Coverage of timely local, regional, and breaking news in Beaufort County and the South Carolina Lowcountry. Includes community updates, government decisions, public safety alerts, traffic and weather impacts, and key issues shaping life in Beaufort, Port Royal, Lady’s Island, St. Helena Island, and surrounding Sea Islands. Designed for residents and visitors seeking authoritative, hyperlocal journalism from Beaufort’s newspaper of record.
Beaufort County officials are proposing a $203.3 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2027 that would keep the countywide millage rate unchanged while increasing spending on public safety, infrastructure and staffing needs across county government.
Beaufort County proposes flat tax rate as FY2027 budget priorities take shape Read More »
Beaufort County Council approved first reading Monday night, May 11, of a proposed expansion of the county’s plastic bag ordinance in a narrow 6-5 vote following lengthy debate over environmental impacts, government regulation and costs to businesses.
Beaufort County advances expanded plastic ban in 6-5 vote Read More »
Beaufort County Council was scheduled this week to get a look at their transportation advisory committee’s recommendations for a sales tax question to put on the November ballot. They don’t have a lot of time to consider their options.
Lowcountry Lowdown Read More »
A planned public forum featuring the two Republican candidates running for Beaufort County Sheriff has been canceled after candidate Doug Seifert withdrew from the event, alleging bias among the organizers.
Beaufort County Sheriff candidate forum canceled after Seifert withdraws Read More »
In the early hours of May 13, 1862, an enslaved man delivered himself, his fellow crew members and their families past a Confederate barricade to freedom. Exactly 164 years later, on the state-designated day commemorating the escape, state lawmakers celebrated Robert Smalls and the legacy they hope more people learn about through a monument to the Civil War hero on Statehouse grounds.
The legal battle over Pine Island and the future of development on St. Helena Island is once again headed to federal court, with developers now directly accusing Beaufort County of enforcing what they describe as a racially discriminatory zoning ordinance.
Pine Island lawsuit claims CPO is unconstitutional Read More »
The Beaufort City Council approved third and final reading of the city’s revised noise ordinance during its Tuesday, May 12, meeting, concluding months of debate over how Beaufort should balance downtown entertainment activity with quality-of-life concerns from nearby residents.
Beaufort approves revised noise ordinance after months of debate Read More »
The Beaufort City Council voted Tuesday night, May 12, to redirect more than $1.2 million in proposed Tax Increment Financing expenditures toward redevelopment of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, underscoring the growing urgency city leaders and residents placed on restoring one of Beaufort’s most recognizable public spaces.
Waterfront Park emerges as Beaufort’s top budget priority Read More »
Members of Beaufort’s Waterfront Advisory Committee are moving toward a recommendation to rebuild Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park’s failed relieving platform largely in its current form after engineers said public feedback overwhelmingly favored restoring the existing promenade design while elevating it to better address flooding and long-term resilience concerns.
Waterfront committee backs rebuilding existing promenade design at Waterfront Park Read More »
The Beaufort City Council voted Tuesday, May 12, to remove a proposed annual vehicle road use fee from the city’s FY2027 budget following an extended debate over legality, fairness, transparency and broader city spending priorities.
Beaufort City Council removes proposed vehicle fee from FY2027 budget Read More »
