<b>Town: Hilton Head's sand loss minimal</b>

The town of Hilton Head's contractor, Weeks Marine Inc., expected to restart beach renourishment activities in South Forest Beach no later than Oct. 19.

The town will replace the sand washed  away from along the central oceanfront beach as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

While the storm-related sand losses from the template are measurable, the majority of the sand recently pumped on the beach remains in place.

The initial active construction zone will be established between Beach Marker 55 and 57A, approximately a half-mile south of the Coligny Beach Park access.

Work is expected to advance to the north adjacent to and then beyond Coligny, North Forest Beach and Shipyard. Work within this segment will proceed as far north as near the Windsor Court South development (adjacent to southern Palmetto Dunes).

Visit www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov.

<b>Absentee voting is underway in county</b>

In-person absentee voting for the Nov. 8 general election is underway.

Voters who are unable to vote on Election Day can cast absentee ballots from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Beaufort elections office at 15 John Galt Road, Beaufort, or at the Bluffton office, 61B Ulmer Road, Bluffton.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, both offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for in-person absentee voting. The last day of in-person absentee voting is Monday, Nov. 7. Both offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about absentee voting, go to www.bcgov.net/vote or call 843-255-6900.

<b>Conservative strategist to speak to Republicans</b>

The Beaufort County Republican Party will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20, at Palmetto Electric Co-Operative, 1 Cooperative Way in Hardeeville.

Drew McKissick, a conservative political strategist and consultant with over 25 years of experience in campaigns and grassroots politics and a passion for helping conservatives make a difference in the political system, will be the featured speaker.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. with a social period starting at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.beaufortgop.com or email info@beaufortgop.com.

<b>Rally for Sen. Scott </b><b>to be held Oct. 22</b>

A rally for U.S. Sen. Tim Scott will be held at the Bluffton-Jasper Republican Headquarters Office at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. The office is at 61 Riverwalk, Suite I, in Ridgeland.

<b>Applications accepted </b><b>for Christmas parade</b>

Businesses, organizations or groups that would like to participate in the Bluffton Christmas Parade can submit an application online at www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/christmas-parade. The parade will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.

Those entering a float or participating in the parade will have to be in place no later than 8 a.m. on the day of the event. This year’s parade route will begin on Bridge Street in front of Town Hall, go down to Calhoun Street, up to May River Road, on to Pin Oak Street and ending at Red Cedar Elementary.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 18.