The Island Packet

LOCAL NEWS

2 Bluffton companies win chamber's small-business awards

The Downtown Deli and Downtown Catering Co. was named the 2012 Small Business of the Year by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. Mindstream Academy won the Successful Start-Up of the Year award.

EDUCATION

13 graduate from Abundant Life

The 13 students of Abundant Life Academy's Class of 2013 graduated Thursday in the school's gymnasium in Hardeeville.

BEAUFORT NEWS

Visitor honors Oklahoma tornado victims with sand sculpture

DAVID LAUDERDALE

Lessons shared as remarkable Lowcountry education career ends tonight

Headmaster John Rogers reflects on schools and society as he ends his career Friday with his 37th graduation ceremony at Thomas Heyward Academy in Ridgeland.

BEAUFORT NEWS

Local agencies rev up safety preparations for Memorial Day weekend

Law-enforcement agencies are expanding their presence and preparations for Memorial Day weekend, with an emphasis on keeping the beaches and roads in Beaufort County safe.

EDUCATION

School district names Lisa Nelson its Support Person of Year

The Beaufort County School District named Okatie Elementary School data specialist Lisa Nelson its Support Person of the Year at a recognition breakfast Thursday.

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

Judge to consider whether Bluffton man is 'mentally unfit' for guns

A Circuit Court judge is weighing his decision on whether a Bluffton man that police say threatened to harm himself and others is mentally unfit to own firearms.

EDUCATION

District to expand iPad initiative, citing increased student engagement

Thousands of tablet computers distributed to middle and high schools have made students more engaged academically and more familiar with mobile technology they will use in college and their careers, Beaufort County School District officials say.