Category: In the News

Tomorrow U.S. Senate Republican Special Primary Election

Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 11, a Special Primary Election will be held after the death of the Republican Party nominee for U.S. Senate, Lindsey Graham. 

Voters who participated in the Republican Primary or did not vote in either party’s June primary are eligible to vote. Voters who participated in the June Democratic Primary are not eligible to vote. A runoff will be August 25 if no candidate receives a majority.

To see who is running for office, check the sample ballot by visiting MyscVOTES. 

Please note that the Live Oak Hall classes at the Lake House will be canceled tomorrow, August 11.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Pinterest)

City Of Charleston Announces New James Island Park

The City of Charleston is excited to announce a new waterfront park on James Island. Fort Pemberton Park, an 8.7-acre site along the Stono River with a story spanning hundreds of years, is now open.

What started as a Civil War-era earthwork fort built to protect Wappoo Creek later became farmland, then private property for decades, and now it’s a waterfront park for everyone!

Fort Pemberton Park includes a new fishing dock, kayak launch, walking paths, and a picnic shelter. Keep an eye out for eagles, wood storks, foxes, and even the occasional armadillo!

The park is located at 221 Yates Avenue in Riverland Terrace. There are separate ADA entrances on either side, providing access to both the upper part of the fort and the waterfront!

-Submitted by City of Charleston

(Image credit: City of Charleston)

TOSI Launches New Emergency Alert System

The Town of Seabrook Island is switching from Code Red to Everbridge, a mass notification system that delivers only critical, local emergency alerts.

With hurricane season underway, Everbridge will provide timely, area-specific warnings and instructions during weather events and other emergencies. ​

This system will be used exclusively for emergency notifications. To sign up or update your contact info, click here.

-Submitted by the Town of Seabrook Island

SC 2026 Tax-Free Weekend August 7-9

Are you thinking of buying a new computer, printer, earbuds/headphones, or even a new dress or pair of pants? You may want to wait until the annual Tax-Free Weekend (also known as the Sales Tax Holiday) from August 7-9, 2026.

During this weekend, a variety of purchases are exempt from South Carolina’s 6% sales tax and any applicable local taxes. Tax-free items range from computers, clothing, accessories, and shoes to school supplies and backpacks. As long as an item is eligible, it is tax-free whether purchased in-store or online. Click here for more information, as well as a list of items that are exempt and nonexempt.

Buyer beware: just because it’s tax-free doesn’t mean it is the best deal. Several stores and online websites are having sales to compete with state sales tax exemptions. Check retailers for dates and items that are being offered. They may include items that are not on the state exemption list. Do your homework before you buy a big-ticket item!

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: dor.sc.gov)

South Carolina U.S. Senate Republican Special Primary Election

On August 11, a Special Primary Election will be held after the death of the Republican Party nominee for U.S. Senate, Lindsey Graham. 

Who’s eligible to vote? 

Voters who participated in the Republican Primary or did not vote in either party’s June primary are eligible to vote. Voters who participated in the June Democratic Primary are not eligible to vote. 

Important Dates

  • Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot: July 31. Click here for qualifications and how to apply.
  • Early voting: August 5-7. Click here for locations and times.
  • Special Republican Primary: August 11
  • Runoff (if necessary): August 25 

Candidate filing closes July 28. After that date, you can find out who is running for office by checking your sample ballot at scvotes.gov.

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 August 11.  Don’t forget to bring your photo ID.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Pinterest)

Meet Jaxie Ferguson July 28

The 2026 midterm elections are scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026. In addition to statewide offices, there are other offices to be filled specifically for Charleston County.

Come and meet Ms. Jaxie Ferguson, who is running for a seat on the Charleston County Council representing District 9, which encompasses James, Johns, Seabrook, and Kiawah Islands.

Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Oyster Catcher Community Center
4:00 pm

Click here to learn more about Jaxie.

–Tidelines Editors

Termite Control Refresher

Living in the South, we all know about termites and the damage they can do to our houses. Termites thrive in damp, warm spaces, and our humid climate provides perfect conditions for them to multiply and remain active year-round. You may have hired a termite control company when you moved in, which explained what you can do to keep termites from infiltrating your home, but that could have been a few years ago. Here are a few reminders, and check out what the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says about termite prevention and control.

  • Keep mulch or pine straw from touching your foundation.
  • Point sprinklers away from your foundation.
  • Keep bushes and trees from touching your house.
  • Fix leaky plumbing and don’t let water accumulate anywhere in the home.
  • Don’t let water collect in trays under your house plants or refrigerator.
  • Don’t leave pet food and water out overnight.
  • Clutter provides places for pests to breed and hide and makes it hard to get rid of them. Get rid of things like stacks of newspapers, magazines, or cardboard.

Being proactive can save you time, aggravation, and money!

-Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Creazilla)

Salute from the Shore Flyover July 4

Now in its seventeenth year, Salute from the Shore has become South Carolina’s Fourth of July tradition.

This year’s Salute from the Shore will begin at approximately 1:00 pm from Cherry Grove in North Myrtle Beach and will make its way down the South Carolina coastline to Beaufort, South Carolina.

The flyover will begin with F-16 Vipers from the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing out of McEntire Joint Base, followed by a C-17 Globemaster III from the 437th Airlift Wing based at Joint Base Charleston and a flight of Apache helicopters in formation from the South Carolina Army National Guard’s Alpha Company, 1-151st Attack Battalion, also out of McEntire Joint Base. (Reminder: Please hold off on flying your kites from 1:00-2:00 pm. The Apache helicopters need to navigate low, and we want to keep them safe!)

Following the active-duty military aircraft will be an all-volunteer brigade of Warbirds, a civilian-owned and flown vintage-plane community that will include T-34s, T-6s, and T-28s.

Beachgoers are encouraged to come out early to watch the military planes as they soar down the South Carolina coastline on Independence Day.

Grab your flags. Wear your red, white, and blue. Keep your eyes and ears alert, and wave your flags as the planes pass by.

For more information, visit Salute from the Shore.

**All times are approximate; weather conditions and mechanical issues may hamper some of the vintage aircraft.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Salute from the Shore)