City to close offices for Thanksgiving
City of Beaufort offices will be closed in celebration of Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29.
Capital Waste Services will also be off on Thanksgiving Day. Trash and recycling services that normally take place on Thursday will move to Friday, and Friday services to Saturday.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park hosting free Junior Ranger Park Explorer Program
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is inviting the public to attend a free Junior Ranger Park Explorer Program at Camp Saxton on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Exploring public lands is a great way to shake off the turkey on the day after Thanksgiving. Stop by the Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve at 601 Old Fort Road in Port Royal, part of the site of Camp Saxton to meet a park ranger, and learn about how to safely experience wildlife and preserve historic sites. Participants will have the opportunity to earn their Junior Ranger Park Explorer Badge, as well as learn about the story of Camp Saxton. This program is free and open to the public.
For more information about Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/reer or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS.
SCDOT to replace Jasper County bridge
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has made plans to accelerate the replacement of 10 bridges that were damaged during Hurricanes Debby and Helene, including one in Jasper County.
The SCDOT will replace the U.S. Highway 278 (Grays Highway) bridge over Beaverdam Creek. The bridges were identified for emergency replacement based on damage assessments conducted following the storms earlier this fall.
Malkin to speak at December Indivisible Beaufort meeting
ACLU-SC Advocacy Director Josh Malkin will be the featured speaker at the December meeting of Indivisible Beaufort at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at St. Helena Branch of the Beaufort Public Library at 6355 Jonathon Francis Sr. Road on St. Helena Island.
Sponsored by Indivisible Beaufort, Lowcountry Pride, and FABB, in the Building Movements For Justice program, Malkin will talk about the bills that have been filed for the 2025 South Carolina Legislative Session and discuss ways to advocate for the issues that matter to all of us.
The event is free and open to the public.
County Veterans Affairs celebrating Operation Green Light
In collaboration with the National Association of Counties (NACO), Beaufort County Veterans Affairs is celebrating Operation Green Light for Veterans for the month of November. Beaufort County’s Government Buildings in the County Plaza including the Administration Building, the Arthur Horne Building and the County Courthouse will all be lighted green for the month of November.
According to NACO’s website: America’s counties have a long and proud history of serving our nation’s veterans, a legacy that continues to this day as we work with our federal, state and local partners to ensure that the former service members have access to the resources they need to thrive.
“We encourage the entire Beaufort County community to join in on this initiative, shining a green light on businesses and homes,” said Caroline Fermin, Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Director. “This gesture lets our military community know they are acknowledged, valued, and supported.”
FEMA hiring in South Carolina
FEMA is hiring in South Carolina to support recovery from Hurricane Helene. A wide range of skills and expertise are needed.
Positions include Civil Rights Specialist; Disability Integration Advisor; Environmental And Historic Preservation (Environmental Compliance Specialist, Environmental Floodplain Specialist, Environmental Specialist, Historic Preservation Specialist); External Affairs (Creative Specialist (Writer), Digital Communications Specialist, External Affairs Specialist, Intergovernmental/Congressional Affairs Specialist, Media Relations Specialist, Program Liaison Specialist, Visual Imaging Specialist); Hazard Mitigation (Community Education Outreach Specialist, Data Integration Specialist, Hazards And Performance Analysis Specialist, Insurance Specialist); Information Technology Specialist; Interagency Recovery Coordination (Community Assistance Expert Specialist, Geospatial Data & Analytics Cell Analyst); Logistics Specialist; Public Assistance (Program Delivery Manager).
Many FEMA employees began their careers in emergency management by helping their own communities recover from a disaster, as a local hire. These temporary positions start as 120-day appointments and may be extended. Benefits include sick leave, health insurance and up to 11 paid annual holidays. Applications are being accepted online.
To see all open positions and to apply, visit USAjobs.gov, type keywords “FEMA, Local Hire” and enter your location as “South Carolina.”
Detailed information is provided for each position, including pay and benefits. More information about FEMA’s hiring process can be found on FEMA.gov/careers and the Local Hire career path at LocalHire|FEMA.gov.
All applicants must be U.S. citizens and 18 years of age or older. Additional requirements vary by position type.
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:
St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road: Tuesday, Dec. 3 — Large Meeting Room.
Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way: Thursday, Dec. 5 — Large Meeting Room.
Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway: 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.
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, 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
