Despite a fall surge in covid-19 cases, business reopenings and hiring are posting record national results.

Lexington County had only 149 jobless claims in the week ending Oct. 18.

That’s good compared to other large counties such as Richland County which led the state with 402 claims.

Greenville County had 370, Horry County 263, Charleston County 260 and the state’s overall claims rose 2,188.

SC had 3,837 claims the week of Oct. 19 this year vs 2,066 the week of Oct. 21 last year, the 6th quickest recovery in the US.

SC also had 3,837 claims the week of Oct. 19 vs 7,471 the week of Jan. 1, 2020, the quickest recovery in the US.

What’s new

• Lexington’s IHOP has reopened under new ownership. General Manager Morgan Black said the restaurant reopened for business Oct. 21. Temporary restaurant hours are 6 am - 10 pm daily. Black said the restaurant will be open 24 hours daily soon at 5571 Sunset Blvd.

• The Paul Mitchell School has moved to 1008 Meeting Street in West Columbia. The school is teaching 160 students to become cosmetologists, barbers, nail technicians and estheticians. Its students give reduced-price hair and cosmetic services.

Director Scott Bills said the new site is in 17, 000 square feet that had been a Goodwill store. The building had to be completely gutted and rebuilt by Master Construction Co. of Chapin.

New nursing school

Columbia International University is developing its 1st nursing program and has hired Jill McElheny as program director.

McElheny is the former director of the nursing program at Colorado Christian University. She received a doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Colorado’s College of Nursing. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina and a history degree from Furman University.

CIU, a private Christian university, plans to begin residential and online nursing classes in the 2021-22 academic year.

Board service

2 Irmo residents have applied to serve as SC college trustees. Paul Rhyne was applied to serve at The Citadel and Kevin Hunter at the University of South Carolina.