(Hilton Head) Island Packet week in review

USC’s board of trustees now full with two new members

The University of South Carolina’s board of trustees is complete again after the General Assembly elected two new members last week, filling seats vacant since 2022. Richard Bonnoitt, of Florence, and Frederick “Schipp” Johnston, of Murrells Inlet, were elected to represent the 4th and 15th Judicial Circuits, respectively. Bonnoitt, a 1979 USC graduate and former owner of Pee Dee Environmental, said his focus as trustee would be keeping tuition affordable and aligning graduates with South Carolina’s workforce needs. Johnston, a 1986 graduate and president of Southern Crown Partners, a beverage distributor employing roughly 1,000 people across South Carolina and Georgia, said his top priority would be enrolling more in-state students at the university. Both men have been involved with Garnet Trust, USC’s official NIL collective supporting student-athletes.

Reported by Zak Koeske, published April 21

Time capsule saved as State newspaper site is razed

As demolition of the former State newspaper building on Shop Road in Columbia nears completion, developers from Landmark Properties handed over a time capsule and monument to the University of South Carolina’s journalism school during a groundbreaking ceremony April 20. The capsule, sealed in 1991, is not to be opened until 2041, marking the 150th anniversary of The State’s founding. Landmark Properties plans to build an 850-apartment, $120 million student complex called “The Walk” on the 23-acre site, expected to open in 2027. USC journalism dean Tom Reichert highlighted the deep historical ties between the university and the paper, noting that a former State editor-in-chief became the J-school’s first dean over a century ago. Several former State journalists attended the ceremony, reflecting on decades of reporting produced from the building before it was abandoned in 2020.

Reported by John Monk, published April 21

Bluffton wastewater geyser spills 100,000 gallons

A corroding sewer pipe near the intersection of Burnt Church Road and Ann Smith Drive in Bluffton ruptured April 18 morning, sending an estimated 100,000 gallons of wastewater into a nearby forested area. The 16-inch diameter pipe gave way around 11 a.m., creating a hole roughly the size of a baseball and a geyser that shot 12 to 15 feet into the air, according to Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority spokesperson Jeff La Rue. Officials say the spill pooled in the low-lying area and did not reach any local waterways, limiting environmental impact. Crews shut off flow to the pipe, replaced the failed section, and used vacuum trucks to clean up the spillage. As of April 20, workers were spreading lime powder to reduce odor, kill bacteria, and break down residual waste. BJWSA coordinated with the S.C. Department of Environmental Services throughout the response.

Reported by Evan McKenna, published April 20

Beaufort county’s free EV charging station stirs debate

Beaufort County has unveiled a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station at the Robert Smalls Government Center on Ribaut Road, offering free public use and sparking intense community debate. The county’s Facebook announcement drew over 300 comments, with many residents questioning whether taxpayers should fund free vehicle charging. The Beam Electric Vehicle ARC unit was purchased for $96,000 using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds in 2023 and can deliver up to 265 electric miles of charge per day. Originally acquired to charge county vehicles and power a mobile command center during emergencies, the station has not yet been needed for that purpose, prompting Fleet Services to open it to the public. Fleet Services Director Todd Davis said the station delivers renewable charging at no cost to residents and maximizes the county’s investment.

Reported by Karl Puckett, published April 20

Court overturns Alligator Alcatraz shutdown ruling

A federal appeals court has overturned a Miami judge’s order that briefly required Florida to begin shutting down the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility in the Everglades. The Eleventh Circuit’s split ruling found that District Judge Kathleen Williams overstepped by ordering the shutdown, saying environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe failed to prove federal control over the site. The majority noted Florida has not been reimbursed any of the more than $600 million spent on the facility, undermining claims of federal involvement. A dissenting judge argued the site is clearly under federal control, warning the ruling sets a dangerous precedent. The case returns to the lower court, and operations at the facility continue.

Reported by Churchill Ndonwie, Claire Heddles, published April 21

Two earthquakes shake South Carolina within hours

Two earthquakes struck South Carolina within roughly 90 minutes of each other on April 21. A 2.3 magnitude quake hit near Winnsboro in Fairfield County at 5:18 a.m., recorded about 3.5 miles beneath the surface. A second quake, measuring 1.7 magnitude, followed at 6:44 a.m. in the Gayle Mill area of Chester County, about 30 miles north of Winnsboro. No injuries or major damage were reported. South Carolina has seen 35 confirmed earthquakes in 2025, up from 30 in 2024 and 28 in 2023. At least 183 earthquakes have been detected in the state since 2022, with most occurring in the Midlands region. The strongest quake ever recorded in South Carolina was a 7.3 magnitude event in Charleston in 1886, which killed 60 people and was felt across more than 2.5 million square miles.

Reported by Noah Feit, published April 21

This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 1:20 PM with the headline "(Hilton Head) Island Packet week in review."