AROUND TOWN

Batesburg-Leesville will soon pay 2% more for prepared food. The town council last week passed the increase ordinance in a 5-2 vote. The hospitality tax is expected to raise $450-500,000 per year, says Batesburg-Leesville Town Manager Ted Luckadoo. That money must be used for tourism-related projects. The tax will apply to prepared food and beverages. That’s whether they’re sold in a restaurant or the grocery store. It will not affect other groceries like raw meats, produce or bottled beverages, the Twin-City News reports. Funds from the new tax will go towards:

• Revitalization and beautification of the 2 historic downtowns.

• Rehabilitation of the Haynes Auditorium.

• Improvements to the 2 town-owned parks.

• Marketing and promotion of town-sponsored events.

Bittersweet farewell

Jackie Hite’s Bar-B-Q closed its doors Sunday, Sept. 23. Mickey Hite closed the restaurant after 39 years of service. Her husband and owner of Hite’s, Jackie Hite, was laid to rest 2 years ago on the same date. The Leesville restaurant was named to the “10 Must Visit Barbeque Joints” in American by Southern Living magazine.

Storm cleanup underway

Farm Bureau reports over 450 claims from policyholders following Hurricane Florence. Here are a few things to keep in mind before meeting with your insurance adjuster:

• If your roof is damaged, make temporary repairs if you can safely do so. Save all receipts and take photos of the damage to provide to the adjuster.

• Make a list of any damaged items. Include receipts or photographs of the items.

• Don’t throw out damaged furniture or other items before the adjuster arrives. Take photos before you begin to clean up.

• Repair scams are common after natural disasters. Ask for and verify references. Before signing any agreement authorizing work, read the agreement very carefully. Before agreeing to any work, check with your insurance company. Farm Bureau Insurance policyholders with storm claims to report can visit the storm center online at www.SCFBIns.com .

Real estate market

Colliers International agent Tommy Tapp, CPM represented Southern First Bank in the lease of office space at 190 Knox Abbott Dr., to Roger W. Harrelson, CPA, LLC. Colliers International agent Mary Winter Teaster represented Palmetto Primary Care Physicians (PPCP) in the lease of medical office space located at 7611 St. Andrews Rd.US Coating Company Carolina has leased office space at 441 Industrial Drive, Lexington, to HandPicked, Inc. HandPicked is a family owned, woman-led fashion boutique with an array of jewelry designed exclusively by their in-house team.

Who’s new

Lexington Medical Center has added several new doctors to the hospital’s network of care. Alicia S. James, MD, is accepting new patients at Lexington Family Practice Northeast, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice. Donald M. Millus, MD, is accepting new patients at Sandhills Family Medicine, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice located in Lexington. Michael S. Comer MD, is accepting new patients at Lexington Family Practice West Columbia, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice. Deltrease Hart-Anderson, EA, has been elected President of the South Carolina Society of Enrolled Agents (SCSEA). Hart-Anderson is the first African-American woman to lead the SCSEA. She was elected May 2018 and will serve for 2 years. Enrolled agents (EAs) are federally-authorized tax practitioners who have demonstrated a high level of technical competence in tax and are licensed to practice by the Internal Revenue Service.

Tax relief for hurricane victims

Hurricane Florence may have affected the ability of certain taxpayers to meet South Carolina’s tax filing deadlines. The SC Department of Revenue will work with taxpayers on a case-by-case basis to waive any penalties assessed against a taxpayer who cannot meet state filing or payment requirements as a result of Hurricane Florence. For state tax relief, taxpayers should first submit completed tax returns and/or payments. Upon filing, should affected taxpayers receive a notice with penalties due, they may then request a penalty waiver. For more information and instructions, visit www.dor.sc.gov/disasterrelief .