🌱 Feral Cats Overtake Locals + County Council Combats Opioid Epidemic

Hello all. It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Hilton Head Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally, including:

But first, your local weather:

• Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 81 Low: 67.
• Monday: An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 81 Low: 68.
• Tuesday: Humid; a stray a.m. t-storm. High: 76 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories today in Hilton Head:

1. Residents in a Lowcountry community are expressing concern over an increasing cat population that they claim is taking over their neighborhood. The All About Cats feral cat colony, located near the Spa complex on Beach City Road, has been a fixture for over a decade. However, neighbors are now complaining about cats walking on their property and leaving feces, causing allergies and inconvenience. While the Town Council has promised to investigate the matter, the charity president argues that the issue falls under the responsibility of the Spa complex, which has allegedly incurred fines for feeding the cats. (WSAV)
2. Mark your calendars for Chamber Food Truck Friday, a delectable event on May 19, 2023, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Head over to Shelter Cove Towne Centre Community Park in Hilton Head Island for a mouthwatering experience. Indulge in culinary delights from locally-owned food trucks while enjoying live music and the company of your neighbors. With free admission, you can savor the flavors and quench your thirst by purchasing food and drinks from the vendors, featuring an enticing lineup including Chef B's Eatz, Golden Sun Cuisine, Gordon's Hop Stop, Lawyer's BBQ & Sweets, Lowcountry Taps HHI, Mother Smokin' Good BBQ, Palmetto Kettle Corn, and Palmetto Pops. (Hilton Head Island Bluffton Chamber Of Commerce)
3. Beaufort County Council took a significant step in combating the opioid epidemic by passing two ordinances during their recent meeting. The council accepted and appropriated funds amounting to $299,376 and $612,733 from the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund. These funds will be utilized to expand access to medication-assisted treatment, train healthcare providers on best practices, raise public awareness about opioid misuse, and support the development of recovery and peer support programs. Beaufort County is determined to address the issue and support affected individuals and families in their community. (Beaufort County Government)

From our sponsor:

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Coming up in Hilton Head:

Tuesday, May 16

• Hilton Head Island Farmers Market - 70 Honey Horn Plantation Drive (9:00 AM)
• Tower of Funk - Tiki Hut (6:00 PM)

Wednesday, May 17

• CRC May Fest - Christian Renewal Church (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Infrastructure Week 2023 aims to draw attention to the essential infrastructure that is often overlooked but crucial for community prosperity. Engage in the discussion using the hashtag #InfrastructureWorks and stay informed about a range of in-person and virtual events by visiting this page. (Hilton Head PSD via Twitter)
• Hilton Head Island welcomes Jeff Shumaker as their newest Community Code Enforcement Officer, bringing with him extensive expertise from his 15-year tenure as a South Carolina Master Trooper. With a wealth of knowledge and skills, Jeff's addition to the team is expected to strengthen the town's code enforcement efforts. (Hilton Head Island via Twitter)
• The South Carolina State Fire Department is conducting a series of free training sessions called "Vision 20/20 Community Risk Reduction for Chief Fire Officers." The next session will take place in Hilton Head Island, SC, on May 22, offering Chief Fire Officers from local departments and beyond the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in risk reduction. Limited registration is available through the SC Fire Portal, with a special emphasis on Chief Officers from neighboring departments. (SC State Fire via Twitter)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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.