BEAUFORT COUNTY NEWS | HEADLINES | JULY 18, 2024 | Watch LIVE @www.BeaufortCounty.tv

https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/news/ https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/bctv/

The Beaufort County News Headlines presented by Matt Goldin.

***STORY 1****

Beaufort County has partnered with AccessNow, to complete a pilot project enhancing accessibility awareness at Beaufort County’s Passive Parks. This is the first project of its kind in South Carolina, focusing on informing the public about accessibility on three popular passive parks: Widgeon Point, Crystal Lake, and Fort Fremont. AccessNow’s mission is to establish a go-to resource for accessibility information. Their platform empowers people to discover a world of accessible opportunities, make better decisions, and remove barriers.

Project Highlights:

Three Mapped Trails: This initiative targets Widgeon Point, Crystal Lake, and Fort Fremont, providing decision-making accessibility information about these beautiful, popular parks. Additional trails and parks may be assessed in the future.
Easy Access: The AccessNow mapping project includes important accessibility information including parking and restroom information, as well as any potential navigational hazards. These park accessibility maps can be viewed from the Passive Parks Department properties webpage, or the AccessNow website.
Passive Parks Director Stefanie Nagid emphasized the significance of the pilot program, stating, “This initiative is a tremendous step towards making Beaufort County’s outdoor spaces more inclusive and enjoyable for all members of the community. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this pilot program will have and hope to expand our efforts further.”

The Passive Parks Department also offers three all-terrain wheelchairs free for public use. These chairs can be reserved through filling out and submitting a print form available here, and an online registration form will be available soon.




***STORY 2*****
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering a free summer tax preparation program for qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties who missed the traditional tax filing deadline.

This program – a collaboration between the IRS, Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, and United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) – is designed to assist low-income individuals and families, non-English speaking taxpayers, people with disabilities, and seniors (age 60+) in accurately and efficiently filing their federal and state tax returns.

“We understand that filing taxes can be overwhelming, especially for those who have limited resources,” United Way Volunteer and VITA Program Coordinator Sherry Halphen said. “Our summer tax preparation program allows residents to receive free assistance from IRS-certified volunteers, ensuring they receive every deduction and credit they deserve.

**STORY 3***

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources is hosting two free fishing clinics: the first will be Saturday, July 27, from 8 until 11 a.m. and the second clinic will be Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 4 until 7 p.m.

Both clinics will be held at Beaufort’s Broad River Fishing Pier, 1050 Robert Smalls Parkway (map).

The fishing clinics are both free and open to the public. Participants must pre-register. Only 12 participants will be accepted for each clinic.

Register on event brite to attend the Saturday, July 27 free fishing clinic or the Tuesday, Aug. 13 free fishing clinic.






***STORY 4**

All-star baseball teams from throughout the Southeast will make the trek to Beaufort to end their sensational summers later this month, and squads representing Beaufort County are ready to take their best shot at the assembled state champs at the Dixie Boys and Junior Boys World Series from July 26-31 at Burton Wells Recreation Complex.

State champions from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia will converge on Beaufort to compete for the Dixie Boys (14-and-under) and Dixie Junior Boys (13-and-under) World Series titles. The host teams from Beaufort County will round out the 12-team, double-elimination brackets.

Play opens Friday, July 26, in both divisions and continues through Tuesday, July 30, with Wednesday, July 31, reserved in case either championship round is extended to a decisive second game.

Games will be livestreamed on YouTube by Beaufort County TV.