AROUND TOWN _| LINDA: 467-0334 ChuCk: 348-0243

The Lexington County Emergency Service Complex East Region Headquarters opened with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony Friday morning.

The complex, located near the Lexington County Industrial park on Hwy 321, will serve as the region headquarters for the southeastern part of Lexington County.

It will provide primary fire and EMS response operations for the industrial park and the Saxe Gotha Industrial Park, as well as nearby municipalities and residential communities.

It also will provide fire and EMS response assets along I-26 and I-77.

“As the County continues to grow, so does the demand for fast and high-quality emergency response services,” Lexington County Council Chairman Scott Whetstone said.

“This station allows our emergency response personnel to provide their services quickly and efficiently for our residents and businesses in this part of the County, and we are very excited for this project’s completion.”

The 11,000-square-foot facility will cover 2,452 properties and 17.33-square miles within its primary coverage area.

The complex was constructed over a 2 ½-year period at a total cost of just over $5 million.

Walmart halts ammo sales

Don’t expect Lexington County Walmarts to stock some ammo you want.

After two deadly shootings at its stores, the retail giant plans to stop selling assault-style rifle and handgun ammunition.

Walmart’s decision exceeds measures taken by other big retailers that have tightened their gun policies.

White House officials have met with congressional aides to discuss tighter background checks and boost mental-health services.

Congress is expected to act cautiously with the 2020 election looming.

President Trump hasn’t endorsed specific legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans to follow the president’s lead on gun policy.

Who’s new

• Patricia Pangrass has joined the Lexington office of Weichert Realtors – Caughman Company.

The office is at 120 Ellis Ave.

• Dr. Jeremy Saller has joined Midlands Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, PA practice.

Dr. Saller is now seeing patients at all locations.

• Lexington-Richland School District 5 has named a new director of facilities operations for the district.

Clay Cannon, a professional engineer, will take the role beginning Sept. 23.

Employees of the month

The South Carolina Department of Social Services’ announced its most recent employees of the month.

Tammy Fulwood, Domestic Violence Program Coordinator with Adult Advocacy Division, and Rocky Havird, Technology Services Site Engineer, Columbia area, were 2 of the local winners.

Staff selected as part of the Employee of the Month Program are awarded lunch with the State Director along with other honorees, a dedicated parking space, a photo and write-up displayed at State Office.

Welcome back

A popular West Columbia bar reopened last Friday.

Skyline Club at 100 Lee Street held a ribbon cutting and grand reopening following a complete renovation.

Owners Austin Cunningham and Lenny Cooper updated the sound system, added a laser show and a VIP area for concerts.

Headlining act Outshyne played the event.

Golf rain or shine

Here’s a trendy new idea for golfaholics.

The Player’s Club at Michael’s on Main in Columbia has opened with a membership style bays. This allows members to play golf and a variety of other games year-round indoors.

The Player’s Club will feature a bar, custom menu and other personal amenities, developer Scott Middleton said.

For more information, see, www.thevenuesc.com/players-club/ .

Dorian relief

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation is donating $250,000 to the American Red Cross to aid in Hurricane Dorian relief and recovery efforts.

Regions in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia were impacted by Dorian.

The funds will support purchase of relief supplies and food, as well as shelter for those in need.

Dominion also matches personal donations, dollar-for-dollar, from eligible employees and retirees who give a minimum of $50 to a qualified non-profit.

State gets ‘A’ for manufacturing

South Carolina received an “A” for manufacturing and “C-” for logistics, says an annual report from Ball State University.

The 2019 Manufacturing Scorecard from Ball State’s Center for Business and Economic Research analyzes how each state in several areas of the economy.

South Carolina improved from “C-” to “C” in Productivity and Innovation and Liability.

The state retained “A” grades in Manufacturing and Global Position, “C” in Benefits Costs, and “C-” in Logistics.

South Carolina’s grades declined from “B+” to “B” in its Diversification from manufacturing diversification, “C” to “C-” in its Tax Climate, and “D-” to “F” in its Human Capital.

Learn more at www.mfgscorecard.cberdata.org .