Good morning, Mount Pleasant.

Gabby Oliveira, a 17-year-old exchange student, gave an emotional farewell speech at the May 14 Rotary Club meeting in Mount Pleasant as part of her Rotary International exchange, during which she lived with two host families while attending Wando High School.

She shared her adventures of finding a shark's tooth on the beach and trips to Portland and New York City—she is set to fly home on May 28.

Make-A-Wish South Carolina honored the 2025 Lowcountry W.I.S.H.

Society honorees with an awards brunch at The Harbour Club at WestEdge—where they raised nearly $125,000 to help grant wishes for children battling critical illnesses. The event featured speeches from board members and community leaders who underscored the impact of their fundraising efforts.

Charleston County Parks will host inclusive swim nights this summer with after-hours waterpark events for people with disabilities, their caregivers and families.

The events include wheelchair checkouts and lifeguard supervision at locations like Splash Island in Mount Pleasant—some events starting June 1 from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m.

A vehicle collided with a building off Bees Ferry Road on Proximity Drive early Wednesday morning—crews used rescue equipment and wood to stabilize the structure after part of it collapsed.

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park will hold an event on June 28 to mark the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.

The program will feature flag raising at 10:00 a.m. and musket and artillery firing demonstrations — along with history talks, kids’ activities, crafts, and a living battle reenactment, with the site fee waived for the day.

Biomedical Science senior Miguel Berbesi Florez from R.B.

Stall High won the 2025 Trident Regional Technology Champion Award during Cooper River CAS’s Spring Showcase on May 15 — he earned multiple certifications and will attend Charleston Southern University on a full scholarship this fall.

Virginia Sayer will lead Camp Road Middle School as its new principal starting July 1, with over 15 years of experience in education — including her work at R.B.

Stall High School. Her background in instructional leadership and school improvement will guide future changes at Camp Road Middle.

A coalition of 11 state wildlife agencies launched GatorWise to teach local residents and new coastal visitors how to safely coexist with over 100K alligators in South Carolina.

Each state contributed $1,854 to build a website that offers guidance on alligator behavior—helping people avoid dangerous encounters.

Mount Pleasant Waterworks proposes a 7.5 percent rate increase for FY26 to cover rising market costs, infrastructure needs and required utility relocations due to state and county projects—raising residential bills by about $8.22 for 5,000 gallons—and will hold a public hearing on June 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Susan Ilderton Mellichamp Public Meeting Room.

Shark Teeth & Fossils Exploration

4 hours — Folly River Boat Ramp — Pricing varies — Discover shark teeth and fossils on a scenic boat tour of Charleston's dredge islands.

Camp Invention: Discover at James B. Edwards Elementary

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. — James B Edwards Elementary — $215 — An exciting STEM summer program fostering confidence and problem-solving skills for young innovators.

Hands-on Potato Gnocchi Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Two Blokes Brewing — Cost included — Learn to make light Italian potato gnocchi from scratch, topped with gourmet sauces and served with a full meal.