🌱 Traveling Statue Debuts In SC + Camera's Identify Murder Suspects

Hey, everybody! It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Cloudy, humid; a p.m. t-storm. High: 84 Low: 71.
• Tuesday: A drenching t-storm; humid. High: 80 Low: 70.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Hilton Head today:

1. "Turtle Trackers" of Hilton Head Island created a new fund, the Sea Turtle Preservation Endowment Fund, to aid in future sea turtle preservation needs. Funding for Turtle Trackers currently comes from donations and grants. The new fund will help ensure the non-profit has funding available for future years. (Bluffton Today)
2. A nine-foot-tall traveling statue honoring Harriet Tubman titled "The Journey to Freedom" will be on display in nearby Beaufort. The statue commemorates Tubman's voyage 160 years ago. Wesley Wofford sculpted the statue of Tubman protecting and leading a child slave to freedom. According to the Lowcountry Tourism Commission’s Frampton Plantation House Visitors Center executive director, Peach Morrison, the statue will be on display outside of the Visitors Center until July 30. (Yahoo.com)
3. In nearby Beaufort, surveillance cameras were able to identify Xavier Polite, 22, and Channon Preston, who murdered Steven Glover on St. Helena Island in 2020. Glover was shot seven times. Surveillance cameras were able to capture parts of the attack. Both were charged with Glover’s murder and sentenced to 37 years in prison. (WSAV-TV)

Today and tomorrow in Hilton Head:

Monday, June 19

• HarbourFest At Shelter Cove Harbour And Marina (6:00 PM)
• Summer Music Series At Coligny Plaza (6:30 PM)

Tuesday, June 20

• Farmers Market At Coastal Discovery Museum At Honey Horn (9:00 AM)
• Town Council At Benjamin M. Racusin Council Chambers (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• In observance of Juneteenth, the Town of Hilton Head Island Administrative Offices will be closed today (Jun. 19). Offices will reopen for regular business hours at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Jun. 20. The Beaufort County Convenience Center, emergency services, and the Hilton Head Island Airport will be open during the holiday. (HiltonHeadIslandSC.gov)
• Reminder! Harbourfest will be hosting Hilton Head's largest display of Fireworks on July 4 at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. Children can also enjoy bounce houses & train rides around the promenade (for an additional cost) and more, all starting at 6:00 p.m. (HiltonHeadIsland.org)
• Looking for something to do this summer in Hilton Head? Check out “Upcoming Things to Do on Hilton Head Island” for events and activities within the area. The website also provides a Summer Events and Activities Guide providing a line-up of events and festivals. (thisweekonhiltonhead.com)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right. I'll be back in your inbox soon with another 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.