🌱 Beaufort County Offers Free Breakfast + New Coastal Bike Trail

Hello all. It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Hilton Head Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right, with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Hot; a stray p.m. t-storm. High: 99 Low: 76.
• Saturday: Humid with variable clouds. High: 92 Low: 77.

Here are the top three stories in Hilton Head today:

1. The former treasurer of a Hilton Head Island POA is alleged to have withdrawn nearly $200,000 from the association's funds, using the money to pay personal expenses. The Broad Pointe Owner's Association president, Vince Murphy, disclosed the accusations in a letter to homeowners, stating that the withdrawals occurred between December 2018 and April 2023. The former treasurer, Patricia Butville, has reportedly paid back $150,500 of the missing funds but still owes $46,324.50, and the association is confident they will recover the remaining amount as Butville signed a Confession of Judgment. The association has appointed a new treasurer and implemented new checks and balances for the reserve account to prevent future incidents. (Subscription: Hilton Head Island Packet)
2. Over 20 schools in Beaufort County will offer free lunch and breakfast to all students through the federally funded Community Eligibility Provision program. The initiative, aimed at serving low-income families, allows schools with over 40 percent of low-income students to participate. Beaufort County schools anticipate no cost for the expanded services and consider it a win-win for students and the district. Parents who do not want their children to participate in the CEP program can contact the school district for alternative options. (WTOC)
3. A 211-mile-long bike trail is being proposed to connect Athens to Tybee Island in Georgia. The planned Hi-Lo trail aims to promote economic development in underdeveloped areas, passing through rural communities that could benefit from the investment. The trail, if all cities and towns are on board, could be completed before 2030 and may be funded by state and federal grants, costing around $1 million per mile. The connection with the existing Firefly trail in Athens would create an adventure route between northeast and coastal Georgia. (WJCL News Savannah)

Are you a real estate agent in Hilton Head struggling to get leads in the current housing market? It's tough out there, but there is a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. Our exclusive sponsorship in the Hilton Head newsletter can help you do just that. Click here to learn more and discover how you can take your business to the next level today.

Today and tomorrow in and around Hilton Head:

Friday, July 21

• The Whiskey Charmers At Black Marlin Bayside Grill (6:00 PM)
• Sunset Celebration At Shelter Cove Community Park (7:00 PM)

Saturday, July 22

• Beaufort Water Festival At Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort (9:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Hilton Head Island Town Council and sub-committee meetings are now allowing citizens to voice their opinions digitally through the eComment portal. To participate, visit here. For those who prefer to speak in person, contact the Town Clerk at 843-341-4701. Additionally, agendas, minutes, and videos of the meetings can be found here. (Hilton Head Island via Twitter)
• Help celebrate Hilton Head Island's 40th anniversary and the 360th anniversary of the sighting of Hilton Head Island by Captain William Hilton. The town will be hosting celebration events throughout August and September, including a community picnic, concert, and more events that can be found on the anniversary webpage. (Hilton Head Island Government)
• St. James Baptist Church, one of the oldest buildings on Hilton Head Island, faces possible demolition due to its location within a "runway protection zone" near the island's airport. The church, town, and county are working together to create a new proposal that meets the FAA's regulations to secure 90 percent reimbursement for the project, estimated to cost around $5 million. Read more about the project here. (WTOC)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (July 26)
• Add your event

Featured gigs & services:

• Calling all homeowners! Are you dealing with uninvited guests chewing through your home? (Details)
• Add your gig or service

That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox soon with 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.