🌱 Patch AM: Which Lexington County middle schools are leading the state in scores?

Good day Lexington! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Which Lexington County middle schools are leading the state in scores?
• When and where to give blood in Lexington County this September
• How Lexington's gifted young artists can join this elite summer program

Also on today's calendar: Afterlight.

Today's riddle: What did the wall say to the other wall. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 90 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Thursday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two, temps: high: 89, low: 71.
• Friday: Humid with heavy t-storms, with a high of 85 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. These area middle schools are among SC's top performers. Who's on the list? (thestate.com) — Middle schoolers in Lexington County made strong gains on the 2025–26 SC READY tests, with Lexington 3 and 4 posting double-digit improvements in English and big jumps in math. Several Lexington 1 middle schools, including Lakeside, Beechwood, Pleasant Hill, and Meadow Glen, ranked among the area's top performers, outpacing state averages in key subjects.
   

2. Red Cross plans Lexington County blood drives (lexingtonchronicle.com) — Lexington residents have several chances in September to donate blood locally, including a drive at Lake Murray Baptist Church on U.S. 378 and another at the Lexington County Public Library on St. Andrews Road. The Red Cross is urging donors to book appointments now to help prevent shortages, with special Hello Kitty thank-you gifts available Sept. 1–20 while supplies last.
   

3. TriDAC celebrates 40 years (lexingtonchronicle.com) — Gifted middle-grade students from Lexington School District One can audition this fall for the Tri-District Arts Consortium, which is celebrating 40 years of intensive summer arts training. The three-week camp brings together top young artists from Lexington and neighboring districts for focused instruction and public showcases, with nominations opening in October for creative writing, dance, chorus, drama, visual art, band, and orchestra.
   

4. Cayce police searching for driver after woman killed in hit-and-run (wltx.com) — Cayce police are searching for the driver who fatally struck a woman walking along Frink Street early Sunday, and they're working closely with the Lexington County Coroner's Office and state troopers. Investigators are reviewing video, collecting evidence, and urging anyone with even small bits of information to contact them to help identify the vehicle and driver.
   

📸 Around Lexington

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lexington

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday August 28
• Afterlight →
  Lexington 2 Performing Arts Center, 3205 Platt Springs Rd, West Columbia
  7:00 pm

📣 Lexington Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday August 26
• Emerging Professionals Council: August Meeting →
  Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce Upstairs Training Room Honda of Lake Murray 750 Western Lane, Irmo Seating is limited and advance registration is required.
  8:30 am
• Football @ Swansea
  Pine Ridge Middle School West Columbia, SC 29172
  6:00 pm
• Fulmer Football Game (Away) vs. Swansea
  R. H. Fulmer Middle School West Columbia, SC 29170
  6:00 pm
• C Team Football Scrimmage vs PHMS
  School District Five of Lexington and Richland Cou Irmo, SC 29063
  6:00 pm
Thursday August 27
• Rotary Club of Chapin Sunrise
  Greater Chapin Chamber of Commerce Crooked Creek Park Chapin, SC 29036
  7:30 am
• C Team Volleyball Home vs Northside Christian
  School District Five of Lexington and Richland Cou Irmo, SC 29063
  5:30 pm
• Lake Murray: Beneath the Surface →
  Lexington County Public Library, 5440 Augusta Rd, Lexington
  6:00 pm
• Council Commissioners Meeting →
  Indian Waters Council - Boy Scouts of America 715 Betsy Dr # B6, Columbia, SC 29210
  6:30 pm
Friday August 28
• Ballentine Business Breakfast
  Greater Chapin Chamber of Commerce The Heritage at Lowman
  8:00 am
• Fringe Benefits Band: FBB at LJ's →
  LJ's Par and Grill, 381 Pilgrim Church Rd, Lexington
  7:30 pm
• 10 Min Play Festival
  Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce Chapin Theatre Company, 830 Columbia Ave, Chapin, SC 29036
  7:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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• John W. Molony Law Firm, LLC — (843) 762-5732
• e-vos LLC — (843) 410-0050
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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• This is Bruno.
  He escaped under the fence on Sunday. Lexington Hills neighborhood in Redbank. Please let me know if you see him around. (Nextdoor Lexington Hills)
• Update: Pet Reunited
  Shroud, a cat who went missing in Columbia, SC, has been safely reunited with their family after 21 minutes. More details here https://www.pawboost… (Nextdoor Southwood Farms)

• The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Lot Associate in Lexington. Apply here.
• Bell American Group, LLC posted a job opening for Overnight Shift Leader in Lexington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lexington here.

Ok Lexington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Meet me at the corner. (Thank you Earlene M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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