🌱 Columbia Water To Hire More Contractors + Rising Rents

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

First, today's weather:

Clouds and sun. High: 69 Low: 47.

Here are the top three stories in Columbia today:

1. Columbia Water is looking to hire more contractors as some customers have been waiting seven months for fixes. According to a report, 81 percent of Columbia Water calls have been open for 31 days or longer. The department has also been dealing with water pipe main breaks that have caused boil advisories. (WIS News 10)
2. The South Carolina House committee will hear public comments on a medical marijuana bill Monday in Columbia. The bill, if fully passed, will legalize medical marijuana in Columbia and all of South Carolina. The Senate passed the SC Compassionate Care Act but it has not yet been sent to the House. (Live 5 News WCSC)
3. Columbia rent is up for the month of March, with an increase of 0.8 percent from the month before. The year-over-year rent growth is up from 15.5 percent from March of 2021. Since the start of the pandemic, it's gone up by 23.1 percent. (Abccolumbia.com)

Today in Columbia:

• The Food We Celebrate - Traveling Exhibit At South Carolina State Museum (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Did you know a local currently holds the world record for owning the largest collection of toasters? Discover five unbelievable (yet true) facts about Columbia. (COLAtoday)
• A Columbia woman-run construction business breaks the mold in a male-dominated industry. Click to watch the full interview with CARBRA Construction and Design, Inc. (WIS News 10)
• Longtime Columbia TV news anchor J.R. Berry was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Congratulations, Berry! (The State)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. See you all Monday for another update!

— 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.