🌱 Arrest Made Over Child Pornography + Habitat for Humanity Merger

Hey, everybody. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Hilton Head Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Very windy; periods of rain. High: 70 Low: 57.
• Saturday: Very windy; a few showers. High: 63 Low: 55.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Hilton Head today:

1. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office received a tip suggesting that a local 34-year-old individual may possess child pornography. Investigators worked to verify the information and obtained a search warrant for Jared Smith's residence on Hilton Head Island. The examination of Smith's phone revealed media consistent with the crime of sexual exploitation of a minor, leading to his arrest and incarceration. The investigation is ongoing, and further examination of the collected evidence may result in additional charges. (Beaufort County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
2. Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry is undergoing changes as two entities, Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity and Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity, merge starting Jul. 1. The Hilton Head Regional affiliate is accepting applications for potential homebuyers, and a housing symposium will be hosted by Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity to provide information on topics related to homeownership. (WHHITV)
3. Shark expert Chip Michalove reports that the number of great white sharks in the waters off the coast of South Carolina is increasing. Michalove, who was the first to tag a great white shark in the area, explains that there are thousands of these animals in the southern waters. Although only a few have transmitters, a 12-foot great white named 'Ironbound' was recently detected near Hilton Head. Michalove advises keeping an eye on bull sharks and blacktip sharks, which are responsible for summer attacks, while purple flags indicate the presence of dangerous marine life in the water. (WCJL)

Business owners and marketers in Hilton Head: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Today and tomorrow in Hilton Head:

Friday, May 26

• Live Music at Lincoln & South At Lincoln & South Brewing Company (6:00 PM)
• Noel & Maria present: A Jazz Celebration of the Beatles At The Jazz Corner (9:00 PM)

Saturday, May 27

• Harbourfest At Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• A Hilton Head woman has filed a lawsuit against Wendy's for a "shocking" shooting incident that occurred at the drive-thru window in 2022. The lawsuit alleges that the restaurant's actions were negligent and contributed to the incident, resulting in a 19-year-old drive-thru employee firing shots at a customer's vehicle. (The Island Packet via Facebook)
• Looking for the best bakeries on Hilton Head Island? Thanks to Hilton Head Livin, you can watch a short, delicious video describing all the best places to grab a coffee, cookies, baked goods, and more. (Hilton Head Livin via Facebook)
• The Town of Hilton Head Island is offering unique summer internship opportunities and encourages interested individuals to watch their informative videos for more details. If you're seeking an internship that stands out, consider applying to the Town of Hilton Head Island Government. (Town of Hilton Head Island Government via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.