Gaston, SC 04/29/2025 (Paul Kirby) – A commercial fire in an auto repair business forced the closure of a lane of Hwy. 321 South in the 5300 block for a period Tuesday morning. Firefighters from Lexington County, the City of West Columbia Fire Department, and the Cayce Fire Department all responded and fought the fire that gutted the building. Please click this ad to learn more about our products and services Police officers from the Gaston Police Department and a unit from Lexington County EMS also responded to assist with the fire. There were no injuries as a result of the blaze. Later in the morning, all lanes of Hwy 321 South were reopened after the large water supply hose was disconnected from the fire hydrant and reloaded on the truck. Lexington County has said that the cause of the fire has been ruled accidental.

West Columbia, SC 04/29/2025 - The South Carolina Department of Transportation will conduct two temporary nighttime closures of the I-126 Westbound flyover ramp to I-26 Eastbound beginning April 29 at 8 p.m. These closures will allow crews to complete paving activities that are part of the Carolina Crossroads Project. As part of these closures, a signed detour route will be placed. Drivers will be detoured to I-26 eastbound. Message boards, lane closure and detour signs will be placed along I-126 Westbound to inform motorists of the detour and temporary traffic pattern. A map of the detour route can be found below. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services Schedule: Tuesday, April 29 at 8:00 p.m. – Wednesday, April 30 at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 30 at 8:00 p.m.– Thursday, May 1 at 6:00 a.m. SCDOT asks drivers to slow down and pay attention when driving through work zones. Visit the Carolina Crossroads project webpage for more information and updates. The public may also contact the project hotline at 800-601-8715.

Lake Murray, SC 04/29/2025 - The Capital City/Lake Murray Country (CCLMC) Visitor’s Center will host a Spring Porch Party and Gift Shop Sale on Thursday, May 8! The Porch Party will take place from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Lake Murray Country Visitors Center located at 2184 North Lake Drive near the Lake Murray Dam. You can expect brand-new, freshly stocked gift shop items, as well as a special discount of 20% off your purchase. Come hungry! Enjoy specialty loaded baked potatoes from Spuddering Around food truck. While you're here, grab a complimentary sweet treat and join them in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week as they recognize the importance of tourism in our region, South Carolina, and throughout the nation. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services Looking for the perfect Lake Murray gifts to brighten up the season? The Lake Murray Country Gift Shop offers a vibrant selection of merchandise, from t-shirts to home décor and more. It's the ideal stop for thoughtful Mother’s Day gift shopping and unique finds for friends and family. Don’t miss out on the latest seasonal items—shop now before they’re gone! If you have family visiting from out of town this summer? Stop by the Lake Murray Country Visitors Center. Their staff are on hand to provide you with information and brochures on the region's attractions, hotels, events, dining, recreation, and much more. Their hours of operation are Monday-Thursday (9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.), Friday (9 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m.– 2 p.m.), and Sunday (11 a.m.– 2 p.m.)

West Columbia, SC 04/29/2025 - Register today  for Lexington School District Two’s Spring Career Expo, set for Tuesday, May 6. The district has a variety of  career opportunities  for the 2025-2026 school year, among them:  School nurse Nurse substitute Bus driver Food service Custodian Office support staff Maintenance technician Occupational therapist Physical therapist Social worker Interpreter Teacher Teacher assistant Additional Education Assistant Substitute teacher Homebound teacher Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services Register for the Lexington Two Career Expo on the district website, lex2.org . The event is scheduled for 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Lexington Two Performing Arts Center, 3205 Platt Springs Road.  In addition to competitive salaries, Lexington Two offers excellent benefits for FTE positions, including health, dental, vision, and other medical coverage for employees, spouses and children, as well as state retirement plan and ORP options; sick leave; and Paid Parental Leave. The district also offers flexible support programs, an Employee Assistance Program , and paid training and holidays. Some positions are eligible for sign-on bonuses. The district’s 14 schools and programs are in the Lexington County communities of Cayce, West Columbia, Springdale, South Congaree and Pine Ridge.

Lexington, SC 04/29/2025 (Paul Kirby) – A 91-year-old Lexington County man was charged by the Mooresville, NC Police Department with felony soliciting a child by computer for his part in a sting operation that netted 7 other suspects. Most of the others arrested were from communities in the state of North Carolina. James David Courtney, 91, of the Red Bank community of Lexington County was arrested along with the other defendants who were taken into custody in late April of this year. After Courtney’s bond hearing, he was being held on a $50,000 secured bond. We have enquired to the MPD if Courtney has bonded out and are waiting for a reply. Mooresville detectives say that the 8 suspects range in ages from 25 to 91 and had used the websites Sniffles, Kik, Craigslist, Skip the Games and Wireclub to find the decoy officers who wrote, acted, and sounded younger than the legal age of 18. During their contact with the suspects, the officers told the men they were under the legal age of consent, but they still planned to meet with the decoy officers for the purpose of having sexual contact. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services A woman who has known Courtney for many years contacted The Lexington Ledger recently to say she was a victim of his when she was younger than 18. “He has been doing this for years,” she said during a telephone interview on April 26, 2025. “I can’t believe he’s gotten away with this for so long. I would call law enforcement myself, but I don’t think I am strong enough now to relive that portion of my life again.” She did say that she hoped that this would be picked up by the news and published because there may be other victims here in South Carolina that have the fortitude to contact the police or Sheriff’s Department and tell them what’s happened to them. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers a cyber tipline for anyone experiencing or suspecting child sexual abuse, online enticement of children for sexual acts, unsolicited obscene materials sent to children, and more. Call them at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit cybertipline.org . PHOTO: James David Courtney

Pelion, SC 04/29/2025 (Paul Kirby) – The Pelion Police Department is turning to the public to help them identify a young man that is wanted in an investigation. Officers have several high-quality photos of the man from the store’s security camera footage. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services Please look at the photos closely. If you recognize him or know where he can be located, please contact Officer Xavier Davis at 803-687-8810 by phone or text. All information is confidential.

Irmo, SC 04/28/2025 – Teen volunteers MaKiley Ford and Chong Han “Andrew” Zhao are the recipients of the 2025 Friends of the Irmo Branch Library Scholarships. Each student will receive a one-time $2,000 scholarship. The scholarships, given annually, recognize Outstanding Junior Volunteers at the Irmo Branch Library. MaKiley, who will graduate in May from the Cyber Academy of South Carolina, has been accepted at both the University of South Carolina and Howard University. She is the daughter of Janet Caudle and James Ford. Andrew, an International Baccalaureate Diploma student at Irmo High School, who will graduate in May, has been accepted into the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina. Andrew is the son of You CaiRong and Zhao He. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services A Junior Volunteer for the Irmo Branch Library, MaKiley said, “volunteering at the Irmo Library has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Each day brings something new, and I love seeing all the creative projects at the Youth Services Desk.” This past year, MaKiley received the Sunshine Award from the library for her volunteer efforts. Andrew has been both a Junior Volunteer for the library and a volunteer for the Friends of the Irmo Branch Library, helping with book Donation Days and Book Sales. “In my senior year, I often found myself in the library, giggling with friends. I truly appreciated chatting with staff as we set up another venue. These memories will stick with me as I trailblaze through life and build community.” “We are delighted to award this year’s junior volunteer scholarship to such deserving students,” said C. Grant Jackson, president of the Friends of the Irmo Branch Library. “These junior volunteers have provided invaluable service to both the library and the Friends.” In addition to being a junior volunteer at the library, MaKiley has also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity. She also has been a Schoolhouse Tutor, offering online peer-peer tutoring for other students. At Irmo High School, Andrew organized and founded the International Club, which he served as president, to foster an international community within the school. He also served as president of the Interact Club, a service organization sponsored by Rotary, and has been involved with both the Irmo Marching Band and German Club. PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R.) Scholarship Recipient MaKiley Ford, Friends President C. Grant Jackson, Scholarship Recipient Andrew Zhao PHOTO CAPTION: (L.-R.) Janet Caudle and Her Daughter Scholarship Recipient MaKiley Ford, Friends President C. Grant Jackson, Scholarship Recipient Andrew Zhao and Irmo High Guidance Counselor Ruschell Pearson

West Columbia, SC 04/28/2025 - The Lexington Two Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Dr. Cederia Campbell as an assistant principal at Riverbank Elementary School at its monthly April meeting, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner. Dr. Campbell comes to Riverbank after serving at Lexington-Richland School District Five’s Oak Pointe Elementary as assistant administrative principal, a role she began in August 2023. She also teaches ESOL students virtually.  Prior to that, she was a Spanish and academic assistance teacher at Oak Pointe and a teacher in that district’s FIVE Virtual Program. Dr. Campbell started her education career in Richland School District Two, first as a Spanish teacher at North Springs Elementary School and as an ESOL and Spanish teacher at Lake Carolina Elementary School. Click this ad to learn more about our products and services Dr. Campbell received a bachelor’s degree, M.Ed. and Ed.D. from the University of South Carolina and a master’s from Southern Wesleyan University.   “I’m honored to join the Lexington School District Two family as an assistant principal at Riverbank Elementary School,” Dr. Campbell said.  “I look forward to building strong relationships with students, supporting a dedicated staff, and partnering with families to help every child grow, learn, and shine."  Dr. Campbell will begin her new role July 1. She will succeed Leonard Frierson, who is retiring. PHOTO CAPTION: Dr. Cederia Campbell

West Columbia, SC 04/28/20225 - Take pride in the West Side! The City of West Columbia’s City-Wide Litter Pick-Day is this Saturday, May 3, 2025. Volunteers will meet at City Hall, located at 200 N. 12th Street, West Columbia, SC, at 9:00 AM and disperse to different areas of the city for litter pickup. Bring a team! Ask friends, co-workers, church, school, clubs, and athletic teams; every litter bit counts! Volunteers MUST sign up IN ADVANCE at http://bit.ly/LitterPickup , no later than Wednesday, May 3, 2025, at 5 PM.   Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services The West Columbia Beautification Foundation is a partner of the #SCSweep campaign, a statewide cleanup effort from April 25 to May 4, organized by @PalmettoPride. Join us and be a difference maker! There’s still time to take the PalmettoPledge to pick up even one piece of litter during the campaign and encourage your friends, families, and coworkers to do the same: palmettopride.org/scsweep .

Columbia, SC 04/28/2025 - Several Lexington County residents were included in 12 that were charged by a federal grand jury in Columbia recently in a 24-count indictment in connection with narcotics, firearms, and conspiracy offenses. These charges stem from an investigation targeting individuals engaged in the illegal possession and distribution of narcotics in Richland and Lexington County. During this investigation, agents seized multiple firearms, ammunition, and large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana. The individuals charged include: William Larry Javis, 43, of Columbia Demetrius Tyare Glenn, 34, of Columbia Pearish Pierre Pretty, 41, of Columbia Issac Christopher Bates, 53, of Columbia Johnny Lee Dickerson, 44, of Columbia Quinton Lamar Anderson, 32, of West Columbia Miranda Ruth Garrett, 53, of Hopkins Darwin Tramaine Sims, 34, of Columbia Marsha Beth Gurwitch, 53, of Columbia Maynard Felder Bartlett, 39, of Lexington Douglas Steven Raley, 41, of West Columbia Billy Joe Davis, 42, of Gaston Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services The defendants are each charged with offenses carrying a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of up to life in federal prison. The defendants appeared for arraignment last week. Ten defendants waived their right to a bond and United States Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges ordered them detained pending trial. Douglas Steven Raley and Marsha Beth Gurwitch have detention hearings scheduled for tomorrow. The remaining defendants retain the right to ask for a detention hearing at a later date. This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, City of Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore is prosecuting the case.  All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Lexington County, SC 04/28/2025 - Saluda River (Exit 108 B-A) beginning tonight at 9 p.m. This closure will allow crews to complete paving activities for the Carolina Crossroads Project. The closure is expected to last until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29. Click on this ad to learn more about our products and services As part of the this closure, traffic will be detoured using I-26 Westbound to I-20 Westbound and then to I-26 Eastbound. A signed detour route has been placed along I-26 Westbound. A map of the detour can be found below. SCDOT asks drivers to slow down and pay attention when driving through work zones. Visit the Carolina Crossroads project webpage for more information and updates. The public may also contact the project hotline at 800-601-8715.

Irmo, SC 04/25/2025 - Get ready, Irmo! Mary's Mobile Market is returning to Moore Park (7473 Church St., Irmo) for its 2025 Artisan Market series, bringing together local talent and shoppers. Come explore handmade goods, unique crafts, tasty food, and enjoy some community fun at the park! Mark your calendars for these dates from noon to 4 p.m.: May 10 May 18 June 14 September 7 September 21 October 5 October 19 November 2 November 16 December 7 Each market day offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere where you can discover one-of-a-kind items, savor delicious food, and support local artisans. It's the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon, whether you're searching for gifts, sprucing up your home, or simply appreciating local creativity. Calling all local makers and creatives! If you're interested in showcasing your work as a vendor, reach out to Mary directly at maryelizabethgrant73@gmail.com to secure your spot. Don't miss out on the chance to experience the vibrant local scene at Mary's Mobile Market in 2025!