Criminal Defense Attorney inHilton Head Island, SC

Three Beaufort County food businesses and one Jasper County business were cited with “B” grades in February’s health inspections by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Here is a rundown of restaurants that received the lowest ratings in February:

Chophouse 119 scored 86% (B) on Feb. 13 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Chophouse 119 was reinspected on Feb. 21 and scored 100% (A).

Dolphin Head Golf Club scored 79% (B) on Feb. 11 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Dolphin Head Golf Club was reinspected on Feb. 21 and scored 100% (A).

Taqueria El Primo scored 85% (B) on Feb. 25 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Taqueria El Primo has not been reinspected as of March 7, but one is required within 10 days.

Bryan’s Country Store scored 79% (B) on Feb. 11 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Bryan’s Country Store was reinspected on Feb. 20 and scored 100% (A).

Inspectors give restaurants a grade of A, B or C, depending on the conditions found at the time. Points are docked for various infractions, and restaurants have a chance to correct the problems and improve their score in a reinspection.

The grade scale is as follows:

During February, SCDA recorded 227 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores and other food establishments in Beaufort County and 43 in Jasper County.

The agency publishes the results of these health inspections on its website.

Newer food-grade decals include a QR code that customers can scan with their phones to see a food establishment’s latest report.

This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

If you’re planning a beach vacation soon, make sure not to forget about the different kinds of ocean life you may encounter on your visit.

For Hilton Head beachgoers, jellyfish are one of the first ocean creatures seen swimming around, with them often popping up in the waters between March and April.

According to Mike Wagner, spokesperson for the Shore Beach Services of Hilton Head, “mushroom jellyfish are the first kinds we see, and they typically arrive in March, but they don’t sting.”

These are also the most common kinds of jellyfish you will see washed up on the shore.

Mushroom jellyfish live up to their name. They are typically smaller and rounded in shape. Their coloring varies from browns to yellows and even white; some even have spots on their tops.

According to Wagner, the main jellyfish season falls within a varying six to eight-week period in June and July.

Jellyfish love the warm water just as much as beachgoers do, meaning the peak beach season is prime time for jellyfish to vacation too.

The most common types of jellyfish that Shore Beach Services sees are sea nettles and sea box jellyfish.

“While they do sting, these jellyfish are easier to spot because they are usually bright blue or white,” said Wagner.

Moon jellyfish are also common in the Hilton Head waters.

Sea nettle jellyfish are white or blue in color in Hilton Head area waters, but their coloring can vary depending on where you go. They usually have a rounded top and are easily identifiable by their longer tentacles.

Sea box, or sea wasp jellyfish, are identifiable by their box-shaped tops. They are also blue, white and even transparent in color. They also have longer tentacles, but the shape of their tops is the best form of identification.

Moon jellyfish are small and rounded, with short, small tentacles that are hard to spot. They are translucent in color and can be harder to see.

If there is high activity or a large volume of jellyfish, Shore Beach Services flies a purple flag on the flagpoles and on the red Beach Patrol trucks.

Wagner also noted that just because there is a high volume of jellyfish in one area, it doesn’t mean that jellyfish are at every beach.

If you do have the unfortunate experience of getting stung, here is what lifeguards from Shore Beach Service recommend:

Lifeguards with the Hilton Head Shore Beach Services do not recommend using fresh water to ease the sting, as the fresh, cold water can actually make the sting worse.

During the peak summer season, lifeguards from Hilton Head Shore Beach Services patrol all areas if the beach and have more than sixty lifeguard personnel at various locations. You can view the map of all lifeguard locations here.

Lifeguards are available to assist in first aid, ocean rescue, missing persons, beach-specific questions or any other questions you may have about the island. Each lifeguard is equipped with two-way radios for communication to all points on the beach. These radios also have a direct line to the 911 dispatch office.

To learn more about Shore Beach Services and how to stay safe on the beach, you can visit their website.

This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

The Island Packet

(843) 626-0211

Anna Claire Miller is the Service Journalism Reporter for The Island Packet. Originally from Georgia, she has experience in magazine writing, non-profit communications and city government. Anna Claire has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, legal studies and English from High Point University.

Once Upon A Child is set to open in Bluffton on Thursday, March 6, bringing affordable and sustainable shopping to the Lowcountry.

Kids are constantly growing, which often means items like shoes and clothing can be both challenging to find and costly.

Once Upon A Child offers a sustainable solution to this common problem for families by providing a place where people can buy and sell gently used children’s clothing, toys and other needed items, all while giving these items a second life and reducing waste.

The new location will be at 1202-A Fording Island Road, near God’s Goods Thrift Store, Hilton Head BMW and Whisper Creek Spa.

To mark the grand opening of the Bluffton location, local owner Leah Baker has planned a series of events throughout the weekend.

Here is what you can expect each day:

Additionally, all weekend long, customers who spend $50 or more will receive a $10 off coupon for future use, and the first 25 customers to check out will receive an exclusive tote bag.

Baker, the store’s owner and self-described lifelong thrifting enthusiast, said she was introduced to the Once Upon A Child concept 15 years ago and saw it as the perfect opportunity to open a family-focused resale store.

Two years ago, Baker and her late sister signed the lease to open the new store together. By opening the store, she is fulfilling a shared dream she once had with her late sister, who moved to the Bluffton area to help open it.

“Even though my sister isn’t here, I’m so excited to open the store and be a part of this community,” Baker said. “My team and I have worked so hard to get this together, and we’re ready.”

Unlike typical consignment stores, Once Upon A Child doesn’t require appointments and pays customers immediately for items they bring in.

Families can both buy and sell with ease, receiving cash on the spot for their items. The store also ensures that all products meet strict safety standards, pulling recalled items from shelves and conducting regular checks to ensure compliance.

With two children of her own, Baker’s goal is to create a welcoming space where local families can shop affordably and sustainably.

For more information on the buying process and event details, visit the Once Upon A Child webpage or call (843) 757-7523.

The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Once Upon A Child is a national leader in the resale of gently used kids’ merchandise, including clothing, toys, baby equipment, books and more.

With over 420 franchised stores in the U.S. and Canada, Once Upon A Child is part of Winmark, which also franchises other brands like Plato’s Closet, Play It Again Sports, Style Encore and Music Go Round. For more information, visit www.onceuponachild.com.

This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

The Island Packet

(843) 626-0211

Anna Claire Miller is the Service Journalism Reporter for The Island Packet. Originally from Georgia, she has experience in magazine writing, non-profit communications and city government. Anna Claire has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, legal studies and English from High Point University.

Wondering what the “reel” scoop is for fishing on Hilton Head?

From licenses, types of fish you can catch, places to go and other rules to get hooked up on, it can be hard to decipher what’s allowed.

With the sunshine creeping in and boat weather approaching soon, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on the rules for fishing in South Carolina, no matter if you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time visitor.

Here is what to keep in mind before heading out on the water this year.

General fishing rules

According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, all anglers aged 16 and over must have a South Carolina fishing license to fish in state waters. You can fish from a boat, pier, or beach, but a license is required for all forms of sport fishing.

If you are planning to fish at the beach, make sure to pay attention to all signs you see and any designated swimming areas, as fishing in these areas is prohibited. You’ll know you’re in a designated swimming area when you see signs or a lifeguard.

Fishing within 3 miles of the Hilton Head Island shoreline follows South Carolina state regulations.

These regulations include these guidelines:

These rules extend to the fishing of fin fish, oysters, clams, shrimp and crab.

Once you go beyond that, federal regulations apply.

Species restrictions:

The Hilton Head is home to a variety of species of fish. Here are the most commonly caught species inshore and their regulations for catching:

If you’re worried about the kind of fish you’ve caught, you can check the “tail length” to make sure it’s okay to keep it.

To check, it’s recommended you squeeze the tail to get an accurate measurement, similar to how you squeeze a lemon.

Upon a squeeze, if the fish’s tail is only the slightest bit past the legal length, release it. If you’re ever unsure or can’t tell, it’s best to release the fish.

Hilton Head offers many public places for fishing. Here are some of the top public locations you can visit.

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May 08, 2024 6:00 AM

Forgot a fishing pole? That’s no problem.

Hilton Head Island has several outdoor outfitters where you can rent fishing equipment and purchase bait.

Here are a few:

If you are visiting, you can also reach out to your resort or rental company to ask about the closest outfitter.

Hilton Head is known for its practically perfect fishing weather all year round, but with different seasons, there are different catching opportunities.

Here is what you can expect during these seasons:

For more information and guidance on fishing rules and licenses, please visit the SCDNR Fishing License and Guidelines webpage.

This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

Hilton Head Island town leaders want to make a few changes to the design plans to address traffic concerns.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC. (WTOC) -Hilton Head Island town council is moving forward with the on-going U.S. Highway 278 project, but town leaders want to make a few changes to the design plans.

Tuesday, Hilton Head Island town council voted 6 to 1 to approve a joint resolution with Beaufort County. Before the vote, the council made amendments to the resolution. Some of the amendments addressed wording and formatting. One change included requesting a drop in speed limit to 40 miles per hour for the William Hilton Parkway.

The SCDOT will have the final decision on the highway and bridge design. However, passing the joint resolution shows the SCDOT both the town and county support the project.

“This is to put out between the town and the county to the state that we’re working together to find the best resolution. That we’re working together, we’re working together, we’re working together,” said Mayor Alan Perry. “That’s something that hasn’t happened and I want to stress that we’re working together.”

The biggest change included wanting the South Carolina Department of Transportation to include a two-way option on and off of Pickney Island to address traffic issues.

“I am aligned in clearly spelling out exactly what we need for the Pinckney Island access,” said council member Melinda Tunner.

The amendments now head to Beaufort County Council for approval an if Beaufort County Council agrees to the changes, then the State Infrastructure Bank will review it, and then it’s in the hands of the SCDOT.

“That will have to be a conversation with Chairman White and his team with the state infrastructure bank,” said Assistant Town Manager Shawn Colin. “I don’t know the ultimate answer but that’s the path that we’re on.”

Perry said the SCDOT would eventually host public meetings and workshops for public input then as well so their time to share ideas won’t be completely done still.

The SIB has given them until the end of the month to come to official agreements on what the 278 Corridor Project should become and have funding options available to review.

“That will have to be a conversation with Chairman White and his team with the state infrastructure bank,” said Assistant Town Manager Shawn Colin. “I don’t know the ultimate answer but that’s the path that we’re on.”

Councilmember Tamara Becker was the lone “no” vote on Tuesday night, citing safety concerns for residents among other things about the proposal.

“Whether it’s 25, 30, or 35 years from now, we’ll leave Hilton Head with the same bridge that we all have been fighting against and for the future of the island, generations to come, that’s not really a good thing,” she said. “In my mind, we haven’t done justice to our residents or to the future so I have to vote no.”

The council also approved that $5 million will be set aside and made available for the town to use as soon as the project is approved by the Federal Highway Administration.

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