The Capital City/ Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board is hosting a Porch Party on June 18 from 11 am-6 pm.

The organization invites you to check out the newly revamped museum, shop for new Lake Murray merchandise and enjoy food and beverages from the Dupre food truck.

The Lake Murray Country Visitors Center is located at 2184 North Lake Drive, Columbia. Call (803) 781-5940 for more information.

Scholarship winners

The Midlands Exchange Club has awarded scholarships to 2 Lexington County high school students.

Caitlin Pierce from White Knoll High School and Jenaiah Callaham from River Bluff High School received the initial A.C.E award and scholarship from the local club.

Pierce was named to represent the Midlands Exchange Club at the District level. She competes at the District with nominees from other South Carolina Clubs.

The winner of the SC District will represent South Carolina at the Exchange Clubs National Convention this summer

Virtual summer camp

The South Carolina State Museum is hosting At-Home Virtual Summer Camps through July 3 for ages 6 – 11.

The weeklong virtual camps will focus on a different theme each day, including natural history, astronomy, robotics, art, STEAM and more.

Camp sessions are from 10:30 am-12:30 pm, and 2-4 pm. Supply kits are available for pickup at the museum the Friday before camp week starts from 6-7 pm.

Camps are $100 per household for the week for general public and $80 per household for museum members.

Register at www.scmuseum.org .

First Reliance food drive

During the month of May, First Reliance Bank held its “You Can Make A Difference” Food Bank Drive to assist those in need during the COVID-19 health crisis by restocking its local food banks.

With the help from all bank employees and members of the community, First Reliance Bank collected over 3,449 pounds of non-perishable food items across all branch locations.

The food will be donated to Harvest Hope Food Bank, Mission Lexington, Lowcountry Food Bank, Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach, Loaves and Fishes, and Second Harvest Food Bank.

The donations will provide meals for an estimated 2,874 individuals.

Library offering computer reservations

Lexington County libraries are now taking computer reservations.

Adult patrons call any of the 10 branches and make a reservation, send files through our website to the mobile printing service and pick them up curbside from your selected branch.

Patrons will be required to wear a selfprovided mask while in the libraries.

Public wifi is accessible outside our branches. Remember to take safety measures and use social distancing for the health and well-being of yourself and others.

For more information, visit www.lexcolibrary.com or call your local branch.

COMET reopens in Columbia

COMET Central at Sumter and Laurel Streets in Columbia is back open with upgrades.

The depot has been closed since March 31 due to safety precautions in response to covid-19.

The COMET has upgraded the Columbia SuperStop and the COMET Central. Some of the upgrades to COMET Central include a security fence, yellow shirt ambassador presence, the addition of a Blue Bike Station, added smoking pedestals and trashcans, updated digital bulletin boards and a new pulse system. Improvements to the Columbia Place Mall SuperStop include the addition of shelters, bus bays and ADA accessibility.

Who’s new

David Renaker has joined First Reliance Bank as a Relationship Banker in Lexington.

Renaker will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with business customers and offering advice on everything from personal and business deposit accounts to loans, treasury management services and investments.

Renaker currently serves as Diplomat and Member of the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he serves on the Social Committee of the Columbia Rotary Club and the Finance Committee of Union United Methodist Church.

Amend your taxes online

There’s still over a month left to pay your individual income taxes thanks to the covid-19 deadline extension.

If you’ve already filed and realize you need to fix an error, you can do so online before the July 15 deadline.

Learn about filing South Carolina Individual Income Taxes online at www.dor.sc.gov/iit-filing .