Driving School in Lexington, SC

Lexington, SC – Deputies in Lexington County are warning residents today about a resurgence in phone scams after a local woman reported receiving a fraudulent call claiming she had missed jury duty.

According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, scammers are again posing as law-enforcement officials and attempting to pressure victims into making immediate payments. The department released a video Friday showing an interaction with a resident who said she was contacted by someone who claimed she faced arrest unless she paid a fine.

Deputies emphasized that no agency in South Carolina will ever demand payment over the phone, nor will officers request gift cards, prepaid cards, or bank transfers to resolve legal matters. In the video, the woman describes being caught off guard by the caller’s urgent tone before realizing the situation didn’t add up.

Investigators say these scams often spoof legitimate phone numbers, making the call appear official. The sheriff’s office is urging residents to end the call immediately, block the number, and contact law enforcement if they receive similar messages. Officials stress that ignoring the call will never put anyone at risk of arrest.

The department also encouraged families to speak with older relatives, who are frequently targeted because scammers rely on fear and confusion to coerce payments. Deputies advise residents to avoid sharing personal information over the phone and to independently verify any suspicious claims by calling the agency directly.

Anyone who believes they were targeted or lost money in a scam is asked to file a report with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department or the South Carolina Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

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LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - The Peaks of Lexington held its ribbon-cutting ceremony today, becoming the newest affordable housing community in Lexington County.

Located off Highway 1 near Lexington High School, the new development offers 78 1 to 3-bedroom units.

There are income restrictions; units are available for families earning 30% 50% and 60% of the area’s median income, which, according to the most recent census data for Lexington County, is around $75,000.

According to complex managers, rent for a one-bedroom unit is at a minimum of $424, and for a three-bedroom unit, the maximum is $1,183.

Brandon Lang is a resident of the ‘Peaks of Lexington’, he’s a dad of three who was searching for a place to call home that wouldn’t hurt his pocket book.

“It’s a super load off to not have to think, am I going to pay rent, get gas, or get food. And you can do all of those things, it’s a super stress reliever,” said Lang.

In the last four years, Lexington County’s population has grown 7% according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making developments like this vital for the community.

Sam Coats, the vice president of development for Resource Housing Group, said this is just a small piece of the puzzle in addressing affordable housing needs in Lexington and across the state.

“In Lexington County, there is incredible need for affordable housing. This project is only going to capture a small percentage of that need. This is a family Tennessee property, where children will be able to grow up in families that are trying to support their families, and also a growing life for their children are going to be able to do that here,” Coats said.

45% of renters within the county are considered house cost burdened according to the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing). That means renters pay more than 30% of their income for housing alone.

“It sets you up, not only are you getting your credit together, not only are you saving money, like saving. Even if you aren’t going to be a homeowner. You need a new car or an emergency comes up, you are in a position to take care of things,” said Lang.

The number of homes sold in South Carolina for less than $100,000 decreased by 14.8% since 2014, according to SC Housing. For someone like Lang, who is trying to save money to buy a house for his family, affordable housing communities are giving him the flexibility to make that dream a reality sooner.

“I genuinely thought I was going to pay more than what I’m paying right now. It’s amazing,” said Coats.

The new development features several amenities, including a playground, pavilion, laundry room and fitness center.

Each unit is equipped with its own washer and dryer connection and a full kitchen.

The $18 million project was paid for with low-income housing tax credits from SC Housing. Partners for the project include Monarch Capital, CAHEC and lenders ServicFirst and Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital.

The Peaks of Lexington is currently welcoming new tenants. To apply, visit the Peaks of Lexington website.

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Lexington, SC – A Sandhills Middle School cafeteria employee was taken into custody Monday afternoon after allegedly bringing a loaded firearm onto school property, prompting concerns among staff and administrators.

According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the incident unfolded after a district employee told school administrators they discovered a firearm inside one of the employee-designated bathrooms. Sheriff Jay Koon said the school resource officer was notified immediately.

The employee, identified in the arrest warrant as Andrea Brooks, 43, allegedly acknowledged leaving the firearm behind after realizing he still had it on him earlier that day. Authorities said the bathroom was locked off to students, preventing any access before deputies retrieved the weapon.

School officials placed Brooks on administrative leave following the discovery. Deputies took him into custody at the school later Monday afternoon. According to the sheriff’s department, Brooks is charged with carrying a weapon on school property and is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.

No threats were made, and no injuries were reported during the incident, Sheriff Koon said. The school district has not released additional comments but confirmed that safety protocols were followed once the firearm was reported.

Parents in Lexington County continue to express heightened concern surrounding school safety following recent regional incidents, making Monday’s arrest a topic of widespread local discussion. Officials have not indicated whether additional charges are being considered as the investigation continues.

Authorities did not release details about the type of firearm involved or how long it may have been in the school bathroom before discovery.

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A growing convenience store chain that is known for its various food options is planning a new spot along a busy Lexington road.

Parker’s Kitchen, which has more than 100 locations across South Carolina and Georgia, is eyeing a new location at 5387 Augusta Road, according to the town of Lexington’s October planning and zoning actions report. The site is about a half-mile east of the Lexington County Library and about a mile-and-a-half east of the heart of downtown Lexington.

The town of Lexington’s zoning report lists the Augusta Road Parker’s Kitchen plans as “under review.” Lexington County property records indicate that Drayton-Parker Companies, the Parker’s store developer, purchased the land at 5387 Augusta Road in October. No construction had begun at the site when a reporter went by on Thursday morning.

While there are a host of Parker’s stores in coastal South Carolina and Georgia, as well as in the Augusta area, the company is still at the early stages of its entry into the Midlands.

A company official told the city of Columbia’s zoning board at a March meeting that Parker’s was planning approximately 15 stores in the greater Columbia market over the next four to five years. A Parker’s location is on the way at 191 Earth Road near northeast Columbia, in the Market at Spears Creek shopping center, and Lexington County Planning Commission documents from earlier this year showed a location is planned at 1367 N. Lake Drive in Lexington.

Parker’s is known for all the convenience store staples — gasoline, snacks, etc. — but also for having a number of hot food items in its kitchens. That includes breakfast items such as fish & grits, biscuits & gravy, biscuit sandwiches and more, as well as lunch items including chicken tenders and sandwiches, pork chops and catfish.

Augusta Road is a high-traffic thoroughfare running into and out of downtown Lexington. More than 27,000 cars per day traverse the section of Augusta Road near where the Parker’s is planned, per state Department of Transportation data.

A South Carolina-based real estate development group has broken ground on a 120,000 square-foot industrial building, another piece in its larger plan for an industrial park next to Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

Magnus Development Partners, a private developer, announced the groundbreaking of its latest industrial complex in a press release Wednesday. The new building marks the third of four that the company plans to add on a little over 50 acres next to the airport.

The company already has two fully-leased buildings, both at more than 250,000 square feet, and intends to begin work on the fourth and final building in 2026, the release said. The land sits east of the airport, squished between it and Interstate 26.

“The continued momentum and growth across the Columbia market is energizing as we continue development in Lexington County and across the Midlands,” Magnus partner Bill Owen said in a statement.

The private industrial park, separate from the county, will join three county-held industrial parks across Lexington: Saxe Gotha Industrial Park, Batesburg-Leesville Industrial Park and Chapin Business and Technology Park at Brighton. The last of which, in Chapin, sits vacant more than seven years after being completed. As of 2020, Lexington County had spent more than $16 million on the property and has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into its upkeep and maintenance.

Manufacturing is the third-largest industry in Lexington County, behind retail and health care.

Magnus Development has pitched its industrial park, coined 803 Park, as significant because of its access to interstate, train and air. The company also pointed to its proximity to the coast. The land sits in what’s known as a foreign trade zone, meaning that manufacturing companies would have the option to receive an FTZ designation, which could save them money on duties and taxes.