🌱 Man Banned From Ocean + St. Helena Island Murder Suspect Named

Good morning, everybody! Lauren Kubiak here with your fresh copy of the Hilton Head Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the things you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Humid; heavy p.m. t-storms. High: 81 Low: 72.
• Sunday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm. High: 83 Low: 72.

Here are the top three stories today in Hilton Head:

1. This week, a Florida man was banned from the ocean following his arrest 70 nautical miles east of Tybee Island late last week for trying to run across the Atlantic Ocean to London in a makeshift human-sized hamster wheel. The suspect was released on a $250,000 bond with several conditions, including his banishment from the ocean and commercial transportation establishments like airports, marinas, commercial bus terminals, and train stations. The homemade “Hydro Pod vessel” created by the suspect was first spotted during preparations for Hurricane Franklin, at which point the U.S. Coast Guard terminated his voyage. (Savannah Morning News)
2. Across the water on St. Helena Island, a suspect was finally named in the Jun. 27 murder of a 36-year-old local man. On Friday, the police named Mekhi Jeremiah Moultrie, 19, as a suspect in connection to the murder, with warrants out for charges of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. The Sheriff's Office is still searching for Moultrie, and warns the public that he is armed and dangerous.
   (Subscription: Hilton Head Island Packet)
3. Following complaints over the past few months about plans for an upcoming LGBTQ+ Pride Festival, Port Royal Mayor Joe DeVito asserted yesterday that a permit will be issued for the event to take place in the city-owned Live Oak Park later this fall. Mayor DeVito qualified that the festival would not include a parade or drag queen show—two issues that had prompted objections at previous city council meetings. The decision comes following a federal ruling in Tennessee stating that state laws limiting drag shows cannot interfere with a local Pride festival. (Subscription: Hilton Head Island Packet)

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Today and tomorrow in Hilton Head:

Saturday, September 9

• Hilton Head Hustle Scavenger Hunt At Sweet Al's Cafe (11:00 AM)

Sunday, September 10

• Healing Yoga On Hilton Head At 51 Jonesville Road (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Coastal Discovery Museum is set to host its annual Native Plant Sale on Sep. 23 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., featuring over 90 native plant species. Get landscaping ideas with unique vines, blooming bushes, and butterfly-friendly plants on display. (Subscription: Hilton Head Island Packet)
• Chili lovers, mark your calendars: the the 38th Annual Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head Island Chili Cook Off returns on Oct. 7! The event will take place at the Coastal Discovery Museum, where over 25 local vendors will compete for the title of Hilton Head Island's Best Chili 2023. (Visit Hilton Head via Facebook)
• Down the road in Savannah, the Savannah Philharmonic announced the theme for its "Phil the Park" concert on Oct. 7 at Forsyth Park. The concert is titled "AROUND THE WORLD -- Celebrating the Global Rhythms of Savannah," and you can check out the Philharmonic's full Fall schedule online. (WJCL News Savannah)

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You're officially in the loop 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.