Controversy and Fun: Highlights from Charleston's Sternwheel Regatta

Charleston City Council members express concern over the arrests made during a sweep of city parks ahead of the Sternwheel Regatta festival, with over two dozen people being detained, many of whom were homeless individuals. The Kanawha County Public Defender's Office revealed that 16 people were charged for sleeping in public parks, and 11 were being held solely on that charge, resulting in the city incurring costs to incarcerate them for six days. Council members criticized the arrests, calling it embarrassing and expressing concern about the negative optics for the city. Some council members urged the city judge to return to the bench to address the bond motions and clear out the cases before Thursday.