The Columbia Metropolitan Airport has announced the latest slate of local artists that will take part in its Art in the Airport program.

The program rotates gallery displays through the walkway between the security checkpoint and departure/arrival gates in the airport’s terminal.

The latest selection of artists includes:

• Columbia’s Shaina Manuel (on display March-May)
• Elgin’s Michael Cruz (on display June-August)
• Gilbert’s Candace Thibeault (on display September-November)
• Lexington’s Karen Petta (on display December 2023-February 2024)

“CAE’s Art in the Airport program provides a fantastic opportunity and picturesque platform for local artists to showcase their works of art and unbelievably creative minds,” Kim Crafton, the airport’s director of marketing and air service development, is quoted in a release. “Additionally, this program enhances our travelers’ experience, while simultaneously creating a sense of regional place within the airport. Once a traveler lands, these works of art will be the first artistic and cultural touchpoints they have to Columbia, S.C., and the region.”

Work from Leesville artist Laura Rohlfing is currently on display, closing out the 2022-23 Art in the Airport slate.

VA issues recall for all Nephron-manufactured drugs

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has advised its patients to stop using drugs produced by Nephron Pharmaceuticals, one of the county’s biggest employers.

N.C. TV station WRAL first reported the news, and The State’s Bristow Merchant confirms the recall of products from one of Lexington County’s biggest employers.

“All VA facilities were notified of the recall on Dec. 6, a VA spokesperson confirmed to The State, and notifications were sent to veterans taking Nephron products to stop using the manufacturer’s drugs. The VA estimates 39,672 patients are affected by the recall,” Merchant writes.

“Federal officials initiated the recall after the Food and Drug Administration warned of sterility concerns over products manufactured at Nephron’s expansive facility south of Cayce.”

The State story quotes a statement from Nephron:

“First and foremost, Nephron takes any such correspondence from the VA or any agency very seriously. Second, Nephron will work with the VA — in the same cooperative and collaborative manner it has worked with FDA this year — to resolve any outstanding matters or concerns the VA has. Our commitment to quality remains second to none because the lives of patients depend on the hard work of our team.” 

Last year, the company found itself in the sights of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, who conducted a lengthy inspection and raised concerns about processes meant to ensure Nephron products are sterile, triggering a voluntary recall of at least 3.9 million doses.

Victim in shooting at West Columbia Amazon facility is dead

The attempted murder charge against a man accused of shooting a co-worker in the parking lot of Lexington County's Amazon Fulfillment Center has been upgraded to murder.

The victim in the Dec. 21 shooting, 31-year-old Derrell Andrews, died Dec. 31, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.

Jnathan Harden Alique Walker, 20, is accused of shooting Andrews, whom he was linked to socially, several times  before leaving the scene.

Walker, who is additionally charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime, remains in custody at the Lexington County Detention Center.

Fire that displaced 5 caused by space heater

A fire in Red Bank that was under investigation has been determined to have been caused by a space heater.

The Lexington County Fire Service reported responding to a fire on the 100 block of Huggins Street just before 8 a.m. Jan. 7. The cause of the fire was initially listed as “still to be determined,” sparking some speculation as to what caused the blaze. But the county posted an update to social media Jan. 9 confirming the heater as the cause.

“Flames were showing from the home when units arrived on scene,” the county said in its initial post. “Five people were displaced due to the fire. One person was taken to a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.”

‘Malfunction Junction’ work closes road

The Carolina Crossroads project to redo the combined interstate interchange commonly referred to as “Malfunction Junction” has closed a road in Columbia near the Lexington/Richland county line.

Arrowhead Road closed Jan. 9, between Lawand Drive and Gracern Road, and is set to reopen Jan. 30 by 7 a.m.

“Motorists should watch signs for detour information and are encouraged to avoid the area by taking an alternate route during the closure,” the state Department of Transportation says in a release.

The stretch of Arrowhead Road goes under an exit overpass connecting Interstate 126 and Colonial Life Boulevard, one of the interchanges that will be redone as part of Carolina Crossroads.

“These construction activities are part of the Carolina Crossroads Phase 1 project in Richland and Lexington Counties,” the release states. “The project includes improvements to the exit ramp to US 378 from I-26 eastbound and associated interstate widening in Lexington County and a full access interchange at Colonial Life Boulevard at I-126 in Richland County. The purpose of this project is to provide traffic access to and from I-26 and I-126 to Colonial Life Blvd., allowing for closure of the existing on and off ramps that access I-26 from Bush River Road.”

Lexington gets new Dollar General

A new Dollar General location has opened in Lexington.

The store, located at 472 Wise Ferry Rd., opened for business earlier this month, according to a release from the company, which operates nearly 19,000 neighborhood variety stores in 47 states (per its website).

“Dollar General plans to create new jobs in the Lexington community as the store is expected to employ approximately six to 10 people, depending on the individual needs of the store,” the release states.

The release promises the location will offer food, cleaning supplies, paper products, over-the-counter medicines, hygiene products, baby items and more, along with “new stylish, on-trend home décor and an expanded party preparation selection.”