New show features mayor ‘Straight Talk’
This week, Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling introduces a new television show on WHHI, Channel 8 on Hargray, called “Straight Talk with Billy K.” The purpose is to introduce new ideas, to discuss old ones and to stimulate conversation among the citizens about issues in and around Beaufort. “Straight Talk” will air several times each week as follows: Wednesday at 4 p.m.; Thursday, 4 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m.; Sunday at 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Presentation focuses on form-based code
The city is hosting a presentation on Thursday evening, June 28 at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers (1911 Boundary Street) by Craig Lewis with the City’s Office of Civic Investment to describe the upcoming process to completely overhaul the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. For more information, please contact Craig Lewis, Office of Civic Investment at clewis@cityofbeaufort.org or Libby Anderson, planning director, at landerson@cityofbeaufort.org or at 843-525-7011.

BJWSA customers may notice tap smell
BJWSA customers may notice an “earthy” smell in their tap water over the next month. The odor is caused by algae growth in the authority’s canal and reservoirs, especially near the Chelsea Water Treatment Plant. The algae growth is a natural and seasonal phenomenon, and the water is still safe to use normally. BJWSA’s treatment staff have modified processes to control the odor, but the authority anticipates the smell to persist for about a month. Due to the Chelsea Water Treatment Plant’s proximity to Northern Beaufort County, the odor will be noticed mostly by customers in that part of BJWSA’s service area. The odor may be more noticeable in warm water usage, such when taking a shower or washing the dishes. Placing a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for about an hour may help dissipate the odor.

JSLB awards $4,120 to local nonprofits
The Junior Service League of Beaufort (JSLB) concludes its first formal grant process and awards a total of $4,120 to four local nonprofits. For seven years, the league has supported local agencies by donating time and talent. This year, through the grant funding process, the league is able to donate more than $4,000 to four deserving nonprofits to support a variety of programs. The agencies selected to receive funding are all closely aligned with the JSLB mission to enrich the lives of women, children and families in our community. This year’s recipients are: Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) — $560 in support of their Cribs For Kids program; Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse (CODA) — $1,060 for their Legal Assistance Fund for Women and Children to help pay for court fees; AMIkids Beaufort — $2,000 for partial tuition for one child to enroll in a Welding Certification program at the Technical College of the Lowcountry (full tuition is $2,500); and Born To Read, which will receive $500 to purchase nursery rhyme books for the Literacy Bags for new moms.