Thomas Grygowski, a Republican candidate for the Beaufort County Council’s 5th District seat, held a meet and greet at Fuel and Fire in Port Royal on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Thomas Grygowski at Fuel and Fire Read More »
Eight county administrators, six chief financial officers, five deputy administrators and four county attorneys in nine years. Those figures formed the foundation of Beaufort County Treasurer Maria Walls’ criticism of county leadership during the May 26 Beaufort County Council meeting, where she argued that administrative instability is creating operational challenges for county government and affecting decisions being made about her office’s budget.
Walls cites years of turnover, questions county leadership Read More »
Ahead of the June 9 primary election, The Island News sent detailed candidate questionnaires to those running in several contested local and state races impacting Beaufort County voters. Republican candidates for Beaufort County Council District 5 — Joshua Hower, Mary Jeans Otto and Joe Maiorano — all centered their campaigns on concerns about rapid growth and preserving the Lowcountry’s character, though each candidate offered different ideas for managing development, infrastructure and government oversight.
Ahead of the June 9 primary election, The Island News sent detailed candidate questionnaires to those running in several contested local and state races impacting Beaufort County voters. Republican candidates for Beaufort County Council District 4, Michael Andersen and Thomas Grygowski, both centered their County Council District 4 campaigns on growth, infrastructure and protecting Beaufort County’s character, though the two candidates often approached those issues from different perspectives.
Officials with the Town of Port Royal say they are attempting to revive a long-planned funding mechanism tied to the redevelopment of the former State Ports Authority property, but the proposal is now facing pushback from members of the Beaufort County Board of Education who argue the move could divert millions of dollars away from public schools.
Port Royal looks to revive MCIP funding for port redevelopment Read More »
County confirms Pinky Harriott’s employment ended May 12 By Delayna EarleyThe Island News Beaufort County’s Chief Financial Officer, Pinky Harriott, is no longer employed by the county, according to county
Beaufort County CFO’s employment ends amid ongoing budget discussions Read More »
Beaufort County Council approved first reading Monday night, May 11, of a proposed expansion of the county’s plastic bag ordinance in a narrow 6-5 vote following lengthy debate over environmental impacts, government regulation and costs to businesses.
Beaufort County advances expanded plastic ban in 6-5 vote Read More »
The legal battle over Pine Island and the future of development on St. Helena Island is once again headed to federal court, with developers now directly accusing Beaufort County of enforcing what they describe as a racially discriminatory zoning ordinance.
Pine Island lawsuit claims CPO is unconstitutional Read More »
Beaufort County Council has rejected a proposed hate intimidation ordinance, ending a weeks-long effort to create a local misdemeanor offense aimed at addressing hate-based incidents in unincorporated areas of the county.
Beaufort County Council rejects hate intimidation ordinance after divided vote Read More »
Beaufort County Treasurer Maria Walls used her Fiscal Year 2027 budget presentation Tuesday to do more than ask for funding. She used it to draw a line.
Beaufort County Treasurer’s budget presentation raises questions Read More »
