[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6210362,"mediaKeyId","3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac","parentId",3720312,"title","Council discusses long-term lease to build pickleball courts at Royal Pines; cost estimated at $450,000","audioSeconds",143,"startMs",3595000,"endMs",3738000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac&start=3595&end=3738","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac/thumbnail_3595000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210362/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Council-discusses-long-term-lease-to-build-pickleball-courts-at-Royal-Pines-cost-estimated-at-450000","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210362-0130f685f1c0b487d227a035f049d0cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775705802&Signature=ch27HZPh2y2KtDPKBN6gQ5fsVJzlWbK0Iqa2ELosKHwIqT0CNYDd08MsSqWpZGHbmt1GwC0jGbKWfVLJSzkhXdIUNuwRvez9rixOHz4W1ByVU3Ut7z~88HpJqCoDlnb5fbs9ZtnZyMCmGyeJZcVsgDpoTC1E3GRuhZJ-LSGXbKJIShzB85DFWjhp9Jo1v0-Grp-nhQzWv~y16ldaArDf941t92JZrBKzCS~pPjenyO~ktJuJO88gncWYgjWCWyN~bWG7DwS~hsVaTUAfQbUAO8~27wLIuK2nswy4kjIKzP2m0vRwRYLXstpwbZbmAdfB2d5nGk2WY-os5suBBZNLQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Beaufort County, SC","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","County recreation staff presented a discussion to the Beaufort County Council on June 7 about a proposed long-term lease to build pickleball courts at a site in the Royal Pines/Bridal Pond area on Ladies Island. Staff estimated an approximate fiscal impact of $450,000 and noted there is no funding source in the current fiscal year.

The presenter said staff had surveyed the site and obtained preliminary contractor pricing that put the refurbishment cost at about $450,000. \"Pickleball is here to stay,\" the presenter said, recommending the project if funding is available; staff noted there are currently no pickleball courts in that portion of the county and suggested the site would serve the Ladies Island area.

The property owner was present in the meeting room and staff said they would follow up with the owner outside the meeting to explore options for moving forward and identifying funding. No motion or vote was taken; staff recommended pursuing funding and further discussion if council wants to advance the project.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beaufort County Council Community Services Committee 2PM","oneSentenceSummary","County recreation staff presented a discussion on June 7 about a long-term lease to build or refurbish pickleball courts in the Royal Pines/Bridal Pond area, estimating a roughly $450,000 cost and noting no funding in the current fiscal year.","taxTitle","Beaufort County, South Carolina","taxId",5067,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210367,"County staff outline changes to animal-services ordinance: dangerous-dog levels, tethering rules and pit-bull spay/neuter requirement",818,3821000,4639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac&start=3821&end=4639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac/thumbnail_3821000.jpg","/articles/6210367/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/County-staff-outline-changes-to-animal-services-ordinance-dangerous-dog-levels-tethering-rules-and-pit-bull-spayneuter-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210367-4f170841387cbe69d91903469add285b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775705802&Signature=I9cTPbcyfYBwmGQ1~goUKoR-jBnEjwWC52pW5fy5TG-JjBLPDJ9Z6IbxkDlVQy3Oluox8MlcT16nWFFJjOvZZ-YVe93wJarAEkMJVNqeJGp0ElzfrU4mdGl8QNDOI4PSLEs1LKAh7GMwD7AuB1dzM0VjYT49s7RCc~Ur6yClz5FrxcGORibLEkAXSAum-g0sNWn8riO2Ovw-vusIHknPlcKIgJHonRv~uJ~oSfkfoNE20ilUIJtbmSABgPai9O9idmYr1WTJVO260GEItzY4024vkCZ6ldbAhGz8U75OiRFQ9lp~fmiGS7SoATf9bRTx0F5-Q0Z6AMiSPZhsMm4zKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A county staff member reviewed proposed amendments to Beaufort County's animal-services ordinance at the June 7 council meeting, outlining new classifications for dangerous animals, updated tethering rules, livestock law coordination and a continuing breed restriction for pit bulls that requires spaying or neutering.

The staff presentation described a rewritten section on dangerous animals that introduces levels 1, 2 and 3 with definitions and an appeal process. Appeals of a dangerous-dog determination would go to the magistrate court judge who adjudicated the initial finding, rather than being decided administratively. The staff member said the dangerous-dog portion was easier to replace wholesale than to edit incrementally.

The draft adds nuisance and animal-noise language to the ordinance and expands tethering rules beyond dogs to any animal. The staff presentation recommended modern tethering best practices such as trolley or pulley systems so animals can move along a cable rather than being fixed to a single anchor. On livestock, staff said the ordinance now references state law \"40 seven-four 160\" (as spoken in the presentation) to make clear that animal-husbandry questions are governed by state statute while welfare and abandonment enforcement remains a county responsibility.

Council members and staff also discussed a county decision from years earlier to identify pit bulls as a \"restricted\" breed because of local shelter capacity concerns; under the draft, owners of pit bulls would be subject to mandatory spay/neuter rather than a breed ban. A council member summarized for the room: \"It's important to note that a restricted breed is not a dangerous dog necessarily. A dangerous dog is a separate classification.\" Staff and councilors acknowledged the historical and local context for breed-focused provisions and said the policy aims at shelter management through spay/neuter rather than outright prohibition.

Staff said they had shared the draft with municipalities for coordination; multiple council members thanked staff and outside attorneys who assisted the rewrite. No final vote was taken; staff indicated there would likely be follow-up questions and potential forwarding to council for formal consideration at a later date.

","County staff presented proposed amendments to the animal-services ordinance on June 7 that add levels for 'dangerous' dogs with court appeals, expand tethering rules to all animals, reference state livestock law and keep a breed-restriction requiring spay/neuter for pit bulls.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210372,"Gullah Geechee Chamber briefs council on Saint Helena economic projects and veterans claims assistance",1072,2524000,3596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac&start=2524&end=3596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac/thumbnail_2524000.jpg","/articles/6210372/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Gullah-Geechee-Chamber-briefs-council-on-Saint-Helena-economic-projects-and-veterans-claims-assistance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210372-72b78e798b76122c8ece7e39ee079ccf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775705802&Signature=Cr~KtNltgllkGEjVBoia81c~jIHMr23lIB1E0DXHWDeeG~ND-GggEL-LJzCO5BM84uhbGBZG0kDBgK4ZlQlsBclzxqPQmgMjoTzPKGBOqiiyEYIgMqkfSDj4RbsVWfRvymb5bkf2zYQKhw2h49n52oDLkoWVQ3xodxcbs5L1mhwgFE4TlTzYS3801UQQcOjAJVsmvRIiZkVZYcKto-Z5r6HrY8SOdzXYkwNBZhJeW1RNWYkQnMx5SPkvH9gJ8r2L7OYLT59zERBNezKcTIbJl-Jf4Qc3iiYMNTDcaAsDTbbe6n~DYY6NWcIAFgvfaGvYOUpoLheKtJw0mWlJvc1ADg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marilyn Hemingway, representing the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce, gave an update to the Beaufort County Council on June 7 about economic-development efforts along the Gullah Geechee Corridor and community-led projects on Saint Helena Island.

Hemingway described a collaborative approach involving local stakeholders, nonprofits and private investors to address long-standing community needs and to help implement parts of the county's comprehensive plan. She said work at 808 Sea Island Parkway on Saint Helena is serving as a community and recreation starter center, and that the center has generated increased community involvement, small-business activity and nonprofit programming.

Hemingway introduced Jendia (spelled in the transcript as Jindia) Blunt, who described a veterans-helping-veterans claims assistance program operating from 808 Sea Island Parkway. Blunt said the free service helps veterans in rural areas access Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and that the program has assisted \"over 70 veterans with more than 1 third of them achieving total and permanent disability ratings of 100 percent,\" producing examples of back pay and increased monthly benefits. \"One of our proudest moments was helping a veteran go from a 0% rating to a 60% disability rating, resulting in a $27,000 back pay deposit and over $3,000 per month for the rest of his life,\" Blunt said.

Hemingway addressed community grief and historical context, framed the chamber's mission as creating \"global awareness, sustainable economic opportunity for businesses and communities along the Gullah Geechee Corridor,\" and said the chamber has engaged developers and residents on local projects, including Pine Island (presented as Pine Isle/Pine Island Development in discussion) and related downzoning conversations. She said the chamber's work supports the Beaufort County comprehensive plan's goals and called for continued investment in rural and island communities.

No formal action was taken. Council members raised procedural questions about agenda clarity and requested clearer scope for future presentations.

","Marilyn Hemingway of the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce updated the council on collaborative economic work in Saint Helena Island, including a community center at 808 Sea Island Parkway and a veterans claims assistance program led by Jendia Blunt that the presenters say has helped more than 70 veterans.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210377,"Beaufort County EMS outlines call volumes, revenue recovery and survivor account of 2015 crash",887,1574000,2461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac&start=1574&end=2461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac/thumbnail_1574000.jpg","/articles/6210377/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Beaufort-County-EMS-outlines-call-volumes-revenue-recovery-and-survivor-account-of-2015-crash","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210377-5880bfaf9c70eded11bfd2d98076d946/orig.mp4?Expires=1775705802&Signature=hMG2wWJshEw7~D1~01lzPTeRqd5qtDH7lUvI7ZqYbQJkXS7BcQZ8lao7K9F8T6oU51RE1-BxFH3FlrmU7~9KgQbDZFKFk~Vbqpmuxkli3nutaWOYxAnvBFHNWG6XYEFwoXCtB0Dbj-fyUWdUjsO1lonGVGr3C-UkHrkJPWMPRJiFIA9VRA1FE9HimfjScdkGcsABpAYsDcQtDmMqSY7CgfKowjy5HkDjYK5nTIpPKbu7TajIbwnoSLsb5H9WRL8vya3Piu6xxWsj8TJ1VXOQMUKIGTSQo214Y0Xn3SIu2qzzjLyU88f1J447I01rqPuTsAmoXd8tRTxoux79utshGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Donna Owenby, director of Beaufort County EMS, briefed the Beaufort County Council on June 7 about staffing, call volumes, revenue recovery and the emotional toll of emergency work, then introduced a paramedic and a survivor to share a rescue story.

Owenby told the council that the EMS system operates 11 frontline units (including two vans serving Daufuskie Island), five quick-response vehicles staffed by paramedics and other resources. \"We have 11 frontline units, and, of that, 2 are vans that are in Daufuskie. We have 5 quick response vehicles and all of those are manned by paramedics,\" she said.

She reported that, through May 16, EMS had responded to 18,579 calls for service, with 12,346 billable calls. The department recorded 7,993 advanced-life-support calls, 3,876 basic-life-support calls and 127 deceased-patient calls. On revenue, Owenby described a large amount of forced write-offs (for Medicare, Medicaid, VA and military-related coverage) and said the system's forced write-offs total roughly $8 million; \"the net revenue so far that we've collected this year is about $5.214 million,\" she added and explained the department offers payment plans for patients who cannot pay in full.

Owenby introduced paramedic Jennifer Kalkorzi and a patient, Evan Hefty, who survived a severe 2015 injury. Kalkorzi recounted that the 2015 call involved a 12-year-old who had been run over by a bush hog blade, required rapid coordination among EMS, fire, law enforcement and air medical transport, and was taken to a pediatric trauma center. Hefty, who was 12 at the time and described being run over by farm equipment, addressed the council about his recovery and ongoing challenges: \"If EMS didn't make the choices that they made, lifelighting me, helping me, stabilizing me, and assisting me, I would either be dead right now or in a wheelchair in a vegetable state,\" Hefty said. Hefty told the council he is attending technical college and has completed internships with public works agencies while reporting difficulty finding steady employment despite applications.

Owenby used the survivor's return to the council to emphasize that EMS work requires training, teamwork and community investment and to ask for ongoing support for the service's operational needs. There was no formal action taken during the presentation.

","Beaufort County EMS director Donna Owenby presented operational statistics including unit counts, call volumes and revenue-recovery figures and introduced a paramedic and a patient who described a near-fatal 2015 injury and recovery.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210382,"Beaufort County libraries report 880,000 items borrowed, expand lockers and summer programs",680,888000,1568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac&start=888&end=1568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720312-ea50c6b26a7f67153e3027163da8a6ac/thumbnail_888000.jpg","/articles/6210382/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Beaufort-County-libraries-report-880000-items-borrowed-expand-lockers-and-summer-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210382-c512ea9dd870d8e700ed55b6c2494d62/orig.mp4?Expires=1775705802&Signature=jrHV4RmiFjB2sU9tha-zagSdhi8tCORYxrlQdDd2KjFjWFy5kKBAr3sq6Ut7ZffD5MIhNJVH-BpOz9G~5iAANEbFMASneZ1AvPxKYQVqtjgv2wSaEwcyW9TIZA9NYF28w2uCpwz6FQ2K0b9dHfcRZ8qwwGnfLz11TFZ~YJwG2pzWQ0C7zGhwGL1DU~j3Pb3aRjAoC3d8vsD5ksLEI0aU89X7SFRgxgI1cRl2D6YRq2-I28pL2CUWZ6--nAjOGITbxUIkhZ61K1ynxkbfONqiIEVNgNu1-z7SHoB9wJxPsasQWBi73KV39aJuV2MsYdqrlFpUWkzYiWAHiCaaqM0Clg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amanda Dickman, director of Beaufort County Libraries, told the Beaufort County Council on June 7 that county libraries remain busy and are planning facility upgrades and service expansions.

Dickman said county cardholders borrowed 880,000 items last year, of which 72% were physical and 28% were digital. She reported about 373,000 visits to library locations, 51,500 reference questions answered, 1,199 meeting-room reservations and more than 2,400 public programs drawing about 38,000 attendees. \"Libraries are more than just books,\" Dickman said. \"We are vibrant community hubs that foster learning, engagement, and stats that we're gonna go over, it shows us that library usage has remained strong.\"

The library director emphasized that the system grew cardholders to just over 5,000 and said Beaufort County ranks 11th in the state by population served but recorded more visitors, programs and items borrowed than several peer systems. Dickman highlighted that Beaufort County is the only library system in the state with two bookmobiles and described program offerings for teens, read-to-a-pet events and a summer reading program that asks participants to read 20 minutes a day. \"This is not just for kids. Yes. We want kids to read, but it's also for adults,\" she said, noting last year's participation of just over 2,000 and setting a personal goal to exceed 3,000 participants this year.

On facilities, Dickman said facilities and capital-improvement work has begun, including carpet replacement and exterior sprucing at multiple branches to keep spaces \"modern, welcoming and accessible.\" She pointed to a new locker pickup system installed at Burton Wells, funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and demonstrated an expanded collection that includes “wonder books” with built-in audio players for read-along use. \"We've received a grant through the Institute of Museum and Library Services for that locker system,\" she said.

Council members asked questions about longer-range plans for a full renovation of the Hilton Head branch and whether lockers might be installed at other branches; Dickman said a full Hilton Head renovation is on a longer-range plan and that the county is monitoring the Burton Wells lockers but could expand them if demand supports it. Council members and others in the room praised the Port Royal and Saint Helena branches as gathering places and noted frequent community use for meetings and events.

Dickman closed by thanking council members for \"investing in our libraries\" and asked the council to encourage wider community participation in summer programs. No formal action was taken during the presentation.

","Director Amanda Dickman told the Beaufort County Council on June 7 that county libraries recorded heavy use — about 880,000 items borrowed — and outlined facility refreshes, two bookmobiles, an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant for locker pickup and an expanded summer reading program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council discusses long-term lease to build pickleball courts at Royal Pines; cost estimated at $450,000

County staff outline changes to animal-services ordinance: dangerous-dog levels, tethering rules and pit-bull spay/neuter requirement

Gullah Geechee Chamber briefs council on Saint Helena economic projects and veterans claims assistance

Beaufort County EMS outlines call volumes, revenue recovery and survivor account of 2015 crash

Beaufort County libraries report 880,000 items borrowed, expand lockers and summer programs