GOP Headquarters to open Saturday
Beaufort County Republicans invite the public to join them for coffee at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, for the opening of the GOP Headquarters at 609 Carteret Street.
The headquarters will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday until November 5. For more information, please go to www.beaufortrepublicanwomensc.com.
Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club meeting
The Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club’s September meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club located on Lady’s Island off of Meridian Road. The social begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7.
Well known local Captain Jason Woodham of Merrikohl Outfillers Fishing Charters (www.merrikohl.com) will make a presentation on Tarpon. He will also discuss rod and reel setups and baits of choice.
Guests are welcome. Reservations are not needed. For additional information, please contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-521-7340 or email fgibson@islc.net.
ATAX grant applications now available from City
Accommodations Tax (ATAX) Grant Applications for Fiscal Year 2025 are now available from the City of Beaufort. The application may be accessed on the City’s website on the City’s Finance Department page (https://bit.ly/3ysHWsN) or at the City Hall, Finance Department, 1911 Boundary Street. For additional information contact the ATAX Administrator Jay Phillips at jphillips@cityofbeaufort.org or 843-525-7071.
All applicants were required to attend one of the City of Beaufort’s two mandatory workshops in August. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.
Applicants will present their requests to the TDAC in the Council Chambers on Friday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
South Carolina established in the 1980s a 2 percent tax on overnight accommodations in addition to the statewide sales tax. South Carolina Code of Laws Title 6 Chapter 4 Allocations of Accommodations Tax Revenues states how those monies are to be allocated. A small portion of the ATAX money stays in the local municipality or county where it is collected. The remainder must be used to attract and provide for tourists and must be spent on tourism-related expenditures that promote tourism and attract visitors.
Recovery walk Sept. 19
Nexus Care of Beaufort County (Beaufort County Alcohol and Drug Department) is hosting “Recovery is Worth the Walk” to raise awareness and support for September as National Recovery Month.
The walk will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, at Battery Creek High School at 1 Blue Dolphin Drive.
The event is free and open to the public. To walk as an individual or to register a team, click this link https://tinyurl.com/yupzdtms.
For questions and more information, contact Nexus Care of Beaufort County at 843-255-6000.
Beaufort 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.
Each community event will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The dates are as follows:
Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road: Tuesday, Oct. 1 — Large Room; Tuesday, Oct. 29 – SCRoom; Tuesday, Nov. 19 – SCRoom.
St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road: Tuesday, Sept. 17 — Large Meeting Room; Tuesday, Oct. 15 — Small Conference Room; Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Small Conference Room; Tuesday, Dec. 3 — Large Meeting Room.
Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way: Thursday, Sept. 19 — Large Meeting Room; Thursday, Oct. 17 — Large Meeting Room; Thursday, Nov. 7 — Large Meeting Room; Thursday, Dec. 5 — Large Meeting Room.
Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway: Monday, Sept. 23; Monday, Oct. 7; Monday, Nov. 25; Monday, Dec. 16.
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.
A construction reminder
IPW Construction Group will continue to perform shoulder closures and temporary lane closures the entire length of Laurel Bay Road in Beaufort. Closures will take place between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday, until the end of the year.
During this time, please prepare for and expect minor delays in traffic. Drivers traveling through the area are asked to please be mindful of our traffic control team and the crews working within the area. In addition, the ramp coming off U.S. 21 onto Laurel Bay Road is permanently closed.
Lowcountry Regional Public Works Training Conference
The first annual Lowcountry Regional Public Works Training Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Buckwalter Recreation Center in Bluffton.
Participants will have the ability to choose from three educational tracks: roadway, stormwater, and environmental. The event is being hosted by the Beaufort Regional Civil Engineers Club and the Lowcountry Branch of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Public Works Association, in cooperation with Beaufort County Public Works.
This exciting one-day event will feature panel discussions, on-site training, and equipment demonstrations. Interested participants can register now at https://bit.ly/3YSKon2.
Free Summer Tax Prep Available for Lowcountry Residents Who Missed Deadline
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering a free summer tax preparation program for qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties who missed the traditional tax filing deadline.
This program – a collaboration between the IRS, Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, and United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) – is designed to assist low-income individuals and families, non-English speaking taxpayers, people with disabilities, and seniors (age 60+) in accurately and efficiently filing their federal and state tax returns.
“We understand that filing taxes can be overwhelming, especially for those who have limited resources,” United Way Volunteer and VITA Program Coordinator Sherry Halphen said. “Our summer tax preparation program allows residents to receive free assistance from IRS-certified volunteers, ensuring they receive every deduction and credit they deserve.”
Program Details:
- What: Free tax preparation assistance by IRS-certified VITA volunteers.
- When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26.
- Where: United Way of the Lowcountry Bluffton Office (10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite D, Bluffton, S.C. 29910)
- Appointments Required: Call 843.321.9071 or email lowcountryvitacoalition@gmail.com
- Visit www.uwlowcountry.org/VITAforeligibility requirements and a list of documents to bring with you to your appointment.
County VA to offer End of Life Planning Seminars for veterans, families
Beaufort County Veterans Affairs is hosting End of Life Planning Seminars for veterans and their families.
These seminars address things veterans and their families can do today to ensure their personal effects are in order. They also discuss Veterans Affairs benefits that surviving spouses may be entitled to receive.
They will be offered at either 9 a.m. or 1 p.m., at convenient locations around Beaufort County:
- Tuesday, Oct. 15: Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road.
- Tuesday, Oct. 22: St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road.
- Tuesday, Feb. 18: Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, Seabrook.
- Tuesday, Feb. 25: Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way.
- Tuesday, May 20: Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road.
- Tuesday, May 27: Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street.
RSVPs are required for space and resource purposes. Please contact Crystal at 843-255-6880 to reserve your seat. For questions and more information please contact Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-255-6880.
— Staff reports
