Zoos, amusement parks and others begin reopening

Attraction facilities can now reopen, Gov. Henry McMaster says.

The governor’s announcement comes after AccelerateSC has been meeting for nearly a month to determine the safest ways to reinvigorate the state’s economy.

Allowed to open are: zoos, museums, aquariums, planetariums, historic buildings and sites, waterparks, amusement park rides, gokart tracks, bingo facilities, miniature golf facilities.

Riverbanks Zoo has opened by reservation only. Find out more at www.riverbanks.org . Youth and adult sports

Youth and adult sports leagues will be allowed to begin practicing May 30, with competitive play resuming June 15.

Specific guidelines, created by the “Response” component of AccelerateSC, can be found at www.sc.gov .

County reports high volume of mail ballot requests

Lexington County voters are welcoming the opportunity to vote by mail.

Although some critics think this can lead to voter fraud, it seems to make sense, particularly to older voters.

The county Voter Registration Office reported their phones have been busy with call-in requests.

Ballots are available for the June 9 Republican primary and the November general election.

There is no Democratic Party primary this time.

Call 803-785-8361 for ballots for June 9, a possible runoff and the November election.

Gas prices reach $1.57 a gallon and higher

Reopening Lexington County has raised gasoline demand, driving prices up.

People are driving to shop, work and for other necessities. The law of supply and demand is at work.

A month ago gas prices at some local discount stations fell below $1 a gallon.

GasBuddy.com reported Tuesday the lowest prices were more than 50% higher.

In the Lexington area, the Marathon station on Columbia Avenue at King Street offered regular unleaded gas at $1.57 a gallon.

Next lowest at $1.58 a gallon were Spinx on US 1 in Oak Grove, Kwik Way at US 1 and Oak Drive and Murphy Express at US 1 and Dooley Road. Credit card purchase may be higher.

10,000 covid masks given out

The City of West Columbia hosted a mask pickup for local law enforcement agencies and chambers of commerce for the region last week.

Congressman Joe Wilson and SC Health distributed 10,000 masks. Half were given to local law enforcement and the other half went to local chambers of commerce to distribute throughout the region to the public through local small businesses and chamber events.

The West Columbia Police Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Aiken County Sheriff’s Department, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department, and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce were among those in attendance to pick up the masks.