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MAY 23–29, 2024
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
LOLITA HUCKABY
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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
County employees face 2 more ethics probes By Delayna Earley The Island News The S.C. State Ethics Commission has opened investigations into two more alleged ethics violations against former and current employees with Beaufort County. This brings the current number of active investigations into Beaufort County, current and former, of which The Island News is aware, to nine. The two new investigations
were launched against former Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper and Capital Improvement Proj- Shannon ects Director Eric Loper Larson. The complaint filed against Loper, who was terminated from her position in October 2023, alleges that she used a rental car
paid for by Beaufort County to travel hundreds of miles, including gas, to go sightseeing during a 2022 Conference Eric in Phoenix, Ariz. Larson Loper is currently facing an ethics hearing with the State Ethics Commission in October 2024, for five counts of using her position to obtain eco-
nomic interest for a family member. Additionally, Loper is currently still under investigation for allegedly using a Bobcat type vehicle and possibly an excavator owned by Beaufort County Public Works to “regrade her property and lay fresh dirt and gravel.” Larson is under investigation for allegedly having a Beaufort
SEE ETHICS PAGE A6
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BEAUFORT ast Wednesday’s traffic congestion along Ribaut Road through the city and Port Royal, followed by the sudden closing of the Woods Memorial Bridge on Thursday morning, should have put a chill on any resident’s spine. Anyone, that is, concerned about the community and what’s happening. The Ribaut Road traffic hangups on Wednesday were reportedly precipitated by a commercial paving project in the Shell Point area which lead to a series of fender-benders and minor collisions that prompted lane closures at least twice in the afternoon, going-home hours. No fatalities – thank heavens – but anyone caught in the mess couldn’t help notice the multiple maneuvers by other motorists who took to the neighborhood side roads, looking for alternate routes. Then the notice Thursday that the Woods Memorial Bridge would be closed for an “undetermined amount of time” prompted further groans from the 14,000 estimated motorists who use that bridge on a daily basis to get into Beaufort or out to the islands of St. Helena, Fripp and Lady’s. All this and it isn’t even Memorial Day yet. Luckily the “undetermined amount of time” lasted three hours while the S.C. Department of Transportation crews did something before allowing traffic to continue. But the mental damage was done: another reminder of how fragile that 65-year-old swing bridge is, how crucial it is to a fluid traffic pattern (even though there is an option – the McTeer Bridge, which means dumping all those cars into the busiest intersection of northern Beaufort County). And less we forget, hurricane
Interim Beaufort Police Chief Stephenie Price, left, chats with Raymond Zielinski and his wife, Samantha, during a meet-the-candidates event for the City of Beaufort’s Chief of Police position on Friday, May 17, at Beaufort City Hall. Price has been acting Chief since the retirement of Dale McDorman in January. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News
Beaufort’s finest finalists Candidates for Police Chief interview with City Council, Citizen’s Council; meet public
By Mike McCombs The Island News Friday, May 17, was the big day for the two finalists for the City of Beaufort’s Chief of Police job. Interim Police Chief Stephenie Price, who has held the position since Chief Dale McDorman retired in January, and Kenneth J. “Ken” Klamar, Chief of Police in Sunset Beach, N.C., ran the gauntlet of interviews in front of a committee, staff, the City Council and members of the public.
SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A4
First thing Friday morning, the two candidates were interviewed by a Citizens’ Panel — made up of five members, each specifically chosen by a member of the City Council — in the Police Department Training Room. Then, before midday, the candidates met with City of Beaufort Police staff and employees, before again facing questions for two hours, this time from the Beaufort
Beaufort City Counciman Josh Scallate, left, chats with Ken Klamar, Chief of the Sunset Beach, N.C., SEE FINALISTS PAGE A6 Police Department.
SPORTS
EDUCATION
INSIDE
Whale Branch girls secure dynasty with 3rd straight track title.
Beaufort County School District celebrates two Induction Teacher of the Year recipients.
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