Lexington Medical Center has two drive-through locations upcoming for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

“Protect your family and our community by removing unneeded or expired medications from your home,” the hospital posted to social media.

The take-back sites are at Lexington Medical Park 3 (222 East Medical Ln. in West Columbia) and Lexington Medical Center Northeast Urgent Care (3016 Longtown Commons Dr. in Columbia), and they’re open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other entities in the county taking part in the national initiative with April 22 take-back events include:

• Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (521 Gibson Rd.)
• Lexington Police (Walgreens at 5220 Sunset Blvd., CVS at 5608 Sunset Blvd.)
• West Columbia Police Department (Walmart at 2401 Augusta Rd., City Hall at 200 N 12th St.)
• Springdale Police Department (2915 Platt Springs Rd.)

All of these events also go from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In other Lexington Medical news, the hospital recently opened a new family practice at 707 Old Cherokee Rd. in Lexington.

“Providers W. Scott Dacus, MD, and Daniel H. Dunbar, MD, are experienced in caring for the entire family and are focused on putting our patients first,” the hospital posted to social media.

According to the hospital’s website, it now has 78 doctors’ offices in the counties of Lexington and Richland.

Cayce, West Columbia concert series set for spring, summer

Three free concert series in Cayce and West Columbia have announced 2023 returns in recent weeks.

Steel Hands Brewing’s Nashville Nights – which hauls in country up-and-comers working in the Music City, many of them writing prospective hits for bigtime artists – starts back up in Cayce on June 2 with Channing Wilson. The series continues weekly through Aug. 11.

The series – hosted by Michael Haney, a Nashville singer-songwriter with S.C. ties – is expanding to another state this year, with a similar run of dates happening at the brewery’s expansion location in Greensboro, N.C.

The Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce brings back its Rhythm on the River series for a spring run starting May 6 (with Civil Remedy performing) and continuing May 13 (Blues Deluxe SC), May 20 (Neon Browne Band), May 27 (Phil Urban Presents: Elvis & Variety Show). 

As ever, the series will feature the Gervais Bridge backdrop provided by the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater.

Returning to the amphitheater this week is ColaJazz’s Jazz on the River series. Chris Reed & the Bad Kids perform on April 20 at 6 p.m. The amphitheater is located at 109 Alexander Rd.

New coffee shop opening in Swansea

An Orangeburg coffee shop is poised to open an outpost in Lexington County.

Coffee & Things will debut its Swansea location with a grand opening on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The new shop is located at 100 East Oak St.

Coffee & Things is owned by Orangeburg local Wayne Ross, and it serves specialty coffee drinks such as an iced amaretto called the Ross Boss (which features tapioca pearls at the bottom and cold foam on top), a favorite of the owner’s wife.

Early voting open for Lexington Town Council election

Four candidates – Constance Flemming (a music teacher and former Lexington Town Council member), Edwin Gerace (a realtor and former town Planning Commision member), Matthew Graham (a contractor and business owner) and Gavin Smith (the owner of a public/government relations firm) – are on the May 2 ballot to replace Steve Baker (who recently moved to Florida) on Lexington’s Town Council.

The winner will finish out the remainder of Baker’s term, set to expire in 2025.

Lexington residents can vote early ahead of the May election April 17-28 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the Lexington County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 605 West Main St.