LINDA SAuLS & ChuCk MCCurry AROUND TOWN

President Harris Pastides announced Wednesday he will retire next year. Pastides came to USC in 1998 from University of Massachusetts, Amherst as a professor and dean of the Arnold School of Public Health. He became USC’s 28th president in 2008. Since then, USC has seen record enrollment growth, new levels of student academic success, and improved graduation rates for all students. There has been a 70% application increase since 2008. USC became one of the top 1% of patent-producing universities in the world under Pastides’ leadership. His retirement will be effective beginning in the summer of 2019.

SCANA stock falls again

Many investors have been wary of SCANA stock for more than a year. The failure of the Lexington County-based utility holding company’s $9 billion nuclear power project sent its stock value reeling. Its impact on SCANA employees’ retirement funds has been punishing. In trading last week, SCANA shares fell as low as $35.49 a share. www.EnergyStockChannel.com reported the stock was in “oversold territory” in its Relative Strength Index. This is a technical analysis indicator used to measure momentum. A stock is considered “oversold” if its RSI reading falls below 30. SCANA’s RSI reading hit 28.5 compared with energy stocks averaging 50.8. SCANA’s 52-week low is $33.61 a share with $58.63 as the 52-week high. A bullish investor could look at SCANA’s 28.5 reading as a sign that the stock value may have reached its lowest level and may be a good time to buy. A buying decision will depend on what the SC Public Service Commission does about Dominion Energy’s bid to buy SCANA.

Giving campaign

United Way of the Midlands has begun its annual fundraising campaign. Employees of 37 companies in the Midlands running early campaigns have contributed $4.5 million since July 1. “Every year, more than 30,000 Midlands residents are served by United Way-funded programs that meet critical community needs -- creating affordable housing, reducing homelessness, increasing childhood literacy and providing access to dental and eye care,” said Joan Gabel. “Pacesetters are the key to funding programs and solving issues by kicking off the campaign season with a strong start.” Select companies that increase total campaign results and participation rates over prior year are recognized as United Way Pacesetters. This year’s Pacesetters are:

• Adams and Reese

• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands

• BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

• Central Electric Power Cooperative

• Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (COMET)

• Columbia Housing Authority

• First Community Bank

• Free Medical Clinic

• GrandSouth Bank

• Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. (MIRCI)

• Midlands Housing Alliance

• Palmetto Imaging Technology

• Publix Super Markets

• SCANA

• Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands

• Sistercare

• South Carolina Bankers Association

• South Carolina Bar

• Southeastern Freight Lines

• The Cooperative Ministry

• United Way of the Midlands

• UPS

• Wolfe & Taylor

Welcome to the world

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden welcomed 2 new African lion cubs last week. The new cubs increase the Zoo’s lion pride to eight. The pair were born October 1 to mom Lindelani and dad Zuri. Thanks to the Riverbanks team and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the managed African lion population has risen to nearly 400 animals, said a zoo representative.

What’s new

• A new 3 Fountains business, Boutique Ooh Lala, offers new and consignment items, ladies clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry, hats,organic creams, soaps and makeup. In the next few weeks owner Trisha Peake will have her certification as a personal fashion stylist. The shop is at 4020 C Platt Springs Rd., West Columbia. Trisha can be reached at 803-821-9838.

• Columbia Metropolitan Airport will soon have a new airline. Via Airlines will expand its network of nonstop service starting Dec. 3 at CAE. They will offers flights to and from Columbia every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Who’s new

• Chef Charley Scruggs has been named pastry chef at Terra. Scruggs will also be responsible for the restaurant’s bread program and has been making use of Terra’s wood oven to make the restaurant’s bread each night. Scruggs is improving upon Terra’s longtime dessert staples like the pistachio creme brulee, but he is also making beautiful new desserts like the marcona almond custard. Chef Mike Davis is thrilled to have him in the kitchen at Terra.

• Lexington Medical Center is pleased to welcome Nicholas G. Watson, MD, to the hospital’s network of care. Dr. Watson is working at Lexington Family Practice Lake Murray. He is accepting new patients.

Another paper folds

The Carolina Trader has announced plans to cease publication. On its cover this week, its owners announced it as the final issue. The paper has been a weekly clearing house for thousands of items for sale between sellers and buyers.