🌱 Port Royal House Fire + Local Woman Gets Funds To Defend Her Home

Good morning, friends! I'm back with your new edition of the Hilton Head Patch newsletter. Let's get this weekend started off right, with a quick review of the most important things going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Partly sunny and humid. High: 82 Low: 68.
• Sunday: Breezy in the morning; sunny. High: 80 Low: 66.

Here are the top three stories today in and around Hilton Head:

1. Yesterday, a 70-year-old woman was found dead in her home following an early morning fire across the water in Port Royal, according to local Fire Departments. After firefighters were dispatched to the home, they found smoke and flames and began searching for victims. and found a deceased 70-year-old female. The State Law Enforcement Division and South Carolina State Fire are now taking over the investigation, which is ongoing. (WJCL News Savannah)
2. A local woman who has been fighting to keep her Hilton Head home from property developers for years has reached her GoFundMe fundraising goal of $350,000 to help cover the costs of her attorneys. Ninety-three-year-old Josephine Wright's home on Jonesville Road neighbors a new 147-unit neighborhood development, and the developers are trying to force her to sell her land and suing her claiming her home is on their property. The land has been in her family since just after the Civil War, and her fight to keep it has garnered the support of several celebrities, including Snoop Dogg, Tyler Perry, Meek Mill, and Kyrie Irving. Now that her GoFundMe is fully funded, the next step is to enter mediation or arbitration to resolve the lawsuit filed by the developers. (WSAV-TV)
3. Mark your calendars: The Lowcountry Fish & Grits Music Festival returns on Oct. 7. Savor the flavors of the Lowcountry and learn about the rich Gullah Geechee culture and its connection to the African diaspora at this event. The full schedule and vendor list is available online. (Town of Hilton Head Island Government via Facebook)

Business owners and marketers in Hilton Head: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Today and tomorrow in Hilton Head:

Saturday, September 30

• Hilton Head Community Market At Shelter Cove Community Park (9:30 AM)

Sunday, October 1

• Waterfront Live Music with Dallas Reese At Salty Dog (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• "Art in the Garden" is taking place TODAY from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Greenery Inc. Garden Center. Stop by for a through the garden to meet local artists and artisans who will have their work on display and available for purchase. The full vendor list is available at the link. (The Greenery Inc. via Facebook)
• The 52nd annual Bluffton Christmas Parade will take place this year on Dec. 2, and applications to be a part of the festivities opened today. The parade application is due on Nov. 10 and is available online. (Town of Bluffton Government via Facebook)

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.