🌱 Why Beaufort’s new transparency hire is stirring fresh public concern
Beaufort, South Carolina Patch AM: a 5 min readGood morning Beaufort! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Beaufort’s new transparency hire is stirring fresh public concern
- Why thousands of wild monkeys live on a forbidden island near Beaufort
- Port Royal man gets 35 years for violent Beaufort County crime spree
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 76 and low of 63 degrees.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 83, low: 58.
- Friday: Sunny and delightful, with a high of 82 and low of 63 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. City of Beaufort still struggling with transparency in wake of public records breach (postandcourier.com) — City leaders in Beaufort are under scrutiny for how they’ve handled transparency, from a massive 2025 public-records breach to quietly appointing a new public information officer without advertising the job. Residents and advocates are pressing for clearer communication, stronger hiring practices, and updates on an ongoing outside investigation into the records incident that exposed sensitive personal information. 
2. This Secret Island In South Carolina Is Full Of Wild Monkeys (everafterinthewoods.com) — Just off the coast near Beaufort, Morgan Island hosts about 3,500 rhesus macaque monkeys living in a restricted, research-managed colony that you can only view from the water. Locals and visitors sometimes take boat tours from the Beaufort area to glimpse the monkeys from a safe distance, learning how this unusual federal facility balances public health, scientific research, and the island’s wild Lowcountry ecosystem.
3. Beaufort County man sentenced to 35 years after armed robberies, shooting store clerk in the face (wjcl.com) — A Port Royal man has been sentenced in Beaufort County to 35 years in prison for a string of violent crimes, including shooting a gas station clerk in the face during a 2022 armed robbery on Ribaut Road. Prosecutors say the concurrent and consecutive sentences reflect his repeat-offender history and aim to protect local residents from further violence.
4. Frequent flyers beware: New scam targets Hilton Head residents' unused airline miles (islandpacket.com) — Hilton Head residents are being warned after scammers stole about 100,000 American Airlines miles from two local frequent flyers, cases now documented by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Thieves are targeting rarely checked mileage accounts, converting stolen points into gift cards or tickets. Locals are urged to update passwords and enable multifactor authentication to protect their travel rewards.
5. South Carolina Woman Brought Explosive Materials to Her Ex's Home, Police Say (lawenforcementtoday.com) — A Beaufort woman who broke into her ex-boyfriend’s Hilton Head home in 2024 and threatened to blow it up has received probation instead of jail. Beaufort County investigators later found the materials she carried could not actually explode, but her intent led to a burglary conviction. She’ll serve 18 months’ probation, undergo counseling, and face a permanent restraining order.
📸 Around Beaufort
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Beaufort
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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Voter Registration and Elections (T): Special Election Canvass and
Beaufort County Government Center 15 John Galt Road, Beaufort, SC 29906
10:00 am -
Airports (T)
Beaufort County Government Center Town of Hilton Head Island, One Town Center Court, Hilton Head
10:00 am -
Special Called Meeting of the Design Review Board
Beaufort County Government Center 15 Williams Drive, Okatie SC 29909, Grace Coastal Church
2:30 pm -
Do You Have A Will? →
Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Penn Center-St. Helena Island, Frisell House 16 West Penn Center Circle St. Helena Island, SC 29920
10:00 am -
Boutiques in Bloom Flower Crawl
Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce 701 Craven St, Beaufort, SC 29902
12:00 pm -
Finance, Administration, and Economic Development Committee (T)
Beaufort County Government Center 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902 County Council Chambers
2:00 pm -
Public Facilities Committee (T)
Beaufort County Government Center 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902 County Council Chambers
4:00 pm -
Bluffton Township Fire District Board
Beaufort County Government Center 357 Fording Island Road, Bluffton, SC 29910
4:00 pm
Thursday May 14
Saturday May 16
Monday May 18
Tuesday May 19
📣 Beaufort Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Groundbreaking Ceremony of Fire Station 39
Beaufort County Government Center Sun City
10:00 am -
Historic District Review Board →
City of Beaufort - City Hall, 1911 Boundary Street Council Chambers, 2nd Floor Beaufort SC 29902
2:00 pm -
Library Board (T)
Beaufort County Government Center Beaufort Branch Library 311 Scott Street, Bluffton, SC
4:00 pm -
Mahjong and Massage →
Recline & Unwind Social Spa - Beaufort, 204 Carteret St Suite 101, Beaufort
4:30 pm
Wednesday May 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- The Roundabout's Grace
In circles where traffic does flow, The cars move with nary a slow. No lights to obey, Just yield and then stay, As momentum makes drivers all glow. … (Nextdoor Mossy Oaks) - I have a lot of eyeglasses that I no longer wear.
Would anyone know where I can donate them? Thanks. (Nextdoor Oakmont)
- University of South Carolina posted a job opening for Adjunct Faculty in Nursing in Beaufort. Apply here.
- Smith Rowe, LLC posted a job opening for Asphalt Milling Machine Operator in Beaufort. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Beaufort here.
Ok Beaufort! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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