Hartwell Lake to Host B.A.S.S. Nation Championship

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials announced Wednesday that the B.A.S.S. Nation, the popular grassroots organization with affiliated clubs in 47 states and 10 nations worldwide, will once again hold three regional events and a year-end championship in 2019, including the championship in Anderson County at Green Pond Landing.

The Nation will visit Alabama’s Lake Guntersville for the Central Regional on April 17-19, California’s Lake Shasta for the Western Regional on May 8-10 and Sebago Lake in Maine for the Eastern Regional on Sept. 11-13.

The season will then culminate with the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, which will be held on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell at a date to be determined — most likely in October.

The event will be hosted by Visit Anderson. 

“Our team at Anderson county could not be more excited about hosting the 2019 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship again at Green Pond Landing and Lake Hartwell,” said Neil Paul, executive director of Visit Anderson. “Our community enjoys a tremendous amount of success whenever we’re hosting the great folks at B.A.S.S. We owe a great deal of credit to B.A.S.S. for their part in helping to make Lake Hartwell a championship fishery and Green Pond Landing one of the top facilities in the nation.

“We look forward to welcoming the anglers, their families and the entire B.A.S.S. Nation in 2019.”

“We’re excited to have a schedule that includes well-known bass-fishing havens like Lake Guntersville, Lake Shasta and Lake Hartwell,” said B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart. “Obviously, the tradition that B.A.S.S. has with those three lakes speaks for itself."  

Unlike 2018, when the site of the Nation Championship was announced well after the regional lineup, Lake Hartwell has already been identified as the site of the 2019 year-end event. The 56,000-acre fishery on the Georgia/South Carolina border has hosted three Bassmaster Classics, including the 2018 event that drew a record total attendance of 143,323. 

The event will be hosted by Visit Anderson.

Danny Ford to Speak at Anderson TD Club Friday

Legendary Clemson Football Coach Danny Ford, head football coach of the first Clemson National Championship in 1981, the year that the Anderson Touchdown Club was formed, will be the featured speaker at Friday's Anderson Touchdown Club. 

Players and a coach will be also honored on Friday from their play from the previous Friday night games.

The meal lines opens at 11:30 am with the program beginning at 12:10 pm. Visitors are welcome.  Meal cost for members is $10 and $15 for visitors. 

For further information about the Club or to join, call Bill Brissey at 864/226-7380 or Nancy at 864/616-6471.

Storm Causing Power Outages Across the State

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Wind gusts from Tropical Storm Michael have already begun to cause power outages throughout the state, and especially in theLowcountry. 

In the Anderson, Duke Energy is reporting nearly 500 outages. Other nearby counties are also reporting outages. Abbeville has 10, Greenville 729, Greenwood 123, Laurens 2, Oconee 1, Pickens 1,307 and Spartanburg 2,996.

The hardest-hit county in the Lowcountry was Charleston County, which reported a total of 10,205 outages. Beaufort County was experiencing 8,376 outages. Berkeley County had 1,961 without power while Dorchester showed, 2,320. A total of 1,374 in Colleton County, 594 in Georgetown County and 462 in Williamsburg County were also reported.

Some traffic lights were also reported out in Mount Pleasant and West Ashley.

The National Weather Service measured strong wind gusts Thursday morning with winds reaching 51 mph at Fort Sumter, 49 mph at Folly Beach, and 47 mph at Sullivan’s Island.

SCDOT provides an updated road closure list here and the Charleston police department keeps an updated list here.

Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday as one of the strongest storms to hit the U.S., killing at least two people and destroying beach towns.

The Weather Channel reported that winds of up to 155 mph hit the small coastal town of Mexico Beach, Florida, on Wednesday around noon, and began tearing buildings apart, uprooting trees and downing power lines.

More than 331,000 homes and businesses lost power in Florida, while more than 375,000 people have been ordered to evacuate. Many of those were given "last chance" warnings on Tuesday evening, with officials urging people not to ignore the orders.

Study: Bees Stop Buzzing During Eclipse

During the spectacular event of a total solar eclipse, humans emerge blinking from their dens to enjoy the awe-inspiring show. But what of the bees? According to new research, they stop flying and go completely silent.

Over the years, scientists have jumped at every opportunity to study animal behaviour during solar eclipses. We know that birds and diurnal reef fish bed down (while nocturnal fish start to emerge), orb-weaving spiders take down their webs, chimps gather to take a look, and cows carry on grazing like normal.

But not much has been done to observe how bees behave. So researchers from the University of Missouri decided to take advantage of citizen science and the 21 August 2017 total solar eclipse that swept across America.

Over 400 scientists, citizen scientists, and school students set up 16 acoustic monitoring stations in the path of totality, in Oregon, Idaho, and Missouri, to listen for and record any bee buzzing.

The system, which had been recently field-tested by University of Missouri biologist Candace Galen to record pollination activity through listening for bee sounds, consisted of small USB microphones.

These were hung in areas away from human foot traffic, with high levels of bee pollination activity, along with light and temperature sensors in some of the locations.

"It seemed like the perfect fit," Galen said. "The tiny microphones and temperature sensors could be placed near flowers hours before the eclipse, leaving us free to put on our fancy glasses and enjoy the show."

When the show was over, the devices were returned to Galen's lab, where the buzz data gathered was matched up to the time of the eclipse. Although there was no way to tell which species of bees were buzzing, the most common in the areas were bumblebees (genus Bombus) or honey bees (Apis mellifera).

"We anticipated, based on the smattering of reports in the literature, that bee activity would drop as light dimmed during the eclipse and would reach a minimum at totality," Galen said.

"But we had not expected that the change would be so abrupt, that bees would continue flying up until totality and only then stop, completely. It was like 'lights out' at summer camp! That surprised us."

Across all 16 locations, just one single, lonely bee buzz was recorded during the eclipse's totality.

But what they heard just before and after totality, during the time when the Moon was gradually dimming the sunlight, was pretty interesting too. The bees flew for longer - which Galen interpreted as a slower flight speed.

It's a likely explanation, since bees tend to fly more slowly at dusk as they're returning to their hive. And, like birds and fish, there are other animals that seem to interpret the sudden darkness of an eclipse as the end of the day.

But the study also tells us something new about the way bees operate.

"The eclipse gave us an opportunity to ask whether the novel environmental context - mid-day, open skies - would alter the bees' behavioural response to dim light and darkness," Galen said.

"As we found, complete darkness elicits the same behaviour in bees, regardless of timing or context. And that's new information about bee cognition."

School District Five to Hold eLearning Day Due to Weather

After conversations with local emergency management officials, Anderson School District Five is observing their first eLearning Day on Thursday. The decision was made after the forecast of potentially of severe/inclement weather. All after-school activities have been cancelled.

Anderson County's Emergency Management Team is also on alert in case the weather creates problems in our area.A partial activation of the Emergency Operations Center will begin at 10 p.m. tonight and remain in effect for the duration of the storm. A partial-staffing activation brings together various FEMA-designated Emergency Support Functions necessary to coordinate response and recovery efforts across the County on an as-needed basis. The Emergency Management Division’s website is operating in Emergency mode, which means that information specific to an imminent emergency or threat are prominently displayed. This web page (emd.andersonsheriff.org) provides links to verified sources of information and resources to assist residents with making appropriate life-safety decisions. The web page will remain in Emergency mode for the duration of this incident.

Earlier this year, the school district was chosen as the first eLearning program site in South Carolina, a program aimed at continuing classroom instruction on days when inclimate weather, power outages or other factors prevent the district from holding a traditional school day. 

Ricky Skaggs to Perform Anderson Bluegrass Festival

Many of the best-known names in bluegrass will be on the stage at the civic center Oct. 25-27 forthe Anderson County Bluegrass Festival.

Performers scheduled for the event include: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder; Gene Watson, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Dailey & Vincent, Carolina Blue; The Gibson Brothers; Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys; Little Roy and Lizzie Show; Flat Lonesome; and many more of today's top bluegrass acts including the excellent local band, Tugalo Holler.

Tickets are $45 for VIP day pass, $40 general admission day pass. Three-day passes are $95 for VIP and $90 general admission adult. One-day children passes (ages 7-15) are $25 VIP and $20 general admission. Three-day VIP children passes are $50, and $40 for general admission. Children under seven are admitted free with paying adult. To order tickets, visit adamsbluegrass.com

For more information, visit here.

Camping is available (with no hook ups) at campsites, along with many hotel discounts in Anderson. For tickets and camping, please call 877-282-4650. 

No video or audio recording, no smoking, no pets and no alcohol allowed at this family event.  

For more information, visit here.

Camping is available (with no hook ups) at campsites, along with many hotel discounts in Anderson. For tickets and camping, please call 877-282-4650. 

No video or audio recording, no smoking, no pets and no alcohol allowed at this family event.  

Multiple New S.C. Moped Laws Go into Effect Nov. 19

South Carolina is making some sweeping changes to Moped Laws beginning Nov. 19. Here’s what you need to know about the changing laws as a moped owner:   - The state’s “motor vehicle” definition no longer excludes mopeds. - Mopeds do not have motors exceeding 50cc or 750-1500 watts. - Operators must possess a valid driver’s license/moped operator’s license (MOL) and registration at all times. A MOL is for those who 15-16 years old, who can only drive during daytime hours. If accompanied by a 21-year-old in viewing area, they can drive during the nighttime. A 16-year-old with a MOL can drive alone any time. - Through registration, a proper “MOPED” plate will be provided. This must be displayed. - Moped operators are required to drive in the farthest right lane, unless making a left turn. - All moped operators under 21 years of age must wear helmets. - It’s unlawful to drive mopeds more than 35 miles-per-hour. - It’s unlawful to drive mopeds on roads with speed limits greater than 55 miles-per-hour. - Headlights and operational lights required at all times. - Mopeds are not required to be titled or insured, as long as this motor vehicle does not exceed specific definitions.

Hurricane Michael Could Be Strongest to Hit Panhandle

Hurricane Michael rapidly gained strength Wednesday morning, threatening to become the most intense hurricane on record to strike the Florida Panhandle. The remnants of the storm are expected to bring heavy rain to the Upstate late Wednesday and Thursday.

The storm, now an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane packing 140-mph winds, is predicted to make landfall this afternoon with that same intensity, an event that has never happened in records dating to 1851. 

As the storm intensified Tuesday evening, forecasters on Twitter described feelings of sickness and dread. “Hurricanes that intensify overnight just before reaching land are the worst nightmare of forecasters and emergency managers,” tweeted Bob Henson, a meteorologist and journalist for Weather Underground.

Both Florida’s Panhandle, from Pensacola to Apalachicola, and its Big Bend area are forecast to be hardest hit. Water levels had already begun to rise Tuesday and the storm is poised to push ashore a “life-threatening” surge of ocean water that could inundate more than 325 miles of coastline.

The storm also will bring destructive winds and flooding rain throughout Wednesday.

Close 

Roughly 375,000 people have been ordered to evacuate in Florida as Hurricane Michael continues to intensify in the Gulf of Mexico. (Jon Gerberg, Ashleigh Joplin, Alice Li, Jorge Ribas/The Washington Post)

Population centers that could witness some of the most severe hurricane effects include Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Panama City Beach and Apalachicola.

The surge, or the rise in ocean water above normally dry land along the coast, could reach 9 to 13 feet, inundating roads, homes and businesses. The National Weather Service warned many buildings could be completely washed away and that “locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period” after the storm.

Authorities plead with residents, who had not followed evacuations order, to leave.

“Our local offices, emergency management partners and media in Florida are urging people in evacuation zones to move inland IMMEDIATELY,” the Weather Service tweeted late Tuesday night. “#HurricaneMichael is coming and you’re running out of time!”

While the most severe hurricane conditions are expected along the coast, devastating hurricane effects are forecast to expand considerable distances inland.

“A potentially catastrophic event is developing,” wrote the National Weather Service forecast office serving Tallahassee and surrounding areas. The office warned of “widespread power outages, downed trees blocking access to roads and endangering individuals, structural damage to homes and businesses, isolated flash flooding and the potential for a few tornadoes.”

S.C. Waiver Eases Evacuation of Farm Animals from Storms

COLUMBIA — For the second time in less than a month, South Carolina officials have issued a temporary waiver of certain requirements for farm animals being evacuated due to a hurricane.

The action was requested by agriculture officials in Florida, where Hurricane Michael is bearing down on the coast, said State Veterinarian Boyd Parr.

“In order to accommodate evacuations in advance of the hurricane, we are temporarily suspending some of the requirements governing the importation of agricultural animals into South Carolina as we did during Hurricane Florence,” Parr said.

Parr directs Clemson University’s Livestock-Poultry Health, a regulatory agency that oversees animal health issues.

To prevent the spread of animal disease, both state and federal regulations include requirements for interstate movement and identification of animals, such as horses, cattle, swine and goats. These regulations frequently require certification by veterinarians as to the health status of the animals being transported.

Parr’s declaration waives many of those requirements. Specifically:

• Horses being evacuated to South Carolina that have a current Coggins test will be admitted to the state without a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). A current Coggins test chart should accompany these horses.
• Horses being evacuated to South Carolina without a current Coggins test will be allowed entry into the state provided they will be allowed to return to their state of origin without a current Coggins or CVI after the evacuation is lifted.
• All other animals being evacuated without a CVI will be temporarily admitted to South Carolina and also allowed to leave South Carolina provided the state to which they are destined also has waived their import requirements.
• The order extends until Oct. 31 unless extended or rescinded.

South Carolina and states throughout the Southeast took similar action during Hurricane Florence in September. The waivers apply only to animals being evacuated from the hurricane.

Information for animal owners on emergency preparedness, response and recovery is posted on the LPH Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery page.

Haley to Step Down as UN Ambassador

Oct. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced Tuesday she will resign at the end of the year, a surprising move that caught even top Trump administration officials by surprise.

Speaking to reporters with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Haley said after being governor of South Carolina and U.N. ambassador it was time to open the door for someone else.

"It was the honor of a lifetime," she said. "Look at the past two years. Look at what has happened with the United States. Countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do.

"My goal is that we make sure everything is in a good place for the next ambassador to come in."

Trump credited Haley for making progress on North Korean denuclearization and pushing Iran toward making a new nuclear deal with the United States, since the administration withdrew from the 2015 Obama-era agreement.

"We are respected again, I can tell you," Trump told reporters. "[North Korea] looked like a real problem. Iran looked like a real problem -- there was a question of when they would take over the Middle East. What a difference between now and then."

Trump said Haley told him six months ago she would resign at the end of 2018.

Stink Bugs Growing Problem in Upstate

Stink Bugs are making their way into many homes in the Upstate as the weather begins to shift. Officially labeled as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, the pest first came to the United States from Asia in the 1990’s and made it to South Carolina in 2011.

Without its native predators here, this particular stink bug is tough to control and battling it can be pose an odiferous challenge.

“This one in particular is very stinky and that’s the way they protect themselves.,” said Eric Benson, Ph.D., Clemson University Professor and Extension Entomologist, “They produce a foul odor and secretion when they feel threatened. If you are a bird or lizard and you try to eat it, it would taste terrible. But if you’re a person and you swat it, it smells in your house. If you get it on your skin or in your eye it can cause irritation.”

The pest is becoming a bigger nuisance for farmers whose fruit crops, and a pain for homeowners because this is the time of year.

Benson says the best thing you can do is make sure your house is well-sealed because these bugs will look for gaps near windows or anywhere they can gain entry. Once inside he says you’ll want to remove them manually as opposed to smashing them to avoid the stench.

Anderson County Sees Rise in Voter Registration

Anderson County has seen an uptick in voter registration for this year's election, and there's still time to sign In Anderson voter registrations are up by 2,800, a 51 percent increase from 2014.

South Carolina residents were given an extra 10 days to register to vote in November due to the impact of Hurricane Florence. The deadline is now Oct. 17.

Eligible voters must:

• Be a United States citizen -be at least eighteen years old on or before the next electio
• Be a resident of South Carolina, this county and precinct
• Not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
• Not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
• Have never been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws OR if previously convicted, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction. 

There is no length of residency requirement in South Carolina in order to register to vote.

Registered voters can check their registration information at scvotes.org When checking your voter registration information, you must provide your name, county and date of birth as it appears on your voter registration card in order to view your information.

Clemson Students Unveil New Full-Efficient Sports Car

CLEMSON, South Carolina — Students at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research(CU-ICAR) unveiled their newest Deep Orange concept vehicle, sponsored by Honda R&D AmericasDeep Orange 9 is a 600-horsepower rallycross cars build by Clemson students at CU-ICAR. Inc. (HRA). After two years, the 19-student team unveiled the high-performance, fuel-efficient motorsports prototype at the ALL-IN Auto Rally Ride & Drive event at Clemson University Saturday, Oct. 6.

Engineered, built and tested by Clemson automotive engineering students, Deep Orange 9 is a next-generation rallycross race car that disrupts market perceptions of energy-efficient vehicles by showing they can meet extreme performance demands in a safe, clean way. The vehicle combines high-performance, ultra-tough racing features with a clean, fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain, advanced technical innovations, a lightweight/high-strength steel structure and highly dynamic handling and acceleration. The concept is a response to rising fuel-efficiency standards and millennials’ interest in vehicles that are safe, clean and exciting to drive.

HRA challenged the students to create a motorsports concept built for rallycross, a global sport that involves sprint-style racing with large jumps, aggressive jockeying, and drifting on a closed-loop track of dirt, asphalt and mud. Though they begin as production cars, rallycross vehicles are modified to become some of the most versatile racers around. Most feature internal combustion engines to meet the power and agility needs of the sport. As a hybrid vehicle, Deep Orange 9 envisions a clean, fuel-efficient car of the future that doesn’t compromise on performance.

More here.