🌱 Mike Pence Commencement Speech + Teacher's Aide Drug Arrest

Welcome back, Columbia! Let's get you started this Saturday with everything you need to know going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 73 Low: 48.

Here are the top three stories in Columbia today:

1. Former Vice President Mike Pence will be giving the commencement speech at Columbia International University this April. Pence will speak at the Christian university on Apr. 30 at the 11:00 a.m. commencement ceremony. His visits to South Carolina spark speculation about a potential presidential run. (Free: WLTX; Subscription: The State)
2. Rachelle Brickhouse, a teacher’s aide at Riverbank Elementary, was arrested after reports of marijuana in her classroom. School reports state that an administrator claimed to have smelled marijuana coming from the classroom and a class restroom. Administrators moved the children out of the classroom, then police took Brickhouse into custody. (WLTX.com)
3. On Thursday night, a subcommittee of the Columbia Housing Board held the meeting in which they discussed five possible housing developments. The board is looking for solutions to help with low-income housing. The hope is for two apartment complexes to break ground in the coming months. (WLTX.com)

Today in Columbia:

• Cupid's Chase 5K At Maxcy Gregg Park (10:00 AM)
• Puzzle Tournament At Fit Columbia (4:30 PM)
• Imagine Dragons: Mercury World Tour At Colonial Life Arena (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• There's still time to donate the gift of life at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center for the City of Columbia's 12th Annual Lifesavers Blood Drive. Sign up at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time and use Sponsor Code: Lifesavers.(Facebook)
• Next Friday, Feb. 18, Columbia Museum of Art members are invited to preview exhibitions "Anila Quayyum Agha: Let A Million Flowers Bloom" and "Rodin: Contemplation and Dreams / Selections from the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Collections." (Facebook)
• The Columbia Fire Department reminds business owners that while having automatic sprinklers and fire extinguishers is important, they can also combine these with manual, portable fire extinguishers. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. 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.