🌱 Minority Business Accelerator + School Shooter Confirmed As Hoax

Good morning, everybody. It's Thursday in Charleston and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in the community.

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 79 Low: 59.

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

Looking for real bagels? What about "this is the best bagel I've ever had"? That's the word at Blazing Star Cafe, located in West Ashley at 874 Orleans Road, across from FEDEX and Target. Current bagel flavors are plain, cherry-cranberry-cardamom, salt, za'atar (a middle eastern spice mix), poppyseed, sesame, and their unique inside-out Everything bagel, which has seeds baked into the dough and on top - and don't forget to ask about their variety of cream cheese flavors as well.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top three stories in Charleston today:

1. The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is offering a program meant to support minority businesses. The primary focus of the program is connecting minority businesses with the necessary resources to grow and thrive. The Lowcountry Minority Business Accelerator program is collecting applications through Oct. 28. If you're interested, you can visit this page to apply today. (Live 5 News WCSC)
2. A crash on I-526 resulted in two individuals being transported to a local hospital for treatment. There were three vehicles involved in the crash that occurred between Wando Bridge and Long Point Road. Eastbound lanes were closed till 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday. Traffic was rerouted through Clements Ferry Road during the closure. (Live 5 News WCSC)
3. The Charleston Police Department reports that a "possible emergency situation" at a local high school has been confirmed as a hoax. The fake incident occurred at Burke High School and involved a possible active shooter. A call regarding the incident was placed around 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday morning to the department. (Live 5 News)

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Today in Charleston:

• Keep Charleston Beautiful At Department of Parks: Conference Room A (5:30 PM)
• Citizen’s Police Advisory Council Via Zoom (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Halloween is right around the corner. Click for a list of 13 Charleston events designed to get the community in the spooky spirit. (Charleston Post Courier)
• The U.S. National Weather Service has released a seven-day rainfall accumulation graphic detailing where Hurricane Ian left its mark on the Charleston area. Click to view the graphic. (US National Weather Service Charleston SC via Facebook)
• The Charleston Fire Department will be kicking off Fire Prevention Week on Saturday at the Citadel Mall from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mark your calendar for this family-friendly event! (Charleston Fire Department via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with 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.