Category: In the News

Be Aware of Scams 

The Town of Kiawah Island recently warned residents of an ongoing phone scam where callers claim residents missed jury duty and must pay immediately to avoid arrest.

These callers pose as law enforcement or court officials and may spoof official phone numbers to appear legitimate.

DO NOT send money, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment via app, or provide personal information. If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately and verify directly with the court or agency using an official phone number. 

The best protection against scams is a combination of caution and conversation.

  • Pause before responding. 
  • When in doubt, consult a trusted friend, family member, or financial advisor. 

Remember that it is never impolite to ignore or delete a message or phone call that doesn’t feel right. A moment of skepticism can prevent months of stress and financial loss.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: TOKI)

Important Dates for Statewide Primary Elections

On June 9, 2026, South Carolina will hold both Democratic and Republican Primaries. If you live on Seabrook Island, you vote in Charleston County, Seabrook Voting District, and our precinct location is the Lake House. South Carolina does not have party registration. In primaries, you can vote in only one party’s primary, and you can choose either party but not both.

There are some dates you need to be aware of:

Early Voting – Any voter can vote early at any early voting center. Click here for locations and times. Early voting starts Tuesday, May 26, and ends Friday, June 5. They are closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Absentee Voting – Only qualified voters can vote by absentee ballot. Examples of qualified voters are someone with a physical disability or who is over 65. Click here for other qualifications, deadlines, and how to apply for your absentee ballot. You have to apply for your absentee ballot – the deadline for applying is May 29. Once you receive your ballot, fill it out. Ballots must be received by the county voter registration office by 7:00 p.m. on election day. Please note that if you choose to mail it, the Post Office has changed its policy about postmark dates.

In-Person Voting on Election Day – The polling precinct for Seabrook Island is the Lake House. It will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on June 9.  Don’t forget to bring your Photo ID.

Find out who is running for which office. Check your sample ballot by visiting your MyscVOTES page. You can view the sample ballots of both parties. South Carolina does not have party registration, and the Statewide Primaries are open to all registered SC voters. Poll managers will ask voters, “In which party’s primary do you wish to vote today?” Please note that these sample ballots are not your actual ballots. Your actual ballot will look different but will contain the same names and issues as the sample ballot.

Your vote really matters.

“Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country, and this world.” – Sharon Salzberg

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Pinterest)

Love, Hate the Update

Do you have a love-hate relationship with updates for your devices? You know you should do them, but find it’s annoying to keep up with the changes and updates they make on your devices or apps?

It is critical to keep up with updates. The main reason is that the updates can protect against the latest security threats. Hackers are always finding ways around current security vulnerabilities, and updates can fix any known weaknesses. It helps deal with viruses, ransomware, and spyware.

Another reason to do updates is that some apps and websites require the latest version of your software or firmware to run well.

The key is also to update all your devices. If you update only one device, it might not share information with your other devices.

Make sure your update is from a legitimate source. Don’t update from a notification or pop-up you received.  Always go to Settings, then Updates, and update from there.

The easiest way to update is to enable automatic updates. They will typically let you know when the update will occur, so you can change the time/date if it is not convenient.

You’re not alone – most of us dread the idea of updates, but it really is important to do them! Again, the main reason is that the updates can protect against the latest security threats.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: dreamstime.com)

Johns Island Library May Happenings

John’s Island Library, located at 3531 Maybank Highway, is a branch of Charleston County Public Library (CCPL). The library not only contains books, newspapers, music, and movies, but it also has a meeting room that you can reserve, computers you can use, and a plethora of activities for young and old.

Highlights of May events are:

  • Stop Motion Animation Class for Teens – May 4
  • Photo Editing Basics for All Ages – May 6
  • Paint a Flowerpot for Children – May 8
  • Pokemon Trading Day – May 9
  • Lego Club for Tweens – May 16
  • Sea Islands Book Club for Adults- May 19
  • Read With a Therapy Dog – May 30
  • Storytime for Children – various dates

These are just a few of the exciting classes that are being offered. Click here to see other available events.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: ccpl.org)

Charleston Airshow Saturday, May 2

The Charleston Airshow is coming to Charleston Harbor this Saturday, May 2. This is the first time in over a decade that the Blue Angels will perform over the waterfront. The show is free, open to the public, and no tickets are required.

Practice flights take place on Thursday, April 20, and Friday, May 1.

To find out more about times, parking, and public viewing areas, click here.

Please note that there will be significant traffic and congestion beginning late in the morning on Saturday, May 2, in downtown Charleston, on the Mount Pleasant waterfront, and along routes near the Ravenel Bridge.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: City of Charleston Newsletter)

Beachfront Lights Out May 1 – Oct 31, 2026

Turtle Season will be starting again, so please don’t forget that from May 1 through October 31, all outdoor lighting facing the ocean on beachfront units must be turned off from dusk to dawn. Also, close the drapes or shades on windows facing the ocean during this time period.

Mama turtles dig nests by moonlight and can be easily spooked by a bright light, even a camera flashing a picture. Later in the summer newly hatched turtles will use moonlight reflecting from the ocean waves to find their way to the water.

When on the beach at dark, please use red filters on flashlights. Artificial light, such as flashlights without filters, can disturb the turtles. This includes flashlights on phones as well.

Continue reading “Beachfront Lights Out May 1 – Oct 31, 2026”

Tech Tips with Chad: Legacy Contact

The Importance of Establishing a Legacy Contact

Just recently, we here at Compu-Experts had to assist a customer who unexpectedly lost their spouse in a sudden manner. After the initial shock of that spouse’s death, dealing with children, grandchildren, and family and friends in the weeks and months to come, and the energy and effort it takes into planning a memorial service, sometimes the toughest road ahead is dealing with the mundane but necessary things about our daily lives, especially if the deceased spouse is the one who handled the household finances and monthly bills.

Of course, it’s important for each spouse to know certain things about the other’s digital life. Things such as passcodes to enter a phone or tablet, or important passwords for banking, investments, and utility companies that provide electric, water, cable, and internet, etc., are important things for both spouses to know at any given time. However, I want to discuss a peculiar situation and share a solution that I hope readers will make a priority after reading this newsletter.

Continue reading “Tech Tips with Chad: Legacy Contact”

BPBSI to Serve More Students

Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island (BPBSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide nutritious weekend meals to children living below the poverty line. Since 2014, BPBSI has been helping to feed food-insecure children attending school in Charleston County.

During the past year, BPBSI has served 352 children in three schools: Mt. Zion Elementary School, Lambs Elementary School, and Johns Island Elementary School.

Recently, Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach on Johns Island approached BPBSI for help in supporting 16 children enrolled in their after-school program. While the Lowcountry Food Bank provides healthy meals during the week at the community center, these children still face a critical gap in access to nutritious food over the weekends. Since the mission of BPBSI is to provide weekend meals and snacks to children in need, it was proud to step in and help meet this need.

Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island is excited to welcome the newest member to the BPBSI community and looks forward to helping ensure local children have the food they need on the weekends.

Thank you for joining us in making a difference and helping ensure local children have the food they need to thrive. Together, we’re building a stronger, more caring community—one backpack at a time.

To learn more about Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island, click here.

-Submitted by Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island

Upcoming Road Work

The Town of Kiawah Island is contracting repair work on Betsy Kerrison Parkway on April 13 – 14. On April 13, crews will be working at Resurrection Road grading the median in preparation for patch work on the road. On April 14, there will be a tree trimming crew pruning the Crape Myrtles between Resurrection Road and Town Hall. Both days there will be traffic control present and alternate travel patterns, so motorists should drive with extra caution through this area.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Town of Kiawah Island)

Happy Easter!

Easter Sunday, celebrated by Christians around the world to mark the resurrection of Jesus, is today, April 11, 2026. It follows Lent, which is 40 days of prayer, fasting, and reflection.

Easter is a symbol of hope, renewal, and new beginnings. 
Wishing everyone a joyful and blessed holiday!

-Happy Easter from your Tidelines team

(Image credit: AI)