🌱 Man Sentenced For Assaulting Children + Two New Ospreys Make Nest

Hello again. Lauren Kubiak here with your Monday edition of the Hilton Head Patch newsletter, full of all the local information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Cloudy, a thunderstorm; humid. High: 79 Low: 64.
• Tuesday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 67 Low: 56.

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Here are the top three stories in Hilton Head today:

1. On Friday, Mar. 24, 77-year-old William Beckemeyer turned himself in to the police after being accused of sexually assaulting four children in his Hilton-Head gated community home. The man allegedly abused the children over a period of time and has since been charged with four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. (Yahoo News)
2. Teachers who live on Daufuskie Island are questioning why they're not allowed to use the Haig Point Ferry to get to work on Hilton Head, especially since the school district does pay to transport students. The original contract between Beaufort County Schools and Haig Point Ferry Company stated that Beaufort County students, teachers, and contractors were allowed to use the ferry, but an addendum signed on Mar. 15 clarified the ferry is only for staff going to Daufuskie Island Elementary School and island students going to Hilton Head. City officials explained the initial contact was never intended to include teachers going to Hilton Head. (Subscription: Hilton Head Island Packet)
3. Hilton Head Island Trust's Raptor Cam is now home to two nesting birds of prey. According to experts, the birds are known as ospreys, which are typically large birds that build their nests high off the ground using bark, sod, grasses, sticks, and even algae. The birds are expected to nest for about 50 days and lay between two and three eggs. (Count on News 2)

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Today and tomorrow in Hilton Head:

Monday, March 27

• Live Music At Fishcamp On Broad Creek (6:00 PM)

Tuesday, March 28

• Blood Drive At Shelter Cove Towne Centre (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Town of Hilton Head is excited to welcome Mike DeMaria as its new beach operations manager. Mike has over 25 years of experience in operations management and previously held various high-level positions with The Oldfield Club and Athletes First Sports. He will now be responsible for ensuring the beaches are safe, welcoming, inclusive, and environmentally cautious. (The Town of Hilton Head Island Government via Facebook)
• The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office announced they will be hosting their annual Spring Golf Tournament on Friday, May 12 at The Legends Golf Course at Parris Island. The event will raise money for the sheriff's office initiatives, including an appreciation event for staff and scholarships for local students. If you're interested in signing up or becoming a sponsor, click here. (Beaufort County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• The Hilton Head Island Airport will be hosting a TSA Pre-Check Enrollment event from Monday, Mar. 27 to Friday, Mar. 31. If you're interested in learning more about how you can sign up and make an appointment, click here. (Hilton Head Island Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you soon with a new 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.