🌱 Former Mayor's Mansion Event Space + Cottontown Art Crawl

Hello again, Columbia! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Columbia Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Columbia Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Columbia long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 64 Low: 41.

Here are the top three stories in Columbia today:

1. Former Mayor Steve Benjamin has purchased a mansion in the historic Robert Mills district with the intention of turning it into an event space. Named "The Mansion on Blanding," the property can be used for everything from weddings to corporate gatherings, according to a currently-unpublished website shared by the former mayor. According to Benjamin, the site should be ready to host events by next month. (The Times and Democrat)
2. Columbia's fourth annual Cottontown Art Crawl drew a large and enthusiastic crowd on Saturday. The biggest iteration of the event yet featured 115 artists, food and drink vendors, and live music. Due to the growth of the art crawl, organizers created an entertainment and accessibility hub on Sumter Street for visitors to gather between ventures into the neighborhood (and the weather). (ColaDaily.com)
3. An unidentified woman has been placed in custody after reportedly holding a knife to another woman's throat at the Richland County Court House on Thursday. Information in a redacted report suggests the woman was using drugs and/or alcohol at the time of the incident. It has not been made clear how the knife made its way into the courthouse. (WLTX.com)

From our sponsor:

Today's Columbia Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Columbia:

• Certified SC Showcase - South Carolina Department Of Agriculture (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A pedestrian was struck and killed while trying to cross I-20 east in Columbia on Saturday morning. (WIS News 10)
• Weather officials have issued a Flood Warning for Columbia through Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. Visit the link for the full weekly weather report. (Columbia Patch)
• If you're looking for a new home, Patch and Redfin have you covered with the five latest Columbia area properties for sale. (Columbia Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Divorce & The Home – the Spring Housing Market – Vesta's South Carolina Hub (March 22)
• Add your event

Loving the Columbia Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow 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.