Criminal Defense Attorney inHilton Head Island, SC

They grow up so fast.

Just over two months after hatching from eggs laid by their mother, Gracie, Hilton Head Island’s beloved bald eaglets have started to branch outside the nest.

Photos shared Sunday by the Hilton Head Island Land Trust on Facebook show the two eaglets, called E3 and E4, branching outside their parents’ nest. The eaglets are shown spreading their wings and using their talons to stand on the rails near the nest, where they hatched Dec. 29 and 30.

“This is where they’re learning how to balance and use those wings. They’re doing a lot of ‘wingersizing,’ if you will,” said Robin Storey, president of the Hilton Head Island Land Trust’s board. Eaglets typically start to fledge around 12 weeks, and one starts flying before the other.

“Usually, one fledges first, and after watching them fly around in the sky, the other will take off,” Storey said. E3 and E4 are close in age and similar-looking, Storey said, so it will be interesting to see when they start to fly.

The eaglets have been local celebrities since before they were born. Their parents, Gracie and George, are the stars of the Land Trust’s HHI Eagle Cam. They live on private property in an undisclosed location on the island; the 2024-2025 nesting season produced two eaglets and was the first viewed on the Land Trust Eagle CAM.

E3 and E4 came during the couple’s 14th nesting season; the first egg appeared Nov. 21 and the second came three days later on Nov. 24. Once the first egg is laid, the next one usually follows within three to five days, according to Island Packet archives. After the eggs were laid, Gracie and George spent the next few weeks keeping the eggs warm, to protect the embryos and allow them to grow.

Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget.

Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Hilton Head Island using data from Gas Buddy.

Gas prices fluctuate based on several factors, including the cost of the key ingredient, crude oil, as well as the available supply and demand for gasoline. If the price of oil rises, a major refinery goes offline, or more drivers are hitting the road, for example, then the cost will increase.

In the first half of 2022, a unique confluence of events led to a surge in gas prices. The increased demand stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and a slowdown in oil production all contributed to a national all-time high of $4.93 per gallon on average in June 2022.

Seasons also affect gas prices. Demand tends to drop in winter, but the cost also falls because gas stations switch to a different blend of gasoline that's optimal for lower temperatures—and has cheaper ingredients.

Location also matters. The South and Midwest tend to have the lowest gas prices, while the West, including Hawai'i, has the highest. Californians, in particular, pay more for gas on average than any other state. That's because of its high state excise taxes; its isolation from the country's major pipelines, which causes supply issues; and its requirements that mandate a more environmentally friendly blend of gas that costs more to produce and adds to the price per gallon.

No matter where you live, read on to see if you can get a deal on gas near you.

#1. NEX- Address: 4 Sanders Rd, Beaufort, SC- Price: $2.45

#2. Shell- Address: 2327 Boundary St, Beaufort, SC- Price: $2.49

#2. Shop N Go (tie)- Address: 430 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort, SC- Price: $2.49

#2. Shell (tie)- Address: SC-170, Okatie, SC- Price: $2.49

#2. Sam's Club (tie)- Address: 14 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton, SC- Price: $2.49

#6. Parker's- Address: 307 US-17, Hardeeville, SC- Price: $2.50

#7. Shell- Address: 3551 S Okatie Hwy, Hardeeville, SC- Price: $2.55

#8. BP- Address: 1190 Ribaut Rd, Beaufort, SC- Price: $2.59

#8. Amoco (tie)- Address: 6194 S Okatie Hwy, Hardeeville, SC- Price: $2.59

#8. Kroger (tie)- Address: 115 Innovation Dr, Bluffton, SC- Price: $2.59

Complaints filed against homeowners’ associations in South Carolina have surged in recent years, according to new data from the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.

According to the agency, HOA-related complaints increased 176% between 2019 and 2025.

In 2025 alone, the department received 586 complaints targeting 339 homeowner associations and property management companies across the state.

Beaufort County once again ranked among the top five counties for HOA complaints, tying with Dorchester County with 27 total complaints. Nearby Jasper County recorded just four complaints, but ranked fifth statewide with complaints per capita, tying with Richland County at 0.13%.

Below is a breakdown of 2025 complaints filed and their status in Beaufort and Jasper County communities, according to state records.

Beaufort County HOA complaints

Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort: A homeowner alleged the HOA board was acting as a landlord in violation of zoning restrictions, potentially jeopardizing the resort’s non-profit status. This complaint received a satisfactory response.

Heritage at New Riverside: Residents raised concerns about maintenance and repairs, but due to disputed facts, an undetermined response was received.

A separate complaint involved a lien placed on a property and a request for waiver or adjustment of late fees, which did not receive a response and was left unsatisfied.

The Preserve at Indigo Run: Complaints included concerns over the allocation of HOA funds, failure to produce financial statements and ignored requests to access association documents. This complaint received a satisfactory response.

Pinecrest Property Owners Association: A homeowner alleged the POA failed to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request and conducted secret meetings outside executive session without taking minutes. This complaint received a satisfactory response.

Berkeley Hall Club: Residents cited failure to notify homeowners of board actions, concerns over allocation of funds, denial of the right to attend meetings or vote on subject matter changes, and failure to enforce covenants and bylaws. Due to disputed facts, an undetermined response was received.

Sun City Hilton Head Community: A homeowner requested a waiver or adjustment of a violation assessment. This complaint received a satisfactory response.

Four Seasons Carolina Oaks: A complaint alleged that there were ignored requests to access association information and documents. This complaint received a satisfactory response.

Palmetto Bluff: Multiple complaints were filed in 2025, including concerns regarding maintenance and repairs, disagreement over HOA fees and special assessments, claims of paying for services or amenities not being provided, failure to notify residents of board actions, issues related to board elections, failure to hold regular meetings, concerns about allocation of HOA funds, disputes over how assessment costs are split between homeowners and unsold lots, and dissatisfaction with developer management of the HOA.

All complaints received a satisfactory response.

Mill Creek at Cypress Ridge: One homeowner requested a waiver or adjustment of what they described as an excessive fine related to pool policy violations. This complaint received an undetermined response due to disputed facts.

An additional complaint cited failure to enforce covenants and concerns regarding maintenance, which received a satisfactory response.

Summerfield Villas: One complaint included failure to enforce covenants and bylaws, concerns over allocation of funds and a denial of the right to attend meetings or vote. This received a satisfactory response.

Another complaint stressed there was a failure to notify residents of board actions, which also received a satisfactory response.

Picket Fences: A homeowner alleged selective enforcement of covenants by the HOA president and also cited maintenance concerns and failure to enforce governing documents. This complaint did not receive a response and was left unsatisfied.

Azalea Square: Residents raised concerns regarding open meeting and notice requirements, transparency, failure to enforce covenants and bylaws and failure to notify residents of board actions. This complaint received a satisfactory response.

Palmetto Pointe Townes: Complaints included concerns over maintenance and repairs, allocation of HOA funds and disagreement with fees or special assessments. The complaint received a satisfactory response.

Belfair: A complaint alleged a failure to enforce covenants and bylaws. This complaint received a satisfactory response.

Mariners Cove Club: A homeowner raised concerns regarding maintenance and repairs. Due to pending court action, this complaint is currently undetermined.

Old House Creek: Complaints included failure to enforce covenants, failure to notify residents of board actions, maintenance concerns and denial of the right to attend meetings or vote. These complaints received a satisfactory response.

Brighton Bay: A complaint cited ignored requests to access information and failure to produce financial statements, which received a satisfactory response.

Hampton Lake: Residents alleged failure to notify homeowners of board actions and raised concerns regarding allocation of HOA funds. No response was received, leaving this complaint unsatisfied.

Oldfield: One complaint involved maintenance concerns and issues related to decisions made by the architectural review committee, which received a satisfactory response.

Another complaint cited failure to enforce covenants, concerns about allocation of funds and ignored requests to access HOA documents. This complaint received an undetermined response due to disputed facts.

The Haven at New Riverside: Complaints included failure to enforce covenants, disagreement with HOA fees or special assessments and failure to produce financial statements. These complaints received a satisfactory response.

Harbor Island: Residents alleged that requests for information were ignored, failure to notify homeowners of board actions and failure to enforce governing documents. These complaints received a satisfactory response.

Jasper County HOA complaints

Although Jasper County recorded only four complaints in 2025, it ranked among the higher counties per capita.

Issues submitted by homeowners included:

Hilton Head Lakes: One complaint alleged that residents were paying for services or amenities not being provided. A second complaint involved disagreement with HOA fees or special assessments and a request to opt out of irrigation services paid for through the HOA. Both complaints received a satisfactory response.

Latitude Margaritaville: A complaint involved access to HOA amenities. Due to no response, this complaint was left unsatisfied.

Riverton Pointe: A complaint included issues with decisions made by the architectural review committee, maintenance concerns, actions taken by the property management company and failure to enforce covenants and bylaws. This complaint received a satisfactory response.

The full list of complaints can be viewed on the Excel sheet in the SCDCA’s 2026 report.

How do these complaints work?

The SCDCA categorizes complaints by status to determine appropriate responses. In many cases, the department refers disputes back to the HOA for internal resolution rather than taking direct enforcement action.

The statuses are outlined as follows:

Residents can file complaints with the agency, which then reviews documentation, contacts the association for a response and tracks the outcome. However, the department does not typically have authority to overturn HOA decisions, instead serving as a mediator and record-keeper for consumer concerns.

To learn more about the different types of complaint statuses, the SCDCA has a complaint label video.

To learn more about South Carolina’s HOA guidelines and complaints, visit the SCDCA webpage.

A barrage of helicopters flying low over the north-end of Hilton Head over the past week has been disturbing the peace for some residents.

Port Royal Plantation resident Chris Garmston told The Packet the noise started early last week and has persisted daily, except for Sunday. Every 20 minutes, from about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Garmston said, he and his wife have heard a helicopter flying low over their neighborhood.

The Hilton Head resident of 30 years called the noise “irritating.”

“We’re used to living in this lovely, peaceful island,” Garmston said. “It was just noisy and irritating.”

Port Royal Plantation is close to the Hilton Head Island Airport, where commercial airplanes take off and land daily. Garmston said he’s used to the sound of planes coming and going, but they’re not as disruptive, since they’re typically “one and done” and don’t fly directly overhead his neighborhood.

The reason for the helicopters over Hilton Head

Garmston said residents didn’t initially receive any kind of notice about the noise and helicopters. But in a Facebook post Sunday evening, the Hilton Head Island Airport shared the reason for the noise.

According to the post, the U.S. Navy is conducting helicopter training that is expected to continue through the end of the week.

“Crews are doing their best to avoid noise-sensitive areas while following required training procedures,” the airport wrote on Facebook.

Calls and emails from The Packet to Beaufort County Airports Director Jon Rembold and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort were unsuccessful Tuesday morning.

Why the training happened over land instead of water

Garmston provided The Packet with an email he received from Ward 6 Council Member Melinda Tunner Tuesday morning. Garmston said he also spoke with Tunner.

According to the email, Rembold informed Tunner that the standard protocol is for the training exercises to be executed over the water, but when that airspace is being used, those flights happen over Hilton Head communities. The airport is required to accommodate military activity, Tunner wrote.

When an apple pie craving strikes, you’re probably not reaching for a peeler and pastry cutter; you’re instead heading to the nearest bakery. But convenience doesn’t have to mean compromise. Some chains have perfected their recipes, turning out pies with flaky crusts and well-spiced fillings that taste homemade. To find the best, Eat This, Not That! asked pastry chefs to share their go-to spots. From beloved favorites to local haunts, here are five must-try places.

Known for Southern comfort homestyle meals, Cracker Barrel is a spot you want to save room for dessert. During the holidays, the chain offers its famous Apple Streusel Pie that everyone raves about.

“Cracker Barrel leans into comfort, tender apples and familiar spice,” says Eleni Louca, pastry chef at Hello Halloumi in the West Village, NYC.

Costco shoppers know the bakery has many standout items, including its apple pie.

“Costco does scale well, with generous apple pieces and a buttery crust,” says Chef Eleni. “Apple pie should feel honest, not overdesigned.”

Hilton Head Social Bakery

Hilton Head Island in South Carolina is a premier coastal destination renowned for its 12 miles of beautiful beaches, world-class golf and over 60 miles of biking trails. There’s also a great bakery there; you have to try the Hilton Head Social Bakery, which has two locations.

“It’s known for its classic and awesome French pastries, but a true gem hidden in their bakery cases is their Apple Pie disguised as a Rustic Apple Tart,” says Chef Philippe, Hilton Head Social Bakery, Hilton Head Island, SC. “Truly ingenious and delicious, with sparkling apple and cinnamon flavors, and a buttery crust that makes it unmistakably Southern!”

Another bakery to check out in South Carolina is Pie King Cafe in Charleston.

“No shortcuts” is the motto, according to Chef Toby, The Pie King Cafe, Charleston, South Carolina.

He explains, “With several varieties available, all are delicious and feature generous apples, gentle spices, a tender crust and a feeling of home.”

Four & Twenty Blackbirds

Four & Twenty Blackbirds is a legend in Brooklyn, New York, for its wow-factor desserts. The bakery delivers nationwide and will quickly become your new favorite bakery, according to ​​Gabrielle Marie Yap, pastry sous chef.

“The Salted Caramel Apple pie strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart,” she says. “There’s a reason why it’s one of the most popular items–it’s incredible.”