Lexington, SC Real Estate Update 1-28-2010
Nearly all Lexington County Elementary schools pass federal test for progress in 2009. Chapin SC High School was the only Lexington County High School and one of only 14 in the state to meet improvement standards. Data released last week showed the number of elementary and middle schools showing adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind Act had tripled. SC education leaders say the improvement at elementary and middle school scores was largely due to the General Assembly making grade-level student performances on the new PASS test the standard for federal reporting.
County Emergency System can save lives – Lexington County has a new system to warn residents of major disasters. These include gas leaks, poisoned water systems or other lethal dangers. County Emergency Services Manager Tom Collins gave a detailed explanation of the new county-wide emergency-reverse notification system last week. The Reverse Notification System allows personnel to target warnings to only the effected areas. The system will contact up to 10,000 cell and land line phones in minutes. Schools and emergency personnel in neighboring counties with overlapping areas like Richland/Lexington School District 5 are also affiliated with the chiefs. The association makes communications, information, and resources available for Lexington County emergency professionals, County Public Safety Director Bruce Rucker said.
Economy closes three Lexington County restaurants - The economy has hit restaurant owners hard. Last week the owner of the New Orleans Riverfront Restaurant in West Columbia announced she was forced to close. The restaurant had become a popular dining spot for couples, families, friends and business acquaintances since opening 13 years ago near the Congaree River and the Gervais Street bridge. Two Lexington restaurants have closed, reportedly by the economy. Cedar Cabin on U.S. 1 near Lexington High School and Old Mill Pizza on East Main Street have closed. Before the economy took a nose dive, and employment hit the roof, the New Orleans restaurant would serve up to 500 diners on an average Saturday night. Maria Kokolis-Lashway, told customers that the recession forced her to close. She explained that the Christmas season really knocked the wind out of the popular party spot. Lexington County’s jobless rate for December was 8.7%, the state’s lowest. But county unemployment has had a massive impact on the restaurant industry. Marilyn Kovach at Mayberry’s in Springdale told the Chronicle that business is down significantly. But a heavy morning breakfast crowd of regulars is keeping them open.
New Lexington 1 school opening delayed til 2011 - Rocky Creek Elementary School is expected to open in 2011 with 605 students. The newest Lexington One school will help alleviate overcrowding at Pleasant Hill and Lake Murray Elementary schools and is welcome news to Lexington SC Real Estate owners. District trustees approved a new rezoning plan for the new school in the Lexington attendance area. It will move about 300 students from each of the two other schools to the new Calks Ferry Road school. The change will leave about 779 students at Pleasant Hill and 675 at Lake Murray Elementary School. Roky Creek is the first to be built under a 2008 bond referencum. I will house students in grades kindergarten through five. Rocky Creek will open in January 2011.
Lacrosse coming to Lexington 5 - Irmo SC lacrosse couch Jeff Troyer is excited about the new season. Troyer is leading the Yellow Jackets into their first season of organized lacrosse. 90% of the kids out here have never picked up a lacrosse stick, Troyer said. “We have a couple of guys that played with the Lake Murray club team last season, and those are the one’s we will be depending on. That core group is led by Chris Troyer who was named to SC Lacrossee all-state team last season. This is the first season the SC High School League has sanctioned lacrosse as a sport. “It’s the fastest growing sport in the country,” Troyer said. “It’s becoming more commercial. The speed of the game, the contact and the skill is what attracts thses kids to the game. Also, you don’t have to be a big guy to play. It gives the kids that don’t want to play other spring sports an outlet.” “It’s a cross between basketball, hockey and soccer,” Troyer said. It’s a good blend of sports. You run plays like in basketball but you have defenders and attackers with goalies like soccer.
Arts Commission considered in Chapin - The public is invited to a meeting at Chapin Town Hall, Thursday, Feb. 4, 7:30p.m. Mayor Stan Shealy said the meeting is being held to consider the possible formation of a Chapin Arts Commission and ways to support the arts in the community. Dr. Jim Wiseman of Newberry who was instrumental in restoring the Newberry Opera House, which led to a great reviatlization of Newberry’s downtown, will be the special guest.
That’s it for this week and please visit us to search for Lexington SC Homes For Sale.
