news19's chuck ringwalt has the story. 3 "the town prides itself on being the place where citizens want to live, work, play and learn. "many were there as the mayor steve macdougall gave lexington's state of the town address including 6 year resident paula kauffman. "this is my community. i choose to participate in my community and that's why i'm here."the mayor began his speech thanking the town staff for their efforts during the october flood. "through these efforts the town of lexington did not sustain any human casualties. mother nature dealt us a handful but with our outpouring of support from our community, we were able to provide for all of the needs we had during this most difficult time."he then focused on one particular theme... "dealing with the growth that's coming whether we like it or not."according to the mayor - since july ...70 million dollars in new construction has been approved for upgrades within the town...that's 35 percent higher than the 2014 fiscal year.and that growth has made priority. "the most anticipated project of 2016 is our continued improvements to elim

here is news 19's chuck ringwalt. >> reporter: she works in the rice creek village shopping center. >> i was surprised that it happened in this area. it is quiet. very family oriented. >> reporter: in september a police officer and a man were involved in a shooting. in december a man was shot and killed at a gas station and saturday a woman was shot in the publix parking lot. safety. that is your job as a mother. when there is an incident close nervous. >> now that we had an incident at my grocery store i will not be coming here after 8:00 p.m. for leads in the case. >> the increase in population in certain areas, if you think about it, it wasn't as big as it is now. we are seeing increase in people. and with increase comes crime increase as well. >> reporter: remember to scan the area, can v your keys in your hand, remember where you parked and if you see something suspicious let authorities know. >> you can be at the wrong place at the wrong time. you have to be aware and just try to keep yourself safe. >> reporter: chuck ringwalt, news 19 wltx. >> if you have information on any of

chuck ringwalt, news 19, in the vista. back to you. >> we will have highlights coming up tonight at 11:00 p.m. >>> the midlands housing trust fund got $10,000 from wells fargo for an affordable housing program today. sonia gutierrez looked into how the money will impact the community. >> i am really excited about it. i am glad to see the community is growing. >> reporter: she has lived in village at rivers edge for a couple years now. [ laughter ] [ indiscernible ] >> empty spaces. even though it was quiet. >> reporter: the neighborhood will soon be full of affordable housing. >> new homes and new development. and, you know, given opportunity for people to have nice homes. among those being built using loans from the midlands housing trust fund. >> in the process of getting money that we could lend to create affordable housing units out there. >> reporter: they started in 2010 and invested $640,000. >> that money has been part of financing 198 units of housing across two counties. >> the 10,000 from wells fargo will go for

chuck ringwalt... was there as washington walked out of jail after posting bond... this afternoon. he joins us now... in the studio with the latest...chuck. 3 ***take on cam*** washingtgtn wawaed out of the e richland county jail around 3:30 this afternoon...***v o***the judge granted him a 25 thousand dollar surety bond....and washington posted it a short time later.accordin g to the south carolina highway patrol, the incident occurred at about 7:45 saturday night.troopers say washington was driving along bluff road near martin luther king boulevard when he rear ended another car as it began to slow down.one of the passengers in the car.. he hit was transported to palmetto health richland with serious injuries. the other passenger in that car and washington himself were also transported to the same hospital with minor injuries.you may remember that washington was sentenced earlier this month to probabtion and a fine for not paying his taxes over a three year period.we caught up with washington as he left the man washington, anything to say about the charges brought against you. no

news19's chuck ringwalt found some folks who need the answer sooner than later.... 3 "it's more stress that i don't need (laugh)."brooke letts- diaz says she and her husband went to sivad primary care for the last five years."we liked this doctor, but the last time we saw them was in december. about a year ago, he had to go to washington state for a little while and has been doing office visits for regular patients via skype." but for the last 3 weeks...when she walks to the doors...they're locked. "i've tried this number. it just goes to an answering machine and i've left messages and we called ... the mailbox was full.brooke says this comes at a bad time too."two days ago my husband my husband ran out of his blood pressure medicine."she says they've had hard time getting prescription refills "i have lupusbroke my hip twice last year. had to have it replaced. i've have 5 surgeries in the past two years. . " "as far as our family records. i don't know how we're going to get them right now."reporterso we reached out to lesia kudelka w/ the south carolina department of labor licensing an

"the republican primary is saturday and news19 columbia chuck ringwalt news19 wltx. 3 3 for all things related to the sc primary... just head to our website... wltx dot com... and click on sc primaries:full coverage under headlines.keep in mind you can only vote in one primary. 3 3 state senators will talk about roads again today....and how to pay for repairs.the proposal getting the most attention would raise the gas three years and increase or add a number of other fees. that should bring more than 700 million dollars extra over five years ... but it only cuts income and other taxes by 400 million dollars over that period. 3 a resolution in the senate would honor the nine victims gunned down in charelston church last summer ... by declaring june 17-th as mother emanuel nine day.the resolution states the community instead "responded by an outpouring of love and unity."the house approved the resolution three weeks ago. roof's trial on state charges starts in july ... with the state seeking the death penalty. 3 3 a hearing in fairfield will continue today at the dhec headquarters over a

in gaston chuck ringwalt news 19 wltx 3 rhodes' sons and brothers say they have forgiven mr. derious sutton... the drunk driver who hit and killed her. 3 3 it has been a chilly day across the midands and we have some precipitation too. some reports of a little sleet falling across the area and that could be the case right now too.temperatures at the surface are well above temperatures across the midlands.for tonight, rain - maybe mixed with a some sleet and 3 a few snowflakes especially from columbia and south and east, this is something we'll watch tonight.early tomorrow there will be a small chance of lingering shower maybe afternoon and mostly clear tomorrow night. we'll take a closer look at the forecast coming up in just a few minutes. mary. recovering from broken bones... and the baby's parents are in jail... because investigators believe they are responsible for the injuries. 22-year-old... justin little... and 20-year-old... alicia anderson... are charged with unlawful conduct toward a child.sumter police say the d-s-s was called in earlier this week... when the child

you can eat and enjoy without having to travel an sumter chuck ringwalt news19 wltx. 3 3 davis said the thing he hears end grocery store like publix. 3 3 the usc men's basketball team will be at home tonight looking for a win against tennesee. the gamecocks are fresh off an overtime victory over florida last saturday, and sit in second place in the sec standings entering today's matchup.tip off for the game is set for 9pm at the colonial life arena. 3 palmetto health is discussing ways to stay young this afternoon. at noon, they will host a seminar that focuses on how nutrition changes as we age.other topics include what exercise you body needs and the effects that stress has on aging.dr. tobin moss will lead the seminar...it's all happening at palmetto health baptist on sumter street 3 today is the last day in columbia to get your dresses in for the cinderella project. its a program that provides gently used dresses for high school girls to wear to the prom.you can make a donation at more than a dozen locations including the news until march 9-th to donate in orangeburg.we have the ful

but today, as noon -- as news 19's chuck ringwalt reports, there is something new. >> reporter: it is not what most people would think an inmate at a high-security prison would be doing on a weekend. but today, 35 inmates were making music. one of those inmates was donald, and although we were asked to hide his face, donald did tell us what it was like. >> i leave prison. this is like i'm on a short vacation. >> reporter: inmates were able to participate in a weeklong program, writing original music and learning how to perform that music with nonprofit ensemble, dakota. something that director of south carolina department of corrections, brainstorming, the making. >> it gives the offender something to do in a week, and makes her institution safer. >> reporter: director of dakota, claire bryant, said she home. crew of never knowing what there was a maximum-security prison down the road. being from south carolina, i wanted to bring creative work, musical work and community back to my home state. it started with a lyrical poem, and then together in groups, we created new songs together.

are highly monitored and restricted, but as news19's chuck ringwalt reports... some of those prisoners showcased their musical talents. 3 "it's just a beautiful experience. you find yourself coming out of a shell."this is not most people would think an inmate at a high security prison would be doing on a weekend...but today....35 inmates...were making music... one of those inmates was donald.and although we were asked to hide his face...donald did tell us what it was like. "i just leave prison. this is like i'm on a short vacation."inmates were able to participate in the week long program...writing original music and learning how to perform that music with non-profit ensemble decoda - something that director of corrections bryan sterling says has been three years in the making."it gives the offenders something to do for the week. it gives them somehting to look forward to and i believe it makes our institutions safer."and the director of decoda - claire bryant - says she realized the need while at home."i'm from camden and i grew up never knowing that there was

lexington mayor steve macdougall gave the state of the town address.the main focus - growth.news19's chuck ringwalt has the story. 3 "the town prides itself on being the place where citizens want to live, work, play and learn. "many were there as the mayor steve macdougall gave lexington's state of the town address including 6 year resident paula kauffman. "this is my community. i choose to participate in my community and that's why i'm here."the mayor began his speech thanking the town staff for their efforts during the october flood. "through these efforts the town of lexington did not sustain any human casualties. mother nature dealt us a handful but with our outpouring of support from our community, we were able to provide for all of the needs we had during this most difficult time."he then focused on one particular theme... "dealing with the growth that's coming whether we like it or not."according to the mayor - since july ...70 million dollars in new construction has been approved for upgrades within the town...that's 35 percent higher than the 2014 fiscal year.and that growth has made traff

. >>> chuck ringwalt gives us a first look at it. >> reporter: there signs no one said -- wants to see. douglas bell is one of the many now frustrated drivers are used to drive across this bridge. it hasn't happened since the plight. >> stay right there. just to go right there. at the church in hopkins tuesday night. they sat down with leaders asking for an update. that's where we found this person. >> you used to be able to get somewhere in 15 minutes and now it's taking about an one hour. >> the presentation lasted about one hour. they answered questions. >> we needed to meet with the community and let them know how we are responding to what is left to do and give them a timeframe. >> reporter: the project is 31% complete and expected to be finished by april. funded by the federal highway emergency relief program. >> we heard days before but now i feel more comfortable with what is happening. >> reporter: although you may not have to use the tours, done with 49 closures still remaining. >>> if there is a road that you are concerned about, you can call the transportation department at

news19's chuck ringwalt was there in chapin when the governor endorsed florida senator maro rubio. 3 "it was just a few short hours ago here in chapin where a couple hundred people came out for senator marco rubio's campaign rally. now the night started off with an introduction from former gamecock quarterback connor shaw, but what most people were here to see tonight was the endorsement from governor nikki haley." "ladies and gentlemen, if we elect marco rubio, every day will be a great day in america. "began her speech reasons why president who have the backs of our military veterans and those in active duty."brittany franceschina is one of the many who attended the rally. "i would say i'm undecided right now, but i'm leaning toward rubio. this is the third time i've heard him speak."an even though rubio now has the endorsment... franceschina says she's still not sure if it will be enough for rubio to take the palmetto state. "i think it's going to be really close on satuday." the governor had the final word of the night...taking the microphone from rubio...and emphasizing south ca

i'm chuck ringwalt. back to you. >> thank you, chuck. >>> if you need a seasonal job, there's a job fair today. started at nine and goes until two. if you're interested in the job with the fire flies, going to bo in the meeting room on the first floor. and another one at 5-7 from the metropolitan center. and invited to come pray with pastors and community leaders for the city of columbia. the seating is a first come, first f served basis. >>> almost a perfect time to take a dip in lake murray. despite the cold, everyone will be out there. fire and law enforcement will be raising money for the special olympics. registration is at ten at the lake murray area. followed by a costume contest at 11 and the plunge at noon. i'm sorry. taking place today. everyone is welcome. plungers are asked to raise 50 $50. >>> usc men are gearing up for kentucky today. the 8th sellout in the arena for men's basketball. tipoff hat @ noon. >>> and the women are getting ready for a tough road game. taking on tennessee on monday.