Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How bright will James Island’s Holiday Festival of Lights shine this year?

You won't want to miss CSO Masterworks - Holiday Pops on the Charleston Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday December 19th Patch AM
Friday December 19th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Charleston! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How bright will James Island’s Holiday Festival of Lights shine this year?
  • How much could Charleston save by investing now in flood resilience?
  • Will CofC’s new dorm be built over historic graves?

Also on today's calendar: Charleston Christmas Special and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Charlestonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Christine B.!

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Charlestonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Windy with clouds, then sun, with a high of 67 and low of 40 degrees.
  • Saturday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 62, low: 43.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and beautiful, with a high of 68 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. The Holiday Festival Of Lights 2025 at James Island County Park News Radio 94.3 WSC James Island County Park (iheart.com) — Charleston families can enjoy the 2025 Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, running nightly from November 14 through December 31 from 5:30–10 p.m. With over 750 displays, a three-mile driving tour, Santa visits, rides, and treats, this Charleston County Parks event offers plenty of festive fun close to home.
   

2. Building a Resilient Charleston (uschamber.com) — Local leaders just gathered in Charleston to dig into new data showing every $1 spent on resilience can save more than $16 in disaster costs for our region. The forum spotlighted flooding threats, the Charleston Water Plan, and urgent calls for better stormwater infrastructure, funding, and cross-sector coordination to keep neighborhoods, jobs, and businesses above water.
   

3. Native American group eyeing proposed CofC dorm (charlestoncitypaper.com) — A Native American tribe is pressing the College of Charleston to consult with them before moving forward on a new dorm planned atop an 18th-century burial ground near Coming and Calhoun streets. Tribal leaders, preservation advocates, and experts say indigenous and other human remains are likely present, and they’re urging state regulators and college officials to prioritize respectful treatment and community input before permits are granted.
   

4. ‘They're killing everybody': Mother of Jamal Sutherland reacts to homicide of Mary Brucato (live5news.com) — Families of people who died at the Charleston County jail are again demanding accountability after the coroner ruled 23-year-old inmate Mary Brucato’s August death a homicide tied to drug intoxication and medical neglect. Jamal Sutherland’s mother says at least 15 inmates have died since her son’s 2021 death, despite leadership and medical-provider changes and an ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation into jail conditions.
   

5. MUSC Health plans to use Citadel Mall to expand education, research, clinical care (live5news.com) — MUSC Health has bought most of Citadel Mall in West Ashley to expand research, education, and clinical care while easing parking pressure on its downtown Charleston campus. The multi-year project will repurpose vacant mall space and parking, keep major retailers in place, and begin employee parking changes as early as 2026.
   

📸 Around Charleston

Feedback image
📸 Holiday Magic at the new American Park! What a beautiful winter wonderland at this newly finished mini park! We have walked around several times now. Such a wonderful experience! —Christine B. Like

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Charleston

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Charleston PatchAM possible:

  • John W. Molony Law Firm, LLC — (843) 762-5732
    Arrested? Call Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer John W. Molony!
  • e-vos LLC — (843) 410-0050
    e-vos IT Support, Cloud Services and Cybersecurity

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • ****Missing Cat****…….
    lives off Ashley River Rd in Magnolia Bluff neighborhood. Name: Calli (Nextdoor Schieveling Plantation)
  • Black cat, skinny, teenager aged 2 - can’t see og post
    Hey all - I posted about spotting the kitty a few days ago. I haven’t been able to access that post or see messages, although I am getting notices… (Nextdoor Ashley Park)
  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Late Night Team Member in Charleston. Apply here.
  • G2 Secure Staff posted a job opening for Baggage Handler in Charleston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Charleston here.

Ok Charleston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Charleston