🌱 Charles Bolden To Receive Award + Prisma Health Opens Center

Hello, people of Columbia! Sean Peek here with the latest Columbia Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Warm with variable cloudiness. High: 74 Low: 62.

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Here are the top stories in Columbia today:

1. A local veteran and former astronaut will be honored in Washington D.C. Friday with a special award. Major General Charles Bolden will receive the 2020 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy at the 73rd Annual Wright Memorial Dinner. (Abccolumbia.com)
2. Prisma Health Breast Health Center Parkridge recently opened its new location in the Columbia and the Irmo community. The center was moved from its original site within the hospital to the new location with easy access for patients and room for expansion. (ColaDaily.com)
3. State health officials in South Carolina reported to the federal government Dec. 16 that approximately 80 percent of inpatient beds and 77 percent of ICU beds in hospitals across the state were occupied. Around 5 percent of inpatient beds and 7 percent of ICU beds statewide were filled by COVID-19 patients, they reported. (Columbia Patch)

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Today in Columbia:

• Santa Run 5K At Garners Ferry Sports Complex (8:30 AM)

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From my notebook:

• Today, DHEC announced 1242 new cases of COVID-19 (796 confirmed, 446 probable), 16 new deaths (15 confirmed, 1 probable), and a percent positive of 7.3%. See today's updated COVID-19 and vaccine data at https://scdhec.gov/covid19data. (Facebook)
• South Carolina Aquarium is giving their yearly reminder to gift green! When you're shopping for gift-wrapping materials, look out for unsustainable gift wrappings like decorative wrapping paper, plastic ribbon, and plastic bows. (Instagram)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.