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MAY 8–14, 2025
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Atasteofbeaufort.com
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Pine Island development hits major roadblock Planning Commission votes unanimously to recommend denial of request to remove land from Cultural Protection Overlay By Delayna Earley The Island News Pine Island developers received a blow on Monday night when the Beaufort County Planning Commission unanimously decided to recommend denial of their request to have the property removed from the Cultural Protection Overlay (CPO) boundary. Developers of the controversial proposed gated community and golf course on St. Helena Island
submitted an application to have their 437-acre property removed from the land covered by the CPO, which is a decades-old ordinance that does not allow for gated communities or golf courses to be built on the island in hopes of preserving the Gullah Geechee culture that has deep roots in the community. Recently, Pine Island developer Elvio Tropeano published a new downzoning plan that he and those in support of the development say
is the best-case scenario for responsible development on the island while respecting the community and the existing culture. During Monday’s Planning Commission meeting, concerned citizens on both sides of the issue filled the seats to have their voices heard during the 4.5-hour long meeting that was mostly public comment regarding Pine Island. There were many citizens who commented on both sides, but for
most, those who agreed with protecting the CPO wanted to do so to avoid a “domino effect” of development on St. Helena Island if they allow one development to be excused from the CPO that would jeopardize the existing Gullah Geechee culture and their history as well as have a huge environmental impact on the island. Those who were there to support Pine Island’s proposed downzoning plan, mostly did so because
this plan, to them, was the lesser of two evils and a golf course with 49 homes is much better than what the developers are able to build under their current zoning, which in their opinion will be more harmful environmentally and culturally to the island than the proposed plan. “The way the CPO is written, for me, it’s twofold,” said Dennis Ross on the Planning Commission. “One
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‘Many reasons’ behind decision to close Salvation Army store
TASTE OF BEAUFORT
Higher rent only part of the story
Kaylee Barron, 5, with the help of her aunt, Kendall Paige of Beaufort, eats a turkey leg during Taste of Beaufort at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Friday, May 2, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Reginald and Patricia Stepherson of Savannah enjoy freshly fried seafood during Taste of Beaufort at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Friday, May 2, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Clint Holmes of Beaufort enjoys a fried chicken steam bun made by Nom Nom Poke Shop during Taste of Beaufort at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Friday, May 2, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
NEWS
SPORTS
BMH’s PATH program celebrates 4 new graduates.
Bridges Prep boys upset in first round of soccer playoffs.
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By Delayna Earley The Island News The Salvation Army Family Store in Beaufort shut its doors for the final time on April 30. The store had served not only as a second-hand retail store, but also as an additional form of outreach for the nonprofit group to provide jobs in the community, clothing for those in an emergent situation such as loss from a fire and those who need help with clothing due to financial constraints. “All of the money raised from that store stayed right here in Beaufort and helped those in this community,” said Capt. Wanda Long with the Salvation Army in Beaufort. “ The store ran off donations from the community, said Long. “Even if they have holes in them, we could rag them out and we would make money off of the rags that went out,” said Long. Long said that the decision to close the store was not an easy one, nor was it a decision made for one reason. Rumors have been swirling on social media regarding the reason behind the store’s closing, and Long said that she has seen all of them and none of them hit completely at the truth. Long said that while one of the reasons that they decided to shut down the store was that the rent on the location was raised, she also said it was not the only reason, and she does not blame the landlord but instead is understanding and said that it is more about the economy.
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Scapellato named Chair of Conroy Center’s board of directors.
Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–7 Sports A8–9 Voices A10–11 Education A13 Arts A14–15
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