County offers free electronics recycling event Saturday
The Beaufort County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling will host two free electronics recycling events for County residents from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8 at the following locations: River Ridge Academy, 3050 Raider Drive, Bluffton; and Beaufort County Public Works, 140 Shanklin Road, Beaufort.
Items that will be accepted for recycling include: personal computers, laptops, CRT monitors, LCD monitors, CRT televisions, non-CRT televisions, printers, hard drives, miscellaneous electronics (cell phones, tablets, and fax machines).
Items not accepted at this event include microwaves, vacuums, stereos, speakers, tuners, VCRs, DVDs, lamps, etc. These can be taken to the Convenience Centers for disposal and will not be unloaded at the event.
Residents are asked to stay in their cars during the event. Staff will unload electronics. Residential only.
For residents who would like to schedule a drop off on another date, visit https://bit.ly/3CyFbYU.
If you have questions about Beaufort County recycling events, please call the Solid Waste and Recycling Office at 843-255-2736 or visit https://bit.ly/3OrvP3O.
FOHI presents ‘Conserving the Heart and Soul of the Lowcountry’
The Friends of Hunting Island are presenting “Conserving the Heart and Soul of the Lowcountry,” a conversation by The Beaufort Open Land Trust at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9 at Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal.
Liz O’Brien, Director of Development with the Beaufort Open Land Trust, will discuss the innovative strategies, vital community partnerships and long term vision the group employs to safeguard the vanishing natural landscape before it becomes too late.
The Beaufort Open Land Trust is a conservation leader, having protected more than 10,000 acres from development in just the past four years. Please contact FOHIConservationOutreach@gmail.com for more information and sign-up.
Moore to speak at February LIBPA Meeting
Beaufort County administrator Michael Moore will be the featured speaker when the Lady’s Island Business & Professional Association meets at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at the Beaufort Realtors’ Association Headquarters at 22 Kemmerlin Lane, Lady’s Island
Please stop by for coffee and conversation concerning the community.
Coastal Discovery Museum names Warner History Educator
The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, announced the appointment of Isabella (Bella) Warner as its new History Educator. Warner will help lead and expand the museum’s school programs, Discovery Lecture series, and history presentations, while also assisting in the Discovery Lab.
“I’m looking forward to revamping some of the current history programs and helping to create new opportunities for people to explore the diverse history of the Lowcountry,” Warner said in a news release. “I’ve always loved the natural beauty of the Lowcountry, so moving here has been a dream of mine.”
Her background in both history and environmental studies makes her an ideal addition to the museum, Coastal Discovery Museum Director of Education Dawn Brut said in the release.
“Bella’s enthusiasm for storytelling and commitment to highlighting the experiences of historically marginalized groups will help elevate our programming and engage our community in meaningful ways.”
Warner earned her bachelor’s degree in history and environmental studies from Reed College in Portland, Ore. Her academic work includes a thesis on the Appalachian botanical drug trade during the Civil War.
Cities annual strategic retreat rescheduled
The City of Beaufort’s annual strategic planning retreat has been rescheduled and will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Feb. 24 to 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days. The retreat was rescheduled due to Winter Storm Enzo. The retreat will be held at the Black County Chamber of Commerce, on the first floor at 711 Bladen Street.
The Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) quarterly work session that was originally scheduled for February 25 has been canceled and will instead be discussed during the strategic planning retreat.
Among the items to be discussed: current fiscal year budget status, status of current initiatives, a review of current capital projects, and an in-depth look at emerging capital project needs. It will also include brief presentations from some of the City’s strategic partners.
The retreat is open to the public. Public comment will be welcomed on all days during the retreat. The retreat will also be livestreamed on the City’s Facebook page.
The agenda is available at https://bit.ly/4hknf3u.
County’s plastic pollution surveys open until March 1
In 2018, Beaufort County Council passed an ordinance that was intended to limit the number of plastic bags that end up in our fragile environment. The County is considering revisiting the ordinance to ensure that it is having the intended effect and is being fairly implemented.
Counties, municipalities, and countries around the world are at a pivotal point in the battle against plastic pollution. Global production and use of plastics has outpaced population growth, and 8 million pieces of plastic pollution make their way into the ocean every day. Beaufort County aims to create healthier, safer, and livable communities through the reduction of environmental pollutants.
The survey found at https://bit.ly/4jycSdV, has two options: one for consumers, the other, for business owners.
Both surveys are brief and there are also two fact sheets that can be downloaded for further information. One fact sheet involves plastic bag bans and the other is entitled Lowcountry Plastics Fact Sheet.
The survey will be available until Saturday, March 1.
2025 Beach Walk to benefit CAPA of Beaufort County
The Low Country Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter will host the fitth annual Beach Walk to benefit CAPA of Beaufort County at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 8. The walk will begin at Coligny Beach Park, 1 North Forest Beach Drive on Hilton Head Island.
A minimum donation of $10 per person is suggested. If you are unable to join the walk in person, you can participate by walking in your neighborhood and making a donation to support CAPA.
Please make checks payable to Low Country KD AC and send to Jennifer Kaple, 301 Central Avenue, Suite 122, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29926. You may also donate via Venmo to Jennifer-Kaple-SC1.
In the past four years, the Kappa Delta Beach Walk has raised more than $10,000 for CAPA.
CAPA (Child Abuse Prevention Association) is a local nonprofit organization that offers a variety of programs to the community to help raise awareness about child abuse and its effects on the community. CAPA offers community and school-based outreach programs, safe sleep education, home visitation, and foster care.
The fundraiser is part of National Kappa Delta’s Shamrock Project initiative in support of Prevent Child Abuse America. To date, Kappa Deltas have raised nearly $30 million to prevent child abuse in our country.
Beaufort Twilight Run needs sponsors
The 15th Annual Beaufort Twilight Run still needs sponsors. This is an opportunity not only to help support the students at Riverview Charter School but also to promote a business or place of employment.
Each sponsorship goes directly to our Capstone Field Trip Fund, which helps lower costs for all field trips, especially the Capstone experiences and reduces the financial burden for families. Sponsorships at every level make a meaningful difference. For example, a $2,500 sponsorship can help:
- Send one 8th grader to Costa Rica
- Send two 5th graders to Washington, D.C
- Send 10 2nd graders to Barrier Island.
For more information, contact Haley Romeo, BTR Sponsorship Chair at haley.romeo@riverviewcharterschool.org. Review the sponsorship packet at https://bit.ly/3WhcAy2 or complete the sponsorship form at https://bit.ly/42cx4LX. Thank you for your support of the Beaufort Twilight Run and Riverview Charter School.
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
