South Carolina banks closed $5.7 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans in a just over 90 days.

Those loans helped save 650,000, or 1 in 4 jobs. “Our bankers helped 63,000 small-business customers survive, which allowed them to continue to pay their employees,” said Fred Green, president and CEO of the South Carolina Bankers Association.

The PPP is part of the Corona virus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which set aside nearly $660 million for the program.

The program began in early April and ran through Aug. 7.

Free NARCAN delivery in Red Bank

Lexington’s Courage Center will host a free event to deliver life-saving overdose reversal medication.

Overdoses have increased 200% over this time last year because of lack of resources due to the covid-19 pandemic, according to SCDHEC’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma.

NARCAN nasal spray rapidly reverses the effects of opioids and requires no medical training to administer.

The Reduce Drug Overdose delivery event will be Aug. 31 from 3 to 7 pm in Red Bank. To request free delivery of NARCAN and Deterra pouches, call (803) 369-3905. In case you reach voicemail, leave a message with your name and call-back number.

Resources will be available thanks to partnerships with the SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, LRADAC, Midlands Recovery Center and the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition.

Bailey-Robinson wins Cayce council seat

Ann Bailey-Robinson won the Aug. 11 special election for Cayce City Council seat #3.

She replaces Eva Corley, the Chronicle’s Terry Ward reported.

Bailey-Robinson received 58% of the vote.

J. Kelly Wuest got 23%, and Robin Milton received 19%.

There were 53 votes cast in the election. Council seat 3 is set to expire Nov. 2, 2021.

Pelion grad receives scholarship

A Lexington County graduate and future Clemson University student has received a $1,000 scholarship.

The Soil and Water Conservation Society awarded Lee Padgett of Pelion High School the scholarship based on his “superb leadership ability, impressive academic achievement and successful FFA participation.”

Padgett was recently elected state FFA vice president and served as president of the Pelion FFA Chapter during his senior year.

Virtual member meeting

The Lexington County Farm Bureau will hold its annual meeting virtually this year.

To join the meeting Sept. 22 at 7:30 pm, call the office ahead of time at 803-359-5541.

More covid testing options

Lexington Medical Center is now offering free, drive-thru covid-19 testing for the community each weekday at a fixed covid-19 testing site.

The screenings take place Monday – Friday from 8 am to 1 pm at 139 Summerplace Drive in West Columbia.

You do not need to have symptoms or a doctor’s order to be tested, but an appointment is required. Visit www.LexMed.com/ CovidTest.com .

A separate appointment must be made for each person in a vehicle who wishes to be tested.

Testing for covid-19 involves a nasopharyngeal swab, where a clinician places a special 6-inch cotton swab up both sides of the nose and rotates it around for about 15 seconds. DHEC is providing the kits and processing the testing.

Results will be available in approximately 7 days. Individuals with a positive result will be notified by phone, while those with a negative result will be notified by mail.

New W. Columbia homes are up

They are only shells right now, but the first houses in Stillwater are up.

The Stillwater neighborhood is just off Hwy 1 (Augusta Road) behind Hobby Lobby in West Columbia, the Chronicle’s Terry Ward reported.

The single-family, attached homes are around 4 miles from Columbia downtown, and less than 1 mile from Interstate 26.

The community is near Westside Plaza Shopping Center, Walmart, health care, large employers, Cayce and West Columbia shops, dining and groceries, and is served by excellent schools.

These homes, designed by Great Southern Homes, are typically 1,343 square feet, with 3 bedrooms and 2 and a half baths. There will be more than 120 houses when completed.

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