<b>Salvation Army launches </b><b>fund drive campaign</b>

Every day the Salvation Army assists those in need with food, clothing and emergency assistance.

With the help of its supporters in 2016, it was able to provide life-saving services to the hungry, those at risk of becoming homeless, some who are homeless, and hopeless families and individuals in Beaufort and surrounding Lowcountry counties.

“That’s why our February Annual Fund Drive Campaign is so important,” said Major Bryan Tatterson of Beaufort. “Our goal is to raise $20,000 to support 250 people in the next 30 days. We want to be ready to respond to those who need our help in 2017, and with the support of our friends in the Lowcountry, we will.”

In the coming year, the Salvation Army expects to:

• Provide more than 3,600 meals to hungry men, women and children in Beaufort County.

• Help with rent, utility assistance, medicine and food for more than 700 families in need.

• Visit over 1,000 lonely, hurting people in senior citizen and nursing homes as well as correctional facilities through its outreach programs.

• Give disadvantaged children the opportunity to experience a summer camp at Camp Walter Johnson.

To donate, call 843-524-3727, option 5, or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Donations can also be mailed to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 105, Beaufort, SC 29901. They can also be made online at www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/beaufort.

<b>Bridge work continues </b><b>through Feb. 3</b>

Single-lane closures on Okatie Highway (S.C.170) east and west will be extended through Friday, Feb. 3.

The lane closures are necessary for repair work on the bridges over the Broad and Chechessee rivers.

Barricades, cones, signs and flashing arrows will be utilized for the work zone.

The public is asked to exercise caution while driving through the area.

<b>Beaufort publishes </b><b>draft of city code</b>

The city of Beaufort has published a new draft of the Beaufort Code. The draft considers nearly 700 comments heard during meetings held in the spring and summer of 2016.

To accompany the code update, an updated zoning map and an updated list of public comments are being provided.

A detailed list of changes prompted by those public comments has been incorporated into the comments list for easier tracking of the comments and an understanding of what action was taken in this latest draft to address them.

For the code draft, the zoning map and public comments, visit www.cityofbeaufort.org and click on “Beaufort Code” in the Quick Links on the right.

A schedule of public meetings and the formal public review process is pending.

The Beaufort Planning Department has been working on an update to its Unified Development Ordinance, which was adopted in 2003.

During 2015 and 2016, the city hosted a number of public meetings to review drafts of the Beaufort Code.

<b>Free tax assistance </b><b>available for tax season</b>

The Lowcountry Area Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Coalition is offering free income tax assistance in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties for low- to-moderate income, elderly and limited English proficient (LEP) individuals and families.

Tax preparation help will be available through Tuesday, April 18, at a number of locations throughout Northern Beaufort County.

For locations or to schedule an appointment, call 843-321-9071.

<b>Project on Lady’s Island </b><b>will improve water service</b>

In an effort to improve water service on Lady’s Island, Beaufort-Jasper Water &amp; Sewer Authority has contracted with Malphrus Utilities to install new pipelines along Sam’s Point Road.

This project will continue through late February/early March, and will involve some late-night lane closures, which should cause minimal impact to residents of the area. BJWSA and Malphrus Utilities ask that motorists use extra caution as they encounter construction crews in the area.

Questions about the project may be directed to BJWSA at 843-987-9213.

<b>Beaufort Conservation District receives grant </b>

The Beaufort Soil &amp; Water Conservation District has received a Lowcountry RC &amp; D (Resource Conservation &amp; Development) Youth Environmental Education Grant to provide 40 Environmental Education Programs in Beaufort area schools and organizations to promote conservation awareness and education.

The Lowcountry RC &amp; D Board sells seeds to landowners for wildlife habitat to fund education projects throughout South Carolina.

The Beaufort Conservation District has developed over 20 standards-based environmental science programs on topics that include water quality, animals, plants, species, habitats, conservation, safety, etc.

Visit www.beaufortconservationdistrict.org or contact the district at 843-522-8100 orbswcd@islc.net.

<b>Leadership group takes </b><b>part in Government Day</b>

[caption id="attachment_31146" align="aligncenter" width="5184"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/government-day.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-31146"><img class="size-full wp-image-31146" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/government-day.jpg" alt="Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling, Hilton Head Mayor David Bennett, Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka and Port Royal Mayor Sam Murray discuss local issues with the 2017 class of the Beaufort County Senior Leadership Program. Photo by Steve Brown." width="5184" height="3456" /></a> Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling, Hilton Head Mayor David Bennett, Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka and Port Royal Mayor Sam Murray discuss local issues with the 2017 class of the Beaufort County Senior Leadership Program. Photo by Steve Brown.[/caption]

Beaufort Country Senior Leadership (BCSL) participants received a unique peek into city and county government during Government Day on Jan. 25.

Government Day followed two sessions of Beaufort history.

"With the first two weeks of the program covering Beaufort's history, it follows that Government Day helps participants understand the structure and leadership of Beaufort County,” said Ed Pappas, BCSL volunteer leader.

To prepare participants for the vast amount of information that they received on Government Day, the planning committee put together a list of local town, city and other governmental websites for participants to become familiar with ahead of time.

Committee Chairman Chuck Newton said, "These websites, in many instances, are not brochure material, but rather transactional sites on which city and county residents can do business: explore official records, submit information, pay taxes and much more. In today's world, access and use of such resources is increasingly how government does business."

The day also included a tour of the County Courthouse and other presentations.