UPDATED: Family seeks answers about Byron Jackson’s in-custody death; Irmo PD provides timeline

Byron Jackson's mother, Bettie Jackson, speaks to reporters on July 15.
Sixteen loved ones of Byron Jackson – the 45-year-old North Augusta, South Carolina, man who died while in Irmo police custody in June – gathered in a Columbia law office on July 15 with …

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department says K-9 Sam died of heat-related illness during training session

Saunders and K-9 Sam
A K-9 deputy new to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department died on the job this week from a heat-related illness, according to a July 11 Facebook post from the department. Sam, a …

Midlands water politics boil over: Is Batesburg-Leesville mayor scapegoat for S.C. ethics issue?

Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Lancer Shull stands in front of the town’s current, nearly century-old water facility.
The South Carolina Ethics Commission penalized a Midlands mayor who gets a per diem by serving on Lexington County’s largest water supplier, a role and reimbursement many other Midlands mayors …

Which Lexington County school district pays teachers the most?

All Lexington County school districts have finalized their 2025-26 general fund budget, so what is the starting pay for teachers in each district? South Carolina lawmakers approved a $1,500 …

Lexington County candidate filing begins Aug. 1

From Aug. 1 to Aug. 15, Lexington County locals who want to see their own names on the ballot this November can file for candidacy. Election day is Nov. 4, and early voting is from Monday, Oct. …

Congaree Land Trust protects more than 100K acres in S.C., including in Lexington County

After 33 years, Congaree Land Trust (CLT) has permanently protected more than 100,000 acres of land across central South Carolina, including land in Lexington County, at the Northeast corner of the …

SEC successfully completes statewide voter registration check

The South Carolina State Election Commission (SEC) has successfully completed a statewide voter confirmation mailing and related voter list maintenance efforts, an important step in maintaining the …

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Stay Here, Play Here: Lexington County events for the week of July 17

ZOSO

FRIDAY, JULY 18 Jack McKeon (concert) Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St.) continues their “Nashville Nights” summer concert series with a special trio performance by rising …

Midlands Technical College president says 83% of graduates remain in the Midlands

Midlands Tech

The Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center kicked off its new “Community Conversations” series with Midlands Technical College President and CEO Gregory Little, who provided insight on the …

Cayce Cool Down happening July 26

The Cayce Events Committee is hosting a free foam party for locals. The event is on July 26 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Granby Gardens Park, located at 1800 12th St. Inflatable water …

Man dies after trouble breathing while in Irmo Police custody

Byron Jackson, 45, of North Augusta, died while in Irmo Police custody following an incident on Broad River Road that occurred on Sunday, June 22.  A press release from the department …

HOLY COW! HISTORY: Who was John Wilkes Booth’s 'Mysterious Beauty?'

On Good Friday, 1865, a man entered his room in Washington’s National Hotel. He’d be leaving on a one-way trip in a few hours. He filled one pocket with things you’d expect: a …

Batesburg-Leesville manufacturing facility to close; over 100 will lose their jobs

A manufacturing facility in Batesburg-Leesville is closing, leaving 112 people unemployed, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications (WARN) letter submitted to the South Carolina …

Sports
Features

86-year-old Lexington resident uses letters to honor S.C. history and tell his story

Clarendon native Russell Mellette shows his wife, Grace

There is a signed baseball displayed in a curio case with oak framing and glass windows. It sits behind a name plate, oak, too, with the name Russell D. Mellette engraved with black lettering on …

Hailing from all over Lexington County, business leaders, professionals and locals gathered at Seawell’s in Columbia, S.C. on July 18 to celebrate many entities that make Lexington County as …
What’s old has become new again in presidential politics. And it’s been a mighty long wait, too. For the first time in nearly a century, there’s a candidate with facial hair on a …
Admittedly, it sounds like the start of a joke: “So a presidential assassin, a pioneering automaker and an Academy Award-winning actress walk into a bar…” But it’s not.  …
News

Lexington local crowned 2024 Miss South Carolina Teen 

Lexington local, Mary Elle Marchant, was crowned 2024 Miss South Carolina Teen on June 29, 2024. In addition to winning her new title, Marchant was also awarded a $20,000 scholarship from the Miss South Carolina Organization. With 14 years of dance experience, she danced a routine to The Chorus Line’s opening hit, “I Hope I Get It,” for the talent portion of the competition.

Lexington native, Mary Elle Marchant, 18, was crowned 2024 Miss South Carolina Teen on June 29, 2024. The daughter of Andy and Rhonda, Marchant is a recent graduate of River Bluff High School’s …

Michael Conley, newly appointed city manager of Cayce, released a statement saying he’s honored to continue serving a community he's grown to respect during his years with the city’s …
American Leadership Academy Lexington has announced its participation in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The availability of free and reduced-price meals became …
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has welcomed several new animals and announced a lineup of events. Suci, a Sumatran tiger, is one of the zoo’s newest residents. She arrived from the Memphis Zoo …
Business

Warm weather did not stop residents from visiting the Market at Icehouse

Throughout the past few weeks, Lexington County has started experiencing the hot and humid summers we’re known for, but the outside activities continue to prosper. This past Saturday, the Icehouse Amphitheater held its weekly Market at Icehouse.

Parkland Plaza is gaining a couple of new tenants in its shopping center. The outparcel building in the plaza is being leased to Oak Street Health, a primary health care practice providing care for …
That familiar jingle of the highly anticipated ice cream truck on a summer afternoon ignites a feeling of excitement quite like no other. And while it's not exactly ice cream, Kona Ice strives to create similar memories one shaved ice at a time.
Rio Express Grill, located at 5594 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington is now open, offering a variety of Brazilian BBQ options for locals and visitors alike.
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Gamecocks prepare for upcoming season as 11 new faces get acclimated to Carolina basketball

Summer workouts are underway for the South Carolina men’s basketball team. Coming off a disappointing 2024-25 season, the team retooled in the offseason and will look to better compete in a …

Blowfish end week with annual 4th of July game and fireworks show

It was a festive Friday night of baseball at the old Lexington County Baseball Stadium as the Blowfish hosted its annual  Fourth of July game and fireworks show. 
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Beyond Bargains: The Rise of the Value-Seeker
(BPT) - Inflation has impacted consumer spending habits as buyers appear to be more focused on getting the most out of every dollar they spend. But it's not about finding the cheapest product, it's …
Smartphone security: Protecting your digital identity in 2025
Spokeo reports smartphone security is crucial as attacks surge. Safeguard your digital identity in 2025 with biometrics, updated software, and mindful app permissions.
Road Trip Survival Guide: 9 Ways to Save and Stay Safe this Summer
(BPT) - Millions of Americans are taking to the road this summer for what is expected to be a record-breaking travel season.Whether you're headed to a national park or coastal city, safety and …
Running 5 minutes a day can add 3 years to your life
Hone Health reports that running just 5-10 minutes daily can increase life expectancy by three years, promoting better health and longevity.
The Tour de France is one of the most physically taxing sporting feats imaginable.
Tour de France: How many calories will the winner burn?
Riders in the 2022 Tour de France will ride more than 2,100 miles (3,400 km) over the 21 flat and mountainous stages of the race. And they will burn an incredible amount of energy while doing so.