<b>Democrat club to meet&nbsp;</b><b>at Grand Army Hall</b>

The Northern Beaufort County Democratic Club will meet from 6:30-7 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at Grand Army Hall at 706 Newcastle St. in Beaufort.

The program is entitled “Challenges” and will feature Chuck Newton, spokesperson for the Sea Island Corridor Coalition. He will speak on traffic, commerce, safety and other challenges in Northern Beaufort County.

Participants will also write to legislators about challenges in South Carolina, including education, gun safety, redistricting and more. Names, bill numbers, argument points, stamps, envelopes and pens will be furnished. The public is invited.

<b>‘Friend of Coast’&nbsp;</b><b>awarded to Sanford</b>

U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford, R-SC, was named 2017’s House representative Friend of the Coast by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, an organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing coastal resources.

“I’m honored to receive this award from the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association,” said Sanford. “I think it’s important that we recognize how important our environment is and to treat it like it’s an investment in our future - because that’s how I see it. Accordingly, I look forward to working to continue efforts to conserve our natural as well as our financial resources."

The Friend of the Coast award is given annually to two members of Congress, one in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate. Sanford was nominated for this award by Mayor Tim Goodwin of Folly Beach, and was supported by South Carolina Beach Advocates for his work in support of South Carolina’s beaches and his help in advancing the WIIN Act in 2016.&nbsp;

<b>Photo contest being&nbsp;</b><b>held in county</b>

Beaufort County is accepting submissions for a social media photo contest.

Photos can be posted with the hashtag #lovebeaufortcounty to the county’s accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

A panel of county staff will judge the photos. The best ones will be featured on the county’s Instagram page and website, according to a county release.

The first theme of the ongoing contest will be Gardens, Gates and Blooms, and will be from Monday, March 20, to Monday, April 10.

<b>Beaufort County plants&nbsp;</b><b>trees to beautifies road</b>

Beaufort County residents visiting the Depot area in Beaufort will soon enjoy the blooms of 26 Sioux Crape Myrtle trees that now line Depot Road near Bay Street.

Keep Beaufort County Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, received a grant to complete a beautification project, allowing them to remove 20 overgrown trees and plant 26 new Sioux Crape Myrtle trees on Depot Road. The volunteer-based group is steered by the Solid Waste section of the Beaufort County Public Works Department.

The trees that lined the streets prior to this project grew into the power lines, causing a safety hazard. The new trees were planted to meet SCE&amp;G compliance and will only grow to a certain height, keeping the trees below the power lines.

Area residents were educated on Sioux Crape Myrtle trees and the importance of purchasing and planting trees appropriate for the specific planting site.

It all began with one call to Beaufort County made by 89-year-old Beaufort County resident Betty Waskiewicz to inform officials that the trees that lined the street at the time were over-grown and unhealthy.

“I sat up there on the corner at the street light and saw a tree that looked like a hay stack,” said Waskiewicz. “I knew something had to be done and made the call.”

That small phone call led to a huge collaborative project.

The grant was funded through Palmetto Pride, of which Keep Beaufort County Beautiful is affiliated. Several groups collaborated to complete the project including Beaufort County, the city of Beaufort, SCE&amp;G, South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), Bartlett Tree Experts, Horticultural Management Services, Preservation Tree, Southern Palmetto Landscaping and Southern Tree Services.

<b>Public invited to comment&nbsp;</b><b>on plant management plan</b>

The public is invited to review and provide comments on the draft version of the 2017 South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Plan through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).&nbsp;

The plan is available at bit.ly/2nsvEXg.&nbsp;

Comments and suggestions must be submitted to the SCDNR in writing or e-mail and must be received by Thursday, March 30.

The SCDNR, in conjunction with the S.C. Aquatic Plant Management Council, is responsible for the management of nuisance aquatic plants in the state's public waters.&nbsp;

Each year the SCDNR and the council prepare a plan that identifies aquatic weed problem areas, prescribes management strategies and determines funding requirements.&nbsp;

Since the inception of the program in 1981, more than 160,000 acres of invasive aquatic vegetation in public waters have been controlled to improve public access and use.

Public input is an important part of the planning process, and comments on the draft plan are welcome. All comments must be received in writing by regular mail or e-mail by the closing date to ensure that they are given proper consideration in the final plan.&nbsp;

Send comments to: Chris Page, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 2730 Fish Hatchery Road West Columbia, SC 29172; or by e-mail to: invasiveweeds@dnr.sc.gov.

<b>Port Royal seat up&nbsp;</b><b>for special election&nbsp;</b>

Beaufort City Council’s Port Royal councilman, Vernon DeLoach, died recently.

South Carolina state law requires the town of Port Royal to hold a special election to fill the vacancy.&nbsp;

The filing period opened March 10 and closes Monday, March 20.

Election Day will be Tuesday, May 16.

<b>Church gets grant&nbsp;</b><b>from community group&nbsp;</b>

Free Born Deliverance Temple in Beaufort has received a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation the Lowcountry. These funds will support the Free Born Deliverance Temple Disaster Recovery &amp; Rebuilding Project.&nbsp;

Additionally, families visiting the church food bank will have access to meat products purchased by funds from the grant; and leaves, debris, and or mold/mildew caused by Hurricane Matthew and located on the outside of homes will be removed with grant funds.&nbsp;

The goal of the church is to assist families or persons who need help but did not receive assistance or were not aware of assistance provided by FEMA or the SBA.&nbsp;

To support the efforts, call 843-476-7036 or email kbpastor590@gmail.com.

Free Born Deliverance Temple was established in 1981 and is now pastored by Apostle Kathy and Pastor Kenneth O. Brown.&nbsp;

<b>Correction for&nbsp;</b><b>March 2 edition&nbsp;</b>

In a story in the March 2 edition of The Island News, the first name and title of Hemingway’s owner was not included. The owner is Andina Foster.