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The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) has released its October food inspection reports. Two restaurants, two schools and a Parker’s scored less than A. Inspectors from the SCDA inspect restaurants and other food-serving establishments across the state on a routine basis. The frequency of inspections is based on the establishment’s risk-factor for food-borne illness and its compliance history, according to the SCDA. Grades are awarded on a 100-point scale, with A grades above 87 points, B 78 points, and C less than 78 points. Repeat infractions can result in lower letter grades no matter the points. Here’s why these Beaufort County establishments received their grades, and if their violations were corrected: E-Tang Asian Bistro Inspectors awarded E-Tang Asian Bistro, located at 811 William Hilton Parkway on Hilton Head Island, a C grade with 75 points in its Oct.15 routine inspection. Inspectors observed: An employee drinking from an open cup and eating from a bowl on the hot line Employees failing to wash hands between cleaning and food preparation, an employee washing hands without soap, and an employee washing hands in a food preparation sink “Fresh rodent droppings in a pool of Lemon-Lime Soda Syrup,” as well as rodent droppings
One of Beaufort County’s top administrators is leaving to take the helm at neighboring Jasper County. Jared Fralix has served as assistant county administrator of infrastructure for Beaufort County for over six years until he was recently tapped to step in as Jasper County’s new administrator. Fralix replaces Andy Fulghum, who retired. He will begin his new role in December. Jasper County’s five-member council voted unanimously Nov. 2 to hire Fralix. The county had previously selected three candidates from the Lowcountry, including John Robinson, another Beaufort County administrator. As part ...
In Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties, and around the Palmetto State, the Nov. 3 General Election was not just about red or blue, candidates and numbers - the hot-button issues at stake ranged from environmental protection and crime prevention to property tax relief and educational improvements. Stopping the construction of new data centers and preventing property tax hikes were rallying cries from the state to the county levels of this election, amid other critical issues. Here are the results of the Nov. 3 races that most significantly impact our three-county corner of the Lowcountry and our state as a whole. All results are unofficial until certified later this week, and some races may require recounts or runoff elections. State and national election results at a glance With only two precincts yet to report, Republicans for the most part appeared to sweep the statewide elections — by narrow margins — but suffered losses in the national Congressional races. Governor and Lt. Governor With 2,310 precincts reporting statewide out of 2,312 as of midnight Tuesday, Republicans Alan Wilson (Governor) and Mike Reichenbach had already earned 51.71 percent of the vote (1,046,433 votes) to apparently defeat Democrats Jermaine Johnson and Sam Skardon with
"We are waiving the fees for all fixed animals and then the other animals are just $50 for dogs and $30 for cats," Animal Shelter Supervisor Amanda Anderson said.
On Tuesday, Statesboro City Council approved a budget amendment that reduced the budget by approximately $1 million.
Nov. 3, 2026, results for county commission, property tax and renewal of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, Springfield redevelopment, solicitor and more.
S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) wants drivers to be aware of the closure of the Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge on Business U.S. 21 for nearly three hours. The 2026 Swing Bridge Run 5K takes place Saturday and 5k runners will go back and forth across Beaufort’s historic and iconic swing bridge. Closure of the Woods Bridge, locally called the swing bridge, will start at 7:15 a.m. and last until 9:45 a.m. It will affect all marine navigation including tugs and tugs with tows, according to a press release issued by SCDOT. Cars and trucks will also not be allowed to travel across the metal-riveted truss bridge that connects historic downtown Beaufort to Lady’s Island. If drivers can’t wait out the race, the most convenient way to get across the Beaufort River is to stay on Lady’s Island Drive (U.S. 21 north) driving over the J.E. McTeer Bridge that connects with Ribaut Road into the Town of Port Royal near Beaufort. Swing Bridge Run course and registration The USA Track & Field-certified Swing Bridge Run starts and finishes on Bay Street across from the Best Western Seaside Inn and in front of the downtown marina parking lot. Online registration has
The Southeast Health District tells residents to make sure your caution around animals you don't know.
Somewhere in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, there’s a town called Norway, and it has been quietly waiting for you to notice it. With just 274 residents, Norway is the kind of place that most people drive past without a second thought, and those people are making a significant mistake.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) — Effingham County voters decided Tuesday not to renew the county’s SPLOST, with the measure failing by 140 votes, or less than 1%. A new library and park expansion are on hold. What the penny paid for. The penny was meant to pay for...
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Thanksgiving meals, giveaways, donation drives and holiday events are planned in Georgia and South Carolina in November. Events are listed by state and county. Check back throughout November as we add more events. Georgia. Bryan County. Richmond Hill National Honor Society Thanksgiving Food Drive. What: Food...
ST. HELENA ISLAND — The community and visitors from across the Lowcountry are invited as Penn Center is hosting the 42nd annual Heritage Days Celebration, a homecoming that honors the Gullah Geechee cultural legacy, from Thursday, Nov. 12 to Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District.
Republicans swept Beaufort County Council’s five contested seats in the Nov. 3 election. Eight council seats were up for grabs, and five were contested races going into election day. Incumbents Tab Tabernik and Mark Lawson overcame Democratic challengers to continue serving on the council, and five new Republicans will be inaugurated this January. Here are the results for each race: District 5 Republican Joshua Hower has won Beaufort County Council’s District 5 seat. With 78.95% of precincts reporting, Hower received 57.56% (4,405 votes) to Gerson’s 42.39% (3,244 votes), a margin of 1,161 votes, according to unofficial results. This will be Hower’s first term on County Council. Hower is a resident of Okatie and serves as the board president for the Malind Bluff Homeowners Association, according to his campaign website. He also works as a product owner for a national wholesale insurance brokerage. His platform has three priorities: Infrastructure and responsible growth, government transparency, and fiscal responsibility and efficient government. The Island Packet contacted Hower for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication. District 6 Incumbent Beaufort County Council Vice Chair Tab Tabernik defeated Democrat challenger Carolyn Fournier for council’s District 6 seat. Tabernik has served on the
BEAUFORT — The forces behind the effort to develop a golf resort on the 502-acre property known as Pine Island were back in front of Beaufort County officials on Monday, Nov. 2, pleading their case for zoning change that would ostensibly clear the way for the envisioned resort. The...
Early votes made up more than half the votes cast in Beaufort County, a midterm election record. The midterm election wrapped up Tuesday evening with polls closing at 7 p.m. across the state. Since the implementation of early voting in South Carolina during the 2022 midterm election, voters now have more than two weeks to cast their ballots. Turnout statistics show Beaufort County voters took advantage of the opportunity. The statistics also show increased voter turnout overall than in past midterm elections. Here’s what the numbers say about Beaufort County’s voter participation: How many voters went to the polls early? According to S.C. Election Commission data, 46,310 Beaufort County residents voted early. That’s almost one-third of the 142,485 registered voters in the county. 86,689 total votes were cast in the county overall, including both election day and early votes. That means around 53% of all votes were cast early. During the last midterm elections in 2022, 27,196 county residents voted early. 72,326 votes were cast overall , so around 38% votes were cast early. Statewide this year, 1,043,810 of the 2,052,130 total votes were cast early. The ratio of early votes to election day votes is similar to Beaufort County’s
Bill Hitchens represented District 161 in the Georgia House for 18 years but was unseated by a 24-year-old candidate Tuesday.
Beaufort County isn’t just where I live. It’s home. This community raised me. I attended Lady’s Island Elementary, St. Helena Junior High, and Beaufort High School. My grandmother and mother attended Beaufort County schools. My children attended our schools, and now my grandson does, too. Our schools are part of my family’s story, and their future matters to me.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Dorchester County is moving forward with a redevelopment plan that could bring millions of dollars to Dorchester District Two for improvements at and around Fort Dorchester High School. The plan includes tax increment financing, or TIF. It puts a portion of existing property tax...
Jasper County has some big changes coming its way, with three new officials stepping into leadership.
Candidates weren't the only ones on the ballot in Beaufort County; voters also weighed in on a one-percent sales tax aimed at improving roads and infrastructure.