The Westin plans a five-month renovation shutdown
Plus peak shrimp season, football watch spots, and a county ethics proposal.
The Westin plans a long renovation shutdown that will temporarily lay off 219 people. County Council is also shaping a whistleblower policy and integrity role, while September brings peak white-shrimp catches and football watch parties.
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa plans to close November 2 for at least five months while renovations are completed at the 420-room resort. Temporary layoffs for 219 employees begin November 3, according to an August 27 WARN notice filed with South Carolina.
The notice, signed by general manager Kimberly Wilson, says the project may last longer than five months and workers will be recalled when the work is complete. It does not describe the renovation scope.
The property completed a $13.8 million renovation in early 2024, expanding from 416 to 420 rooms. In September 2025, the nearly 14-acre site at 2 Grasslawn Avenue sold for $199.8 million to Grasslawn Property LLC.
A KSL Capital release said the property had received more than $47 million in capital enhancements since 2012.
Local shrimp season is at its peak
Wild-caught white shrimp are entering their best stretch across Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort. The commercial season runs from late August through December, with the biggest catches in September and October.
The Hilton Head Island Shrimp Festival opens September 19 in Harbour Town. More than 15 local chefs are scheduled, along with craft beer, live music, and family activities.
Fresh island shrimp is sold at Benny Hudson Seafood, Barnacle Bill's, Piggly Wiggly, South End Seafood, and Spanish Wells Seafood & Produce.
The recreational daily limit is 48 quarts of whole shrimp.
Football watch spots line up by team
Football season is back, and several Hilton Head spots cater to specific fan bases. Street Meet at 95 Mathews Drive is an official Cleveland Browns Backers bar with 11 TVs. Mangiamo's at 2000 Main Street is an Ohio State spot.
Penn State fans gather at Club Seats Grille, 2600 Main Street, Suite 102. Steelers fans use Giuseppi's at 50 Shelter Cove Lane. Local Pie at 55 New Orleans Road is a meeting place for Eagles fans.
Hinchey's at 70 Pope Avenue is the Chicago Bears option. Other spots that carry a broad mix of games include Top Dawg, Frosty Frog, Tin & Tallow, Hilton Head Tavern, and The Smokehouse.
County weighs an integrity officer and anonymous reports
Beaufort County Council is considering an integrity officer and a stronger whistleblower policy for county government. At an August 28 workshop, members discussed defining protected reports, safeguards against retaliation, and how reports should be reviewed and investigated.
Council members supported anonymous or confidential reporting and the ability for employees to track a submission. The committee will evaluate possible third-party reporting systems.
Members also want clear routing between whistleblower matters and routine human-resources or workplace complaints. They will consider when an independent outside investigator should be used, who authorizes that work, and who receives the findings.
The Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee meets September 21 to continue defining the role's authority, independence, responsibilities and reporting structure while it works toward a final policy.
Fake town emails are seeking wire payments
Scam emails are posing as the Town of Hilton Head Island Planning Commission. They claim a street-name application was approved and direct the recipient to send money by wire transfer.
The messages did not come from town staff. One fake address used was planning-dept-townofhiltonheadislandsc@usa.com.
Real town email addresses end in @hiltonheadislandsc.gov. The town says it will not ask for a wire payment through an unofficial address or informal email.
Andrew Carmines ties local seafood to clean water
Andrew Carmines returned to his family's Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks in 2006 and took an entry-level management job. His parents had bought the restaurant in 1975.
Hudson's now serves nearly 70,000 pounds of local shrimp each year. Carmines says Lowcountry white shrimp are sweeter and firmer, which he links to the plankton-rich water where young shrimp feed.
His conservation work includes oyster farming, soft-shell crab production, stone-crab harvests, and ties with local fishermen. He has served on boards focused on conservation, education and research.
Carmines said his clam and oyster farm will expand this year. His family foundation and the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival, held each February, have donated more than $2 million to local nonprofits.