🌱 9 Rehabilitated Sea Turtles Released + Local Businessman Indicted

Hi all. It's me, Kaytlyn Mroz, your host of the Charleston Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Occasional rain and a t-storm. High: 68 Low: 51.

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Here are the top three stories today in Charleston:

1. The South Carolina Aquarium released nine rehabilitated sea turtles on Wednesday. The Charleston-based aquarium's Sea Turtle Care Center team took the group to Jacksonville, Florida, to be released into the Atlantic Ocean at Little Talbot State Park. The turtles — both juvenile Kemp's ridleys and green sea turtles — were treated by the team for cold-stunning conditions as well as two for hook-and-line complications. (WCBD News 2)
2. A Charleston businessman has been indicted for more than $7 million in unpaid medical expenses from his co-founded company administering health insurance. Charles Kenneth Johnson, the CEO of Advance Benefit Management Systems, was named in a 24-count indictment this week. Johnson is accused of theft or embezzlement for misappropriating funds from businesses and employees who had purchased health care plans through his co-founded company. (Subscription: The Post and Courier)
3. Several streets in Downtown Charleston were closed to traffic and pedestrians yesterday after a car crashed into a power pole. The area of East Bay Street between Queen and Market streets, as well as Cumberland Street between Concord and State streets, were closed. Crews on the scene estimated the issue would take about five hours to fix. (ABC News 4)

Today in Charleston:

• NXSE Oyster Pop Up At Snafu Brewing Company (4:00 PM)
• Honors In Black At Charleston Music Hall (7:00 PM)
• 1770 Record Showcase At Music Farm (7:00 PM)
• Paint & Sip Event: Pasture At The Inn At Middleton Place (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Alcove Market, a specialty market with a menu rooted in wellness-forward and health-conscious cuisine, has opened in Downtown Charleston. The eatery is located on the first floor of The Jasper. (Holy City Sinner -)
• Are you looking to fill your social calendar this weekend? Check out the list of events happening in and around Charleston at the link! (Holy City Sinner)
• Severe weather can cause widespread devastation, and some states are more prone to disaster-related property damage than others. Due mainly to flooding, South Carolina ranks No. 39 in the U.S. for total property damage, with an average of $178.38 per capita. See how our state stacks up against the rest of the country in this new interactive study. (NeighborWho)

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 16)
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That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— Kaytlyn Mroz

About me: Kaytlyn Mroz is a copywriter at Lightning Media Partners – a content creation agency. She is a Rowan University graduate where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in writing. Outside of work, Kaytlyn is a dog mom to a boglen terrier named Finn and a golden retriever named Willow.