🌱 CHS Holiday Travel Up 12% + Lowcountry's Meowy Christmas

Get on up, Charleston! It's Monday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in town.

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First, today's weather:

Warm with sun and some clouds. High: 71 Low: 60.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Charleston today:

1. The Charleston County Sheriff's Office lent a helping hand by donating bikes and toys to families in need at a non-profit organized after the death of a Lowcountry teenager. Earlier this week, CCSO visited Positive Vibes Ronjanae Smith Inc. in North Charleston to give away bikes and toys to underserved families in the Lowcountry. The Positive Vibes non-profit was organized after the death of 14-year-old Ronjanae Smith who was fatally shot at an outdoor concert in North Charleston's Deas Hill Community. (WCBD News 2)
2. Despite a surge of the omicron variant across the country, Charleston International Airport saw more travelers for this Christmas holiday week than the past two years. Passenger numbers for the Christmas holiday were up an average of 112% over the same time last year, according to a spokesperson for the airport. Despite thousands of flights across the country being canceled, CHS only saw four cancellations on Christmas Eve. (Live 5 News WCSC)
3. Santa's sleigh had a few special deliveries to make Saturday morning for some unsuspecting Lowcountry residents. The Charleston Animal Society joined forces with Hendrick's Automotive Group to surprise families with a new fur-ever friend. Any families who adopted a pet between December 17 and 23 were eligible to have their pets hand-delivered to them on Christmas Day; of 128 adoptions in that time span, six opted for the special delivery. (Live 5 News WCSC)

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Today in Charleston:

• Aquarium Aglow - South Carolina Aquarium (5:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Charleston Fire Department was featured in The Daniel Island News for their commitment to serving the Lowcountry all year long, including over the holidays. (Facebook)
• All Charleston County Public Library branches will remain closed until Tuesday, Dec. 28 to observe the holidays. (Facebook)
• The Omicron variant represents over 60% of recent COVID cases sequenced at MUSC. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— 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.