Criminal Defense Lawyer in Beaufort, SC

By Mike McCombs and Amber Hewitt

The Island News

A North Carolina man drowned at Hunting Island State Park just after noon on Friday, July 4, while trying to save his children.

The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office, on Saturday morning, identified the deceased as 38-year-old Paul Peters from Indian Trail, N.C.

Peters and his wife, Emily, and their two children – Asher, 4, and Ezra, 7 — were in Beaufort County on vacation, according to a source at the scene of the incident.

According to witnesses at the scene, between 11:35 and 11:40 a.m., on Hunting Island’s North Beach, Peters went in the water to assist his children, who were “in trouble” in the water. Peters reached the children, but according to witnesses, was caught in a rip current and began to struggle.

Several men went in to the water to help. They were able to get the children to safety, but by the time they could get Peters to shore, he had been under the water for some time.

Bystanders started to perform CPR, and EMS continued the life-saving efforts upon arrival. According to witnesses, EMS, “pumped a bunch of water out, but he never regained consciousness.”

The Coroner’s Office declared him dead, on scene, at 12:10 p.m.

Sixteen-year-old Taylor Durrance of Beaufort and her family were in the middle of the rescue efforts on Friday.

Durrance said she was sitting on the beach, listening to music, when she got a strange feeling. She said she looked up and realized something was happening.

“I saw people surrounding this man on the beach,” she said. “I didn’t really see them doing CPR yet, I think they had just [dragged] him on shore.”

She said she called out to her father, Bryan, and her brother, Matthew, that she thought this man was drowning.

“That’s when my brother found out his little boys were drowning as well,” she said.

Taylor Durrance said Ezra was pulled out of the water first, but she didn’t believe he was actually drowning but had “just swallowed some water.”

Asher was being helped by “a man in pink shorts,” though they were repeatedly being pulled back in the current.

Matthew Durrance, 22, went out into the water and retrieved Asher from the man and brought him to Taylor.

Taylor Durrance said she continued to slap Asher’s back, getting the water out of him a bit at a time, until there was one big cough and he got rid of most of the water and could breathe.

She said when the 4 year old was able to talk, he immediately asked, “Where’s my dad?”

“It just broke my heart,” she said.

While all of this was happening, Taylor Durrance said her father, Bryan Durrance, was among the group of bystanders surrounding Paul Peters and performing CPR. She said Emily Peters asked her to watch her children while she joined the group of people tending to her husband.

Taylor Durrance said the whole situation was “really sad” and a bit surreal. It might sound strange, she said, but “It felt kind of … quiet.”

This is the second drowning this week at Hunting Island. Steven Thackston, a 65-year-old male from Decatur, Ga., was pronounced dead from drowning at approximately 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, July 1, according to the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office.

The red flag was flying at Hunting Island’s North Beach on Friday, which indicates High Hazard, meaning the surf is hazardous, often due to strong currents, high waves, or other unsafe conditions.

Under a red flag, swimming is often prohibited, and not recommended for anyone other than experienced, strong swimmers.

When speaking with The Island News, Durrance said she wouldn’t have normally talked about an event like this, but she struggled to sleep Friday night, and every time she closed her eyes, she kept reliving the event.

She felt like those not from the Beaufort area might not realize just how serious the conditions can be at Hunting Island.

“These oceans aren’t what they think they are,” she said. “They have to be aware of the currents. If it’s a red flag, don’t go in the water.”

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.

Amber Hewitt is a photographer for The Island News.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — With almost 40 minutes to sunrise, a line of unabashed fans hugged the sidewalk of a roadside gas station.

Just outside the electric sliding doors were Elsie Miyamura and Fred Morrow, a Hawaiian couple who staked their spot at 2 a.m. They would soon be the first customers at Buc-ee’s inaugural coastal Georgia location on Interstate 95.

Since its founding in Texas in 1982, Buc-ee's has spread its buck-toothed mascot, barbecue brisket and pristine bathrooms around the country.

The company opened its first South Carolina spot in 2022 in Florence.

“This is not a gas station; this is a destination,” S.C. House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, announced to the grand opening crowd of the 53,000-square-foot, 120-pump Florence location at the juncture of Interstate 95 and S.C. Highway 327.

And the brand aspires to grow its empire throughout the Palmetto State. A Hardeeville location is planned to open in 2028, and according to City Manager Josh Gruber, the project is in the permitting stage.

Some 165 miles south of Florence, Hardeeville City Council approved in November a development that will bring a Buc-ee's off Exit 8 of I-95 95 near Hilton Head and Savannah.

Buc-ee's wants to open in Hardeeville to attract drivers along the southern I-95 corridor in South Carolina, Scott Ratcliff, the company's director of engineering, said at the time.

The retailer hopes to "pull in weary travelers," he said.

If the daily scene in Florence is any indication, this new location will have no problem doing that.

"You're going to bring a lot of benefit to our area," Hardeeville Mayor Harry Williams told Ratcliff in November.

Hardeeville officials said the new Buc-ee's compound will bring around 200 jobs. The company advertises pay scales from $16 an hour for cashiers and stockers, to $20 an hour for bathroom attendants and more than $100,000 for managers — with the general manager capable of earning more than $225,000.

The store will generate new property, hospitality and sales tax revenues for Hardeeville.

The store will be along a 10-mile stretch of I-95 that the S.C. Department of Transportation is working to improve and revitalize. The construction zone runs from the Savannah River to just north of U.S. Highway 278, which carries travelers into Jasper County and parts of Beaufort County, including Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.

Among the improvements are widening the highway from to six lanes from four, replacing bridges and enhancing two exits, including the off-ramp that will take traffic to the future Buc-ee's site.

An opening in Georgia

As the clock ticked toward the 6 a.m. door unlocking, the crowd in Brunswick cheered at five minute milestones. Morrow, 69, and Miyamura, 75, waited for this moment — a few weeks prior, they attended a Buc-ee’s opening in Harrison County, Miss. The couple couldn’t pass up a chance to wear shirts they purchased just a road trip away. Miyaumura aspires to witness the chain’s first opening in Arizona.

Past the die-hard enthusiasts further up the line were the early risers. Landen Wade and Lane Anderson, 12-year-old best friends, woke at 4:30 a.m. from their sleepover to attend.

As most of the Lowcountry snoozed, Wade wanted to start his day with beef jerky. Asked what type of dehydrated meat he desired, he asked:

“There are flavors of beef jerky?”

It was a gobsmacking moment that opened a new world for the miniature meat mogul.

Buc-ee's pitmaster Randy Pauly finally ended the torturous waiting period. Management cheered, and a life-sized Buc-ee danced as customers christened the store. In the center of the 74,000-square-foot building was a barbecue station, where a man slapped speckled meat onto a cutting board about the size of a New York City apartment.

“Brisket on the board!” staff yelled, while a man holding a knife with handles on each side of the blade chopped away.

At any given time, 115 staffers work at this Buc-ee’s. Wearing red, they constantly clean and tweaked, correcting any piece of merchandise that a customer had pulled out of alignment.

Balls of dough became fresh tortillas and then tacos filled with ice cream scoops of scrambled eggs. Staff plied customers with samples of fudge and hot and spicy jerky. Frozen raw chickens were stuffed with dirty rice or crawfish jambalaya.

Harkening back to its Lone Star roots, longhorn skulls lined the store’s shelves. Ketchup-based barbecue sauce was available for purchase. Among the gas station’s 35,000 items, mustard-based Carolina Gold was not an option.

With an inflatable beaver at their backs, local politicians boasted about their shining new superstore at a late morning ribbon cutting. Among them was U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., who is running for U.S. Senate, and called Buc-ee's the "Disney World" of gas stations.

"Buc-ee's, you have made a wise decision. You have chosen an area that you will find is so inviting," he said.

Inside the store, located about two hours south of Bluffton, copies of Willie Nelson’s “Letters to America” were nestled among cowhide beer koozies. Beverage dispensers shaped like gas pumps were available, smaller versions of the 120 fuel stations outside. And there was plenty of Buc-ee’s swag: banana pudding-scented candles, neck rests, phone holders and dancing beavers among them.

Buc-ee’s plans to stay open every hour of every day. Director of Operations Josh Smith said the store’s generator supplies “indefinite power” to every single aspect of the store.

As hurricane season begins, Smith thinks Buc-ee's is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws its way, in jest pitting its disaster response against another Southern staple.

“Waffle House will actually close,” Smith said. “We won’t.”

The BBQ scene in Beaufort will soon be smokin’ even hotter with the addition of the new Bordertown BBQ restaurant to Beaufort Town Center this upcoming fall.

The new spot will be replacing the former Home Slice Pizzeria at 2001 Boundary Street, located behind Starbucks next to the old Quality Inn hotel.

“We’ll be offering a mix of Texas-style barbecue, Mexican street flair and Southern hospitality,” restaurant co-owner, Kristen Miklinevich told us on Friday.

“We’ve done the work,” she said. “We’ve spent a great deal of time in Texas figuring out the real deal with BBQ, and co-owner Sam Kochan has owned and operated a Mexican Restaurant in Massachusetts for the past 14 years.”

“The close overlapping of Texas BBQ and Mexican cuisine is what makes our name Bordertown, and the inclusion of Mexican flavors to traditional Texas BBQ is what will make our menu different because they compliment one another,” she added.

That sounds fantastic to us!

The couple spent 14 years running successful spots in Massachusetts, including Mission Cantina and North Village Smokehouse, until they decided to move south in 2024.

According to Kristen, the key to their taste is “Central Texas-inspired slow smoked meats on a 1000 gallon stick burner.” She said that the smoker will be kept outside of the restaurant, and will be smoking nearly all the time, adding a robust scent to the air around Town Center.

The menu will include brisket, along with other smoked items, Mexican-inspired street tacos and all the traditional sides you would expect from a BBQ restaurant. Kristen said that other meats will be sold by the pound to give that consummate Texas feel, along with lunch and dinner specials, huge combo platters, and brunch options as well.

Texas BBQ is in a class by itself. Along with big plates and portions, the focus of Texas BBQ is on the natural flavor of the beef, pork, or ribs, enhanced only by a perfectly balanced smoky bark; instead of drowning it in sauces.

“Fate brought us to Beaufort,” she said. “Sam has been a chef for years and is incredibly talented and his passion for cooking the best tasting foods is complimented by his using quality ingredients.”

“A brisket takes 12 hours,” Sam said. “Which means I’m starting most days at 1am, because that’s what real barbecue is.”

“We are excited to have a little something for everyone at Bordertown,” Kristen added.

In the bar, we were told that their margaritas are made with fresh-squeezed juices, because they wouldn’t serve anything that they wouldn’t eat or drink themselves.

Additional plans include a honky-tonk style bar in the back of the restaurant with live music, event space and a late-night vibe on the outdoor patio.

The couple plans to open the restaurant in mid-October, with hours of operation scheduled four to five days a week from 11:30am to 9pm. Then expanding on days/hours after they get their feet wet for a little while.

The Beaufort area BBQ scene has taken a few hits over the past few years with the closure of both the popular Dukes BBQ, K.C. Mike’s, and Sgt. White’s. Bordertown will be joining 4 or 5 other BBQ spots currently in the area, but will be the only one to focus on Texas-style offerings.

Keep up to date on progress at Bordertown BBQ by following them on Facebook.

Locals and folks visiting the Beaufort area are again in for a treat as the Town of Port Royal will be hosting its Independence Day Celebration and fireworks at the Sands Beach for the 4th of July.

After your done with the day of boating, relaxing, barbecuing and having fun with family and friends, get on down to The Sands for more fun and fireworks.

The festivities at The Sands usually start earlier in the afternoon, and you’ll enjoy lots of family fun including good eats and drinks that will help combat the heat we usually have here in the Lowcountry.

Food trucks will be lined up on hand to quench your thirst and to offer more goodies. Enjoy fare from Fly Pies, Beach Bum BBQ, Maynards, Blue Sky Italian Ice, and Tropical Treasures.

Live entertainment starts later in the day, and the Iron Mic Parris Island Marine Band will perform from 8pm until the fireworks start.

Free parking on Paris Avenue and side streets will be available and the road to the Sands landing is usually shut down prior to the 4th of July for all traffic including boats with trailers. 7th Street is typically closed to all traffic except for residents that live on that street. Also, the Boat Ramp closes July 3rd at Midnight

The Town has said that parking at The Sands is for handicapped and golf carts only, sp be sure to pay attention to that. Also, no coolers and no pets are permitted, unless they’re service dogs.

The fireworks at The Sands are put on by East Coast Pyrotechnics and usually begin around 915pm.

Yes, what better way to celebrate the 4th of July in Beaufort than fireworks, family fun and community at the Sands in Port Royal.

It’s a lot of fun and you won’t find a better place to enjoy a night of celebrating than with fireworks at the Sands Beach.

Downtown Beaufort is set to get a new dining addition this fall with the opening of a sandwich, charcuterie and deli shop, Sister Sister Deli & Market.

Owned by a sister duo, Sami and Dani Mussman, Sister Sister is set to offer deli options, cheeses and sandwiches, all with American-made ingredients and products. Their space is intended to be part neighborhood deli and part gourmet market.

Sister Sister Deli & Market will open its doors at 403 Carteret Street in Beaufort, taking over the space formerly home to Griffin Market, an Italian eatery that closed in 2024.

While a full menu has not yet been set, Sami Mussman shared that their offerings will include Southern-inspired dishes and small boards.

Here are some items to expect at this new deli and market:

Lunch offerings will include:

According to their website, Sister Sister will be focused on sustainability, responsible sourcing, and supporting local and regional producers with their products.

Renovation work began in June and along the way, the team has uncovered some relics from the building’s past. Some of these findings include:

According to Sami Mussman, the building is set to be repainted starting in July.

Though an exact opening date has not yet been announced, Sister Sister Deli & Market is hoping to open their doors by October to bring the perfect lunch break, snack stop or dinner party charcuterie board crafting location to the Lowcountry.

To follow along with their progress, you can visit their Facebook or Instagram.