Fiber-optic internet provider, Ripple Fiber, has now gone live in Lexington County. Over 8,500 residences across the county, including those in the Kenwood and Royal Creek neighborhood, currently have access to the new technology.

“We are thrilled to transition our project in the Lexington area into the next phase, providing our exceptional fiber internet service to current and future residents,” CEO of Ripple Fiber Greg Wilson said in the press release.

Fiber-optic cables supply the internet at a faster speed for those who use it. They are also more durable and less susceptible to outside influences such as animals and severe weather.

Lexington is the first area in South Carolina where Ripple Fiber has begun operating.

“We are proud to be a part of this market and appreciate the collaboration and communication with local shareholders who have helped us reach this point. We look forward to not only providing dependable fiber internet, but also proactive customer service,” Regional Executive of Ripple Fiber Danny Serrano said.

The local office for Ripple Fiber is located at 1520 N. Lake Dr, Lexington, S.C. 29072.

2 charged, 1 still wanted in connection with 2022 shooting

Members of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department along with members of the U.S. Marshals arrested two suspects in connection with a 2022 shooting where two passengers were shot in a car on Edmund Highway.

One passenger, 22-year-old Harold Peak, died at the scene from their injuries while the other was transported to the hospital.

Officials arrested 25-year-old Chendric Brown and 26-year-old London Oliver after the incident.

Brown was charged with one count of murder and one count of conspiracy and Oliver was charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of accessory before the fact, according to the press release.

Both Brown and Oliver are being held at the Lexington County Detention Center after being denied bond.

Detectives are still looking for 24-year-old Ziyon McKnight who is wanted for one count of murder and one count of conspiracy.

1 arrested after highway shooting

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department has charged one person with shooting at a vehicle while driving on Highway 378 near Lake Murray.

18-year-old Logan Cason was arrested on three counts of first-degree assault and battery and one count of pointing a firearm at a person.

“Deputies interviewed a group of witnesses right after this happened, which we believe started as a road rage incident. The witnesses all told deputies Cason fired a handgun into the air as he drove, then pointed it toward the car beside him and fired more shots,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in the press release.

Cason also threw beer bottles and cans before firing his weapon. Deputies took pieces of evidence from the road that were in the same location that the witnesses provided.

Cason was identified as the alleged shooter while deputies were interviewing witnesses and was later arrested at a home near Lake Murray before he was transferred to the Lexington County Detention Center.

DHEC wants men to check-up on their health

DHEC is encouraging men to check up on their health during this year’s National Men’s Health Week. This includes getting early health screenings to help stop preventive diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

According to the CDC, 13.8% of men in the U.S. are in below-average health, 28.3% meet the requirement for physical exercise and 41.6% of men that are 20-years-old and above are obese.

“Men are at a higher risk than women for many deadly health conditions and die an average of nearly 6 years younger than women, so it’s incredibly important for men to be aware of their health risks and proactive in addressing them,” DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer said in the press release.

Some of the ways men can live healthier lives include getting their annual check-ups, learning about health issues that run in the family, getting screened for colon and prostate cancer after turning 45 and 55 respectively and learning the symptoms of a heart attack and stroke.

Missing person found near Roundtree Court

The Lexington County Coroner has identified a missing person whose body was found in the woods off of Roundtree Court in Gaston.

37-year-old Lexington resident Joseph Kosmos was originally reported as missing in May of 2024 and his body was discovered on June 6 by the person who called 9-1-1, the press release read.

An autopsy was conducted at MUSC on June 11. The Lexington County Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Department continue to investigate the incident.

1 dead after being hit by car

One person has been identified after being hit by a car driving down Woodtrail Drive on June 8.

17-year-old Gaston resident Walter Diaz-Perez was in the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle going south. Diaz-Perez was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries received from the collision, the press release said.

The driver was injured and stayed at the scene. The Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Department are still investigating the incident.

County at 24 traffic fatalities for the year.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has released statistics sharing the number of traffic fatalities per county from January 1 to June 9 of this year.

The release of these numbers comes after eight people were killed on South Carolina roads over the span of two days.

So far, Lexington County has had 24 fatalities for the year.

This number is significantly less than the last two years where the county only had 16 in 2023, 14 in 2022 and 24 in 2021, according to the press release.