October 2, 2025
Breaking Down Beaufort’s Development Code Changes
If you’ve ever tried to read through a City of Beaufort agenda packet, you know it can be overwhelming. The latest packet on the proposed building code changes ran into the hundreds of pages, leaving many residents wondering what this means for their neighborhood. At its core, the City is attempting
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
September 25, 2025
From $4.5M to $24.8M: Beaufort County’s Budget Carry Over Skyrockets as Transparency Fades
$24.8M (p, 11-16) will be added to the Beaufort County FY26 budget after it was already passed. This carry over will increase the Capital Projects budget by an additional 31%, the Special Revenues budget by 8%, and the General Fund budget by <1%. The previous budget carry over added to the FY25 budg
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
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September 19, 2025
Local Libraries as Community Hubs: More Than Just Books
The Beaufort County Library is more than just a place to check out books– it serves as a hub for events, resources, and programs that benefit residents of all ages. Whether it’s hosting a community book club, helping families spend a day at Hunting Island, or supporting residents with health resourc
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
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September 5, 2025
City of Beaufort Loses Deputy City Manager J.J. Sauve Amid Ongoing Challenges
On September 2nd, the City of Beaufort released an official statement that Deputy City Manager John “J.J.” Sauve announced his resignation, effective October 31st, 2025. After serving under City Manager Scott Marshall for twenty months, Sauve will step down to support his family and return to privat
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
August 28, 2025
“Time to Reassess”: Citizens Voice Concerns over STRs and ADUs in Beaufort
Public opinions regarding short-term rentals (STRs) and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) took center-stage at the Beaufort Planning Commission meeting on Monday, August 18th. Almost a dozen city residents showed up to share personal stories, concerns for their neighborhood, and ideas for reform. Whil
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
August 21, 2025
City Council Urged to Act After Marshall’s Latest Blunder
Beaufort City Manager Scott Marshall has had a rough year, and the release of 9,000 pages of unredacted police documents has not helped. From criticism over the city’s preparation and reaction to Hurricane Helene, to criticism over the city’s reaction to a missing child, to his partisan and inflamma
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
August 12, 2025
Back to the Drawing Board: Pigeon Point Boat Landing Update
Pigeon Point, a charming and historic neighborhood just blocks from downtown Bay Street, has been undergoing a series of long-awaited renovations. The City of Beaufort recently celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the newly upgraded Pigeon Point Playground, and now attention is shifting to the nearby Pi
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
August 3, 2025
Beaufort County Still Struggling with 2018 Projects, Yet Officials Push for Another Tax Referendum
At the March 18, 2025 Beaufort County Council workshop, frustration was palpable as staff and council members reviewed the status of transportation and pathway projects funded by the 2018 penny sales tax referendum. Seven years after voters approved the $120 million tax package, most of the projects
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
July 31, 2025
A New Chapter for Pigeon Point Park: Playground Reopens
Pigeon Point Park celebrated the grand reopening of its playground on Monday, following almost ten weeks of renovations and improvements to make the play area safer and more accessible for all. The new upgrades, which include the replacement of all of the older playground equipment with new, state-o
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
July 26, 2025
Volunteer Opportunities in Beaufort and How to Get Involved
If you’ve ever wanted to give back to the Beaufort community but didn’t know where to start, there are more opportunities than you might think. Across the county there are nonprofits, clinics, shelters, and civic boards working hard to meet local needs – but they can’t do it alone. Right now, many o
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
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July 22, 2025
Parking Enforcement Update: Beaufort Aligns with State Law, Keeps Contracted Enforcement
On December 2, 2024, Beaufort Insider reported that the City of Beaufort had a problem with parking enforcement. Since then, there has not been much public communication about changes, but the City of Beaufort seal has shown up on parking tickets. A new parking ordinance that has moved to its third
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
July 18, 2025
Waterfront Park’s Advisory Committee: Who’s Involved and What’s Next
On April 17th, the City of Beaufort officially appointed three citizens to a new advisory committee charged with overseeing critical decisions related to two of the city’s most valued assets: the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and the Downtown Marina. After interviewing the applicants during the
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
July 15, 2025
Editorial: Please Fix the Sound!
Why can’t local government hold a meeting without having sound issues? As someone that keeps up with local government (but typically doesn’t physically go to meetings in person), I am very frustrated with the repeated issues with sound and technology at meetings. And I’m not the only one: over the l
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
1
July 11, 2025
Tragic Week on Beaufort Beaches: Three Drownings Spark Calls for Caution
Three people have drowned in Beaufort County waters over the past week, prompting warnings from local law enforcement and beach officials during the busy summer season.Within just five days, three separate fatal incidents occurred in coastal waters in Hilton Head and Hunting Island, deeply impacting
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
July 9, 2025
Sheriff Tanner on Immigration Enforcement in Beaufort County
It was standing room only in Sheriff P.J. Tanner’s training room on Bay Street during a community meeting held on July 8, 2025. At the request of County Council representatives, the Sheriff hosted the event to answer questions and concerns about immigration enforcement in Beaufort County. A recent n
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
1
July 9, 2025
Beaufort Water Festival 2025: Events, Attractions, and Important Updates
July in Beaufort means a few things: summer sunsets, neighborhood barbecues, and thousands of people gathering downtown to celebrate one of the Lowcountry’s most iconic events, the Beaufort Water Festival. Now in its 69th year, the 2025 Beaufort Water Festival kicks off Friday, July 11th and runs th
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
July 8, 2025
The City Blocks Off the Water Just Ahead of the Annual Water Festival
Fences and signs have gone up blocking access to the seawall, swings, and the daydock in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The fences run the full width of the park from the bridge to the marina. ‘No Trespassing’ signs are posted at regular intervals stating that the ‘area is closed for public safe
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
2
July 2, 2025
From the Editor: A New Season for Local News in Beaufort
Dear Beaufort Insiders,Thank you for your continued support since the launch of Beaufort Insider. Our mission has always been to keep you informed, aware, and connected to our community.Over the past few months, we’ve taken a step back to regroup and refocus. Now, we’re excited to relaunch with fres
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
1
July 2, 2025
4th of July Events in Beaufort: Where to Watch Fireworks, Hear Live Music, and Celebrate
Whether you’re looking for a place to watch fireworks, listen to live music, or catch a military flyover, Beaufort has all kinds of events and activities to enjoy this Independence Day. If you’re not heading to the beach or out on the boat for July 4th, here’s a roundup of seven different events to
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
March 26, 2025
City Councilman Under Fire for Military Uniform Violation, City Manager Appears to Have Broken City Employee Handbook Policy
Patrick Canning, Beaufort resident, waited until 2 hours and 9 minutes into the City Council meeting to make his public comment on March 11, 2025. Councilman Mitch Mitchell and City Manager Scott Marshall were in Canning’s crosshairs for recent partisan political activism against President Trump. Ca
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
3
March 10, 2025
Beaufort City Council Defends Police Response in Missing Child Case Amid Criticism from the Parents and the Public
On February 21, 2025, the Beaufort City Council released an open letter defending the Beaufort Police Department’s handling of a recent missing child case. The letter, which describes the public criticism as “unfortunate and misguided,” addresses some concerns but also leaves some residents feeling
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
March 3, 2025
Beaufort’s Parking Dilemma: State Law vs. Private Contract
As readers may recall from Beaufort Insider’s December 2nd article, on November 15th 2024, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office (SCAG) released an opinion stating that “municipalities may not delegate parking enforcement to private entities.” Following that release, Beaufort Insider inquired
Rachel CarperRachel Carper
February 28, 2025
Beaufort City Manager Blasts Trump on Social Media
The City of Beaufort voted for Donald Trump to be President in November 2024 with approximately 55% percent of the vote. A strong showing of support for the now President. It is clear, however, that the man running the city, Scott Marshall, was not one of them.Marshall, the Beaufort city manager, to
Carrie ChappellCarrie Chappell
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January 17, 2025
Beaufort County Breakdown: The First Meeting of 2025
Beaufort County Council rang in the New Year with its first regular meeting on January 13th, ushering in a historic moment in leadership as the two highest-ranking positions on Council are held by women for the first time in Beaufort County. With Alice Howard and Anna Maria Tabernick serving as Chai
Rachel CarperRachel Carper