🌱 Afterschool Food Program Begins + Winds Topple Church Steeple

Hello, neighbors! Nicole Fallon-Peek here with the latest edition of the Charleston Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 53 Low: 45.

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Here are the top two stories in Charleston today:

1. Charleston County Public Library and Lowcountry Food Bank have teamed up to expand their afterschool snacks program to eight total library branches. Launched in 2020, the Kids Café Snack Program will now serve more needy residents of Charleston County. Kids and teens under the age of 18 can obtain healthy snacks at any of the participating libraries from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. (WCBD News 2)
2. The steeple of Cooper River Baptist Church toppled over early Monday morning as strong winds moved through the area and downed a nearby power line. When the North Charleston Fire Department arrived on the scene in the 1000 block of Crawford Street, they found the church's steeple in the roadway in front of the church. No injuries were reported and Dominion Energy crews arrived shortly after to repair the power line. (Live 5 News WCSC)
3. South Carolina ICUs are beginning to see a spike in very sick, unvaccinated COVID-19 patients earlier than they had initially anticipated, according to local doctors. Dr. Alice Boylan of MUSC said that, while omicron may be less severe than previous COVID-19 variants, "unvaccinated people are still at risk of being severely sick or dying" from it and other variants that are present in South Carolina. (WIS 10)

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Today in Charleston:

• Sound Of Charleston At Circular Congregational Church (7:00PM)

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From my notebook:

• With the rise in COVID cases around South Carolina and the Lowcountry, Charleston County Public Library is temporarily pausing all indoor programs at all of our branch locations. Stay updated on ccpl.org for the latest. (Facebook)
• Join the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. for a special COVID-19 update with Dr. Danielle Sheurer, Chief Quality Officer at MUSC Health Systems. With the recent surge in cases due to the Omicron variant, Dr. Scheurer will outline strategies for business leaders to consider as we return to work following the holidays. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right. I'll see you soon!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.