Wedding & Event Venue Near Lexington, SC.

The Mega Millions grand prize continues to rise, but someone who recently bought a ticket at a grocery store in South Carolina nearly captured a nine-figure jackpot.

A ticket purchased at a Publix grocery store in Lexington before last Friday’s drawing was one number shy of winning the game’s grand prize, South Carolina Education Lottery officials said Monday in a news release.

For coming so close, the ticket buyer will receive a $20,000 payday, according to the release.

Now the search is underway for the winner.

What turned out to be the five-figure winning ticket was sold at the Publix supermarket at 5441 Platt Springs Road, officials said. That’s near the intersection with South Lake Drive.

The winning numbers from the April 12 Mega Millions drawing were 1, 12, 14, 18, 66 and Megaball: 16.

The winning ticket matched four white ball numbers and the gold Megaball number, lottery officials said. Because “2” was the Megaplier number that was drawn, the prize was doubled for the $20,000 jackpot.

The odds of matching four white balls and the gold Megaball are 1-in-931,001, according to the release.

The winner has 180 days to claim the prize, according to lottery officials.

The winner will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.

“Sign the back of your ticket and put it in a safe location until you’re ready to come forward to claim the prize,” lottery officials said.

For complete information on claiming prizes, go to sceducationlottery.com.

The Publix on Platt Springs Road in Lexington will receive a commission for selling the winning ticket, when it is turned into lottery officials.

Another $20,000 winning ticket from last Friday’s Mega Millions drawing was sold in Chesnee, according to the release. The game purchased at the Corner Stop on Hampton Street also matched four white ball numbers and the gold Megaball number, lottery officials said.

In addition to the pair of $20,000 winning games, more than 8,000 other players in South Carolina won prizes in the April 12 drawing, according to the release.

Because there was no grand prize winner last week, the jackpot for Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing has risen to $148 million.

Tickets are $2, and could cost more with additional options.

The odds of winning Mega Million’s grand prize are 1-in-302,575,350.

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

A Midlands woman turned a nice lottery prize into a much larger jackpot.

The woman won $100 on a scratch-off ticket, but didn’t stop there, South Carolina Education Lottery officials said in a news release.

She spent $20 of her winnings on two lottery tickets, won her money back and then bought two more tickets that caught her eye, according to the release.

The $300,000 grand prize from one of those $10 scratch-off games that she bought at a convenience store in Lexington County definitely caught her eye, lottery officials said.

“I went out to my car to scratch them,” she said in the release. “And I was surprised.”

A few minutes later she ran back inside the Pantry store on Columbia Avenue in Batesburg to check a Max Money scratch-off game with the store’s ticket checker, officials said. When the clerk asked how much she won, she told him, “You can’t pay me,” according to the release.

The store is less than a mile from Shealy’s Bar-B-Que restaurant, where $300,000 could buy a lot of buffet meals.

The woman didn’t say how she plans to spend her newfound windfall, saying only she’s saving most of the $300,000 win for retirement, according to the release.

The winner will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.

The odds of winning the $300,000 top prize in the Max Money game were 1-in-936,000, according to the release. The woman won the game’s last top prize-winning ticket and Max Money is no longer available, officials said.

The Pantry store received a commission of $3,000 for selling the claimed ticket, according to the release.

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

Potential property damage and miscommunication are just some of the fears residents say they're having.

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LEXINGTON, S.C. — For many residents in Lexington, the last week has been more confusing than helpful after a surprise announcement that fiber optic installation would be happening in their yards.

Julia Head says she's had a stressful week after the announcement of a planned fiber optic installation in her Lexington neighborhood. Just a week ago, she found a yellow door hanger letting her know Ripple Fiber Optics would begin installing cable in her area.

"People have things like sprinkler systems in their yards, invisible fences. I think the majority of the concern is from neighbors not feeling like we were adequately prepared," Head explains," "You would think for such a large scale project like this, we would've known months in advance. It almost seems like some things are trying to fly under the radar."

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Her fears were felt by other neighbors we spoke to on Wednesday, so we began looking for answers. The Town of Lexington posted information on Facebook saying the company will be installing fiber optics to 19 different neighborhoods in town, utilizing the right-of-way.

To town administrator Rachelle Gleaton, the company has all the legal permits and permission to start work but did not give the town a timeline for the project.

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"We first heard from them about a week ago, and we heard from them at about the same time that they showed up and started installing the fiber in the right of way." She adds, "A variety of staff across multiple departments have been in touch with the company trying to understand their plans, how long they're going to be on the ground, etc. Like I said, just yesterday I had a phone call their government affairs manager, to better understand the project, that way I could educate our council people, that we could educate our residents."

We reached out to Ripple who sent us a statement that reads, "Ripple Fiber has been made aware of the concerns from residents regarding the current project in the town of Lexington. We have obtained local permits as required and are actively working with town administration to address issues related to resident notification. Ripple Fiber takes the concerns of the community seriously and strives for transparency and minimal disruption throughout the construction process as we invest to bring world-class internet to the residents of Lexington."

Head tells us she'll be following the developments closely and paying close attention once construction crews make it to her home.

"I welcome new business here, I want a competitive market, but I just want them to do it the right way," she says.

The Town of Lexington says if you still have concerns, you should reach out to Ripple directly. their contact page can be found here.

Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies in Lexington, S.C.

We recommend American National, USAA, Geico, Auto-Owners Insurance and State Farm as the best auto insurance options in Lexington. They not only provide car insurance coverage that is better than the average minimum- and full-coverage rates, but they also have great customer service and high-quality policies.

Keep reading: Cheap Car Insurance

Unless stated otherwise, the following cost tables show average rates for the driving profile of a 35-year-old married driver with good credit and a clean driving history.

How Much Is Car Insurance in Lexington, S.C.?

Our data shows that the average cost of car insurance for minimum-coverage insurance in Lexington is $58 per month or $695 per year. This is about 11% more than the national average of $52 per month or $625 per year. Similarly, full-coverage insurance costs $146 per month or $1,753 per year on average, which is about 13% less expensive than the national average of $167 per month or $2,008 per year for full coverage.

American National offers the cheapest liability insurance with average rates of $19 per month or $229 per year. USAA is the second-cheapest option in Lexington with average rates of $40 per month or $476 per year.

Liability coverage is the minimum coverage required by the state of South Carolina. According to South Carolina law, all drivers must either meet or exceed the following minimum coverage limits:

Lexington Car Insurance Quotes by Driver Profile

Rates are impacted by many parts of a Lexington driver’s profile, from their ZIP code, to their age to their history of accidents and traffic violations. Some companies are cheaper for drivers with DUIs, while others are more cost-effective choices for teenagers who’ve just gotten their drivers’ licenses.

That’s why some drivers may find cheaper rates than you at the same company, and vice versa. This section will look at the average auto insurance expenses for different driving profiles in Lexington.

Drivers in their teens and early 20s have less experience driving and are more likely to get involved with traffic incidents, so auto insurers offset risk by charging higher premiums. Our data shows 16-year-olds pay about $225 per month or $2,694 per year for car insurance in Lexington.

Luckily, the average cost of car insurance declines as a driver gets older, rising again when drivers enter their late 50s. The table below shows the average minimum cost of car insurance for people of different age groups in Lexington.

Car insurance for teens is expensive, but some insurance providers tend to be more affordable than others. Our data shows American National is the cheapest car insurance company for teen drivers with minimum-coverage rates as low as $136 per month or $1,632 per year. Geico, Auto-Owners Insurance and Allstate also offer affordable premiums for Lexington teens.

In South Carolina and most other states, auto insurance companies are authorized to use a driver’s credit scores as a way of deciding their premium. If you’re a Lexington driver with a lower credit score, you’ll likely be charged a higher premium than drivers with better scores, who will pay way less.

Our rate data shows USAA is the cheapest option for car insurance for bad credit in Lexington. The company offers minimum-coverage policies to drivers with poor credit for rates of $59 per month or $704 per year. This is 3% more than the overall state average for minimum coverage for good credit.

Drivers who’ve violated traffic laws or caused car accidents can expect a spiked increase in car insurance costs. Some infractions include speeding, running a stop sign or driving under the influence (DUI). On average, speeding can increase your rates by 36%, an at-fault accident by 39% and a DUI by 58%.

The amount by which that prices go up on average changes depending on the company. Our research shows that American National is the top company to find the most competitive coverage with if you have any driving record violations. The table below shows average rates by company for drivers who have either a speeding ticket, accident or DUI on their record.

Keep reading: Insurance rates for high-risk drivers

According to our data, American National offers the cheapest auto insurance rates to drivers who have a speeding ticket on their records — $26 per month or $314 per year. Geico follows close behind with an average monthly rate of $42, while USAA, State Farm and Southern Farm Bureau round out the top five options for cheap speeding ticket car insurance in Lexington.

If you have caused an accident in the past while driving, your rates might go up more than if you had received a ticket for speeding. American National and State Farm are the cheapest options here with average rates of about $27 per month and $57 per month, respectively. You can see some auto insurance companies charge significantly more for this amount for coverage after an accident.

Having a DUI is a major violation that can result in an increase of your car insurance rates in Lexington by hundreds of dollars annually. American National is very cheap compared to other companies — offering average rates of $30 per month or $363 per year for drivers with a DUI. State Farm, Southern Farm Bureau and USAA are also good options with rates under $70 per month on average.

Cheap Car Insurance in Lexington, S.C.: The Bottom Line

Even though auto insurance rates in Lexington, S.C., are higher compared to the averages for the state and the country as a whole, there are still options for cheap coverage. American National provides the cheapest minimum coverage in the city for roughly $19 per month, while USAA offers affordable rates to Lexington drivers at $63 per month.

Compare free quotes to find the company that meets your South Carolina car insurance needs at the best rate. You can compare insurance products and get auto insurance quotes online or from insurance agents.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the cheapest auto insurance in Lexington, S.C.:

*Cost data comes from Quadrant Information Services and is accurate at time of publication.

A new 101-room hotel proposed for downtown Lexington has cleared a potential hurdle and is back on track to transform a vacant lot along the heart of Main Street.

The four-story, 61,000-square-foot Courtyard by Marriott to be built at 116 E. Main St., between the costume shop Wretched Collections and Bodhi Thai Dining, was approved Tuesday, March 12, by the town’s Board of Appearance following a denial the first time the board considered the project in January.

The hotel, which will also bring a bistro and bar that will sit right along the increasingly bustling dining and nightlife corridor, comes via local hotel developer Lexington Hospitality. The company already manages a Quality Inn and Suites and a Holiday Inn Express & Suites a couple blocks up West Main Street. It also maintains the Aloft and Holiday Inn in downtown Columbia.

There had been rumblings of a hotel coming to the lone vacant lot along downtown Lexington’s core block for years, and with its initial denial, the Board of Appearance put the future of the project into doubt.

Though the approval is a big win for the hotel, there are still more steps before it can become a reality.

“Just recently it has entered the appearance approval stages before plans and land disturbance permits are submitted,” Laurin Barnes, the town’s communications manager, said of the hotel and where it stands. “This is an early stage in the development process. The developers want to know if the town will approve the look of the building.”

The Board of Appearance must sign off on the look and size of new buildings, considering town code and how new structures will fit in with existing buildings. It denied the hotel proposal the first time around, emphasizing that the look of the building needed to better fit Main Street and expressing concern that the building as first proposed would dominate its neighbors — none of the existing buildings along the 100 block rise above two stories.

“We made quite a lot of changes,” Craig Otto, the project’s lead architect, said when addressing the board March 12.

The size of the building and the number of rooms didn’t change in the new proposal, but the look of the hotel was changed dramatically, with much darker stone on the outside and gas lanterns on the Main Street entrance to the bistro, which Otto noted is only one story and is shorter than the buildings around it. There will be a terrace above the restaurant, with a cover jutting out from the four-story portion of the building, to be set back from Main Street, and a steel or aluminum trellis covering a patio adjoining the restaurant.

The hotel, which won’t exceed the height allowed in downtown, will sit beside a new surface parking lot, which will also touch the sidewalk, with a covered main hotel entrance off to the side. When asked, Otto said they would happily comply with the town’s desire to see its aesthetic for street lighting downtown replicated with the lighting for the parking lot.

Otto also said there will be a small meeting pace in the hotel, large enough for about 40-50 people, which will be made available for the public to rent out.

While one resident spoke up during public comment to question whether the updates to the building would keep it from dominating its neighbors, a variety of local business owners, including several of those neighbors, voiced their support, as did a former Lexington mayor and the heads of both the Lexington and Greater Columbia chambers of commerce.

Matt O’Hara — co-owner and general manager of two businesses on the block, O’Hara’s Public House and the O’Hara’s Bakery Cafe — emphasized that his business chose to take over that cafe spot in large part because it would be right across the street from the hotel they heard was coming.

“The promise of that many people each night on Main Street is very exciting from our perspective,” he said.

Randy Halfacre, who previously served the town as mayor and the head of the Lexington Chamber, called the project “the missing link” to the hopes the municipality has had for its downtown.

“This is kind of the the anchor to downtown, to almost complete what we envisioned many years ago as the Town of Lexington Vision Plan,” he said. “I see no reason why you should not approve.”

Raj Champaneri, principal and owner of Lexington Hospitality, gave an opening statement, emphasizing his company’s roughly 30 years in Lexington and their success with hotels in the area.

“Over the years we’ve been approached by business leaders, community leaders and the town of Lexington to develop a hotel that will be able to cater food, beverage and meeting space,” he said. “The property has been vacant for about 15 years now. I think it’s time that we see some development. We’re very encouraged with what direction we’re going in with. Once the property is developed, we feel very confident that it’ll enhance the beauty of downtown Lexington.”