Sheriff’s Office investigating shooting that injured one male
At approximately 10:20 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a report of a gunshot victim at a residence on Big Estate Road.
Upon arriving at the scene deputies made contact with one adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was transported by Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the hospital.
The circumstances of this incident are still under investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Staff Sergeant Tunis at 843-255-3426. If wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app on your mobile device, online at tipsbft.com or by calling 844-TIPS-BFT (844-847-7238).
County Council hosting Chat With Council
Beaufort County Council is hosting another “Chat With Council” as an opportunity for members of the public to get to know Council members and ask questions.
The chat will be held Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., at Beaufort County Disabilities and Special Needs Day Room at 100 Clear Water Way in Beaufort.
The chat will be informal and registration is not required. There will be a sign up sheet for those interested in speaking however no minutes will be taken, the meetings will not be televised, nor will County staff be on premises.
Council members are encouraging all members of the public to attend and ask questions on any topic of concern to them.
For more information, please contact the Clerk to Council’s office at 843-255-2180.
Construction on Spanish Moss Trail continues
Construction on the Spanish Moss Trail Extension continues with daytime shoulder closures along Ribaut Road, between Rahn Lane and Drayton Drive in Port Royal. Daytime work will take place between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Additionally, night-time lane closures have begun between Rahn Lane and Drayton Drive in Port Royal. All work is weather permitting.
Work began in September and will take about six months to complete weather permitting. The project includes installation of a pedestrian activated traffic signal at Ribaut Road to provide pedestrians and cyclists with a safe crossing, similar to the existing signal on Robert Smalls Parkway for the trail.
During construction, lane closures, road cones and signage will be visible to direct traffic safely. Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians should be prepared for lane closures and are encouraged to use extra caution when approaching work zones.
Please contact Pamela Bernard, Project Manager at Beaufort County Engineering with any questions or concern about the project at 843-255-2691 or pamela.bernard@bcgov.net.
ACLU strategist to speak at Indivisible Beaufort’s October meeting
Dulce Lopez, the inaugural Immigrant Rights Advocacy Strategist with the ACLU of South Carolina, will be the guest speaker when Indivisible Beaufort joins with the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort for the Saturday, Oct. 25 meeting at 10:30 a.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort at 178 Sams Point Road on Lady’s Island.
Dulce’s advocacy spans South Carolina, Florida, and national efforts in Washington, D.C. In South Carolina she has led statewide initiatives to expand access to legal rights, strengthen rapid response networks, and challenge harmful immigration policies.
Dulce will provide an overview of the current landscape of immigration enforcement and its impact on local communities, including recent operations in the region.
The event is free and open to the public.
Nurse practitioner joins BMH Lady’s Island Internal Medicine
A board-certified nurse practitioner has joined the Beaufort Memorial primary care team at Lady’s Island Internal Medicine. Jenna Gossett, MSN, FNP-C, is a certified family nurse practitioner with a wide range of expertise in primary, urgent and intensive care. As part of her dedication to caring for individuals as a whole, Gossett will help her patients modify their lifestyles in order to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
Gossett entered the nursing field in 2012 and has since developed a diverse background in the healthcare industry. She worked for healthcare systems in California and around the country as a travel nurse while experiencing life in an RV. She has also been a nurse in facilities throughout South Carolina, including Columbia, Orangeburg, Greenville and Charleston.
Gossett, who earned her Master of Science in Nursing at Chamberlain University in Addison, Ill., will work with her patients on preventive care and illnesses, as well as helping patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and obesity.
Loop in Southside Park renamed in honor of longtime City Public Works Director
The Beaufort City Council has officially renamed Southside Loop in Southside Park to Clayton Cooler Loop in recognition of the late Clayton Cooler’s extraordinary service to the City of Beaufort, according to a media release from the City.
Cooler served the City for nearly five decades, “leaving a lasting impact through his leadership, dedication, and commitment to public service as the longtime Public Works Director. His contributions shaped the community’s infrastructure, beautification efforts, and day-to-day operations that continue to benefit residents and visitors alike,” according to the release
“Clayton worked for his beloved City of Beaufort for almost 50 years. He was an institution and icon within the City for those years,” said Warren Parker, Clayton Cooler’s son-in-law, who currently serves as Director of the South Coast Cyber Center and Director of the Pritchard Island Research Living Shores Foundation. “His family is immensely grateful to City Council for bestowing this honor on him. He would be very proud of this honor in recognition of his long service to the community.”
County Assessor hosting community events
Beaufort County Assessor Ebony Sanders is hosting multiple community events at County Library Branches to allow the public an opportunity to meet with her staff and share questions and concerns regarding real property valuation, exemptions, appeals and general property information.
Each community event will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. No appointments are necessary.
In the event of an unforeseeable change in the date, time, or location, the Assessor’s Office webpage will be updated to reflect rescheduling. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Rigg, Appeal/BAA Coordinator at BAA@bcgov.net or 843-255-2404.
The dates are as follows:
Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road: Tuesday, Oct. 28; Tuesday, Nov. 4.
St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road: Tuesday, Nov. 18; Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way: Thursday, Oct. 16; Thursday, Nov. 13; Thursday, Dec. 11.
Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway: Monday, Oct. 20; Monday, Nov. 10; Monday, Dec. 1.
Service academy nomination applications open through Sen. Scott’s office
The Office of U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is accepting U.S. military academy nomination applications for the class of 2030.
Sen. Scott is able to nominate a limited number of students in South Carolina for attendance at the following U.S. military academies: the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (the U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination).
Students who are interested in applying for a nomination should apply by 11:59 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. For more information, visit www.scott.senate.gov/academy.
— Staff reports
