THE LOCAL FAMILY FAVORITE
83 Robert Smalls Parkway – 843-233-9258
NOVEMBER 7–13, 2024
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
Certified Pre-Owned Inventory
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
ELECTION 2024 CONTESTED RACES Race/Candidate Votes Beaufort Mayor Philip E. Cromer 3,158 Josh Scallate 2,315
(%) (57.25) (41.97)
100% Reporting
Beaufort City Council Julie Crenshaw 2,111 Josh Gibson 1,931 Neil Lipsitz 2,371 Mitch Mitchell 2,622
(23.23) (21.25) (26.09) (28.85)
100% Reporting
LOLITA HUCKABY
District 1, U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Mace (R) 221,488 (58.61) Michael B. Moore (D) 155,721 (41.21)
Pre-Election Day food for thought
A
BEAUFORT s of right now, 3 p.m., Monday, Nov. 3, 44 percent of Beaufort County’s registered voters have cast votes. Based on 2020 presidential election results, the United States ranks 31st in turnout for national elections, with only 63 percent of registered voters casting ballots.
100% Reporting
District 43, State Senate Chip Campsen (R) 41,444 (61.44) Julie Hussey (D) 25,961 (38.49) 100% Reporting
District 46, State Senate Tom Davis (R) 45,486 (68.04) Gwyneth Saunders (D) 21,336 (31.92)
On November 5, 2024, Shannon Erickson announces to supporters “The Polls officially closed” during her Watch Party on Election Night at Bricks on Boundary. Amber Hewitt / The Island News
What next, Dick Stewart? BEAUFORT – Aside from the election news, last week’s news was the S.C. Court Of Appeals ruling in favor of the City in the matter of challenges presented by Graham Trask in dealing with Dick Stewart and 303 Associates’ plans for a three-story parking garage and four-story hotel. The ruling was the latest in the legal battle that has left the prominent downtown corners of Craven and Charles, and Port Republic and Scott streets empty. The ruling is the latest round in the challenges between Trask, Historic Beaufort Foundation, the City of Beaufort administration and Stewart, a community saga that has engaged citizens who
SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A7
100% Reporting
District 121, SC House of Representatives Michael F. Rivers Sr. (D) 9,516 Shelley Gay Yuhas (R) 6,971
More of the same
(42.24)
100% Reporting
District 122, SC House of Representatives Bill Hager (R) 11,223 Audrey Williams (D) 9,708
City of Beaufort residents vote to keep incumbent Mayor, Councilmen; Statehouse members hold seats
By Mike McCombs The Island News When it came to local elections Tuesday, the voters of northern Beaufort County essentially said they preferred more of the same. Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer and City Councilmen Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell appeared to be voted in for another term despite challenges; State House members Shannon Erickson (R-124) and Michael Rivers (D-121) won reelection; and State Senators Chip Campsen (R-43) and Tom Davis (R-46) fought off new challengers for another term. Meanwhile, Beaufort County’s 2024 Transportation Sales & Use Tax Referendum (2 questions) was a no-go with voters still smarting over a lack of action
(57.66)
(53.59) (46.35)
100% Reporting
District 124, SC House of Representatives Shannon Erickson (R) 12,660 (64.22) Melinda Henrickson (D) 7,034 (35.67)
after the County’s last transportation tax and a lack of transparency and trust in County government.
100% Reporting
Mayor of Beaufort and Beaufort City Council Thanks to a big boost from some of the record 63, 287 early votes cast in Beaufort County, Phil Cromer easily held off City Councilman Josh Scallate with 57 percent of the vote to win his first full term as Mayor of Beaufort after initially winning the job when Steven Murray resigned with 11 months remaining on his term. The race for two expiring City Council seats was a bit tighter with the two incumbents edging the two challengers.
100% Reporting
SEE ELECTION PAGE A6
100% Reporting
District 1, County Council Adam Biery (R) 2,527 (40.17) Gerald Dawson (D) 3,642 (57.90) District 1, Beaufort County Board of Education Isaac Gordon III 1,853 (56.51) Tradd Corinthian Williams 1,388 (42.33) 100% Reporting
Constitutional Question Yes 1,891,185 No 308,519
(85.97) (14.03)
93.48% Reporting
Transportation Tax Referendum Yes 41,972 (44.42) No 52,515 (55.58) 100% Reporting
Transportation Tax Bond Yes 44.91 (41,528) No 55.09 (50,941)
Marines: Crash of ‘missing’ F-35B due to ‘pilot error’ Fighter involved in 2023 ‘mishap’ was lost for 28 hours
The crash of an MCAS Beaufort-based F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter like the one pictured has been attributed to “pilot error” after a yearlong investigation. Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo/USMC
By Mike McCombs The Island News The September 2023 crash of an MCAS Beaufort-based F-35B that was missing for roughly 28 hours after the pilot ejected has been attributed to “pilot error” after a year-long investigation, according to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW).
In the Sept. 17, 2023 crash labeled a “mishap” by the Marines, a pair of F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501, 2nd MAW were flying over North Charleston in the vicinity of Joint Base Charleston, when at about 1:30 p.m., one pilot was forced to eject. The pilot landed safely in North Charleston and was transported to a local medical facility. The second pilot landed at Joint Base Charleston, while the first
plane, without a pilot and with autopilot reportedly engaged, continued to fly. “We don’t know anything about the plane,” a Joint Base Charleston spokesperson told The Island News that evening by phone. According to the 2nd MAW, the pilot safely ejected “while attempting to execute a climbout during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions and heavy precipitation.”
SEE PILOT PAGE A9
EDUCATION
HEALTH
MILITARY
INSIDE
State board: Public K-12 schools must remove 7 books, can keep 3 classics.
Beaufort Memorial opens new plastic surgery practice.
Larry Dandridge recognized for support of Fisher House Charleston.
PAGE A11
PAGE B7
PAGE B9
Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–9 State News A10 Education A11 Sports B1 Voices B3–5
310 Okatie Highway | PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org | Open: Tuesday-Friday: 10am-5pm; Saturday: 10am-4pm
Health Military Directory Classifieds Games Cartoon
B6–7 B8–9 B10 B11 B11 B11