Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash

MORNING HEADLINES  | 2024 is almost over and most of us apparently want to end it by staying put. A majority of U.S adults intend to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, according to a new poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Nearly two in 10 American adults will be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, and just 5% plan to go out to celebrate at a bar, restaurant or organized event, the poll found.

But just because some plan to stay home doesn’t mean the streets will be sparse. The Charleston Police Department is gearing up for busy crowds as visitors and locals are expected to ring in 2025, adding additional checkpoints around the city.

Sgt. Chris Stinson, the department’s public information officer, encouraged those who go out to celebrate to use rideshares to prevent any accidents, to stay in large groups and to always have a hand on your drink to decrease the chances of it being spiked. 

“Just like any other time, you always want to maintain situational awareness, whether it’s hanging on to your drink or just knowing your surroundings,” he said. “We always encourage people to stay in groups and just have fun and be safe. If you’re having any issues downtown and you need a police officer, just call 911 or flag one of us down.”

Stinson also added that additional police, especially in downtown Charleston on King Street, are to prevent underage drinking by using Intellicheck, a mobile app that scans IDs to verify someone’s identity and age.

Officers will be posted at Morrison Drive and Jackson Street from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Another checkpoint will be at Calhoun Street and Smith Street from 9:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.

Also in recent headlines:

2024 RECAP: CP NEWS: 12 biggest news stories that topped headlines in 2024. The last year has been jam-packed with news headlines that made waves across the Lowcountry and the Palmetto state. It seemed like each passing month brought bigger, more impactful stories, keeping us busy and you informed.

North Charleston officials tour Carnival Cruise terminal. North Charleston City Council members and mayor Reggie Burgess toured Union Pier Terminal just before the Carnival Sunshine set sail on its last voyage to look at “potential cruise ship operations,” according to a North Charleston city spokesman.

Proposed Charleston photography rule riles up photographers. New city-wide film and photography guidelines are under review, which could result in photographers having to obtain costly and time-consuming permits in order to take professional photos in front of iconic Charleston landmarks like Rainbow Row, churches, city parks, alleyways and cobblestone streets.

Charleston boatyard a surprising home for DIY art exhibits and music shows. Charleston’s DIY art scene is alive on the peninsula in a seemingly secluded boatyard and adjoining furniture-making workshop off Meeting Street Road. A large-scale punk festival has been held there — and most recently a gallery exhibit paired with a weekend of live performances of poetry and ambient music.

Road closures scheduled for Emancipation Parade in Charleston. Several road closures are scheduled for Wednesday for the annual Emancipation Parade, held from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

Charleston inn appears on hotel TV show. The French Quarter Inn near the historic City Market is being featured in the third season of “Hotels ByDesign,” which profiles properties and “tells the stories behind the world’s great hotels and resorts,” according to the producers.

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