<strong>County employee honored with a sign</strong>

Beaufort County Engineering Division recently installed a sign signifying the site of a 2018 Sales Tax Project in memory of Deja Jackson, former Deputy Director of Traffic and Transportation Engineering. Jackson started with the County in May 2020 and died unexpectedly in August.

Jackson grew up on St. Helena Island, attended Beaufort High School, earned her civil engineering degree at South Carolina State University, then went on to earn both her graduate and doctorate degrees at University of Florida. In her position with Beaufort County, her responsibility was to assist in leading and managing the traffic projects related to the One Cent Sales Tax Program, also known as the 2018 Beaufort County Penny Referendum.

“We chose to honor Deja was because she would have been completely involved in all of the Sales Tax Projects,” Assistant County Administrator-Engineering Jared Fralix said. “She was full of energy and good ideas and the logo that she created was better than what we had received from the consultants. With very few words, you instantly know that Beaufort County is working on a program that involves roads, bridges, and pathways. Coincidentally, the first construction project of the program and the accompanying sign are within the Council district which she lived and is only a short distance from the high school she attended.”

Mr. Fralix also noted that in her memory, a similar program sign will be erected at every Sales Tax Project site around the County.

<strong>Beaufort Chamber office to move in March</strong>

The offices of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce are moving next month. But the organization is not going far.

With the 10-year lease on current location set to expire, the Chamber is seizing an opportunity to get even closer to an important strategic partner: the University of South Carolina Beaufort. After an extensive facility search process last the summer and fall, next month the Chamber will return to a familiar Chamber office location from the past.

Starting March 1, visit the Beaufort Regional Chamber at The Sea Islands Center on the campus of USCB. Long-time members will recognize the stately white building that connects Boundary Street and Carteret Street as the former home of the Chamber offices from a decade ago.

<strong>St. Helena Island volunteer joins Second Helpings’ board</strong>

Second Helpings’ volunteer coordinator for Dataw Island is the newest member selected for the Board of Directors of the food rescue and distribution nonprofit. Mike Chambers joins the board after five years as a truck volunteer, rescuing and distributing food in the Beaufort area.

Chambers has coordinated Dataw Island truck volunteers for Second Helpings for more than two years.

Chambers sees the value of Second Helpings as “the tangible result of taking that extra food that could be going to a dump and handing it directly to those in need.” That, plus the volume of food that can be rescued in a day, “makes an immediate impact.” He also sees how grateful the agencies are for the delivery of food.

Chambers, a St. Helena Island resident, is a solar energy consultant and special needs coach for tennis and pickleball. He is president and founder of the Beaufort Pickleball Club.

Second Helpings’ president Margaret “Peg” Marty said, “I know Mike personally and think he will be a good addition to the Board.”

Second Helpings collects more than 2.5 million pounds of food from 50 food donors, and distributes it to 55 food banks and soup kitchens in Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Volunteers and donations are critical to Second Helpings operations since the organization is supported by grants and donations. To find out how you can get involved, go to https://www.secondhelpingslc.org/get-involved.

<strong>New Coastline ready to be watched</strong>

The newest episode of The County Channel’s series Coastline welcomes Beaufort County Council Chairman Joe Passiment.

Host Rick Forschner, properly socially distanced, enjoys a recap of Beaufort County Council Annual Retreat. Passiment also has updates on events that led to the county adapting to the required needs.

In a second segment, Rick welcomes Eric Greenway, Interim County Administrator for Beaufort County. Greenway brings insight into the management style he has implemented for Beaufort County.

Coastline airs on The County Channel at 9:30 a.m. Sundays; at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays; at 8 p.m., Thursdays and at 9 a.m. Fridays. Coastline is a monthly news show filmed in-studio and produced by The County Channel. Watch now on YouTube

Watch all programming for The County Channel on Comcast Ch. 2, Hargray Chs. 9 and 113, and Spectrum Ch. 1304. Viewers can also watch programming live and on-demand at The County Channel’s website at www.beaufortcountysc.gov.

<strong>Girl Scouts hosting drive-thru cookie sale</strong>

The Girl Scouts of Troop 4105 are hosting a Drive-Thru Cookie Booth Sale.

From noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 20-21; March 6-7 and 13-14, the girls will be selling Tagaongs, Lemon Ups, Thin Mints, Trefoils and Samoas at The Green at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on St. Helena Island.

Masks are required and social distancing will be enforced. For more information, call 843-476-9077 or visit girlscout4105@yahoo.com.