Hilton Head News

Beaufort County’s airport has a new name: Beaufort Executive Airport. The change was made official in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Facility Directory and associated aviation publications. 

2020 IN REVIEW

JANUARY: The year began with the death of Lowcountry legend Pete Dye. The visionary golf course architect, who designed Harbour Town Golf Links with his wife, Alice, and World Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus, was 94 years old. Dye built the Long Cove Club on Hilton Head Island and an 18-hole course in Colleton River Plantation. He also designed the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, among many others. 

Nicklaus paid tribute to Dye, tweeting: “I think Pete Dye was the most creative, imaginative and unconventional golf course designer I have ever been around.” 

PEACOCK SUBARU MAKES PLEDGE IN SUPPORT OF PALMETTO ANIMAL LEAGUE

Peacock Subaru Hilton Head supported Palmetto Animal League’s first virtual adoption event in October. The event led to the adoption of 34 pets in a week. Peacock Subaru pledged to donate $100 to PAL for every pet adopted, leading to a donation of $3,100.

For more information, visit PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.

The Seahawks are champions. 

Hilton Head High School’s volleyball team won the S.C. High School League Class AAAA state title. 

The team topped Pickens High 3-1 (27-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-21) for the crown in Irmo. The Seahawks finished the season 18-2. 

Election Day on Nov. 3 saw the area’s voters elect leaders locally and impact elections statewide. For Hilton Head Town Council, incumbents David Ames (Ward 3) and Glenn Stanford (Ward 6) were re-elected, and Alex Brown took Ward 1. 

Earl Campbell overcame a challenge from Jevona Armstong to retain the Beaufort County school board District 1 seat. In District 9, school board chair Christina Gwozdz defeated challenger Jennifer Morrow. 

Palmetto Dunes Cares seeks grant applications for its 2021 grant program. It looks to provide grants to organizations providing services to citizens impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus will be in the areas of health, education, and human services. Applications are available at palmettodunescares.org and are due Feb. 1, 2021.

Dale McDorman has been named chief of the city of Beaufort Police Department.

McDorman, who was appointed interim chief after the death of Matthew Clancy in July, has been with the Beaufort Police Department since 1995, according to the city of Beaufort.

The Town of Hilton Head Island is selling 2021-2022 beach parking passes, available only to Town of Hilton Head Island property owners and residents. The passes cost $30 per vehicle and are valid until Dec. 31, 2022. The pass allows property owners and residents to park in designated spaces at Islanders Beach Park at 94 Folly Field Road, and Driessen Beach Park at 64 Bradley Beach Road. In addition, pass holders are not required to pay meter fees at any of the Town’s public access beach parking lots. 

Southwest Airlines plans to begin service at Savannah/Hilton Head International in 2021. The addition of Southwest Airlines means nine airlines at the airport will operate with non-stop service to more than 28 destinations. No launch date or destinations have been announced. Last year, more than three million passengers flew in and out of the airport. 

A Beaufort woman won $2 million after she bought a lottery ticket after voting. The South Carolina Education Lottery said after casting her ballot, the woman stopped at the Parkers #58 on Savannah Highway in Beaufort with the intention to buy a drink. She also decided to play some numbers. 

The next day, she checked her Mega Millions ticket and thought she won $1,000. But her husband looked at the ticket and disagreed, according to the S.C. Education Lottery. 

The Beaufort County School District will resume face-to-face instruction five days a week beginning Jan. 4, a news release said. 

The district said it decided to return to face-to-face instruction after reviewing COVID-19 infection rates in other South Carolina school districts that have resumed face-to-face instruction. 

Eric Greenway is Beaufort County’s interim county administrator. 

County Council and Greenway agreed to a contract which will keep him at the position until June 30, 2021. 

“I appreciate Council’s confidence in me and am pleased to have this opportunity to further serve the citizens of Beaufort County,” Greenway said. 

INTERACTIVE MUSEUM COMING TO CULINARY INSTITUTE OF THE SOUTH

The Culinary Institute of the South at Technical College of the Lowcountry, set to open next year, will also be home to the Foodseum, an interactive museum experience dedicated to Southern food.

The Foodseum will showcase immersive educational exhibits, tasting events, guest lecturers and chefs, and hands-on seminars.

Hilton Head Island has been named the top island in the U.S. according to the Condé Nast Travelers’ Readers’ Choice Awards. It is the fourth consecutive year the island has been ranked No. 1.

The GFWC Woman’s League of the Lowcountry filled Pink Bags of Hope last month in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Members filled the bags with items for women undergoing or recovering from surgery for breast cancer. This year more than 50 bags were filled. Distribution is through a local medical facility.