<strong>Deadline nears for DMV photo-placard</strong>

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles reminds persons with disabilities who have parking placards that they must get a placard with a photo before January 1, 2013. To apply for a photo-placard, customers must recertify their disability with the required documentation from their physician, including a prescription. Only one placard may be issued per customer and the cost is $1.

SCDMV began issuing the photo-placards in 2010. Applications for the new disabled placards and plates are available online and DMV field offices. For more information about photo-placards for persons with disabilities, please visit www.scdmvonline.com.

<strong>Weston Newton </strong><strong>takes oath of office</strong>

Former Beaufort County Council Chairman Weston Newton took an Oath of Office on Monday, Dec. 3, for his new South Carolina House of Representatives Seat 120. He was elected to the seat last month.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Beaufort County for the past 13 years and I look forward to continue representing the people of Beaufort County in Columbia,” said Newton while addressing friends and family who gathered in Council Chambers for the ceremony, which was presided over by Judge Marvin H. Dukes III.

Newton will begin his new position with the S.C. House of Representatives in January. A new chairman and vice-chairman of Beaufort County Council will also be elected in January.

<strong>CERT program offers emergency training</strong>

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is providing training to Beaufort County residents to increase self-sufficiency in a disaster. Participants learn skills that will enable them to provide emergency assistance to their families and neighbors.

CERT classes are free and are held at the Clemson Extension Classroom, 36 Burton Hill Road, Beaufort.

The course is taught in five class sessions, 6 to 9 p.m.:

• Tuesday, January 22: Personal Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation

• Thursday, January 24: Disaster Medical

• Tuesday, January 29: Fire Suppression, Disaster Search Techniques

• Thursday, January 31: Disaster Psychology/Terrorism Response

• Saturday, February 2: CERT Organization &amp; Completion Exercise

If you would like to sign up for the course or have questions, contact Julie Dimitrov, Beaufort County Community Emergency Response Team Coordinator at 843-812-2189 or at beaufortcountycert@gmail.com.