Lexington County’s airport welcomed Gov. Henry McMaster as it unveiled a recently completed project.

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport held a ribbon cutting and press conference April 25 its new inline baggage system, which comes complete with new airline ticket counters and digital display kiosks along with allowing travelers to drop off their checked bags at the ticket counters instead of having to walk bags to external scanners.

“We are proactively and strategically identifying areas of operation so that we can continue to grow for good,” Mike Gula, the airport’s executive director, said. “Last year, we saw impressive passenger traffic, implemented intuitive technological advancements, successfully completed meaningful community partnerships and began plans on a needed TSA checkpoint expansion project.”

Governor Henry McMaster presented Gula with a proclamation for S.C. Aviation Week, which is April 23-29.

During his remarks, McMaster shared some aviation history with those in attendance, noting that Strom Thurmond, a former governor and senator representing the state, was alive for the Wright Brothers’ first flight.

“People are coming from all over to do business in South Carolina,” McMaster said. “An essential to that is our flow of commerce, our ability to move people in teams around our state and around our country.” — KK

Work to resume soon on Chapin Commons

Happy Fork, the restaurant group working to bring a variety of businesses to the Chapin Commons Complex along Columbia Avenue, told WLTX more tenants are coming soon after construction has been paused for months.

“Happy Forks Restaurants CEO Ron Pereira explains a new med spa is planning to move in next to the breakfast restaurant Bakon in about three months,” the station’s Rachel Ripp writes. “A new gym is taking the place of MUV Fitness with expectations to be open in July. Southern Smoked Tavern, a new restaurant is hopefully opening before the end of this year.”

She also adds that Pereira said a drive-through restaurant, Modern Fresco, is also slated to move into the complex, along with a frozen yogurt place, a nail salon, an axe throwing place and a cigar shop, which he is quoted as saying have signed letters of intent.

"Chapin is a very up and coming area,” Pereira is quoted. “Obviously lots of construction with the road widening, lots of new houses coming this way. I know there's a lot of houses being built behind us.” — JL

White Rock overpass to reopen this week

The state Department of Transportation has announced a delay in work on an overpass in the White Rock area. The bridge will reopen this week.

“Due to unforeseen issues with construction, the Mt. Vernon Church Road overpass bridge opening has been delayed to April 30, 2023, weather permitting,” the department posted to social media.

The overpass will still open earlier than originally anticipated, as work was initially announced to last from April 17 to May 1. The overpass work is part of the Midlands Connection project, which is improving and widening a 16-mile stretch of Interstate 26 from Exit 85 in Little Mountain to Exit 101 in Irmo. initially set to close.

The detour route diverts divers to Old Hinton Road to travel between Dutch Fork Road and Broad River Road across I-26. — JL

Suspect arrested after Chapin home invasion

The Chapin Police announced the arrest following a home invasion.

“Officers responded to a residence on Glenwood Drive just after 1 p.m. [April 21] in reference to a home invasion,” the department posted to Facebook. “Officers eventually determined that the suspect forced his way into the victim’s home while armed with a handgun. The suspect then physically assaulted the victim and fled the scene on foot. The victim was transported to Lexington Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.”

Alton Alfred Radtke was arrested and charged with first degree burglary, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

“A perimeter was set up in the area and Chapin Police were assisted by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, along with their K-9 services. Chapin Police negotiated with the suspect by phone ultimately convincing him to come out of the woods where he was hiding, at which point he was taken into custody.” — JL