AROUND TOWN

SC Biz News has named Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation one of the 40 fastest-growing companies in South Carolina for 2019. This honor recognizes the 40 of the state’s fastest-growing companies based on both dollar and percentage increases in revenue from 2017-2018. “We are grateful to be recognized for the extraordinary work our employees do every single day to grow our company,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy. The winners will be honored Sept. 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia.

Pet care unit named for local business owner

PETSinc has named its new emergency pet care unit for a local business owner. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Marty Fort Critical Care Unit will be Saturday, August 10, at 10 am. Marty Fort has been active with PETSinc since 1997. He is the owner of the Columbia Arts Academy, the Lexington School of Music and Irmo Music Academy. Fort and his wife Valerie have given over $100,000 to the animal rescue, and he was named Philanthropist of the Year in 2015. Fort has also helped attract donors with events such as lake cruises, casino nights and matching pledge drives.

Pine Ridge back-to-school drive

The Pine Ridge Police Department is hosting its’ 2nd Annual School Supply Drive. Drop off pencils, paper, book bags, calculators, rulers, pens and any other supplies to Pine Ridge Town Hall, 2757 Fish Hatchery Rd. by August 12. Drop off times are from 8 am -5 pm. All donations will go to Congaree-Wood Early Childhood Center, Herbert A. Wood Elementary and Pine Ridge Middle School in the Town of Pine Ridge. Call 803-755-2500 for more information.

Who’s new

Lakisha Cook is the new assistant principal at White Knoll Middle School. The District 1 board approved hiring Cook at its April 9 meeting. Cook comes to the district from Richland School District 2, where she served as assistant principal at Muller Road Middle since 2015. The South Carolina Association of School Administrators named her 2019 South Carolina Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year.

Dominion refund or rebate coming

Dominion (formerly SCE&G) customers will receive refunds as part of a class-action settlement. Customers who were charged for the abandoned V.C. Summer nuclear project in 2017 may get a refund by check or a rebate in their power bill. The company has denied the allegations in the suit, but agreed to a settlement in November. In June, a judge decided more than 1 million customers will split $146 million, which is the largest private class-action settlement in state history, according to reports. Dominion took over SCE&G in January. All former SCE&G customers affected by the failed nuclear plant should have received notification about their rights under the settlement. The refund will come either in the form of a bill credit or cash. Dominion said bill credits will begin to apply to the next billing cycle after the company gets the information they need from a claims administrator.

Saluda River Club named ‘best’

Saluda River Club in Lexington County has been named “Best of the Best.” ideal-LIVING Magazine selected Saluda River Club as Best Social Club as part of its 100-community Best of the Best issue. The community on Glade Spring Drive in Lexington is known for its resort-style amentities including a village clubhouse, outdoor playground, river access and more. Learn more at www.saludariverclub.com .

New pizza restaurant

West Columbia now has a new pizza restaurant. Bricks and Stones Pizza Company opened up in Woodberry Plaza at 3230 Augusta Road. Owners Bob and Terry Close of West Columbia got the name from the old-style brick oven which heats to 800 degrees and can cook a large pizza in 3 minutes. All the sauces and dough are made from scratch each day. Learn more at https://bricksandstonespizzacompany.com/ .

A break for the taxpayers

Who says the government can’t do anything right? The SC Park Service generated record revenue in 2018 for the 2nd year in a row. This pushed it closer to its goal of becoming financially self-sustaining. SC’s 47 state parks brought in more than $34 million. 10 years ago, the park service made enough money to cover 73% of expenses. Last year, that hit 95%. Director Duane Parrish credited new park facilities such as new cabins at Dreher Island on Lake Murray. Hunting Island and Edisto Beach state parks are open all year and mild weather during many key weekends and holidays attracted more visitors.

Wellmore chef wins ‘Battle of the Blades’

Wellmore’s Executive Chef, Julio Cera won 1st place at The Battle of the Blades. Battle is a culinary competition hosted in Amelia Island, Florida. The competition pitted Executive Chefs from 15 retirement communities against one another, tasking them to create unique appetizers and entrees with special ingredients. Wellmore strives to make each dining experience unique. “Sitting down for a meal with family and friends is such a heartwarming time,” said Wellmore Executive Director, Glenn Ferrere. “We are proud to provide an exceptional dining program where our members and their families can connect over food and drinks. They don’t have to eat in our restaurant, but they want to when they know that Chef Cera is continually creating new dishes and putting a spin on their favorites.” Wellmore of Lexington is a 5-time Argentum award winning senior living community located at 200 Wellmore Dr., Lexington. To learn more about Wellmore of Lexington, call 803-520-1200 or visit www.well-more.com/lexington .