festivals and other community happenings in Beaufort check out our Lowcountry Calendar of Events If you have an open-to-the-public event you would like to announce 2nd Annual Gillison Branch Baptist Church Health Fair The 2nd annual Gillison Branch Baptist Church Health Fair will be held May 17 from 10 a.m The event will allow the public to meet with local health and safety leaders to discuss community health There will be food trucks available and many other events during the day Please join us for Storytime May 13 at 10:30 a.m at the temporary location of the Pratt Memorial Library The library is located at 112 Weathersbee Street and the event is for ages 2 to 5 Free diapers and wipes will also be available that day during library hours Vendors needed for Hardeeville's 4th Off Main event We're now accepting vendor applications for Hardeeville's 4th off Main Hampton County Recreation Department hosts Kids Summer Camp Lowcountry author holds book event in Yemassee Hamilton is hosting "Down Memory Lane," a lighthearted interactive presentation featuring her first book Papa Didn't Preach: Words of Wisdom for Daddy's Girls to 11 a.m.Yemassee Senior Center 4 Orell Street Yemassee and the timeless life lessons he taught made a difference in her life You can preview the book on Vasilisa's website Hampton County’s 83rd Annual Miss/Master Watermelon Festival Pageant Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInFORT WAYNE (WPTA) - The Fort Wayne Public Works Department shares that the Bluffton Road Bridge will briefly close this week Bluffton Road will be closed between Brooklyn Avenue and Broadway as crews conduct bridge structure replacement Department officials say the bridge is expected to reopen on Friday Drivers are encouraged to use the posted detour. For more information on the ongoing Bluffton Road Bridge construction, visit Bluffton Road Bridge | Engage Fort Wayne To be the first to get the latest breaking news alerts Download for both iPhone and Android devices can be found here We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at webmaster@wlio.com or call us at 419-228-8835 The Town of Bluffton celebrated Arbor Day by planting two Live Oak trees April 25 at Oscar Frazier Park Arbor Day is an annual event and has been celebrated worldwide for almost 150 years due to the vision of J Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland Morton made a suggestion to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of Trees Arbor Day began with the planting of nearly of nearly a million trees on April 10 in Nebraska before it spread across the country and globe with celebrations recognizing the day The two new trees planted at Oscar Frazier Park replace the ones that had to be removed due to disease "The town also celebrated its 15th year of being named a Tree City USA community," a town spokesperson said The town has received the Tree City USA designation since 2010 stating it plans to continue its efforts each year as it plants more trees throughout the community To be designated as a Tree City USA location cities and towns must maintain a tree board (Beautification Committee) pass a tree ordinance (tree protection laws) and spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry Bluffton Town Manager Stephen Steese said the designation keeps the community mindful of the importance of trees "Trees are a part of Bluffton's identity and they help define Bluffton's landscape and culture," Steese said "Arbor Day is a reminder to appreciate the quiet work they do every day from providing shade and shelter to supporting wildlife filtering water and enriching our air and views." The South Carolina Highway Patrol is seeking the public's help in locating two vehicles which the agency said were involved in an April 27 fatal hit and run in Beaufort County which is about five miles west of the City of Beaufort The incident involved two vehicles and a pedestrian The unknown vehicles had been traveling west on Okatie Highway and struck the pedestrian in the roadway was identified by the coroner's office as the pedestrian involved in the hit and run Frost died at the scene from blunt force injuries sustained in the incident Beaufort County Chief Deputy Coroner Shane Bowers said SCHP released further information April 29 about the vehicles being sought in connection with the fatal hit and run SCHP said the first suspect was driving a 2016-2018 Honda Civic and the color of the vehicle is not known The agency said the vehicle should have damage to the lower passenger side front and it was last seen traveling westbound on SC-170 towards Bluffton is an SUV which may have undercarriage damage The vehicle was last seen traveling westbound on SC-170 towards Bluffton Anyone with information on the identity of those responsible is asked to submit their anonymous tip by calling the South Carolina Highway Patrol at (843)953-6010 or 1-800-768-1501 2025) - MUSC Health leaders and physicians gathered with community leaders today at a shovel ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new medical office building in Bluffton that will bring medical specialties closer to home which will be known as the MUSC Health Bluffton Medical Pavilion will increase access to specialized care for those in the surrounding communities of Beaufort Jasper and Hampton counties.“We will provide access to the highest quality care that patients deserve and have grown to expect from MUSC over the years,” said David J collaborating with the local communities and expanding access to education research and patient care in a way that improves health outcomes and eliminates health disparities.” The three-story 54,000-square-foot medical office building will be located at 700 Buckwalter Towne Blvd Construction of this new facility will consolidate existing services in the Bluffton area into one location and provide new specialties for the community market share and demographic analyses and growth projections for nearby communities were considered The MUSC Health Bluffton Medical Pavilion is scheduled to open in spring 2026. For more information about this project, please visit MUSCHealth.org/BMP The larger of the two Christian institutions iced the plan to combine expense and the complexity of maintaining separate athletics programs Bluffton had no control over Findlay’s decision not to proceed with their joint merger application with their accreditor announced their planned merger in March 2024 we will look back at this moment in the history of higher education as one that required new approaches and bold actions,” Findlay’s Fell said then “I believe this merger will prove to be both.”  It’s the financially stronger one as well, with $238.2 million in assets and $84.7 million in total revenue in fiscal 2023, well over double what Bluffton reported on both counts Although both institutions posted operating deficits in fiscal 2023 Bluffton’s was larger even though it brought in less revenue Their original plan called for Findlay to maintain both of their campuses post-merger They would also maintain their athletic teams under their current NCAA divisions — Division II for Findlay regulations necessitate separate processes for athletic financial aid distribution and prohibit the sharing of resources and sports facilities resulting in fewer synergies in those areas than originally anticipated,” the university said Following Findlay’s decision to terminate the merger process Bluffton’s Hacker said that the university “continues to be financially stable and well-prepared for the future,” and that the termination would not detract from its mission Bluffton also noted that it will “continue to explore strategic partnerships that support the long-term goals of the institution and the students it serves.” Officials at both universities also maintained that the due diligence and preparation process was valuable and educational even though it wouldn’t result in a merger the process “resulted in an invaluable reflective process for both campuses through the examination of strengths and capacity to innovate and change within the evolving landscape of higher education.” The expense and complexity of merging higher education institutions are among the key challenges in making a combination work Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts could take on new importance as the traditional-age pipeline weakens Education Secretary Linda McMahon's decision to gut half the agency as its "final mission.” The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines Novant Health broke ground on Novant Health Bluffton Emergency Department and Novant Health Bluffton Health Place April 2 with several dignitaries and others in attendance Novant Health Bluffton Emergency Department and Novant Health Bluffton Health Place is a new healthcare hub designed to expand access to high-quality medical care in the growing Bluffton community The facilities are slated to open in Spring of 2026 The Novant Health Bluffton Emergency Department building is located off Buckwalter Parkway and the new facilities will provide residents with critical emergency and specialty healthcare services reinforcing Novant Health’s commitment to delivering remarkable care closer to home MD and emergency medical director of Hilton Head Medical Center said board-certified emergency care in Bluffton is essential for this growing community This facility will provide peace of mind to families ensuring they can receive expert emergency care at all hours when they need it most.” The new facility will allow for emergency and special care services to expand in the lowcountry The Novant Health Bluffton Emergency Department including a dedicated trauma room; on-site advanced diagnostics (CT scans lab testing); board-certified emergency medicine physicians as well as ambulance-ready capabilities for seamless hospital transfers located next to the Novant Health Bluffton Emergency Department will be a 40,000-square-foot medical office building gastroenterology (including an outpatient GI center) a multispecialty ambulatory service center and future expansion space to meet evolving community needs “This first Novant Health groundbreaking in South Carolina reaffirms our commitment to bringing world-class healthcare to Bluffton and the surrounding Lowcountry communities,” Jason Bernd Novant Health senior vice president and president of the South Carolina Region “We want residents to receive exceptional care right here at home This project is a key component of our broader The development will be constructed by Vannoy Contractors and will include ample on-site parking and improved traffic flow including a new traffic signal at Buckwalter Parkway and Parkside to enhance safety is in conjunction with the ongoing development of Novant Health Bluffton Medical Center a full-service 50-bed acute care hospital to be located less than half a mile from the new facilities South Carolina recently approved Novant Health’s Certificate of Need application for the hospital The projects will also be near the future Novant Health Buckwalter Medical Plaza an ambulatory surgery center specializing in orthopedics and featuring an imaging center and outpatient services wholistic vision to ensure residents have access to essential healthcare services without having to travel long distances,” said Joel Taylor “Not only will this bring specialty care and ambulatory services directly to Bluffton but it will also boost the local economy and create an estimated 1,000 valuable jobs in the community over five years.” and is a part of a four-state integrated network of physician clinics The network has more than 1,600 physicians and 29,000 employees at more than 640 locations Novant Health acquired East Cooper Medical Center in Charleston and Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville and 27 associated physician clinics in February of last year Novant Health has also expanded its care network with the acquisition of 52 Doctors Care and 20 Progressive Physical Therapy clinics and recently opened Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Beaufort​ 2025) – A Bluffton man who crashed his vehicle while intoxicated Gregorio Hernandez-Castillo pleaded guilty Tuesday in Beaufort County General Sessions Court to driving under the influence resulting in death who was not properly restrained in her child seat Hernandez-Castillo also pleaded guilty as indicted to child endangerment and driving under suspension “This defendant has a history of drunken and irresponsible driving,” said Deputy Solicitor Mary Jordan Lempesis of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office an infant has now paid with her life for Mr Hernandez-Castillo’s disregard for the law.” Hernandez-Castillo was the driver in a single-vehicle crash at about 11:25 p.m near the intersection of Bluffton Parkway and Buck Island Road Highway Patrol officers arrived to find Hernandez-Castillo’s gold Toyota Rav4 with heavy front-end damage in the median resting against a tree Guzman’s body was found in the road next to the vehicle and was unresponsive First-responders performed CPR and used an AED in attempt to save Guzman’s life was taken by ambulance to Savannah Memorial Hospital who identified himself at the scene with a Mexican passport claimed a deer ran out in front of the vehicle and that he lost control of the vehicle when he swerved to avoid it officers discovered the child seat was facing the wrong way and improperly strapped to the rear seat They also found a 16-ounce can of beer in the driver’s side cup holder Hernandez-Castillo confirmed he was the driver and that he was driving about 60 mph in a 45-mph speed zone He smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test He later was found to have a blood-alcohol content of 0.18 about an hour and a half after the crash Hernandez-Castillo’s criminal history includes convictions in South Carolina for driving under the influence and driving under suspension Circuit Court Judge Marvin Dukes handed down the sentence Lempesis is a deputy solicitor and has been a prosecutor at the 14th Solicitor’s Office since 2009 We will not spam you or share your information with others The Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office is the chief prosecuting agency for Allendale Covering 3,200 square-miles of South Carolina’s renowned Lowcountry we are the only five-county circuit in the state Copyright © 2024 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office The South Carolina Department of Public Health approved Novant Health’s Certificate of Need (CON) application to build a state-of-the-art Public Relations Manager for Novant in S.C "This milestone marks a significant step forward in Novant Health’s commitment to expand healthcare access and deliver comprehensive medical care to the rapidly growing Lowcountry region," Mello said "the new hospital will be a game-changer for the Lowcountry bringing much-needed specialty care to one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing areas." “Not only will Novant Health Bluffton Medical Center transform healthcare access but it will also drive significant economic growth in the region creating as many as 1,000 jobs in the Bluffton area over the next five years,” Taylor said said the approval of the certificate of need application reaffirmed Novant Health's commitment to bring world-class medical care closer to home “This hospital is a long-term investment in Bluffton and the surrounding communities to ensure families have access to high-quality care without having to travel great distances,” Bernd said The future Novant Health Bluffton Medical Center is designed to address the increasing healthcare demands of Beaufort and Jasper counties where many residents currently have to travel out of town for medical care Mello said the new facility was designed with growth in mind and will feature a new full-service hospital with the capability to expand to 100 beds as the community's needs grow will offer a wide range of medical specialties Novant Health also recently announced its plans to enhance outpatient care in Bluffton with a freestanding emergency department "Novant Health is dedicated to a holistic approach to improving community health supporting regional workforce housing initiatives and recruiting top healthcare talent," Mello said "An on-campus workforce housing development is underway adjacent to Hilton Head Medical Center and Novant Health donated $1 million to the Coastal Community Development Corporation to build more affordable housing in the region." Mello said permits from the Town of Bluffton are in progress for the hospital "Novant Health remains committed to working closely with community leaders physicians and stakeholders to ensure this project meets the evolving healthcare needs of the Lowcountry," he said A planned merger between the University of Findlay and Bluffton University that was in the works for a year is off after Findlay’s board voted against moving forward with the proposal You have /5 articles left.Sign up for a free account or log in A merger between the University of Findlay and Bluffton University was called off last week Photo illustration by Justin Morrison/Inside Higher Ed | Josh Smith | JJonahJackalope/Wikimedia Commons Almost a year after the University of Findlay and Bluffton University publicly shared plans to merge the larger and financially stronger of the two private religiously affiliated institutions in northwest Ohio Its Board of Trustees voted last week not to move forward with the plan according to a statement from the university “Some higher education organizations may find mergers the best path forward,” University of Findlay president Katherine Fell said in the statement announcing the decision due diligence in this case has demonstrated that partnering in key ways is a better solution.” Sticking points on the deal were college athletics and When the merger plan was initially announced both institutions intended to combine operations but maintain certain elements of their identities Findlay would remain affiliated with the Churches of God and Bluffton would stay with Mennonite Church U.S Athletics would also stay separate; Findlay planned to compete as the Oilers at the NCAA Division II level while Bluffton would continue in the NCAA’s Division III under the Beavers moniker which noted that regulations require a separate process for financial aid distribution “and prohibit the sharing of resources and sports facilities resulting in fewer synergies in those areas than originally anticipated.” The statement said that Findlay will continue to seek strategic partnerships Fell told Inside Higher Ed by email that “while Findlay is open to continuing these types of collaborations with Bluffton we extend that potential for collaboration to other higher education institutions that are looking for creative ways to engage and serve students A Bluffton spokesperson said by email that the two universities “do not have any type of formal partnership in the works at this time.” In their own statement on the deal being called off Bluffton officials noted that the due diligence process was beneficial in helping the university move forward even though the merger did not come to fruition despite a year of work “While the outcome of this vote was not within Bluffton University’s control, we remain confident, optimistic and steadfast in our commitment to the future of our institution,” Cheryl Hacker, chair of the Bluffton University Board of Trustees, said in a statement issued last week Though she acknowledged feeling “a moment of disappointment” in the failed merger Hacker added that Bluffton “continues to be financially stable The move to drop the merger was unexpected; a frequently asked questions page on Bluffton’s website said that the university was “shocked and disappointed by this change in direction.” The FAQ page also noted that “Bluffton University is not privy of [sic] the reasoning behind the decision.” As Bluffton moves forward in the aftermath of the aborted plan, it will do so without President Jane Wood: she resigned Wednesday the same day Findlay’s board voted down the merger Findlay is the stronger of the two institutions Its endowment was valued at $67.8 million in the latest publicly available audit operating with positive revenues generated during its last 10 fiscal years Bluffton’s endowment was valued at $29.3 million in the latest publicly available audit down from $37.6 million in the previous fiscal year It has operated at a loss in six of the last 10 fiscal years reporting a head count of 5,057 students in fall 2023 Bluffton officials have sought to dispel speculation that closure is imminent noting on the FAQ page that it has “a solid foundation and is well-prepared for future growth and success.” both institutions seemed fully on board with the merger In a FutureU podcast interview recorded in January and published last week the presidents of both universities appeared committed to moving forward but they noted various frustrations with the effort—particularly the glacial process which both leaders said they wanted to speed up “We believe in this merger,” Fell said at the time She noted in the podcast that the two universities were “already setting up shared services which are going to benefit us tremendously.” Fell wrote that the two universities “have collaborated to share guest speakers offer additional course options for students host events for our local communities and provide students with joint cross-cultural experiences.” At the same time the two institutions have “explored cost sharing of administrative services but have not yet implemented those.” Fell expressed impatience with the change of control required for a merger noting “frustrations embedded in the process,” which could take from 18 months to three years to complete limiting what the two institutions could achieve before approval She added the process “will certainly cost us a few hundred thousand [dollars]” but “we have had good fortune in having internal grants and funding sources” to aid with merger costs “There is reason for frustration—not blame,” Fell said on the podcast The proposed merger between Findlay and Bluffton isn’t the only partnership to fall apart in recent years—even in the state of Ohio Last year Notre Dame College, a private Catholic institution, announced it was closing after the strategic partnership it sought with the much larger public Cleveland State University never materialized Elsewhere, in 2023, Trocaire College scuttled its planned acquisition of nearby Medaille University, in Buffalo, N.Y., leading Medaille to announce its closure the very next week Some colleges have managed to survive independently after reversing course, including the Portland, Ore.-based National University of Natural Medicine and Seattle’s Bastyr University, which called off merger plans in late 2023 The Trump administration has thrown federal research funding into a state of flux The abrupt end of the private South Carolina institution follows a last-minute fundraising effort by the board that c When Republicans revealed the legislation last week new provisions requiring faculty to post syllabi and face “produ Learn high-impact ways to re-engage students drive enrollment and support your team’s well-being Subscribe for free to Inside Higher Ed’s newsletters opinion and great new careers in higher education — delivered to your inbox View Newsletters Copyright © 2025 Inside Higher Ed All rights reserved. | Website designed by nclud A new medical office building will soon be under construction in Bluffton after officials broke ground Feb 11 for the new location of MUSC Health Bluffton Medical Pavilion The new building will bring medical specialties closer to home and will increase access to specialized care for those in the surrounding communities of Beaufort “We will provide access to the highest quality care that patients deserve and have grown to expect from MUSC over the years,” David J Fellow of the American College of Surgeons research and patient care in a way that improves health outcomes and eliminates health disparities.” The MUSC Health Bluffton Medical Pavilion will be a three-story 54,000-square-foot medical office building It will be located at 700 Buckwalter Towne Blvd The pavilion is scheduled to open in spring 2026 Officials said construction of the new facility will consolidate existing services in the Bluffton area into one location and provide new specialties for the community The new services which will be provided at MUSC Health Bluffton Medical Pavilion include adult and pediatric primary care a Hollings Cancer Center satellite clinic which will include oncology and infusion services with supporting lab and compounding pharmacy The services will also include pediatric specialty and urgent care (after hours) New jobs will also accompany MUSC Health Bluffton Medical Pavilion as it will create 60 new jobs The increase in medical staff in the Bluffton area is a collaborative effort with MUSC Health and Beaufort Memorial Hospital The new facility is being constructed on a parcel of land adjacent to the planned Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Medical Campus that includes a freestanding Emergency Department and an ambulatory surgery center “MUSC Health is aligned with Beaufort Memorial Hospital on recruitment priorities to increase the medical staff in the Bluffton area,” Patrick J MUSC Health CEO and executive vice president for Health Affairs “We are committed to supporting Beaufort Memorial as the organization grows in Bluffton and to bringing medical specialties closer to home.” Those interested in learning more about the project can visit MUSCHealth.org/BMP Bluffton will be adding yet another option for those in need of healthcare as a groundbreaking ceremony will be held May 7 for the Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Hospital according to Beaufort Memorial Hospital officials to noon at the hospital's future location at 10 Innovation Drive on the corner of Buckwalter and Bluffton Parkway in Bluffton "Join us to celebrate breaking ground on the site of the future Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Hospital which was formerly known as Bluffton Community Medical Campus," a hospital spokesperson said There will be limited parking available on-site and there will be additional parking on-street and in neighboring public lots Those attending are also asked to wear flat closed-toe shoes as construction is active on the site The new location was made possible following the approval March 24 of Beaufort Memorial's Certificate of Need to add 28 inpatient beds to the planned medical campus in Bluffton has allowed the project to transition from the Bluffton Community Medical Campus to the Bluffton Community Hospital This marks the second groundbreaking planned for a medical facility in Bluffton as Novant Health recently held a ceremony for its Novant Health Bluffton Emergency Department and Novant Health Bluffton Health Place which is slated to open in Spring of 2026 The Novant Health Bluffton Emergency Department building is located off Buckwalter Parkway and the new facilities will provide residents with critical emergency and specialty healthcare services.Novant Health Bluffton Health Place The county coroner released the identity of a landscaper who died April 28 while working in a Bluffton neighborhood The man's golf cart slid into a pond and overturned BLUFFTON — The identity of a man who died in a Bluffton pond has been released by the Beaufort County Coroner's Office died shortly before noon April 28 while working in The Willows subdivision According to an incident report obtained from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office a witness stated he saw Patino driving a golf cart around a pond near Sagebrook Road while doing landscaping work slid into the pond and overturned onto Patino Crews from the Bluffton Township Fire Department pulled Patino from the water and attempted to resuscitate him The determination of the cause of his death is pending the completion of an autopsy report That determination is expected later this week News tips/online questions: newstips@postandcourier.com Delivery/subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: A Bluffton Township Fire District Chief who had served the district for over 30 years is under investigation following a meeting of the Bluffton Township Fire District Board of Commissioners following a closed session to address a personnel matter voted to replace Paul Boulware with Interim Fire Chief Derek Church as the investigation is currently underway Bluffton Township Fire District Public Information Officer Stephen Combs said Combs said the county attorney's office was conducting an internal investigation but was not able to provide any further details due to the active investigation the Board of Commissioners voted to recommend to Beaufort County Administrator Michael Moore that the current Deputy Chief of Administration be appointed as the Interim Fire Chief," Combs said the Board voted that the Chairman of the Bluffton Township Fire District Board contact Fire Chief Paul Boulware and request that he immediately return all Bluffton Township Fire District-owned property in his possession to the Bluffton Township Fire District." The Fire Board has seven members who serve for four-year terms and are appointed by the Beaufort County Council There is one board member which represents the five total county council districts that are within the protection area of the fire district This includes one member which represents the Town of Bluffton and one at-large member the fire board acts only as an advisory body and makes recommendations to the county administrator who has ultimate say on personnel actions," Combs said Boulware began his career with the Bluffton Township Fire District in January of 1991 as a volunteer and was hired in July of the same year "Bluffton Township Fire District remains committed to transparency and accountability while respecting the privacy of personnel matters and will not provide any additional information related to this matter pending the outcome of an investigation," Combs said A ten-year-old child died after the bicycle he was riding on was struck by a vehicle Feb according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office was notified of a death in the traffic accident that occurred at The Reserve at Woodbridge Apartments "Due to the child being a minor (10 year old) and out of respect for the family we will not be releasing the name of the decedent The SC Highway Patrol is the investigating agency," the Beaufort County Coroner's Office said in a news release approximately one and a half miles east of Beaufort Pebble Beach Cove is a neighborhood which is located between Buckwalter Place and U.S Butler said a truck had been traveling east on Pebble Beach Cove and the bicyclist had been traveling north on Pebble Beach Cove when the truck collided with the bicycle and another legally parked vehicle on Pebble Beach Cove who was identified as the child in the fatal bicycle accident one of which was organized by Melanie Marshall Peck and Christina Conley my great nephew Adam was out doing what kids do when he was involved in a tragic accident," Peck said in a Facebook post "There are no words for the depth of this heartbreak." The GoFundMe established by Peck and others is called 'Honoring Adam's Light: Support for His Family" and as of Tuesday afternoon it had raised $3,845 Another GoFundMe was also established by Tiffany Washington and is called 'Support Adam Meissner's Family in Their Grief" and the page had raised $26,869 as of Tuesday afternoon our community suffered an unimaginable loss," Washington said in the GoFundMe post a bright and spirited 4th grader at River Ridge Academy tragically passed away in a heartbreaking accident Adam was a shining light in the lives of all who knew him—smart His vibrant personality touched the hearts of his classmates leaving behind memories that will be cherished forever." Contributions to the GoFundMe pages will help cover funeral expenses provide financial relief during the difficult time and allow Meissner's parents the space to grieve without additional stress The River Ridge Academy PTO also posted on its Facebook page they recently provided lunch to the teachers and staff to show their support after the tragic news of a student's unexpected passing Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBLUFFTON (WPTA) - A crash in Bluffton Saturday has resulted in a gas leak near the Wabash River and a nearby road closure According to the Bluffton Police Department a vehicle left the roadway mid-morning near the intersection of North Main Street and East Division Road coming to a stop after striking a gas line The driver was reported to have minor injuries but the Bluffton Police Department says it is in the early stages of its investigation The department says a NIPSCO crew is responsible for accessing the gas leak and implementing a plan to repair the gas line crews will be on North Main Street between East Division Road and Water Street for upward of 36 hours but according to the Bluffton Police Department the gas line could cost upward of $250,000 to repair 2 after a shooting at a local bar and grill in Ridgeland and the incident remained under investigation Feb Jasper County Coroner Jeremiah Vaigneur said Feb The shooting is under investigation by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office "The Jasper County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that occurred at Tailgators in Ridgeland resulting in the death of one male victim," Jasper County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Christian Felt said Felt said the investigation is ongoing and there were no further details being released Thursday afternoon; however the sheriff's office would provide updates as more information becomes available The sheriff's office is asking that anyone with information about the incident contact Jasper County Dispatch at (843)726-7519 in Ridgeland and has been in operation for over ten years "We are heartbroken by the tragic incident that occurred in our parking lot last night resulting in the loss of a life," a Tailgators Bar and Grille online statement said their loved ones and all those affected by this tragedy We are working closely with the Jasper County Sheriff's Department as they conduct their investigation and remain committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement The safety and well-being of our patrons and community are our highest priority." Beaufort County Council suspends chairman of the Bluffton Township Fire District Rick Krob pending an investigation that has been referred to the S.C ST. HELENA ISLAND — Beaufort County Council suspended the chairman of Bluffton's fire department board pending an ongoing and secretive investigation county officials voted to suspend Rick Krob who led the governing body of the Bluffton Township Fire District Krob will be sidelined until the county probe is complete or Administrator Michael Moore hires a permanent fire chief — whichever occurs last Newly promoted County Attorney Brian Hulbert said he and Moore referred the matter to the State Ethics Commission Chairwoman Alice Howard nor Vice Chair Anna Maria Tabernik would disclose the contents of the investigation The county is waiting for the State Law Enforcement Division to decide whether to pursue a potential criminal case before closing its own query The county's focus on the fire district became public in February after ex-Chief Paul Boulware was directed to return all district property to the county attorney's office He and Krob attended the Monday meeting but left by the time council finished announcing the suspension Other members of the fire department spoke during public comment about their former boss "With not a lot of details being put out about this investigation his reputation has certainly taken a hit," said firefighter Carson Stone "It's tough when a guy that a lot of us respect a lot is having his reputation tarnished and is unable to defend himself because none of us know what the details are." Tabernik told reporters that not releasing information about the inquiry protected Boulware "I appreciate when the firefighter stood up and said 'We don't know and it's his reputation.' But there are things happening he doesn't know because it's under investigation and we don't want to besmirch his name either," she said Asked if the county has already hurt his standing There's no proof of anything yet," she said the county administrator hires the fire chief at the district Councilmembers appoint members of the board Krob has served on the board since September 2021 Boulware started as a volunteer firefighter in 1991 He was appointed chief by Greenway in December 2022 February 27, 2025 Bluffton University President Jane Wood has resigned | | | | | | (WTOC) - An abrupt change at the top for the Bluffton Township Fire District and a lot of unanswered questions about what’s going on the Bluffton Township Fire District Board of Commissioners said they voted to recommend the current Deputy Chief of Administration This is all pending an internal investigation into the chief for policy violations The Board also directed the Chairman of the Bluffton Township Fire District Board to contact Boulware instructing him to return all Bluffton Township Fire District-owned property in his possession But according to the December 17th minutes for the board: “Chief Boulware has asked to retire at the end of the month and be re-hired 30 days after as recommended in the resolution and permissible by the SC Retirement System Plan Documents.” The board accepted his retirement that night He officially retired on January 2nd and was expected to be re-hired 30 days later He is now listed as retired according to the fire district Beaufort County said this was regarding allegations of policy violations They said they learned of the allegations from the Administrator and County Attorney’s office The investigation is being conducted internally by the Deputy County Attorney The county said in a statement quote “This situation does not impact the outstanding commitment of BTFD firefighters to public safety and service.” Chief Boulware has been with the fire district for more than 30 years beginning as a volunteer and working his way up He was promoted to fire chief at the beginning of 2023 The board recommended the current Deputy Chief of Administration He will now be in charge of 175 personnel and says he is dedicated to providing continued outstanding service to the Bluffton area In a statement the Bluffton Township Fire District said they “remain committed to transparency and accountability while respecting the privacy of personnel matters.” See the entire Bluffton Township Fire District release below: WTOC reached out to Beaufort County Government officials for comment Beaufort County received allegations of Bluffton Township Fire District Policy violations through the Administrator and County Attorney’s Office The investigation is being conducted internally by Deputy County Attorney Brian Hulbert Derek Church has been officially appointed as the Interim Fire Chief of BTFD This situation does not impact the outstanding commitment of BTFD firefighters to public safety and service We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money The family of Steven Lee "Daisy" Day created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Made with love by funeralOne 2024 - Hampton County Sheriff's Office Deputy Kyle Richard Horton was on patrol along U.S He noticed a possibly suspicious vehicle bearing down on him punctuated by the sound of the police siren But the patrolman was not anticipating the life-threatening situation that awaited him Deputy Horton discovered that an elderly woman home from Beaufort Memorial Hospital when Mr Carter inadvertently pulled out his tracheostomy tube Carter had been rushing her husband to find aid at the Hampton Regional Medical Center emergency room when she encountered the cool-headed law enforcement officer Deputy Horton quickly assessed the situation and secured the trach tube back into place—an action later confirmed by a home health nurse as life-saving Deputy Horton's body-worn camera captured the moment in full those heroic actions were recognized as Deputy Horton was awarded the 2024 Medal of Valor by the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association This prestigious award is reserved for law enforcement officers who demonstrate extraordinary courage in the face of danger and selfless actions are a powerful reminder of the daily sacrifices made by our deputies to protect and serve our communities his department wrote to The Hampton County Guardian "I was just doing what I believe any of us would’ve done in that moment," said a humble Deputy Horton and I’m thankful I was in the right place at the right time to make a difference." Deputy Horton was proudly nominated for this award by H.C who recognized his heroic actions during the life-threatening emergency "Deputy Horton represents the very best of law enforcement—humble and always willing to put others first," said Sheriff Russell "His quick response and presence of mind undoubtedly saved a life that day Deputy Horton’s selfless actions exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement and his recognition with the Medal of Valor underscores the bravery and dedication of Hampton County’s deputies Deputy Horton was also presented with a resolution from the South Carolina State House formally commending his bravery and exemplary service Deputy Horton has served with the HCSO for two years and currently works as a patrol deputy He is widely respected among his peers for his calm presence and sincere dedication to protecting the people of Hampton County your entire HCSO family is incredibly proud of you," Russell posted on his official HCSO Facebook page following the awards ceremony "Thank you for being a true embodiment of honor "It was an honor for Sheriff Russell and HCSO to stand beside Deputy Kyle Horton today as he was formally recognized with the Medal of Valor and the memorial resolution," the post reads "A special thank you goes out to the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette for her powerful and inspiring remarks We are also deeply grateful to the South Carolina State Senators who joined in honoring Deputy Horton’s courageous service." Sheriff Russell would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ms Carter for bringing this remarkable act of courage to his attention and for her continued support of Deputy Horton and the men and women of the HCSO Katherine Fell announced today that the proposed merger with Bluffton University is off In an email sent to the campus community she said the UF Board of Trustees voted not to proceed with the merger terminating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the universities dated March 19 “While University of Findlay has reached the decision not to pursue a merger we remain committed to the spirit of collaboration that initiated this work Some higher education organizations may find mergers as the best solution; for us partnering in key ways and restructuring internal processes is a better path forward I am particularly grateful for all those who contributed their talents and countless hours to Transition Team and Work Group responsibilities Their excellent efforts on behalf of the proposed merger demonstrate the tenacity of our campus to problem-solve and innovate for current and future students.” The announcement comes one day after the news that Bluffton University President Dr An email went out to BU staff Wednesday afternoon announcing Wood’s resignation Alex Sider is now the acting president of Bluffton University Before Bluffton she served as the vice president of academic affairs and dean at Mount Marty College in South Dakota The BU website states her previous background included professional positions at Westminster College in Pennsylvania; Park University and University of Missouri and master’s degree in English literature from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Missouri.” Her LinkedIn profile now lists her as a retired educator Sider was vice president and dean of academic affairs as well as a religion professor at Bluffton Side has been a part of the BU community since 2006 A statement from Bluffton says Sider has played many roles during his time there including: “The Harry and Jean Yoder Scholar in Bible and Theology Director of University Assessment Programs and most recently Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean an MTS from The Divinity School at Duke University The website for the merger was inactive this afternoon as well The Pulse will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available Email requests to jayson.geiser@findlay.edu