County of Lexington Spotlight: Projects, events and daily happenings in February 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!

 

 

We look forward to bringing you County-related news in the months to come. Here is what is going on in the County of Lexington for February 2017:

County of Lexington Employees “Go Red” and #JustSayKnow to Support American Heart Association

If you come in to do business at the County of Lexington in February, you might be seeing quite a bit of red around the County building.

That’s because employees will be sporting red to support the American Heart Association and “Just Say Know” to heart disease.

You might also see County employees in a little more relaxed clothing on Friday, Feb. 10! That’s because they will be wearing jeans after donating $5 to the American Heart Association. 100 percent of the money raised will be donated to the American Heart Association.

Lexington County Museum Hosted “Murders and Mysteries” Walking Tour:

On Saturday, Feb. 4th, The Lexington County Museum hosted its “Murders and Mysteries” Walking Tour of downtown Lexington for free!

Attendees learned about some of the spookier and more gruesome aspects of Lexington’s history such as infamous murders, mobbings, and mysteries that occurred in downtown Lexington.

The Museum will continue to offer these free tours so that residents of the County can participate in and learn more about their community’s history!

If you would like additional information regarding the walking tour, call the Lexington County Museum at (803) 359-8369, or email us at [email protected]!

Lexington County Emergency Medical Services Paramedics Win Midlands Regional Paramedic Competition, Moving On To State Paramedic Championship:

The County of Lexington would like to congratulate Sgt. Benji McCollum and Sgt. David Hudon for being crowned victors of the Midlands Regional Paramedic Competition on Jan. 14, 2017.

Competing against some of the best paramedics in the region, Sgt. McCollum and Sgt. Hudon’s scenario involved a premature delivery of a baby while at the patient’s home. The baby had breathing difficulties and required intubation and fluid resuscitation.

“It’s an honor to represent our County and our fellow coworkers,” McCollum said. “We would not be where we are today without their support.”

Their accomplishment reflects back on the high quality of service Lexington County Emergency Medical Services Provides to the citizens of the County every day.

Sgt. McCollum and Sgt. Hudon, who have 21 years of experience between them in EMS, will compete against other regional champions at the State Paramedic Championship in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on March 10th at the annual South Carolina Emergency Care Symposium.

Lexington County Stormwater and Solid Waste Management Promoted Environmental Wellness at Lexington Medical Center – Wellness Fair

Lexington County Stormwater Environmental Coordinator India Woodson and Lexington County Solid Waste Management Recycling Coordinator attended the Lexington Medical Center’s Wellness Fair on January 25th to promote environmental wellness in the County.

Together, they promoted the County’s new Solid Waste Management mobile device app, which alerts County residents about curbside waste pick up and recycling event information, as well as recycling events to come in 2017.

Fair attendees also had the chance to learn more about how animal waste can pollute the County’s rivers and lake, as well as upcoming events like Rain Barrel Workshops.

County of Lexington Public Libraries & USC Palmetto College Offering Information Sessions Promoting Affordable Higher Education

Libraries are more than just quiet places to do research, find a book and read. Libraries transform — they are engaging community centers where people can learn, create and share. Libraries advance education, individual opportunity and community progress. Because libraries and learning go hand-in-hand, we partnered with the University of South Carolina Palmetto College.

There are a lot of reasons to pursue a four-year college degree — advancement, a new direction, unfinished business. With the convenience and affordability of USC Palmetto College, it’s hard to come up with reasons not to. Discover how to make your dream of higher education a reality. Learn more and talk with representatives at one of the library’s workshops.

Informational Sessions will be held in March and April at several of the County of Lexington Public Library locations:

• Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m. – Bateburg-Leesville Branch Library
• Tuesday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. – Lexington Main Library
• Saturday, April 1 at 2 p.m. – Irmo Branch Library
Do not miss your opportunity to provide a better life for yourself by pursuing your education!

Find Your “Fur”Ever Friend at the Lexington County Animal Services Shelter This Valentine’s Day!

The Lexington County Animal Services Shelter, along with Columbia Animal Services, will be hosting a Valentine’s Day Special on all pet adoptions on February 14th!

All cats and dogs up for adoption will be available for a $14 adoption fee!

Take a look at what lovable felines and K-9’s are available at the Lexington County Animal Shelter by visiting: http://www.lex-co.sc.gov/departments/DeptAH/Pages/Adoptions.aspx

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Takes on Lexington County Public Safety in Eighth Annual Battle of the Badges Charity Game:

Members of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the County of Lexington Department of Public Safety will play in the eighth annual “Battle of the Badges” charity game on Saturday, February 18, at Gilbert High School, located at 840 Main St. in Gilbert.

Teams from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the County of Lexington Department of Public Safety will compete in a charity basketball game in the school’s gymnasium at 7 p.m.

The game is open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend. Game tickets are $7 per person in advance and $10 per person the day of the event. Each ticket will grant participants dinner at 5:30 p.m. and admission to the following charity basketball game.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Samaritan’s Well, a nonprofit organization in Lexington County that supports women and children in transition.

Those interested in purchasing tickets for the event, or would like additional information about the event, can contact Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s Resident Deputy Craig Finley [email protected], or by contacting County of Lexington Assistant Emergency Manager Wendy Jeffcoat at [email protected].

Don’t miss this chance to meet your community’s first responders and enjoy a fun night out with the family!

New Grant for Septic System Repairs or Replacement and Farm Upgrades

This project is funded in part by the US EPA under a Section 319 grant through SC DHEC
The Lexington County Public Works Stormwater Division has a grant (NO repayment required) for people living in the Congaree Creek Watershed.

This 319 grant shares the cost (at least 60%) to repair or replace your home septic system or to improve livestock health, forage production and water quality at your farm or hobby farm.

Applications and questions may be directed to India Woodson, Environmental Coordinator, at (803)785-8634 or by email to [email protected]

Do You Need A Presentation for your Organization, Church, or School?

The Lexington County Environmental Coordinator, India Woodson, would like to inform and challenge groups on how individuals of all ages can help to improve the quality of the waterways in Lexington County.

Making simple activities a part of your daily life can make a big difference in keeping our waterways fishable, swimmable and drinkable.

Presentations can be adjusted to fit your timeframe.

To discuss topics available please call India Woodson, Environmental Coordinator and Lexington County Public Works/Stormwater Division at (803) 785-8634 or send an email to [email protected]

Free Pet Waste Stations for Neighborhoods, Organizations & Businesses

Cleaning dog poop off your shoes is bad enough, but even worse is fishing in it or swimming in it. The fact is that when it rains, excrement from dogs gets washed into our storm drains and straight out to the nearest waterway.

If your neighborhood, organization or business is in Lexington County, the Lexington Countywide Stormwater Consortium can provide a free Pet Waste Station that dispenses bags to contain pet waste for dog walkers at no charge to your Neighborhood Association or to your business or organization to install in common areas.

For full information about the pet waste station program call India Woodson, Environmental Coordinator, at (803) 785-8634 or send an email to [email protected] .