As part of cleanup efforts in the city, West Columbia recently annexed a problem property and “worked with the owners to remove underbrush, debris, and trash,” according to a news release.

“The lot was not inside city limits and was not required to adhere to city ordinances. City staff worked with the owners to annex the property into the city, adding the benefit of city services such as police patrol for the lot,” the city’s release notes, explaining that the move was part of an ongoing blight removal problem, approved as part of the city’s budget.

“Working with property owners on the removal of blight is the City’s goal,” the release notes. “However, if property owners are unwilling to work with the city for cleanup, there are ordinances and measures in place where the city can take action, clean up the property, ticket the owner, and place a lien on the property for the cost of cleanup.”

The property at the corner of Dreher Road and Grove Street was identified as a public safety issue by the city.

“We are working hard to clean up all parts of our city. I am glad to see the mess that has been here finally cleaned up,” Mayor Tem Miles is quoted. “This clean-up will improve the quality of life for those who live around it and all those who travel by it.”

Lexington County Man Fighting Murder Charge Accused of Perjury

A former San Jose restaurant owner charged with murder is now additionally charged with perjury, according to the state Law Enforcement Divsion.

Lexington County’s Greg Leon, 49, was previously facing murder and three other charges for killing a man he thought was his wife’s lover. Leon has admitted to killing the man, Arturo Bravo Santos, 28, but says the act was in self-defense.

According to SLED, their agents charged Leon with perjury on June 29.

An arrest warrant provided by SLED states that Leon, in concert with others (including a name that is redacted) acted to “provide false testimony to aid Leon in the defense of his pending murder charge in Lexington County.”

The warrant states that the offense occurred between Dec. 3, 2019 and Feb. 7, 2022.

SLED states the the department will be prosecuted by the state Attorney General’s Office and that it was requested to investigate by the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which is prosecuting the ongoing murder case.

Gaston Man Dies in July 4 Weekend Crash on Lake Murray

A man tubing on Lake Murray died during a crash during July 4 weekend.

The crash occurred at about 2:30 p.m. July 2, killing Christopher Day, 35, of Gaston, WLTX reports, citing the Newberry Coroner’s Office and the state Department of Natural Resources.

“SCDNR and emergency personnel responded to a 911 call from Dreher Island State Park, near the town of Prosperity in Newberry County, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Saturday,” the station writes in a July 5 update. “Preliminary reports suggest that Day collided with another watercraft in the area of the state park. An autopsy is scheduled for later in the week of July 4.”

The coroner’s office and DNR continue to investigate.

Lexington County EMS to Privatize Response to Non-Emergency Calls

Lexington County EMS will soon outsource non-emergency calls to its 911 system to a private ambulance vendor, according to The Post and Courier.

“Lexington EMS’ move comes after backlash last year for its delayed response times, including in the case of a 6-year-old girl, who waited 40 minutes for an ambulance in what her family considered a life-threatening situation,” the paper’s Leah Hincks writes.

The hope is that the change will improve response times for 911 calls.

“This could remove as many as 25% of our calls, which would create an incredible capacity to put all of those resources on higher duty cases and allow us to better serve our citizens,” Lexington County EMS Chief Brian Hood is quoted.

Hincks reports that the department met with private vendors on June 24 and is accepting bids through July 11, with the new system possibly being put in place as soon as Sept. 1.

“In the past several years, Lexington County 911 call volumes have increased each year between 3 percent and 7 percent as county’s population has grown,” she writes.