It’s now easier for food trucks to operate in Lexington.

At its regular Nov. 7 meeting, Town Council unanimously approved final reading on loosened food truck restrictions. The changes expand the number of food vendors allowed on a property, which was previously capped at between one and four per year depending on the size of the property.

The changes will allow business/property owners to apply for an annual permit, which will allow any food truck to operate on that property, as long as the property owner receives consent from any restaurant within 200 feet.

The council has emphasized that each truck must have a business license and pay hospitality tax to the town. – Kailee Kokes

Scarecrow Contest Winners Revealed

Winners in the inaugural Scarecrow Contest put on by the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center and the Town of Lexington have been announced.

The scarecrows on streetlights were sponsored and cooked up by local businesses and lined West Main Street and surrounding streets downtown Oct. 11-31.

Sorinex Exercise Equipment won first place (as voted by the contest judges) and People’s Choice.

Splash Omnimedia won first runner-up, and Lexington Medical Center won second runner-up. — Jordan Lawrence

Grants Awarded to Sheriff’s Department, Schools

The past week brought announcements of some large grants awarded to local groups:

“The South Carolina Department on Aging announced the Lexington

County Sheriff’s Department is the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Resource

Coordination Center (ARCC) to expand their Project Life Saver Program for persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. The grant was awarded this fall,” according to a press release.

“The Lexington One Educational Foundation recently awarded a $4,500 Grant to the Lexington County School District One Special Services Department. This award will provide funds for the renovation of The Early Childhood Developmental Screening Center, which supports preschoolers and their parents. More specifically, the grant will fund the purchase of a sensory wall and a reading tree and bench for the center as this area is being renovated, due to its recent move to the North Lake Community Learning Center,” according to a press release.

“The Lexington County School District One Educational Foundation recently awarded $10,000 in Michelin VEX Robotics Grants to Lexington District One middle and high school VEX Robotics team. These grants are a result of a $30,000 commitment from Michelin North America, Inc., to support robotics and computer science education in the district,” according to a press release. — Jordan Lawrence