A pair of anticipated Lexington County restaurants are open.

Bone Appétite, a steakhouse that was initially set to open along East Main Street in Lexington is now open in the former home of the Oak Grover Fish House (309 Oak Dr. off Augusta Rd./U.S. Highway 1).

Meanwhile, the Harbison location of KPot, a national chain that has expanded rapidly since opening its first location in 2018, is open at 280 Harbison Blvd., a spot that has previously housed a Krab Hut and a Chili’s.

“We can't wait to serve up some fun on our piping hot grills and see what unforgettable memories you make with us!” the Columbia KPot posted to Facebook.

Per the restaurant’s website, it offers an all-you-can eat experience merging traditional Asian hot pot with Korean barbecue flavors.

KPot is soon set to have similar competition in the area as the S.C.-based Korean chain Burnin 99, which serves Chinese hot pot and Korean barbecue, is set to open in the Columbiana Station complex along Bower Parkway, taking the spot once occupied by Wild Wing Cafe.

The Harbison KPot is open 12 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 12 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Bone Appétite is open throughout the week for the first time now, serving customers 5-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

The restaurant — which intends to differentiate itself from local steakhouse competition with a variety of options alongside T-bones, New York strips and filets including creative chicken and pork dishes — will also face close-by competition from Southern Smoked Tavern, a steakhouse concept from Happy Fork (the dining group behind Chophouse of Chapin and its neighbor Bakon). That restaurant is set to open in the former Griffin Chophouse spot at 924 E Main St., where Bone Appétite initially intended to open.

Teacher accused of assaulting student acquitted

A Lexington County teacher accused of assaulting a student last August was acquitted after a jury trial in county magistrate court, The State’s John Monk reports.

“Teacher Brenda Inabinette, 59, who testified in her own defense, walked out of the courtroom with her reputation intact, said [her attorney, Alex Postic],” Monk writes. “She had been charged with third degree assault and battery. If found guilty, she could have been subject to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.”

Inabinette, working at White Knoll Middle School at the time, was accused of grabbing a student’s ID lanyard while it was around his neck and saying, “You make me want to strangle you,” according to an arrest warrant provided to the Chronicle.

An incident report provided to the Chronicle states that the student said he asked Inbinette to go to the restroom while in her class. Upon his return, he said he told Inabinette he went to the wrong classroom by accident, and she "pulled his lanyard that was round his neck causing him to be pulled into the classroom." He said she then told him, "I know what you did and Im fixing to strangle you in front of the classroom."

According to Monk, Inabinette’s lawyer said the teacher has maintained her innocence since the arrest.

“Postic said Inabinette was suspended briefly from teaching, and after the school district did its own internal investigation, she was reinstated in another position,” Monk writes.

Lexington Police give away box fans to beat the heat

With the heat rising, Lexington Police are reminding the community about an ongoing program.

The department’s Operation: Cool Down offers free box fans to those who need a way to cool down during the hot and humid Midlands summer.

“Though this program was created to assist Town of Lexington residents in need, when possible, box fans have been given to those in the greater Midlands area too,” a release states, noting that the department is able to accomplish this with help from local businesses, churches, civic groups, and individuals donating new box fans.  

“If you live outside of the Town of Lexington, it is recommended that you first contact your local police department or sheriff’s department to see if they have a similar program.”

The program helps more than 150 individuals or families each year, according to the release.

Those in need of a box fan can come to the Lexington Police Department at 111 Maiden Lane in Lexington during weekday business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Those living in the town that have transportation issues may be able to have a member of the department’s Community Action Team deliver a fan to their residence. 

The department encourages giving box fans, noting that in-kind donation forms for fans given to Operation: Cool Down through the Lexington Police Department Foundation, including a tax identification number for tax deduction purposes.

Those with questions are directed to contact Sgt. Cameron Mortenson of the Community Action Team at (803) 358-1504 or cmortenson@lexsc.com.