AROUND TOwN

Linda: 803-467-0334 ^• Chuck: 803-348-0243 Cindy: 864-982-3709 ^• lexingtonchronicle@gmail.com

Lexington County’s proposed plastic bag ban has been shelved.

The ban has been enacted in many coastal SC communities due to the hazards to wildlife and human health.

County Council man Darrell Hudson of Lexington said the ban was shelved for several reasons:

• It lacked enough council support and retailers are already offering paper bags.

• Other retailers say they can’t afford the additional cost of paper bags. Many local grocers now have bins for cus

Many local grocers now have bins for customers to return the bags for recycling.

What’s new Ashley Hunter, of MPA Strategies has

Ashley Hunter, of MPA Strategies has launched her 2nd business venture.

The new State & Frink at 2025 State Street in the Cayce River Arts District will open June 3. State & Frink is an event venue featuring works of art by artists from the Cayce Arts Guild. June 3.

Hunter is a former lobbyist and political strategist who has served as the CEO of MPA Strategies for almost 10 years.

State & Frink will offer a full catering area, corporate workspaces, a private conference room and a large open art gallery for social gatherings, corporate retreats, workshops and classes, business meetings, family celebrations and private dinners.

Out of work

104 unemployed people filed an initial unemployment claim in Lexington County last week. That was less than Greenville County with 222, Spartanburg County with 195, Richland County 175 claims, Charleston County 120 and Horry County 109.

The total payout in state and federal un employment benefits since March 15, 2020 has topped $6.2 billion.

Gov. Henry McMaster has ordered federal unemployment pay ended by the end of June to get people back to work.

Who’s new

• Thomas E. Rivers Jr, PhD, has been promoted to chief technology and innovation officer for Lexington School District 1. He is an educator with 25 years experience. He has served as secondary schools director.

As CTIO, Rivers will serve as a bridge between the technology and digital-resource needs of schools and the district.

• Charlene High is the new principal of Batesburg-Leesville Primary School.

High, who served as assistant principal, will assume her new duties at the start of the school year. She is replacing Principal Dawn Harden who will work as an instructional specialist.

Federal benefit cuts?

Despite trillion dollar spending, federal officials are considering cutting Social Security and Medicare payments.

The cuts would be aimed at lowering the federal deficit – without lowering individual contributions to the programs.

An AARP survey found that:

• 85% of Americans age 50+ oppose cutting Social Security and Medicare.

• Overwhelming opposition from Republicans (88%) and Democrats (87%) on cutting Social Security benefits.

• Republicans (86%) and Democrats (87%) strongly oppose cuts to Medicare.

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live.