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Lexington County and state health officials will be getting corona virus help from Washington.

President Donald Trump Friday signed a spending bill to fund efforts to fight the spreading corona virus.

The bipartisan legislation passed overwhelmingly in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The bill will fund the development of vaccines, medications to treat the disease and diagnostic tests all while helping state and local governments -- and foreign governments -- fight the corona virus, which causes a disease officially known as COVID-19.

Stock markets were down over 700 points the morning Trump signed the bill.

The corona virus originated in Wuhan, China, and has infected nearly 100,000 people with cases on every continent but Antarctica.

Worldwide, 3,383 people have died from the corona virus, including 11 in the US.

No cases have been reported in Lexington County.

Get free tax filing help

Need help filing your taxes?

You may qualify for free, in-person assistance from an IRS-certified volunteer.

Individuals who make $56,000 or less a year, people with disabilities, or those with limited English skills qualify.

Find out more at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-you-by-volunteers .

Income tax returns must be filed by Wednesday, Apr. 15.

Sportsmen’s Classic at Fairgrounds

Tickets are still available for 36th Annual Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic.

South Carolina’s largest hunting, fishing and outdoor expo is coming to the State Fairgrounds Mar. 27-29.

Tickets are between $5-18. Kids 10 and under get in free.

Additional information and advance ticket purchases for the Classic, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance, are available online at www.psclassic.com .

Agape has new owners

Hospice Care Of South Carolina has acquired Agape Hospice, making it the largest hospice care provider in the state.

The combined organization has over 800 employees and cares for more than 1,400 patients.

According to South Carolina’s Plan on Aging, the number of state residents age 60 and older is expected to double by 2030, exceeding 1.5 million.

For more information, visit: https://www.hospicecare.net/ .

Scholarship opportunity

Lexington County high school students have a new college scholarship opportunity.

Saluda Law, LLC is offering a $250 essay competition to juniors and seniors in Lexington, Saluda, McCormick and Edgefield counties.

The scholarship is designed to celebrate liberty and encourage tomorrow’s voters to understand this important party of American society, said Judah Van-Syckel of Saluda Law.

The contest rules can be found at www.saludalaw.corn/liberty-2020 .

Budweiser Clydesdales coming to Lexington

The iconic Budweiser Clydesdales will be in Lexington to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

The horses will trot down Main Street, distributing cases of beer to businesses who serve Anheuser-Busch products Wednesday, Mar. 18 at 2 pm.

Lexington is the 1st of 3 scheduled stops in the Midlands.

They will also appear on Columbia’s Main Street and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Five Points Saturday, Mar. 21.

For more information on the history of the Budweiser Clydesdales and for photos, visit https://www.anheuser-busch.com/about/clydesdale.html .

Financial literacy master teacher

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis has recognized Lexington Technology Center’s Randall Scott as the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program’s Educator of the Month for February.

Scott entered the teaching profession through the PACE (Program of Alternative Certification for Educators) program while working at Pelion High School.

PACE allows individuals with non-education degrees to enter a teaching position based on their bachelor’s degree concentration, coursework and professional experience.

Lexington Technology Center has been recognized nationally for its personal finance coursework.

Scott has been named a Gold Star Teacher by the W!se Financial Literacy Program numerous times.

Dedication awarded

The Lexington Chamber awarded Barbara Willm the Mike Till Impact Award.

The Chamber presents this award to an individual who best exemplifies the characteristics of Mike Till - friendliness, perseverance and dedication to the Lexington community.

Willm is vice president of development and community relations for the Lexington County Health Services District and is responsible for the Lexington Medical Center Foundation.

She helped open all of LMC’s 6 original community medical centers and has played a vital leadership role in each of these communities across Lexington County.

South Carolinian co-chairs GOP group

SC Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette will co-chair the Republican State Leadership Committee.

Their mission is to identify, recruit, train and support female candidates to elect more Republican leaders whose values reflect the people they represent.

“Republican women have made great strides, but there is more work to be done,” Evette said.

“Our country is ready to have more female voices advocating for policies that work for the American people.”