Criminal Defense Lawyer in Lexington, SC

The ammunition manufacturing arm and sister company of a well-known Lexington gun maker will temporarily close down its plant in West Columbia and lay off nearly 80 workers at the end of January.

AAC Ammo, the sister company of Palmetto State Armory, said it did not have a date set for a potential reopening of its plant on Metropolitan Drive in West Columbia in a letter submitted to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) Monday.

The company, which produces weapons ammunition sold on Palmetto State Armory’s website, operates alongside the armory’s production and distribution at the facility, but are separate brands. John Roberts, an attorney for the company, told The State that workers for Palmetto State Armory would not be impacted by the closure.

The company told DEW that the closing was “due to catastrophic supply chain constraints of raw materials necessary for production.” Roberts told The State the closure was a result of a gunpowder shortage.

Palmetto State Armory expanded its operations to the West Columbia manufacturing and distribution center in early 2021 and received a number of tax incentives from Lexington County as a result, The State reported at the time. The company promised to invest $61.7 million and create at least 150 new jobs.

“We’ve seen a substantial growth in sales and a significantly large number of products moving,” both old favorites and new lines the armory is turning out, Julian Wilson, a co-owner of Palmetto State Armory and son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, told The State at the time. “These have been some busy engineers.”

The company has around five years from when it purchased the property for the project to meet those requirements, according to the tax incentive agreement with the county. If it didn’t meet those requirements, it would have to ask for an extension from the county.

Under the agreement, the company pays a reduced property tax rate of 6% instead of the normal 10% for industries. Over a 10-year period, the company would be entitled to a tax credit equivalent to 20% of its investment for the first five years and 10% for the second five years.

When asked about how, if at all, the layoffs and gunpowder shortage could impact the company’s plan to reach its requirements to keep the tax incentives, he said the company would “do whatever’s necessary to comply with the law and meet the requirements we need to.”

The gun manufacturer makes and sells a range of weapons from pistols to AR-15s across nearly a dozen retail stores in the Carolinas and Georgia, as well as direct sales online.

COLUMBIA — The Midlands has multiple dog parks and dog-friendly spaces, but usually businesses have to choose to prioritize the human or the animal. A new Lexington project aims to change that.

Macie and Milo’s Brew Pup will be the first of its kind in the Midlands, combining an off-leash dog park with a sports bar. The new concept plans to serve up a selection of beer and wine as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner at 140 Cromer Road in Lexington starting as soon as March 1.

Bar owner Brian Wiley said he was first introduced to the idea of a dog park bar when his wife Ashley Evens, a local radiologist and the co-owner of Macie and Milo’s, did her fellowship in Jacksonville, Fla. In Florida, they went to a combined bar and dog park almost every weekend — an activity they missed when they returned to Columbia.

“We can always meet up at breweries, which is great,” Wiley said, “but, you know, the dogs are always on the leash sitting underneath the table.”

Wiley decided he and his wife could change that. He left his job as a physical therapist with Prisma in February and said they’ve been on “full blast” with the project (appropriately named after the family’s two dogs) ever since.

The couple started on a business plan about 20 months ago and ended up quickly getting in contact with someone from Cohn Construction, who began work on off of Cromer Road in October.

“It was always a goal of ours to do this, but we didn't know how soon it would happen,” Wiley said.

What is a “brew pup”?

Macie and Milo’s Brew Pup is built around a 1600 square foot building which will house an indoor bar and seating for about 20 people. There will be six to eight TVs inside and multiple TVs outside to ensure there is plenty of space to watch sporting events — a priority for Wiley and Evens, who both played sports in college and want to make sure Macie and Milo’s could be considered a true sports bar.

The main bar will be surrounded by a large turf field in front of the building, perfect for lawn games and extra seating, as well as two gated areas for dogs to play: one for large dogs and one for smaller pups. The larger side will be equip with a two gate system to prevent pets from getting loose, in addition to multiple play areas like a sand pit and a gravel area full of dog toys.

Wiley said there will also be plenty of space for owners to hang out, including three framed pavilions with ceiling fans, heaters and TVs, as well as multiple canvas shades and Adirondack chairs throughout the space.

On the back side of the bar, overlooking the park, there will also be eight workstations where Wiley said visitors can connect to the internet.

“We wanted to create a space that people could come in the mornings, you know, get a craft coffee, bring your dogs, do some work,” Wiley said.

That craft coffee will be served in addition to a full food and drink menu.

The menu

Wiley said he and Evens created their own food truck for Macie and Milo’s inspired by the opportunity to serve a menu featuring healthier options and “real good quality food.”

While the food truck will technically be mobile, the bar owners plan to keep it on site all-day, serving options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wiley said the truck will serve from a menu formed by a chef from New Hampshire.

“I'm not an avocado toast person. I don't like avocados, I don't like tomatoes, I don't like onions, and I don't like dark wheat bread. But I figured, since he made it, I needed to try it, and it was probably one of the best things that I had eaten,” Wiley said. “Everything that he's cooked has just been off the wall.”

As for the drink menu, Wiley said the plan is to have 12 taps including nine beers, one red wine, a white wine and a prosecco. They will also have a variety of craft canned beers available as well as some higher end wines.

Wiley said customers can also expect food and drink deals throughout the week during one some of the bars events, which will range from weekly trivia and music bingo nights to live music performances and morning events.

“We want to just create a vibe so people can come in, have some relaxing, chill music and bring their dogs and have some mimosas and some breakfast and enjoy time with their family,” Wiley said.

The details

The bar and dog park are free to humans, but require admission for each pet, which Wiley describes as a facility fee that helps to keep the park in good condition and supports safety features like “paw” enforcement officers who will monitor dogs and stop any aggressive behavior.

One-day passes are $15 while memberships are $75 for a monthly pass or $500 for a yearly pass (which both include unlimited visits to the park). Macie and Milo’s will also offer options for visit packs that can be shared among multiple dogs and range from $70 to $250.

Wiley said the goal is to create a space that is safe, welcoming and affordable.

“We tried to think as much as we can to make it affordable — not make it an overwhelming price for people to come,” Wiley said. “I think, for the value, what you get, and what your dogs get to play in, and the facilities that we have that we're definitely on the cheaper end of facility fees.”

But Wiley said safety also comes with some limitations, including requirements for up-to-date vaccines and for dogs to be spayed or neutered if they are over 10 months.

Some rules are also required by insurance, including that more “dominant breeds” that are considered aggressive will be restricted as well as kids under the age of 13. However, for some popular weekends, Wiley said they’ve hired activity directors that will be able to help babysit and engage with younger kids on the front lawn so parents can still come and enjoy the space.

Lexington, SC – Deputies in Lexington County are warning residents today about a resurgence in phone scams after a local woman reported receiving a fraudulent call claiming she had missed jury duty.

According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, scammers are again posing as law-enforcement officials and attempting to pressure victims into making immediate payments. The department released a video Friday showing an interaction with a resident who said she was contacted by someone who claimed she faced arrest unless she paid a fine.

Deputies emphasized that no agency in South Carolina will ever demand payment over the phone, nor will officers request gift cards, prepaid cards, or bank transfers to resolve legal matters. In the video, the woman describes being caught off guard by the caller’s urgent tone before realizing the situation didn’t add up.

Investigators say these scams often spoof legitimate phone numbers, making the call appear official. The sheriff’s office is urging residents to end the call immediately, block the number, and contact law enforcement if they receive similar messages. Officials stress that ignoring the call will never put anyone at risk of arrest.

The department also encouraged families to speak with older relatives, who are frequently targeted because scammers rely on fear and confusion to coerce payments. Deputies advise residents to avoid sharing personal information over the phone and to independently verify any suspicious claims by calling the agency directly.

Anyone who believes they were targeted or lost money in a scam is asked to file a report with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department or the South Carolina Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

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LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - The Peaks of Lexington held its ribbon-cutting ceremony today, becoming the newest affordable housing community in Lexington County.

Located off Highway 1 near Lexington High School, the new development offers 78 1 to 3-bedroom units.

There are income restrictions; units are available for families earning 30% 50% and 60% of the area’s median income, which, according to the most recent census data for Lexington County, is around $75,000.

According to complex managers, rent for a one-bedroom unit is at a minimum of $424, and for a three-bedroom unit, the maximum is $1,183.

Brandon Lang is a resident of the ‘Peaks of Lexington’, he’s a dad of three who was searching for a place to call home that wouldn’t hurt his pocket book.

“It’s a super load off to not have to think, am I going to pay rent, get gas, or get food. And you can do all of those things, it’s a super stress reliever,” said Lang.

In the last four years, Lexington County’s population has grown 7% according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making developments like this vital for the community.

Sam Coats, the vice president of development for Resource Housing Group, said this is just a small piece of the puzzle in addressing affordable housing needs in Lexington and across the state.

“In Lexington County, there is incredible need for affordable housing. This project is only going to capture a small percentage of that need. This is a family Tennessee property, where children will be able to grow up in families that are trying to support their families, and also a growing life for their children are going to be able to do that here,” Coats said.

45% of renters within the county are considered house cost burdened according to the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing). That means renters pay more than 30% of their income for housing alone.

“It sets you up, not only are you getting your credit together, not only are you saving money, like saving. Even if you aren’t going to be a homeowner. You need a new car or an emergency comes up, you are in a position to take care of things,” said Lang.

The number of homes sold in South Carolina for less than $100,000 decreased by 14.8% since 2014, according to SC Housing. For someone like Lang, who is trying to save money to buy a house for his family, affordable housing communities are giving him the flexibility to make that dream a reality sooner.

“I genuinely thought I was going to pay more than what I’m paying right now. It’s amazing,” said Coats.

The new development features several amenities, including a playground, pavilion, laundry room and fitness center.

Each unit is equipped with its own washer and dryer connection and a full kitchen.

The $18 million project was paid for with low-income housing tax credits from SC Housing. Partners for the project include Monarch Capital, CAHEC and lenders ServicFirst and Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital.

The Peaks of Lexington is currently welcoming new tenants. To apply, visit the Peaks of Lexington website.

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Lexington, SC – A Sandhills Middle School cafeteria employee was taken into custody Monday afternoon after allegedly bringing a loaded firearm onto school property, prompting concerns among staff and administrators.

According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the incident unfolded after a district employee told school administrators they discovered a firearm inside one of the employee-designated bathrooms. Sheriff Jay Koon said the school resource officer was notified immediately.

The employee, identified in the arrest warrant as Andrea Brooks, 43, allegedly acknowledged leaving the firearm behind after realizing he still had it on him earlier that day. Authorities said the bathroom was locked off to students, preventing any access before deputies retrieved the weapon.

School officials placed Brooks on administrative leave following the discovery. Deputies took him into custody at the school later Monday afternoon. According to the sheriff’s department, Brooks is charged with carrying a weapon on school property and is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.

No threats were made, and no injuries were reported during the incident, Sheriff Koon said. The school district has not released additional comments but confirmed that safety protocols were followed once the firearm was reported.

Parents in Lexington County continue to express heightened concern surrounding school safety following recent regional incidents, making Monday’s arrest a topic of widespread local discussion. Officials have not indicated whether additional charges are being considered as the investigation continues.

Authorities did not release details about the type of firearm involved or how long it may have been in the school bathroom before discovery.

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