Traffic plan would raze two businesses - Lexington SC right-of-ways almost ready to be bought along U.S. 378. Two businesses would be taken out under a plan to ease traffic in Lexington. The latest version of the first phase of the plan also includes building raised medians from Park Road to West Butler Street and Reed Avenue to stop vehicles from snarling traffic with left hand turns into businesses. Lexington icon Riley’s Drugs at West Butler Avenue and U.S. 378 and Associates in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery across from it on Columbia Avenue would be razed under the plan. If the Town of Lexington and the state agree to go forward, the two property owners would be paid “fair market value” and offered help in the search to relocate, state planners said last week at a public hearing. The Riley’s building has been in Lexington 66 years, the last 43 years Bob Perry has owned the drugstore. “The building has been a pillar of the community for 66 years. All of a suddent they want my building,” Perry said. Perry said the business was going to help him live out retirement and plans to relocate somewhere close so longtime customers could continue to be served. “I don’t want to quit the business but I can’t go into debt to build a new building,” Perry said. Other businesses will lose a portion of their land, including Rush’s, Vachovia and a used car dealership, Lexington Mayor, Randy Halfacre, said. Those takings would not be major, he said.
Lexington advances to Lower State title game - Composure. In the end, Lexington had enough of it Tuesday night to knock off Sumter 67-61 and advance to the Lower State championship game. The Wildcats held an 18 point lead in the first half, and looked as if they would cruise to an easy victory. But the Gamecocks would not go quietly, cutting the lead to 11 by halftime and shutting down Lexington in the third quarter and typing the game with 2:08 remaining in the period. The Wildcats were 2 of 8 in the third period and managed just eight points, but a David Burns steal and subsequent three-pointer along with a Shaq Roland dunk, would push the lead back to five. “Our kids had a lot of chances to get rattled and lose their focus, Lexington coach, Bailey Harris said. “Give them credit, they stepped up and made plays. The biggest playmaker of the game may have been senior Corey Hendren who had 16 points, but was deadly from behind the three point line.”
Depot museum to open in July - The Gilbert Train Depot Planning Committee hopes the Gilbert Train Depot museum will be ready for its grand opening at the Lexington County Peach Festival on July 4. The people who attend the opening will be treated to a walk back in time when train depots and steam locomotives were a common sight in small towns in South Carolina.
Grab your dancing shoes! Make it a night to remember at The Capital City Big Band concernt at the River Center at Saluda Shoals Park, located near Irmo SC, March 16 – 7-9 p.m. Spend the evening mingling with friends, listening to your favorite classic tunes and dancing the night away. Tickets are $15 for singles and $25 per couple. Ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres and non alcoholic beverages. Tickets purchased after March 12 will be an additional $5. Proceeds from the event will benefit the ICRC Meals on Wheels program. Call (803)345-6181 for more information.
