Lexington, SC 10/06/2026 - On October 3, 2026, the pictured individuals shoplifted at the Kohl's Department Store at 5440 Sunset Boulevard. The individuals placed $3,209.43 worth of merchandise into bags and exited the store. They passed all points of sale without rendering payment. If you have information about the subjects' identities, please contact Detective Januchowski at 803.951.4642 or ajanuchowski@lexsc.gov. To remain anonymous, contact Midlands Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC or www.midlandscrimestoppers.com. You could be eligible for a cash reward.

Lexington, SC 10/05/2026 - Gregory Hill, 41, of Lexington has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl and cocaine. On Oct. 4, 2024, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department surveilled Hill leaving his residence in Lexington and traveling to a nearby business to ship two packages. Officers went to the business and located the packages, which were being sent out of state. Hill’s known aliases were listed as the sender of the packages. Law enforcement flagged the packages as suspicious. A K9 sniffed the packages and alerted to the presence of drugs. Thereafter, law enforcement obtained a warrant to search the packages. They found 984 grams of fentanyl powder in one package and 1,019 fentanyl pills in the other. On Oct. 7, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hill’s home and found 1,438 fentanyl pills, over $29,000 in cash, and packaging material. Law enforcement also searched Hill’s storage unit where they found a drug ledger. Further investigation revealed that Hill was responsible for trafficking 14 kilograms of cocaine, 984 grams of fentanyl powder, and 32,458 fentanyl pills to various drug traffickers. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Hill to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI Columbia Field Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall prosecuted the case.

WEST COLUMBIA, SC – Lexington School District Two invites the public to an induction ceremony this month for three individuals selected to the district’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame. The three — Sarah Elizabeth Jones, Frances Steadman Maddox, and Barbara Jean Ward — will be recognized for their contributions to the arts during an induction ceremony, set for 5 p.m. Thursday, October 15, at the Lexington Two Performing Arts Center, 3205 Platt Springs Road. The Lexington Two Fine Arts Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated excellence in art, music, theatre, dance, or creative writing. An inductee may be a graduate of Airport High School or Brookland-Cayce High School; a Lexington Two educator who greatly contributed to arts in the district; a community member(s) who has given time and resources for the advancement of the fine arts in Lexington Two; or any combination of the three. Inductees are selected by a committee of Lexington Two stakeholders. Here are this year’s inductees: Sarah Elizabeth Jones: Sarah Elizabeth Jones was a camera assistant and a member of the International Cinematographers Guild in the film industry. At age 27, while working on a movie, she was run over by a train. The director had placed his cast and crew on an active trestle, without permission from the railroad. News of her senseless death created a wave of grief and anger throughout the world film community, carrying with it a call for safer film sets. Sarah was honored in the 2014 Academy Awards broadcast, by the Society of Cinematographers and by thousands of movie slates throughout the world. Sarah was raised in West Columbia. She attended Northside Middle School and Brookland-Cayce High School, where she was active on the swim team, as a cheerleader and numerous other activities, often seen with a camera in hand. Her teachers, mentors and friends all shared a hand in shaping Sarah into a focused, determined individual, knowing she wanted to enter the world of cinematography in the film industry. She went on to the College of Charleston, graduating with a degree in media communications and a minor in film studies. While at the College of Charleston, she was an intern on the TV show Army Wives, filmed in Charleston. From there she went to Atlanta to work on The Vampire Diaries. Among other productions she worked on were Furious 7, The Walking Dead, Drop Dead Diva and others. It was the first day of working on the movie Midnight Rider in 2014 that Sarah lost her life. Following her death, her parents, with the help of key people within the film community, formed the non-profit Safety for Sarah, with a mission to foster awareness and accountability for safety on film sets. While Sarah is no longer with us, her spirit and energy live on, encouraging young people to follow their dreams and to be able to enter the wonders of creating films within a safe environment. Frances Steadman Maddox: The gift of music came to Frances Maddox in early childhood. In second grade, when she began piano lessons, she already knew she would become a music teacher. Frances grew up playing piano in church and at community events, and she was well known in her town as a talented pianist throughout her school years. Along with piano, Frances played oboe and clarinet in the Laurens High School Marching Band. She continued to excel in piano and conducting classes at Furman University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music education. While teaching chorus and music theory at Airport High School, Frances earned a master’s degree in music education with an emphasis in music theory from the University of South Carolina. Frances was truly a master at managing the details of every day lesson plans, and she could stand with great stamina playing piano and directing a classroom full of eager singers all day long. She shared her musical talents by assisting students in preparing for performances, whether Madrigal stage choir, solo and ensemble competitions, community and church performances, Governor’s Carol Lighting, and much more. Her calm and kind nature nurtured her students, earning her the name "Mama Maddox." From posture to pitch, breath to harmony, she taught singing skills that would serve her students’ vocal successes for a lifetime. Along with being a mother and a classroom teacher, Frances served in Lexington School District Two as the Fine Arts Department chair and was selected Lexington Two District Teacher of the Year in 1982. At Airport High School, Frances was selected as Teacher of the Year in 1976, and years after her 2006 retirement, she was inducted into the Airport High School Wall of Fame. During her teaching career, she served as President and Board Member of the South Carolina Music Educators Association, President of the South Carolina Choral Directors Association, and was a National Association for Music Education member. Many of her students embraced a lifelong love of music, with some following in her footsteps in choosing careers in music education, including some in Lexington Two. Barbara Jean Ward: Barbara Jean Ward was born in 1942 in Columbia. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. As a child she drew and painted, finding beauty in the colorful way that she saw the world. In the early 1960s, she studied in New York at Columbia University and lived in Greenwich Village. This was a time when the winds of change sculpted new thought and expression artistically, musically and culturally. It was during this time that Barbara was inspired to share her love for art with children. In 1965, Barbara began her teaching career as a first grade teacher at the original Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. The following year, in 1966, she was hired to teach art at Fulmer Middle School in Lexington Two. She was joyfully animated as a caring teacher who called her students "Tweety Birds" and "Little Flowers." Her warm and inclusive classroom was a garden of growth filled with music, laughter, learning, and creativity. She inspired students who previously thought they had no talent to have the confidence to create art and value it. More importantly, she encouraged them to value themselves. She made a positive and lasting impact on her students and fellow colleagues, many of whom remained lifelong friends, and many of whom went on to become teachers themselves. During her career in Lexington Two she taught at B-C Grammar School No. 1, Pineview Elementary School, Northside Middle School, as well as in adult art classes after school. In addition to teaching art, she helped write the elementary and middle school art curriculum for Lexington Two. Barbara Jean Ward retired in 1996 and went on to share her talents for years as the artist for Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. She is recognized yearly at the South Carolina State Fair in the student art exhibit by the Little Flowers Award, in honor of her exceptional career of teaching art to children and leaving a legacy of love for lifelong learning and creativity. The three newest Lexington Two Fine Arts Hall of Fame inductees join members William E. Ackerman, Dr. Deborah Smith Hoffman, Vicki Stilwell Horne, Jeremy Hudson, Larry Francis Lebby, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Moore McNeill, Eva Pilgrim, Steven Whetstone, and Keith Williams.

West Columbia, SC 10/05/2026 - High school students from the Lexington Two Innovation Center had a chance to see manufacturing careers in action at Scout Motors’ Production Training Center Friday, part of a group invited to the Blythewood facility for National Manufacturing Day. Students from a number of Midlands high schools participated in hands-on activities, skills demonstrations, discussions about careers within the industry, and more. Schiria Wilson, director of the Lexington Two Innovation Center, said the field study offered her students a look at vast opportunities for students seeking full-time careers in the industry upon graduation. "L2IC students participated in numerous interactive activities that illustrated the relevance of the hands-on learning they are receiving everyday at our Lexington Two Innovation Center every day,” Wilson said. “Our ‘pathways in / pathways out’ learning approach showed students the viable options that exist if they successfully complete any of our CTE pathways.” Wilson said the Scout Motors trip, along with the businesses involved at the Lexington Two Innovation Center, are invaluable to shaping students and their future careers. “When industry partners with education, students benefit in ways that are beyond measure,” she said. “We are grateful for our partnership with Scout Motors and are excited to see what the future holds for our students.” Scout–Group poses: L2IC students and Director Schiria Wilson pose outside Scout Motors during Friday’s visit to the Blythewood facility.

Lexington, SC 10/05/2026 - FBI Columbia announced this week the successful conclusion of Operation Summer Heat 2.0, an FBI-led nationwide initiative to crush violent crime. The FBI Columbia Field Office and its law enforcement partners executed 80 arrests and carried out 43 significant narcotics seizures, disrupting the distribution of more than 16 kilograms of cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, and methamphetamine. They also recovered 40 firearms, removing dangerous weapons from violent individuals. Compared to last year, arrests surged by 156% and firearm seizures increased by 266%. Summer Heat 2.0 launched in June and ran through September. During the three-month period, the FBI, along with law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal level, carried out enhanced investigative activities that targeted violent crime across South Carolina. The FBI surged resources that helped dismantle gangs, removed dangerous drugs and weapons from the streets, and saved children from potential predators. “This FBI continues to prioritize crushing violent crime by dedicating the resources and personnel to communities affected most by dangerous criminals,” said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Anish Shukla. “Working hand-in-glove with our law enforcement partners is critical to tackling violent crime. We’re grateful for the partnerships that made Summer Heat 2.0 a success, and we all remain committed to ensuring South Carolina neighborhoods are safe from those who seek to plague them with poisonous drugs and violence.” “We’re proud to partner with the FBI in their commitment to combat violent crime and make South Carolina safer,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We’ll continue working with agencies across our state to investigate and prosecute violent criminals, drug traffickers and weapons dealers who seek to harm our communities.” Operation Summer Heat 2.0 follows historic drops in crime across the U.S., according to the FBI’s 2025 UCR Summary of Reported Crimes in the Nation.

Lexington, SC 09/30/2026 - On Sept. 19, 2026, Keep the Midlands Beautiful (KMB) coordinated Lake Sweep/River Sweep, an annual cleanup of Lake Murray and surrounding waterways, with help from over 30 event partners including Dominion Energy, Lexington County Solid Waste Management, and Palmetto Pride. This event is KMB’s contribution to South Carolina’s annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep, hosted by S.C. Department of Natural Resources and S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. There were 350 volunteers involved in this year's cleanup across the waterways of Richland and Lexington counties, including a dive team, kayakers and volunteers on boats and on land. Their combined efforts led to the removal of 6,139 pounds of litter, recyclables and bulk items removed from our waterways. This weight was calculated using more accurate weight standards than in previous years and does not include some bulk items that are still pending removal. Volunteers who participated in both 2025 and 2026 reported a large decrease in the amount of litter to be removed. KMB relies on small volunteer groups to keep a variety of rivers, boat ramps, islands and other waterways in Lexington and Richland counties clean year-round. KMB’s Adopt-a-Waterway program, sponsored in part by Dominion Energy, provides volunteer groups with recognition for removing litter from their adopted waterway at least two times a year for two years. For a list of available locations and details about how to adopt a waterway, visit https://kmbsc.org/about-adopt-a-waterway. To learn more or to sponsor next year’s Lake Sweep/River Sweep or other KMB programs, contact Traude Sander at 803-733-1139 or tsander@kmbsc.org or visit https://kmbsc.org. ### Keep the Midlands Beautiful, a nonprofit organization established in 1989, is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Palmetto Pride serving both Lexington and Richland counties. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and empower citizens to improve the places where they live, work, and play through litter prevention, recycling, and beautification. We manage eight litter prevention programs and three recycling programs, provide environmental education, and coordinate at least one beautification project each year. We are a small organization making a big difference in the community with the help of over 6,000 hardworking and dedicated volunteers each year.

Lexington, SC 09/26/2026 - Donovan Ryan Holman, a 35-year-old Lexington man, was convicted last week by a Lexington County jury and sentenced to Life for the murder of Caldwell “Jay” Motley, Jr., age 38, on Oak Ridge Lane in Lexington. Holman was also sentenced to thirty (30) years for Attempted Murder and twenty-five (25) years for Arson both to run concurrently with the Life sentence. Circuit Court Judge Scott Sprouse presided over this five-day trial and imposed these sentences. Under South Carolina law, the life sentence means that Holman will spend the rest of his natural life in prison and there is no possibility of parole. Deputy Solicitor Rhonda W. Patterson and Assistant Solicitor Sam Jones prosecuted the case for the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Deputy Solicitor Patterson commented that “The sheer brutality of this attack left two families shattered. Hopefully, this verdict brings a measure of justice to the victims and the community.” This investigation was led by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit as well as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Lexington County Fire Services. On July 20, 2024, Holman, the surviving victim, and others hung out at a local establishment. Once that establishment closed, the group relocated to the property of the surviving victim to continue partying at an outside shed. Holman was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time. Members of the group left and eventually Holman attacked the surviving victim who testified at trial that the last thing he remembered was being knocked out. Holman entered the home of the surviving victim where he encountered Caldwell, the surviving victim’s roommate. There was no indication during the investigation that Holman was aware that Caldwell was there. Caldwell was ultimately attacked and brutally stabbed over 126 times while in his home. The evidence presented showed that Holman used several different sharp instruments to inflict the deadly injuries sustained by Caldwell. Holman ultimately fled the scene after stealing a car from one of the victims, but only after he set fire to the residence to conceal evidence. Emergency responders arrived shortly thereafter to extinguish the blaze and render medical treatment to both victims. During the attack on the surviving victim, Holman used an axe that resulted in a life-threatening injury to the surviving victim’s neck. The emergency personnel that treated the surviving victim were able to render aid that ultimately saved his life. He was transported to Prisma Health where he received treatment. Digital evidence presented during trial placed Holman on the property prior to the attacks, during the time of the attacks, and when the fire would have started. Forensic analysts testified that Holman’s DNA was also discovered on items left at the scene and on items believed to have been used during the attack. Holman’s latent prints were also left behind on items of evidence. In the days following the crimes, Holman was believed to have fled South Carolina based on cell phone data placing him in two different states while law enforcement was actively searching for him. The U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Task Force ultimately apprehended Holman in Myrtle Beach on May 7, 2025. Holman has been transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to serve his life sentence. Victim - Caldwell Motley Jr. Donovan Holman pictured below

West Columbia, SC 09/24/2026 - After an unexpected diagnosis came about a few weeks ago, Tim Spires has now starting treatment. If you know him, you know he has NEVER hesitated to help others & would literally give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. Now, it’s his turn to receive the help. We are asking for ANY help as this new journey begins. Donations are appreciated far more than anyone could ever understand! We are still working on trying to schedule some fundraising events, but in the mean time, he starts treatment tomorrow. ALL help is truly appreciated, & more info & details will be relayed later. You can donate to my Venmo: @rlaurenherring Cash App: $laurendrakeeee Danielles Venmo: @danielle-spiressmith Andrew and Destiny Snipes Cash App: $andrewsnipes9 Have other apps if needed. Please feel free to share this post to everyone! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

West Columbia, SC 09/24/2026 - At Airport High School, inclusion is about more than simply being invited to participate. It is about friendship, connection and knowing you truly belong. That belief is at the heart of the Wing Mate Club, a student club whose mission is to promote positive social and educational interactions among students with and without intellectual disabilities while encouraging unity, cooperation, inclusion and acceptance. What began a year ago with 20 students and a simple goal of creating meaningful connections has quickly become one of Airport High School’s greatest examples of inclusion in action. Now in its second year, the Wing Mate Club has grown from 20 members in its inaugural year to 52 this year. But the club’s success is measured in much more than numbers. It can be seen in the friendships being formed, the smiles shared during Special Olympics competition, and the excitement students feel when their Wing Mates walk through the door. Students in 10th-12th grades can apply to become Wing Mates. Selection includes a review of discipline and grades, along with teacher recommendations, helping ensure students are prepared to be positive and dependable partners. For ID Mild teacher and club founder Skylar Talton, the idea for Wing Mates grew from her own experiences as a student at Airport. “As a former Unified Partner at Airport, I learned so much through the friendships, memories and experiences I shared with our Special Olympics athletes,” Talton said. “Those experiences truly humbled me and showed me the importance of inclusion, friendship and belonging.” When Talton created Wing Mates, she wanted to give another generation of Eagles the opportunity to have those same experiences. “My hope is that every student has the chance to make memories and build friendships that become an important part of their high school experience,” Talton said. “Wing Mates gives our students the opportunity to learn from one another and experience what can happen when everyone has a place to belong.” Throughout the school year, Wing Mates spend time with students in the classroom, accompany them on community outings, and compete alongside them in Special Olympics events. While those activities bring the students together, it is the friendships that grow from them that have become the heart of the club. “The Wing Mate Club helps me make new friends,” said Airport student Audrey Anderson. “They play games with me and are true friends. They make me feel happy.” Student Darwin Sadler especially looks forward to having Wing Mates join students at Special Olympics competitions. “I love our Wing Mates!” he said. “I love to see them. They go with us to our bocce tournament.” For Dayana Amaya, it is about something as simple, and as meaningful, as spending time together. “Our Wing Mates are nice, and I love them,” she said. “They make me smile. I like playing basketball and having fun with them.” New Wing Mate Club member Jakob Thompson said participating in Unified PE and being a Wing Mate has helped him see Special Olympics athletes “for their ability, not their disability.” Camdyn Merchant said spending time with the students always puts him in a more positive mood, while Abigail Griffith said seeing the athletes happy “always brightens my day.” As the club has grown, so has its student leadership. This year, Wing Mates added officers, with Rylan Bullis serving as president, Brayden Bailey as vice president and McKena Castellano as secretary. For Bullis, being a Wing Mate is much more than another extracurricular activity. “Wing Mate Club is more than just a club,” Bullis said. “It builds friendships, it is about making people feel included and creating memories together. I have learned that sometimes the smallest interactions can make someone’s day.” That lesson is echoed by Wing Mate Cash Epps. “Being a Wing Mate isn’t about changing my classmates, it’s about building real friendships,” Epps said. “Working together helps Special Olympics athletes feel confident and included, while teaching me empathy and how to be a better leader.” For ID Moderate teacher and co-club advisor Haley Brock, the relationships are exactly what makes the program meaningful. “Wing Mate Club provides our students with and without disabilities the opportunity to build meaningful and lifelong relationships with their peers,” Brock said. “When everyone is included, everyone wins!” CAPTION IMG_0179 - The Wing Mate Club launched in the 2025-2026 school year. Some members and Airport faculty/staff pose are shown here. This year’s club members will participate in a number of activities together at Airport, including Special Olympics, Unified Weeks, and Mr. Amazing.

Cayce, SC 09/24/2026 - Anthony Detemrius Reese, 56, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm in relation to the murder of a Columbia woman. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on the night of Aug. 29, 2025, Reese left a residence in Cayce with Angela Fuller. In the early morning of Aug. 30, 2025, Reese dumped Fuller’s dead body in a wooded area off Two Notch Road. The Columbia Police Department identified Reese as the last person with Fuller. On Aug. 31, 2025, Columbia Police officers spotted Reese’s vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but he instead fled, led officers on a high-speed chase, and eventually crashed the car in Lexington. Officers recovered a loaded firearm from Reese’s vehicle. Following an extensive search, law enforcement recovered Fuller’s body. Ballistic testing confirmed that the firearm found in Reese’s possession was used to kill Fuller. Reese has prior felony convictions for domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, shoplifting, burglary, and assault and battery. He is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson concluded that Reese was responsible for Fuller’s murder and that the firearm was used to commit the murder. Judge Anderson sentenced Reese to 180 months’ imprisonment, the statutory maximum, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall prosecuted the case.

Gaston, SC 09/22/2026 - The below listed trailer has been abandoned in Calhoun County and is currently housed with the company listed below. Pursuant to applicable South Carolina Law, the owner and or lien holder has the right to claim the trailer within thirty (30) days after the date of the notice upon payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges resulting from placing the trailer in custody. The failure of the owner and or lien holder to exercise their right to reclaim the trailer with the time provided it is deemed as a waiver by the owner and or lien holder of all rights, title, interest, in the trailer and consent to the sale of the trailer at public auction. If not reclaimed within the time period outlined above the trailer may be disposed of according to state law. ** trailer is not for sale we are trying to find the owners** MEC Motors, LLC 2005 Strick 1S12E95335E504578 White dry van trailer

Batesburg-Leesville, SC 09/17/2026 - Lexington County School District Three is proud to announce Kayla Cotney as the district’s 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Cotney, a Sports Medicine teacher and head athletic trainer at Batesburg-Leesville High School, was announced as this year’s honoree during a special Teacher of the Year banquet held Wednesday evening, September 16th, on the campus of Batesburg-Leesville High School. Mrs. Cotney earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from the University of South Carolina in 2013, a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the University of South Carolina in 2015, and a Master of Science degree in Athletic Administration from Concordia University in 2017. What Mrs. Cotney loves most about teaching is watching students grow and apply the skills they have learned in meaningful, everyday situations. She enjoys seeing students develop a sense of pride and ownership in their learning while building meaningful relationships that extend beyond the classroom. She believes in supporting each student as a whole person and creating an environment where they feel valued, encouraged, and challenged to reach their full potential. For Mrs. Cotney, Lexington School District Three is defined by one word: family. She appreciates the supportive culture that extends throughout the district and believes that same sense of community is reflected in the district’s students. She credits this family atmosphere with making Lexington Three a special place to teach and learn. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Cotney enjoys spending time with her husband, Bryan, their dogs, Loretta and Paco, and their extended family. She also loves cooking, gardening, kayaking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Four Outstanding Educators Honored Mrs. Cotney was selected from a group of four outstanding finalists representing schools across Lexington Three. The other finalists were: ● Emily Mowry, Batesburg-Leesville Primary School Teacher of the Year ● Mary Clare Price, Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School Teacher of the Year ● Adena McCullough, Batesburg-Leesville Middle School Teacher of the Year As part of the district’s celebration, all four finalists were recognized for their outstanding contributions to students and their schools. The three runners-up will each receive a $1,000 bonus from Lexington Three and two additional days off during the 2026–2027 school year. As the district’s overall Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Cotney will receive a $2,000 bonus from Lexington Three, a $1,000 stipend from the South Carolina General Assembly, and two additional days off during the school year. All four finalists also received a rocking chair for their home or classroom, Apple technology accessories, and a crystal apple, all provided courtesy of Lexington County School District Three. Representing Lexington Three at the State Level As Lexington Three’s 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Cotney will go on to represent the district in the South Carolina Teacher of the Year competition, which begins later this year.