News Flash

New construction continues to be strong in Beaufort

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Jan. 19, 2021) – Despite facing headwinds from the Covid-19 pandemic, new construction in the City of Beaufort continued at a strong pace in 2020.

The City issued 66 permits for single-family homes in 2020, and 7 permits for comme...

City offices to close Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Day

BEAUFORT, S.C.  (Jan. 14, 2021) – City of Beaufort offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18, in honor of Martin Luther King Day. 

WastePro will conduct its trash/recycling pickups on Monday. The City will reopen for normal busi...

City’s financial statements comply with all standards, auditors say

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Jan. 13, 2020) – The City of Beaufort’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report was presented to City Council at its Work Session on Jan. 12.

The Annual Financial Report is a look at the City’s finances during it...

Sponsors invited to apply for next phase of art bench project

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Jan. 12, 2020) – The Beaufort Cultural Arts District is seeking sponsors for Phase II of its Bench Project, an artistic celebration of the Beaufort area’s history, culture and arts.

The project launched in 2019. In early...

How Beaufort Memorial Hospital will manage distribution of vaccines for those 70+

Jan. 12, 2021

The City of Beaufort is sharing an email from Beaufort Memorial Hospital that is being sent to community partners to detail procedures for Covid vaccines for those who are Phase 1a-eligible. The hospital has asked us to share this with &n...

Beaufort names project manager to partner with Dominion

BEAUFORT, S.C. – The City of Beaufort has named Neal Pugliese its senior project coordinator to partner with Dominion Energy as Dominion continues its current tree-pruning rotation in the City.

Pugliese, a retired U.S. Marines colonel, is also th...

Online public comments during City Council meetings will shift to Zoom

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Jan. 11, 2020) – Beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 12, the public can comment during City Council meetings via Zoom or through a call-in number. Both work sessions and regular meetings will continue to be livestreamed on the City&rs...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort week of Jan. 11

BEAUFORT, S.C. -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in several ways: 

• Emailing comments before the meetings (details on ag...

City meets with Dominion to address concerns

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Jan. 8, 2020) – Officials from the City of Beaufort met again with officials from Dominion Energy via a a Zoom conference call today (Jan. 8)  to address residents’ concerns as the utility company continues its...

City seeks 2 people to serve on Elections Commission

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Jan. 7, 2021) – The City of Beaufort has openings for two people to serve on its Elections Commission. 

The Elections Commission meets twice a year; terms last for six years. Commission members work with the Beaufort Coun...

Filing packet for Special Election for City Council seat

Beaufort, S.C. (Jan. 5, 2020) -- Filing has opened for candidates interested in running in a Special Election on March 2 to fill the unexpired City Council term of Stephen Murray, who is the new mayor of Beaufort.

The deadline to file is at noon on&nbs...

BJWSA update on 2021 projects in City of Beaufort

Dec. 30, 2020

Update from BJWSA to residents of Beaufort:

Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) has several capital improvement projects located in the City of Beaufort where the public may see workers in the near future.  

For the past ...

City manager recovering from cardiac bypass surgery

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 30, 2020) – Beaufort City Manager Bill Prokop underwent cardiac bypass surgery at the MUSC Health University Medical Center on Dec. 29. He is recovering in the hospital and, once discharged, is expected to recover at home fo...

Beaufort Law Enforcement Center named after Chief Clancy

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 22, 2020) –  The City of Beaufort’s Police Department is now housed in the Matthew J. Clancy Law Enforcement Center.

The building was named in honor of Beaufort’s former chief, Matthew Clancy, who...

City offices close Dec. 23-25, Jan. 1 for the holidays

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 22, 2020) – City offices in Beaufort will be closed on Dec. 23-25 in honor of the Christmas holidays, and on Jan. 1 in honor of New Year’s Day.

We wish all of our residents, our visitors, and our businesses a happy ...

FAQ from Dominion on tree-trimming process

BEAUFORT, S.C. – Dominion Energy is currently trimming tree branches, and removing trees when necessary, that impede transmission and distribution power lines on streets throughout the City of Beaufort. We’ve been sharing their planned...

City Council to hold Special Meeting on Dec. 22

BEAUFORT, S.C. – Beaufort City Council will hold a Special Meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, in the lobby of the Beaufort Police Department building, 1901 Boundary Street. It will be livestreamed on the City’s Facebook page. The age...

Special election to fill council seat will be on March 2

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 18, 2020) – A Special Election to fill the unexpired City Council term of Stephen Murray, who is the new mayor of Beaufort, will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. That term will go through November 2022.

The Beaufort County ...

City seeks Southside Park Task Force members

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 18, 2020) – The City of Beaufort is seeking people interested in participating in a Southside Park Task Force. The task force will provide input to City Council and City staff about potential improvements to the 34-acre park...

Beaufort Preservation Manual to be updated

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 17, 2020) – The Beaufort Preservation Manual, the Beaufort Preservation Manual Supplement, and the Northwest Quadrant Design Principles – the essential encyclopedias for construction and renovation in Beaufort&...

Whitehall subdivision plan moves forward

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 17, 2020) –  At its Dec. 14 meeting, the Metropolitan Planning Commission approved the Whitehall Development Group’s subdivision sketch plan for a mixed-use development next to Whitehall Park on Lady&r...

Murray takes the reins in Beaufort

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 16, 2020) – Stephen Murray, the new mayor of the City of Beaufort, never planned to be in politics. But in 2009, the small business entrepreneur and his wife, Melissa, moved back from the Tampa area to his hometown of Beaufo...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort week of Dec. 14

BEAUFORT, S.C. -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on each agenda)
• Callin...

Murray sworn in as mayor of Beaufort; Lipsitz, Mitchell sworn in to Council

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 10, 2020) – New city officials were sworn into office at the Beaufort City Council meeting on Dec. 8. Municipal Judge Ned Tupper gave the oath of office to new Mayor Stephen Murray, and new Councilmembers Neil Lipsitz and Ha...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort week of Dec. 7

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 7, 2020) -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on eac...

Trees to be planted at 2 City parks Friday in honor of Arbor Day

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 3, 2020) – In honor of Arbor Day, which is observed throughout South Carolina on the first Friday in December, the City of Beaufort and its Public Works Department along with the Pigeon Point Beautification Committe...

New mayor, councilmembers to be sworn in on Dec. 8

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 2, 2020) – Stephen Murray will be sworn in as mayor of the City of Beaufort at City Council’s Regular Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8. New Councilmembers Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell will also be sworn in by Municipal Judge Ned Tupper.

T...

How the Reconstruction Era Park came to Beaufort

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Nov. 30, 2020) – The story of Beaufort’s Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is told in fits and starts.

In 2000, then Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt hoped to establish a historical park in honor of the ...

Mayor Billy embarks on next chapter

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Nov. 30, 2020) – In a few days, Billy Keyserling will relinquish his title of mayor – one he has held for 12 years -- and return to civilian life. But he won’t be retiring to a quiet life.

Far from it. Keyserli...

BMH presentation on Covid-19 to City Council

At City Council Work Session on Nov. 24, Russell Baxley, Beaufort Memorial Hospital president and CEO, and his top medical team made a presentation on Covid-19. The slides look at the hospital's current status and data from the onset of Covid in ...

Holiday activities: What’s coming up in the City of Beaufort

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Nov. 23, 2020) – The holidays are fast approaching, and so are the many safe and fun activities that the City of Beaufort will be sponsoring or helping to organize.

Note: Because we want to ensure our residents’ and visi...

City offices to close at 2 p.m. Wednesday for Thanksgiving

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Nov. 23, 2020) – In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, City of Beaufort offices will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving.

WastePro will not conduct it...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort week of Nov. 23

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Nov. 23, 2020) -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on ea...

Henry C. Chambers’ memorial expected soon at park

BEAUFORT, S.C. – In December, Henry C. Chambers is expected to get his due as a wall at the Henry C. Chambers Park is emblazoned with his name. 

Over the years, the 7-acre park has become known simply as Waterfront Park. But when it open...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Nov. 16-20

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Nov.  16, 2020_ - All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (deta...

How to make your holiday safer!

The City of Beaufort Police Department has a number of suggestions to help ensure your holidays are as safe as possible. Remember, wear a mask while in stores, and maintain social distancing.

When traveling and in parking lots 

• Be extra attentive w...

Beaufort to close offices on Veterans Day

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Nov. 11, 2020) – City of Beaufort offices will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day. 

WastePro will conduct its normal Wednesday trash and recycling pickups that day. 

The Beaufort Regional Ch...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Nov. 9-13

BEAUFORT, S.C. -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on each agenda)
• Callin...

Interim Chief McDorman selected as Beaufort police chief

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Nov. 5, 2020)  – Dale McDorman has been named police chief of the City of Beaufort, City Manager Bill Prokop announced today.

McDorman, who was appointed interim chief after the death of Matthew Clancy in July, has been w...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Nov. 2-6

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Nov. 2, 2020) -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on eac...

Police chief search narrows to top 3

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 28, 2020) – The City of Beaufort has narrowed its search for police chief to three top candidates. The new chief will lead a department of 44 officers and four civilian staffers, succeeding Chief Matthew J. Clancy, who passe...

Fire Department awarded grant from Firehouse Subs Foundation

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 26, 2020) – The City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department has received a $38,000 grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The grant will be used to purchase a LifePak 15 cardiac monitor with a built-...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Oct. 26-30

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 26, 2020)  -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (det...

Beaufort narrows search for police chief

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 22, 2020)  – The City of Beaufort is going through a multi-step process to choose its next police chief for its department of 44 officers and four civilian staffers. 

Police Chief Matthew J. Clancy passed aw...

City, Historic Beaufort Foundation raising money for Woods Bridge designation

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 22, 2020) – Hoping to ensure the future of the iconic Woods Memorial Bridge, the City of Beaufort and the Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF) are working together to raise funds to achieve the bridge’s listing on th...

Time to enter our virtual Halloween contests!

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 21, 2020) (updated on Oct. 26) – “Halloween Reimagined” is underway in the City of Beaufort, complete with virtual costume and pumpkin-carving contests and drive-through trick-or-treating. It’s ...

South Coast Cyber Center is making progress

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 20, 2020) – Beaufort’s South Coast Cyber Center is making progress on a number of fronts, according to Chairman and Executive Director Col. Warren Parker, USMC (Retired).

Launched earlier this year as a 501 (c) (3),...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Oct. 19-23

BEAUFORT, S.C. -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on each agenda)
• Callin...

City Council passes mask extension, stormwater, panhandling ordinances

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 14, 2020) – Beaufort City Council passed an extension of its mask/face covering emergency ordinance at its Regular Meeting on Oct. 13. Masks will be required until Dec. 11 in buildings that can be accessed by the public, inc...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Oct. 12-16

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 12, 2020) -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on ea...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Oct. 5-9

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Oct. 5, 2020) -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on eac...

Police Department earns state re-accreditation

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 25, 2020) – The City of Beaufort Police Department received earlier this week its Certificate of Re-Accreditation from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation (SCLEA) program. This certificate is presented to agenc...

$166K in ATAX grants go to tourism groups

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 24, 2020) – At its Sept. 22 Regular Meeting, City Council voted to accept the FY 2021 ATAX grant recommendations from the Tourism Development Advisory Committee (TDAC).

The grants are generated by the State Accommodations Ta...

Council approves 2020-2022 Strategic Plan

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 23, 2020) – City Council approved the City of Beaufort’s 2020-2022 Strategic Plan at its Regular Meeting on Sept. 22.

The Strategic Plan, which sets out a roadmap for objectives over the next two years, was discuss...

City Council to consider stormwater, panhandling, camping, ice cream truck ordinances

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 21, 2020) – Beaufort City Council will hold first readings of several significant ordinances at its meeting on Sept. 22. They include:

Stormwater Protection: Ordinance would ban dumping of chemicals, paints, solvents, yard d...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Sept. 21-25

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 21, 2020) -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on e...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Sept. 14-18

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 14, 2020) -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on e...

Beaufort Police Department enhances accountability with data reports

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 11, 2020)  – The City of Beaufort Police Department has made a number of enhancements to its website to ensure more transparency and accountability with the public, as well to make it easier to request services.

&am...

A video tribute to Sept. 11

Today we take a moment to remember how our nation was forever changed on Sept. 11, 2001. We pay tribute to those heroes who saved so many lives, and we mourn with the families who lost their loved ones. We were united as a country in the days and weeks fo...

Police Department invests in BolaWrap as a tool to take people into custody

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 10, 2020) – The Beaufort Police Department has invested in the BolaWrap, a tool that makes taking people into custody safer for both officers and those they are arresting. The BolaWrap is a hand-held remote restraint device...

Beaufort extends mask ordinance through Nov. 1

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 9, 2020) – Beaufort City Council approved an extension of the City’s mask ordinance through Nov. 1 at council’s Sept. 8 meeting. The ordinance was set to expire on Sept. 15. Beaufort joins the Town of Bl...

Call for local Hospitality Tax appropriation proposals

Fire Department awarded $200,729 federal training grant

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 9, 2020) – The City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department has been awarded a $200,749 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to enhance firefighters’ training. This grant requires a 10% match from...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Sept. 7-11

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 7, 2020) -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (details on ea...

Join Beaufort County Census Day on Sept. 9!

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 2, 2020) – Have you been counted?

Beaufort County Census Day is Wednesday, Sept. 9, and the City of Beaufort is joining local governments throughout the county to urge everyone who has not yet been counted to step up on Sept...

Start with First Friday and enjoy downtown Beaufort over Labor Day weekend

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 1, 2020) – Looking for something fun to do this Labor Day weekend?Why not head to downtown Beaufort, where merchants and restaurant owners have gone many extra steps to ensure that customers have an enjoyable – an...

City offices closed on Labor Day; no trash or recycling services that day

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Sept. 1, 2020) – City of Beaufort offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in honor of Labor Day.WastePro, the City’s solid waste and recycling vendor, will not be providing trash pickup and recycling services on Labo...

Waterfront Park playground now open!

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 28, 2020) – It’s official! The new playground at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park is now open for kids (and their parents!).

A ribbon-cutting was held this morning to unveil the Beaufort-themed park, which includes...

Segment of Spanish Moss Trail to close on Aug. 31

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 26, 2020) – The Spanish Moss Trail between Rogers Drive and Broome Lane will close on Aug. 31 to pedestrians and cyclists as construction begins on that phase of the Mossy Oaks Stormwater Drainage Project. Detour signs have ...

Political/election signs: What’s allowed in the City of Beaufort

BEAUFORT, S.C. – As we enter election season, the City of Beaufort has some reminders about what is allowed in terms of political/election signs.

• Political signs do not require permits to be posted.
• Signs can be posted within 60 days of an electio...

Meet the candidates for mayor, City Council

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 20, 2020) – Two candidates have filed to run for mayor of the City of Beaufort, and six candidates have filed to run for two open City Council seats. Neither Mayor Billy Keyserling nor Councilwoman Nan Sutton is running for ...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Aug. 17-21

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 17, 2020)  -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

• Emailing comments
• Signing into Zoom (det...

Public meetings in City of Beaufort Aug. 10-14

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 10, 2020) -- All meetings will be conducted via Zoom and streamed live on the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityBeaufortSC/). The public can participate in four ways:

Emailing comments

Signing into Zoom (details on ea...

Publix scheduled to open at Beaufort Plaza in the fall of 2021

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 6, 2020) – In a big step forward for the City of Beaufort’s Boundary Street Corridor Improvement Plan, a 48,387-square-foot Publix will be coming to Beaufort Plaza in the fall of 2021.

“We’re hap...

City offices to close part day on Friday

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 6, 2020) – Offices at the City of Beaufort will be closed to the public from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, so that staff can attend funeral services for Police Chief Matthew Clancy, who passed away on July 29.

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Details on Chief Clancy’s funeral services

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Aug. 5, 2020) – A public service to honor Beaufort Police Chief Matthew Clancy, who passed away on July 29, will be held at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7. The service will be held on the stage at t...