United Way of the Midlands is hosting a donation drive to collect items for the area’s annual Point-in-Time held Jan. 23-29.

The donation drive is an effort to collect new, cold-weather items including gloves, hats and scarves that volunteers will hand out during to those experiencing homelessness.

A full list of donation items and a link to United Way’s Amazon PIT Count Wish List can be found at https://www.uway.org/events/point-time-donation-drive . Donations can be dropped off or mailed to United Way of the Midlands located at 1818 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

All items should be delivered or dropped off by Friday, Jan. 4 at 5 pm.

Real estate

Southern Visions Real Estate broker Robby Wilkins and sales associate Gregory Wilkins closed the sale of +/- 55.87 acres off Old Chapin Road in Lexington.

The land was purchased for $1,060,820. It will be the final phase of the Sterling Bridge community by Mungo Homes.

Southern Visions represented the sellers, The Bickley family, in the transaction

“What sets Southern Visions Real Estate apart is our approach. We feel relationships are the most important part of business, and we are a team that values honesty, strives for results, and appreciates your confidence in us as real estate professionals.” Says Amy Walden, Marketing.

For additional information please contact Rhett Kelly (rkelly@svrealty.com) or Stan Mack (smack@svrealty.com) at 803-359-9571.

Around town updates

Dr. Harris Pastides has been named Chair of the SC Institute of Medicine and Public Health. Pastides will soon retire from his presidency of the University of South Carolina.

Lou Kennedy will also join the IMPH board. Kennedy is the President, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. She is also the new chairman of the SC Chamber of Commerce.

Who’s new

• South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company recently contracted with Steve Hall to serve as an agent in the Richland-Stadium office located at 960 George Rogers Blvd.

Hall graduated from Lexington High School in Lexington, S.C. He earned a Bachelor of Science in sports management from the University of South Carolina.

• Warren Holland has opened a 2,000 square foot permanent fireworks store in Lexington.

The new building opened Dec 20 in the Cherokee Lakes Plaza at 1965 Augusta Rd.in Lexington.

After years of operating portable fireworks stands in Lexington County, Holland wanted a permanent location to better serve the Lexington area. Customers can now shop more comfortably indoors.

Other seasonal products like snow cones will be available in the summer months.

Employee of the month

Rob Burress is the Department of Social Services’ Employee of the Month for November.

Burress is Emergency Management Coordinator. He is responsible for coordinating all emergency management activities associated with DSS and serves as Mass Care Lead for the State’s Emergency Operation Center.

Burress moved from Missouri to Lexington County in April of 2017.

CAE adds new flights

American Airlines has announced nonstop service to New York/LaGuardia Airport from Columbia Metropolitan Airport beginning May 3.

The daily service will depart CAE at 6:55 am and will arrive New York at 9 am. The return flight will depart New York at 9:29 pm and will arrive CAE at 11:36 pm.

American Airlines also provides nonstop service to Washington National, Philadelphia and Charlotte.

Pump prices rise

Lexington County gas prices as low as $1.81 a gallon were up 5 cents last week to $1.86.

Industry experts predict regular unleaded prices will remain below $2 a gallon well into January.

The reason? Crude prices are hovering around $50 a barrel. This is spurred by the rise of US petroleum production, much of it from fracking.

The US depended heavily on oil imports 5 years ago due to heavy federal regulation of production. That changed in early 2018, making the US the world’s 3rd largest producer, rivaling most Middle Eastern countries and Russia.

W. Cola business recognized

West Columbia business owner Steve Bertok has received the Spirit of Mazda award.

Bertok and his wife Becca own Panic Motorsports on Old Dunbar Rd. They service club racers throughout the Southeast.

Mazda recognized Bertok as an embassador for the Mazda brand and as someone who exemplifies flawless execution, challenger spirit and wanting to be the best.

Your credit score may rise, too

Lexington County consumers’ credit scores may have received a boost. That’s because the 3 major credit reporting companies changed the rules.

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion include more updated reporting, noting when you paid an overdue balance and excluding certain debts and items of questionable accuracy.

A higher 3-digit credit score may help you qualify for a home mortgage or a car loan.

If you need a loan, now may be a good time to apply.

Home sales slow

If you are thinking of listing your Lexington County home for sale, it may be best to wait until spring.

Home sales edged up in November from a month earlier but showed the largest annual decline in more than 7 years.

This suggests the sputtering housing market may finish 2018 on a sour note.

Existing-home sales rose 1.9% in November from October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.32 million, the National Association of Realtors said.

Cheryl Young, senior economist at Trulia, said discouraged potential buyers may have responded to slower price growth and less competition.