Twelve students participated in the competition, which raised more than $3,000 for Happy Wheels, a charity that operates in 3 South Carolina children’s hospitals and allows patients to pick a new toy or book weekly for the length of their hospital stays.

Congratulations to Joseph Buchmaier, who was crowned Brookland-Cayce High School’s Mr. Bearcat on May 1.

Among this year’s Mr. Bearcat winners:

• Best Talent: Drew Hix, Landon Hix, and Ronin Pettit

• Mr. Congeniality: Parker Mergo

• Mr. Sophomore: Parker Mergo

• Mr. Junior: Dylan Whitman

• Mr. Senior: Alex Wright

• Mr. Bearcat Runner-up: Ronin Pettit

• Mr. Bearcat: Joseph Buchmaier

Unemployment continues to fall

Initial unemployment claims filed for the week ending April 24 dropped by more than 1,800 from the previous week.

The 3,037 claims represented a decrease of 1,884 from the previous week, according to data from the SC Department of Employment and Workforce.

DEW paid out $67.5 million in a combination of state and federal unemployment benefits to 112,035 claimants for the week.

Since March 15, 2020, DEW has paid out $5.97 billion to 886,256 claimants.

For the most recent week, Lexington County saw 129 initial claims filed, Richland County had 254, Greenville County 322, Spartanburg County 277, Horry County 203 and Charleston County 165.

Nationally, initial unemployment claims fell by 13,000 to 553,000 for the week ending April 24.

Best place to work

LRADAC has been named on of SC’s Top Workplaces 2021 by the Top Workplaces organization.

The Top Workplaces list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a 3rdparty survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC.

The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization.

In addition to being named a Top Workplace, LRADAC’s CEO and President Gayle Aycock was also recognized with a special Leadership Award.

LRADAC is the designated substance misuse authority for Lexington and Richland Counties.

Skilled welders wanted

The skilled trades sector continues to struggle to find willing and able personnel.

Bentley Pontoons Plant Manager Dave Hagen has decided to do something about it for the pontoon manufacturer in Lexington.

“We need good, hard-working, dedicated manufacturing employees right now. We even have some managerial roles open,” Hagen said.

The plant is looking for aluminum welders since nearly every part of their crafts is made of aluminum.

Hagen has partnered with Arclabs welding school to recruit local talent.

Bentley Pontoons is headquartered in Lexington, they manufacture quality pontoon boats ranging from 14’ to 25’.

Unique barbershop opens

The CWC Chamber of Commerce helped celebrate the opening of a new barbershop at 117 State Street last week.

But Gentlemen’s Quarters isn’t just another barbershop. It is the most unique you have probably ever seen, reported the Chronicle’s Chuck McCurry.

Dominic Peterson, a New York by way of Miami transplant, has turned a 2-chair, 250-square-foot shop to a 5-chair, 1,400-square-foot shop with a pool table in the middle and an open bar.

Peterson, said that all barbers are hand picked and must have at least 3 years experience. His goal is to make getting you hair styled an enjoyable and memorable experience.

The shop also offers groomsmen’s parties to make the wedding participants look their best.