Orangeburg schools open for business

School. (Photo credit: zoovroo)

August 20th 2012 was the first day of school for Orangeburg school district five and elsewhere and many parents were probably doing a happy dance over the occasion. This year there will no doubt be many new faces via employees/staff and students attending, if you have any questions, are new to the area and are looking for registration information you are urged to contact the schools.

If you are interested in the 2012-2013 School Calendar you may find it here:
Orangeburg Wilkinson School Calendar for 2012-2013

Lexington SC: Online meeting results in arrest of a chat room predator

Dateline NBC (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tuesday, July 31: A Lexington man aged 22 was arrested for being caught having sex with a 14 year old female. Where did they meet? Internet chat room. Officers arrested 22-year-old Derrick Bryant Amann on the charge of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child who was between the ages of 11 and 14.

Fortunately for this girl they were caught. There is no guarantee that this child might not have ended up on a milk carton before the end of the date. Parents, check on your teen often when they are online. It may get you a few eye rolls and sighs..but teens have to be warned of the dangers of meeting strangers, online.

Talk to your teen often. Set limits, ask questions and share current stories of teens that become abducted by internet predators. Dateline's To Catch a Predator is a great show to watch with your teenagers because it highlights just how many predators there are, and how often they will show up at your door.

Three test positive for West Nile virus in the Midlands

English: Electron microscopy of West Nile virus, taken from lab, rights retained to displayed author. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to reports from the  S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control there are three cases of positive test results for the West Nile virus in Lexington, Orangeburg and Richland county.
The West Nile virus is transmitted via mosquitoes and can cause flu like symptoms. The three new cases are males and in their middle ages. The West Nile virus has been around for the past ten years and less than one percent of those infected develop life threatening issues involving inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
To reduce your chances of getting the West Nile virus, it is suggested that you use insect repellant specifically formulated for repelling mosquitoes. It is also recommended that your yard be treated if you live near standing or stagnant water. Always drain areas that have standing water around your home as well as these areas are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes to lay eggs.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/07/30/2375663/three-people-in-midlands-have.html#.UBb-l6PjLEM#storylink=cpy

South Carolina experiencing beautiful weather

Dogwood blossoms (Photo credit: Dawn Gagnon)

It's June 16th and the weather is mild and breezy. South Carolina is experiencing Spring like weather and temperatures have been uncharacteristically cooler than average for mid June for many especially those living in the central and lower parts of the state. In fact, the water hasn't even been warm enough in most pools to go swimming, save for a few days of warm weather.
It begs the question what sort  of weather lies ahead for us in South Carolina? When will the hot temps really kick in? Oh well we can enjoy this lovely weather for now. Happy Father's Day to all Dads out there.

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Huge snake in Columbia SC has father and son unnerved

Amelanotic and normal colored Python melurus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)As the weather in South Carolina warms up there's a lot of creepy crawly things that are coming out of their hiding places. In Columbia, a large 15 to 20 foot snake is prowling in the back yard of Andrew Philson's Devereaux St. home, which is near Kilbourne St and N. Beltline Blvd. Philson shares the residence with his three year old son and when he was alerted to the presence of the snake by a neighborhood, grabbed his camera and took a few pictures.  Currently the snake remains at large. Literally.

Orangeburg Wilkinson High School burglarized over weekend

Map of South Carolina highlighting Orangeburg County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Orangeburg, SC : Details are still sketchy but all high school students attending Orangeburg Wilkinson High School were sent home early Monday morning because the school was robbed of various necessary equipment needed to function during school operations. Reports indicate that radios were taken, computers, etc. were some of the items missing from the school. More details as they emerge.

Upcoming 2012 events in Orangeburg SC

Map of South Carolina highlighting Orangeburg County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Orangeburg, SC Calendar of Upcoming Events- clickable links:

4/27/2012    Orangeburg County First Steps - 4th Annual Education Extravaganza
5/3/2012      Orangeburg Festival of Roses
5/8/2012      OCtech Foundation Flower Show
5/9/2012      OCtech Foundation Spring Brunch & Home Garden Symposium
5/14/2012    Girls' Night Out
5/16/2012    SPCA Jazz Luncheon Fundraiser - sponsored by the Cool Cat Cafe
7/4/2012      Independence Day Program 4th of July
9/15/2012    Safe Kids Super Saturday
10/12/2012  The Sepia Fashion Revue
10/14/2012  Taste of Orangeburg