Lexington County had 267 unemployment claims filed in the week ending Sept. 19.

The state had an increase of 650 initial claims filed.

435 were filed in Richland County.

Greenville County had the state’s highest with 450.

Charleston Count had 325 and Spartanburg County 323.

The state had 4,933 claims, up from the 4,283 filed the previous week, according to the Department of Employment and Workforce.

The average weekly benefit paid out for the week of Sept. 13-Sept. 19 was $261.04.

Since March 15, 744,576 initial claims have been filed in South Carolina, and DEW has paid out more than $4 billion in combination of state and federal benefits.

$7,500 art grant

Nursery Road Elementary School-Arts Magnet has received a $7,349 Distinguished Arts Program grant for the project Creating Sustainable Practices in Arts Integration from the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE).

DAP grants provide funds for 1-year projects and funds from this grant award must be expended in accordance with activities to support standards based arts instruction.

Artisan market to open year round

West Columbia’s Meeting Street Artisan Market will now be open year round.

It’s open from 9 am until 1 pm on Saturdays at 425 Meeting Street.

Colleen Otte manages the Artisan Market for the City of West Columbia. She said added precautions including hand-sanitizing stations and spacing vendors booths allows for a great experience while adhering to social distancing standards.

Your ideas wanted

County of Lexington officials want to hear your thoughts. The county is inviting residents to partici

The county is inviting residents to participate in Idea Week, the 1st round of public meetings for the County’s Grow With Us comprehensive plan.

7 virtual meetings will be held from Oct. 19 through Oct. 22, and are aimed at receiving feedback from residents in each of the County’s 7 planning areas.

Limited in-person meeting spaces to participate in the virtual meeting will be made available at designated library locations.

For more details and to reserve a spot, residents should call (803) 785-1454.

A schedule of upcoming meetings and more can all be found at www.growwithuslexco.com .

Lexington 1 buys land for $1.5M

Lexington School District 1 approved buying nearly 47 acres of land for $1.5 million Tuesday for a new transportation facility.

The 2 pieces of property are needed to relocate the district’s transportation facility.

The bus transportation facility will serve the Lexington, River Bluff and White Knoll attendance areas.

The current location serves only the Lexington and River Bluff areas.

The 1st parcel, owned by Royalty Holdings 1, LLC (Lexington County TMS #005498-07014), contains approximately 44.27 acres.

The 2nd parcel, owned by Royalty Properties, LLC (Lexington County TMS #005498- 07015), contains approximately 2.61 acres.

The purchases are part of the voter-approved Nov. 6, 2018, $365 million 5-year building plan.

MTC recognized for workforce development

The Transatlantic Business & Investment Council has welcomed Midlands Technical College into its membership network.

The organization’s mission is to “promote transatlantic trade and investment” between North America and Europe.

MTC was recognized as the “TBIC Member of the Month” for September.

Sandy Run bikes and bbq

American Legion Riders Sandy Run Post 156 will host its 1st Bike Show & Bar-B-Q event Nov. 14.

The event will be at 1485 Pine Plain Road, Gaston from 10 am to 3 pm.

Bike registration begins at 10 and is $20 per bike.

Barbeque lunch plates will be available starting at 11:30 am for $8 a plate.

Questions, call Jim 803-747-1260 or Andy 443-243-6772.