Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which Lexington County middle schools are leading the state in scores?
Make time for Afterlight on the Lexington Patch calendar
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!)
- 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
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Lexington
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Afterlight →
Lexington 2 Performing Arts Center, 3205 Platt Springs Rd, West Columbia
7:00 pm
Friday August 28
📣 Lexington Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- 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 - 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 - 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
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Lexington PatchAM possible:
- John W. Molony Law Firm, LLC — (843) 762-5732
- e-vos LLC — (843) 410-0050
- Palmetto Roofing Specialties — (888) 597-6720
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 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!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.