15 Years of Local News for your information
BOO WEEKLEY WINS THE VERIZON HERITAGE GOLF TOURNAMENT FOR THE 2ND YEAR IN A ROW
The 2008 Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament began (4/17/08) at Harbour Town Golf Links.. The Leaders after Round 1, at -5, were Justin Leonard (a previous winner), Davis Love III (a previous winner) and Lucas Glover.
The Golf Channel broadcast Rounds 1 & 2 on Thursday and Friday from 3-6pm and 8:30-11:30pm. CBS broadcast the weekend action.
After the 2nd Day, the Leader was Lucas Glover, a Clemson, SC graduate with a -10. 2nd was last years winner Boo Weekly and Anthony Kim was 3rd with a -8.
At the end of Round 3 on Saturday, the leaders were Boo Weekley at -15, Anthony Kim at -12 and Aaron Baddeley at -10.
After the final Round on Sunday, Boo Weekley had successfully defended his title from last year. Boo ended up -15. Aaron Baddeley and Anthony Kim tied for 2nd place at -12. Jim Furyk finished 4th at -11, Cliff Kresge 5th at -10 and Jason Bohn was 6th at -9.
The hardest hole for the Tournament was #14, a par 3 and the easiest hole was #5, a par 5.
BEACH RENOURISHMENT COMPLETED
The Town of Hilton Head Island's BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROJECT began on 9/11/06 along a section of Port Royal Sound. The $16 million project replenished the sand on about 6 miles of beach. The project has been completed and should last for 7-9 years.
US 278 WIDENING IS FINISHED IN BLUFFTON
Work on the busy highway, US 278, the only road to Hilton Head Island, began on May 23, 2005 (planning stages) with actual construction beginning near the end of June AND IS NOW FINISHED. 4 1/2 miles of 278 were widened from 4 lanes to 6 lanes. 278 has become 6 lanes (3 each way) from Simmonsville Road to the west to just past the Moss Creek entrance to the east. The 3 lanes heading east merge into 2 lanes at the Fording Island Road Extension to cross the bridges to Hilton Head Island. The project ends about 1500 feet west of the Simmonsville Road intersection. The 3 westbound lanes merge into 2 lanes heading to Exit 8 at I-95 in Hardeeville.
NO AREA MILITARY BASES WILL BE CLOSED
None of the area Military bases were included on the last list of recommended closures released by the Department of Defense. The area includes Beaufort and Savannah.
2007 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SCHEDULE
Fireworks were seen at 3 Island locations on the 4th of
July:
Shelter Cove at Palmetto Dunes - 9PM
Sea Pines at Harbourtown - 9PM
Skull Creek at Hudson's - 9:30PM.
BOO WEEKLEY WINS THE 2007 VERIZON HERITAGE
The annual Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament began Thursday, 4/12/07 at the Harbour Town Golf Links. Play was postponed Sunday due to high winds and the Tournament ended on Monday 4/16/07.
Round 1: Leader Jerry Kelly -8.
Round 2: Leader Ernie Els -12.
Round 3: Leader Jerry Kelly -13.
Round 4: Winner Boo Weekley -14, 2nd Ernie Els -13, 3rd Stephen
Leaney -12, 4th (tie) Kevin Na and Vaughn Taylor -10. Jerry
Kelly ended up at -7 and last Weeks Masters Winner Zach Johnson
finished at -9.
MAYOR TOM PEEPLES REELECTED
11/07/05 - Mayor Tom Peeples was reelected to a 5-year term as Mayor of Hilton Head Island. Peeples received 74.6% of the vote compared to challenger Jim Campbell who received 25.3% of the vote. Also elected to 5-year terms were Councilmen Bill Mottel, John Safay and George Williams.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND AIRPORT REOPENED
The Hilton Head Island Airport was closed to all flights from midnight September 7 until midnight September 25, 2005. Runway repairs, upgrades and improvements were made during the 18 day closure.
2005 MCI HERITAGE
The PGA Tour event, the MCI Heritage, was held at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island April 14-17, 2005. The winner was Australian Peter Lonard who finished at -7. Darren Clark who at one point Sunday was -14 finished tied for 2nd with a -5. Others tied for 2nd were 5 time Heritage Champion Davis Love III, Billy Andrade and Jim Furyk.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER IS NOW
OPERATION.
A permanent FAA Tower became operational April 1,
2004. The tower is operational from 7am until 11pm 7 days a week. A 400 foot
extension of the main runway is in the works despite a lot of local opposition.
The plans have not yet been finalized.
HARBOUR TOWN HAS BEEN SOLD !!
The
partnership Group that owns Harbour Town, or at least most of it, put it's
assets on the market last summer. The commercial properties have been split
into groups, and bids on the groups were due by October 1, 2003. The famous red
and white stripped Harbour Town Lighthouse is included in the sale. The
partnership Group purchased the assets in 1988.
THE MALL IN SHELTER COVE HAS BEEN
SOLD!!
The Mall has been purchased by Petrie Ventures Inc. of
Annapolis, MD. They plan to update the interior of the shopping center with a
"more festive atmosphere" and bring in "new, vibrant retailers and
restaurants."
THE ANNUAL MCI HERITAGE PGA TOURNAMENT WAS HELD
THE WEEK OF APRIL 14 2004 ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND.
Stuart
Cink defeated Ted Purdy on the 5th playoff hole. Cink began the day 9 strokes
behind setting a PGA Tournament record for PGA events played in the US.
RESULTS OF ELECTION DAY
11/04/03
Town Council - Ward 1 - Incumbent Bill Ferguson defeated
John Ingram.
Town Council - Ward 3 - Drew Laughlin defeated Peter
Zych
Town Council - Ward 6 - Ken Heitzke had no opposition.
Bill
Ferguson and Drew Laughlin were sworn in Tuesday 12/2/03. Ken Heitzke was sworn
in on 12/16 and was elected Mayor Pro Tem by the other Council members.
The referendum concerning a $15M bond for land purchases by the Town of
Hilton Head passed by 85%.
PSD WINNERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PSD No.1
District 1 - Dot Law
PSD No.1 District 2 - Jack Burke
PSD No.1 District 3
- Frank Durand & John Geisler
PSD No.1 District 4 - Patrick T. Gilmore,
Gary Kratz, Bob Manne
The PSD winners were sworn in on 11/25/03.
HILTON HEAD HIGH SCHOOL LADY SEAHAWKS WIN SOUTH
CAROLINA STATE GOLF CROWN
On Monday, 10/27/03, the Lady Seahawks
won the State Class 4-A High School Golf Championship held at Lancaster Golf
Club, a par 73 course. Two team members also won all-state honors by finishing
in the Top 10 in individual competition.
The team, coached by Brad
Tufts, consisted of Richia Wedzik (78), Brittany Dabule (78), Richelle Wedzik
(81), Suzanne Neil (84) and Erica Lezcano whose score did not count.
ISLAND SUFFERS COMPLETE POWER
OUTAGE
The Santee-Cooper power substation in the Bluffton area
exploded before 7:30am Tuesday (8/26/03) causing a complete power outage on
Hilton Head Island. Palmetto Electric restored power to most parts of the
Island by noon. The entire Island had power by 2PM.
Island schools were
closed because of the power outage and most Island Businesses were not open
until noon or later. Schools in the Bluffton area operated normally and were
not effected by the power outage.
ISLAND HAS NEW FIRE STATION
The
newest Fire Station on Hilton Head Island opened Saturday July 26, 2003. The
11,000 sq. ft. building has three bays. It is located near the Cross Island
Parkway at 1001 Marshland Road.
DAVIS LOVE III WINS THE 2003 MCI
HERITAGE !
Davis Love III chipped in for a birdie on #18 of the
Harbour Town Golf Links to force a playoff with Woody Austin. Both were -13 for
the Tournament.
Both bogeyed #18, the 1st playoff hole. Both parred #16, the 2nd playoff hole. On #17, the 3rd playoff hole, Austin was to the right of the green. Love was in the sand trap on the left side of the green. Love had a bogey 4. Austin, with a chance to win missed his putt and both bogeyed #17.
On #18, the 4th playoff hole, both were on in 2 but Love had the advantage. Austin missed his birdie putt. Still outside Love, Austin made his par putt. Love, putting for birdie, holed the putt for his 5th Heritage victory.
2003 ISLAND ST. PATRICK'S PARADE A GREAT
SUCCESS
Over 20,000 Island Visitor's & Resident's lined Pope
Avenue to watch the bigger & better 2003 Island St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The final tally revealed a total of 120 entries including 9 bands and 28 floats
participated in the Parade. As usual, the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales
pulling the famous beer wagon were a main attraction. Was the beer wagon just a
little bit smaller than the one seen in past years?
CHARLES E. FRASER KILLED IN BOAT
ACCIDENT
Charles E. Fraser, 73, died on a chartered sightseeing
boat near the Turks and Caicos Islands Sunday, 12/15/02, from an apparent
explosion of the boat's bilge pump. The official cause of death was drowning.
All others aboard the boat, including Mary Fraser, Charles' wife, survived the
accident.
Charles Fraser was the prime developer of Sea Pines Plantation
here on Hilton Head Island and was an internationally known community
developer.
A Memorial Service and burial was held at Harbour Town in
Sea Pines.
LOCAL NOVEMBER 2002 ELECTION
RESULTS
1. P. J. Tanner (R) reelected Beaufort County
Sheriff.
2. Bill Herbkersman (R) wins the newly created District 118 seat in
the State House of Representatives.
3. Laura Bush (R) will return to the
Beaufort County Board of Education to represent District 4 for the next four
years.
4. 1% tax referendun for roads goes down to defeat.
5. Sunday
liquor sales for unincorporated Bluffton area passes.
OLD GLORY FLIES OVER THE SEA
PINES CIRCLE!
During a patriotic ceremony on 9/11/02, a 18x24 foot American
Flag was hoisted to the top of a new 65 foot flagpole located in the center of
the Sea Pines Circle.
The work to make the Sea Pines Circle more user
friendly was completed early this Summer and the center area of the circle was
landscaped for the permanent Memorial.
Many people on the Island think
the Island Christmas Tree should be located at this location in the future as
it used to be in the past.
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY HELD
TUESDAY
One local election for a spot on the Beaufort County
Council and numerous SC State elections were held Tuesday 6/25/02. The
Republican winners are as follows:
Local Results: Beaufort County Council District 2:
*Starletta Hairston 54%: Alan Herd 46%
State Results: SC Governor:
*Mark Sanford 60%Bob Peeler 40%
State Results: SC Lt. Governor:
Andre
Bauer 51%David Thomas 49%
State
Results: Secretary of State:
Mark Hammond
55% Ed McMullen 45%
State Results:
Attorney General:
Henry McMaster
56%Larry Richter 44%
ISLAND TEMPERATURE BREAKS 100!
On
Sunday, June 2, 2002, the temperature on Hilton Head Island reached
102°, breaking the 100° barrier for the
first time in 2002. It won't be the last.
SC PICK-THREE LOTTERY PLUS SCRATCH-OFF CARDS ARE AVAILABLE AT 18 PLACES ON THE ISLAND
HILTON HEAD ISLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SOCCER
TEAMS WIN 2 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE TITLES
May 2002. The Hilton Head
Island Christian Academy Girl's Soccer Team won their 3rd straight SC State
Championship. The Boy's Soccer Team also won the State Championship on the same
day, their 1st since 1994.
SC LOTTERY BEGINS
The SC Lottery
began Monday morning (1/7/02) with scratch-off cards. Picking numbers probably
won't begin until May. There are currently 18 places on the Island to buy
Lottery tickets, and 3 in the Bluffton area.
SPECIAL ELECTION
A special
election was held 12/4/01 on Hilton Head Island. Voters voted 72% for Joe
Wilson to fill the seat of the late Floyd Spence (R-SC). Also on the ballot was
a referendum vote on creating a new TIF district on the Island. The vote was
close, but the YES won 52 to 48%.
MAYOR TOM PEEPLES WINS REELECTION
11/6/01
There were 4 candidates for Mayor. The results are as
follows:
Incumbent Mayor Tom Peeples: 56.46%
Joan Bryan:
4.61%
Miguel Castillo: 38.5%
Philip Annexstein: 0.3%
There are 6 Wards on the Island. Seats in Wards 2, 4 and 5 were filled in Tuesdays election. Seats in Wards 1, 3 and 6 are up for election in 2003. The Town has a system of staggered terms for council members.
Ward 2 incumbent Bill Mottel won with 60.22% of the vote. Challanger
Jacqueline Houck had 39.55%.
Ward 4 incumbent Steve DeSimone lost to
John Safay 57.93% to 41.19%.
Ward 5 incumbent George Williams defeated
Challanger Albert Gnesin 70.07% to 29.54%.
Mayor Tom Peeples was running for his 3rd term as Mayor. In 1997, he was the first Mayor to win a 2nd term in the Town's 18 year history. He has served for 6 years.
THOUSANDS ATTEND "HILTON HEAD HONORS AMERICA"
HELD 10/3/01 AT SHELTER COVE HARBOUR.
Wednesday night, an
estimated 10,000 people converged on Shelter Cove Harbour for the
"Hilton Head Honors America Program." Unfortunately the planners had estimated
about 2000 people would attend so it was standing room only for thousands of
people. Cars were parked in every space and along both sides of all the streets
from the Shoppes on the Parkway to the Cracker Barrel.
The Program was
scheduled from 7:30 to 9:30 with the ending Fireworks Display scheduled to
begin about 9:15pm. The program ran about an hour overtime and the Fireworks
began at 10:20pm. However, the Fireworks display was the best ever seen on
Hilton Head Island.
The major problem of the evening was the poor sound
system. Thousands of people who packed every inch of Shelter Cove from the
right side of the stage back to the Kingfisher Restaurant essentially had no
sound whatsoever because no speakers were pointed in that direction, so they
could not hear the performers on the stage. Long before the end of the Program,
most of them had gone home.
The people who were able to hear the
ceremonies had a wonderful time and participated enthusiastically in the
Ceremonies and Program. All monies raised are to be sent to a Fire Station in
Brooklyn. One of the original purposes for the Program was to raise money to
put a permanent Flagpole in the Sea Pines Circle as a reminder of September 11,
2001, but it was announced that the Sea Pines project has already been fully
funded.
SC SUPREME COURT RULING ON SEA PINES DEER HERD
IS FINAL
The SC Supreme Court ruled Monday, 7/23/01, that 200
Deer can be killed in Sea Pines Plantation. The Sea Pines Association for the
Protection of Wildlife filed for a rehearing, but the SC Supreme Court has
refused the rehear the case. Both Sea Pines Plantation and Hilton Head
Plantation asked the State for permission to kill 200 deer and permission has
been granted. Culling of the deer herd can now begin anytime.
THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND DIXIE YOUTH MINOR
ALL-STARS DEFEATED THE ALABAMA ALL-STARS SATURDAY NIGHT, 8/18/01, TO WIN THE
2001 DIXIE YOUTH MINOR WORLD SERIES!!!
U.S. REP. FLOYD SPENCE DIED THURSDAY
8/16/01.
U.S. Rep. Floyd Spence, R-SC, died in a Mississippi
Hospital following complications from brain surgery performed a week before.
Spence, 73, was serving his 16th term in Congress. Govenor Jim Hodges will
order a special election to replace Spence.
PLANE CRASHES ON PALMETTO DUNES GOLF
COURSE
A few minutes before 8:00am Wednesday morning, August 1,
2001, a twin engine turboprop crashed on the 13th Fairway of the Arthur Hills
Golf Course in Leamington, Palmetto Dunes. The pilot was killed instantly and
was the only person aboard. The plane had departed Savannah, GA and was on
final approach for the Hilton Head Island Airport. Witnesses report that the
plane was in a left turn when it suddenly banked sharply to the right and
crashed upside down. There was no explosion, but a fire began soon after the
crash and lasted about 20 minutes.
The Arthur Hills golf course was closed for scheduled aeration. There were no other injuries reported and no damage to homes along the fairway. The back-nine holes of the course were closed for several days. Play resumed on the front-nine holes Thursday morning. Aviation officials arrived on-scene Wednesday afternoon. All debris was removed Friday afternoon.
SC SUPREME COURT RULES THAT THE SEA PINES DEER
HERD CAN BE CULLED
Over 200 Deer currently in Sea Pines may not
be around come September. The SC Supreme Court ruled Monday, 7/23/01, that 200
Deer can be killed in Sea Pines Plantation. This effectively ends a 3-year
legal battle between the Sea Pines Association for the Protection of Wildlife
and the Sea Pines Property Owners. It took the Supreme Court over 13 months to
rule on the case.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND BUDGET
PASSED
A $46.5 million budget for 2002 was passed by the Hilton
Head Island Town Council. The budget includes $22 million for general operating
expenses, $19 million for public improvement and $6 million in debt
payments.
ROUTE 46 FROM BLUFFTON TO SC 170 IS NOW
OPEN.
Since 11/15/00, Motorists have not be able to drive West on
Route 46 between Bluffton and Route 170. The SC Department of Transportation
has rebuilt the bridges across Stoney Creek and Rose Dhu Creek. Route 46
officially opened to through traffic Thursday, May 17, 2001. Motorists have
been detouring via Route 278 West and Route 170 South.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WINS 3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN
MAY, 2001
Hilton Head Christian Academy has won the South
Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (SCISAA) Class 2-A Men's High
School State Golf Championship by 8 shots. The 36-hole 2 day tournament was
played at Fripp Island's Ocean Point course. Kenny Conroy, Head Pro at the
Jones Course in Palmetto Dunes, is the Coach. Freshman Chip Wedgeworth shot 76
- 76 to lead the Eagles and earned him a place on the SCISSA all-state team.
Hilton Head Christian Academy has won the South Carolina Independent
School Athletic Association (SCISAA) Class 2-A Men's High School State Tennis
Championship. This is the 3rd straight state championship for the Eagles,
coached by Rob Reichel.
The Lady Eagles defeated Beaufort Academy 2-1 on
5/19/01 to win the SCISAA 2-A State Soccer Championship. This is the 5th State
Championship for HHCA in the 2000-2001 school year. It was announced that HHCA
will begin Junior Varsity Football in 2001 and Varsity Football in 2002.
THE HYATT IS NOW THE MARRIOTT
The
Island's oldest oceanfront resort hotel has changed names from the previous
Hyatt Regency Hilton Head Resort to the Hilton Head Marriott Beach and Golf
Resort (February, 2001). A $20 million renovation is scheduled to be finished
by the spring of 2002. The hotel, located in Palmetto Dunes Resort, will remain
open during the renovations. The hotel is the highest building on the Island.
2000 CENSUS
Beaufort County is
the fastest growing County in South Carolina, and the Bluffton area is the
fastest growing area in the County.
JOSE COCERES WINS THE 2001 WORLD COM CLASSIC - THE HERITAGE OF GOLF IN A PLAYOFF!
2 ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMS WIN SOUTH
CAROLINA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The boys basketball team of the
Hilton Head Christian Academy defeated Pee Dee Academy 47-41 at Sumpter
Saturday 3/3/01 to win the S.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association's
Class 2-A championship. It is the schools first SCISAA championship. The State
Champion Eagles ended the season with a 20-7 record.
The girls
basketball team of the Hilton Head Preparatory School defeated Dorchester
Academy 50-47 at Sumpter Saturday 3/3/01 to win their second consecutive SCISAA
Class 3-A championship. The State Champion Lady Dolphins ended the season with
a 27-2 record.
TUESDAY 2/13/01 SPECIAL ELECTION
RESULTS
George Williams Jr. defeated Ralph Dupps, Jr. for the
Island Ward 5 Town Council seat left vacant when Earl Mallick resigned. Voter
turnout was approximately 35%.
Peter Lamb defeated Wayne Yarbrough in
the Republican Primary for the District 4 Seat on Beaufort County Council.
Voter turnout was less than 10%.
BLUFFTON HOLDS ELECTIONS ON
12/5/00.
On Tuesday, 12/5/00, Bluffton residents elected Hank
Johnson Mayor, Oscar Frazier and Emmett McCracken to 4 year terms on Town
Council and Lucille Mitchell and Theo Washington to 2 year terms on Town
Council.
LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS
11/07/00
SC STATE: Voters approved a State Lottery.
US
CONGRESS District 2: Floyd Spence (R) defeated Jane Frederick (D). This will be
his 16th term in Congress.
SC HOUSE DISTRICT 121: Walter Lloyd (D) ran
unopposed.
SC HOUSE DISTRICT 122: R. Thayer Rivers IV (D) defeated Duane
Swygert (R).
SC HOUSE DISTRICT 123: JoAnne Gilham (R) ran unopposed.
SC
HOUSE DISTRICT 124: Edie Rodgers (R) defeated Fred Kuhn (D).
SC SENATE:
Scott Richardson (R) ran unopposed.
BEAUFORT COUNTY CORONER: Curt Copeland
(R) ran unopposed.
SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4: Al Stern defeated Laura
Bush.
CLERK OF COURT: Elizabeth Smith defeated Sally Calhoun.
CAR TAX
ISSUE 1 - Approved.
CAR TAX ISSUE 2 - Approved.
COUNTY LAND BUYING -
Approved.
HILTON HEAD LAND BUYING - Approved.
NEW TARGET STORE NOW OPEN IN
BLUFFTON
Sunday (10/8/00) was the Grand Opening of the new Target
Store in Bluffton. The 126,000 square foot facility sold over $320,000 of
merchandise during the Grand Opening.
SINK HOLE ON ROUTE 278 - THE WILLIAM HILTON
PARKWAY - IS FIXED!
Due to a large sinkhole on the William Hilton
Parkway between the Hilton Head Resort and the Cracker Barrel Restaurant, a
section of Highway 278 was closed from 9/14/00 to 9/22/00 from the Cracker
Barrel to Folly Field Road. All access on and off the island was routed via the
Cross Island Parkway, with all toll fees waived.
BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOLS IN SESSION
13 Beaufort County schools began Tuesday 8/15/00. On Hilton Head
Island and the Bluffton area, the following schools began classes: Hilton Head
Elementary, Michael C. Riley Elementary, Hilton Head Middle, H. E. McCracken
and Hilton Head High School. School starts at 7:45am for middle and high
schools while elementary schools begin at 8:45am. The starting times are 15
minutes later than last year.
ELECTION DAY RESULTS 6/13/00
JoAnne
Gilham will return to the SC General Assembly as the representative from
District 123 as she defeated fellow Republican Hank Noble. No Democrats or
Independents are running for the seat in the November elections. Gilham won by
an unofficial 60-40% estimate. Elizabeth Smith won the Republican primary for
the Beaufort County Clerk of Court.
WALMART SUPER STORE NOW OPEN
The
new Walmart Super Store officially opened 05/17/00. It is located just west of
Sun City Hilton Head on 278. The store has over 140,000 sq. ft. of retail
space.
HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY STATE
CHAMPIONS
May, 2000. The Hilton Head Christian Academy boys
tennis team won the S.C. Independent School Athletic Association (SCISAA) Class
2-A state championship . This is the 2nd state championship in a row for the
team which was 12-3 for the year and undefeated in Region 4-AA.
MARY PIERCE WINS THE 2000 FAMILY CIRCLE TENNIS
TOURNAMENT
Mary Pierce defeated Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (6-1,
6-0).
This was the 28th year of the Family Circle, and 26 of the
previous 28 tournaments have been played at Sea Pines. However, it was
officially announced Thursday, 3/2/00, this will be the last year that the
Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament will be played on Hilton Head Island.
The Tournament will move to Charleston next year.
SATURDAY 3/18/00 ELECTION DAY
RESULT
Beaufort County Voters approved a $199 million dollar
school-building bond issue. 68% were in favor of the referendum. Voting turnout
was light as only 12% of the county's 62,654 registered voters cast their
ballots.
HILTON HEAD PREP GIRLS ARE STATE BASKETBALL
CHAMPIONS
3/4/00 - The Lady Dolphins basketball team defeated
Dorchester Academy 57-47 in Sumter, SC, to win the S.C. Independent School
Athletic Association Class 3-A state basketball championship. The Lady Dolphins
finished the season (28-2). In 4 meetings this season, the Lady Dolphins have
defeated Dorchester Academy three times.
ISLANDERS UPSET WITH AOL
It used
to be easy to get on America On Line from Hilton Head Island which has only 1
access number ( 341-3003 ). For the past month, all most customers get is a
constant busy signal. Obviously customer demand has overwhelmed the 1 local
phone number. AOL has since added a second number. There are 4 local major
Internet Service Providers ( ISP's ) which provide an excellent alternative to
AOL. They are Adelphia Cable, Digitel Services, Hargray Telephone Company and
TelSouth ( formerly RHS Net ). Also, Savannah has 4 AOL numbers that cost 6
cents a minute.
BUSH WINS SC PRIMARY
2/19/00 -
After 2 weeks of intense campaigning by Govenor George W. Bush of Texas,
Senator John McCain of Arizona and Alan Keyes, South Carolina voters headed to
the polls Saturday. George W. Bush defeated John McCain by 11%. Alan Keyes was
a distant 3rd.
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN ON THE
ISLAND
Republican Presidental Candidate , Senator John McCain,
campaigned at a Community Oyster Roast held at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saturday
night ( 1/22/00). Around 300 people were anticipated to attend. Instead, over
1500 people attended.
SCOTT RICHARDSON WINS
ELECTION
Tuesday, 1/18, was the special election to fill the
state Senate seat vacated by Holly Cork. The three candidates were: Betty
Steele Aaron, Democrat; Warren Eilertson, Libertarian; and Scott Richardson,
Republican. Scott Richardson won over 70% of the votes cast, but voter turnout
was estimated at less than 15% of the eligible voters. Richardson has been
sworn in and will hold office until November of this year when the entire state
General Assembly is up for election.
FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH ON THE ISLAND
Former President George Bush was at the Westin Resort Saturday
1/15/00 campaigning for his son, Texas Governor George W. Bush. The community
reception began at 5:30pm and was attended by over 1,000 people.
SEA PINES DEER KILL DELAYED
AGAIN
The SC Department of Natural Resources on 1/11/00 approved,
for the 4th time, a plan to kill 200 deer in Sea Pines Plantation between then
and 3/1/00. And, for the 4th time, the Sea Pines Association for the Protection
of Wildlife filed for an injunction to prevent the killing. The hearing was
held Friday morning and the S. C. Court of Appeals applied a 30-day injunction
against killing any of the deer. However, apparently some deer were killed
before the injunction was issued. Stay tuned.
HILTON HEAD HIGH SCHOOL ASSIGNED TO NEW
REGION
For the past 2 years, Hilton Head High School has been a
part of SC Region 6-AAAA, with 12 High Schools represented. Beginning this
Fall, Hilton Head High School will be assigned to a new Region which will
consist of Hilton Head High School along with Battery Creek, Beaufort, Fort
Dorchester, Summerville and Walterboro. 48 SC High Schools will participate in
Class-4A activities composed of 8 6-team Regions beginning this Fall.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND INTERNET OFFERS FIRST ISLAND
NAME FREE E-MAIL SERVICE
Jan 4, 2000. Hilton Head Island.com has
activated the first FREE E-mail Service for the Island. Now, all Islanders, and
anyone else, can have their E-mail Address be: yourname@hiltonheadisland.com.
Not only is it a great E-mail name, but the E-mail Box can be accessed from
anywhere in the World that has access to the Internet. And, the service is
FREE. This means a person can now have an E-mail Address where they can send
and receive E-mails even if they don't have a computer. The person just needs
to be able to access the Internet and go to www.hiltonheadisland.com at the
Public Library, a friend or relative's house, a hotel, a motel, an Internet
Cafe, etc. All Residents, Students and Friends of the Island are urged to
Sign-up for the FREE E-mail now so they can get the E-mail name that they want.
Any interested party can Sign-up by clicking HERE.
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
The Hilton
Head Island Hospitality Association had a community celebration last Saturday
1/1/00 beginning at 3pm at Shelter Cove. The event was capped off with a
massive fireworks display about 6pm. Also WINTER CARNIVAL
00' began and runs through the end of February.
ANNUAL RENAISSANCE RETREAT ENDS
The Annual Renasissance Weekend began last Tuesday night at the
Hyatt Regency Oceanfront Hotel and ended Saturday, January 1, 2000. President
and Mrs. Clinton have attended the event the past 15 years in a row, but did
not attend this year. Reports say that approximately 1,600 signed up for the
event this year setting a new record. Attendance was by invitation
only.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND & BLUFFTON ANNUAL BIRD
COUNT HELD SATURDAY, 12/18/99.
More than 150 people on the Island
and in Bluffton participated in the 100th National Audubon Society Christmas
Bird Count. Preliminary results reveal a lower count than previous years, but
still within the realm of normal.
AARON & RICHARDSON WIN SPECIAL ELECTION
TUESDAY 11/30/99
Tuesdays special election decided who the
candidates will be for the SC Senate seat being vacated by Holly Cork (R).
Democratic candidate Betty Steele Aaron from Lady's Island defeated Don Hinton,
a Hilton Head Island Homebuilder. Republican candidate Scott Richardson, a
Hilton Head Island Real Estate Investor defeated Frank Gibson, a Hilton Head
Island Insurance Executive. Voter turnout was 15%. The winners plus Warren
Eilertson, an unopposed Liberterian, will run in the January 18, 2000 Election
for the District 46 State Senate Seat.
11/2/99 ELECTION DAY LOCAL
RESULTS
3 Town Council Seats were up for election last Tuesday.
All incumbents were returned to office. Bill Ferguson won his 4th term in Ward
1, Jim Carlin won his 4th term in Ward 3 and Ken Heitzke won his 2nd term in
Ward 6. All will serve 4 year terms.
On the Beaufort County level,
Weston Newton won the District 3 County Council seat, while Pam Edwards won the
District 2 School Board seat.
Bluffton residents voted to adopt the
"council-manager" form of local government and to elect future town council
members to staggered terms. The Town of Hilton Head Island already has the
"council-manager" form of government.
LADY DOLPHINS WIN STATE TENNIS
CHAMPIONSHIP
The Hilton Head Preparatory School girls tennis team
won the South Carolina Indepedent Athletic Association Class 3-A tennis
championship on Wednesday, 10/27/99, defeating Porter-Gaud. The Lady Dolphins
have won the State Championship 3 of the past 4 years.
BEAUFORT COUNTY RAISES PROPERTY
TAXES
Beaufort County Council raised property taxes 10.7% by a
9-0 vote on Monday, 10/11/99. Under the new tax rate, taxes for a $100,000
owner occupied home would increase about $64. The increase is necessary to help
fund a county budget of nearly $60 million and the school district budget of
nearly $94 million.
HURRICANE IRENE PASSES BY THE ISLAND
HILTON HEAD HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS WIN DISTRICT GOLF
TITLE
The girl's golf team finished with a team total of 373
Monday, 10/11, to win their first Region 6-AAAA title since moving from 3-A to
4-A last year. The tournament was played at the Country Club of Beaufort.
Beaufort High School finished 2nd and Battery Creek High School was 3rd. The
Hilton Head High School girls ended up 7th after the State Tournament in
Columbia on 10/25.
OVER 30,000 HILTON HEAD ISLANDERS ARE NOW A
PART OF THE LARGEST EVACUATION IN UNITED STATES HISTORY BECAUSE OF HURRICANE
FLOYD. HERE IS THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
1. On Monday, 9/13/99, Hurricane Floyd was a Category
4 Hurricane, and the Weather Forecasters said that Florida, Georgia and South
Carolina were going to be hammered by a Category 4 Hurricane.
2. Based
on that information, the Governors of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina
issued Mandatory Evacuation Orders. As a result, close to 3 Million people
ended up on many of the same highways trying to escape from the fury of a
Category 4 Hurricane. The Mandatory Evacuation Order for Hilton Head Island was
issued the morning of Tuesday, September 14, 1999.
3. On Hilton Head Island, over 95% of
Island Residents DID heed the Mandatory Evacuation Order, not because of the
order, but because Hurricane Floyd was a Category 4 Hurricane and it appeared
that it was going to come very close to the Island. The Island has had 2
Mandatory Evacuation Orders in the recent past. In July, 1996, a Mandatory
Evacuation Order was issued for Hurricane Bertha. Most authorities admitted
later that the order was a mistake because there never was a report that Bertha
would strike Hilton Head Island. In September of 1996, another Mandatory
Evacuation Order was issued for Hurricane Fran. Fran also bypassed the Island,
but at least there were reports that Fran may strike the Island. Both of these
Hurricanes were Category 1 or 2, but neither was of the magnitude of a Category
4 Hurricane. And, neither Hurricane caused any substantial damage on the
Island.
4. We lucked out again this time because there was NO major
damage to Hilton Head Island and the beaches because of Hurricane Floyd. There
were some power & phone outages, but most damage caused here was from
falling and uprooted trees. Unfortunately, our neighbors in North Carolina
Beach Communities have suffered SEVERE flooding and related damage.
6. Hurricane Floyd passed the Island between 9-10 PM on Wednesday, 9/15/99.
There were Gail Force winds, but NO Storm Surge which caused any damage. The
Evacuation Order was rescinded as of 8 AM, Thursday, 9/16/99. Most Island
Residents had returned by Friday evening.
7. All Island Businesses
& Schools were back to normal schedules on Monday, 9/20/99.
PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING ON WILLIAM HILTON
PARKWAY
A single engine Cessna airplane tied up traffic for hours
Friday afternoon (9/3/99) after the pilot made an emergency landing on the
northbound lanes of the William Hilton Parkway (Rt. 278) at The Shoppes On The
Parkway just outside Palmetto Dunes Resort. The pilot was uninjured, and the
plane suffered only damage to its landing gear. The pilot, flying alone, stated
he was planning to land at the Hilton Head Airport for fuel when his engine
stopped at about 2500 feet. He landed just after noon. The plane was eventually
towed up 278 to Dillon Road and then to the airport.
GOOD NEWS FOR MOTORISTS
The American
Automobile Association (AAA) is opening its 9th South Carolina office in
Bluffton. The office is scheduled to be open by the end of September and will
be located in the Village at Sheridan Park. Officials said the location was
chosen to most effectively serve members in Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head
Island and Sun City Hilton Head.
SCHOOLS BEGAN CLASSES TUESDAY 9/7/99 ON THE ISLAND & BEAUFORT COUNTY
19TH ANNUAL CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT HELD
9/3-9/5
The 3-day Celebrity Golf Tournament began Friday at the Golf
Club on Indigo Run. The annual tournament combines amatuer golfers with
celebrities, is free and open to the public and benefits children's charities
in Beaufort County. Saturday, the action was on the Robert Cupp Course in
Palmetto Hall, and Sundays final round was at the Harbour Town Golf Links in
Sea Pines. All 3 days got underway with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Over 38
celebrities from sports, television, music, film and comedy
participated.
HARGRAY WITHDRAWS TOWER REQUEST
The
Digital Cell Phone Tower Hargray Wireless had hoped to erect in Hilton Head
Plantation will not occur. The Plantation Property Owners have been very vocal
at Town Meetings in their opposition to the proposed tower. Hargray has
withdrawn the request and will seek to find another tower site on the Island.
AIRPORT GETTING NEW LIGHTS
The
entire lighting system at Hilton Head Island Airport is being replaced and
upgraded. The project should be completed by the end of August.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND DIXIE YOUTH MAJOR ALL-STARS WIN WORLD SERIES !!
There was a Community Welcome Home Celebration Sunday afternoon at Crossings Park beginning at 2:45 PM. Food & Music provided. The Team flew from Dallas to Jacksonville, FL Sunday morning.
STATE OFFICIALS ISSUE PERMIT
The
State Department of Natural Resources has issued a permit to kill about 100
deer in Sea Pines Plantation between 9/15/99 - 1/1/00. The Sea Pines
Association for the Protection of Wildlife appealed and on 9/3/99, a 3-judge
panel of the State Court of Appeals upheld the appeal and sent the case back to
the lower courts..
HILTONHEADISLAND.COM SETS NEW RECORD DURING
JULY !!
An average of 40,063
people a DAY visited the Island Web Site during
July 1999, setting a new daily record. During the first 7 months of 1999,
7,604,137 people have visited the Web
Site.
ISLAND SWELTERED UNDER HEAT WAVE
Sunday, August 1, 1999, the high on Hilton Head Island was 105.6. The Heat
Index was over 120. This was the hottest day of the year. The Heat Index was
110 degrees or over for 9 straight days.
ANNUAL TUESDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS ARE
BACK
The always popular Summer Fireworks are back. They are held
every Tuesday evening in Shelter Cove, and can be seen for miles around. They
end the week before Labor Day.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND HAS NEW WATER
SOURCE.
The Island fresh water source has been from the Floridan
Aquifer. Hilton Head No. 1 and the Broad Creek Public Service Districts began
using a mixture of Aquifer and Savannah River water on Tuesday (7/6/99). The
South Island Public Service District will be using water from the Cretaceous
Aquifer.
RAIN & THUNDERSTORMS CAUSE FLOODING IN LOW
COUNTRY
We are drying out. The Island was bombarded with continuous
Rain & Thunderstorms for over 56 hours on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday (
6/27-6/29/99) causing flooding in low lying areas. The National Weather Service
estimates the Island received some 23" of rain during the 56 hour period. Our
neighbor Savannah, GA had severe flooding from the Savannah River.
OUTDOOR BURNING WILL BE REGULATED ON THE
ISLAND.
The Town of Hilton Head Island has formulated regulations
for controlled outdoor burning on the Island. A permanent ban has been
rejected.
CHARLES FRASER TO BE HONORED.
The
State of South Carolina has approved naming the Cross Island Bridge over Broad
Creek for Charles Frazer. The sign is now present.
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS BROADCASTS NEGATIVE STORY
ABOUT THE ISLAND.
An NBC Nightly News Story on Tuesday 6/15/99
informed the Nation about an Island situation concerning possible solutions to
curbing crime in Hilton Head Gardens, a subsidized housing area. According to
Town Officials, residents of Hilton Head Gardens appeared at a May 17th Town
Budget workshop requesting help in controling crime in the midisland
complex. Two possibilities had been mentioned: an identification card for
residents, and a possible curfew. The curfew idea was rejected by the Town
Staff on June 10th, and identification cards would only be issued if the
residents agreed to that idea. The NBC presentation gave the impression to
some that the Island required an identification card, and that the Island
has a curfew. Neither is correct. Our 1st e-mail on the report arrived
about 7:15PM after the broadcast.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE HELD AT THE SHELTER COVE
GAZEBO.
Hundreds of people turned out Monday morning at
Shelter Cove Harbour to participate in the 6th Annual Memorial Day Observance
on Hilton Head Island. The event was sponsored by the Hilton Head Island
Council of the Navy League of the United States. After a Proclamation by Mayor
Tom Peeples, and a medly of patriotic songs by the Hilton Head Island
Barbershop Harmony Singers, U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) gave the Keynote
Address.
NEW WATER SOURCE FOR BLUFFTON AREA.
Water began flowing into the greater Bluffton area from the Savannah River
during the last week of May, 1999. The new water source will arrive on the
Island prior to the end of June.
CRAZY CRAB NORTH RESTAURANT REOPENED ON
5/17/99.
The Crazy Crab burned to the ground during February, 1998.
The new, and larger, Restaurant has been rebuilt at the same location on the
North end of the Island.
HUGE BRUSH FIRE IN PALMETTO HALL.
What was probably the largest brush fire in modern Hilton Head Island history occurred during the afternoon on Monday, 4/19/99, in Palmetto Hall Plantation. The fire occurred along both sides of the #5 hole on the Arthur Hills Golf Course. It began along the left side of #5 from a fire in the back yard of a home just outside of Palmetto Hall. The owner who was burning debris in his backyard has been charged. The fire then jumped across the #5 fairway, due to high winds, to the right side of the #5 fairway and the right side of hole #6. There was no damage to homes, and no personal injuries. The fire was controlled approximately 4 hours after it began by the Hilton Head Island Fire Department, with help from a Marine Helicopter from the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station which dumped water above the burning areas.
Glen Day wins his 1st PGA Golf Tournament in his 1st Playoff !!
Glen Day (-10) sunk a long birdie putt on #18 to win the playoff against Payne Stewart and Jeff Sluman who were tied at -10. Chris Perry finished 4th at -9 after getting a bogey at #18 and missing the playoff.
FAMILY CIRCLE TENNIS TOURNAMENT 1999
SUDAY SCHEDULE:
Sunday 12
noon:
Martina Hingus defeated Anna Kournikova
ISLANDER'S BEACH PARK OPENED THE LAST SATURDAY IN MARCH, 1999, ON FOLLY FIELD ROAD. THE NEW BEACH PARK IS DESIGNED FOR ISLAND RESIDENTS ONLY, AND ALL PARKING THERE WILL BE RESERVED FOR ISLAND RESIDENT'S. ALL CARS NEED THE ANNUAL BEACH STICKER, AVAILABLE AT TOWN HALL FOR $15, TO PARK THERE. THERE WILL BE NO PARKING METERS.
MANY ROAD PROJECTS ARE SCHEDULED DURING 1999 ON THE ISLAND. THREE OTHER AREAS OF MAJOR INTEREST ARE EXTENDING THE INTERSECTION FOR LEFT TURNS AT NEW ORLEANS ROAD AND POPE AVENUE AND DOING THE SAME AT CORDILLO PARKWAY AND POPE AVENUE. CHANGING THE LANES AT THE NORTH END POST OFFICE SO THAT BOTH THE CENTER AND RIGHT LANES CROSS STRAIGHT OVER 278 TO GET TO THE CROSS ISLAND PARKWAY HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
D. J. TRAHAN OF DORMAN HIGH SCHOOL WAS THE INDIVIDUAL WINNER, AND SOUTH AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL WAS THE TEAM WINNER, OF THE 4TH ANNUAL JIMMY SELF HIGH SCHOOL INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT PLAYED IN FEBRUARY AT PALMETTO HALL. 18 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS FROM FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA COMPETED.
THE ANNUAL HILTON HEAD ISLAND INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION WAS HELD IN FEBRUARY, 1999, AT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. MIN SOO SOHN OF KOREA WON THE 1ST PLACE PRIZE OF $6,000. GABRIELIUS ALENKA OF LITHUANIA WAS 2ND, WINNING $3,000, AND KINWAI SHUM OF HONG KONG CLAIMED 3RD PLACE WINNING $2,000. THE EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 900 PEOPLE.
BEACH RENOURISHMENT IS FINISHED ON A 1-MILE STRETCH OF SOUTH BEACH.
NEGOTIATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR BOTH OF BEAUFORT COUNTY'S HOSPITALS TO STAFF NEW MEDICAL FACILITY NEAR SUN CITY.
TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND CONSIDERING HAVING ITS OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST FAMILY SPENDS NEW YEARS EVE ON ISLAND
THE FIRST FAMILY ARRIVED AT HILTON HEAD AIRPORT AT 4:30 PM, WEDNESDAY, 12/30/98. THIS WAS THEIR 15TH ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S VISIT TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL RENAISSANCE WEEKEND HELD AT THE HYATT HOTEL. OVER 1350 PEOPLE, BY INVITATION ONLY, ATTENDED. THE PRESIDENT, HILLARY, CHELSEA AND BUDDY STAYED AT 16 BRIGANTINE ON THE BEACH IN PALMETTO DUNES.
THURSDAY MORNING, THE PRESIDENT PLAYED GOLF ON THE ARTHUR HILLS COURSE IN PALMETTO DUNES. THURSDAY NIGHT, THE FIRST FAMILY ATTENDED THE NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION AT THE HYATT HOTEL.
NEWS YEARS DAY, 1999, THE PRESIDENT PLAYED GOLF AT THE GEORGE FAZIO COURSE IN PALMETTO DUNES. THE FIRST FAMILY LEFT THE ISLAND AT 6:25 PM , 1/1/99, TO RETURN TO WASHINGTON.
NOVEMBER 3, 1998 LOCAL ISLAND OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS:
P.J. TANNER HAS DEFEATED SHERIFF MCCLEOD
BILL MOTTEL WINS HILTON
HEAD COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 SEAT
EDIE RODGERS (R) WINS REELECTION TO THE STATE
HOUSE REPRESENTING HOUSE DISTRICT 124
HIGHWAY 170 1% TAX VOTE WINS
BONDS FOR TOWN TO BUY LAND WINS
BLUFFTON VOTERS APPROVE ANNEXATION. THIS
COULD INCREASE THE SIZE OF BLUFFTON SOME 30 TIMES ITS CURRENT SIZE
THE OLD HILTON HEAD ISLAND LIBRARY CLOSED IN SEPTEMBER. THE NEW LIBRARY OFFICIALLY OPENED FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1998.
MANY NEW STORES OPENED IN 1998
Williams-Sonoma - May, 1998 - Shelter Cove Mall
Brookstone - May, 1998 - Shelter Cove Mall
Home Depot - June
11, 1998 - Bluffton
Lady Foot Locker - Summer 1998 - Shelter Cove
Mall
Hollywood Video - Summer 1998 - The Market Place
Barnes
& Noble Bookstore - Wednesday July 1, 1998 - Indigo Run
Pier 1
Imports - Summer 1998 - Indigo Run
Outback Steakhouse - June 30,
1998 - Indigo Run
Walgreens Pharmacy ( 2nd one ) - Summer 1998 -
Indigo Run
Joyce's Hallmark - Indigo Run - moving from Port Royal
Shopping Center
CVS Drugstore - Summer 1998 - Pope Avenue
Staples Office Supply - Early November 1998 - Island Crossing Center
Amy's Hallmark - Shelter Cove
Manchu Wok - Shelter Cove
People's Pottery - Shelter Cove
Swim n Sport - Shelter
Cove
Lady Foot Locker - Shelter Cove
MORE NEW STORES TO OPEN DURING 1999
Publix Super Market - Island Crossing Center
Walgreens Pharmacy - Island Crossing Center
FINAL RESULTS OF THE 1998 GOLF WORLD/PALMETTO DUNES COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT:
THE NATIONS BEST COLLEGIATE MALE GOLFERS PLAYED AT THE ARTHUR HILLS
COURSE IN PALMETTO DUNES, AND THE WOMEN PLAYED AT THE ARTHUR HILLS COURSE IN
PALMETTO HALL ON NOV. 6, 7 & 8.
IN THE WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT, THE
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA DEFEATED THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN A
1-HOLE SUDDEN DEATH PLAYOFF. JENNIFER ROSALES OF SOUTHERN CAL WON THE
INDIVIDUAL HONORS LEADING WIRE-TO-WIRE WITH A 71-71-72. BETH BAUER OF DUKE
UNIVERSITY SHOT A SIZZLING 33-33 - 66 ON SUNDAY TO FINISH IN 2ND PLACE, 2
STROKES BACK OF ROSALES.
HILTONHEAD'S REILLEY RANKIN PLAYING FOR THE
GEORGIA BULLDOGS HAD AN OFF DAY AND FINISHED OUT OF THE TOP 10.
UNLV
CLAIMED THE MENS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP WHILE EDWARD LOAR OF OKLAHOMA STATE WON THE
INDIVIDUAL TITLE.
TROPICAL STORM EARL CAUSES SOME
DAMAGE
Tropical Storm Earl passed West of the Island on Thursday,
9/3/98. The storm caused some damage on the Island. Several homes were damaged
by falling trees and many areas of the Island were covered with pine needles,
branches and other debris. The highest winds were recorded at 45 mph, and rain
was heavy at times. No injuries were reported on the Island. Some power outages
occured but were quickly restored by Palmetto Electric. Overall, the Island
survived Earl just fine. By Friday, everything was essentially back to normal.
HURRICANES BONNIE & DANIELLE BYPASS
ISLAND.
There was no damage or beach erosion to the Island by either
Hurricane Bonnie or Hurricane Danielle.
ISLAND HAS NEW AREA CODE
The area code for Hilton Head Island has always been 803. Beginning on March 22, 1998, the State was divided into three area codes: 864, 803 and 843. The new area code for Hilton Head Island is 843. After September 26, 1998, the old 803 area code no longer worked for calls to the Island. At that time, the Western upper State area code became 864, the middle part of the State will continue to be 803, and the entire East side of the State, including the Hilton Head Island area, became 843.
The Crowne Plaza Resort will begin a $9-million, 4-year renovation in December, 1998. During the Guest Room make-over, one floor at a time of the 5-story hotel will be closed.
PRIMARY ELECTIONS RESULTS 6/9/98
On the State level, Governor David Beasley won the Republican Primary Election for Governor. Bob Inglis won the Republican Primary for Senator. Inglis will face Senator Fritz Hollings in the November election.
Locally, Joann Gilham defeated Keri Jordan in the Republican Primary for the State House District 123 Seat. Tom Taylor won his race for Beaufort County Council, but candidates Barry Connor and Andrew Kennedy will have a run-off election in 2 weeks for a Beaufort County Council Seat neither received 50% of the vote.
Other issues on the Ballot: Should the State have a Lottery.? The YES vote was overwhelming. The other question was should property taxes on cars and trucks be rescinded? Again, the voters overwhelmingly said YES.
RUNOFF ELECTION RESULTS ( 6/23/98 )
Barry Connor became the District 4 Beaufort County Council Republican candidate defeating Andy Kennedy, 53% to 47%. Kennedy and Connor were the 2 top votegeters on 6/9/98, but since neither received more than 50% of the total vote, the runoff became necessary. In all probability, Connor will be elected in November since there are no Democrats running for the position. Independent candidates have until August 1st to file petitions.
ISLAND NOW HAS 5 TRAFFIC CIRCLES
With the recent opening of the new traffic circle in Indigo Run, the Island now has a total of 5 traffic circles. The others are located at Hilton Head Plantation, Coligny Circle, Sea Pines Circle, and the traffic circle within Sea Pines Plantation.
CROSS ISLAND PARKWAY NOW OPEN
On a dreary, rainy day, the Cross Island Parkway was finally opened to the public at 12:20 PM on Thursday, 1/22/98. Thousands of motorists tried the new Parkway, and many tried to pay the $1 fee even though the Toll Booths were not manned.
Traversing the new Parkway cuts at least 15 minutes of time getting from one end of the Island to the other. As of 5/1/98, over 15,000 autos a day are using the Cross Island.
PALMETTO PASSES AVAILABLE
Palmetto Pass applications & transponders are available at the Cross Island Parkway toll plaza office on Marshland Road. OVER 19,500 PALMETTO PASSES FOR THE CROSS ISLAND PARKWAY WERE DISTRIBUTED IN 1998. Transponders can now be picked up the same day at the toll plaza office. The transponder will attach to the windshield and the fee for use of the Parkway will be automatically deducted each time the vehicle passes through the toll plaza.
There will be at least one toll booth lane open for exclusive use by autos with Palmetto Passes attached to the windshield. Yellow lights on the lane will indicate it is for Palmetto Pass use. The auto need not stop when passing through; the toll of 50¢ will be deducted electronically. Lanes with green lights are for autos paying the $1 toll. Tolls will also be electronically deducted if the Palmetto Pass equipped auto passes thorough a lane with green lights.
Automobiles with the device will pay 50¢ to travel the entire Cross Island Parkway, and will be charged 25¢ to exit at either Marshland Road or Spanish Wells Road. Automobiles without the device will pay $1 and 75¢ respectively. The minimum price for the transponder has been set at $25. Officials said the toll plaza customer service office will be open 9am-5pm Monday - Friday, and 9am-2pm on Saturdays.
HILTON HEAD PREP WINS STATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
5/5/98 - Hilton Head Prep finished the golf season by winning the South Carolina Independent School Athletic Association state championship. The outstanding team completed the season undefeated, going into the 2-day championship tournament with a 21-0 record. At the tournament, held at the Cotton Dike Course on Fripp Island, Prep shot a combined 615, 9 strokes ahead of 2nd place Orangeburg Prep.
Hilton Head Prep was the only school to have 5 players shoot in the 70's the final day. The top 4 scores counted. The 2 day scores are as follows: Wesley Sellew - 152, Justin Oimet - 154, Shane Behmer - 155, Rick Carillo - 155, Andrew Kolb - 170.
1999 MCI CLASSIC - THE HERITAGE OF GOLF: April 12-18, the week after the Masters.
HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS TO UNDERGO RESTORATION:
Harbour Town will undergo an extensive renovation in the year 2000.
It will close in early May, a few weeks after the 2000 MCI Classic, and will be
closed until December or January.
1998 MCI CLASSIC - THE HERITAGE OF GOLF: April 13-19, the week after the Masters. Davis Love, III won the 1998 MCI Classic - The Heritage of Golf - with a -18. It is the 4th time he has won the tournament.
Nick Price, leading from the 1st day, won the 1997 MCI Classic - The Heritage of Golf - with a -15.
1998 FAMILY CIRCLE TENNIS TOURNAMENT: March 28-April 5. Amanda Coetzer, part-time Hilton Head Island Resident defeated Irina Spirlea 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday, 4/5/98, to win the Family Circle. It was her 1st victory here. Last year, Martina Hingis defeated Monica Seles in an exciting tie-breaker. This year, Monica lost in the semi-finals to Amanda, and Martina Hingus didn't participate. Over 72,000 tennis fans watched the weeks activities at the Sea Pines Racquet Club.
TWO ISLAND BUSINESSES LOST TO FIRES
During February & March, the Island lost two well known businesses. In February, the Crazy Crab North burned to the ground. And during March, Captain's Seafood, located at the intersection of Marshland Road & Matthews Drive was destroyed by fire.
It was announced in April, 1998, that approval has been granted to rebuild the Crazy Crab. In the meantime, Captain's Seafood is now located mid Island where Hooters used to be.
ARROW ROAD EXTENSION IS OPEN
The Arrow Road extension, known locally as the "Dual Route," opened Saturday, 2/14/98. The 2-lane extension will parallel Palmetto Bay Road and will run from The Crossings Park to the William Hilton Parkway ( Business 278 ). Final improvements will not be completed until the end of the year. A 3,600 yd. bicycle path from 278 to The Crossings Park should be in place by July.
BRISTOL SPORTS ARENA IS OPEN
The Bristol Sports Arena at The Crossings Park opened during ceremonies at 8:30am, Saturday, 2/14/98. The Sports Arena is a roller hockey rink that also doubles as three basketball courts.
The Crossings Park opened to the public on 3/23/97. The park, located near the end of Palmetto Bay road on the south end of the Island covers 23 acres of fields and meadows. It includes baseball fields, a large meadow set aside for picnics, kite-flying and other activities, a regulation soccer field, and "Kids Crossroads," a playground complex. During 1998, a series of nature trails and bicycle paths linking the park with the new Cross-Island Parkway bridge and William Hilton Parkway near Arrow Road are planned.
STORMS CAUSE SOME BEACH EROSION
Hilton Head Island was hit with lots of rain, and high tides during the East Coast Northeaster on Monday & Tuesday, the 1st week of February, 1998. Erosion formed a 1-2 ft. drop-off in sand on the beach parallel with the ocean, which has since been leveled. The erosion has removed some of the sand deposited in 1997 by the beach renourishment program, and the worse spot, as usual is in front of the Hyatt. The good news is that the renourishment program built up the beach so well that the tides couldn't get to the Dunes, thus preventing loss of the dunes and possible flooding behind the dunes. There was no damage as Hurricane Bonnie passed by in late August.
NEW AIRLINE SERVING ISLAND
On 3/1/98, Continental Express began 4 daily flights between Hilton Head Island and Atlanta. The only other Airline serving Hilton Head Island is USAirways Express flying between the Island and Charlotte, NC.
CLINTON'S SPEND THE NEW YEAR ON ISLAND !!
President Clinton, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, daughter Chelsea and the first dog, Buddy, arrived on Hilton Head Island Tuesday 12/30/97 for their annual participation in the Renaissance retreat which began Sunday. The Clintons have attended the Renaissance retreat every year since 1984.
Within an hour after arriving in Palmetto Dunes, where the first family stayed in a private oceanfront home, the President was teeing off on the George Fazio golf course. Wednesday, he played the Arthur Hills Golf Course in Leamington, Palmetto Dunes.
Renaissance weekend this year included 1,300 men, women and children. The weekends are invitation only retreats for families in a variety of fields. Renaissance was founded in 1981 by Islander Phil Lader, now U.S. ambassador to Great Britain.
The Clintons celebrated the New Year at the Hyatt Regency and left the Island Thursday 1/1/98 for a vacation in St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
PEEPLES RE-ELECTED MAYOR.
The
following are the 11/4/97 election results on Hilton Head Island:
Mayor - Tom Peeples - 4 year term
Town
Council
Ward 1 Bill Ferguson - 2 year term
Ward 2 Al
Winston - 4 year term
Ward 3 Jim Carlin - 2 year term
Ward 4
Steve DeSimone - 4 year term
Ward 5 Earl Mallick - 4 year
term
Ward 6 Ken Heitzke - 2 year term
Approved - a $15M
land-buying referendum which give the Town Council approval to purchase some
200 acres of undeveloped land on the Island.
PREP WINS STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP! The Hilton Head Preparatory School Dolphins defeated the Saints from St. Andrews of Savannah 35-6, to claim their first football state title. The Dolphins finished the season 11-1.
1997 BEACH RENOURISHMENT has placed 2.2 million cubic yards of sand along 6.6 miles miles of Atlantic beachfront - beginning just south of Coligny Circle on the south end of the Island and going northward to just north of the Westin Resort in Port Royal Plantation. The renourished beach is not expected to require any additional sand for another 7 to 8 years.
I-95 CONNECTOR OPENED on 2/22/97. The 9 mile connector has been designated as U.S. 278, which will then run from southern Hilton Head Island to I-95 exit #8 at Hardeeville.
1997 HURRICANE INFORMATION. Hilton Head Island had NO Hurricane threats during 1997.
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, opened Friday, 3/21/97. The 40,000-square-foot store opened at the former site of J.C. Penney in the Shelter Cove Mall.
PLAYER'S WORLD has opened a new Hilton Head Island Store in Shelter Cove Plaza where Nash Drug Store was located. The new store is "Player's World of Sports."
MILE MARKERS have been in place since October, 1996. The Green and White wooden markers begin at the bridge with Mile #0, and continue to the Sea Pines Circle.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS SYNCHRONIZED. During the Summer of 1996, all traffic lights along the William Hilton Parkway ( 278 ) were synchronized, and the results have been praised by Island residents. With good luck and traffic moving at a steady speed, it is possible to get green lights from the bridge to Sea Pines circle.
SELF FAMILY ARTS CENTER. The new $10,000,000 Self Family Arts Center, located mid-island, was officially opened to rave reviews in 1996.