The Courage Center held a “Celebrate the Court and Picnic Pavilion Ribbon-Cutting” ceremony September 15 at its campus at 860 Park Road in Lexington.

The Courage Center added a full-length regulation basketball court and nearly 900 square-foot picnic pavilion to its 4-acre property.

A grant from the Central Carolina Community Foundation “Connected Communities”, a 1-time capital appropriation from Lexington County Council, and a Missions award from Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church funded the additions.

The facilities will allow new opportunities for The Courage Center’s adolescent, young adult, and parent participants to build strong new social connections and create new, healthy memories as they recover individually and together as families.

The facilities also will be available to The Courage Center’s community partners and stakeholders to use for special activities.

Gators raise $5,500 for covid relief

River Bluff High School’s booster club raised over $5,500 to support the Lexington 1 Educational Foundation.

The Gator Nation Booster Club held a summer golf tournament fundraiser June 22 at Golden Hills Golf & Country Club.

It raised $5,561.20 for the Educational Foundation in support of the Caring Heart Fund.

District social workers will using the Caring Heart Funds to purchase groceries for families who are struggling to support themselves due to the covid-19 pandemic.

First Reliance names new tech VP

Robert Mayhue has joined First Reliance Bank as the vice president of information technology.

As head of the bank’s IT Department, Mayhue will be responsible for the management, strategy and execution of IT infrastructure along with the intersection of IT and security compliance.

B-L primary names new instructor

Michelle Maroney is the new instructional coordinator for Batesburg-Leesville Primary School.

Maroney has worked at B-L Primary for 3 years, as a 2nd grade teacher and the school’s literacy coach.

She was named the school’s 2019 Teacher of the Year.

District 3 leadership recognized

Lexington School District 3 boardmember Frances Bouknight achieved a new level in the SC School Boards Association.

Bouknight reached Level 3 by earning 100 points in 2 years or less in the SCSBA 2019-2020 Boardmanship Institute.

The institue offers a yearround training carriculum to help school board members develop skills and stay abreast of state and national education issues.

Board members can achieve up to level 6 recognition by earning points for participation in statewide conferences and training.

Off-campus quarantining

Over 1,400 University of South Carolina students and staff have tested positive for corona virus.

UofSC will house some of its quarantined students at SpringHill Suites on Lady Street in Columbia.

The university has signed a month-long lease agreement with the hotel, securing an additional 132 rooms for use by students, ColaDaily reported.

Only students under quarantine will be housed at the hotel during this period, and access will be closely monitored, according to school officials.

Students will have access to a healthcare coordinator, 24-hour mental health care, regularly delivered meals, online tutoring, and a peer-to-peer support program designed for those experiencing quarantine.

Community blood drive

Golden Hills Golf and Country Club will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross September 23rd from 10 am to 2 pm at the Golden Hills Clubhouse, 100 Scotland Drive, Lexington.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call (803) 957-3970 or sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org with sponsor code goldenhills.

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative and A negative.

Dinner for 2 with the zoo

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will host a virtual ZOOfari Friday, September 25.

Pre-order a Cocktails & Cuisine dining package that includes a 3-course meal for 2, champagne cobblers, plus local recipes provided by our restaurant and catering partners.

A limited number of dining packages are available for purchase. The cost is $95 for Riverbanks members and $110 for the general public. Sales end September 18.

Curbside pick-up will take place Thursday, Sept. 24 from 4 - 7 pm.