🌱 Charleston Co. Considers $75M For I-526 + Competitive Pay For CCSO

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Charleston Daily — here to explain all the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 63 Low: 41.

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Here are the top three stories in Charleston today:

1. Charleston County is considering allocating $75 million to pay for the remainder of the Interstate 526 expansion preparation work. The possible funding, which would come from the transportation sales tax, will be up for a vote on Thursday night. If completed, the expansion would run from Savannah Highway to Folly Road, making the final exit of I-526 Calhoun Street. (Live 5 News WCSC)
2. On Thursday, Charleston County leaders approved an offer by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) to offer competitive pay. The money for the competitive pay would come from the general fund. Law enforcement agencies have reported difficulties in hiring and retaining officers, so competitive pay is one way they hope to address those issues. (WCBD News 2)
3. Charleston resident Jonathan Ramaci, the owner of Delaware-based Elements of Genius, has been arrested and charged with wire fraud totaling more than $700,000. According to the indictment, Ramaci knowingly defrauded investors from October 2016 through at least 2021. Ramaci is also accused of misrepresenting the status of deals in which other companies would sell his product to convince investors to fund him. (Live 5 News WCSC)

Today in and around Charleston:

• Miracle On Market Street At The Charleston Place (4:00 PM)
• Elf The Musical Junior At Encore Music Hall (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The West Ashley Library is closing this Saturday, Dec. 17, at 5:00 p.m. for renovations. The renovations are expected to last several months, but no definite end date has been shared. (Charleston County Public Library via Facebook)
• The Vienna Light Orchestra will be having a two thousand candle-lit performance at South Carolina Society Hall. You can view the show from Dec. 15 to Dec. 18. (ABC NEWS 4)
• Holiday Candlelight Tours are now available at the Nathaniel Russell House Museum. Visitors can see how Christmas would have been celebrated in the early 1800s, participate in a pomander craft, and enjoy holiday-inspired cocktails in the garden. (ABC NEWS 4)

You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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.