Roofing Contractor in Hilton Head Island, SC

A few days ago, Mack Brown stood behind a podium having coached likely his last college football game. Fired earlier in the week, the North Carolina head man strode the sidelines for one last game and did a simultaneous season- and career-ending press conference.

All season, Brown was just one of three active coaches in college football to have won a national championship. Now, he just looked defeated. The man who thought he could evolve forever finally threw his hands up.

“This isn’t the game that I signed up for,” he told reporters. “It has changed so much.”

The next 10 years of college athletics may bear little resemblance to the previous 10. It is not just the transfer portal, conference realignment and NIL (name, image and likeness) anymore. Next year, athletic departments will have to navigate the world they always feared — when athletes would get a piece of the pie.

Revenue sharing will come to college athletics, likely bringing with it a bevy of lawsuits and questions and problems we can’t currently conceive of — like what will happen to the walk-on athlete?

To navigate what comes next, and the intricacies of preparing for uncertainty, takes a certain amount of nimbleness, a certain youth and energy and array of ideas and perspective.

Which brings us to Thursday afternoon, as it felt like the University of South Carolina was enacting a real-time depiction of the future college athletics.

Sitting on the side of the room, next to football coach Shane Beamer, was Ray Tanner — the 66-year old outgoing athletic director who announced in September he was transitioning roles at the school.

Tanner, the former USC baseball coach, had been in the post since 2012, racking up a long achievement list that includes three women’s basketball national championships, the hiring of Shane Beamer and Lamont Paris as well as charting South Carolina through COVID and the beginning of the NIL era.

Standing up on stage, though, was 47-year-old Jeremiah Donati, almost bouncing as he spoke. Donati, the new South Carolina athletic director, was introduced just minutes after the USC Board of Trustees approved a six-year contract that will pay him a starting salary of $1.9 million.

Donati has spent the past 13 years at TCU, including the previous seven as athletic director. In his time in Fort Worth, he oversaw $500 million of facility upgrades — pertinent, considering the pending renovation of Williams-Brice Stadium. He made the tough choice to fire legendary football coach Gary Patterson only for Donati’s hire (Sonny Dykes) to make the national championship in year one.

Donati also has previous experience working for arguably the most-prominent sports agency run by Leigh Steinberg (the Tom Cruise movie “Jerry MacGuire” is based on Steinberg). In 2024, a law degree and an agency background are all of sudden quite helpful.

Donati was in an odd spot Thursday because he wasn’t hired because someone was fired. He wasn’t afforded this opportunity because of someone else’s mistakes. He kept mentioning that, saying that South Carolina is not a “fixer-upper.”

“Things are going really well,” Donati said. “And the question is going to be a challenge, going to be: How can you fly higher?”

And for Donati: Do you need to breathe new life into a place that has plenty of life?

South Carolina President Michael Amiridis seemed to almost crave the outsider, saying basically from the outset that he would only hire a sitting athletic director. He landed on Donati for myriad reasons, not the least of which is this:

“I saw other candidates — they had the solution immediately. Well, if you don’t know where you’re going, you don’t have the solution,” Amiridis told The State. “(Donati) said, ‘I need to understand. I need to evaluate and then make changes if needed.’ That’s exactly what I liked.”

After Thursday, it seems naive to think major changes will come within even a few months after Donati begins working on Jan. 2.

There likely will not be some major shift on the outside, but rather methodical planning on the inside — a vision, a foundation for how to attack the problems of the future.

“A big thing for me is really ensuring that the program is built for the future,” Donati said. “(College athletics) is changing so fast that I think every athletics department needs to make sure we’re prepared for the next five to 10 years, and not what we did the previous 5 to 10 years. It’ll take some time. I’m not gonna sugarcoat that.”

But he has to start somewhere.

After his press conference on Thursday, Donati was led to his next gathering. Wayne Hiott, CEO of the Gamecock Club, was helping escort Donati and his family. Hiott shook his new AD’s hand and introduced himself.

Donati’s head perked up.

“I read your newsletter today,” he said.

This story was originally published December 5, 2024, 7:41 PM.

The South Carolina Board of Education voted Tuesday to take control of the Jasper County School District’s finances due to concerns about financial mismanagement, including late audits. This decision follows the district’s firing of its superintendent, an investigation by the state inspector general into potential fraud and scrutiny over questionable travel expenses made by school district officials.

This comes after an Aug. 2 letter to state Inspector General Brian Lamkin from State Superintendent Ellen Weaver who requested his office conduct an investigation into the school district for “fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, violations of state and federal law, and wrongdoing.”

As a result of the board meeting, the state will now manage Jasper County schools’ finances at least through June, with the option to extend as needed for fiscal recovery, according to the S.C. Daily Gazette. However, unlike a full takeover, this control is limited to financial oversight and does not affect the local school board’s decision-making authority, as explained by a department attorney.

The state placed the district on a fiscal watch, the lowest of three tiers, in March 2023 for missing the deadline to submit it’s 2022 audit, which was later turned in more than 60 days after it was due. The district was moved to fiscal caution in February for not submitting its 2023 audit and then elevated again in August into fiscal emergency, the most severe level, for still not having the 2023 audit turned in.

The district has also failed to submit its audit for the 2024 fiscal year despite aDec. 1 deadline. However, districts are allowed to submit their filings by Dec. 16 without consequence due to Hurricane Helene, according to an Oct. 15 letter sent to Weaver from the state.

This came after a Post and Courier investigation published in July revealed that school district officials have spent over $228,000 on travel and lodging since 2020. That same month district Superintendent Rechel Anderson was placed on paid administrative leave and later fired by the school board during an Oct. 25 meeting with no reason provided to the public. Anderson has denied all wrongdoing.

Russell Zimmerman, the district’s interim director of finance, who is working with the state to complete the audits, is being kept in his position by the state, county Treasurer Michael Skinner said. Skinner, who has been working with Zimmerman to gather the school district’s paperwork, which has been located in the Treasurer’s office, said this is a sign of faith by the state in Zimmerman as he tries to address the issues at the district.

Skinner noted that the information Zimmerman initially received from the previous administration was even worse than what Skinner had walked into, making it challenging, if not impossible, for Zimmerman to find the necessary paperwork to provide the needed information for the auditors.

The school district serves about 2,700 students and includes two elementary schools, a high school and other programs, according to the district’s website.

This story was originally published December 5, 2024, 11:54 AM.

The Island Packet

Isabella Douglas is the accountability reporter for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette. A graduate of the University of Florida, she has spent time reporting for The Independent Florida Alligator, Fresh Take Florida and New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a concentration in criminology.

A person who bought a Powerball ticket at a gas station near Interstate 26 prior to Wednesday’s drawing was one number away from winning the game’s $240 million grand prize, South Carolina Education Lottery officials said Thursday in a news release.

Although the ticket buyer didn’t win the game’s jackpot, the person will be rewarded with a $50,000 payday for coming so close, according to the release.

Now the search is underway for the winner.

The five-figure winning Powerball game was sold at the Murphy Express gas station/convenience store at 2818 Augusta Road in West Columbia, officials said. That’s in an area which is densely packed with retail businesses and restaurants just off Exit 111 on I-26.

The ticket matched four white ball numbers and the red Powerball number in Wednesday’s Double Play drawing, a feat that has odds of 1-in-913,129 of occurring, officials said.

Because the ticket buyer originally purchased the $1 Double Play option with their normal Powerball game, the five-figure prize was won in the second drawing held after the regular Powerball drawing, lottery officials said.

The winning numbers in Wednesday’s Double Play drawing were 14, 35, 43, 48, 54 and Powerball: 1.

The winner has 180 days to claim the prize, according to lottery officials.

The winner will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.

“Sign the back of your ticket and put it in a safe location until you’re ready to come forward to claim the prize,” lottery officials said.

For complete information on claiming prizes, go to sceducationlottery.com.

The Murphy Express on Augusta Road is expected to receive a commission for selling the winning ticket.

Just outside of the Midlands area of South Carolina, there was another $50,000 winning ticket from Wednesday’s traditional Powerball drawing. That ticket was sold in Greenwood at the Hot Spot gas station/convenience store on U.S. 25 South, according to the release.

The winning numbers in Wednesday’s regular drawing were 1, 23, 25, 28, 61 and Powerball: 13.

Like the winning ticket in the Double Play drawing, this game matched four of the first five numbers drawn and the Powerball number, officials said.

Because there was no grand prize winner in Wednesday’s traditional drawing, the jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball drawing has risen to $260 million, according to the game’s website.

Anyone looking to buy a ticket must make a purchase by 9:59 p.m. Saturday for the 10:59 p.m. drawing. Tickets are $2, and could cost more with additional options.

The odds of winning Powerball’s grand prize are 1-in-293 million.

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

If you want to know where South Carolina is going to put its focus in the transfer portal, first take a look at what the team did Wednesday.

During the first day of the early signing period, the Gamecocks signed 25 players in the Class of 2026. Here is a breakdown by position.

Is it really as simple at looking where the Gamecocks didn’t focus their attention through high school recruiting to know where they’ll focus when the transfer portal opens on Monday? Meaning, will South Carolina go in heavy on trying to acquire a running back as well as offensive and defensive linemen from the portal, since it didn’t sign many on Wednesday?

“You guys can look at our roster and say, ‘OK, where do they not sign someone?’ ” coach Shane Beamer said. “That’s going to be an answer. Where are they thin from a depth standpoint? That would be an answer.”

In short: Yes and no. Let’s take a look at what happened last year.

The Gamecocks signed two high school wideouts (Mazeo Bennett and Debron Gatling) and lost five to the transfer portal. As a result, South Carolina signed five receivers from the transfer portal — two more than any other position group.

Similarly, South Carolina didn’t snag a single high school defensive tackle last year. Then again, there wasn’t an immediate need, given the Gamecocks were returning its three top guys. But Beamer emphasized that group needed immediate depth, so South Carolina went and signed a pair of D-tackles from the portal.

So what should we glean from this season’s high-school haul? Are the Gamecocks going to go after a number of offensive linemen in the portal? Or do they feel there’s plenty of young talent in the room after signing seven high school linemen in the past two years, all of whom are still on the team?

Think about it: Of South Carolina’s 13 scholarship offensive linemen, all but four have at least two years of eligibility remaining. If South Carolina can grab two impact transfers — as it did with starting guards Torricelli Simpkins and Kamaar Bell — great. If not, there are plenty of bodies.

“I’ve told our players this,” Beamer said, “my job as the head coach is to always do what’s best for the South Carolina football program and to increase the competition at every single position. And this year’s no different.”

And then what about running back? Starter Rocket Sanders and veteran Juju McDowell are out of eligibility, and DJay Braswell has already entered the transfer portal. That leaves the Gamecocks with three scholarship tailbacks on their roster: Oscar Adaway III, Jawarn Howell and Matthew Fuller.

Will South Carolina go swoop up another star running back in the portal, as it did last year with Sanders?

“I don’t know if there’s a position out there that I would say, ‘We don’t want that guy from the portal,’ if he can help us,” Beamer said. “Are there positions that are at a higher priority? Yes, no question about it. But, we’re looking at everywhere to be able to try and make our team better.”

With December in full swing and the Christmas holiday right around the corner, Beaufort County is getting ready to celebrate! No place does Christmas quite like Beaufort, from colorful lights to Christmas trees and even Santa himself, there are tons of holiday activities and experiences for you and your family to get into the spirit of the season.

No matter if you’re a local or visiting for the holidays, there’s no better place to get into the Christmas spirit.

Here are some of the top fun and festive activities for you and the whole family to enjoy this holiday season;

Make sure you’ve got your Christmas wish lists ready because Santa will be in town at The Beaufort Candy Shoppe, 103 West St. Ext. Visit on December 6 (6-8 p.m.) during the first Friday tree lighting or on December 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This Friday, December 6, Shelter Cove Community Park is hosting its annual Winter Wonderland Festival from 4-7 p.m., 39 Shelter Cove Lane. With free admission, this event has activities ranging from bouncy houses, carnival games, a children’s parade, food and much more. They even have an exciting Golden Candy Cane Hunt, perfect for kids and adults who want to indulge in the holiday magic.

Watch the lights of downtown Beaufort spark to life during Night on the Town this Friday, December 6. Enjoy the festive atmosphere while shops stay open late offering special sales, 6-9 p.m.

Check off all of your Christmas shopping and gift-giving this Saturday, December 7, during the Holiday Market of Beaufort from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 240 Sams Point Rd. This event is free and perfect for all ages, with food trucks on-site to help kick off the holiday festivities.

With a Lowcountry spin on a parade, watch the annual “Light Up the Night” Christmas Boat Parade on Saturday, December 7, starting at 6 p.m. at the Beaufort Waterfront Park, 802 Bay Street.

To keep the parade festivities going, grab the whole family to watch festive floats, marching bands and Santa in the annual Beaufort Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 8. Starting at 3 p.m., the parade will travel from Boundary to Carteret to Bay Street.

Enjoy festive lights, a Christmas tree, and a relaxing stroll through Sea Pines Resort this season with the Harbour Town Lights, 32 Greenwood Dr. They even offer Sandy Sledding tournaments where you can build your own sled. Sledding is from 1-2:15 p.m. and costs $50 per team.

With lots to celebrate this holiday season, Beaufort is making sure you and your family can find magical ways to remember this holiday season. Whether it’s a stroll through festive lights, catching a parade, or finding the perfect gift at the Holiday Market, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about events and activities, visit the Beaufort Holiday Events page.