County of Lexington Spotlight: Projects, events and daily happenings in May 2017!
May 3, 2017
In 2017, the County of Lexington will be bringing you monthly updates as to what is happening within the County! With the guidance of Lexington County Council, this is an effort to keep our residents and neighbors in other counties informed about County operations, achievements and events!
Here is what is going on in the County of Lexington for May 2017:
Lexington County Fire Service Recruit Class 17-01 to Graduate Friday
The Lexington County Fire Service will welcome 12 new firefighters into its ranks this Friday, as LCFS Recruit Class 17-01 graduates.
At the beginning of the year, the recruits learned how to properly throw ladders, tag hydrants, advance hose line, and properly don their personal protective equipment throughout the Firefighter 1 course.
After they had attained Firefighter 1 status, the recruits continued through a rigorous training regimen. The recruits learned about Hazmat Awareness and Hazmat Operation. They then underwent training in Basic Auto Extrication, National Incident Management, Emergency Vehicle Driving Training, Rescue the Rescuer, and Rapid Intervention Team.
Along with the mental challenge of the fire courses, the recruits participated in a daily physical training and were tasked with keeping the training facilities clean and in proper working order. As the recruit program was coming to an end the recruits finished Firefighter 2 along with Technical Rescue, and Wildland for Structural Firefighter courses.
The County is very proud of and excited to welcome our new firefighters into the family and wish them the best of luck and safety throughout their careers!
The Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium will host a Build Your Own Rain Barrel
The Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium will host a Build Your Own Rain Barrel workshop, Friday, May 26, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The workshop begins with a class at Lexington County Fire Services, located at 436 Ball Park Road, Lexington, and culminates at the Public Works garages next door. There is a $25.00 registration fee, which includes refreshments and supplies to build one rain barrel.
Rainwater harvesting is simply the capture of rainwater on your property for reuse. Rain barrels typically collect runoff from a roof. This water can then be used to water a garden, wash a car, or a variety of other uses.
To register, or for more information, contact Tina Blum (803) 358-8679 or [email protected]
County of Lexington Animal Shelter Holds Annual “Cinco De Meow” Adoption Special
To celebrate Cinco De Mayo holiday, Lexington County Animal Services will hold an adoption special on May 5th and May 6th at the County’s animal shelter, offering adoptions for only $5!
All animals that are up for adoption have been vaccinated by the County’s staff veterinarian, received de-worming treatments, received routine flea prevention measures and have been microchipped.
All dogs up for adoption, which are of age, have received heartworm testing and have been placed on heartworm prevention medications. All cats up for adoption, which are of age, have been tested for Feline Leukemia.
Don’t miss this chance to take home your new “fur”ever friend this May!
Lexington County Museum to Host Annual Spring Open House in May!
The Lexington County Museum will host its Annual Spring Open House on May 7, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The public is invited to see the 1832 John Fox House, the 1771 Laurence Corley Log House, the 1815 Oak Grove Schoolhouse, as well the other historic structures at the museum. Children will be able to participate in a scavenger hunt and participate in 19th century cooking activities.
The Open House will also feature demonstrations of historic crafts such as blacksmithing and baking in the outdoor oven.
This event is free to the public and light refreshments will be served.
Light refreshments will be served. The Open House is a great time for visitors to learn more about the museum and the county’s history and is fun for the whole family.
May Recognized as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
With thousands of people across the state taking to the streets on their motorcycles, the County of Lexington urges both riders and vehicle drivers alike to ride safe and ride smart.
A motorcycle’s narrow profile makes them more difficult to see than a four-wheeled vehicle, as they can be hidden by the post beams of your vehicle, signs, foliage and larger vehicles. It is imperative to double-check your blind spots carefully to ensure there are no approaching motorcycles.
Also, motorcyclists often slow their vehicles by downshifting gears or merely “rolling off” the throttle. In doing so, a motorcycle’s brake lights may not illuminate to indicate that the rider is intending to slow down. Always give yourself extra distance when following a motorcycle.
It is important that we share all of our County’s roadways and make it home safely! Remember; look twice, and save a life.
Join the Lexington County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program!
Lexington County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program helps build literacy and language skills, prevents the dreaded summer slide for school-aged children, and encourages teens and adults to experience the joy of reading and so much more.
This year’s theme is Build a Better World. As you make plans, don’t forget to stop by the library each week for exciting activities for all ages. Our programs are designed to help grow your mind and body from author talks to nutritional workshops and yoga.
Children will read favorites like Chad Crews, Porkchop Productions and EdVenture while adults have bestselling author Lisa Wingate and South Carolina Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth.
Visit our website for branch program information. www.lex.lib.sc.us Early registration begins May 22.
Lexington County Public Library Partners with Clemson Extension Master Gardener Program
The Lexington County Public Library System has a long history of partnering with the Clemson Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program to offer pubic information sessions about various gardening topics.
The Master Gardener program was designed to use the services of trained volunteers who have horticultural knowledge and a willingness to share that knowledge with other county residents through Cooperative Extension. The guiding philosophy of the program is to develop a core of knowledgeable volunteers to assist Cooperative Extension in meeting the demand for reliable gardening information.
With spring already in full swing, why not stop by one of the master gardener programs that will be hosted this May at by the library?
On Monday, May 15th at 6 PM come learn about heat and drought resistant plants at the Batesburg-Leesville Branch Library. Please call (803) 532-9223 to register.
On Monday, May 15th at 6 PM you can also learn about how to attract bees to your garden at the Lexington Main Library. Please call (803) 785-2680 to register.
Lexington County Volunteers Make Pet Waste Stations for Neighborhoods, Parks & Businesses
Cleaning up after your pet is not only considerate, it is essential in reducing the level of harmful bacteria in our waterways. To educate the public of proper clean-up and disposal of pet waste, the Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium provides waste stations that dispense plastic bags, at no charge, to Home Owners Associations, business owners and municipal parks.
The goal of this “Trash the Poop” program is to decrease the amount of fecal contamination from dogs that enters our waterways every time it rains. As storm water flows over the ground it carries dog excrement and other pollutants through the storm drainage system into the nearest waterway.
When plastic bags are available from a pet waste station, use and they are used to pick up and contain the waste until the closed bag can be placed in the trash, the level of fecal bacteria in our waterways will decrease.
Our Pet Waste Stations contain signage to let dog walkers know that it is against the law to allow pet waste to remain on the ground, while at the same time providing a means for them to pick it up and dispose of it properly.
Pet Waste Station distribution is an ongoing national program and has no end date. If you would like to find out more, please contact the County Environmental Coordinator, India Woodson, at Lexington County Public Works by email to [email protected] or call her at (803) 785-8634 to find out how to obtain a free pet waste station for your neighborhood or business.
Lexington County Fire Service Offers Hands-On Experience through Explorer Program
The Lexington County Fire Service and the Boy Scouts of America have combined their resources through the Lexington County Explorer Post 1974 to attract young men and women to the Fire Services.
Through the Lexington County Fire Service “Ride Along” program, explorers will experience firsthand what it is like to be a firefighter. The program is staffed and administered by the Lexington County Fire Service Training Division.
This program gives young men and women, between the ages of 14 and 20, a chance to reach their full potential. Through participation in community service projects, explorers will learn about what it means to be good community stewards.
LCFS Explorer Post aligns with the school calendar, and when school is not in session, administrative functions and planning for the upcoming school year continue. If you would like to join or learn more information, contact Tony Scoggin at [email protected].
