A former mayor was surprised with a new distinction during the Lexington Chamber’s Awards & Annual Meeting Aug. 25.

Hugh Rogers, who served the town as mayor for two terms and still practices law in Lexington, was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in the State of South Carolina.

State Rep. Paula Calhoun presented the award to Rogers on behalf of Gov. Henry McMaster.

“Mr. Rogers’ story is one of dedication to service, unwavering commitment to our community and a lifetime pursuit of knowledge,” Calhoun said, reading a quote from Lexington attorney James Snell that was included in the submission to grant him the award. “Bestowing upon him the order of Palmetto would honor his individual contributions, while also serving as a reminder of the profound impact one person's dedicated service can have on a community, a state and the nation.”

Rogers entered the Army after graduating from law school at the University of South Carolina, serving as a JAG officer during the Korean War and then continuing to serve in the Army Reserve before retiring as a colonel. In addition to serving as mayor, he has served as chair of the Lexington County Library Board and as a gubernatorial appointment to the state Library Board and commander of the town’s American Legion Post. He was the president of the Lexington Chamber from 1968 to 1969 and continues to be a regular fixture at the group’s functions.

“To hear all this,” Rogers said, taking the mic after Calhoun introduced him, “I concede most of it is on target.”

“I am overwhelmed, ladies and gentlemen,” he added. — JL

New mixed-use development coming to West Columbia

Speaking of development, another one is coming to West Columbia.

The Alexander Place mixed-use development, set to occupy four parcels between 326 Alexander Rd. and 101 Augusta St., will bring an eight-unit apartment building and spots for retail and/or food and drink and occupy a renovated garage on the property, WestMetroNews reports.

The development will sit across the street from Congaree Park, occupying .75 acres near that gated home development, which was also developed by Columbia’s Wes Taylor.

Both developments will sit close by to the city’s Riverwalk Amphitheater  

“This prime location has experienced exciting growth in recent years and will easily support new thriving businesses in the development,” Taylor wrote in an application to the city, The Post and Courier Columbia’s Jessica Holdman reports. — JL

Work finished on dam walkway

Repairs were completed earlier this month to the walkway across the Lake Murray Dam.

The state Department of Transportation announced Aug. 16 that the closure, which started in June, was over, with brief nighttime closures continuing through Aug. 19 “to allow crews to perform final cleanup with minimal disruption to the public.

The repairs were conducted after inspections revealed structural issues with the dam, but a federal monitoring agency said the problems didn’t present an immediate safety concern.

On June 23, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) sent a letter to Dominion Energy, who owns and manages hydroelectric operations at the Dreher Shoals Dam that forms Lake Murray, relaying their findings following a special inspection.

The FERC noted concerns about a sheet pile wall and the original embankment beneath the walkway that runs alongside S.C. Highway 6/N Lake Drive southbound on the lake side of the dam.

According to a statement from Dominion, heavy rainfall on June 21 and 22 caused a drainage gutter and wall along the walkway to settle, affecting the pavement. Following the completion of an initial assessment, Dominion and an independent consultant identified no issues affecting the dam’s integrity. — JL