66°CloudyHigh 83° · Low 68°
- 6 a.m.Cloudy.66°
- NoonCloudy.81°
- 6 p.m.Partly cloudy.74°
- MidnightPartly cloudy.70°
↑ Sunrise 6:44 a.m.↓ Sunset 5:29 p.m.
See this week
- 6 a.m.Cloudy.66°
- NoonCloudy.81°
- 6 p.m.Partly cloudy.74°
- MidnightPartly cloudy.70°
- TodayPartly cloudy. High 83° Low 68°
- FriThunderstorms. High 81° Low 58°
- SatPartly cloudy. High 78° Low 55°
- SunPartly cloudy. High 74° Low 49°
- MonPartly cloudy. High 76° Low 51°
↑ Sunrise 6:44 a.m.↓ Sunset 5:29 p.m.
See full forecastThursday, November 5, 2026
Early votes topped half of Beaufort County's midterm ballots
Plus, three local schools win environmental grants and Beaufort County lands a farm-to-cafeteria prize.
The 5AM Bluffton team7 sources3 min read
News Notes · More
Early voting
If you voted early, you had company: early votes made up more than half the votes cast in Beaufort County, a midterm election record. Early voting began in South Carolina in 2022, and voters had more than two weeks to cast ballots. Hilton Head Island Packet
School food
Beaufort County School District is one of the top five buyers of South Carolina-grown food in the state's first Certified SC Cafeteria season, and each of the five wins $10,000, while 10 more districts get $5,000 apiece. Winners were picked from purchasing records of South Carolina produce, nuts, honey and grains. Here Greer
Five districts, Beaufort County's among them, won $10,000 each
Source: Here Greer
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Top five buyers, each | $10,000 |
| Next 10 districts, each | $5,000 |
School grants
Cross Schools, Daufuskie Island Independent School and Red Cedar Elementary School are among 15 South Carolina K-12 schools sharing $29,350 from the SCDES Champions of the Environment program. This year's winning projects focused on pollinator gardens, habitat restoration, resource conservation and environmental monitoring. WSAV-TV
Caregivers
If you're caring for a loved one in rehab, Encompass Health's Savannah and Bluffton hospitals highlighted support groups during National Caregivers Month. Bluffton hosts stroke and Parkinson's groups, the stroke group meets the second Wednesday of each month, and the groups are open to everyone, not just Encompass patients and their caregivers. WTOC
Holiday tours
Beaufort Homes for the Holidays turns 25 this year, with a walking tour of 6 homes in Islands of Beaufort, a private waterfront community overlooking the tidal marshes of Battery Creek. It runs Fri., Nov. 20, through Sun., Nov. 22, and local interior designers and artists decorate the homes. Explore Beaufort SC
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. Advertising from Amazon.
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. Advertising from Amazon.
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Things to Do
Things to Do
Bluffton, SC
Thursday, Nov. 5
- 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Tuscan Harvest Festival
- 10:30 a.m.Ghost Pirates vs. Atlanta Gladiators
- 5:30-7:30 p.m.Discovery Night at the Museum: Lantern Workshops
- 6:30-9:30 p.m.Celestial Seafarers
- 7:30-9 p.m.Honky Tonk Chicks
Jobs
Jobs
- Zillow Preferred Agent (Inbound Leads)at Trade & Tryon Realty$75,000-$200,000
- Restaurant Team Memberat CAVA - Bluffton$16.25 an hour
- Insurance Sales Representativeat Executive Financial Partners LLC$74,000-$86,000
- Customer Service Associateat Zips Car Wash$15 an hour
Do you know just the position for our readers? Share it on our Jobs board.
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Around the Block
Around the Block
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RecommendationsI only shop at Publix.
“The prices may be slightly higher but the quality, the service and cleanliness is top notch.”
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The Wrap
Thanksgiving is closer than it feels, and the folks behind Bluffton's FARM have a way to skip the stove. FARM Hospitality Group's Thanksgiving Take + Bake feast includes a ready-to-cook 15lb organic free range turkey, and you can reserve items before they sell out. Oven mitts at the ready.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Beaufort County voters approve $780M penny tax for roads
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Every source in this edition7 links · 7 outlets
- The Weather Channelweather.com
- Hilton Head Island Packetislandpacket.com
- Here Greerheregreer.com
- WSAV-TVwsav.com
- WTOCwtoc.com
- Explore Beaufort SCexplorebeaufortsc.com
- Bluffton events calendar5amblufftonsc.com
Past issues
- Sun., Nov. 8Max Brallier visits Bluffton library today, plus playoff football
- Sat., Nov. 7Veterans Day parades and ceremonies set for Wednesday across the Lowcountry
- Fri., Nov. 6New Italian deli opens in Bluffton; October food inspection grades are out
- Wed., Nov. 4Beaufort County voters approve $780M penny tax for roads
- Tues., Nov. 3Soup drive tops its goal; first responders' food drive runs to Dec. 11
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Early votes topped half of Beaufort County's midterm ballots
Plus, three local schools win environmental grants and Beaufort County lands a farm-to-cafeteria prize.
The TLDR
- Early votes were more than half of Beaufort County's midterm total
- Beaufort County School District wins $10,000 for buying local food
- Three Beaufort County schools win environmental grants
More stories this week
From 5AM Bluffton’s other editions
Around Bluffton
From WJCL, Grice Connect and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.
WJCL2 hours ago
Bluffton Tunnel to Towers 5K draws 1,850 as runner recalls Ground Zero 'hell on Earth', on WJCLA former firefighter who was at Ground Zero on Sept. 12 says the trauma still lingers as Bluffton’s Tunnel to Towers 5K remembers 9/11 and supports families.
Grice Connect3 hours ago
Meet 2026 DWTSS dancers Ruth Atchley and Jad Deal, on Grice ConnectIntroducing Ruth Atchley and Jad Deal, 2026 Dancing with the Statesboro Stars contestants! Grice Connect is introducing the community to the 2026 dancers, one team at a time, in no particular order. The event will be held on Friday, November 20, at 6:30pm at Connection Church.
WJCL8 hours ago
Perfect fall weather for now but a strong cold front is coming, on WJCLCold temperatures of the season are lurking
Bluffton Today10 hours ago
News From Around the South Carolina Lowcountry, on Bluffton TodayNews and community highlights from around our corner of the S.C. Lowcountry
Bluffton Today10 hours ago
Town of Bluffton announces opening of new 18-hold disc golf course, on Bluffton TodayAn area of Beaufort County known for its pristine golf courses is now celebrating the opening of an 18-hold disc golf course.
Live 5 News20 hours ago
VIDEO: Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office seeks public’s help locating missing woman, on Live 5 NewsVIDEO: St. Stephen man dies after being hit by his own car; SC Highway Patrol investigating. Updated: 20 hours ago ...