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NOVEMBER 14–20, 2024
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
11 monkeys still on the loose 43 monkeys escape research facility in Yemassee By Delayna Earley The Island News More than half of the monkeys that made a grand escape from a research facility in Yemassee last week are back in custody. As of Monday, Nov. 11, 32 of the 43 monkeys that escaped a research facility in Yemassee have been captured. The monkeys fled from captivity at Alpha Gene-
sis Primate Research Center on Wednesday, Nov. 6, after a caretaker cleaning one of the enclosures left two doors unsecured at around 1 p.m. It was then that a troop of female rhesus macaque monkeys escaped. Many of the monkeys stayed close to the facility, hanging out in the trees outside of the fences.
The entire group monkeys were at large until the first one was caught on Saturday, Nov. 9. The facility the monkeys escaped from is located on Castle Hall Road and is home to roughly 5,000 monkeys – more than the population of Yemassee itself. The monkeys are used for bio-
SEE ESCAPE PAGE A6
VIDEO To watch a video of some of the escaped monkeys from Yemassee’s Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center, courtesy of Katrina Fernandez, follow this digital link or go to https://bit.ly/4fKpE65.
VETERANS DAY MIKE MCCOMBS
Much ado about the monkeys
I
t’s hard to remember just what life was like before the NIXLE alert came through to my phone from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at 7:51 p.m., Wednesday evening, Nov. 6. “Public’s help sought concerning escaped primates in Yemassee …” Let’s see … I remember, I think I was having dinner with my girlfriend, … and I know, maybe, we’d just had an election, I think. Maybe even a pretty big one. It’s all a fog. Apparently, around 1 p.m., Wednesday, a caretaker at Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee failed to properly secure an enclosure and 43 of the 50 female rhesus macaque monkeys contained within … suddenly weren’t. Forty-three monkeys. That seems like a lot. I mean, at least to be roaming around free in Beaufort County. “The Yemassee 43.” I like the sound of it. It’s got a historic feel to it. Initially, however, the public had no idea that many monkeys were loose. The NIXLE simply said the Yemassee Police Department was working with Alpha Genesis staff in an effort to locate “several escaped primates.” I am certain 43 is a lot more than several. If you’re not sure, try reading these two statements. “I had several cups of coffee this
SEE MONKEYS PAGE A7
Three-year-old Shelton Hodges of Beaufort waves the American flag as he watches the parade march past him on Boundary Street during the annual Beaufort County Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Candidates assess outcome of City races By Delayna Earley The Island News It has been one week since the City of Beaufort voted to decide the next mayor and two council seats, and their decision was that nothing should change. After a heated and contentious race, incumbent Mayor Phil Cromer won the election over City Councilman Josh Scallate, and incumbents Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell won their seats
back on City the Waterfront Council over Josh Park repair and Gibson and Julie replacement, the Crenshaw. marina lease, curMayor Cromer rent stormwater said that he is projects, develgrateful to the Josh opment code Phil voters for their Scallate updates, Duke Cromer support in the reStreet streetscape cent election. and drainage, Pigeon Point boat “My hopes and plans over the landing, drainage study and playnext four years with Council sup- ground equipment replacement,” port are to hopefully complete Cromer said. “Other projects will
likely be added from the upcoming Council retreat in January.” While his opponent did not win the election, he still maintains his seat on City Council and had a very positive outlook on the rest of his term in that position. “Post election I feel good,” Scallate said. “As a representative that wants to serve in a greater capacity, I feel my job is to offer myself
SEE RACES PAGE A5
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Nurse practitioners provide quality primary and specialty care.
Tapestry of Life to raise money for HELP of Beaufort.
Billy Holland: “Respecting and appreciating our military.”
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