Good morning, Mount Pleasant.

Charleston police released their 2024 Annual Report Tuesday—showing a 10.7% drop in overall crime with a near 50% decline in homicides and fewer deadly car crashes after tightened traffic enforcement raised impaired-driving arrests by 31%.

Charleston County School District launched a new pilot program that gives nearly 1,900 students $25 each week for perfect attendance over nine weeks to combat chronic absenteeism; early data from schools like Goodwin and Lambs show perfect attendance rates have risen 20 to 30%, and the program—funded with around $400,000—runs until May 10+ officials will review its impact by the end of the school year.

Mike Tinkey won a Tuesday special election for the Mount Pleasant town council seat after Carl Ritchie resigned to serve as county sheriff — unofficial results showed Tinkey received 42% of the vote — and he said he will work to preserve the town's small-town character while promoting sustainable growth. Tinkey, a resident for 40 years and owner of Tinkey Timberlands, plans to support green spaces on the council.

Special elections were held Tuesday to fill three seats for Dorchester County Council District 1, SC House District 113, and Mount Pleasant Town Council—nine candidates competed for the Mount Pleasant seat after one candidate withdrew.

Two additional seats on North Charleston City Council will be filled in a special election on May 27.

Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former College of Charleston star Brett Gardner, died on March 21st in Costa Rica while on vacation at Arenas del Mar resort, and officials say he likely suffered asphyxiation from food poisoning (an autopsy and toxicology tests are pending).

On Tuesday, the South Carolina Stingrays announced that goaltender Garin Bjorklund was reassigned to the Hershey Bears ahead of their regular season finale.

The 22-year-old, who posted a 21-4-3 record in 29 games in his third professional season under an NHL contract with the Washington Capitals, will play with the Bears in Friday’s game at 7 p.m.

Mount Pleasant High School coach Adam El Hassan is 21 and won a state championship last season while studying Business Management and serving as Student Body President at College of Charleston.

He is starting a JV program to build a stronger team and uses his young age to connect with his players—he said he works hard to balance class and coaching.

On March 24, the Charleston County School District recognized state champion athletes from Lucy Beckham, North Charleston, James Island Charter and Military Magnet Academy at a board meeting.

The Military Magnet Academy girls’ basketball team—now the first to win four state titles in five years—and key wrestlers made history with their winter sports wins.

Next Stop Comedy

7-8:30 p.m. — Hobcaw Brewing Company — Check website for ticket info — Enjoy a night of laughs with top stand-up comedians in a local venue.

Bottom Fishing Basics Seminar

6-7 p.m. — Haddrell's Point Fin to Feather — Free entry — Dive into bottom fishing techniques for a chance to catch delicious species from the sea.