AROUND TOWN

South Carolina women employed full time make an average 77 cents for every dollar paid to a man. This is a yearly pay difference of $10,335.

If the wage gap were closed, working women would be able to afford more than 12 more months rent, more than 21 added months child care or 8 more months of premiums for employer-based health insurance.

The gap is largest in Louisiana, Utah, Indiana and Alabama – and smallest in California and the District of Columbia.

The organization champions raising the federal minimum wage and eliminating the sub-minimum wage for workers who rely on tips and those with disabilities.

Who’s new

The Columbia World Affairs Council has named Tia Williams Nelson of West Columbia as its director of communications and development to showcase South Carolina.

Nelson is an economic development professional with a Bachelor of Science from Clemson University. She founded Midlands Anchor, an online newsletter on local opportunities and issues.

She worked with Congressman Joe at on Capitol Hill to assist in constituent services and policy development.

Are you hungry?

2 of our favorites, Clemson’s Best Gourmet Ice Cream and Clemson Blue Cheese are now available at Shumpert’s IGA in Pelion, Leola’s This and That and Wingard’s Market in Lexington and Chinaberry Dreams and Soapworks in Batesburg-Leesville.

More than $11,000 in Clemson’s Best Gourmet Ice Cream retail sales have helped university students enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.

Does this make you feel better?

South Carolina ranks 42nd in taxes and fees on gasoline despite the gas tax hike, according to the Tax Foundation. We pay 20.75 cents a gallon in taxes and fees. This does not include an 18.4-cent a gallon federal excise tax on gasoline.

Only 7 states apply sales taxes to gasoline – California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and New York.

Safe drivers honored

UPS has named 4 Lexington County drivers among 1,436 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.

They are Scott Clark and Ronnie Liva of Lexington and Daniel Oliva and Bobby Stafford of West Columbia.

What’s new

Publix’s GreenWise Market will open at Lexington Marketplace on US 378 at Saluda Springs Road next year. Darrell Palasciano and Matt Henry are the exclusive leasing agents with Columbia Development.