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Thursday, November 5, 2026

Early votes topped half of Beaufort County's midterm ballots

Plus, three Beaufort County schools win environmental grants.

The 5AM Hilton Head Island team6 sources2 min read

News Notes

Early voting

If you voted early, you had plenty of company: early votes made up more than half the votes cast in Beaufort County, a midterm record. Early voting began in South Carolina in 2022, and polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Hilton Head Island Packet

School grants

Cross Schools, Daufuskie Island Independent School and Red Cedar Elementary School are among 15 South Carolina K-12 schools sharing $29,350 in environmental education grants. The 2026 winning projects focused on pollinator gardens, habitat restoration, resource conservation and environmental monitoring. WSAV-TV

$29,350in environmental education grants shared by 15 South Carolina schools

Three of the 15 winners are in Beaufort County.

Source: WSAV-TV

Cafeteria food

Beaufort County School District is one of the top five buyers in the state's first season, and each of the five receives $10,000. Fifteen districts won awards in all. Here Greer

Caregivers

Encompass Health's Bluffton hospital hosts stroke and Parkinson's support groups that are open to everyone, not just Encompass patients and their caregivers. The stroke group meets the second Wednesday of each month. WTOC

Trending

Two gift ideas for the holidays: this acrylic heart plaque with an uplifting message that makes it a heartfelt gift for anyone, and this comfy, customizable women’s sweatshirt that can be embroidered with Mama, Nana, Auntie, or whatever name is most meaningful to them.

Seasonal

Keep your circulation boosted and your system supported this cool-weather season with apparel that helps you maintain body heat. This men’s thermalwear set features a soft inner surface for next-to-skin comfort and keeps your whole body warm, while these unisex alpaca boot socks are a must-have for outdoor activity.

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Which oyster event are you planning to hit this weekend?

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Today’s puzzles

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Things to Do

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Hilton Head Island, SC

Thursday, Nov. 5

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Around the Block

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Neighbors

What a beautiful way to arrive home after a bike ride with my wife and son!

“The rain had just passed, and God blessed us with this beautiful rainbow over the marsh. Such a sweet reminder of God’s promises and His faithfulness. So thankful for His many blessings and the beauty He surrounds us with every day. We are truly blessed to call this place home!”

— A neighbor, Sea Pines
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The Wrap

Teddy Roosevelt's charge up San Juan Hill is coming to the Lowcountry. The Fort Fremont Harvest Festival at Fort Fremont Preserve is Sunday, Nov. 8, with food, games, music, and nature and history displays. Not every Sunday afternoon comes with a cavalry moment. Charge!

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Beaufort County voters approve $780M penny tax for roads

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition6 links · 6 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Hilton Head Island Packetislandpacket.com
  3. WSAV-TVwsav.com
  4. Here Greerheregreer.com
  5. WTOCwtoc.com
  6. Hilton Head Island events calendar5amhiltonheadislandsc.com

Past issues

  1. Sat., Nov. 7Food Lion opens Wednesday and the swing bridge closes today
  2. Fri., Nov. 6Food Lion returns to Hilton Head Island at the old Sam's Club site
  3. Wed., Nov. 4Beaufort County voters approve $780M penny tax for roads
  4. Tues., Nov. 3Beaufort County first responders launch food drive; Seahawks earn No. 1 seed
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5AM Hilton Head Islandto me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

Early votes topped half of Beaufort County's midterm ballots

Plus, three Beaufort County schools win environmental grants.

The TLDR

  1. Early votes were more than half of Beaufort County's midterm total
  2. Three Beaufort County schools won environmental grants
  3. Beaufort County School District wins $10,000 for buying local food
Read this edition

More stories this week

From 5AM Hilton Head Island’s other editions

All the news
ElectionsBeaufort County voters narrowly approve a $780 million penny tax for roadsIf you sit in traffic on Hilton Head, Tuesday's vote matters. Beaufort County voters narrowly approved the 1% transportation sales tax, 40,951 to 39,724, a 1,227-vote gap in preliminary results with every precinct reporting. A second question, letting the county issue up to $450 million in bonds, passed 42,660 to 40,276.Wednesday’s editionRead CommunityBeaufort County first responders want to top 5,000 pounds of food this yearIf you've got shelf space to spare, Beaufort County's first responders could use it. The fifth annual First Responder Food Drive runs from Sun., Nov. 1 through Fri., Dec. 11, collecting food for Bluffton Self Help and HELP of Beaufort.Tuesday’s editionRead

Around Hilton Head Island

From Live 5 News, Hilton Head Island Packet and 3 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. Live 5 News8 hours ago

    VIDEO: Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office seeks public’s help locating missing woman

    VIDEO: St. Stephen man dies after being hit by his own car; SC Highway Patrol investigating. Updated: 20 hours ago ...

  2. Hilton Head Island Packet17 hours ago

    HS Football Roundup: HHCA, Hardeeville, Beaufort Academy advance in playoffs

    Roundup of SCHSL, SCISA high school football playoffs including Hilton Head Christian, Hardeeville, Thomas Heyward, Beaufort Academy and May River.

  3. Bluffton Today23 hours ago

    Two charged in Hardeeville retail theft investigation, drug possession

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  4. Post and Courier23 hours ago

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    New York Times bestselling author and creator of “The Last Kids on Earth” series Max Brallier is coming to the Bluffton Branch Library as a part of his book tour.

  5. The Island NewsNov. 6

    Veterans Day: Service to take center stage

    From a parade led by a decorated Vietnam veteran to a free meal in downtown Beaufort, communities across Beaufort and Jasper counties will gather Wednesday, Nov. 11, to thank those who served.

  6. The Island NewsNov. 6

    County seeks feedback about historic structures

    Jasper County is in the process of creating a Capital Improvement Project, seeking input concerning Grays Community Park and the county’s efforts to stabilize deteriorating historic structures on the site of the former Grays Consolidated High School.