Dozens of James Island residents attended a town hall on Monday to meet the four candidates running for two town council seats.(WCIV)

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Dozens of James Island residents attended a town hall on Monday to meet the four candidates running for two town council seats.

It was a packed room for a Monday night, with barely any seats open. Attendees were listening closely to the candidates as they talked about the issues that are the most pressing in their community.

"This isn't just where we live. This is home," Julia Drayton Crumblin, one of the candidates said.

At the event all of the candidates were able to present opening and closing statements, along with answering questions from the moderator. After each question was asked, the candidates were given the chance for a rebuttal. The questions were written by the Local League of Women Voters and James Island residents.

During the town hall, candidates were asked about their goals, the role of town council, collaboration, infrastructure resiliency, voter representation, flooding issues and concerns about tree cutting around power lines.

"I want my grandkids, their grandkids, more grandkids to enjoy the creeks, marsh, trees, cany, wildlife, just as much as I can," candidate Michael Williams said.

The candidates all emphasized their love for James Island and presented what they believe is the most pressing issue.

"You are the same level as any elected official. You are the people that we are serving. You are not serving us. We're serving you," candidate Meredith Poston said

Jeri Cabot, the co-president of league of women voters of Charleston area, says these local elections may not get as much turnout as a national election, but they might have more of an impact on your day-to-day life.

"This zoning decision at the municipal level was related to the apartment complex you see going up down this street. This decision made about a drainage area is related to the flooding you do not experience on a particular road," Cabot said.

The candidates running for the two opens seats on the Town of James Island Town Council are the following:

Early voting started on Monday and goes on through Friday, Oct. 31. The polls are closed on Saturday and Sunday, and Election Day is Nov. 4.

It is Week 2 of the SCHSL and SCISA high school football playoffs.

SCHSL Class 5A Division I

Upper State

Dutch Fork 42, Boiling Springs 7

Byrnes 37, Rock Hill 21

Dorman 44, Blythewood 13

Ridge View 29, Spartanburg 21

Lower State

Carolina Forest 49, Fort Dorchester 0

Summerville 48, Ashley Ridge 27

James Island 42, Sumter 35

Stratford 40, River Bluff 35

Nov. 21

Upper State

(4) Byrnes at (1) Dutch Fork

(3) Ridge View at (2) Dorman

Lower State

(5) Summerville at (1) Carolina Forest

(6) James Island at (2) Stratford

SCHSL Class 5A Division II

Upper State

Northwestern 42, Catawba Ridge 7

Gaffney 38, Greenwood 31

Indian Land 40, Hillcrest 10

TL Hanna 38, Greenville 14

Lower State

Irmo 41, Lugoff-Elgin 16

White Knoll 14, Lucy Beckham 10

Myrtle Beach 24, West Florence 21

Berkeley 48, Westwood 20

Nov. 21

Upper State

(5) Gaffney at (1) Northwestern

(3) Indian Land at (2) TL Hanna

Lower State

(4) White Knoll at (1) Irmo

(3) Berkeley at (2) Myrtle Beach

SCHSL Class 4A

Upper State

South Pointe 49, Fountain Inn 0

AC Flora 34, Seneca 21

Westside 55, Wren 20

Camden 52, Daniel 14

Lower State

South Florence 43, Bishop England 0

North Augusta 35, Gilbert 7

Gray Collegiate 49, Hartsville 28

Hilton Head 31, Wilson 7

Nov. 21

Upper State

(5) AC Flora at (1) South Pointe

(7) Camden at (3) Westside

Lower State

(4) North Augusta at (1) South Florence

(3) Gray Collegiate at (2) Hilton Head Island

SCHSL Class 3A

Upper State

Powdersville 30, Pendleton 7

Mountain View Prep 50, Crescent 49

Belton-Honea Path 52, Southside Christian 6

Woodruff 40, Christ Church 37

Lower State

Oceanside Collegiate 24, Marlboro County 7

Dillon 42, Silver Bluff 7

Loris 56, Orangeburg-Wilkinson 20

Newberry 41, Hanahan 21

Nov. 21

Upper State

(5) Mountain View Prep at (1) Powdersville

(3) Belton-Honea Path at (2) Woodruff

Lower State

(4) Dillon at (1) Oceanside Collegiate

(3) Loris at (2) Newberry

SCHSL Class 2A

Upper State

Clinton 35, Saluda 26

Fairfield Central 36, Andrew Jackson 0

Chester 42, Batesburg-Leesville 28

Strom Thurmond 48, Liberty 21

Lower State

Hampton County 28, Cheraw 10

Manning 46, Timberland 24

Central 49, East Clarendon 28

Philip Simmons 17, Atlantic Collegiate 7

Nov. 21

Upper State

Fairfield Central at Clinton

Chester at Strom Thurmond

Lower State

Hampton County vs. Manning

Central at Philip Simmons

SCHSL Class A

Upper State

Lewisville 29, Abbeville 28

CA Johnson 28, Blackville-Hilda 0

Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 36, Ware Shoals 12

Lamar 36, Wagener-Salley 6

Lower State

Cross 38, Bethune Bowman 0

Johnsonville 38, Scott’s Branch 14

Carvers Bay 56, Lake View 8

Bamberg-Ehrhardt 49, Latta 6

Nov. 21

Upper State

CA Johnson at Lewisville

Hunter-Kinard Tyler at Lamar

Lower State

Johnsonville at Cross

Carvers Bay at Bamberg-Ehrhardt

SCISA Class 4A

Northwood 34, Porter-Gaud 20

Heathwood 16, Hammond 13

SCISA Class 3A

Wilson Hall 50, Hilton Head Christian 29

Pinewood Prep 45, Florence Christian 6

SCISA Class 2A

Pee Dee Academy 34, Hilton Head Prep 33

Bethesda 32, Greenwood Christian 14

SCISA Class A

Colleton Prep 22, Dorchester Academy 16

Williamsburg Academy 37, Thomas Heyward 20

SCISA 8-Man

WW King 74, Jefferson Davis 28

Laurens Academy 30, Holly Hill 24

SCISA Championships

Nov. 21

At Calhoun Academy

8-Man: WW King vs. Laurens Academy, 7:30 p.m.

At South Carolina State

Nov. 21

Class 4A: Heathwood Hall vs. Northwood, 7 p.m.

Nov. 22

Class 2A: Pee Dee Academy vs. Bethesda, noon

Class A: Colleton Prep vs. Williamsburg Academy, 3:30 p.m.

Class 3A: Wilson Hall vs. Pinewood Prep, 7:30 p.m.

Lucky you. You just found CHStoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Charleston each month.

Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.

(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)

Boone Hall Farms Pumpkin Patch | Friday, Sept. 26-Friday, Oct. 24 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant | Price of purchase | Find the perfect pumpkin to carve into a jack-o-lantern, don’t miss the petting zoo.

Southern Screams Haunted House 2025: IMMORTAL | Friday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Nov. 8 | Times vary | Holy City Brewing, North Charleston | $21 | You’re going to need to pack your courage and bravery to tackle this haunted house.

Boone Hall Fright Nights | Saturday, Sept. 27-Saturday, Nov. 1 | Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant | $39+ | Visit South Carolina’s largest haunted event featuring several themed haunted houses and a haunted hayride.

Halloween Movie Night at Waterfront Park | Friday, Oct. 3 | 7-9 p.m. | The Waterfront Daniel Island | Round up the kiddos for a free screening of “Hotel Transylvania.”

Ghosts & Spirits Tour | Friday, Oct. 3-Friday, Oct. 31 | Bulldog Tours | $95+ | Join this spirited tour for ghost stories, haunted history, and cocktails.

Harvest Festival | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 4-7 p.m. | Montague Avenue near Park Circle, North Charleston | Free entry | Enjoy fall games, crafts, rides, inflatables, a pop-up petting zoo, and even trick-or-treating.

Fall Festival | Saturday, October 25 | 12-3 p.m. | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, Pleasant | Free entry | Bring the whole family, furry friends included, for a day of fall fun.

Halloween Cake Class | Sunday, Oct. 26 | 4-6 p.m. | Mercantile & Mash | $95+ | Let our pastry experts guide you through your own Halloween cake creation.

Live Under The Oaks Free Concert Series | Thursday, Oct. 2 | 6-7 p.m. | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre | Free | Bring your chairs or blanket and enjoy live music every Thursday in October.

Mozart & Brahms at the Library Society | Thursday, Oct. 2, Friday, Oct. 3, Friday, Oct. 3 | Times vary | Charleston Library Society | $52+ | Experience chamber music featuring Charleston Symphony and artist-in-residence, Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey.

The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center | $35 | Calling all dancing queens, come see a dazzling tribute group that will play the most Swedish pop group’s most iconic hits.

Riverfront Revival | Friday, Oct. 10-Saturday, Oct. 11 | Times vary | Riverfront Park, North Charleston | $220+ | Get ready to rock Riverfront like a “Wagon Wheel.” Darius Rucker will return to the Lowcountry with guests like Riley Green and The Red Clay Strays.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise: Thanks For Coming Tour | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 7 p.m. | Firefly Distillery, North Charleston | $77+ | Head to Park Circle to jam with this alternative rock, indie band

Dylan Scott | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | The Refinery, North Charleston | $99 | This Country music singer and songwriter will have you on your feet as he plays his hits like “Good Times Go By Too Fast.”

Jesse McCartney | Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | The Refinery | $68 | Don’t miss Jesse McCartney and his “Beautiful Soul” performing in the Lowcountry.

Zach Top: Cold Beer & Country Music Tour 2025 | Friday, Oct. 24 | 8 p.m. | Credit One Stadium | $45+ | This up-and-coming country star is going to have Daniel Island falling in love with his sweet melodies.

Rooftop Yoga | Tuesday, Oct. 7-Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 6 p.m. | The Restoration Hotel | $5+ | Reset with this all-levels yoga class where you can admire the downtown skyline — don’t forget your mat.

Lowcountry Trail Run | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Johns Island County Park | $38+ | Lace up for a run or walk on these scenic Lowcountry trails.

IOP Connector Run | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 8 a.m. | Palm Boulevard, Isle of Palms | $55+ | Join this challenging, but scenic 5K or 10K run which benefits local organizations working to prevent child abuse and heal those affected by it.

Avondale 5K Run + Walk for Special Kids | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 8-11 a.m. | Triangle Char and Bar | $40+ | Get ready to walk, run, or roll at this 16th annual run supporting a local childcare center.

Crowfield 5K | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | Middleton Park, Crowfield Plantation, Goose Creek | $35+ | Join this run to support the Stratford High School Marching Knights.

Charleston Battery | Three home matches in October | Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant | Ticket prices vary per match | Show your support for Charleston’s black and gold as they take on their rivals at home.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 5 p.m. | North Charleston Coliseum | $37+ | The champs are coming to town. Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets battle it out in a preseason matchup.

Cheer on Charleston’s three college teams as fall sports ramp up.

Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:

A TikTok “dirty soda” craze that mixes traditional sodas with creamers, flavored syrups and even protein powder has arrived on James Island.

Soda House is now open inside Island Plaza at 1291 Folly Road, sharing a building with Gold’s Gym but with its own entrance.

The fizzy, customizable drinks have roots in Utah, where Swig popularized “dirty sodas” — alcohol-free concoctions that became a hit among members of the Mormon community.

The drinks later exploded in popularity on TikTok, amassing more than 73,000 posts under the #dirtysoda hashtag and even catching the attention of pop star Olivia Rodrigo.

The popular social media app is where Jon-Henri Marlow, then 22 and graduating college, first spotted the trend.

“I would always see it on my TikTok page and there are so many people in Charleston, I thought it would be a good idea,” he said.

Marlow spent a year bringing the concept to life, working with Gold’s Gym to bring the concept to market. The shop officially opened Oct. 14, the same month as a new iSmash rage room opened in the same shopping center.

“I was originally going to do it in Mount Pleasant, but landlords thought it was too trendy an idea,” he said.

Customers can start with a base of soda, water, lemonade, limeade or energy drink, then add fruit purées, flavored creamers or even Red Bull to build their own drink.

Pre-set menu options and “fan favorites” are also available, including one made with Diet Coke and protein powder. The drinks range from about $3 to $6,

“It tastes like a float,” Marlow said. Soda House will soon launch delivery through DoorDash.

Last pour

A downtown Charleston neighborhood wine shop and market is closing its doors following a change in building ownership.

Pinot & Provisions, which opened in 2023 at 227 Rutledge Ave., will officially close Oct. 31.

The shop, which had been temporarily closed, will hold a three-day clearance sale Oct. 24–26 from noon to 5 p.m.

The Rutledge Avenue property, located near the corner of Spring Street, was sold at a foreclosure auction in June for $2.25 million to JDR Bull, LLC, according to Charleston County real estate records.

At the time of the sale, the wine shop had planned to reopen in September with a renewed focus on its market, bottle shop and wine bar. But co-founders Madelyn and Aaron Rowland announced on Instagram Oct. 17 that the closure would be permanent.

“Unfortunately, due to some changes in ownership, we can no longer justify our time in this space,” the post read.

The Rowlands hinted that a “Pinot & Provisions version 2” concept could return elsewhere.

It follows the news that a nearby neighborhood wine bar The Guilded Horn was rebranding into Nook Tiny Café and Market, a coffee shop and wine bar concept, which is now officially open at 267 Rutledge.

Style aisle

The Walmart Supercenter at 1231 Folly Road on James Island has received a retail refresh, unveiling a new circular stage area featuring mannequins dressed in full outfits — a setup reminiscent of a traditional department store rather than a big-box retailer.

Both adult and child mannequins showcase complete looks, with the same apparel available on nearby racks and aisles.

The redesign is part of the retail kingpin’s broader initiative, announced last year, to reimagine its apparel and home departments with trend-driven displays.

The big box chain announced in April it was remodeling 33 stores across South Carolina.

Closets on Coleman

A longtime custom closet company is expanding its footprint in the Lowcountry.

Closet Factory will celebrate the opening of its new Mount Pleasant showroom at 454 W. Coleman Blvd. near Shem Creek with a community event Oct. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m.

The national franchise has been serving South Carolina for 20 years, with existing locations in Columbia and Lexington. The company’s new East Cooper showroom showcases custom closets, pantries, garage systems, entertainment centers and more.

The Coastal Carolina franchise is co-owned by Lander and Leigh Cason.

Top shelf

A boutique liquor store has arrived in North Charleston.

Prestige Pour House, at 8459 Dorchester Road near the Ashley Phosphate Road intersection, offers a premium shopping experience featuring exclusive Latin spirits and a curated selection of high-end favorites.

A grand opening event will be held Oct. 30, but the store is already serving customers.

In the bag

Custom bag brand Stoney Clover Lane is opening Nov. 8 at 316 King St., near the College of Charleston campus.

The space formerly housed Salt Life, which moved out after parent company Delta Apparel Inc. filed for bankruptcy in 2024.

Known for colorful travel bags, purses and pouches, the brand lets customers personalize items with patches, letters and icons — including Hello Kitty and Charleston-exclusive Tiger & Eloise designs.

The luxury lifestyle and accessories brand, founded by sisters Kendall and Libby Glazer, now has six brick-and-mortar locations nationwide.

Customers pull up a heart-shaped chair to design their own bags, which are shipped after customization is complete.

“Charleston is such a perfect fit for girls’ trips, bachelorette weekends and anyone visiting for a fun getaway,” co-owner Kendall Glazer said. “We love giving every city its own moment and letting our customers collect a little piece of each place they visit.”

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - While everyone is talking about who will be elected South Carolina’s next governor in 2026, dozens of local elections are taking place in just few weeks.

Voters in towns and cities across the state will head to the polls on Nov. 4 to determine the fates of hundreds of candidates looking for seats on councils and mayoral offices.

But early voting begins on Monday, two weeks ahead of the general election.

Below is a list of all of the races and candidates in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties. This guide also has everything you need to know about how to vote and when you can do it.

2025 Races

Click the heading to jump to the section to see who will be listed on municipal ballots.

Note that voters will only see races that correspond with the district in which they live, not necessarily all of the races listed under their municipality.

In the lists below, an asterisk indicates an incumbent candidate running for reelection.

Republicans

Democrats

City Council District 2

City Council District 4

City Council District 6

City Council District 8

City Council District 10

City Council District 12

Commissioner of Public Works

Town Council (4 seats open)

Town Waterworks

Town Council District 1

Town Council District 3

Town Council District 5

Commissioner of Public Works

City Council (3 seats open)

Town Council (3 seats open)

Commissioner of Public Works

City Council (3 seats open)

City Council (4 seats open)

Water and Sewer Commissioner

Town Council (2 seats open)

Town Council (3 seats open)

Town Council (3 seats open)

Town Council

Town Council (3 seats open)

Town Council (3 seats open)

These towns have elections but none of them are contested: