AROUND TOWN

The Senate passed S. 207, a bill that would allow nursing home residents to keep the assessment for their homes even when they are living in a nursing home.

Homeowners who live in their homes are taxed based on a 4% assessment of the home’s value.

If you’re not living in the home – if it’s a second home or if you use it as rental property – the property is taxed at a 6% assessment.

This bill is intended to protect elderly citizens who are forced to move into nursing homes because of failing health. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives.

Sales tax collections

The Senate debated S. 214, a bill that would ensure that sellers collect and remit sales taxes.

The bill is designed to fix a loophole that some online retailers have claimed doesn’t require them to collect sales taxes.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey who represents Lexington County said he supports online retailers collecting sales taxes.

“I am a little concerned about the state collecting an additional $100 million - $150 million, though. The Senate will have an additional discussion and likely pass the bill.” Read more on Massey’s other proposed legislation on page A3.

Who’s new

• Janet Steele has joined the Clemson University Cooperative Extension team as Forestry and Wildlife Agent for Orange-burg, Lexington, Calhoun, Colleton and Hampton Counties.

Steele’s forestry career spans over 20 years.

As a county agent, Steele will work closely with state Extension specialists and researchers to provide local landowners with the most recent information about timber harvesting, reforestation, insects and disease, non-native invasive species, and wildlife habitat management.

The Lexington County Clemson University Cooperative Extension office is located at 605 West Main Street, Suite 109 in Lexington. For more information about Forestry and Wildlife management and programs, call 803-534-6280 or email Steele at jmwatt@clemson.edu .

• Heather M. Currier, MD, FACCP, has joined Lexington Medical Center’s network of care at Lexington Cardiovascular Surgery.

She is board certified by the Ameri-

Real estate

Southern Visions Real Estate sales associate Rhett Kelly recently closed the sale of +/- 3.5 acres located at 1447 North Lake Drive in Lexington.

The land was purchased by Lexington County and will be the location of a regional fire and EMS facility. Southern Visions represented the seller, the Hite family, in the transaction.

Need a lawyer?

• National Academy of Personal Injury Lawyers has selected Andy Aun for the 2019 Top Ten Personal Injury Lawyers in South Carolina award.

Aun was also recognized as one of this year’s Top 100 Lawyers by the American Academy of Attorneys, and was recognized as being in the Top 100 Plaintiff’s lawyers by the American Society of Legal Advocates.

Andy Aun has been in practice since 1995, and is a co-founder of Aun & McKay Law Firm, established in 2004.

• Stanley J. Myers Sr. has been named managing partner in Moore Taylor Law Firm in West Columbia.

Myers graduated from the David A. Clarke School of Law in Washington, DC, and started practicing with Moore Taylor after graduating in 2004.

He currently practices criminal defense, personal injury, and workers’ compensation. He is a member of the American Bar of Trial Attorneys and is licensed to practice in state and federal courts.

Local author wins chili cookoff

A local entrepreneur and co-author of The Chronicle’s “Maverick Entrepreneurs’ Million Dollar Strategies” book, has won the Irmo Chili Cookoff.

Mike Ward and his daughters Zaria and Danica won 1st Place.

Proceeds included a $500 donation to The National Kidney Foundation.

Autographed copies of “Maverick Entrepreneurs’ Million Dollar Strategies” are available for $20 by calling 359-7633 can Board of Thoracic Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians.

Currier retired as a colonel from the United States Army after more than 24 years of active duty.