16-year-old runaway located safe
A reported 16-year-old runaway from St. Helena Island was located safe and unharmed around noon, Thursday, May 29.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office had been notified Thursday, May 28, 2025, that 16-year-old Talana Chaplin had left from her home in Saint Helena around 12 a.m., Monday, May 26, 2025, and had yet to return.
Lane closures scheduled on Russell Bell Bridge for water line repairs
Lane closures will take place on the Russell Bell Bridge in Port Royal through Friday, June 6, as a contractor for the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) conducts water line inspections and repairs.
The work is scheduled to occur nightly between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. to minimize daytime traffic disruptions. Drivers should anticipate delays and are urged to use caution while traveling through the area during the scheduled maintenance period.
Public Works building currently closed
The Beaufort County Public Works Administration building, located at 120 Shanklin Road, is currently closed for emergency renovations. The closure is expected to last up to six weeks.
During this time, County Public Works staff will remain available to assist the public.
No other County Public Works facilities are affected by this closure, and all other operations continue as normal.
For questions and more information, please call 843-255-2800.
June LIBPA meeting
Developer Elvio Tropeano will be the featured speaker when the Lady’s Island Business & Professional Association meets at 8 a.m., Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Beaufort Realtors’ Association Headquarters at 22 Kemmerlin Lane, Lady’s Island. Stop by for coffee and conversation concerning the community.
Poll workers needed; training available
The Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County will be holding 10 new poll worker training classes.
All of the classes will be held at the main office, located at 15 John Galt Road, Beaufort, S.C. 29906. The classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the following dates: Wednesday, June 18; Wednesday, July 16; Saturday, July 26; Wednesday, Aug. 20; and Wednesday, Sept. 17.
To sign up for a class, visit https://beaufortsc.easypollworker.com/home.
United Way of the Lowcountry offers additional free tax prep days
United Way of the Lowcountry’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering additional free tax preparation days to help qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties file their federal and state tax returns accurately and efficiently.
The 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 with their tax filing needs.
In Bluffton, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays, July 28; and September 29, at the Bluffton Public Library at 120 Palmetto Drive.
In Beaufort, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays, June 23 and August 25 at the United Way of the Lowcountry Beaufort Office at 1277 Ribaut Road.
Limited spots are available, and in-person appointments are required. Visit www.uwlowcountry.org/VITAto reserve your spot, check for eligibility requirements and to find a list of necessary documents to bring.
— Staff reports
