<strong>Holly Hall transferred to Open Land Trust</strong>

Earlier this year, the Beaufort County Open Land Trust accepted a conservation easement transfer from The Nature Conservancy on 518 acres located in the heart of Lady’s Island.

Holly Hall Plantation has been protected since 1991 and has been stewarded by The Nature Conservancy. The Open Land Trust is excited to add this pristine property to its array of protected lands in and around Beaufort County.

Holly Hall is currently managed for wildlife, recreation and some timber production. The property features several miles of public views from the Morgan River, Point Creek and Rock Springs Creek thus also protecting and enhancing the overall water quality.

<strong>County VA office relocating</strong>

The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs office, located in the Beaufort City Hall for the past four years, will be moving to the Department of Special Needs Building on 100 Clear Water Way.

The physical move will occur the week of March 22. The office will be closed to facilitate the move from March 19 to March 26. There will be minimum access to phone lines during this time, and the office is requesting calls be held until the week of March 29, when the new office opens.

The new location is just off of Castle Rock Road on Clear Water Way in the DSN building. Signage will be visible from the parking area. The office number will remain 843-255-6880 for veteran counselor assistance.

<strong>Jasper County inmate tests positive for COVID-19</strong>

On March 4, a Jasper County Detention Center detainee tested positive for COVID, after previously testing negative on two occasions and exhibiting no symptoms.

The Detention Center subsequently identified three additional detainees with symptoms similar to COVID. County officials are working closely with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control Public Health Division staff, who have approved the steps we have implemented.

COVID testing procedures for detainees and staff are underway. Quarantine procedures have been implemented.

“Our priorities are to ensure the health, safety, and security of our detainees and staff; stop the virus from spreading any further within the facility; and provide medical care for those who are ill,” said Arthur Benjamin, director of the Jasper County Detention Facility. They have implemented a 14-day quarantine.