🌱 Columbia Couple Stole Dying Vet's Money + Trinity Three Rd Rezoning

Get on up, Columbia! It's Friday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Increasingly windy. High: 64 Low: 42.

Here are the top three stories in Columbia today:

1. A Columbia couple pled guilty to $1.4 million in theft from a dying South Carolina veteran’s life savings. Sam and Naomi Hayes stole money from their neighbor, Bobby Gene Davidson. The couple was charged with bank fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy. (The State)
2. The Columbia City Council approved a zoning request at its monthly meeting on Tuesday. The request will amend 1458 Trinity Three Road. The council also approved the consumption of beer and wine only at Boyd Plaza, Founders Park, and during the Jam Room Music Festival. (Columbia Star)
3. Two West Columbia men were arrested on charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. In two unrelated cases, Jordan Keith Agee and Michael Dewayne Elkin were arrested on 14 charges total. Agee is accused of producing, possessing, and distributing child sexual abuse, and Elkin is accused of sending a sexually explicit image to someone he believed was a minor. (Abccolumbia.com)

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Today in Columbia:

• KC & the Sunshine Band At The Township Auditorium (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Gamecocks cruised to a 15-2 win over No. 22 North Carolina Wednesday night in Charlotte. Congratulations! (Instagram)
• The annual Spring Plant & Flower Festival is in full swing at the South Carolina State Farmers Market! Stop by 3483 Charleston Hwy West for all your spring décor, plants, flowers, herbs, and produce needs, today and tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Apr. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Facebook)
• We’re less than two weeks away from the South Carolina State Fair Food Drive! The drive is happening Apr. 9 to 24, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll see you around.

— Dan Casarella

About me: Dan Casarella is a writer, podcast producer, and small business development specialist who formerly worked in late-night television. He’s produced many talk segments, including with President Joe Biden, Kobe Bryant, and Chadwick Boseman. Dan studied Media Studies and Production at Temple University. He also enjoys running, painting, and the highs and lows of Philadelphia’s sports teams.