<strong>BJWSA changes water treatment temporarily</strong>

Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) and Hilton Head Public Service District will temporarily change the drinking water treatment method and flush water lines throughout their service areas for a three-week period that started Nov. 17. The change is part of the routine maintenance program for both utilities’ water distribution systems. There will be no interruption in service, and customers can use water as normal.

Customers may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor in the tap water through Monday, Dec. 10. Customers in some areas may notice brief discoloration in the tap water as a result of lines being flushed. If water appears discolored, customers should run cold water for a few minutes. If discoloration persists, BJWSA customers can call 843-987-9200.

<strong>Suspect arrested on drug charges</strong>

On November 16, members of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Investigations Section arrested Andre Skanes on multiple drug charges.

Within the past two months, members of the Drug Investigations Section received information that Andre Skanes was selling illegal drugs from his residence at 28 Glaze Drive in Burton.  As a result of these complaints, an investigation was initiated.

During the investigation, deputies were able to purchase illegal drugs from Skanes at the residence.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence and its occupants, and Skanes was located at the home. Quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, guns, currency and other drug paraphernalia were located and seized.

<strong>S</strong><strong>olicitor’s office receives safety leadership award</strong>

During the Sixth Annual “Alive at 25” Coalition Benefit Dinner in Columbia, the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit and Solicitor Duffie Stone were honored for their creative partnerships and traffic safety innovations pertaining to educating young drivers within their community in the hopes of reducing teen fatalities. They were recognized and received the South Carolina National Safety Council’s Leadership Award.

The Alive at 25 program is designed to be an early intervention course to help prevent traffic violations, collisions and automobile related fatalities.

<strong>County Council chairman resigns</strong>

After 13 years of service to the people of Beaufort County, Chairman Weston Newton submitted his resignation during a Special County Council meeting on Nov. 15.

As of December 3, Vice-Chairman Paul Sommerville will assume the duties of chairman until an election in January for a new chairman and vice-chairman.

Newton has been the Chairman of County Council for 10 years and will now head to Columbia, filling the newly formed South Carolina House of Representatives District 120 seat, which he won in the Nov. 6 election.

<strong>Shrimp-baiting season closed in S.C. waters</strong>

The 2012 shrimp-baiting season closed on Nov. 13. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division in Charleston advises baiters not to have bait or poles in a boat. The public is asked to report violations of fishing laws by calling the Coast Watch 1-800-922-5431 toll-free, 24 hours a day.

Post-season mail surveys conducted every year since 1988 indicate that recent total catches have been less than 1 million pounds per season, heads on.
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