<b>Tax return prep available for<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>those qualified</b>

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS has extended the tax filing deadline to Wednesday, July 15.

Due to current social distancing guidelines in place related to the pandemic, the IRS has approved a 100 percent secure virtual process that allows trained Lowcountry VITA volunteers to offer free tax preparation services directly to clients in the safety of their home.

In collaboration with the Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, United Way of the Lowcountry, Inc., free tax preparation to those who qualify, remains available through a combination of a secure teleconferencing web portal and by telephone.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to persons generally earning $54,000 annually or less, differently-abled persons, persons 60 and older, and limited English-speaking persons.

To volunteer or obtain more information, visit www.vitalowcountry.org or call 843-321-9071.

<b>Marines conducting<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>live-fire training</b>

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island will be conducting extended live-fire training from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. May 13-14.

The marsh and waterways in the range impact area to include Archers Creek, Ribbon Creek, and Edding Creek will be closed to boater traffic. For questions regarding firing times and waterway closures, please contact the Weapons and Field Training Battalion Range Control at 843-228-3170.

<b>McMaster announces appointments to Election Commission</b>

Governor Henry McMaster announced two appointments to the State Election Commission on Thursday, April 30. The appointments fill two vacant seats on the five member commission.

Mrs. Linda McCall will fill Seat 3, which was previously occupied by Mr. Harold Faust, who died earlier this year. She will complete Mr. Faust’s term ending on Sept. 15. Mrs. McCall, 63, is retired and most recently worked in the office of Congressman Mick Mulvaney from 2011-2017.

Ms. JoAnne Day will fill Seat 1, which was previously occupied by Mrs. Amanda Loveday, who resigned late last year. She will complete Mrs. Loveday’s term ending on Sept. 15, 2022. Ms. Day, 74, is retired and most recently worked for the IBM Corporation as a managing consultant from 1998 to 2009.

<b>County electronics recycling event rescheduled</b>

The Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling Department’s free electronics recycling event originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16, at the Beaufort and Bluffton Public Works sites, has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. A reminder release will be sent closer to the new date.

For more information, contact the Solid Waste and Recycling Section visit www.beaufortcountysc.gov/recycle or 843-255-2736.