Dorchester County Government

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Dorchester County Government Official page for Dorchester County, SC Government. This page is not monitored 24/7.

Located along I-95 and I-26 in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, Dorchester County is home to world-class sports venues, award-winning school districts, one of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in North America and the largest remaining virgin stand of bald cypress and tupelo trees, in the world, at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. With over 160,000 residents, Dorchester County is recognized for its innovative, efficient, and effective delivery of services. The Countyโ€™s close proximity to the ports of Charleston and Savannah, the Norfolk Southern Railroad, and numerous state and federal highways combined with its natural beauty and unwavering sense of community are what make it the best county in South Carolina to build a business and raise a family.

Happy 9-to-5 Day! ๐ŸŽถToday, on 9/25, weโ€™re giving a nod to Dolly Partonโ€™s iconic song and thanking the Dorchester County e...
09/25/2026

Happy 9-to-5 Day! ๐ŸŽถ

Today, on 9/25, weโ€™re giving a nod to Dolly Partonโ€™s iconic song and thanking the Dorchester County employees whose work often goes well beyond 9 to 5.

Our Public Works crews and first responders work nights, weekends and holidays, answering calls during a rare snow storm or hurricanes, floods, fires, and other emergencies . Weโ€™re grateful for the work they do for our community, whatever the hour.

๐ŸŽถ What a way to make a living๐ŸŽต

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the Ashley Scenic River Advisory Council are asking for p...
09/23/2026

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the Ashley Scenic River Advisory Council are asking for public input to help develop a revised management plan for the Ashley Scenic River. The public is invited to share opinions and information regarding the management needs of the river through an online public survey.

The public survey will gather data and opinions from citizens who use and enjoy the river and will help define issues to be addressed in the management plan. Input from citizens will enable SCDNR and the advisory council to identify what people value most about the river, as well as the related challenges, opportunities, and priorities for its future protection and management. Citizen input will help ensure the management plan reflects community interests and concerns when promoting partnerships, supporting policies and encouraging actions to protect and enhance the river.

The survey is online and open to the public through October 31, 2026, accessible at
www.surveymonkey.com/r/AshleyRiver

Today, Dorchester County celebrated the ribbon-cutting for its first facility dedicated solely to the Coronerโ€™s Office.F...
09/22/2026

Today, Dorchester County celebrated the ribbon-cutting for its first facility dedicated solely to the Coronerโ€™s Office.

For years, the office operated out of shared space at the Sheriffโ€™s Office. During construction, staff continued serving residents from a temporary mobile location. Now, they have a permanent home with expanded laboratory space, updated technology and private, comfortable areas for families grieving the loss of a loved one.

The new facility supports the officeโ€™s work investigating deaths, helping families find answers and identifying trends that inform public health efforts. It also provides room to meet the needs of our growing county.

Thank you to Coroner Paul Brouthers and his staff for the care and professionalism they show families each day, and to everyone who helped bring this project to completion.

Last night at County Council, Councilman Eddie Crosby presented a Resolution honoring Deacon David Moultrie Jr., who cel...
09/22/2026

Last night at County Council, Councilman Eddie Crosby presented a Resolution honoring Deacon David Moultrie Jr., who celebrated his 100th birthday on September 11. A World War II veteran, Mr. Moultrie served in the U.S. Army Air Corps before returning home to Summerville. He dedicated decades to Emanuel Baptist Church, helping establish and build the church and serving as chairman of its Deacon Board. Council recognized his lifelong service to his country and community.

Councilman Peter Smith Jr. recognized Dorchester native Alvin B. Glen for earning first place in the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition. A retired educator, Mr. Glen spent 43 years teaching visual arts, including 38 years in Dorchester County. His pastel and mixed-media artwork explores human connections, faith and emotion, with pieces exhibited in galleries and museums across South Carolina and beyond.

Please join us in wishing Deacon Moultrie a happy 100th birthday and congratulating Mr. Glen on his achievement!

Traffic Alert from SCDOT:The South Carolina Department of Transportation will temporarily close and detour the I-26 west...
09/21/2026

Traffic Alert from SCDOT:

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will temporarily close and detour the I-26 westbound loop ramp to I-95 southbound and the I-95 northbound loop ramp to I-26 westbound beginning the night of Monday, September 21.

Both loop ramps will be closed starting September 21 at 7 p.m. and reopen September 24 by 9 a.m.

The traffic shift operation will involve shifting I-26 westbound to I-95 southbound ramp traffic from its current location to a newly constructed ramp in the immediate vicinity. Lane closures will be active on both I-26 and I-95 intermittently throughout the course of the operation

Traffic will be detoured for this project and a map of the detours is below.

Be sure to download and use the 511SC app for updated traffic information.

SCDOT asks that drivers slow down and pay attention to crews when driving through the work zone.

09/21/2026

The Cowee family and the Dorchester County Sheriffโ€™s Office announce the Celebration of Life Service for Detective Sergeant Tracy D. Cowee Jr., who passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.

The public is invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service with full honors on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. The service will be held at Seacoast Church, 301 East 5th North Street, Summerville, South Carolina.

๐€ ๐‹๐ข๐Ÿ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐’๐ž๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐œ๐ž

Detective Sergeant Tracy D. Cowee Jr. was born on April 24, 1987, in Charleston, South Carolina. From a young age, he possessed a heart for service and a desire to help others.

That calling ultimately led him to a career in law enforcement, where he dedicated more than a decade of his life to serving and protecting others.

Above all else, Sergeant Cowee was a devoted husband, father, son, and friend.

He was the beloved husband of his wife, Nicole, for 15 years, and a dedicated father to four children, Casey, Riley, Cameron, and Madison.

He is survived by his father, Tracy Cowee Sr., and stepmother, Alaine Cowee. He was preceded in death by his mother, Robin Cowee.

To Sergeant Cowee, family was everything.

When he was not serving his community, he cherished spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed spending as much time as possible on the golf course.

๐€ ๐ƒ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐ž๐ ๐‹๐š๐ฐ ๐„๐ง๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ๐œ๐ž๐ฆ๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐‚๐š๐ซ๐ž๐ž๐ซ

In 2014, Sergeant Cowee began his law enforcement career with the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

He later served with the Charleston County Sheriffโ€™s Office and the Goose Creek Police Department before joining the Dorchester County Sheriffโ€™s Office in May 2023.

During his time with the Dorchester County Sheriffโ€™s Office, Sergeant Cowee quickly distinguished himself as a dedicated law enforcement professional and leader.

His ability to lead others, his commitment to his fellow deputies, and his unwavering professionalism earned the respect of those who had the privilege of working alongside him.

In November 2025, Sheriff Sam Richardson promoted Tracy D. Cowee Jr. to the rank of Sergeant within the Criminal Investigations Division.

Throughout his career, Sergeant Cowee demonstrated a commitment to serving victims, seeking justice, and helping those in need.

Even during his battle with cancer, he continued to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to his profession and the people he served.

๐€ ๐‹๐ž๐ ๐š๐œ๐ฒ ๐‘๐ž๐ฆ๐ž๐ฆ๐›๐ž๐ซ๐ž๐

At every agency where Sergeant Cowee served, colleagues came to know him for the same qualities: his infectious smile, enormous heart, larger-than-life personality, and unmistakable sense of humor.

He had a way of making those around him feel welcome, valued, and supported. His presence brought laughter and encouragement to his colleagues, and his genuine compassion left a lasting impression on the people he encountered throughout his career.

While his career was defined by service, those who knew him best will remember that his greatest legacy was the love he had for his family, his friends, and the people he served.

The Dorchester County Sheriffโ€™s Office and the Cowee family are grateful for the outpouring of prayers, support, and condolences from the community, fellow law enforcement agencies, first responders, and friends during this difficult time.

The public is welcome to attend and join the Cowee family and the Dorchester County Sheriffโ€™s Office in honoring the life and service of Detective Sergeant Tracy D. Cowee Jr.

What an amazing turnout for Dorchester County Parks and Recreationโ€™s  Ashley River Park river cleanup! Thank you to ever...
09/19/2026

What an amazing turnout for Dorchester County Parks and Recreationโ€™s Ashley River Park river cleanup! Thank you to everyone who came out to help protect and preserve the Ashley River.

Thereโ€™s still time to get involved! Join us from noon to 2 p.m. at the Swan Drive Kayak Launch. Volunteers can paddle to collect debris or help sort and record findings on land. Kayaks are available to borrow, and sturdy water shoes are recommended.

A special thank you to Keep Dorchester County Beautiful, Charleston Kayak Company and Charleston Waterkeeper for their support and partnership in keeping our waterways healthy!

Dorchester County Register of Deeds Margaret Bailey has been named Register of Deeds of the Year by the South Carolina A...
09/18/2026

Dorchester County Register of Deeds Margaret Bailey has been named Register of Deeds of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Clerks of Court and Registers of Deeds.

Chosen by her peers, the award recognizes Baileyโ€™s service to the association and its members. She also serves as the associationโ€™s secretary, helping support collaboration among public officials across South Carolina.

As register of deeds, Margaret Bailey oversees the recording and indexing of property ownership documents and other land records, providing an essential service to residents, property owners and businesses.

Dorchester County congratulates Margaret on this statewide recognition and appreciates her continued service to the county and her profession.

Dorchester County residents can receive free vaccinations and microchips for their pets during Dorchester Pawsโ€™ Pet Comm...
09/17/2026

Dorchester County residents can receive free vaccinations and microchips for their pets during Dorchester Pawsโ€™ Pet Community Day on Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will take place in the open field off U.S. Highway 78 at the new Dorchester Heritage Center site, 964 Highway 78 in Ridgeville.

Available services include rabies vaccinations, DHPP vaccinations for dogs, FVRCP vaccinations for cats and microchips.

The event is open only to Dorchester County residents, with a maximum of five animals per vehicle.

09/04/2026

๐Ž๐๐„ ๐–๐„๐„๐Š ๐…๐‘๐Ž๐Œ ๐“๐Ž๐ƒ๐€๐˜:

On Friday, September 11, 2026, Dorchester County public safety agencies will come together to honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and ensure we never forget.

The 25th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony will feature speakers from Dorchester County public safety agencies, along with Master Deputy Cruz, a former NYPD officer who was on duty in New York City on the day of the attacks.

๐Ÿ“… ๐…๐ซ๐ข๐๐š๐ฒ, ๐’๐ž๐ฉ๐ญ๐ž๐ฆ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ, ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”
๐Ÿ•ฃ๐Ÿ–:๐Ÿ‘๐ŸŽ ๐€.๐Œ.
๐Ÿ“๐€๐ฌ๐ก๐ฅ๐ž๐ฒ ๐‘๐ข๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ ๐๐š๐ซ๐ค
๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐ŸŽ ๐‘๐ž๐ง๐ค๐ž๐ง ๐‘๐จ๐š๐, ๐’๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ž๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž

We invite our community to join us as we remember the lives lost, honor the heroes who responded, and reflect on the sacrifice and service that followed.

๐–๐ž ๐‘๐ž๐ฆ๐ž๐ฆ๐›๐ž๐ซ. ๐–๐ž ๐‡๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ. ๐–๐ž ๐๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ ๐…๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ž๐ญ.

Address

201 Johnston Street
Saint George, SC
29477

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18435630135

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