A raccoon found near Stonewood Drive and Wilton Road in West Columbia, S.C. tested positive for rabies on July 3, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Seven people were exposed and were notified by the department to seek care from their primary providers.
“Rabies is usually transmitted through a bite or scratch that allows saliva from an infected animal to be introduced into the body of a person or another animal," Rabies Program Director Terri McCollister said in a press release. "However, infected saliva or neural tissue contact with open wounds or areas such as the eyes, nose, or mouth could also potentially transmit rabies.”
In order to reduce your or your pets' risk of getting rabies, it is important to give wild animals their space. If you see an animal in need of help, contact a trained professional such as an animal or wildlife control officer.
If you or someone you know believes you have been exposed to rabies, contact the Department of Public Health’s Columbia office at 803-896-0620 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or call the after-hours number at 888-847-0902.

Cayce Police Chief accepts new role
Cayce police chief Chris Cowan is leaving the department to work at the University of South Carolina.
Cowan, according to a release from the Cayce Police Department, has been head of the department since September 2021 and he has over 30 years in law enforcement.
“We all knew Chief Cowan would only be with us in Cayce for a short time. We are thankful for the impact he made while he was with us: Helping us transition from the Public Safety model to an individual Police Department, all while working with citizens to create safe driving initiatives, furthering dialogues, and connections we have built and creating successes and systems that have an average 2 minute 9 second response time for emergencies,” City of Cayce Mayor Elise Partin was quoted saying in the press release. “We look forward to continuing to support the women and men of our Police Department as we build upon these successes.”
An interim chief will be announced by the Cayce city manager, Tracy Hegler, at a later date.
“Chief Cowan set various initiatives that were both personal and professional, with the goal of setting a benchmark for detecting, investigating, and preventing crime,” said Cayce Director of the Department of Public Safety and current Cayce Mayor Pro Tem, Tim James. “This goal has been well achieved, and the decrease in crime rates prove it.
“Under Chief Cowan’s leadership, the Department has seen a pay increase for officers, technology and equipment upgrades, senior and student safety programs, award-winning crime prevention programs, traffic safety implementations, professional promotional process, communications with community and citizens, law enforcement re-accreditation and outstanding alliances and relationships with area law enforcement agencies that result in premier mutual aid assistance and cooperation.”
Cowan’s new position at the university is in the Joseph F. Rice School of Law.
“I love our Cayce team and am proud of the new initiatives we have built. I am thankful for the people of Cayce we serve and have enjoyed being a part of this great community,” Cowan said in the press release. “The position at the University is the right opportunity for me and for my family. But I look forward to working with City leaders, our department staff, and our community to see our upcoming events and initiatives come to fruition.”

Free Stop the Bleed and C.R.A.S.E classes being offered
2024 is the third year that the Lexington Police Department has offered free classes on tourniquets, wound packing and active shooter survival methods.
C.R.A.S.E. stands for Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, according to a release from the Town of Lexington.
“Our instructors are frequently asked by schools, churches, businesses, and community groups for instruction on what to do if they encounter someone bleeding from an injury and how they should react in an active shooter event,” read the release. “The STOP THE BLEED and C.R.A.S.E. classes are free to attend, and a limited number of seats are available for each class. These courses are designed for those who are 16 years of age or older.”
STOP THE BLEED is a two-hour course. It teaches three quick actions that can be used to save a life with tourniquets and wound packing.
C.R.A.S.E. is a two-hour course designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend strategy developed by ALERRT, which teaches strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event, according to the release.
These classes are taught at the Lexington Police Department at 111 Maiden Ln. in Lexington in the training room. They start at 6 p.m.

Here are the dates for STOP THE BLEED:
Tuesday, July 16
Tuesday, Aug. 13
Tuesday, Sept. 17

Here are the dates for C.R.A.S.E.:
Thursday, July 18
Thursday, Aug. 15
Thursday, Sept. 19

Contact Officer Todd Zeigler at 803-359-6260 or email tzeigler@lexsc.gov with questions and for class registration.

District Five student first SkillsUSA officer from South Carolina
Rising Spring Hill High School and Law Enforcement Services Program senior Avery Smith has been selected to be the first-ever national SkillsUSA officer from South Carolina.
Smith will serve as the Region 2 Vice President for the 2024-2025 school year. She will help lead and facilitate many of the state and national conferences and events.
Smith underwent a rigorous process to become a national officer. She had to obtain multiple certifications, attend a variety of conferences and events, hold a state officer position, pass a written test, interview and submit a recorded speech to make the ballot for this year’s conference in Atlanta, Ga.
At this year’s national conference, Smith campaigned using materials she had prepared before the trip, gave a memorized campaign speech, answered a question related to a difficult problem and participated in “Meet the Candidate” sessions.
“ I am truly honored and ecstatic that I have been granted this opportunity to hold such a position. None of it would have been possible without the amazing outpour of support and encouragement that I’ve received. I am beyond excited to venture into this new role, and I promise to fulfill it to the best of my ability,” Smith said in the press release.
Smith previously held the office of state president and is a two-time state champion and national competitor.
Her advisor and teacher, Joseph Chapman, said he is proud of the progress that Smith has made.
“Nearly a year later, the feeling of having her name called and seeing her on that stage is still something I am having trouble describing. Avery is an amazing person who has worked incredibly hard to get where she is today. Her growth these past two years is unfathomable. It was an honor to be by her side,” Chapman said in the press release.

West Columbia man charged with drug trafficking
The Lexington County Narcotics Enforcement Team has arrested one person on multiple charges of drug trafficking and distribution.
39-year-old West Columbia resident Shawn Thompson was arrested on June 26 for two counts of manufacturing and distributing cocaine base, trafficking cocaine base and trafficking fentanyl.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said agents executed a search warrant at Thompson’s address after an outstanding arrest warrant was issued for cocaine distribution.
“Inside the home, agents found 56 grams of pills containing fentanyl, 37 grams of cocaine base, four grams of cocaine and materials used for the manufacturing of cocaine,” Koon said in the press release.
Thompson is currently being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.

Local Presbyterian Church welcomes new pastor
Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church is set to welcome a new pastor for the congregation on August 4.
Pastor Joel Branther will serve as the church’s Senior Pastor and Chief of Staff. Branther previously served at the Church of the Valley in Apple Valley, Calif. since 2020.
Branther has been an ordained pastor for nine years and is currently serving as a member of the Southern California Presbyterian Council.
He has been married for 27 years to his wife Kristin and they have two children Asa and Anna.
“I count my calling to be your pastor as an invitation to serve you, to share God’s Word with you, to be honest with you about what God asks of us, and to lead in a way that is worthy of His name,” Branther said in the press release. Simply, I am called to love you in a way that reflects God’s love for you.”
His first Sunday service is expected to be on August 4.