Sen. Graham to be honored by Beaufort County Republicans
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham will be honored with the Robert Smalls Leadership Award at the Beaufort County republican Party Awards Dinner to be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at the Hampton Hall Clubhouse in Bluffton.
Tickets are $100 per individual and $175 per couple and include 2020 membership in the Beaufort County Republican Party. Sponsorships are also available.
Visit www.beaufortscgop.com by Sept. 20 to purchase tickets. Checks can be mailed to 20 Towne Drive, Suite 172, Bluffton, S.C., 29910. Proceeds will go to support Republican candidates.
MCRD Parris Island to host historical uniform pageant Nov. 6
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island will host a historical uniform pageant Nov. 6 in observance of the 244th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
The pageant will be held at 3 p.m. at the Depot’s All-Weather Training Facility.
A variety of historical periods will be represented to include: the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the modern period. Marines will also re-enact the iconic flag raising at Iwo Jima.
Additionally, the pageant will also include a performance by the Parris Island Marine Band, the reading of Lt. Gen. John A. Lejeune’s birthday message, the reading of the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ birthday message and a cake-cutting ceremony.
Landing Placed on top Republican list
The National Republican Congressional Committee announced today that Kathy Landing, Republican candidate for Congress in South Carolina’s 1st District, the seat currently held by Democrat Joe Cunningham, has been selected as an “On the Radar” candidate for the Committee’s 2020 Young Guns program.
The Youngs Gun program mentors and supports top-tier Republican candidates in races across the country and works to provide them with the necessary tools to run successful, winning campaigns against their Democratic opponents.
The program requires candidates to work towards specific goals and meet benchmarks throughout the election cycle to ensure their campaigns remain competitive, well-funded and communicative within their districts.
County Councilman Glover holding meeting about Bay Point
Beaufort County Council member York Glover (District 3) will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3 about Bay Point Island development. The meeting will be held at the St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena.
The guest speaker will be the developer of Bay Point Island.
Residents do not need to register in advance for the meeting. For more information, please contact Beaufort County Council member Glover by email at yglover@bcgov.net, by phone a: 843-986-7395 or by mail c/o Beaufort County Clerk to Council, P.O. Box 1228, Beaufort, S.C. 29901.
S.C. AG Wilson suing opioid makers
S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Thursday, Aug. 15 that he has filed a lawsuit against three major opioid distributors for their part in the opioid crisis. This is the second phase of his deliberate approach to hold additional companies accountable for their role in fueling the epidemic.
In his complaint, the Attorney General alleges Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen violated the S.C. Unfair Trade Practices Act and created a public nuisance, and seeks injunctive relief and civil penalties. The Attorney General previously filed suit on August 15, 2017 against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma L.P., Purdue Pharma, Inc., and the Purdue Frederick Company.
“This lawsuit seeks to hold these companies responsible for their part in the opioid crisis,” Wilson said. “These distributors flooded the State with dangerously addictive drugs, devastating families across South Carolina.”
Opioid distributors, which purchase the drugs from manufacturers and sell and deliver them to pharmacies, have the legal duty of ensuring that all prescription medications are distributed properly and are not diverted for illegal use. Under S.C. and federal law, these companies must monitor, investigate, report and refuse to ship suspicious orders of opioids. Until recently, these defendants made almost no effort to do so, even shipping orders that were deemed suspicious.
SCDNR board member honored
At an annual dinner for the S.C. Hunters and Land Owners for the Hungry, S.C. Department of Natural Resources board member Duane Swygert was presented the “Man of the Year” award for his outstanding service.
“Duane has been instrumental in the expansion of S.C. Hunters for the Hungry’s statewide expansion efforts,” a news release from the organization said.
The S.C. Hunters and Land Owners for the Hungry was established in 2004 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. It was started by a group of hunters that wanted to give back to their community. Since its start, more than 500,000 pounds of harvested meat have been donated to those in food-insecure communities.
The organization supports 150 families on a monthly basis. Hunters or processors who are interested in donating can find more information at schuntersforthehungry.com.
SC’s Parrish 2019 State Tourism Director of the Year
Duane Parrish of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism has been named national State Tourism Director of the Year for 2019.
Parrish was announced as the honoree before more than 1,000 destination marketing professionals at the U.S. Travel Association’s annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) conference in Austin, Texas. U.S. Travel’s National Council of State Tourism Directors votes on the award annually ahead of ESTO.
“Duane Parrish has taken the South Carolina tourism industry to new levels of success,” S.C. Governor Henry McMaster said in a release. “Under his leadership, tourism has grown by more than 50 percent, becoming a $22.6 billion industry and employing one out of every 10 South Carolinians. Nobody is more deserving of this prestigious award than Duane, and we are proud that his peers have recognized him for his leadership and success.”
Just a few weeks ago, the S.C. State Park Service announced record-setting revenue for the second year in a row, bringing in about $34 million. Ten years ago, the state park service was only able to cover 73 percent of its expenses and now covers 100 percent of its operational costs.
