SEPTEMBER 25–OCTOBER 1, 2025
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
ERIC P. ROBINSON
First things first: A free speech primer
T
here’s been a lot of public statements and commentary in the past few days, weeks and years about what the free speech provisions of the First Amendment mean. Some of the statements, even from those charged with enforcing the law, have been strained, incomplete or just flat-out wrong. So, here’s a basic guide to what the courts have determined the First Amendment to mean. The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press … .” I will focus here only on this speech and press provision, leaving interpretation of the provisions regarding religion and those regarding peacefully assembling and petitioning the government to others, although they also involve speech. First of all — and this is going to seem like a very lawyerly point — “Congress” doesn’t just mean Congress. Under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the First Amendment applies not only to Congress, but also applies equally to the other branches of the federal government: the executive branch (the President, his staff, cabinet and administrative agencies) and the judicial branch (the federal courts). This means that any entity of the federal government, in whichever branch of the government organization flowchart it might fall, is barred by the First Amendment from “abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” The First Amendment also applies to state and local government entities. This is because of language in the 14th Amendment, which provides that “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” In a 1925 case, the U.S. Supreme Court concluded that because of this language, in addition to entities of the federal government not being able to impose undue restrictions on speech, neither can state government entities or other entities of government created by the states, including county, municipal and other local government entities. This includes government entities in their role as employers. So
SEE SPEECH PAGE A6
More than 500 people attended the Beaufort County Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 at at Burton Wells Recreation Center in Beaufort. Most were there to oppose or show support for a development agreement and request to have Pine Island removed from the Cultural Protection Overlay District (CPO) on St. Helena Island. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
DENIED AGAIN Beaufort County Council votes ‘no’ on Pine Island golf course after marathon meeting By Delayna Earley The Island News Just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Sept. 23, Beaufort County Council once again voted to uphold the Cultural Protection Overlay (CPO) installed on St. Helena Island years ago and chose to not move forward with a development agreement that would allow for a golf course to be built on Pine Island. In an unprecedented 7½ hour public hearing regarding two agenda items – a motion to move forward to a second reading of the proposed development agreement put forth by the representative developer Elvio Tropeano and an ordinance to amend the zoning map to remove Pine Island from the CPO – with the development agreement being voted down, 9-2, by council members.
A man holds a sign while listening to speakers during the four hours of public comment in the first public hearing for the development agreement and zoning map amendment during Monday night’s Beaufort County Council Meeting on Sept. 22, 2025, at Burton Wells Recreation Center. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
erty, which would ultimately be a protect and preserve the Gullah/ gated community. Geechee culture that is prevalent on What is this about? This plan to develop a golf course St. Helena Island. The development agreement sought to put an 18-hole golf is in violation of the CPO, which course and 49 houses on the prop- was instated in the late 1990s to SEE GOLF PAGE A4
Come party ‘Port Royal style’ at OktoPRfest
Staff reports The Town of Port Royal will again invite the community to come to town to party “Port Royal style,” as it hosts the 11th annual OktoPRfest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, on historic Paris Avenue in the heart of the Old Village.
Festivalgoers can enjoy German-inspired favorites — including brats and pretzels — alongside classic American festival fare served up by local chefs, restaurants, and food trucks. A wide variety of beers will also be available. Live music and entertainment will take place throughout the day
with Charles Maring performing from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by Greg Keys & Company from 2 to 5 p.m. Guests can also explore the festival’s Craft Market Area, featuring local artisans and nonprofits showcasing their work and mission.
Families won’t want to miss the Kids Zone, open from noon to 4 p.m., including a special appearance by Lollipop the Clown. Admission is free., but please, no pets.
NEWS
SPORTS
EDUCATION
INSIDE
BMH ER nurse Jonathan Barrett receives DAISY Award for compassion, commitment to service.
High School Football: Beaufort continues dominance over rival Battery Creek.
Sea Island Academy partners with nonprofit after losing state charter.
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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–7 Business A7 Sports A8 Health A9 Voices A10–11
Education Arts Military Legals Directory Classifieds
B1–2 B2–3 B4 B6–9 A10 A11