West Columbia, SC 04/14/2025 (Paul Kirby) – A commercial building was seriously damaged by fire Sunday night. Firefighters responded to a commercial structure fire at Midlands Machine Works on Smith Drive near Sox Street shortly after 11:00 p.m. When they arrived on the scene, they encountered a significant amount of smoke coming from around the large rollup doors of the work area. Firefighters from the West Columbia Fire Department made the first attack with a handline. As additional crews from the City of Cayce and the Lexington County Fire Service arrived, they helped establish a water source from a nearby fire hydrant and then pull another hose and assist in extinguishing the blaze. Click this ad to learn more about our products and services After the fire was out, fire marshal’s began to try and establish the cause of the fire. During this survey, they located what they felt were devices that could be used to intentionally cause the fire. The West Columbia Police Department was called, and their officers asked for assistance from the SC State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Agents responded and began an official investigation. As of Monday morning, an officer from the West Columbia Police Department was sitting at the scene guarding the building until investigators returned today. One official said that the fire’s damage could be over a million dollars. This is because of the expensive milling and c and c machines that first got heated and then quickly cooled by the water used to fight the fire.

Lexington, SC 04/10/2025 - Talented and Gifted Academy (TAG Academy) is excited to announce its official opening on Monday, April 14, 2025 , at 141 Riverchase Way in Lexington, SC. The Academy will serve children from 6 weeks to 4 years old, offering high-quality childcare and early education programs centered on literacy and holistic development. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services TAG Academy’s mission is to provide a safe, stable, and inspiring learning environment where young children develop strong literacy skills, curiosity, and creativity. Guided by values such as integrity, kindness, and inclusivity, the Academy utilizes award-winning, evidence-based curricula tailored to each child's unique needs, preparing them to excel in school and beyond. “We believe that by focusing on literacy and individualized education, we can empower children to become confident, lifelong learners,” said Merrell Jonson, Founder of TAG Academy. To accommodate working families, TAG Academy offers flexible hours. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Enrollment is now open, and space is limited. For more information or to schedule a tour, please visit www.tagsc.net

Lexington, SC (April 10, 2025) – The Town of Lexington proudly celebrated the graduation of its Inaugural Youth Ambassador Class, a group of exceptional high school seniors who dedicated the past year to learning about the inner workings of their local government. As part of one of Lexington Town Council’s key priorities, the Youth Ambassador Program was launched to provide students with a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at Town operations. Throughout the year, participants engaged with local leaders, explored Town departments, and took part in meaningful community initiatives. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services “This program was designed to empower our youth with knowledge, leadership skills, and a sense of civic responsibility,” said Mayor Hazel Livingston. “We’re incredibly proud of this first class of ambassadors and look forward to seeing the positive impact they’ll continue to have in our community and beyond.” The Youth Ambassadors demonstrated outstanding dedication, curiosity, and a deep commitment to public service. As they graduate from the program and prepare for their next chapters, the Town of Lexington celebrates not only their accomplishments, but also the bright future they represent. For more information about the Youth Ambassador Program and how to participate, visit lexsc.gov .

Cayce, SC 04/10/2025 - More than 500 Dominion Energy customers in Batesburg-Leesville communities are eligible for free energy-saving products and services. The company recently hosted a kickoff event to introduce qualifying residents to the Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP), which offers free home energy efficiency assessments and improvements to income-eligible customers.   Customers began receiving information on how to participate in March. Installations in homes will begin in April and continue through May. Dominion Energy representatives will complete installations at no cost.  Click on this ad to learn more about our products and service “The Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Program offers tools and education that can make a real difference in customers’ daily energy usage,” said Derek McDaniel, who manages the program. “Our goal is to help customers more efficiently conserve energy and reduce their home utility bills.”   Energy-saving products available to program-eligible residential customers include the following:   LED light bulbs Faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads Electric water heater wraps and pipe insulation Advanced smart power strips Door sweeps and weatherstripping for doors and windows HVAC air filter replacement Digital wall thermometers   Since its launch in 2013, NEEP has helped Dominion Energy customers across the state reduce electricity usage through direct-install improvements and energy education. Over the past decade, customers have saved enough electricity to power approximately 92,000 homes for a year. Dominion Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of EnergyWise programs that work together to increase overall energy efficiency and reduce energy usage. For more information about these programs, visit DominionEnergy.com/Savings or call toll-free at 877-510-7234.

Lexington, SC 04/10/2025 - The Lexington One Educational Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded a total of $15,672.74 in Innovation Grants for K-8 Schools to four schools in Lexington County School District One. These Innovation Grants, valued at up to $5,000 each, advance existing or future cutting-edge educational efforts at the elementary or middle school level. Each school had to commit to a 10% match in order to apply and the grant projects had to impact a good portion of the school’s student population in order for a project to be considered for funding. This Educational Foundation investment will positively affect 1,824 students in Lexington District One during the 2025-26 school year. Congratulations to the following Lexington District One schools for their 2025-2026 Innovation Grant award: ·         Gilbert Elementary School - $4,734.00 Innovation Grant Award – The “VR: A New Dimension of Learning” grant project fund will purchase 8 Class VR goggles and lesson content subscription for third through fifth graders. Students will explore science and social studies concepts in interactive, teacher-curated environments, aligning with SC state standards. Teachers will craft learning experiences that will cater to diverse learning styles, promoting equity in the classroom. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services ·         Oak Grove Elementary School - $3,630.00 Innovation Grant Award – The “Ozobots: Tiny Bots, Limitless Potential” grant project fund will be used to purchase a classroom set of Ozobots, enabling students to explore coding through hands-on, personalized activities that meet diverse learning needs. Innovative robots will empower students to experiment, problem solve, and refine ideas, fostering resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing world. ·         Pleasant Hill Elementary School - $4,949.75 Innovation Grant Award - The “Develop Number Sense with Digi-Blocks” grant project fund will be used to purchase Digi-Blocks for all first through third grade classes. Digi-Blocks are an innovative and engaging educational tool designed to help students develop a deep conceptual understanding of our place value system.   ·         Saxe Gotha Elementary - $2,358.99 Innovation Grant Award – The “Eagle Ts: Critical Reasoning to Grow Young Minds” grant project fund will purchase critical reasoning games for students in first through fifth grade classes. Games are aimed at enhancing verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal reasoning skills. Foundation Executive Director Julie Anderson Washburn stated, “The Lexington One Educational Foundation Board of Directors encourages innovation in the classroom by offering these grants each year. This is the eleventh year the Foundation has awarded these Innovation Grants, which equate to 45 grant awards and a total investment of $255,571.23 in Lexington District One. The results have created some amazing learning experiences at seventeen of our schools, which have benefited 30,727 students to date.” Educational Foundation board members are pleased to support such leading-edge educational opportunities for Lexington District One students. Thanks to generous individuals and businesses that invest in students through charitable gifts to the Educational Foundation, the foundation is able to offer such amazing educational grants in Lexington District One.   PHOTO CAPTION:   Pleasant Hill Elementary School Principal Margart Mitchum and Brittani Smith. PHOTO CAPTION: Saxe Gotha Elementary School winners Hillarie Collins and Tracey Wooten

Lexington, SC 04/10/2025 (Paul Kirby) – Officers with the Lexington Police Department say they are looking for a man that stole some grey plastic totes from the Circle K on Sunset Boulevard. This happened on March 19, 2025. The value of the items stolen was approximately $300. Notice the unusual body of his truck. The Chevrolet appears to have drop sides for easier loading. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services If you have information about this case, please contact Detective Matthews at 803-358-7262 or jmatthews@lexsc.gov . To remain anonymous, contact Midlands Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC or through their www.midlandscrimestoppers.com . You could be eligible for a cash reward.

Lexington, SC 04/09/2025 (Paul Kirby) – A group named change.org is trying to upgrade animal welfare reforms in Lexington County. Change.org works on projects such as this across the country. A short while ago, Shanna Murphy who works with the program here locally, launched a petition urging local leaders to implement mandatory certification and stronger enforcement for dog breeders in Lexington County. Now, more than 250 petition signers have expressed their desire for unregulated breeders to have to register their operations and be subjected to inspections. Click this ad to learn more about our products and services In many cases, unregulated dog breeders contribute to an area's dog overpopulation crisis. It leads to area shelters being overwhelmed and contributes to a rise in euthanasia rates. Detractors of this unregulated industry argue that the absence of breeder oversight enables reckless, profit-driven behavior at the expense of animal welfare and taxpayer dollars. Shanna Murphy says that a countywide certification system would hold breeders to basic standards of care and ensure that only trained, accountable individuals can operate this business. Murphy developed a petition that calls on state and local officials, including the Governor and Agriculture Commissioner, to support a framework that would protect animals, reduce shelter strain, and prevent abuse. You can find Shanna’s petition by following this link: Regulate the Dog breeding business .

West Columbia, SC 04/09/2025 - Lexington School District Two announced its Rookie Teachers of the Year during a celebration for first-year teachers and their school mentors. Among the 50-plus Lexington Two induction teachers in the 2024-2025 school year, those recognized as Rookie Teachers of the Year are: Early Childhood: Catherine Quarles, Riverbank Elementary School Elementary: Maddison Yates, Cayce Elementary School Middle: Timothy Dunlap, Fulmer Middle School High: Skyler Allen, Airport High School Quarles, a second-grade teacher,  was also selected as District Rookie Teacher of the Year. Dr. Angela Cooper, chief human resources and organizational development officer, whose department oversees the induction program, said this year’s group of teachers – many of whom have come from alternative certification pathways – has made a difference. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services "This year’s induction class reminds us that the road to teaching is rarely a straight line, but every path that led you here was paved with purpose,”  said Dr. Angela Cooper, chief human resources and organizational development officer, whose department oversees the induction teacher program. “ Whether you arrived through traditional routes or through unique, winding roads, this first year has been a testament to your resilience, heart, and unwavering dedication to students. The future is brighter because of you." Rookie Teachers of the Year are nominated by their principals based on their professionalism in the classroom and in meeting the needs of their Lexington Two students. Lexington Two’s outgoing District Rookie Teacher of the Year, fourth-grade Cayce Elementary School teacher Brooke Hiatt, was selected as the state’s 2025 SC ASCD Induction Teacher of the Year. PHOTO: From left, Lexington Two’s Rookie Teachers of the Year are Timothy Dunlap (Fulmer Middle School), Skyler Allen (Airport High School), Maddison Yates (Cayce Elementary School), and Catherine Quarles (Riverbank Elementary School). Quarles was also named the District Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Swansea, SC 04/09/2025 (Paul Kirby) – Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department are looking for Drayton Lucas, 24, who went missing on the morning of February 8, 2025. According to his family, he walked away from their home on Whetstone Road in the Swansea area of Lexington County. It’s possible he could have been headed toward Orangeburg County which is in proximity to that portion of Lexington County. According to the latest records that Drayton has on file, he is 5’10 and weighs about150 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services The investigators working on this case have searched for Drayton by land and air on multiple occasions since his disappearance. At this point, they have not had any luck locating him. Now the lead investigator is asking anyone who has a knowledge of where Drayton might be to please contact Detective Reed at 803-785-2482 and share that information with the Sheriff’s Department.

Lexington, SC 04/08/2025 – The FBI Columbia field office announced recently the FBI Citizens Academy nomination period has been extended. As the spring session has been postponed, nominations are now due June 1. The class begins Thursday, Aug. 7 and meets every Thursday from 4 - 6 p.m. at the FBI Columbia field office in Lexington, culminating with a graduation on Sept. 18. The mission of the FBI Citizens Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the role of federal law enforcement in the community through frank discussion and education. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services More information about Citizens Academy can be found on the Community Outreach section of our website at: fbi.gov/columbia . The nomination form can be accessed directly by clicking on the following hyperlink: https://forms.fbi.gov/fbi-citizens-academy-nomination-form-columbia/view . Candidates must meet the following criteria: Be a recognized business, religious, or community leader Live and/or work within the division's jurisdiction Be at least 21 years old Consent to a limited background investigation, to include fingerprint checks Agree to attend all sessions, with no more than two excused absences Individuals chosen through the selection process will be notified by email. There is no cost to attend the academy. Questions can be emailed to the Community Outreach team at Columbia_Outreach@fbi.gov .

Chapin, SC 04/08/2025 - The Men’s Ministry of Chapin Baptist Church is holding its fifth annual car show Saturday, April 26th from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. The event will be held in the church parking lot, located at 950 Old Lexington Hwy.    According to event organizers, all cars, trucks and motorcycles from classic to modern may be entered into the show. Show trophies will be awarded as well as many door prizes throughout the show. There will also be additional awards including a people’s choice, a participants’ choice and a pastor’s choice, among others.    Judy Ellis said the event was first created by Wade Bozeman in 2020 with the intent of bringing generations together in a fun atmosphere. “He saw many of the youth who would just gather in the parking lot of Walmart showing off their nice cars, so he came up with the idea of the car show to get more young people involved,” she said. “It’s amazing when we see the youth bring their cars, how they’re attracted to the older cars.”    Click this ad to learn more about our products and services Participants may register to enter their vehicle into the show the morning-of from 9 to 11 a.m. The registration fee is $20 with proceeds going to various local charities chosen by the Men’s Ministry team.   Everyone is welcome to come and view the cars for free as well as vote on their favorite. There will be free hot dogs, chicken bog and bottled water available to everyone. In addition to the variety of cars on display, there will also be a DJ on-site and door prizes.    “It’s a lot of fun,” Ellis said. “It’s just a good time of fellowship and a great way to meet people in the community.  Any questions may be directed to Judy and Craig Ellis at  cirlceeranch@bellsouth.net  or Billy Gardner at (803) 606-5169. To learn more about Chapin Baptist, visit  chapinbaptist.com .

Red Bank, SC 04/08/2025 (Paul Kirby) – A second Whataburger is set to open in Lexington County soon. Like the one on South Lake Drive near the I-20 interchange, it will bring with it their fresh, customized burgers, Fancy and Spicy Ketchup, and orange-and-white-striped fun to this new location as well. The restaurant at 5440 Platt Springs Road is in the new shopping center at Old Orangeburg Road. It pays respect to Whataburger’s storied history while looking to the future with a forward-thinking design. It features a double drive-thru, spacious dining room, and digital menu boards to serve guests best. A custom interior mural features South Carolina iconography with Lexington splashed across the wall. Click on our ad to learn more about our products and services The new location will open on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The first two guests in the drive-thru lane and the first two in line for the dining room will each receive free Whataburger for a year. The first 100 to arrive will also receive free Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits. The next 100 customers will get special Whataburger swag. Operating partner Belinda Martinez will lead the Whataburger team of 85 local employees, whom we call Family Members.