🌱 Pence Visits Charleston Area + Flights Resume After Downed Balloon

Hi all! I'm here with your Monday edition of the Charleston Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 67 Low: 40.

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Here are the top three stories in Charleston today:

1. Former Vice President Mike Pence will be in the Charleston area today. Pence is expected to meet with local law enforcement officials as well as North Charleston Police Chief Reggie Burgess about pushing back the "Defund the Police" movement. It is rumored the former VP is considering a presidential run for 2024. (Fox Carolina)
2. Flights to and from Charleston International Airport resumed after the suspected Chinese spy balloon was downed. The balloon, which floated by sensitive U.S. military sites in North America, was downed off the coast of the Carolinas. The Federal Aviation Administration halted departures at three Carolina-coast airports when the balloon was still in air and said – on its Twitter – it was to "support the Department of Defense in a national security effort." (WCSC)
3. Dr. Jennifer Stepp, 38, was booked by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 3 for allegedly fraudulently obtaining oxycodone. The Charleston veterinarian was arrested by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for purchasing the drugs with her DEA-controlled substance registration for use outside of her practice, Peaceful Passings. The false documentation of dispensing oxycodone occurred between Jan. 29, 2022 and Mar. 9, 2022. (ABC 4 News)

Today in Charleston:

• Little Love Bug Party At Bees Ferry West Ashley Library (3:00 PM)
• Detox Flow (HOT) At Sculpted Lotus Yoga (6:30 PM)
• Grateful Dub At The Charleston Pour House (8:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Amelia M. Taylor, a retired Charleston County school teacher, was honored with her own day yesterday by Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg for her 100th birthday. (Live 5 News WCSC)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Charleston area! Get all the property details at the link. (Charleston Patch)
• The Charleston area is in store for fair weather this week! Check out the forecast at the link. (US National Weather Service Charleston SC via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— 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.