Good morning, Mount Pleasant.

Firefighter Jimmy Villanueva retired after 29 years with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department, finishing his last day in early October.

His colleagues praised his strong work ethic and kind attitude (calling him an incredible example) as he ends his service.

Native New Yorker Cathy Paty moved to Charleston after a vacation at Shem Creek to restart her music career.

She performs every Tuesday at Tiki Taco Main Street, every Thursday at 17 Prime Steakhouse, and will play at Tavern & Table on Oct. 24 and Bohemian Bull on Oct. 25—she also works at Cox Tree Service in Mount Pleasant.

The Charleston County School District was awarded nearly $500,000 from the Public School Districts’ Opioid Recovery Trust to help fund opioid prevention and education efforts.

The district will use the funds to expand mental health counseling and train staff, parents, and students (a key step to reduce the stigma around substance use) before the end of 2025.

Charleston County School District was awarded a $500k multi-year grant from the Public School Districts' Opioid Recovery Trust to fund special education, mental health support, and substance use prevention programs.

The district will launch evidence-based activities — including staff training and community outreach—to help students, families, and staff affected by the crisis.

A local CPA warned that penalties were steep for those who missed filing their 2024 taxes by Wednesday — he noted both individuals using the 1040 form and businesses using the 1120 form risk a 5% monthly fee for late payments and a 0.5% fee for not filing amid the government shutdown. He advised that filing as soon as possible helps stop further penalty accrual.

Residents in the Oaks at Marsh View have urged the town council to install speed humps on Mossy Branch Way after a near-miss in early September nearly injured a 1-year-old and a pregnant woman.

Council member Daniel Brownstein said the Transportation Committee will discuss traffic calming ideas, such as stop signs or speed humps, at a meeting on Nov 3—hoping to make the road safer for local families.

At the Oct. 14 Town Council meeting, Special Olympics athletes were honored for winning medals in two competitions — the Mount Pleasant Recreation Unified Golf team earned medals in Philadelphia while another group received 20 medals in ball games.

The Big Dill Charity Pickleball Tournament

8:00 a.m. — The Pickle Bar — $60/player — Join for a fun-filled day of pickleball and philanthropy benefitting ECCO.