West Columbia, SC 04/25/2024 - Lexington Two announced its Rookie Teachers of the Year during a celebration for first-year teachers and their school mentors. Among the 53 Lexington Two induction teachers in the 2023-2024 school year, those recognized as Rookie Teachers of the Year are: Early Childhood: Ashlyn Jones, Riverbank Elementary School Elementary: Brooke Hiatt, Cayce Elementary School Middle: Sarah Campbell Harllee, Busbee Creative Arts Academy High: Kurpa Darji, Brookland-Cayce High School Hiatt, a fourth grade LAUNCH teacher,  was also selected as Lexington Two’s District Rookie Teacher of the Year. “This year’s induction teachers come from a variety of backgrounds and paths to becoming educators,” said Dr. Angela Cooper, chief human resources and organizational development officer, whose department oversees the program.  “As they near completion of their first year in Lexington Two, I could not be more grateful for their dedication and commitment to shaping the future of our students.” 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. PHOTO CAPTION: Lexington Two Rookie Teachers of the Year, from left: Early Childhood Ashlyn Jones, Riverbank Elementary School; High School Kurpa Darji, Brookland-Cayce High School; Middle Sarah Campbell Harllee, Busbee Creative Arts Academy, and Elementary and District Rookie Teacher of the Year Brooke Hiatt, Cayce Elementary School.

Lexington, SC 04/25/2024 (Paul Kirby) – Wednesday evening, Garry Rozier, one of the three challengers that are running against Republican incumbent Sheriff Jay Koon in the race for Lexington County Sheriff, lost his appeal to be returned to the Republican June Primary ballot. In Lexington County, the winner of the spring primary is almost guaranteed to win that position for the next four years. This is because no Democrats usually files to run for the job. In Lexington County, this means that in the November election, the ballot will list the winner of the Republican Primary, and then have a few lines for write-in candidates. These are there in case someone doesn’t want to vote for the winner of the June primary for Sheriff.    Voters will have their first opportunity to cast their ballots for Sheriff and the many others elected positions up for grabs on June 11th, 2024. This is that all important Republican Primary election. Rozier lost his opportunity to be on that ballot after allegations surfaced regarding whether he met the residency requirements to run in Lexington County.    Rozier says he owns a home on Lake Murray in Newberry County but rents and lives in a home in the Chapin area of Lexington County where he has now lived for more than a year. According to Rozier, he made this move to Lexington County to be closer to friends, acquaintances, and the leisure time activities he enjoys. Living in the Chapin community of Lexington County facilitates all of that according to Rozier.    (Link to state laws that spell out what it takes to run for sheriff in SC)   According to Rozier, in early 2023, he moved from the home he owns in Newberry County to the rented home he now enjoys in the Chapin area of Lexington County. State law says that a candidate for an elected position must live in the county they are running for office 1 year prior to an election. By that measure, Rozier says he meets that requirement with plenty of time to spare for the November General Election. The question was, did he live in Lexington County the required 1-year prior to this summer's June 11, 2024, Republican Primary.   To prove that Rozier lived in Lexington County for that 1-year period, he says within a few days of moving to Chapin, he changed his driver’s license, his voter registration address, and submitted a change of address with the USPS to his new Chapin address. He has all the documentation to prove that. Rozier said that what he forgot to change was the tax records with Newberry County that would show his home there is no longer owner occupied and therefore no longer qualifies for the 4% owner occupied property tax rate. “I paid my property taxes at the rate of 4% to Newberry County last year on time for my Newberry County home. After all these residency questions began to come out. I called Newberry County, told them home much time I lived in the lake house in 2023, and they said the 4% rate was okay for 2023,” Rozier stated in a phone interview Thursday. “I had paid those taxes on time that year, so I was comfortable I had done the right thing. Just recently, a friend of mine called me and brought up the question of whether I had changed my Newberry County property to the 6% tax rate after I paid the 2023 taxes” Rozier stated. “I realized I had overlooked that detail, so I immediately called Newberry County and asked them to make the necessary change to classify the home as non owner occupied. Now, when I receive my 2024 tax bill from Newberry County in September of this year, it will be at the 6% rate. I'll pay that when it comes in. This means I have in no way financially benefited from my oversight."   Rozier continued by saying, "Even though I provided all the documentation that I and my lawyer I thought proved I have lived in Lexington County for well over a year, the judge in the assigned court in deep blue Richland County ruled that because of my oversight in changing the tax rate, this meant to her I was still residing in Newberry County much later than I did. My attorney and I really believe the because the judge favorably ruled on some cases prior to mine being called, the fact that I was a Republican from Lexington County meant that she wasn’t really going to spend a great deal of time considering all the evidence we presented i my case. She seems to have zeroed in on the one mistake I had made with the tax rate and made a quick decision against me in the case.” Rozier said that it was getting late by the time his case was heard and it was almost like the presiding judge suddenly realized she was running late for something out of the courtroom that evening. "She didn't want to look at and consider each piece of evidence in the case. She just wanted to look at a way to get out of there quick and get wherever else she wanted to be."   Rozier agreed that he felt like Donald Trump trying to get a fair trial in New York City. It’s probably not going to happen when the prosecuting attorney that brought the charges, the judge that is presiding over the trial, and all the members of the jury pool are far left Democrats!   Rozier really believes that all of this came up as a dirty political maneuver instigated by the incumbent’s campaign staff. He believes that all their efforts to remove him from the ballot began because the incumbent and his campaign staff are afraid that Rozier had a distinct possibility of winning the race and ousting Sheriff Koon.   “My phone has been ringing off the hook all day today,” Rozier said Thursday. “The calls are from friends, supporters, and residents of the county who believe that the Lexington County Sheriff's Department is being mismanaged. They really feel it’s time for a change and they want the reigns handed over to someone new. They say that person should be me. All the callers say they are still with me and will vote for me however they can,” Rozier stated.    “After considering what people have been saying over the past few weeks, and especially over the past day since the hearing, I really believe that many of the citizens of our County here want me as a choice on the ballot in November. Based on all these factors, I’ve decided to run as an independent candidate for sheriff in the General Election” Rozier stated. “This just means I will not be on the ballot in June but can be on the ballot in November.”    Rozier continued by saying, “People who want to vote for me for Sheriff will need to make sure they don’t cast their ballots for all Republicans when that choice is offered to them in November. They will simply need to take a few more seconds to vote for each candidate they want to vote for one by one. When they get to the race for Sheriff, they can then select me as their choice for Lexington County Sheriff on the Independent ticket,” he said.    If you would like to learn more about Garry Rozier and his run to unseat Sheriff Jay Koon in November. You can follow him on his Facebook   page. That can be found by following this link to his Facebook  account. You can also find Rozier’s website by following this link (website) . He can be reached by telephone at 803 807-1544 or by email at admin@rozierforsheriff.com .

Lexington, SC 04/24/2024 - Wellmore of Lexington announced Tuesday the winners of the 2024 Silver Pen Competition. On April 17th, 2024, Wellmore hosted the three winners and their friends and families for an awards dinner. There, they were presented with $3,750 cash prizes. The essay topic for 2024 was as follows: You and your peers will soon be entering a university, trade school, or career. Do you feel that a university or life experiences best prepare you for life? Why do you feel that way? Wellmore Members who made up the judging panel selected the essay topic. The Silver Pen Writing Competition is an essay competition that Wellmore’s parent company, The Maxwell Group, started in 2012 to bridge the communication gap between high school seniors and community Members. Each participant submitted a written essay with a minimum of 1,000 words. Over the last ten years, they have awarded over $442,250 to high school seniors to help them with tuition costs.

Lake Murray, SC 04/23/2024 - As the anticipation builds for the 3rd Pan American Kayak Fishing Championship event scheduled for September on Lake Murray, kayak fishing enthusiasts across the nation are gearing up for the opportunity of a lifetime. The stage is set for the 2024 USA Kayak Fishing Team Qualifier , where aspiring anglers will vie for their chance to join the elite ranks of the USA Kayak Fishing Team.   Hosted by Capital City Lake Murray Country on April 26 - 28 , this highly anticipated qualifier event promises to be a thrilling showcase of skill, determination, and passion for the sport. With only 6 spots left to be filled on the 2024 USA Kayak Fishing Team, the competition is expected to be fierce as contenders from coast to coast cast their lines and vie for a coveted position on the team. “Capital City/Lake Murray Country is excited to continue our partnership with USAngling Confederation through the kayak tournaments coming to Lake Murray, we can’t wait to greet the participants and showcase our region to all”, stated Miriam Atria, President/CEO.   Participating anglers qualify by being in the top 75 of the 2023 “Angler of the Year” rankings in one of the following: BASSMASTER Kayak Series, Hobie Bass Fishing, as well as the top 50 of the West Coast Championship or be a USA Kayak Fishing Team Alumni.   Team USA will go on to compete in the 2024 Pan American Championship on Lake Murray (September 26-29, 2024) and the 2024 Kayak Fishing World Championship in Italy. The USA Kayak Fishing Team is the defending Gold medalist in both of the events. They won the 2022 Pan American Kayak Fishing Championship in Mexico on Lake Cuchillo and the 2023 Kayak Fishing World Championship in Cookeville, TN on Centerhill Lake.   About USA Kayak Fishing and USAngling The USA Kayak Fishing program was founded in 2019 by USAngling, a 501C3 organization, to create National Teams for competition in World and Pan American sportfishing championships. USA Kayak fishing encourages diversity in angling and values the contributions, presence, and perspectives of different groups of anglers.  USAngling is aware that kayak fishing is growing globally and that it is poised to become an Olympic sport in the near future and is grateful to all its volunteers, sponsors, and athletes for supporting USA Kayak Fishing. Learn more at usangling.org | Facebook

Cayce, SC 04/23/2024 (Paul Kirby) – A staff member at Lexington School District Two’s Cayce Elementary was arrested last week and charged after police say she grabbed a child and shoved him into a wall and then onto the floor. According to district officials, the adult that was charged was not an educator but is 60-year-old Carolyn Ann Glenn, the school’s bookkeeper. The student who was 9 years old, has developmental special needs.   According to officers with the Cayce Police Department, on Thursday, April 18, 2024, Ms. Glen was interacting with the student when the student tried to run from her. That’s when Glen allegedly first pushed the victim into a wall and then to the floor. She then grabbed the child by the shirt collar, lifted the student off the floor, and shoved him into the wall again. Records of the incident say the child then curled up into a fetal position and began to cry uncontrollably. As this was happening, some other students found and notified the school's resource officer. That officer was taken to the hallway where Glen and the child were located. After interviewing witnesses and reviewing all available videos from the school’s security system, a warrant was obtained. Glen was arrested and booked into the Lexington County Detention Center on Friday April 19, 2024.  She was then charged with assault and battery in the 2nd degree.   Lexington Two officials say that Glen has since been placed on administrator leave until the investigation has been completed.

Lexington, SC, 04/23/2024 (Paul Kirby) – Lexington police officers believe that a woman shoplifted nearly $1,400 worth of merchandise from ULTA Beauty on Sunset Boulevard while pushing a small child in a stroller. This happened on April 9, 2024. According to investigators, the woman arrived at the store in a small Hyundai SUV and got out with the child and a stroller. She entered the store, selected, and concealed the merchandise on herself or in her things, and then bypassed the cash registers completely without paying. After the woman exited the store, she got back in her SUV and left the premises all together.      Police would like to identify and locate her. Please look at the pictures of the woman and the SUV closely. If you recognize her, please contact Detective Arrington at 803-358-1514 or by email at tarrington@lexsc.com .

West Columbia, SC 04/22/2024 - A familiar face will be returning to Cayce Elementary as its new leader with the 2024-2025 school year. Elaine Lundy has been selected as the school’s new principal. Her hiring was recommended by Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner and approved by the Board of Trustees at its April 18 meeting. Lundy served as an assistant principal at Cayce Elementary for six years, from 2016-2022, before moving to her current position as principal of New Bridge Academy, the district’s alternative program.   “Ms. Lundy’s passion for Cayce Elementary is palpable,” Dr. Hafner said.  “She is a proven leader who is excited to return to Cayce and provide opportunities for students’ success and a sense of family.”  Lundy started her education career in 1999 as a teacher at Saluda Trail Middle School in Rock Hill School District 3, moving to Lexington School District Two in 2001. She served as a special education teacher at Brookland-Cayce High School, Busbee Middle School (now Busbee Creative Arts Academy), and Three  Rivers Midlands. She later was an ABA coordinator and transition specialist for the district and director of Lexington Two’s Camp GG for more than 12 years.   She received a bachelor’s degree from Winthrop University and master’s degrees from Grand Canyon University and Columbia College. “Being drawn to Cayce Elementary stems from a passion for education, a desire to make a positive impact on young minds, and the opportunity to lead and support a dedicated team of educators,” Lundy said.  “I look forward to educating the whole child, implementing innovative teaching strategies, and collaborating with staff, students, and parents to ensure academic success and personal growth for all.” Lundy will begin her new role on July 1.

Cayce, SC 04/22/2024 (Paul Kirby) – Sunday, officer with the Cayce Police Department responded to the Masters Inn on the frontage road to I-26 regarding an anonymous tip. The tipster told the police that a person staying in the motel had active warrants for their arrest.   Officers quickly arrived and located the man. He was immediately arrested on warrants for Domestic Violence 1st degree, pointing and presenting a firearm, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.  In addition to his warrants from York County, officers also found approximately 4 lbs. of Marijuana and 2 firearms inside his room.   Additional charges are forthcoming as the investigation continues.

Lexington, SC 04/22/2024 (Paul Kirby) - The Lexington Police Department needs the public's help to identify the woman pictured below. According to investigators, she went into the local Ulta Beauty on Sunset Boulevard and selected $633.00 worth of beauty products before she placed them in her handbag. She then bypassed the cash registers and walked out without paying for any of it. According to the police, the woman was dropped off and picked up by an accomplice in the white SUV pictured below.    If you have any information that can help the police find this woman, please send it to Detective Arrington at 803-358-1514 or through email to tarrington@lexsc.com .

West Columbia, SC 04/22/2024 - Lexington Two’s Riverbank Elementary will have a new principal for the 2024-2025 school year. Nicholas “Nick” Gillcrese has been announced as the new leader at Riverbank.  His hiring was recommended by Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner and approved by the Board of Trustees at its April 18 meeting. “Mr. Gillcrese is a passionate leader who is excited to make Riverbank Elementary School his home,”  Dr. Hafner said. “We look forward to him continuing the trajectory of improvement for our students’ academic success and well-being.” Gillcrese is currently an assistant principal in Richland Two at Lake Carolina Elementary School’s Lower Campus, a position he has held since 2020.  Prior to that, he was an assistant principal for three years at Sandlapper Elementary School, also in Richland Two. Gillcrese started his education career in Lexington-Richland 5 as a third-grade teacher, spending two years at Ballentine Elementary then nine years at Oak Pointe Elementary School, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2014-2015. He later served for two years as administrative assistant principal at Oak Pointe. Gillcrese received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Benedict College, where he was a member of the inaugural Call-Me-Mister program through Clemson University. He also has a master’s degree and a master’s in education in administration and supervision, both from Southern Wesleyan University. “I was drawn to Lexington Two and Riverbank Elementary because of the innovative and immersive learning experiences that provide students the opportunity to explore their passions and talents, while also preparing them to thrive in a global society,” Gillcrese said.  “As Riverbank’s principal, I am committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where students, teachers, and staff feel valued, respected, and celebrated. I look forward to leveraging our diversity by engaging our families and community at large to ensure the success and well being of every student at Riverbank Elementary.” Gillcrese will begin his new role July 1.

Lexington County, S.C. 04/22/2024 – A Lexington man was killed in a single-car crash after he initiated a pursuit with a South Carolina Bureau of Protective Services officer April 14. “The South Carolina Department of Public Safety  asked us to investigate the crash because one of its officers was involved,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Deputies conducted the preliminary phase of their investigation on the scene at Longs Pond Road near Roscoe Road.” The man killed in the crash has been identified as 20-year-old Dwayne Alfonso Reed Jr., according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher. Deputies said Reed was the only person in the car. “Reed was pronounced dead at the scene and was still in the vehicle when deputies arrived,” Koon said. “Reed initiated a pursuit with the DPS officer when he refused to stop for the officer, who had turned on his blue lights and siren, on I-20 just before the Longs Pond Road exit.” The officer was trying to stop Reed for speeding and reckless driving, according to Koon. “All the preliminary information we’ve gathered indicates Reed’s car was traveling at a very high rate of speed when he lost control and drove off the right side of the road and struck two trees,” Koon said.

Lexington, SC 04/22/2024 — The Lexington One Educational Foundation recently awarded a total of $25,000 in Innovation Grants for K-8 Schools to six 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. This Educational Foundation investment will positively affect 2,265 students in Lexington District One during the 2024-25 school year, which is when the grant projects will be implemented. Congratulations to the following Lexington District One schools for their 2024-2025 Lexington One Educational Foundation Innovation Grant award:       Carolina Springs Elementary School - $4,415 Innovation Grant Award – The “Computer Science with Lego Robotics” project will purchase LEGO Spike Kits to provide hands-on learning experiences while reinforcing engineering design process and computational thinking for 3rd-5th grade STEM-Related Classes.        Forts Pond Elementary School - $5,000 Innovation Grant Award - The “Innovation Phonics Frenzy: Boosting Literacy Skills through Differentiation” project will purchase decodable books, hands-on activities, and reading/phonics skill games needed for small group instruction to support the LETRS program in 3rd Grade classes. The goal is to create focused differentiated instructional groups that teach the specific skills that each child needs.     Lake Murray Elementary School - $4,415 Innovation Grant Award – The “Enriching STEAM Opportunities with LEGO SPIKE” project will Purchase 17 LEGO SPIKE sets and the curriculum in order to engage and encourage strategic innovations, critical and creative thinking, and peer collaboration while students make and code different builds. The focus for this project is access and opportunity in STEAM education for 3rd-5th graders.       Meadow Glen Middle School - $1,755 Innovation Grant Award – The “Life Skills Learning Lab” project will develop a life-skills classroom to simulate daily living for students with disabilities. The lab will promote strategic innovations through inclusive curriculum design, adaptive technology integration, and collaborative learning environments.       Pleasant Hill Elementary School - $4,415 Innovation Grant Award – The “Spiking Learning Through Robotics” project will purchase a set of Lego Spike kits to introduce students to coding and computational thinking as early as kindergarten, as well as ensure that more students have access to computer science and STEM education.        White Knoll Middle School - $5,000.00 Innovation Grant Award – The “Makers of Tomorrow” project will purchase items to expand the Maker Space in the school library, so students have opportunities to create personalized designs using the latest design technology and processes and learn entrepreneurial skills. Students will also learn job skills regarding safety, production technology, and proper handling of equipment. Foundation Executive Director Julie Anderson Washburn stated, “Our Allocations Committee loves the project presentations of our Innovation Grant applicants, as they are always unique educational projects that open our students’ minds to new ways of learning important subjects and skills. We ask that each Lexington District One school project impact a significant portion of the school’s population, so that the project has a wide reach and educational effect. We are thankful to our donors who invest in the foundation and make these grants possible!” This is the Lexington One Educational Foundation’s 10th year of offering these grants. During this time close to $200,000 has been invested in Lexington District One schools and almost 29,000 students have benefitted and learned from these projects. The Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors are so pleased to support such inventive educational opportunities for our elementary and middle school students. In addition, the board and staff are very thankful to individuals and businesses that invest in Lexington District One through charitable gifts to the Educational Foundation.   About Lexington County School District One Educational Foundation  Established in 1994 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Lexington One Educational Foundation is a source of growth and support for Lexington County School District One. Its mission is to support the district’s educational programs and enrich the quality of life in the Lexington community by raising and managing funds.  Annually, the Foundation works to build partnerships with individuals, corporations and foundations in order to benefit Lexington One students, teachers, and schools. We plant seeds in our district that bloom into amazing educational opportunities for our students! To learn more about our mission and how to give, visit: Lex1EdFound.org .     Photos: 1.      Forts Pond Elementary School: Innovation Grant Program Coordinators Tracy Goodwin, Carol O'Connor, Jennifer Dingeldein, and Patricia Deaver; Principal Marie Watson (center)  2.      Pleasant Hill Elementary School: Innovation Grant Program Coordinators Shannon McGurn, Amanda Youmans, Edie Beckum, Heather Johnston and Principal Margaret Mitchum 3.      Lake Murray Elementary School: Innovation Grant Program Coordinator & Gifted/Talented Teacher Jennifer Cammann and Assistant Principal Leisa Clamp 4.      Carolina Springs Elementary School:   Principal Todd Brown and STEM Teacher Dr. Helen King 5.      Meadow Glen Middle School: Assistant Principal Brian Lim, Innovation Grant Program Coordinator Anna Stackhouse, and Principal Dr. Bill Coon 6.      White Knoll Middle School:  Innovation Grant Program Coordinator Jordan Henry