Wedding & Event Venue Near Lexington, SC.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Exciting developments in Lexington, as the Lexington Sporting Club soccer team announced plans to build a new stadium within the city limits.

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Once complete, it will feature men’s and women’s professional soccer at the same location as the club’s youth fields off Athens-Boonesboro Road and I-75. Construction on the $82 million project to build a permanent stadium for Lexington SC is already underway.

Initially, it will seat around 5,500 fans with room to grow in the future.

Once complete, the stadium will be home to Lexington SC’s men’s United Soccer League (USL) One team and the inaugural women’s USL Super League team.

“Our diverse city is one in which there are well over 150 different languages spoken. This tells you so much about why soccer is incredibly popular here,” said Lexington mayor Linda Gorton.

It’s a major investment for Lexington and Fayette County and expands on an already partially developed plot of land off Athens-Boonesboro Road.

“One of the great things about this location is it’s right next to the interstate, which gives really easy access in and out to people from other counties who might want to come here and watch a really good soccer game,” Gorton said.

The land is already home to seven youth soccer fields and once the pros move in, kids can practice alongside Lexington’s pro soccer team.

“It is one club with one logo for everybody,” said Bill Shively, primary owner of the Lexington SC.

Shively said the stadium will have room to expand to 11,000 seats should demand be there. The complex will also feature hotels and restaurants down the line.

“We’re going to invest a lot in this, and we hope this is going to be a legacy that everybody in Lexington can enjoy for a long time. This is about community, family and about the kids,” Shively said.

Lexington SC’s men’s team is coming off its inaugural season as a professional club in USL League One. Outside winger, Nico Brown says he and his teammates are excited to play on the pitch for the first time in front of even more Lexington fans.

“Honestly, it will be an awesome opportunity for me as a player as well as the community. I think playing in a stadium like this with pristine grass in front of a community like Lexington will be a life-changing experience for us as young professionals,” Brown said.

Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., said the investment will create hundreds of jobs and generate up to $92 million in spending over the next decade. This comes after Kentucky and Fayette County saw a record year for tourism. Fayette County crossed $1 billion spent in tourism for the first time.

The club hopes to play games here by Aug. 2024. A name for that stadium will be announced later. Lexington Sporting Club currently plays its home games on the campus of Georgetown College.

Regardless of whether we still want to talk about it, COVID-19 is on the rise again in South Carolina and Lexington County.

That’s what Dr. Jonathan Knoche, a medical consultant with the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, told the Chronicle as he helped contextualize COVID numbers acquired by the paper from May through August.

From May 6 to June 24, weekly hospital admissions of confirmed COVID patients — the metric now used to set warning levels for the virus from low to medium to high by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — mostly went down in the state, lowering from 88 to 56 by June 24.

But since then, the state has mostly seen a sharp increase, hitting 102 on July 22, 107 on July 29, 161 on Aug. 5 and 246 on Aug. 12 and 19.

“We've kind of been at a generally low level of circulation in the community, but over the course of the last month and a half or so we're starting to see the number of hospitalizations go back up and the percentage of [emergency department] visits due to COVID also increasing,” Knoche said. “For July 1, that week, the percentage of ED visits due to COVID was 0.5%. And for the week of Aug. 19, that weekly percentage of ED visits was 3%. So that's six times as many.”

He noted that the current numbers aren’t terrible — there were 793 people admitted to hospitals in the state with COVID the week of Dec. 31, 2022, he cited as an example of how bad it’s been in the past — but people should still be concerned and take caution.

The fall and the holidays have seen a pattern of spikes, so the numbers could continue to rise.

“That's why you're hearing public health professionals, physicians, people's primary care doctors really strongly recommending that people stay up to date with their vaccines,” Knoche said. “Because the time that people need it is when they're traveling, when they're getting together with their loved ones during Thanksgiving and over Christmas. Those holidays, those family gatherings and travel are when you see opportunity for these viruses to spread.”

While there are a variety of factors that are likely playing into the rise in COVID cases — recent high temperatures pushing people to congregate inside, for instance — Knoche emphasized that the expected mid-September recommendation of a new COVID vaccine that protects against the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant could be a particular help, as the virus’ mutation could be part of what is driving the increase in hospitalizations, particularly when it comes to people who are getting COVID again.

He added that typical good habits when it comes to respiratory illness also help stem the spread, including washing hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes and not going into school or work if you are ill.

Case numbers shared by DHEC for Lexington County and neighboring Richland County fall in line with the rise in COVID statewide.

In Lexington, there were 106 new COVID cases on May 6, with that number mostly going down each week through July 1, when the county had 58. The county has since seen sharp increases, hitting 112 on July 22, 142 on July 29, 240 on Aug. 5, 293 on Aug. 12, 400 on Aug. 19 and 608 on Aug. 26.

Richland saw much the same arc during that time, going from 148 on May 6 to 93 on June 24, and then climbing to 155 on July 22, 185 on July 29, 318 on Aug. 5, 496 on Aug. 12, 563 on Aug. 19 and 898 on Aug. 23.

Knoche cautioned that these numbers might actually be higher than what’s been reported, as the results of at-home tests often don’t make it to DHEC.

Lexington County saw a total of eight COVID deaths between May and Aug. 19, he said.

Weekly hospital admission figures from May through August weren’t immediately available, but both counties saw a spike recently.

In both counties, there were 38 new patients with confirmed COVID admitted to local hospitals in the week leading up to Aug. 12, a 65.2% increase from the previous week, before dropping slightly to 37 in the week leading up to Aug. 19.

That Aug. 12 increase is sharper than the nationwide increase during the same stretch, which was 21%, as 12,613 new confirmed COVID patients were admitted to hospitals throughout the U.S.

The hospitalization numbers are still well below the threshold to raise the county’s Hospital Admissions Level from low to medium, which is 10 admissions per 100,000 people. As of Aug. 19, the latest date for which the levels were updated, the 37 cases in the Lexington area equated to 4.8 admissions per 100,000 people.

Lexington Medical Center, the 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, told the Chronicle it has seen a recent spike in COVID patients, going from a census of nine patients with the virus the week of Aug. 20 to 26 on Aug. 28.

Knoche said that while the recent rise in COVID represents a particular threat to those who are elderly or immunocompromised, getting this message through to the public can be difficult at this point.

“I think that there's a significant amount of fatigue related to hearing about COVID,” he said. “And I get it. I've also been working on this as the beginning of the pandemic, and sometimes you're tired of working on it and trying to say the same thing and message it. But it doesn't change the fact that it's still here. It doesn't change the fact that it's still harming people. And that won't change the fact that we're still going to try our best to educate people about the risks and and the way to reduce those risks by being vaccinated and practicing good health practices.”

Keywords

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According to residents, the land used to be full of trees. Now it's a construction site, and soon, a new housing and shopping development.

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LEXINGTON, S.C. — An area near Red Bank in Lexington is starting to look very different as developers turn a 50-acre plot of land into shopping and residential property.

Austin Dunn is a physical therapist and a client director at Drayer Physical Therapy along Platt Springs Road in Lexington. He's been at the location for two years and recalls seeing a large plot of trees across the street, but he said that the landscape is changing quickly.

"We've seen the trees swaying like the Lorax, falling down. But as I've been coming to work the last few weeks, I've seen more and more clearance and now it's basically a dirt lot."

That's a similar story for Brittany Harris; she lives by the property and has seen it change shape.

"I just noticed they were clearing the area out. A lot of different work trucks and different people out there sometimes during the day. I just kinda figure that they were probably going to put another housing development over there or something," she said.

It's all part of a 50-acre development, according to the NAI Columbia commercial real estate firm.

A press release from the company said the group will be developing the area into a mixed-use area named 'Platt Springs Crossing.' The firm said it will be "bringing multiple national and regional users, along with a residential component, to a growing Lexington market."

The idea of a new place to shop or live makes Harris excited about the possibilities.

"I would definitely like to have another sit-down eatery spot. Just, you know, more family oriented where me and my family can come sometimes on the weekend and just dine in."

Dunn, a White Knoll high school graduate, claims he's seen the area take shape over decades. He's excited an increase in population could mean more business-

"Being a physical therapist, that's my main thing, is trying to help people get better. If there's any injuries or anything else going on...I can get a better opportunity to help people, then that's the main goal."

We reached out to NAI Columbia, who said they are not yet releasing information about the possible businesses or plans for the development.

Finding a good, affordable place to eat has become a more daunting task in recent years.

From inflation to high gas prices, it can be tough to enjoy a meal out on a budget. However Tripadvisor, an online travel company that collects user-generated content and compares retailers and restaurants, has plenty of data on what residents think are relatively inexpensive and good places to eat in the Lexington area.

A visit to the website shows rankings of the best ‘cheap eats’ in Lexington. The ranked, inexpensive restaurants offer a variety of cuisine, from breakfast to Mexican and traditional country cooking.

Below is a list of the five highest-rated ‘cheap eats’ restaurants in Lexington, according to Tripadvisor.

Creekside Restaurant has been open for more than a decade, serving a variety of American cuisine for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Located at 711 E. Main Street, the restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday though Saturday.

Dishes include breakfast bowls with eggs, cheese and a choice of meat, from bacon to catfish, along with omelets, pancakes, French toast, biscuits and sandwiches.

“My niece took us to Creekside for breakfast before we headed off on a road trip back to New England. The menu is a good solid breakfast menu, eggs, griddle items, grits, bakery,” Tripadvisor reviewer ggdeluz wrote.

Lizard’s Thicket got its start in Columbia more than 40 years ago and now has 14 locations, including the high-ranked Lexington spot at 621 W Main St. It focuses on traditional South Carolina home cooking, offering many choices, from steak and eggs and country liver pudding to southern fried catfish, hamburger steak, beef stew or chicken and waffles.

“Lizard’s Thicket is the type of restaurant you’d want in your hometown, that is unless you don’t want to gain weight,” Tripadvisor reviewer Greg B. wrote.

Located at 104-B Scarborough Dr., Knead Pizza was founded by Ian and Kassie Walls in June 2014. The couple came to the Midlands with the Air Force in 2004. After a trip to Afghanistan, Ian Walls transitioned from active duties to the reserves. Then, after moving to Lexington in 2011, the two decided two decided to open their own restaurant after becoming frustrated with the lack of local, all natural food options in the area.

Customers can order traditional pizzas or they can get one of the restaurant’s signature pies, such as the Tatonka, which includes buffalo sauce, cheese, chicken celery, red onion and Ranch or bleu cheese crumbles.

This Mexican restaurant has plenty of flavor to offer. Located at 205 Columbia Ave., Brother’s & Beer offers a hefty selection of different kinds of fajitas, as well as other traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, chimichangas and burritos.

“The menu is extensive and interesting. Entrees range from street food to finer dining so there really are options for the customer,” reviewer 4whatitsworth2day wrote for Tripadvisor.

Groucho’s Deli opened in 1941 in Columbia by Harold “Groucho” Miller, this chain now has delis peppered across South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, including the spot at 117 1/2 E. Main Street in Lexington. Groucho’s has always been known for its sandwiches, including the Apollo Dipper, a sub roll filled with hot ham, turkey and Swiss cheese melted together with your choice of sauce. Then there’s the STP Dipper, which has a special blend of roast beef, turkey and Swiss, melted with bread crumbs on a fat sub roll, also served with your choice of sauce.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A meeting concerning a possible multi-million dollar project on a part of Lake Murray got tense among community members Tuesday.

The town of Lexington held a Special Work Session to talk about the Smallwood Cove project. At least 600 people are against the development just off a popular portion of North Lake Road.

In the town of 23,000 people, some residents seemed to be against the project.

The McMeekin family wants to build on 93 acres of land off Beekeeper Court and North Lake Drive.

The Smallwood Cove project would have 1,100 homes, a convention center, two hotels and more.

At Town Hall, a room full of people wanted to know more about the 733 million dollar development plan.

However, more than 600 people signed an online petition against it.

“I put my name on the petition against it because I have not had enough information and even in the meeting tonight we still aren’t getting answers,” Barbara King, a Lexington resident said.

Right now plans are on hold. Laurin Barnes, communications manager with the town of Lexington, says they are in the early stages of what will be a multi-step project.

“We are at the point where the property owner has brought a plan to the planning commission that plan was deferred and so now they are regrouping and essentially. Have to bring it back to the planning commission and present something to them,” Barnes said.

Gianna Todd lives on Corley Mill Road.

Todd said, “I’m deeply concerned about the traffic flow because we have Ballentine in North Lexington traffic using Corley Mill Road going in coming in the morning and the evenings also Corley Mill Road is a historic road and it is not properly being preserved thus reducing the beauty and integrity of the area.”

The McMeekin family is working on a second plan that will be presented to the town’s Planning Commission.

Ultimately, Town Council members will vote for or against the project; however, there’s really no time frame for any of this.

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