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Residents near Broad River Elementary are pushing back on a proposed sidewalk plan, saying the Riley Road extension could affect property.

BEAUFORT, S.C. —

A handful of Beaufort County residents came out Tuesday night to review plans for a proposed sidewalk project near Broad River Elementary School — and those who attended say they are against part of the plan.

The county is proposing a new six-foot sidewalk along Broad River Boulevard and Riley Road. The project would begin at Broad River Elementary School, run along Broad River Boulevard to Riley Road, then continue down Riley Road to Fair Road.

Altogether, the proposed sidewalk would stretch about three-quarters of a mile.

Tuesday night’s meeting was held in a drop-in format, with no formal presentation. Residents were able to look over project maps, ask questions and share feedback with project representatives.

All of the residents who attended were from Riley Road. They said they support adding a sidewalk along Broad River Boulevard, but do not want it extended down Riley Road.

“To be honest with you, I’m not a huge fan of it,” Riley Road resident Jared Joslin said. “I understand that the county has their easement access, which we understand. But it’s really not that beneficial for the residents that actually live on Riley Road. Seems kind of a waste of money. If I’m being honest, I don’t really see the need in it.”

Joslin said he believes Broad River Boulevard is a better fit for a sidewalk because of traffic and pedestrian safety concerns.

“I understand if they were to want to put a sidewalk on Broad River. That makes a lot of sense,” Joslin said. “It’s more dangerous. There’s a lot more people that want to walk that area, maybe pick up trash or whatnot. But Riley’s pretty slow. It’s a small road. Not a lot of people go down there.”

The project also includes drainage improvements along Broad River Boulevard and Riley Road.

But the proposed design would require new right of way, which was one of the biggest concerns raised by Riley Road residents Tuesday night.

Joslin said his property would not be impacted, but some of his neighbors’ properties would be.

“My neighbors who have lived there for 35 plus years, it would take a lot of their property,” Joslin said. “And yeah, I just want to stand up for them.”

County leaders say public feedback will help guide the project before it moves into the next phase.

Right of way acquisition is expected to begin later this year. Construction is currently scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2027.

Public comments on the Broad River Boulevard and Riley Road sidewalk project can still be submitted online through Sept. 2.

Four Beaufort County restaurants, including Beaufort’s Bojangles, received C grades in their July inspections.

A C grade is the lowest grade awarded by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s (SCDA) inspectors. Grades are awarded based on a 100 point system, and restaurants with fewer than 78 points receive a C grade. The SCDA conducts follow-up inspections if a low grade is given.

Here’s how the restaurants fared in follow-up inspections:

Beaufort Bojangles

The Robert Smalls Parkway Bojangles received a with 71 points in a July 31 inspection. It was temporarily closed before a follow-up inspection could be carried out on August 3. The follow-up inspection netted the Bojangles , but repeat infractions resulted in another C grade.

The follow-up report notes the drive-thru window does not close, the walk-in cooler can’t hold food at the required temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit and the kitchen floor has broken or missing tiles. Inspectors will follow up again on Aug. 7, and the Bojangles will reopen. It will operate out of its other walk-in cooler and freezer until the broken cooler is repaired, according to the report.

Baleada Express

Inspectors gave Bluffton’s Baleada Express a C grade with 71 points in its July 13 inspection, and a follow-up inspection eight days later gave it another C grade. Inspectors observed organic growth on gorditas, rotting cilantro and no method for dating foods.

A second follow-up inspection on July 23 netted Baleada Express a perfect 100 points and an A grade. The report notes no infractions, and a third follow up is not needed.

La Cabañita

Inspectors awarded a B grade with 82 points in La Cabañita on Hilton Head Island’s routine inspection on July 17, before a follow-up inspection on July 27 that netted it a C grade. Inspectors observed in both inspections cockroaches, cabbage with organic growth and excess trash outside the restaurant. The repeat infractions resulted in the C grade.

A second follow-up on Aug. 4 resulted in a perfect score and A grade for La Cabañita. Inspectors observed no infractions and a third follow-up is not needed.

Sake House

Inspectors gave Bluffton’s Sake House Japanese Sushi & Steakhouse a with 72 points in a routine inspection on July 23. Inspectors observed “pink slime” on a soda gun, contaminated cucumbers and rusty shelving.

A follow-up on July 30 netted Sake House a perfect score and A grade. No follow-up inspection is needed.

SCDA inspection reports are public and can be found .

A bakery designed for Beaufort is in the works downtown.

The Beaufort Baking Company plans to open its doors in Beaufort this fall, if not by September, according to its owner, Jake Higgins. The bakery will be at 211 Scott St., in the former location of Sunshine & Sass Clothing Boutique.

The bakery is meant to be a place where customers can get a taste for an affordable price, Higgins said.

“This is not something where you have to save up two weeks of pay to come buy a cake or come buy a piece of pie,” Higgins said. “This is a place where you can stop in and for a couple of dollars, enjoy the things that we make.”

Higgins believes it’s a necessity to have a bakery in Beaufort, and he wants it to be a Beaufort bakery, not styled after famous bakeries in big cities. Customers can expect one for the community, where they can come in daily for whatever baked goods they need, he said.

The menu isn’t available yet, but Higgins said it will offer a variety of baked staples. Muffins, breads, whole pies and slices, pastries and more will be available, and baking won’t be done behind the scenes in a closed-off kitchen. Customers will be able to watch everything be made behind the counter, Higgins said.

Higgins is looking for dedicated bakers to staff it too. He’s hiring professionals who want to bake and have experience doing so, he said.

Beaufort Baking also plans to offer cakes for events, such as weddings and birthdays, Higgins said. His bakery will be a local option for people seeking a professionally made cake, rather than having one shipped in. One of Higgins’ other restaurants, Blackstone’s Café, holds wedding events frequently, and Beaufort Baking will supply cakes for them.

Higgins owns more than just Blackstone’s Café; he owns several Beaufort restaurants and the Hwy. 21 Drive-in movie theater. His experience helped him determine what Beaufort needs from the bakery.

“You learn a lot about the people, and a lot of the inspiration for the bakery comes from the requests of the people,” Higgins said. “So, I think that experience is paramount to this effort.”

Beaufort Baking will be open seven days a week, and operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Higgins hopes it will open in September, but there’s more remodelling to be done and appliances to install before it can. Follow Beaufort Baking Company’s Facebook for updates.

BEAUFORT, S.C. – Beaufort Memorial has announced a new investment in workforce housing in Beaufort through its partnership with Woda Cooper Companies.

Canal Street Apartments is the second Beaufort Memorial workforce housing project in collaboration with Woda Cooper Companies, with the community health system breaking ground on its Bluffton project, LiveWell Terrace, on June 11.

The Beaufort housing project reinforces the organization’s long-term commitment to community stability, employee recruitment and access to affordable housing.

Canal Street Apartments is located at 1700 Salem Road in Beaufort and includes 14 apartments that are 700-square-foot with one-bedroom, one-bathroom. These residences will be leased in phases to support workforce needs in the region.

“As healthcare providers, we see firsthand how access to stable housing impacts workforce retention and overall community health,” said Russell Baxley, President and CEO of Beaufort Memorial. “This investment reflects our commitment to supporting the people who serve our community — both within the health system and beyond.”

Beaufort Memorial is supporting this $1.3 million housing project as a mission‑aligned financial partner, helping expand access to quality workforce housing while preserving independent property management and leasing operations.

There are no income restrictions for rentals in this development, and employment verification will be required during the application process. Leasing and property management will be handled by Woda Cooper Companies.

As Canal Street Apartment units become available, Beaufort Memorial employees will have priority for leasing.

This initiative complements Beaufort Memorial's broader workforce housing efforts, including the Bluffton project LiveWell Terrace (which is scheduled to open in Spring 2027) and the Beaufort Memorial homebuyer assistance program, which together aim to support employees and community members across the full housing continuum.

More information on LiveWell Terrace and workforce housing at Beaufort Memorial is available at BeaufortMemorial.org/LiveWellTerrace.