West Columbia, SC 04/01/2026 -- Several Lexington Two high school students have been selected to participate in 2026 Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State over the summer. The programs, sponsored by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, offer a range of leadership and citizenship activities that emphasize the workings of government and politics. Participants in the summer programs have completed their junior year and are selected based on leadership, scholarship, character and service, among other criteria. The Lexington Two students selected for the programs are: AIRPORT HIGH SCHOOL Boys State Daniel Butts Cooper Chavis Talon Harlin Girls State Addison Herron Karsyn Roark BROOKLAND-CAYCE HIGH SCHOOL Boys State Paiden Mergo  Bennett Plane  Jack Fisher  Braden Gunnells  Girls State Ashilee Harrison Han Truong Ellaree Brown (alternate) American Legion’s Palmetto Boys State is scheduled for June 7-13 at Anderson University, while American Legion Auxiliary’s Palmetto Girls State is set for June 7-13 at Presbyterian College. 2026 BCHS Boys and Girls State - Brookland-Cayce High School students selected to Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State: back row from left, Paiden Mergo, Bennett Plane, Jack Fisher, and Braden Gunnells; front row from left, Ashilee Harrison, Ellaree Brown, and Han Truong. 2026 AHS Boys and Girls State (2) - Airport High School students Cooper Chavis and Addison Herron, selected to Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State. 2026 AHS Boys and Girls State (3) - Airport High School students Addison Herron, Daniel Butts, and Talon Harlin, selected to Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State.

Lexington, SC 04/01/2026 - Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has identified the person who died in a house fire that occurred in the 100 block of Longview Street in the Lexington area of Lexington County on April 1, 2026, shortly after 12:00 AM.   According to Coroner Fisher, Mr. Wilfrid J. Demers Jr., 91, of Lexington, was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is scheduled for April 3, 2026, at MUSC in Charleston, SC.   The incident remains under investigation by SLED and the Lexington County Coroner’s Office.

Lexington, SC 03/30/2026 - GLEAMNS Head Start / Early Head Start is accepting enrollment applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Visit us at www.gleamnshrc.org  to complete an application. We will need recent proof of household income or a DSS summary of public assistance, and age verification for your child. We accept applications regardless of race, sex, creed, nationality, immigration status, or disability. Ask us about our eligibility criteria for children with diagnosed disabilities. You can contact our Lexington County locations at: Lexington Head Start 134 Gibson Court, Lexington 803-951-3215, Platt Springs Head Start 1309 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia 803-794-9707

Lexington, SC 03/27/2026 - The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy,  is proud to announce the swearing‑in of new volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Lexington County.   During the swearing-in ceremony, Trenay Dukes, Alicia Lyles, Ser’Cora Wright, Tammy Chapman, Janice Keisler, Alexis Burns, Cecilia McLendon, Elizabeth Gordley, Marilyn Burkart, Tanesha Reese, Leonard Cabe, and Tara Watts took an oath to provide a voice for abused and neglected children involved in family court legal proceedings. The ceremony took place on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Lexington County Family Court House and was presided over by the Honorable Robert E. Newton.    These newly appointed GAL volunteers have completed the required training and now join other dedicated Lexington County community members who are advocating for children in the family court system.Their role is to ensure that every child they serve has a voice and that their best interests are represented before the court.   “We’re always looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about advocating for children,” says Richard Fowler, regional recruiter, and trainer for the GAL program.  “If you are interested in learning how you can change a child’s story, we encourage you to visit gal.sc.gov  to learn more.”    Volunteers should be at least 21 years old, have a clean criminal record, no previous DSS case history, and be able to contribute four to five hours a month of their time for a child. Free training is provided to all volunteers. The next training classes begins on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.   For more information on becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, contact Richard Fowler at (803) 645-9956 or Richard.Fowler@childadvocate.sc.gov  or visit gal.sc.gov .   Cutline for attached photo : Newly sworn‑in Guardian ad Litem volunteers stand with The Honorable Robert E. Newton following the Lexington County swearing‑in ceremony on March 13, 2026. Pictured are Trenay Dukes, Alicia Lyles, Ser’Cora Wright, Tammy Chapman, Janice Keisler, Alexis Burns, Cecilia McLendon, Elizabeth Gordley, Marilyn Burkart, Tanesha Reese, Leonard Cabe, and Tara Watts.

Lexington, SC 03/27/2026 - The South Carolina Department of Transportation will close and detour Platt Springs Road between McCartha Road and Cannon Trail in Lexington County for a pipe repair beginning on March 30. The repair will begin on March 30 at 9 a.m. and is expected to end on April 3 at 4 p.m. As part of this closure a detour route has been set up. A map of the detour can be found below. Please note that Platt Springs Road will be open to local traffic only, except at the repair site. SCDOT asks that drivers slow down and pay attention to signs and crews when driving through the area.

Lexington, SC 03/25/2026 - The South Carolina Department of Transportation will begin demolishing the old US-21 (Columbia Road) bridge over I-26 at Exit 129 from March 30 to April 1, depending on weather. To accomplish this, I-26 traffic will be routed around the demolition site via the Exit 129 exit and entrance ramps. This work will take place nightly from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. Signage will be placed along the route to inform drivers of the temporary traffic pattern. Law enforcement will also be present and directing traffic at key intersections. SCDOT asks that drivers slow down and pay attention when driving near the work zone.

Lexington, SC - 03/24/2026 - The FBI Columbia Field Office is accepting applications for the upcoming annual Teen Academy this summer. This year’s academy will be held June 23-24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the FBI Columbia headquarters, located at 222 Caughman Farm Ln., Lexington, SC, 29072. The Teen Academy program allows rising junior and senior high school students to experience a comprehensive look into today’s FBI. Students will receive presentations on topics including terrorism, cyber crime, public corruption, violent crime, evidence response, SWAT, and other day-to-day FBI field office operations. Those interested in participating in the FBI Columbia Teen Academy must have parental approval before applying and must meet the eligibility requirements as follows: Must be a United States citizen Must reside in South Carolina Must be a rising high school sophomore, junior or senior, ages 15-18 Must be enrolled in an accredited high school or home school environment recognized by your school district Must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 or higher Students who meet the eligibility requirements must complete an application, which can be found by visiting: https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2026-fbi-columbia-teen-academy.pdf/view . Prospective students must provide a formal essay articulating their interest in the program. The narrative should highlight how the FBI Teen Academy experience will impact their personal development and their long-term contributions to the community. Applications and essays are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Applications submitted after that date will not be accepted. Completed applications may be emailed to Columbia_Outreach@FBI.gov . They may also be mailed to: FBI Columbia C/O Community Outreach 222 Caughman Farm Ln. Lexington, SC. 29072 Questions about the Teen Academy should be directed to FBI Community Outreach at Columbia_Outreach@fbi.gov . Selected applicants will be notified by email on April 3.

West Columbia, SC 03/24/2026 - A portion of the West Columbia Riverwalk Park will temporarily close on Tuesday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 25, 2026, for Dominion Energy to complete scheduled work in the section toward the Moffatt Street entrance just after the Gervais Street Bridge.   During this time, West Columbia Riverwalk visitors will continue to have access to the Riverwalk through the Moffatt Street entrance, 100 Riverside Drive, West Columbia, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater,109 Alexander Road, West Columbia, entrance. Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and follow posted signage for navigation around the work zone. The City appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as Dominion Energy completes this necessary work.

West Columbia, SC 03/24/2026 - Improvements are underway at the public parking lot located at 420 Meeting Street in West Columbia’s River District. In coordination with the property owner, work includes seal coating, restriping, and pothole repairs.   Work has begun in the larger section of the lot (Area A). Once completed, crews will move to the smaller section along Meeting Street (Area B). See attached map.   During work in Area B, the parking lot will be fully closed for approximately three to four days. This phase is anticipated to begin this weekend, March 27-31, weather permitting.   Access to the lot may be temporarily interrupted at any time during the project.   Visitors are encouraged to use one of the many nearby free public parking options throughout the River District while work is underway: Interactive Art Park & Dirt Lot – 425 Meeting St. Free Valet Drop-Off – Thursdays & Fridays (4 PM – 10 PM), Saturdays (12 PM – 10 PM) Capitol Square / Old Pelican’s Lot (442 Meeting St.) – 420 Meeting St. Brookland Public Parking Garage – 310 Court Ave. (Perimeter spaces are available after 6 PM through 7 AM if not a patron of one of the Brookland businesses.) Brookland Parking Deck – 106 Oliver St. (7 AM – 6 PM only) Carraway Park – 212 Hudson St. West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater – 109 Alexander Rd. Parking along Alexander Road First Community Bank – 506 Meeting St. (Thursdays & Fridays after 5:30 PM; Saturdays & Sundays)   These improvements are part of ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and support continued growth in the River District.   The City appreciates the public’s patience as these upgrades are completed.

West Columbia, SC 03/24/2026 - A football player at Airport High School has committed to compete in his sport at the collegiate level. Senior Clifford Nelson signed a letter of intent with Presbyterian College during a signing ceremony Tuesday. Nelson is a linebacker and multisport athlete at Airport. Tuesday’s signing was in the auditorium, attended by coaches, family, and friends.

Lexington, SC 03/21/2026 - De’Marionne Zaquann Miller, 22, of Lexington, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on June 14, 2025, deputies from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded to an apartment after a family reported that they were concerned that Miller was holding a victim captive in the apartment. The victim sent her family alarming text messages the day before this incident. The victim’s family drove from Florida to check on the victim and were waiting outside of the apartment during this ordeal. As deputies were enroute to the location, they learned that Miller had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation. As law enforcement arrived on scene, Miller ran out of the apartment with an AK style rifle and a backpack. When deputies caught Miller, he did not have the rifle, but after arresting Miller, the deputies retraced his path and found the AK style firearm . In the seized backpack, deputies located cash, numerous individual bags of marijuana, and two cellphones. A subsequent search of the apartment found a large vacuum sealed bag of marijuana, a scale used in weighing the marijuana, and ammunition for the firearm.  Miller is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition based upon prior convictions for escape and unlawful carrying of a pistol. Miller faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and five years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Miller after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. This case was investigated by FBI Columbia Field Office and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.

West Columbia, SC 03/21/2026 - Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher is releasing the identity of a man who was shot in the Hammond Avenue area of West Columbia on March 20, 2026. Coroner Fisher states that Mr. Charles Boyd Moore Jr., 54, of West Columbia, was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead due to a gunshot wound to the upper body. An autopsy has been scheduled for 10:30 A.M. on March 23, 2026, at MUSC in Charleston, SC. The West Columbia Police Department, The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lexington County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate this incident.