🌱 Hurricane Season Begins With Idalia + Decade Long Case New Verdict

Hello, neighbors! It's Tuesday in Hilton Head and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two. High: 86 Low: 76.
• Wednesday: Wind and rain. High: 83 Low: 73.

Here are the top three stories in Hilton Head today:

1. Tropical Cyclone Idalia is intensifying and is expected to develop into a hurricane. The forecast indicates a potential major hurricane landfall in Florida, with projections of the storm moving along or near the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina as a Tropical Storm by Wednesday through Thursday. As of Monday, Idalia, moving near Cuba, had wind speeds of 65 miles per hour, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal issues in its path. (Town of Hilton Head Island Government via Facebook)
2. After being convicted in 2014, Shayla Jerea Bryan, a mother from nearby Beaufort, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity for brutally attacking her 3-year-old daughter, including stabbing her and throwing her off a third-floor balcony. The recent verdict dictates that any decisions regarding Bryan must prioritize therapy over punishment, as per the SC Code of Laws. An assessment will take place at the SC Department of Mental Health to determine if involuntary hospitalization is necessary and if not, Bryan might be released under therapeutic conditions such as medication and psychiatric evaluations. (Subscription: The Island Packet)
3. On the night of Aug. 24, fighter pilot Maj. Andrew Mettler, a member of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, tragically died in a jet crash in California. The crash took place near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, with Mettler being the sole occupant of the F/A-18D jet at the time. The incident resulted in no ground injuries or property damage, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. (The Post and Courrier)

🏠 Want to see your real estate business featured in front of a growing audience of local buyers and sellers in Hilton Head? See how you can access our targeted and engaged audience through our exclusive newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

Today and tomorrow in Hilton Head:

Tuesday, August 29

• Hilton Head Island Farmers Market At 70 Honey Horn Plantation Drive (9:00 AM)

Wednesday, August 30

• Summer Pub Run Finale At Tiki Hut (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• REMINDER: For Labor Day, Hilton head administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Sep. 4, and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sep. 5. Emergency services will still be accessible, and Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling will also continue their normal hours of operation during this time. (Town of Hilton Head Island Government via Facebook)
• As part of the ongoing 360/40 celebrations, an outdoor concert will take place at Celebration Park on Sep. 16, featuring an exciting lineup of performances that you won't want to overlook. Click the link to learn more. (Hilton Head Island Jam 2023 via Facebook)
• The nearby Beaufort Police Department welcomed three new officers on Monday, Aug. 28. Congratulations to Officer Justin LaCroix, Officer Carolyn Lynch, and Officer Morgan Humphries! (Beaufort Police Department, Beaufort, SC via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (August 29)
• Add your event

Featured gigs & services:

• As temperatures rise, so does roach activity! (Details)
• Add your gig or service

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

— 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.