LINDA SAuLS & ChuCk MCCurry

A federal contractor will pay $1.6 million to resolve allegations of False Claims Act violations.

US Attorney Sherri Lydon said Richard Moore, owner of Carolina Sodding Services and Carolina Enterprises of the Lowcountry submitted false invoices for materials he did not provide and claimed his companies were women owned.

His companies contracted to perform work at the Savannah River Nuclear Site where many Lexington County residents work.

The claims are allegations without determination of liability.

Lydon said her office will hold accountable those who illegally take taxpayers’ money.

Department of Energy Inspector General Teri Donaldson said her office is committed to catching those who engage in such schemes.

Historic site added

The National Park Service has added Columbia’s Five Points to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Register is a division of the National Park Service and the official repository of the Nation’s historic sites and structures deemed worthy of preservation.

The National Register includes more than 90,000 sites in the United States.

The Five Points Historic District is significant for its association with commerce and community planning and development.

2 star-shaped, 5-point intersections give the town center its name.

Gas tax increasing soon

Lexington County residents will soon be paying a little more at the pump.

For the 3rd year, South Carolina’s Motor Fuel User Fee will increase from $0.20 to $0.22 per gallon beginning July 1.

The tax is intended to support road, bridge, and infrastructure work in the state.

The increase is part of the South Carolina Infrastructure and Economic Development Reform Act passed in 2017, which raises the fee by $0.02 each July until 2022.

Park brings in $8.7 million

A new National Park Service report shows that 145,928 visitors to Congaree National Park in 2018 spent $7,415,000 in surrounding communities, including Lexington County.

That spending supported 93 jobs in the area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $8,730,000.

Visitors spent about $6.8 billion on lodging in 2018. Visitors spent $4 billion in restaurants and bars and another $1.4 billion at grocery and convenience stores.

Visitor spending on lodging supported more than 58,000 jobs and more than 61,000 jobs in restaurants.

Across the state in 2018, 1.6 million park visitors spent an estimated $89.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in South Carolina. These expenditures supported a total of 1,260 jobs, $38.5 million in labor income, $67.7 million in value added, and $116 million in economic output.

Real estate

2 Lake Murray mansions have sold for $1.4 million each.

1339 Hendrix Landing Road, Lexington was sold by the estate of Henry G. Gantt a/k/a H. Guy Gantt to Robert T. Haselden and Elizabeth M. Haselden for $1.45 million.

128 Morning Shore Court was sold by C.W. Limehouse, Jr. and Kelli A. Limehouse to Jeffrey S. Hopkins and Heather S. Hopkins for $1.4 million.

Other top county real estate listings:

Lots 5, 6 and 7 at Two Mac Lane, 302 Hulon Lane and Hulon Lane 29169 from John F. McDaniel, Jr. and Trust A-Non-Exempt to SPSC Two Mac, LLC $1,775,000

1339 Hendrix Landing Road 29072 from Estate of Henry G. Gantt a/k/a H. Guy Gantt to Robert T. Haselden and Elizabeth M. Haselden $1,450,000

128 Morning Shore Court 29072 from C.W. Limehouse, Jr. and Kelli A. Limehouse to Jeffrey S. Hopkins and Heather S. Hopkins $1,400,000

2148 Amicks Ferry Road 29036 from Serenity Realty, LLC to Nicholas P. Beach and Julia M. Beach $690,000

2915 Platt Springs Road 29170 from Springdale Property Holdings, LLC to The Town of Springdale $650,000.

Free Dunkin’ donuts Friday

The new Dunkin’ in Lexington will hold its grand opening June 14.

Doors will open at 5 am to award free travel mugs with 99 cent refills to the first 500 guests. All guests can enjoy free donuts, free samples of Iced Coffee and Iced Tea and Dunkin’ swag.

Beginning at 6 am Hot 103.9 WHXT will be broadcasting live. The festivities will continue throughout the morning with appearances by Dunkin’ mascots, Cuppy & Sprinkles, and a ribbon cutting at 7:30 am with local dignitaries.

The restaurant, formerly Dunkin’ Donuts, opened its new restaurant at 5225 Sunset Boulevard on May 23.

River cleanup

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden partnered with volunteers from Colonial Life and Wells Fargo to clean up the banks of the lower Saluda River Monday.

The river sweep is part of the Zoo’s mission to positively impact conservation and create a healthier, more sustainable planet.

Volunteers at Riverbanks Zoo collected 514 lbs. of recyclables and 139 lbs. of trash debris that otherwise may have ended up in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Zoo has been able to recycle more than 1,000 lbs. of the litter collected over the last year which included mostly plastics and aluminum cans.

Bus rides coming to B-L

The Comet Bus Transportation System is heading to Batesburg-Leesville.

The transportation company will carry people to important places in Lexington County and possibly Columbia, including Red Bank Crossing and other Lexington County Buildings.

Ted Luckadoo, the Town Administrator, believes it will be a great way to move folks, not only around Lexington, but bring more people to Batesburg-Leesville, WLTX news reported.

Comet will hold a public meeting Thursday, June 20 to get your input on where the stops should be and where you want to go. The meeting will be at Batesburg-Leesville Town Hall from 6 until 7:30 pm.