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From Earlier This Week

• Let's go! I'm thirsty! Impatient passenger beats fellow taxi rider
  A taxi passenger eager to get to a Hilton Head Island bar attacked another passenger for delaying the cab's departure, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff's report released Wednesday. (full story)
• Hilton Head gets SouthernLiving.com's top ranking
  Hilton Head Island is No. 1 in the minds of SouthernLiving.com. (full story)
• Island considers bending on tree protection policy
  Hilton Head Island could soon cut property owners some slack when it comes to the strict rules that protect trees. (full story)
• Some shops see silver lining in pain at the pump
  Though it doesn't seem like it, higher gasoline prices might have a silver lining and actually help some businesses that aren't named Exxon Mobil or BP. (full story)
• Arson suspected in Beaufort apartment complex fire
  BEAUFORT -- A fire that destroyed the community center of a Beaufort apartment complex early Tuesday morning was no accident, authorities say. (full story)
• Man sues after collapse of Port Royal balcony
  PORT ROYAL -- A man who fell three stories from a Port Royal balcony in February filed a lawsuit Wednesday claiming the building's contractor, engineer, architect and landlord were negligent by allowing the accident to occur. (full story)
• Oyster harvesters gather the last crop of the season today
  Enjoying cold weather, a frosty beer and some freshly roasted oysters is a favorite Lowcountry tradition, which, unfortunately for oyster lovers, ends today. (full story)
• Town of Hilton Head Island celebrates 25th anniversary
  For all the planning, catering, video production and cake decorating that went into celebrating the Town of Hilton Head Island's 25th anniversary Tuesday, it was a giant bird that drove the message home for attorney Michael Jordan. (full story)
• Amid chilled shrimp and memories, islanders recall our first 25 years
  "The Tree Lady" was at the Town of Hilton Head Island's 25th anniversary shindig Tuesday at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. (full story)
• Small animal, big problem: Rabid baby raccoon exposure swells to 33 people in two states
  The number of people possibly exposed to a rabid raccoon has more than doubled from the number originally reported last week, state officials said Tuesday. (full story)
• School Board members frustrated with budget progress
  Work on the Beaufort County School District's 2009 budget is moving too slowly to suit some school officials. (full story)
• Vacationers find loaded revolver buried on island beach
  A family of vacationers discovered a partially-buried handgun on the beach last weekend, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff's report released Tuesday. (full story)
• Mouthy Daufuskie man ignores deputy's warning, gets a trip to jail
  A 22-year-old Daufuskie Island man faces a public disorderly conduct charge for allegedly continuing to pick a fight at "The Triangle" even after a deputy arrived, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff's report. (full story)
• Heartless thief steals money meant for sick children
  The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to sick children, but that laudable purpose apparently didn't weigh heavily on the mind of a local thief. (full story)
• Sheriff proposes new staff position to oversee festivals
  The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office says it needs a new staff position to oversee the growing number of festivals and special events on Hilton Head Island. (full story)
• Answers are found on the back of a golf cart
  The layout of Windmill Harbour created a safety problem: As more houses were built around the marina, it became harder for fire trucks to squeeze through to get to the docks. (full story)
• Were more people exposed to rabid raccoon?
  The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control still is determining how many people came into contact with a rabid raccoon found on Hilton Head Island a few weeks ago. (full story)
• 16-year-old stabbed in scalp
  A 16-year-old was stabbed in the scalp during a scuffle on Pine Court in Beaufort on Saturday night, according to police. (full story)
• Jewelry store robbed
  Authorities are looking for a man suspected of robbing a Lady's Island jewelry store at gunpoint Friday afternoon. (full story)
• If kid commits crime, do parents do the time?
  After a rash of late night car break-ins and spray painting incidents on Hilton Head Island, a Beaufort County sheriff's deputy was naturally suspicious when he came across a 15-year-old boy and a friend out on bikes at 2:30 a.m. on a school night. (full story)
• At least 8 rounds fired at highway patrolman
  ORANGEBURG -- Highway Patrol Cpl. Quincy Mitchell "Mitch" Brown knew he was under heavy fire last week in a convenience store parking lot in rural Orangeburg County. (full story)
• Never too soon for kids to think about college
  As getting into a good college becomes more competitive, local educators are coming up with ways to make sure kids get the message. And they're sending that message as early as second grade. (full story)
• Basketball camp cancelled
  Hilton Head Camp 101 is taking a new course this summer. (full story)
• Understaffed Animal Control department struggles to respond to Beaufort County's needs
  Beaufort County animal control officers do it all. (full story)
• Why your county property taxes are rising
  The county jail is severely overcrowded. The Beaufort County School District needs money to manage its debt. And the county needs cash to cope with a projected deficit. (full story)
• Demolition of murder, arson site in Bluffton may be getting closer
  Since New Year's Day 2006, the half-burned home has been a grisly reminder of a gruesome shotgun slaying and the cause of nightmares for some children in the Baywood subdivision in Bluffton. (full story)
• Work progresses on building new schools in Beaufort County
  The Beaufort County Board of Education is advancing with planning a new auditorium in Beaufort and an elementary school and two early learning centers in the Bluffton area. (full story)
• Expect lane closures today at Squire Pope intersection
  US 278, Squire Pope prepare for work (full story)