The Chronicle has recently reported on increased restrictions on animal owners and breeders in Lexingotn County targeted at decreasing pet overpopulation, including a requirement that all dogs be microchipped with their owners’ information.

Pawmetto Lifeline, the no-kill shelter and animal-advocating nonprofit that operates out of a headquarters in the Harbison area, is pushing to make that microchip requirement the status quo across the Midlands, along with making sure animals are spayed/neutered.

The organization recently launched a campaign pushing area residents to call upon their local representatives to support ordinances making microchipping and spay/neuter a requirement for cats and dogs over 6 months of age throughout the Midlands.

The release notes that the area has the highest euthanasia rate in the state.

“In 2023, there is no excuse for dogs and cats to be dying in our community’s municipal shelters due to homelessness,” Deloris Mungo, founder and chair emeritus of Pawmetto Lifeline, is quoted. “We advocated for Managed Intake programs and our council members supported the implementation of this program. The purpose of Managed Intake is to help prevent our shelters from overcrowding issues. But the community plays a vital role by being a part of the solution and not viewing the municipal shelters as the ‘dumping grounds’ for unwanted pets.”

The release notes that the ordinances the group are seeking are complaint-driven, and would not put animal control officers in the position of having to go door to door to enforce them.

“If you are taking great care of your pets and other citizens have not filed a complaint against you (the caretaker,) then you have nothing to worry about,” the release states. “Pawmetto Lifeline says that personal finances should not be a concern for citizens because Pawmetto Lifeline will spay/neuter/microchip any high-risk (large breed mix dog or adult cat) that has been issued a citation. Animal Control does not seize the dog or cat. The citation is not dismissed unless there is proof of sterilization, meaning Animal Control will not drop the citation if the pet disappears or is taken to a shelter following the citation. The citation is against the pet owner

not the pet.”

The release additionally notes that spay/neuter exceptions would me made for medical reasons, AKC and UKC registered show dogs, certified service dogs, and certified hunting dogs.

Local law enforcement veterans, restaurateurs honored

Lexington County was represented in the latest classes announced for two halls of fame.

A.G. Dantzler, a past chief of the then-unified Cayce Department of Public Safety, former Lexington County Sheriff Lewis McCarty, and M. Bruce Jernigan, a former member of the West Columbia Police Department who went on to teach and serve as the Unit Chief of Forensic at the state Criminal Justice Academy, were installed alongside four others during a Nov. 15 ceremony attended by Cayce Police Chief Chris Cowan and Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon, who spoke on behalf of their departments’ representatives.

“This ceremony honors the individuals in law enforcement who have a proven record of excellence with a meritorious achievement award and recognition in the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame,” a release states, noting that a person must have served a minimum of 25 years in law enforcement to be eligible.

Meanwhile, a pair of prominent county restaurateurs were also recently honored.

Clay and Clint Hudson of Lexington’s Hudson’s Classic Catering were installed into the Columbia Restaurant Hall of Fame Nov. 20, alongside Clark Ellefson and Andy Rodgers of Columbia’s Art Bar and Scott and Lauren Goodale of Forest Acres’ Pasta Fresca.

“This prestigious award, exclusively reserved for the visionaries and culinary pioneers, represents the pinnacle of these individuals' careers within Columbia's vibrant restaurant industry,” a release states. “These remarkable individuals embody unparalleled long-term triumph in the face of the adversity and the distinctive nature of this respected profession.”

Lexington scarecrow winners announced

Winners in Lexington’s second annual scarecrow contest, wherein 38 local businesses decorated light polls downtown with fall-festive scarecrow displays, are in.

The People’s Choice Award, decided by a popular vote on Facebook, went to Michelin for the company’s “Mr. Bib Crow” entry.

Best Overall Scarecrow, decided by a panel of judges, went to Old Mill Brewpub for a pumpkin-headed brewmaster brewing pumpkin beer, while 1st Runner Up was Village Square Theatre and 2nd Runner Up was the Lexington County Blowfish. Honorable mentions went to Carolina Behavior & Beyond and Nephron Pharmaceuticals.

The contest, as it was the previous year, was put on by the town and the Lexingotn Chamber.

West Columbia installs neighborhood speed limit after resident advocacy

A uniform 25-mile-per-hour speed limit was recently implemented in a West Columbia neighborhood after advocacy from a resident pushed the city to go for it.

“To enhance safety and improve the overall quality of life for residents, the City of West Columbia worked with the South Carolina Department of Transportation to create a uniformed 25-mile-per-hour speed limit on the north side of Sunset Blvd, from N. Lucas Street to McSwain Drive,” a release states. “The initiative was originally brought to Council by a local Westover Acres/Saluda Gardens resident Rachel Campbell, who contacted SCDOT about creating the uniform speed limit. City Council unanimously passed the recommendation at the August 2023 Special Council Meeting.”

Speed limit signs were replaced throughout the area earlier this week.

“I am glad that there is now one consistent speed limit for these neighborhoods,” Mayor Tem Miles is quoted. “This will make the area safer for pedestrians and drivers.”

“A big thank you to Rachel Campbell for bringing a solution to the speeding problem in our neighborhood to council and for working with SCDOT to encourage everyone to slow down,” Sara Mattern is quoted. Mattern was recently voted in during a special election to serve City Council District 7, which covers the neighborhood.