boggling that you can’t tell the city manager to cut the budget by $500,000,” Graham Trask said during public comment.

Council debates alternatives

Councilman Josh Scallate later introduced an amendment removing the proposed fee from the budget entirely.

During the discussion, Scallate said he believed additional reductions and reprioritization efforts could still be identified within the broader city budget.

“I am probably as layman as layman gets,” Scallate said during the meeting. “And I will honestly tell you that when I look at our budget presentations, I am confused most of the time.”

Scallate also argued the city should provide more itemized expenditure information publicly before final budget adoption.

“I think our residents will probably appreciate the fact

tural preservation through immersive experiences held throughout Beaufort and at the scenic Waterfront Park.

The weekend officially begins Thursday, May 21, with two special pre-festival experiences: the ELIMU Excursion, an educational cultural intensive, and a special Riverboat Cruise celebrating the beauty and history of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

“The Original Gullah Festival is more than an event — it is a living celebration of history, resilience, family, faith, and freedom,” Festival founder Anita Singleton Prather said in a news release. “We invite visitors from around the world to experience the beauty and importance of Gullah heritage.”

Festival activities will include live musical performances, authentic Gullah cuisine, cultural demonstrations and workshops, arts and crafts vendors, historical exhibits, educational experiences, family-friendly entertainment and special theatrical productions.

Festival organizers are also promoting special screenings of “My Man Done Me Wrong,” further highlighting the importance of preserving authentic Black Southern storytelling through theater and film.

For a complete festival schedule, visit www.originalgullahfestival. org.

‘Decoration Day’ performances

The Gullah Traveling Theater will perform “Decoration Day,” a powerful theatrical production that honors the rich history and cultural traditions of the Gullah people, as a part of the Original Gullah Festival on Thursday, May 21, and Saturday, May 23

Performances will be at 7 p.m., on Thursday, May 21, and 3 p.m., on Saturday, May 23, at the USCB Center for the Arts at 801 Carteret Street in Beaufort.

Decoration Day is an award-win-

that they can look at every dollar that is expended,” Scallate said.

Throughout the debate, council members and residents discussed possible alternatives to offset the projected revenue loss, including reducing consultant spending, revisiting legal expenditures, staggering police hiring connected to a proposed federal COPS grant and delaying certain capital projects.

Scallate also pointed to expenditures including Placer.ai funding, storytelling contracts and social district spending as examples of areas he believed deserved additional scrutiny.

Several speakers and council members also questioned whether the city should continue pursuing a proposed $1 million City Hall parking acquisition project while larger infrastructure priorities remain unresolved.

At the same time, Scallate acknowledged the difficulty of removing the fee without identifying replacement revenue.

“The hard part comes when you have to try to provide a solution to offset that,” Scallate said.

Councilman Neil Lipsitz similarly expressed concern about eliminating the projected revenue before identifying long-term alternatives.

“I’d like to see the tag fee reduced too, but I’d like to know where the money’s

ning performance that brings to life the origins of our nation’s beloved Memorial Day traditions. Through moving performances, soulful music, and vivid storytelling, the show highlights the role that formerly enslaved Gullah people played in decorating the graves of faithful fallen soldiers.

The production explores themes of freedom, resilience, and community, offering audiences a deeply immersive and inspiring experience that commemorates an important chapter in Gullah and American history.

Tickets are $60 for adults, $20 for youth (ages 7-17), and free for children (ages 0-6). Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.gullahkinfolktravelingtheater.org.

Sunday service

To begin the weekend of remembrance on Sunday, May 24 there will be a 3 p.m. church service at Tabernacle Baptist Church at 901 Craven Street, sponsored by the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Women’s Relief Corps. The featured speaker will be Sgt. Diron Reynolds, U.S. Army, retired.

After the service, the congregation will make its way down to the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and throw flowers into the Beaufort River in honor of the nation’s dead at sea.

Flags In, Flags Out

This year’s Flags In event for the public to place U.S. flags on gravesites at Beaufort National Cemetery will be held beginning at 6 p.m., on Friday, May 22 at the main flagpole. After a short welcome, gravesite flags will be distributed to be placed on all 24 000 gravesites. If weather is bad, the event will be postponed until 8 a.m., Saturday, May 23

This year’s Flags Out event — removal of the gravesite flags —

coming from before we do it,” Lipsitz said.

Ordinance withdrawn Council ultimately approved the amendment removing the fee from the proposed FY2027 budget.

Later in the meeting, council also withdrew the ordinance that would have formally established the vehicle fee program.

City staff estimated the proposed vehicle fee would have generated approximately $325 000 annually, meaning council will now need to identify either additional spending reductions or alternative revenue sources before second reading of the FY2027 budget on June 9

The debate reflected broader public frustration surrounding taxes, spending priorities and long-term capital planning as the city prepares for major future infrastructure expenses, including redevelopment of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

Additional budget discussions and possible amendments are expected before second reading of the FY2027 budget on June 9

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

will be held beginning at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 26

For more information, contact the Beaufort National Cemetery at 843-524-3925 or Beaufort.NationalCemetery@va.gov.

SCDNR boat inspections

In an effort to keep people and waterways safe during the Memorial Day weekend, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Law Enforcement Division will be conducting courtesy boat inspections at public boat landings around the state, including two in Beaufort County.

The Memorial Day holiday kicks off the summer boating season and is one of the busiest times of the year for South Carolina lakes and waterways, and officers want to do everything possible to keep everyone’s weekend fun and safe.

On Saturday, May 23, SCDNR boating safety and enforcement officers will be at Battery Creek Boat Landing from 9 to 11 a.m.

On Sunday, May 24, SCDNR boating safety and enforcement officers will be at at Lemon Island Boat Ramp from 9 to 11 a.m. Officers will perform quick but thorough inspections for required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registrations. Those who are not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections. Instead, they will be given an opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat.

SCDNR officers will also be available to answer questions and give boaters tips on how to stay safe on the water.

To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call the SCDNR toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431 or dial #DNR on your cellular phone.

Police investigate fatal shooting at Shell Point Apartments

Beaufort County Coroner identifies 23-year-old Allendale man as victim in May 15 shooting

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office has identified the man killed in a shooting Friday night in Port Royal as 23-year-old Tre Sean Reid of Allendale.

According to Chief Deputy Coroner Shane Bowers, Reid died at Beaufort Memorial Hospital at 11:38 p.m. on May 15 from a gunshot wound. The Port Royal Police Department is investigating the incident.

Video from page A1

remains unclear who created the edited political video itself.

Multiple cellphone videos from the incident were initially published to social media by family members or representatives of the teenagers involved. The videos were filmed by the teens during the confrontation.

The footage featured in the political video appears to have originated from cellphone footage filmed by the older brother of one of the younger boys after he came outside in response to a distressed phone call from his brother.

In the footage, Seifert can be seen stepping out of what appears to be a white SUV wearing khaki shorts, a light blue polo-style shirt and sandals.

At the time Seifert arrived, no on-duty law enforcement officers appear to have yet arrived on scene. Instead, the footage shows Squires, several unidentified neighbors, and Brian Henry Stahlheber, who was later criminally charged in the case.

Seifert was still employed by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at the time of the incident, where he held the rank of master sergeant before being promoted to lieutenant in March 2026. According to Seifert, he held the position for 10 days before resigning from the department in order to file to run for sheriff.

Questions surrounding the video’s origins

While the anonymous Facebook page “Beaufort County Citizens for Accountability” shared the video that has spread widely online, the group told The Island News it did not create the edited video itself.

“We did not create it,” the account told The Island News in a Facebook Messenger conversation.

The group also stated that “whoever created it, created it with the purpose to be shared” and added that they were not seeking public credit for posting it.

“We do not seek credit, we seek answers and holding people in or running for public office accountable,” the account wrote.

The group declined to identify itself, stating it wished to “remain anonymous to protect our identities.”

The account additionally pointed to Seifert’s own public statement confirming he was present at the scene and questioned, “why?”

What the video alleges

Throughout the roughly two-minute video, a narrator directly questions Seif-

In a press release sent out on May 18, Port Royal Police said officers responded at approximately 10:58 p.m. May 15 to reports of

ert’s ethics, leadership and accountability while making a series of allegations regarding his presence at the scene.

“Doug Seifert was not on duty. He was not on official business,” the narrator states in the video.

“He drove to that scene after leaving Hudson’s and drinking with Squires before this incident.”

The video further alleges Seifert went to the scene “not to protect the kids” but instead “to protect the deputy with the gun.”

Additional claims in the video accuse Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office leadership of failing to discipline Seifert and describe his candidacy as “a coronation.”

The video also references Seifert’s promotion by Sheriff P.J. Tanner shortly before launching his campaign, suggesting the timing reflected favoritism within the department.

The video also broadens its criticism beyond the Squires case, accusing unnamed individuals connected to the sheriff’s race of “pressuring civic organizations,” “calling members of our state legislature,” and “using official government resources to campaign on taxpayer time.”

No evidence supporting those allegations is presented within the video itself.

Background on the Billy Squires case

The Squires case garnered statewide and national attention after multiple cellphone videos spread online showing Squires, who was off duty at the time, pointing his service weapon at several teenage boys in a Hilton Head neighborhood while wearing shorts and a tactical vest. At one point in the footage, Squires can be heard yelling at the teenagers to get on the ground and threatening to shoot them.

The three younger teenagers were initially walking along Squiresgate Road in the neighborhood alone, but as the situation escalated, one of the boys called his older brother crying, prompting him to come to the scene from his nearby home and ultimately becoming caught up in the confrontation himself.

According to arrest warrants and previous reporting on the case, Stahlheber initially confronted the teenagers while driving an ATV through the neighborhood. Video from the incident appears to show an alcoholic beverage visible on the vehicle as Stahlheber questioned the boys about where they were from and what they were doing in the neighborhood. Investigators later alleged Stahlheber contacted Squires, who lived in the neighborhood.

Video from the confrontation appears to show

shots fired at 287 Midtown Drive at the Shell Point Apartments.

When officers arrived, they located a male victim suffering from what police described as an apparent gunshot wound. Officers performed CPR until Beaufort County EMS arrived. The victim was transported to Beaufort Memorial

Squires initially arriving in a white pickup truck without his tactical vest or service weapon and telling the boys they needed to leave the area.

According to investigators, Squires later returned to his home before coming back to the scene wearing his duty vest and carrying his service weapon, which he pointed at the teenagers during the confrontation.

Squires was fired by Sheriff Tanner on Oct. 3 2025 following an internal investigation into the incident. Tanner later stated the longtime deputy violated multiple department policies, including consuming alcohol while armed, unlawfully detaining teenagers and failing to activate his body camera.

Following the Sept. 28, 2025, incident, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division [SLED] conducted a criminal investigation and submitted its findings to the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which later moved forward with criminal charges against Squires and Stahlheber.

At the same time, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office conducted its own internal investigation into the incident and the conduct of those involved.

It was during those investigations, both the SLED investigation and the internal Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office review, that Seifert has stated he was asked to provide statements regarding what he witnessed at the scene.

SLED ultimately charged Squires with four counts of pointing and presenting a firearm and one count of breach of peace, aggravated in nature. Stahlheber was charged with breach of peace, aggravated in nature, and making a false complaint to law enforcement.

No other individuals present at the scene have been publicly identified or charged in connection with the incident, including individuals seen assisting in restraining the teenagers.

Seifert has not been charged with any crime in connection with the incident, and SLED has not publicly identified him as a target of its investigation.

As of publication, no trial date had been publicly announced in the Squires case.

What the cellphone video shows

In the footage, the older brother can be heard repeatedly telling those restraining him that he had just come from his home after his younger brother called him for help. At one point, while being held on the ground by a civilian, he yells to his mother that those at the scene believed he had a gun, before another voice responds, “not you, the other three.”

Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Beaufort County non-emergency dispatch at 843-524-2777 or Beaufort County CrimeStoppers at 844-847-7238

The video also appears to show a civilian restraining the older brother while telling him he did not fully know what was happening and had only come outside after seeing the confrontation unfold.

At another point in the footage, Squires can be heard telling the boys “you’re done,” while aggressively yelling at a woman, who appears to be the mother of both the older brother filming and one of the younger teenagers, to “walk away.”

Shortly afterward, Seifert arrives at the scene in what appears to be a white SUV while several unidentified adults were still assisting in restraining the teenagers on the ground. In the footage, Seifert approaches Squires and asks what happened. Squires and Stahlheber can then be heard alleging that the boys flashed a gun and attacked him before Squires and Seifert walk briefly out of frame.

Meanwhile, the older brother continues asking the civilian restraining him to let him go, repeatedly stating that he had done nothing wrong and had only come outside after his younger brother called him for help.

Later in the footage, Seifert reappears while speaking on a phone and tells the older brother to “stop” several times as the teenager continues struggling against the civilian holding him down. The teenager responds, “What the ... you mean stop? I just came from my house.”

Questions surrounding Seifert’s role at the scene

The footage has prompted broader public questions surrounding Seifert’s role after arriving at the scene while off duty.

Critics online have questioned why Seifert responded to the scene in a personal vehicle while off duty, what actions he took after arriving, whether he directed armed civilians to step back from the teenagers and whether he attempted to de-escalate the situation.

Others have questioned why Seifert has not faced criminal charges or disciplinary action despite his presence during the confrontation.

The discussion has also renewed scrutiny among some residents over whether the standards applied to Squires were applied equally to everyone present at the scene.

Seifert responds

Seifert’s statement came after the video spread online and sparked widespread social media discussion about his presence at the Squires scene.

In response to the recently circulating political video, Seifert issued a pub-

Police asked anyone calling to reference case number 26PR09522

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

lic statement Wednesday on his campaign Facebook page, calling the accusations politically motivated.

“I am aware of a video circulating around the internet showing me present at the Squiresgate incident,” Seifert wrote.

“The rumors and speculation surrounding this matter are desperate attempts to tarnish my reputation by supporters of my opponent and anonymous Facebook pages.”

Seifert stated that he was at home with his family when his wife received a phone call that prompted him to leave his home “to render aide if needed.”

According to Seifert, he notified a shift supervisor and remained at the scene. He also said he later provided statements to Internal Affairs investigators and investigators with SLED.

“Despite my opponent supporters and anonymous posters trying to condemn me via social media, I am not the subject of any criminal matter,” Seifert wrote. “I am not a party to any civil suit. I did not violate any BCSO policies.”

He additionally stated that he condemns the actions of Squires but declined to discuss the matter further because of pending criminal and civil litigation.

The Island News also reached out to Seifert seeking additional comment regarding the video and ongoing public discussion about the incident.

“I refer you to my Facebook comment on this matter,” Seifert wrote in a Facebook Messenger response.

Social media reaction

Seifert’s statement drew both support and criticism online.

Many commenters defended Seifert and described the circulating video as politically motivated.

“Your record is impeccable,” one commenter wrote, while another called Seifert “the man with integrity, the one to be trusted.”

Others, however, questioned why Seifert responded to the scene while allegedly off duty and whether additional details about the incident still remain unanswered.

“Who called your wife and why did they feel like YOU were the appropriate point of contact for them in this situation?” one commenter wrote. “The math isn’t mathing, and we the people have questions and deserve answers.”

The anonymous Facebook page that shared the video also responded directly beneath Seifert’s statement, writing in part, “you were there so we have questions that you will not answer.”

Other commenters questioned whether anonymous political pages criticizing sheriff’s candidates were connected to campaigns

or campaign supporters, though no evidence publicly linking Seifert, Woodward or their campaigns to the pages was presented in the discussion.

Political fallout ahead of the primary The circulation of the video comes as the June 9 Republican primary for Beaufort County Sheriff nears, with public trust, transparency and accountability continuing to emerge as central issues in the race.

Seifert has worked in law enforcement since 2006 and has highlighted his progression through multiple supervisory ranks within the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, along with leadership and incident command training, throughout his campaign.

Seifert has also received endorsements from numerous elected officials and public figures across the Lowcountry, including current Sheriff Tanner, who announced earlier this year that he will retire in January 2027 after serving nearly three decades as Beaufort County sheriff.

In endorsing Seifert earlier this year, Tanner described him as the “perfect choice” to lead the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office moving forward in comments previously reported by The Island Packet.

“No one can outwork him. You don’t find that in everyone today,” Tanner said. Tanner’s endorsement has become a focal point in the sheriff’s race, particularly as renewed scrutiny surrounding the Squires case and Seifert’s presence at the scene continues to circulate online.

14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone told The Island News he has not endorsed anyone in the sheriff’s race.

“I haven’t endorsed anyone in the Sheriff’s race,” Stone said. “The Squires case is pending and therefore it would be improper for me to comment on it.” The Island News also reached out to Seifert’s Republican primary opponent, JoJo Woodward, for comment regarding the circulating video and the broader public discussion surrounding the case.

“I would not want to comment on the video or Doug’s involvement as it’s still a pending investigation and Squires has not gone to trial yet,” Woodward said.

“We want to stay focused on the deputies and solving crimes in the community and doing what is best there.”

Sheriff Tanner has not responded to requests for comment.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Beaufort council advances

FY2027 budget after four-hour meeting

First reading debate centers on spending priorities and Waterfront Park funding

By Delayna Earley The Island News

The Beaufort City Council ad-

vanced first reading of the city’s proposed FY2027 budget during its Tuesday, May 12, meeting following a lengthy discussion that stretched to roughly four hours and featured extensive debate over taxes, infrastructure priorities, public safety funding and future redevelopment costs tied to Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

The proposed consolidated FY2027 budget totals approximately $73 4 million, including more than $26 4 million dedicated to capital expenditures and long-term infrastructure investments.

opment, fiscal sustainability and organizational operations.

Budget includes staffing, infrastructure, waterfront funding

The proposed FY2027 budget includes funding for police staffing additions, infrastructure improvements, facility upgrades, drainage and stormwater projects, housing initiatives and continued waterfront investments.

The proposed budget represents an increase of roughly $266 000 over the city’s adopted FY2026 budget.

City Manager Scott Marshall said the proposal was designed to maintain city services while continuing investments tied to public safety, infrastructure, tourism and economic development without increasing the city’s millage rate.

“The budget represents a disciplined and balanced approach to advancing the city’s priorities while maintaining fiscal stability,” Marshall said during the budget presentation.

Marshall said the proposal advances the city’s broader strategic priorities, including public safety, infrastructure management, economic devel-

Marshall said the proposal includes three new patrol officer positions and creation of a community response team intended to support proactive policing and neighborhood engagement. The budget also continues funding tied to parks, waterfront access and community programming while including employee cost-of-living and merit increases intended to help the city recruit and retain staff.

The city also proposed introducing two new revenue sources as part of the budget, including a $32 annual vehicle road use fee and a $1,000 annual short-term rental license fee intended to help offset regulatory and operational costs associated with the city’s growing short-term rental market.

The proposed vehicle fee would have generated approximately $325,000 annually to help offset roadway maintenance and street sweeping costs currently funded through the general fund.

The budget additionally includ-

ed approximately $925 000 in Parks and Tourism Revenue Bond funding connected to engineering work for Waterfront Park’s relieving platform restoration project.

Public comment focuses on taxes, spending priorities

A large portion of public comment focused on concerns over rising costs, budget transparency and long-term spending priorities.

Resident Patrick Canning argued residents needed more detailed financial information before supporting additional fees.

“I would suggest that residents cannot properly evaluate the fee without knowing the full picture,” Canning said during public comment.

Canning also warned council about placing additional financial burdens on residents already struggling with housing costs.

“This $32 per vehicle fee affects homeowners and renters alike, many of whom are already struggling with high housing costs,” Canning said. “It is effectively a tax increase on working families.”

Several residents also questioned whether the city should continue pursuing certain projects and outside funding partnerships while major infrastructure concerns remain unresolved.

During discussion surrounding potential reductions, resident Paul Trask voiced support for redirecting additional resources toward Waterfront Park redevelopment.

“The main priority, if it is possible ... the remainder of it needs to be allocated to the downtown waterfront park,” Trask said during

public comment.

Resident Felice LaMarca also questioned how revenue from the pending sale of city-owned property on Boundary Street could potentially factor into future waterfront redevelopment funding discussions.

Several residents and council members additionally questioned whether the proposed City Hall parking acquisition project should move forward while Waterfront Park redevelopment remains unresolved.

Council debates alternatives, priorities

Several portions of the proposed budget shifted significantly throughout the evening as council members debated spending priorities and possible reductions.

Council ultimately voted to remove the proposed vehicle road use fee from the budget and later withdrew the ordinance tied to the proposal.

Council members and residents also discussed possible alternatives to offset the projected revenue loss, including reducing consultant spending, revisiting legal expenditures, staggering police hiring connected to a federal COPS grant and reevaluating several capital projects and outside funding partnerships.

Councilman Josh Scallate repeatedly pushed for additional scrutiny of spending and quesPFC tioned whether the city should continue moving forward with every proposed capital project simultaneously.

“I think our residents will prob-

ably appreciate the fact that they can look at every dollar that is expended,” Scallate said during the discussion.

Debate later shifted heavily toward Waterfront Park redevelopment and whether Beaufort should redirect additional funding toward the project through its existing Tax Increment Financing district.

Marshall cautioned council that legal clarification is still needed regarding portions of the proposed TIF reallocation plan.

“We will execute whatever you would like to do,” Marshall told council. “I just wanted to remind you of those two things.”

Council ultimately voted to redirect more than $1 2 million in proposed TIF expenditures away from several city projects and toward Waterfront Park redevelopment efforts.

Second reading scheduled for June 9

Council ultimately approved first reading of the amended FY2027 budget. Additional amendments and revisions are expected before final adoption, including continued discussions surrounding Waterfront Park funding, capital priorities and replacement revenue following removal of the vehicle fee.

Second reading of the FY2027 budget is scheduled for June 9

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Veterans take Honor Flight to D.C.

By Amber Hewitt

Island News

The

Nearly 30 Vietnam War

veterans from Georgia and South Carolina were honored during a send-off ceremony at AMVETS in Port Royal before departing for Washington, D.C., with Hon-

or Flight Savannah. The nonprofit organization, powered by volunteers and community support, provides veterans the opportunity to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. Since its inaugural trip in 2009

Honor Flight Savannah has completed 30 flights and transported nearly 2 100 World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, along with their guardians, to the nation’s capital.

Local veterans groups, businesses and civic orga-

nizations continue to play a major role in making the trips possible. The 28 veterans honored last week proudly served the nation during the Vietnam War era in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Air Force, and the

U.S. Coast Guard.

U.S. Air Force

Lt. Col. Thomas Blackburn

Sgt. Robert Borucki

Master Sgt. Benjamin Bruce

Senior Airman Charles Haverstick

Staff Sgt. Virgil Niederriter

Senior Airman Bernice Wilson

U.S. Army

Capt. Robert Allen

Master Sgt. Roger Beamon

Specialist Four Robert Cherichella

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Clemens

Spc. Terry Kegebein

Sergeant Ronny Knight

Spc. James Moncrief

Sgt. Robert Sebring

Cpl. Tyronne Shurling

Sgt, Steve Sweney

Spc. Gary White

U.S. Marine Corps

Cpl. Michael Davis

Cpl. Dennis Gauthier

Gunnery Sgt. Karen Villar

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charles Baker

Capt. John Coyne Operations Specialist 2nd Class Keith Kruse Construction Man Lawrence Oakes Sonar Technician 2nd

Van Buren

U.S. Coast Guard

Chief Petty Officer William Ellis

Waterfront Park emerges as Beaufort’s top budget priority

Beaufort council shifts $1.2M in TIF funds away from parking project toward Waterfront Park

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

The Beaufort City Council voted Tuesday night, May 12, to redirect more than $1 2 million in proposed Tax Increment Financing expenditures toward redevelopment of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, underscoring the growing urgency city leaders and residents placed on restoring one of Beaufort’s most recognizable public spaces.

The amendment came during council’s broader FY2027 budget discussions and followed an extended debate over whether the city should continue prioritizing administrative facility upgrades and land acquisition projects while the future of Waterfront Park remains unresolved.

Councilman Josh Scallate introduced the amendment, arguing the city’s existing list of capital projects had effectively filled its “plate” and that Waterfront Park should now become Beaufort’s top redevelopment priority.

“We owe it to the community to be as best prepared as possible with the funding that we do have now,” Scallate said during the discussion.

Waterfront becomes the priority

Throughout the discussion, Scallate repeatedly argued the city’s “plate is full” with existing capital projects and that Waterfront Park should now become Beaufort’s primary infrastructure and redevelopment focus.

“With the Waterfront Park in front of us, our plate is full,” Scallate said.

Scallate described Waterfront Park as the city’s “crown jewel” and argued the city should avoid placing unnecessary financial hurdles in front of the redevelopment effort.

The debate Tuesday night also built on conversations

already taking place within Beaufort’s Waterfront Advisory Committee regarding how the city will ultimately fund redevelopment of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

Earlier this month, committee members voiced support for rebuilding the failing relieving platform largely in its current form while acknowledging major funding questions remain surrounding the multi-million-dollar project. Engineers told the committee the design and permitting process alone could take at least 18 months.

Scallate had already begun publicly exploring whether Beaufort’s existing Boundary Street Tax Increment Financing district could potentially help finance portions of the waterfront redevelopment effort.

He said he had contacted City Attorney Benjamin T. Coppage seeking clarification on whether South Carolina law would allow TIF revenues generated within the Boundary Street redevelopment district to be used for projects outside the district itself if city council determines the project provides a direct economic benefit to the redevelopment area.

Scallate pointed to language in state law and the city’s existing Boundary Street redevelopment plans, arguing Waterfront Park generates direct economic and tourism benefits for the district and therefore qualifies as an appropriate use of TIF funding.

During the discussion, Scallate cited Placer.ai data previously provided to the city showing roughly 80 percent of visitors to downtown Beaufort also visited Waterfront Park.

Scallate also warned the city could not assume future state or federal funding would materialize and argued Beaufort needed to prepare now for engineering,

design and permitting costs associated with the project.

Several residents echoed those concerns throughout the meeting.

ResidentvMike Markham told council the waterfront serves as Beaufort’s defining attraction and should take precedence over less urgent expenditures.

“When you have a roof leak at home, everything stops when there’s an emergency,” Markham said. “The emergency we have is the Waterfront Park.”

“People come here for the Henry Chambers Waterfront Park,” Markham added. “If they see nothing else, they see that.”

Resident Graham Trask, whose family owns property within the TIF2 district, also praised Scallate during public comment for trying to identify alternatives to the proposed vehicle fee through budget reductions and reprioritizing projects.

“Kudos to Councilman Scallate for identifying and really trying to identify some areas where the budget can be more efficient,” Graham Trask said.

Debate over parking, city projects

Much of the debate centered around a proposed $1 million City Hall parking land acquisition project that several residents and council members questioned prioritizing while Waterfront Park redevelopment remains unresolved.

For several speakers, the proposed parking acquisition became symbolic of a broader concern that the city was continuing to pursue optional capital projects while asking residents to absorb additional fees and while Waterfront Park remained partially closed and facing major future costs.

During public comment, resident Paul Trask argued the city does not have a

meaningful downtown parking shortage and urged council to redirect the money toward Waterfront Park instead.

“We don’t need a parking lot. Everyone finds a parking space here. There’s no problem,” Paul Trask said before urging council to redirect the TIF money toward Waterfront Park instead.

Earlier in the meeting, residents and council members openly discussed possible ways to offset the proposed vehicle fee and free additional money for Waterfront Park, including delaying consultant contracts, reducing legal spending, staggering police hiring timelines and eliminating the proposed City Hall parking acquisition project.

Scallate repeatedly argued the city’s current list of capital projects had already filled its “plate” and that Waterfront Park should now become Beaufort’s top financial priority.

At one point during the discussion, Scallate revised and narrowed his original proposal after concerns were raised about removing funding tied to Fire Station 1 renovations and operational needs.

Under the final amendment approved Tuesday night, council voted to remove proposed TIF expenditures including $173 175 for IT switch upgrades at City Hall and the Police Department/Court Complex, $45 000 for City Hall lighting upgrades, $30 000 for City Hall safety camera upgrades and $1 million for City Hall parking land acquisition and design.

The total redirected amount equals $1,248,175

Legal questions remain

City Manager Scott Marshall cautioned council that legal clarification is still needed from the city attorney regarding some of the proposed uses.

“I’m not sure I’m comfortable,” Marshall said during the discussion, adding that legal guidance could ultimately require the amendment to be revisited before second reading.

Marshall also defended several of the projects removed from the TIF plan, particularly proposed City Hall parking improvements and Fire Station 1 renovations.

According to Marshall, the parking project is tied in part to security recommendations from a Homeland Security assessment advising the city to remove some parking spaces immediately adjacent to the municipal complex.

He also described Fire Station 1 renovations as necessary due to aging infrastructure, leaking roofs and operational limitations involving the city’s ladder truck.

Scallate also argued some projects already proposed for TIF funding, including Fire Station 1 renovations, were themselves located outside the originally defined TIF district boundaries, meaning the city would already need to navigate similar legal questions regardless of whether Waterfront Park funding was included.

Despite those unresolved legal questions, council ultimately moved forward with the amendment Tuesday night after Marshall noted the city could still reverse or revise the decision before second reading if legal review later determined the TIF funds could not be used for Waterfront Park redevelopment.

That procedural flexibility, combined with growing support from residents urging council to prioritize Waterfront Park over administrative projects and parking expansion, appeared to help build momentum behind the amendment before the

final vote.

Councilman Neil Lipsitz ultimately cast the lone dissenting vote. Throughout the discussion, Lipsitz repeatedly expressed concern about reallocating the money before receiving legal clarification regarding whether the TIF funds could legally be used for Waterfront Park redevelopment. He also questioned removing planned capital expenditures before identifying clearer long-term funding strategies and operational alternatives.

Meanwhile, the remaining council members appeared increasingly persuaded by arguments that Waterfront Park represented the city’s most immediate long-term infrastructure challenge and that the amendment could still be revisited before second reading if legal concerns ultimately prevented the funds from being used as proposed. Public support for prioritizing Waterfront Park over parking expansion and administrative upgrades also appeared to influence the direction of the discussion as the meeting progressed.

Council approves amendment

The amendment ultimately passed on a 4-1 vote, with Lipsitz casting the lone dissenting vote. However, city staff indicated the matter is likely to return before second reading of the budget once additional legal guidance regarding TIF usage is received.

Second reading of the FY2027 budget is scheduled for June 9

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

SC legislators celebrate planned monument 164 years after Robert Smalls’ escape from slavery

By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — In the early hours of May 13, 1862, an enslaved man delivered himself, his fellow crew members and their families past a Confederate barricade to freedom.

Exactly 164 years later, on the state-designated day commemorating the escape, state lawmakers celebrated Robert Smalls and the legacy they hope more people learn about through a monument to the Civil War hero on Statehouse grounds.

Standing on the empty patch of land just outside the Statehouse’s visitors’ entrance where Smalls will stand, the governor, Department of Administration officials and legislators related the late congressman’s story and asked for money to commemorate him.

“Long after we’re all gone, children will walk these Statehouse grounds and see his statue standing there,” said Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, who represents part of

Beaufort County and sits on the commission overseeing the work.

“They will ask who Robert Smalls was. And because of what we’ve done today, South Carolina will finally answer the question the right way.”

The monument, which will depict Smalls in the sort of threepiece suit he would have worn in Congress, is expected to cost between $1 million and $2 million.

Under the 2024 law that authorized the building of a monument to Smalls, all of the funding must come from donations instead of state revenue.

The primary goal of Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony, which did not literally break any ground, was to ask for donations to fund that work. Basil Watson, an Atlanta-based artist who has created other sculptures commemorating South Carolina history, will create the monument.

“Monuments matter,” said Matthews, a Walterboro Democrat.

“Your donations will matter. They tell us whose story deserves to be remembered, and they tell future generations what kind of courage and leadership we choose to honor.”

Smalls will be the first individual Black person honored on the Statehouse grounds. Several sculptures on the nearby African American History Monument clearly depict famous Black South Carolinians, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Ronald McNair. But no one is named.

“For far too long, the contributions of Black South Carolinians were overlooked, minimized or left out entirely from the public places of power in the state,” Matthews said. “But not today.”

The monument of Smalls will stand on the opposite end of the Statehouse’s north side from a statue of former governor and U.S. Sen. Ben “Pitchfork” Tillman.

Smalls frequently fought with the avowed white supremacist, who

advocated killing Black people who tried to vote and convened the 1895 convention that that rewrote the state constitution to disenfranchise Black voters, despite Smalls’ pleas to the contrary.

Both played a role in the state’s history, said former Sen. Gerald Malloy, who is overseeing the monument’s fundraising efforts.

“Our history is complex. It’s honest, it’s painful, it’s triumphant, and it’s incomplete unless all the voices are represented,” Malloy said. “So, Robert Smalls belongs here, not as a footnote, not as an afterthought, but as a giant of South Carolina history.”

For two years, a portrait of Smalls and a description of his history have sat on a table outside the governor’s office. Gov. Henry McMaster would hang a more official picture on the wall, but state law prohibits it, he said Wednesday.

A 2007 law put a moratorium on adding any new statues, busts or portraits to the Statehouse and its

grounds, with the exception of the House and Senate chambers, out of concerns the capitol complex might become overcrowded with memorials.

The proposal for Smalls’ memorial needed supermajority support from a dedicated committee as well as approval from both chambers.

People often stop to read and marvel at Smalls’ story, McMaster said.

Putting up Smalls is a way of remembering the state’s past while looking toward its future, he said.

“The reason our state is so strong is because we remember where we’ve been,” McMaster said. “And the reason we remember where we’ve been is because we’re strong.”

Beaufort approves revised noise ordinance after months of debate

City Council adopts amended rules governing amplified sound, quiet hours, downtown entertainment activity

By Delayna Earley The Island News

The Beaufort City Council approved third and final reading of the city’s revised noise ordinance during its Tuesday, May 12, meeting, concluding months of debate over how Beaufort should balance downtown entertainment activity with quality-of-life concerns from nearby residents.

The updated ordinance revises portions of the city’s existing “Loud and Unseemly Noise” regulations and establishes new standards tied to decibel limits, quiet hours and enforcement procedures.

Discussion surrounding the ordinance has continued for months as city officials, residents and downtown business owners debated how to address late-night music, amplified sound and complaints connected to the city’s growing entertainment and tourism activity.

City officials previously said the revisions were intended to modernize portions of the ordinance while creating more objective en-

forcement standards for police officers responding to complaints.

McFee introduces final amendments Before the ordinance received final approval Tuesday night, Mayor Pro Tem Mike McFee introduced a series of amendments to the ordinance language following continued discussions between council members, city staff and law enforcement officials.

The amendments included consolidating and renumbering portions of the ordinance, refining language tied to vehicle-related noise violations and clarifying “plainly audible” enforcement standards.

One amended section prohibited “rapid revving of engine, unnecessary honking of horn, or amplified music or sound devices” from vehicles when plainly audible from a distance of 50 feet.

McFee also worked through amendments tied to how the ordinance distinguished between residential quiet hours and standards

governing the city’s downtown Music District.

Police Chief Stephenie Price said the city had worked extensively to create language officers could realistically enforce in the field.

“We need something that is enforceable and understandable,” Price told council during discussion of the ordinance.

Councilman Josh Scallate briefly questioned whether portions of the revised language relied too heavily on subjective “plainly audible” standards rather than measurable sound readings gathered through decibel meters.

“I don’t see anything in your amendments ... that addresses the nighttime hours,” Scallate said during the discussion, later raising concerns about enforcement language tied to plainly audible violations.

Scallate argued certain violations should instead be determined through measurable sound readings rather than officer interpretation alone.

That led to additional discussion over whether resi-

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dential quiet hours should begin at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. and how those provisions interacted with separate standards already established for the downtown Music District.

At one point, Scallate acknowledged how much time council had already spent refining the ordinance and working through individual revisions.

“This is probably a sign of how long we’ve been working on this ordinance,” Scallate said after noting he agreed with nearly all of McFee’s proposed amendments except one tied to enforcement language and nighttime standards.

Council ultimately approved the amended ordinance on second and final reading.

Downtown entertainment district remained central issue

Much of the debate surrounding the ordinance over recent months focused on the city’s downtown core and waterfront entertainment areas, where restaurants,

bars and live music venues frequently operate near residential neighborhoods.

Under the revised ordinance, certain amplified sound violations can now be measured using decibel readings depending on location, zoning and time of day, while portions of the code still retain “plainly audible” enforcement standards.

The ordinance also revises quiet hour regulations and establishes different standards for residential areas versus portions of the city’s downtown entertainment district.

Business owners and entertainment advocates previously cautioned council against restrictions they believed could negatively impact Beaufort’s downtown atmosphere, tourism economy and live music venues.

At the same time, Beaufort resident Wayne Reynolds told council nighttime music and vehicle-related noise had become an ongoing issue for nearby neighborhoods.

“The language in the whereas is really beautiful language,” Reynolds told

NEWS BRIEFS

Street Music returns to Port Royal on Saturday

Street Music on Paris Avenue will continue its Spring 2026 season on Saturday, May 23, with the Keeshea Pratt Band in downtown Port Royal. The remaining schedule includes Dwayne Dopsie on June 6 and Peter Karp on June 20.

The shows start at 6 p.m. on Paris Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets. Bring a chair, invite your friends, and enjoy a free night of live music in the heart of Port Royal.

Shellfish season closes Wednesday, May 27

The 2025-2026 season for harvest of oysters, mussels, clams and all other bivalves from South Carolina's State Shellfish Grounds and Public Shellfish Grounds will close on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at one half-hour after official sunset.

Because higher bacterial levels occur when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, shellfish harvesting during the summer months is limited to certain oyster farms that meet rigorous handling and operations requirements.

Coastal waters will remain closed to recreational shellfish harvesting until the fall, when water temperatures begin to cool and ensure that shellfish are once again safe for harvesting and consumption. Shellfish harvesting is expected to reopen October 1, 2026

Charles Lind Brown Recreation Center closed for upgrades

Beaufort County Parks and Recreation’s Charles Lind Brown Recreation Center

council. “It’s sensitive, it’s real, and it is a real problem.” Reynolds also noted concerns over vehicle-related noise and the difficulty of enforcement.

“Especially the vehicular noise is really hard to chase,” Reynolds said. “So we need officers in cars with decibel meters.”

Councilman Mitch Mitchell said council had spent months attempting to balance competing concerns surrounding downtown activity and residential quality of life.

“We’re trying to strike a balance,” Mitchell said during earlier ordinance discussions.

The revised ordinance now takes effect as part of the City of Beaufort Code of Ordinances following its approval on second and final reading May 12

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

is closed for mechanical equipment upgrades. It will be closed for several weeks while the work is done. Once the work is completed and the facility reopens, the public will be notified.

Many programs, activities and County staff will be temporarily relocated to the Port Royal Center, 1514 Richmond Avenue.

For a complete list of programs, activities and facilities, visit Beaufort County Parks and Recreation.

For more information, please contact Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Shane Stager at 843-2556711 or Shane.Stager@bcgov.net.

Public test of precinct scanners for the June 9 primaries

A public test of the precinct scanners for the June 9 2026 Statewide Democratic and Republican Primaries will begin at 10 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County office, located at 15 John Galt Road in Beaufort.

Public test of central count scanners for the June 9 primaries

A public test of the Central Count Scanners (Ballot Tabulating Machines) for the June 9, 2026, Statewide Democratic and Republican Primaries will begin at 10 a.m., Friday, June 5 2026, at the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County office, located at 15 John Galt Road, in Beaufort. For more information, call 843-255-6900 – Staff reports

Administration and Economic Development Committee meeting on May 8 According to information released by the county following that meeting, the proposed budget moved forward with no tax increase proposed for county residents.

Harriott had also appeared at multiple recent

county meetings and budget workshops throughout April and early May as county council continued discussions on spending, capital projects and departmental funding requests.

The departure comes as Beaufort County government continues efforts to rebuild public trust following the controversies surrounding former County Administrator Eric Greenway and questions over transparency and financial oversight that dominated

county government discussions over the past two years. Beaufort County has not announced an interim CFO or said who will oversee remaining budget presentations and financial discussions moving forward.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can

VOICES

Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island

Great evil and what happens to the children

It is Saturday, and we have, at long last, rain; a lawn that is once again green; and I must admit this gives me some contentment.

In addition to this contentment, I have an old (April 17) Wall Street Journal that reviews a new film, “Amrum” — a comingof-age movie focused on a German boy (Nanning) at the tail end of World War II.

The review — I have not seen the movie — tells us the boy’s father is a Obersturmbannfuhrer at the front; his mother, Hille, is also a full-blown Nazi. When Hitler commits suicide in his Berlin bunker. Nanning and his mother are living on an island in the North Sea. When the war ends Hille goes into a severe depression — refusing to eat — and Nanning goes on a “mini-odyssey” to find food that his mother will

SCOTT GRABER

eat. That lengthy trip — and the beatings and theft that ensue — become the substance of the movie. “When it comes to the horrors of the 40s, so rich is the history that we will probably never come to the end of fresh approaches to it. ‘Amrum’ is a stirring example of how childhood reminiscence can stand for so much more.” I, myself, was born two days before “Little Boy” was exploded above Hiroshima and was too young to remember the immediate aftermath of WWII. But my 6-year-old self was in occu-

pied Japan at a guard-andgate-protected enclosure called “Grant Heights.”

I have a black-and-white photo of a two storied, white-painted duplex underscoring the dreary, unimaginative sameness of most military housing. The photo shows a complimentary clothes line, a child’s swing and a small garden.

I remember little about the Tokyo landscape; but I do remember our Japanese house servant, Yoshiko. I can still remember her young face with startling clarity notwithstanding the passage of 75 years. I can also feel a definite sense of love for this Japanese teenager who helped my mother with the care and comfort of my brother and myself.

Yoshiko was our cook, house-cleaner and my constant companion for our entire four-year tour; and she informs my belief that the Japanese are the most

inscrutable people on earth.

On the one hand there is the enduring love and loyalty of Yoshiko I can still feel in my old age. But then you have the routine, standard-issue beheadings in Nanking, Korea, Bataan, Burma and every other place where the Japanese Army bivouacked.

I can’t, for the life of me, reconcile the harmonics of Buddhism, Shintoism and Bushido (the Japanese moral mindset) or put Yoshiko into the same race with the stone-faced men who executed Chinese, Korean and Manchurian men, women and children by the millions.

After Japan, we came back to the continental United States for postings; my father becoming interested in burns at the Army’s Surgical Research Unit in San Antonio, Texas. His last duty station was the Landstuhl Army Hospital near

Kaiserslautern, Germany. While in Germany we did not have a servant; nor did I develop any close relationships with any Germans. I did, however, read Mila 18 Exodus and any nonfiction I could find about the Holocaust. I did visit Dachau.

It wasn’t until I got to Beaufort that I met a married couple, Germans, who had been children during World War II. Both of these people had fathers who had been in the Wehrmacht; both had been bombed by the 8th Army Air Force — one was in Dresden when we decided to remove that ancient city from the face of the earth.

I often spoke with this couple about Kant, Catholicism, Kandinsky, Stalingrad and George Wallace. And found no comment, opinion or theory that would connect them with the deprecations of Hitler, Goebbels or the slaughter of the Jews.

The woman’s father (I’m

not going to use her name) was on the Eastern front, captured, and somehow survived. The man’s father operated an anti-aircraft gun that took out more than a few of our B-17s. This couple had a strong sense of “right and wrong” that was reflected in everything they did or said. But I suspect they were forever haunted by the war knowing that everyone silently questioned their morality. There was also a sadness attached to their persons and, perhaps, the realization that they were forever marked by the unspeakable actions of their parents.

I have not seen “Amrum” yet; but think it might help me understand great evil and what happens to the children.

Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.

Imagine how Truman would deal with SC legislature

The S.C. General Assembly’s final legislative week of the 2026 regular session will be remembered as a time when courage ultimately hid.

Three days before the session ended, courage reared its head in the South Carolina Senate when five Republicans joined 12 Democrats to block an effort to redraw the state’s seven congressional districts at mid-decade in what was an obvious political ploy to satisfy a president that GOP rank-and-file politicians fear.

But it wasn’t long before S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster — a big friend of President Donald Trump — caved on earlier pledges that he wouldn’t call legislators back into session to redraw lines.

State Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, the Edgefield Republican who led the call in the Senate for his party to not redraw districts for a variety of reasons,

Let me start off by saying that I debated long and hard whether or not to write this particular column because it involves my pride as well as my judgment.

I dallied around with a title, hoping to make light of the subject. “Carol’s fall from Grace” came to mind or maybe “Carol learns a lesson the hard way.” You see, last week I decided this 84-year-old was quite capable, thank you very much, of navigating an elevated area in her driveway. There were weeds that needed to be pulled because they were unsightly. And maybe while I was up there I could power wash my much-beloved statue of the little girl from “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Let’s just say that good did not prevail, and evil stood lurking.

Long story short, Carol never made it to said elevated area. Instead, she fell back, cracked her head and

characterized McMaster’s action as flip-flopping. It would have been better for the process if McMaster had come to his decision months ago.

“Based on what I’ve seen this week, I think the governor’s going to do whatever he’s told [by the White House] to do,” Massey said Thursday, May 14. “There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of pushback or backbone downstairs this week.”

Yes, the governor was under a lot of pressure to accede to the cynical attempt to carve the state’s

Carol’s

bled profusely. I was stunned and lay there for perhaps two minutes. When I finally got the courage to lift my head and place my hand where I thought I had landed, my hand emerged bright red, almost enough to make me fall back once more. There are reasons why I never became a nurse, and the sight of blood is one. Now this sad tale of woe is multi-faceted, and the following is one aspect. My younger daughter and her husband recently moved into my previous home when I down-sized. That house happens to be diagonally across the street from my new one, and when all

only U.S. House Democrat, Jim Clyburn, out of his seat to get a 7-0 majority in the congressional delegation. If lawmakers eventually draw new lines, we hope their effort backfires, sending a torrent of voters to the polls in November to protest. And we believe Clyburn — even with a district without as many packed Black voters — will win whatever lawmakers do. Nevertheless, there’s a right way and a wrong way of doing business. What the state GOP is doing — fiddling with an election process that has already started (thousands of voters already cast early ballots by mail) — is just plain wrong. It will disenfranchise voters, lead to confusion, waste money and adopt a governance mentality that smacks of banana republicanism. What supporters of redistricting before the 2030 census are doing is, quite frankly, un-American.

At times like these, thoughts

turn to former President Harry S. Truman, a modest man from the middle of America who led the country through the strength of his common-sense moral convictions.

“Give ‘Em Hell Harry” served as president from April 1945 to January 1953, a time marked by tremendous change — the end of World War II and the post-war emergence of America’s middle class as a powerhouse. He presided over tremendous change: Truman desegregated the U.S. Armed Forces when it was politically dangerous to do so.

In fact, he called for expansion of civil rights to guarantee freedom and equality to all, becoming the first president to address the NAACP. He supported the Marshall Plan to rebuild a broken Europe and stabilize the continent when some Americans wanted to turn inward.

He committed the country to resisting Soviet expansion, with some historians saying he prevented a third world war. He pushed for national health insurance 20 years before Medicare came into existence. (Did you realize that President Lyndon Johnson awarded the nation’s first Medicare card to Truman in 1965 just seven years before he died?) Today’s leaders need to remember the courage and convictions of Americans like Harry Truman and learn from his example. If they listen to history, they’ll avoid boneheaded moves like trying to redistrict at mid-decade to satisfy a narcissistic autocrat.

Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send it to feedback@statehousereport.com.

not so-grand adventure

of this came to pass, one of her first remarks to me was, “Mom, this will be great! I can look out my window and keep an eye on you.” Really? I was quick to respond, “You may not always like what you see.” Rolling of the eyes.

I tell you this, dear reader, because when I finally managed to get into the house, I called her to say I had fallen. Her immediate response was, “I’m calling an ambulance.” I shrieked something that indicated “no way,” and she said, “I’ll be right over.” What she failed to say was, “right after I call the ambulance.”

Kids! They just don’t listen. So I got myself into the shower (I was told later that doing this wasn’t the smartest, but I never pretended to be the brightest bulb in the chandelier.)

When I emerged, wrapped in a towel, hair dripping but at least bloodless, what to my wandering eyes should appear but a roomful of uniformed men in my

bedroom. Excuse me? And there sat my daughter on my bed with a look I will call smug … she will assert it was one of concern.

My first thought was that there had to be a better way to get so many males into my bedroom, but that remained unspoken. I quickly closed the door, put on a robe, and then one examined my head, saying I had a pretty good sized gash, and that I probably needed to have it looked at.

Reluctantly, I agreed to climb upon the gurney and be taken out of my house and into the ambulance. Of course neighbors were out and concerned, but get this: my daughter had the nerve to take a picture after I was safely tucked into the ambulance. I couldn’t hear, but I’d bet my next social security check she said, “smile.”

And now to the ride to the hospital. I made up my mind that I was not going to be the needy patient because actually I felt

pretty good. Embarrassed? Indeed. Grateful it wasn’t any worse? Likewise. I thought to myself, “Let’s make the best of this little adventure.”

And so to the last aspect of the story.

Those paramedics commandeering my Cinderella carriage were simply the best. Perhaps this becomes the focus, indeed the highlight of my adventure.

Eddie, Jeremy (I hope I am right on that -- many apologies if not) and Jennifer kept me amused, and if memory serves, I may have participated in the exchanges. Call it quintessential harmony.

Jeremy is a Philadelphia Eagles fan to which I gave forth loud derision since I still bleed black and gold for my beloved Steelers. Eddie kept me amused with one story or another which kept my mind from wandering and wondering what was going to happen once we got to the hospital.

Jennifer sat up front, but

she was very attentive once we arrived.

And those in the emergency room? Top notch. I had a CAT scan on my brain which showed nothing. You may interpret that as you wish, dear reader. And finally, we got to the head gash. You simply won’t believe it; I certainly didn’t. They glued it! You read that correctly. No sutures, no staples, but glue. My daughter was there to take me home, and I remember mumbling something to the effect that had I known, I had Gorilla Glue at home. She quickly shuffled me out the door. All humor aside, I have such respect for those who tended to me last week. Bravo! Kudos! And no small amount of love and gratitude.

Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”

ELECTION 2026

Republicans, Democrats host competing rallies ahead of primary

Weekend political events at GOP headquarters, Penn Center spotlight crowded primary races

By Delayna Earley

News

promoting candidates ahead of the June 9 primary election and November general election. The Beaufort County Republican Party hosted its “Get Out The Vote Rally” Sunday, May 17, at party headquarters, while Beaufort Coun-

ty Democrats gathered Sunday afternoon at Penn Center on St. Helena Island for a candidate rally and cookout focused on voter outreach and volunteer engagement.

SEE RALLIES PAGE B2

Changes affect several Beaufort, Lady’s Island and St. Helena precincts

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

Voters in several Beaufort County precincts will cast their ballots at temporary polling locations during South Carolina’s June 9 statewide primary election.

The Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County announced last week that multiple precincts across the county will be temporarily relocated for both the June 9 primary and the June 23 runoff election, if a runoff is needed. County officials said the changes are only expected to impact the June primaries.

Several of the affected precincts are in and around Beaufort, including locations on Lady’s Island, St. Helena Island and in Sheldon.

The temporary precinct locations for the June primary elections are:

Sheldon Sheldon 1: Elijah Washington Medical Center, 711 Bladen St., Beaufort

Sheldon 2: Booker T. Washington Community Center, 182 Booker T. Washington Drive, Yemassee

Lady’s Island Lady’s Island 1A: Grace Chapel A.M.E. Church, 10 Holly Hall Road, Lady’s Island Lady’s Island 1B: Sea Pines Presbyterian Church, 300 Sea Pines Drive, Lady’s Island Lady’s Island 3B: The Retreat at Lady’s Island, 9 Sunset Blvd., Lady’s Island Lady’s Island 4A: Lady’s Island Middle School, 30 Cougar Drive, Lady’s Island Lady’s Island 4B: Lady’s Island Elementary School, 73 Chowan Creek Bluff, Lady’s Is-land

St. Helena Island St. Helena 1A: St. Helena Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island St. Helena 1B: Scott Community Center, 65 Dale Drive, St. Helena Island

The county also announced temporary polling place changes for several Bluffton and Hilton Head Island precincts ahead of the primary election.

Early voting for the June 9 statewide primary begins May 26 and continues through June 5. In Beaufort County, early voting locations will include the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections office at 15 John Galt Road in Beaufort, the Bluffton Branch Library at 120 Palmetto Way in Bluffton, the Hilton Head Island Branch Library at 11 Beach City Road on Hilton Head Island, and the St. Helena Branch Library at 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road on St. Helena Island.

Early voting hours will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day during the early voting period. Election

Beaufort County Sheriff candidate Doug Seifert, appearing at the Beaufort County Republican Party’s “Get Out The Vote Rally” held Sunday, May 17, at party headquarters in Okatie, said his top priorities if elected would include strengthening the county’s drug enforcement efforts, expanding traffic enforcement, improving deputy recruitment, and increasing community engagement. Seifert noted that the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is currently short approximately 16 deputies and said one of his first goals would be increasing starting salaries to help fill those vacancies. He also emphasized the importance of being visible in the community and attending local events. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Rallies from page B1

According to the Beaufort County Republican Party, the GOP event featured more than 30 candidates and was promoted as what organizers described as the “largest county GOP event in South Carolina.” The event included food, live music and opportunities for voters to meet candidates one-on-one.

Candidates promoted for the Republican rally included gubernatorial candidates Alan Wilson and Ralph Norman, attorney general candidates Stephen Goldfinch and David Stumbo, Beaufort County sheriff candidates Doug Seifert and JoJo Woodward, along with candidates for Congress, County Council and constitutional offices.

The Republican Party also released results from a straw poll conducted during the rally, with 187 ballots reportedly counted.

In the Beaufort County sheriff’s race, Seifert received 51% support in the straw poll compared to 31% for Woodward, while 18% of participants remained undecided.

In the gubernatorial straw poll, Wilson received 58% support among attendees. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham received 65% support in the Senate race straw poll.

The Republican primary race for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District showed Mark Smith leading among attendees with 39% followed by Logan Cunningham at 22%. Alex Pelbath received 10%, while the remaining candidates received single-digit support.

The GOP straw poll also included County Council races and ballot issue questions, including whether voters should register by political party and whether school board races should become partisan.

The event also drew controversy following an altercation involving supporters of congressional candidate Tyler Dykes outside the rally.

Dykes, one of several Republicans running in the June 9 primary for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat, alleged during an interview with The Island News that a woman affiliated with the Beaufort County Republican Party attempted to throw away pizzas his campaign was distributing outside the event before a confrontation turned physical.

According to Dykes, the incident occurred after campaign volunteers began handing out free pizzas and speaking with attendees outside the rally.

“She punched him in the

Mac DeFord, running for Nancy Mace’s seat in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, was one of the candidates for public office take turns addressing potential voters during a Beaufort County Democratic Party rally and cookout held Sunday, May 17 at the Historic Penn Center on St. Helena Island. The event gave voters a chance to hear from Democratic candidates ahead of the June 9 primary election. Asa Aarons Smith/The Island News

face, knocked him on the ground and began kicking him while he was on the ground,” Dykes said, referring to supporter Skip Hoagland.

Photos and video provided to The Island News by Dykes and political commentator Mike Covert appeared to show a woman in handcuffs speaking with law enforcement outside the event following the altercation.

Dykes accused local GOP leadership of attempting to silence dissenting voices within the party and criticized what he described as internal party conflicts surrounding the event.

The Island News reached out Monday to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office seeking additional information, including the identity of the woman reportedly arrested following the incident. As of publication, additional details had not yet been released.

Because the Beaufort County Republican Party headquarters is located in neighboring Jasper County, the reported altercation and subsequent law enforcement response fell under Jasper County jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Beaufort County Democrats also gathered Sunday at historic Penn Center for a candidate rally and cookout featuring Democratic candidates, elected officials and local party organizers.

According to promotional materials for the event, the Democratic gathering included food, music and opportunities for voters to meet candidates and discuss campaign priorities ahead of the November election cycle.

The dueling political

events come as Beaufort County voters prepare for a crowded June 9 primary ballot featuring numerous contested local, state and congressional races.

In South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, Republicans running in the primary include Dan Brown, Jay Byars, Jenny Costa Honeycutt, Logan Cunningham, Tyler Dykes, Kendal Ludden, Sam McCown, Alex Pelbath, Cindy Wagers Riley and Mark Smith.

Democratic candidates running for the open congressional seat include Francina Dantzler, Mac Deford, Max Diaz, Ben Frasier, Matthew Fulmer, Nancy Lacore and Mayra Rivera-Vazquez. The congressional seat is open following U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace’s decision to run for governor rather than seek reelection.

Other races that will appear on ballots in northern Beaufort County include the Beaufort County sheriff’s race between Seifert and Woodward, the Republican primary for South Carolina attorney general featuring Wilson, David Pascoe, Goldfinch and Stumbo, and the Democratic primary for S.C. House District 121, where incumbent Rep. Michael Rivers faces challenger the Rev. Shannon DeLoach. The winner of the District 121 race will face Republican Shelley Gay Yuhas in November. Early voting for the June 9 primary begins May 26

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Wrinkles, be gone: Dermal fillers offer minimally invasive option

By Dr. Heidi Harrington Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics

Aging affects everyone, but there are steps you can take to slow its impact. If you prefer to avoid major cosmetic surgery, dermal fillers may be the skincare offering for you. Also known as injectable fillers or soft tissue fillers, this approach is used by more than 1 million Americans every year, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. They are a popular way to regain a more youthful appearance without breaking the bank, providing immediate results that give up to two years or more of enhanced confidence.

Dermal fillers address crow’s feet and other fine lines on your face.

The goal of this treatment is to restore volume to your face and reduce wrinkles in the process.

In most cases, there is no need for a trip to the operating room. The entire process takes place during a regular office visit with your plastic surgeon. During this procedure, the plastic surgeon cleans the target area. In some cases, you may receive an anesthetic to numb the area of your face or hand being treated. Your surgeon then injects a gel-like sub-

stance under your skin.

Currently, FDA-approved fillers are available for anyone age 22 or older. Based on where you inject the filler, benefits include:

Decreased eyelid shadow

Enhanced facial contours

Improved appearance of indented acne scars

Plumped lips, cheeks, jawline or back of hand

Reduced facial wrinkles and skin folds

Restored facial volume

• Smoothed nasolabial folds (lines that stretch from the side of the nose to the edges of your mouth)

Today, there are several types of FDA-approved dermal fillers. Each uses a different material to reduce wrinkles.

Choices include:

• Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) — This substance naturally occurs in the bones and elsewhere. When it’s added to a gel, the combination forms a thick filler that reduces deep wrinkles. It may even encourage your body’s collagen production, further enhancing your skin’s appearance. In most cases, the results last approximately one year.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) — Typically, these are soft, gel-like fillers that provide results for 6 to 12 months or longer. Over time, your body absorbs the

hyaluronic acid filler, which is a naturally occurring substance in your skin.

Poly-L-lactic acid — A synthetic material, poly-L-lactic acid is also used in dissolvable stitches. Unlike other fillers, this option only stays in your body for a few days before dissolving. However, it works hard while it’s there, helping your skin produce collagen. This natural collagen continues to reduce wrinkles for two or more years.

• Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) — These unique fillers are tiny balls made of synthetic material and natural collagen. When these are injected under your skin, they remain in place indefinitely, helping your skin look firmer and tighter.

A final option offers years of positive results. Known as autologous fat grafting, this injectable is derived from your own body. Before injection, your plastic surgeon removes fat through liposuction. This is then purified before being injected into your face.

Unlike other injectables, facial fat grafting requires surgery, but it’s the dermal filler procedure of choice for many.

Following your procedure, you typically return home the same day. Then you return to your daily activities with fewer wrinkles

and healthy, natural-looking skin.

Results are often immediate, and repeated procedures can help you maintain a more youthful appearance.

With any form of injectable, you may experience mild to moderate pain after the anesthetic wears off. Recovery is very quick with most techniques, though it can take a couple of weeks to recover fully from fat grafting.

In rare cases, dermal fillers cause an allergic reaction or other complications. The most common side effects that affect the injection site include: Bruising Pain Swelling When considering injectables, seek a plastic surgeon with the following:

Board certification from the

American Board of Plastic Surgery Connection to an accredited surgical facility

Experience injecting your filler of choice

Personality and bedside manner that put you at ease I always encourage my patients to do their homework. Call around and interview potential providers. Meet them in person. Make sure you’re comfortable putting them in charge of your face. If you’re uncomfortable with their credentials or bedside manner, keep looking.

Heidi Harrington, M.D., is a board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with two decades of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery experience. She sees patients at Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics in Okatie.

Keep cross-contamination from ruining your picnic

Special to The Island News

The season of spring gatherings and almost-summer soirees is here. If you’re planning to host friends and family — or if your social calendar features picnics and barbecues galore — it’s important to keep food safety top of mind.

Warmer weather might be perfect for picnics, but it also brings a higher risk of foodborne illnesses.

“Food safety” goes beyond “don’t serve raw chicken.” Preventing foodborne illnesses requires attention at every stage, from food preparation to cooking, transporting, serving and storing leftovers.

Preparing food

Wash your hands: The most effective way to prevent the spread of infection is proper handwashing, advised Roxanne Davis, reg-

istered dietitian and clinical nutrition manager with Beaufort Memorial.

Use warm water and soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds before handling food, after using the bathroom and after playing with your pets.

Time your handwashing with the tried-and-true method of singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.

Handle and thaw meat safely: Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs separate from other groceries in your cart while you shop, as well as in your refrigerator to

avoid cross contamination.

When thawing food, always use safe methods, including: In the refrigerator

• Under cold running water In the microwave using the “defrost” setting

Remember: if you thaw food using cold water or in a microwave, cook it immediately afterward.

Cooking Cook to proper temperatures: “Cooking food to the correct internal temperature

kills harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses,” Davis said. “Always use a food thermometer; color alone is not a reliable measure of doneness.”

Safe minimum internal temperatures include:

• 145 – Steak, pork and seafood

155 – Ground meats

165 – Poultry

For accurate readings, avoid touching bones with the food thermometer and make sure you test items like burgers at their thickest point.

Transporting food

Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold: Maintaining safe temperatures while getting the food to the function is critical. Cold food should be kept at or below 40 degrees in a cooler with ice.

Hot foods should be stored in insulated containers and packed just before leaving. Always seal food tightly to prevent contamination and temperature loss.

Serving food

Mind the time, temperature: Perishable foods should not remain between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. No more than four hours if temperatures are monitored No more than two hours if they are not being monitored No more than one hour if outdoor temperatures exceed 90 degrees (the Lowcountry isn’t quite there yet, weather-wise, but temperatures will get there before you know it)

What your urine smell, color, flow are telling you

Some foods are safer to leave out, including whole (unsliced) fruits and vegetables, hard cheeses, chips, crackers, bread, peanut butter, jelly, mustard, olives and pickles. Use utensils, not hands: When serving ready-toeat foods, use clean tongs, serving utensils or gloves to minimize the risk of contamination.

After the party Chill leftovers promptly: Refrigerate perishable leftovers as soon as possible in shallow containers. If foods are left out of temperature control for more than two hours, it is best to discard. If not, be sure to reheat any food to 165 degrees for at least 15 seconds before eating. Also, ensure your refrigerator is set to 40 degrees or below to keep food safe.

Special to The Island News

If your urine smells bad, takes on a cloudy appearance or doesn’t flow as quickly as it normally does, you’re likely wondering what’s wrong. Your kidneys produce urine to get rid of waste products and extra water in your body. Changes in urine smell or color are typically temporary and not a cause for concern, but sometimes, these changes can be signs of health problems.

Why urine smells bad or sweet

Urine smell can change for a variety of different reasons. Some of those reasons include:

What you eat — Some people experience a change in smell

sometimes known as “asparagus pee” after eating asparagus.

Dehydration — When you’re healthy and hydrated, your urine usually has a mild or unnoticeable odor. If you are dehydrated, your urine may smell like ammonia.

• Maple syrup urine disease — This genetic disease can cause the amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine to build up in the blood. People with this condition may have urine that smells like maple syrup.

• Type 2 diabetes — Uncontrolled high blood sugar can cause urine to smell sweet or fruity.

If you notice a foul urine odor while also experiencing a burning sensation, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Urine that’s cloudy or off-color

Urine color can vary based on your hydration level. Pale yellow urine usually means you’re well hydrated, while dark yellow or cloudy urine may mean you need to drink more water.

A pink or red color may be a sign of blood in your urine, which could result from:

Kidney infection or injury

Kidney stones

Menstruation

Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and

gonorrhea Sickle cell anemia UTI

Blood can also make your urine appear cloudy. If you experience a fever with blood in your urine, you may want to seek immediate care.

Difficult or slow urine flow

A urinary tract can become blocked or narrowed for many reasons, including: Constipation

Enlarged prostate

Medications, such as antidepressants or antihistamines

Neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease

Pelvic floor dysfunction

• Pelvic or penis trauma

STIs

Tumors, either cancerous or noncancerous

UTI

Weak bladder muscles

“If you have difficulty starting and maintaining urine flow or are experiencing a slow urine flow, you could have urinary retention,” says Nikki Newman, board-certified physician assistant at Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group Primary Care. “Urinary retention is most often caused by a blockage or narrowing of your urinary tract.”

LOCAL MILITARY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 22 May 2026

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel A. P. Bariletti

2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Lieutenant Colonel A. Yang

Commander of Troops, First Sergeant J. L. Kauth • Parade Adjutant, Staff Sergeant E. J. Effert Company “G”, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Captain H. Williams Drill Master • Staff Sergeant D. M. Brodie, Staff Sergeant X. J. Francisco

PLATOON 2024

Senior Drill Instructor

Sgt S. I. Tingen

PVT Bell, Dalton S.

PVT Centeno, Angel

PVT Closen, Camden P.

PFC Depaz, Eduardo A.

PVT Edwards, Kayjon A.

PVT Foxx Jr, Larry K.

PFC Gonzalezsalazar, Matthew

PFC Hemandezmelendez, Juan A.

PVT Hubbard, Peyton R.

PFC Huerta, Michael H.

PFC Hurd, Dayton W.

PFC Johnson, Christopher J.

PVT Lann, Micah D.

PVT Mahr, Braxton F.

PFC Marion, Wesley D.

PFC Martinezmaldonado, Jose D.

PVT Mccaskill, Aiden G..

PVT Moore, Jerry A.

PVT Murray, Royce M.

PFC Neloms, Aarence L.*

PFC Palmer, Gabriel D.*

PFC Pilgreen, Christopher J.

PVT Pinnock, Keshawn J.

PVT Ricci, Nicolas D.

PFC Santossantana, Joshua E.*

PFC Spector, Steven R.

PFC Stewart, Amrit S.

PVT Storey, Ahkil W.

PFC Tanner, Jakob B.

PFC Taylor, Barak B.

PFC Thompson, Devon J.

PFC Truluck, Trace C.

PFC Turner, Ethan L.

PVT Vazquezvelez, Joseph

PVT Walters, Donte R.

PVT Welch, Jackson L.

PVT White, Julian M.

PFC Zamarripa, Johrmy

PLATOON 2025

Senior Drill Instructor

Sgt A. M. Barrientos

PVT Aca, Jocelyn

PFC Aguilannedina, Cindy M.*

PVT Aguilannedina, Yamile

PVT Alicea, Layla L.

PFC Almanzar, Lesley M.

PFC Araia, Abigail A.

PVT Banks, Kassidy M.

PFC Bembridge. Gina M

PFC Boyle, Virginia L.*

PFC Bozikis, Anastasia L.

PVT Brawner, Amari S.

PFC Brunette, Carsyn A.

PVT Calleva, Isabella R.

PVT Chappell, Shamari A.

PFC Chiliquinga, Audrey Y.

PVT Cielomoyotl, Azul

PVT Cline, Cali N.

PVT Conner, Summer P.

PFC Crosby, Isabella A.

PVT Dejesus, Zariyah A.

PVT Delcore, Adriana G.

PVT Dossantos, Mel R.

PVT Dunbar, Kaylie J.

PVT Espinalgarcia, Ana J.

PFC Frederick, Anna F.

PVT Freeman, Chloe J.

PVT Gamer, Logan M.

PVT Gonzalez, Alesia J.

PVT Hanze, Lillian C.

PVT Harris, Allisyn R.

PFC Heath, Jessica L.*

PFC Hemandezvazquez, Davielis M.

PFC Herrerabalbuena, Analis

PVT Ignos, Savannah N.

PVT Lesinski, Izabela V.

PVT Lojamayancela, Juana B.

PFC Lopezdomingo, Jocelyn L.

PFC Lopezsanchez, Yvette Y.

PFC Lora, Jessica

PFC Louis, Princessayeeshya S.

PFC Mayo, Waverly A.

PVT Mendieta, Eliana Z.

PVT Milian, Sarah I.

PFC Miller, Maya A.

PFC Milnes, Shiloh N.

PVT Moreno, Evelyn M.

PFC Pittius, Jacquline C.

PVT Pressley, Alexis T.

PVT Quinterorodriguez, Pamela

PFC Ruiz, Ruth A.

PFC Sanbabauta, Yesenia R.

PVT Sanders, Janessa L.

PFC Santosmendoza, Fabiangni

PVT Schaefer, Autumn R.

PVT Stroud, Jayden M.

PFC Valentine, Lydia R.

PVT Villafrancaamaya, Anna R.

PFC Wommack, Camryn G.

PLATOON 2026

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt J. L. Peppers Jr.

PVT Altuwaili, Abdulrahman

PVT Alvarado, Christien J.

PVT Archie, Skylar J.

PVT Arrington, Caito S.

PVT Baker, Nial R.

PVT Bernard, Joseph R.

PVT Blaylock, Jackson I.

PFC Booker, Emanuel N.

PVT Boriamendoza, Jiangel E.

PFC Brenniser, Cole F.

PFC Callison, Drew C.

PFC Cannon, David J.

PVT Collins, Riley M.

PVT Cull, James A.

PVT Delgrosso, Damien A.

PVT Dirciomendoza, Abelardo

PVT Galarzagonzales, Luis A.

PFC Gonzalezantonio, Christopher*

PFC Hill, Benjamin E.*

PFC Joizil, Daniel T.

PVT Jordan, Jonathon L.

PFC Kamara, Yusuf S.

PVT Kraemer, Zachary T.

PVT Lambert, Hunter M.

PFC Lavin, Marcus A.

PFC Martin, Samuel A.

PFC Mikesell, Philip N.

PVT Molinamendez, Keneth

PVT Newman, Aiden J.

PFC Odeiagyemang, Albert*

PVT Penaloza, Anthony R.

PFC Prather, Maurice X.

PFC Ray, Landon J.

PFC Reyeslopez, Misael

PFC Rusinko, Benjamin R.

PVT Smith, Grant C.

PVT Stewart, Tristen M.

PVT Tipton, Anthony H.

PVT Woods, Kaysonjevon L.

PLATOON

2028

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt J. K. McGinnis

PVT Acostaiglesias, Giancarlo A.

PVT Alfaromendoza, Luiz A.

PFC Amberger, Kevin R.

PFC Barker, Brendon M.

PVT Belew, Aidan C.

PVT Bonnet, Kayden S.

PVT Brown, Keimond K.

PVT Cardoso, Leonardo

PVT Chanley, Joseph L.

PVT Douglas, Layquan D.

PVT Ferrell, Aiden L.

PVT First, Carter D.

PVT Gill, Gabriel A.

PVT Gomez, Ryan A.

PVT Green, Kwaazi T.

PVT Hicks, Nasir M.

PVT Hill, Ryan L.

PVT Home, Adam P.

PVT Kamai, Joshua G.

PFC Kelly, Joshua 0.

PVT Latham, Nathan S.

PFC Martinez, Ezequiel*

PVT Martineztorres, Yobani

PVT Matthies, Elias C.

PVT Metzger, Matthew R.

PFC Moralestorres, Yadiel

PFC Pittman, Matthew D.*

PVT Plecha, Dorian L.

PVT Porter, Gavin C.

PVT Richasonbugg, Jeffery E.

PVT Rinear, Grant M.

PFC Trazil, Jonathan R.

PVT Troope, Zane A.

PVT Trotter, Wyatt C.

PFC Tyler, Carleeto L.*

PFC Vercellotti, Jeremie J.

PVT Walker, Timothy C.

PVT Williams, Josiah D.

PLATOON 2029

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt K. A. Nepomuceno

PVT Allen, Timothy W.

PFC Amidon, Jakob D.

PVT Antunez, Tyshawn C.

PVT Calliste, Jahviere D.

PVT Carter, Payton R.

PVT Cormier, Kohen R.

PVT Cox, Austin L.

PVT Cripe, Aydan T.

PVT Desinor, Ismael

PVT Dickson III, Bryon K.

PFC Fake, Connor W.*

PFC Forsyth, Dalton J.

PVT Friscia, Nicholas G.

PVT Galbraith, Alexander J.

PVT Hall, Austin R.

PVT Hendren, Kaden T.

PFC Lopez, Charlie M.

PVT Martinez, Jose E.

PVT Mast, Cayden E.

PVT Mulvihill, Thomas E.

PVT Murray, Jack P.

PVT Navarro, Evan

PVT Neuenschwander, Caiden M.

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PVT Ozuna, Elijah M.

PFC Pavlick, Robert P.

PVT Porter, Taishon N.

PVT Schuler, Cole S.

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PVT Sederstrand, Anthony J.

PFC Silver, Joseph A.*

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PFC Tharpe Jr, Hamartrya V.

PVT Thompson, Milo D.

PVT Vandusen, Jayden A.

PFC Vanluchene, Karson M.*

PVT Vegagomez II, Juanpablo

PVT Voigt, Ethan W.

PLATOON 2030

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt L.A. Hernandez III

PVT Abousada, Ryan J.

PVT Adames Jr., Ismael

PFC Alexopoulos, Thomas G.

PVT Alma, Joshua D.

PVT Alvarezpizha, Alex X.

PVT Amayasuazo,Jhaxen

PVT Brea, Jorge L.

PVT Cabrerafrancisco, Carlos

PVT Caguanavelata, Kevyn A.

PVT Contrerasulloa, Marvin D.

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PVT Delvalle Jr, Miguel A.

PFC Diazperez, Lany

PFC Duncan, Caiden J.*

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PVT Ferrersaud, Shawn

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PVT Griffin Jr, Michael T.

PVT Guallpaguaman, Edison A.

PVT Hubbard, Dawann D.

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PFC Leonperez, Giovanni

PFC Linares, Edwin E.*

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PVT Martinez, Eloy S.

PVT Miraglia, Vincenzo G.

PVT Moss, Prince C.

PVT Murilloescobar, Jean M.

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PFC Poerio, Aidan J.*

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PFC Rodriguez, David I.

PVT Rodriguezmartinez, Tony M.

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PVT Tabet, Samuel M.

PVT Teague, Gavin R.

PVT Vargas, Joseph N.

PVT Velasquez Jr, Douglas E.

PVT Wallad, Mason B.

*Denotes Meritorious Promotion

LOCAL MILITARY

Golf Company Crucible

VA dental care, Part 2

Eligibility depends on several factors, including military service history and the veteran’s current health and living situation. The following statements describe a veteran’s VA Benefits Class and the dental benefits he or she may qualify for.

VA Dental Care Eligibility

continued

Situation 6: The veteran has a service-connected non-compensable dental health condition (a dental condition for which the veteran is not getting disability payments) or disability that is the result of combat wounds or service trauma. The veteran is in Class IIA and may qualify for any dental care needed to ensure the veteran has a working set of teeth and can maintain them.

Situation 7: If a VA dental care provider has concluded that a veteran’s dental condition is linked to a service-connected condition and is making that condition worse. The veteran is in Class III and may qualify for dental care to treat oral conditions that a VA dental care provider determines are directly worsening their service-connected condition.

Situation 8: If the veteran is active in a U.S.C. Chapter Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) Program. The veteran is in Class V and may qualify for dental care that a VA dental care provider concludes is needed to achieve at least one of these goals: Make it possible for the veteran to be in the employment program. Make it possible for the veteran to reach the goals of their VRE program.

• Prevent the veteran from hav-

ing to stop their employment program.

Help the veteran get back to their employment program faster if he or she had to stop (and is in “interrupted” or “leave” status).

Help the veteran get back to his or her employment program faster if he or she had to stop (and is in “discontinued” status) because of an illness, injury, or dental condition. Make it possible for the veteran to get and adjust to a job during the period of employment assistance. Make it possible for the veteran to be fully independent in his or her daily living.

Situation 9: If the veteran gets VA care or is scheduled for inpatient care for a health condition, and the veteran needs dental care for a dental issue that is making the veteran’s health condition harder to treat. The veteran is in Class VI and may qualify for dental care to address the dental issue that a VA dental care provider finds is complicating the health condition the veteran is being treated for.

Situation 10: The veteran is enrolled in the Homeless Veterans Dental Program (VHA Directive 2007-039). The veteran is in Class IIB and may qualify for a one-time

course of dental care that a VA dental care provider concludes is needed to achieve at least ONE of these goals:

Relieve the veteran’s pain; Help the veteran get a job; or Treat the veteran’s moderate, severe, or complicated and severe gingival and periodontal conditions (gum infections that can lead to pain, swelling, and bone and tooth loss if not treated).

Situation 11: If the veteran is currently receiving inpatient care in a hospital, nursing home, or other supervised homelike care setting (domiciliary care). The veteran is in inpatient satus and may qualify for dental care if a VA dental care provider, working with the veteran’s primary care provider, concludes that the veteran needs to manage a health condition that a doctor is currently treating.

How to apply for VA Healthcare Veterans need to apply for VA health care before going to a VA dental clinic. If the veteran has not yet applied for VA health care, you can apply by following the directions at the VA webpage “How to apply for VA Healthcare” at https://www.va.gov/health-care/ how-to-apply/. Be sure to check your eligibility before you apply. The five ways to apply are:

1 Apply with a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO), Attorney, or Claims Agent. Get help from a VA-accredited Attorney, Claims Agent, or a VA-ac-

credited VSO at https://www. va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/. VSO services are FREE. VA-accredited attorney and Claims Agent services are normally NOT free. Learn more about accredited representatives at https://www. va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/ or better just call your county Veterans Affairs Office or Service Office and make an appointment. The Beaufort County, S.C., Veterans Affairs Office webpage is https:// beaufortcountysc.gov/ veterans-affairs/. Veterans can also find VSOs nationwide at the VA’s “Find a VA accredited representative or VSO” webpage, https://www. va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/find-rep/

2 By phone, by calling the toll-free VA hotline 877-2228387

3 Online at https://www. va.gov/health-care/apply-forhealth-care-form-10-10ez/ introduction,

4 By Mail, by filling out an application for health benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ) and sending it to Health Eligibility Center, PO Box 5207, Janesville, Wis., 53547-5207

The veteran or someone acting as the veteran’s power of attorney must sign and date the form. And:

If the veteran is using a power of attorney, the veteran needs to submit a copy of the Power of Attorney form along with their application.

If the veteran signs with an “X,” two people the

veteran knows must witness the veteran's signature. They’ll also need to sign and print their names on the form.

5 In person, by filling out an application for health benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ) and visiting the nearest VA medical center or VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Bring a signed Application for Health Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ) with you. The veteran or someone acting as the veteran’s power of attorney must sign and date the form. And:

If the veteran is using a power of attorney, the veteran needs to submit a copy of the Power of Attorney form along with their application. If the veteran signs with an “X,” two people the veteran knows must witness the veteran's signature. They will also need to sign and print their names on the form.

Continued next week.

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past VA-accredited VSO, a Patient Adviser at Charleston and Durham VA Hospitals,

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation

2048 Pearl Street, Beaufort, SC 29902

Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450 chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING

Beaufort Audiology & Hearing Care

Monica Wiser, M.A. CCC-A Licensed Audiologist

38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007

Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You

The Beaufort Sound Hearing and Balance Center

Dr. Larry Bridge, AU.D./CCC-A 206 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 31, Beaufort thebeaufortsound@gmail.com www.thebeaufortsound.com | 843-522-0655

CHIMNEY SERVICES

CLASSIFIEDS & GAMES

THURSDAY’S CARTOON

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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AUCTIONS

ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561

HELP WANTED – DRIVERS

ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375 Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

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TELEVISION & INTERNET SERVICES

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VACATION RENTALS

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YOUR AD HERE Looking to advertise your business, announce a yard sale, or share other classifieds? Contact Amanda Hanna (amanda@lcweekly.com) or Sasha Horne Hirshout (sasha.theislandnews@gmail. com). It’s an easy and affordable way to reach thousands of local readers right here in the Lowcountry.

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Gwyneth Paltrow's

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Tips for Daily Prayer

“What’s for Dinner?” How to handle distractions in prayer

Distractions are completely normal.

It happens to all of us as we pray: we are spending time in prayer, enjoying a nice moment with the Lord, when all of a sudden we think, “I wonder what’s for dinner tonight?” These kind of distractions during prayer are normal, even for people who have a deep prayer life. It’s part of being human. So how do we deal with these distractions when they happen?

Ask yourself, “Is this a visit from God?”

As we discussed in previous messages, God will often gently tug at your heart and mind while you pray. For example, he could bring to mind an event from the past so that you can talk to him about it. Or he could bring a coworker to mind so that you can pray for her or be inspired to reach out to her. Rather than being distractions, these sorts of moments could be a “visit” from Jesus, who is knocking on the door of your heart and waiting for you to invite him in.

If it’s a visit from God, enjoy it.

Sometimes what seems like a distraction at first is actually a visit from the Lord. If you think that this might be the case, then don’t rush on to the next part of your prayer. Instead, take some time to further explore how Jesus might be touching your heart. Enjoy being with him. When it seems that the visit has run its course, you can thank Jesus and continue your prayer time.

If it’s a distraction, gently turn back.

Many times we will experience a thought that is clearly an unhelpful distraction, like wondering about dinner. When this happens, don’t get alarmed or beat yourself up. Just try to gently turn your mind back to whatever you were praying about. It is similar to a mother in conversation with another adult. When her children rush up, trying to interrupt, she doesn’t make a big scene. She just gently tells them to run along and play, continuing her conversation with minimal disruption.

Keep being faithful in prayer!

When one first begins to build a daily prayer life, it is easy to get discouraged by distractions. You might assume that you’re not cut out for praying, but this isn’t the case! What pleases God is not that your prayer is perfect, but that you are seeking to draw closer to him. As you keep being faithful to your daily prayer time, distractions will gradually lessen and become easier to handle. Keep at it, God is worth it!