🌱 Two Hilton Head Residents Die In Accident + Trailblazer Named Birds (2025)

Community Corner

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Hilton Head.

Posted Tue, May 2, 2023 at 3:21 pm ET|Updated Tue, May 2, 2023 at 5:23 pm ET

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Sunny, breezy and pleasant. High: 75 Low: 54.
• Thursday: Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 71 Low: 61.

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Here are the top three stories in Hilton Head today:

1. On Monday evening, two residents of Hilton Head Island lost their lives as their vehicle overturned into a Sea Pines Lagoon. The incident occurred a bit after 11 p.m. on the 300 block of Beach Lagoon Road; South Carolina Highway Patrol reported the vehicle was backing out of a private driveway when it left the road and went down into the lagoon. On Tuesday, the victims were identified as Michael Weingarten and Neil Hilsen; the driver was reported to be uninjured. (WJCL News Savannah)
2. After hundreds of suggestions submitted over the course of a month, the public has named a pair of Hilton Head ospreys: Charles and Charlotte. The birds were named after Charles Fraser, who founded the Sea Pines Company, and Charlotte Heinrichs, who founded the Deep Well Project, responsible for digging deeper wells and providing clean water for the community. Although it appears the avian couple will not be laying eggs very soon, some believe they will use the nest for young fledglings as they mature. (Hilton Head Island Packet)
3. Nearby in Savannah, GA, police officers are searching for Jayda Turnbow who went missing one week ago. The 15-year-old was last seen in east Savannah wearing a white tee shirt and grey tights; she is described as 5'3", around 125 pounds with green eyes and dark brown hair. If anyone has any information regarding finding Jayda, please contact Detective Wells of the Liberty County Sheriff's Office; she is known to frequent the area near I-95 and Highway 204. (WJCL News Savannah)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Hilton Head:

Wednesday, May 3

• Guesty & Friends Vacation Rental Roadshow - Palmra Inn & Suites (3:30 PM)
• Jill Scott Concert - Savannah Civic Center, Savannah, GA (7:30 PM)

Thursday, May 4

• Annual Hilton Head Island Pickleball Stay N Play - Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center (5:00 PM)
• Bozwellz Duo At The Hurricane Bar - Tiki Hut (6:00 PM)
• Music & Taste On The Harbour - Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Heads up to Hilton Head residents: the restrooms will be closed at the Bristol Sports Arena from now until May 5 for renovations. There will be portable restrooms on site for those who will still be occupying the space. (Town of Hilton Head Island Government via Facebook)
• Attending a conference on Hilton Head Island and need a way to spend your time afterward? Click here for five leisurely activities you may take part in on the island. (Visit Hilton Head via Facebook)
• The Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival actively works to stay engaged with the community year-round. With summer right around the corner, take a look at this sweet summer sangria recipe that will take your outings in the sun to another level. (Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll catch up with you soon with a new update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.