Rainfall breaks a 130-year-old record in downtown Charleston as the Lowcountry braces for more wet weather. A popular sushi chain is suing a competitor over an allegedly similar name and menu. Charleston’s water utility demolished five homes on James Island to make way for future infrastructure needs.
We’re going to catch you up on these and other top stories from The Post and Courier for Monday, Oct. 5.
Rainfall breaks 130-year-old record in downtown Charleston. And it’s still coming.
The National Weather Service recorded 3.64 inches of rain on Oct. 4, breaking the previous daily rainfall record of 2.51 inches set Oct. 4, 1893. Some areas received more than 5 or 6 inches over a 12-hour period, prompting a region-wide flash flood alert around 8 p.m. that warned of dangerous and life-threatening conditions. The flood warning lifted after 1 a.m. on Oct. 5, and all main roads reopened ahead of the morning traffic rush, though some smaller side streets remained closed.
Popular Charleston sushi chain sues new restaurant over its allegedly similar name
Locals Sushi & Sports Pub, which has three locations in Charleston County, filed a lawsuit against Moncks Corner restaurant Rollin Local on Sept. 14, alleging unfair and deceptive trade practices. The suit claims Rollin Local copied menu items, hired former employees with knowledge of Locals’ recipes, and used a confusingly similar name to trade on the established chain’s goodwill. Locals Sushi & Sports Pub, in operation since 2009, sent a cease-and-desist letter in May, which Rollin Local refused. Trial is scheduled to begin April 12, 2027.
Why were those 5 James Island homes on Harborview Road torn down? The water utility did it.
Charleston Water System demolished five homes on Harbor View Circle this year because the utility determined it would be less expensive to tear them down than maintain them, citing issues like asbestos and mold. The homes were located on a small marsh island adjacent to the Plum Island sewage treatment plant, where CWS has been acquiring for decades in anticipation of future infrastructure expansion. While no immediate plans exist for the site, CWS spokesperson Michael Saia said eventually all homes on the island will need to be demolished.
A $10K strip of grass helps students outside of Charleston County get into CCSD schools — legally
A 12-foot-wide vacant parcel at Romney Street and Athens Court is listed for $10,000 with its primary selling point being “school qualifying purposes.” An obscure 1962 South Carolina law allows students to attend school in any district if they own property there with a tax-assessed value of $300 or more, and families have been purchasing cheap parcels to meet this requirement. For the 2026-27 school year, 35 students residing outside the district used this property law to attend Charleston County schools, generating $431,000 in revenue for the district.
Bay Street Biergarten to open 2nd location in West Ashley
Bay Street Biergarten, a German- and Southern-influenced restaurant operating since 2013, will open a second location in West Ashley in spring 2027. The new location will be larger than the flagship downtown restaurant at 549 East Bay St. and will feature expanded outdoor space and more televisions.
This news briefing was created with the assistance of AI to summarize stories. The briefing was edited by a Post and Courier journalist before it was published.
Dining and Cooking