McDuffie Hall of Fame to Add Two Teams Sept. 18

The 1984-1985 McDuffie High School Girls basketball team and the 1970-1971 McDuffie High School Boys basketball team will be inducted into the McDuffie High School Athletic Hall of Fame during the Anderson School District Five Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 18. 

The 1984-1985 Girls Basketball team began their season by winning the annual Anderson Area Tournament, and went on to win the Region 1 AAA Regular Season Championship, Conference Tournament Championship, S.C. AAA Upper State Championship, and was an S,C, state runner-up. Under the guidance of Head Coach Michael Austin and Assistant Coach Frankie Strickland, and led by All-State guard Alesia Tate, the 1984-1985 Girls basketball team finished with a school record of 26-3 and had several team members go on to play at the collegiate level. 

The forming of the 1970-1971 Boys Basketball team is of note — Consisting of five senior starters, three returnees from McDuffie High, and two transfers from Westside High, the team was formed during the first year of forced desegregation of schools. This team won the Skyline AA Conference Regular Season tournament, Post-Season Conference Tournament, and advanced to the Final Four State Championship Tournament in old Carolina Coliseum where they were named Upper-State Champions. Under the guidance of Head Coach Carl Stegall and Assistant Coach Larry Ashley, the 1970-1971 Boys Basketball team established the best record in school history at 18-8, after a 3-4 season start. Accomplishments of the athletes from this team include three players being named to the All Skyline Conference First Team, two starters being the first from McDuffie High to sign athletic grants in aid to play ball at the collegiate level, and the first McDuffie High athlete to play professionally after being drafted by the NFL’s Pittsburg Steelers and playing for three seasons – Wentford “Mumbo” Gaines, also known as the 1970-1971 McDuffie High Boys basketball “team leader.” 

The McDuffie High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to recognize and honor these nominees for their achievements as former athletes, and is also proud to have had the opportunity to recognize and feature the schools’ athletes of an 11-year gap from 1985 to 1996, the year McDuffie High School officially closed. 

Toyota to Recall 1 Million Prius Vehicles Due to Fire Risk

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday it planned to recall around 1.03 million vehicles, including its gasoline-hybrid Prius model, in Japan, North America, Europe and other regions due to an issue with the engine wire harness which can pose a fire risk. 

A man walks past a Toyota Motor Corp logo at the company's showroom in Tokyo, Japan June 14, 2016. REUTERS/Toru Hanai 

Following a domestic recall announcement by Japan’s transport ministry, Toyota said that in affected vehicles, the wire harness which connects to the hybrid power control unit can come into contact with the covering at the connection point. 

If dust accumulates on the wire harness or the cover, the insulation on the wires could wear down over time due to vehicle vibrations. This could cause an electrical short circuit, which could generate heat and lead to a risk of fire, Toyota said. 

The issue affects vehicles produced in Japan between June 2015 and May 2018, and includes the plug-in version of the Prius and the C-HR compact crossover SUV sold in Japan, Europe, Australia and other countries. 

Roughly half of the recalls would take place in Japan, Toyota spokesman Jean-Yves Jault said. 

Only the Prius model would be recalled in the United States, where around 192,000 vehicles were affected. he said.

School District One Superintendent Talks about School Year

Do Not Buy Honey Smacks Cereal; More Salmonella Reported

(Reuters) - Thirty more people have reported sick after eating Kellogg Co’s Honey Smacks cereal contaminated with Salmonella, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said, bringing the total to 130 cases in 36 states. 

A sign hangs outside the Kellogg's factory near Manchester, Britain March 7, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble 

So far 34 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported, CDC said on Tuesday, adding that three more states - Delaware, Maine and Minnesota - have reported cases of illnesses. 

Kellogg had in June decided to recall an estimated 1.3 million cases of its Honey Smacks cereal from more than 30 U.S. states due to the potential for Salmonella contamination. 

However, the contaminated cereal is still being sold in some locations, CDC said, citing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

Illnesses in this outbreak started on dates ranging from March 3 to Aug. 7, CDC said, adding the investigation is still ongoing. 

Kellogg had not yet shipped any new cereal to retailers and that people who bought the potentially affected product can contact it for a full refund, the company said in a statement

New Subdivision Near Midway School Given Initial Approval

By Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County Council on Tuesday night gave unanimous approval, on first reading, to a new 74.6-acre subdivision in the area around Midway Road, Harriet Circle and Crestview Road which would bring between 170-180 single-family houses to the property.

The project, which would be built by Falcon Real Estate Development, would also set aside 25 acres of the property as green space, which would include a trail, a dog run and playground area. Two entrances to the tentatively titled “Preston Trails” subdivision, one on Crestview, one on Midway would also be included. Details on the project here. 

“I think the thing that stood out to me (about this new plan) is that in 2008 they were given the right to put retail there,” said Anderson County Councilman Craig Wooten, who represents the district in which the project is proposed, and who lives near the property.

Wooten said the new zoning would no longer allow retail commercial, duplexes, and will include sidewalks on both sides of the road connecting to the Midway Elementary School. 

“Actually living in the area, I believe this is the most optimal thing that can be done here,” Wooten said.

“The main issue is still the traffic,” said Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson. “Midway is probably the oldest and longest road in the state system. We do have a mechanism in place so that after the zoning is approved, we can go back through the process of the studies of traffic to keep the public safe.”

Council also gave first reading approval Tuesday night to tax incentives for an established international company which will bring $6.2 million in capital investment, and 31 jobs with an average salary of $23.81 per hour.

“These are high skilled, high-paying jobs,” said Anderson County Economic Development Director Burriss Nelson. “This is the right kind of company (for Anderson County). 

Nelson said the 20-year economic impact of the company (in business for more than 100 years old) on the community is estimated at more than $150 million.

The business, which will involve detailed technical testing of equipment, will require highly-skilled positions and require a two- or four-year degree. It will be located in Anderson County Council District Six, which makes up the northeast corridor of the county.

Also on Tuesday night, Council: 

Gave final approval to a series of agreements to allow the county to spend up to $5.4 million. The funds, already included in the budget, will be used in part for the purchase of vehicles and property.  

Gave final approval to a $2.8 million for plans to expand the Starr-Iva Landfill which is nearing capacity. The expansion will be paid by new debt service payment of $289,000. The current debt service payment of $358.000 wil be complete this year, so the new funds for expansion could represent some savings. A mulcher/grinder machine for the site is also being considered. The machine would cost approximately $550,000, with an estimated $75,000 per year additional cost to run the new equipment. More information here: https://youtu.be/3pdCg_QUZp0 The mulch created at the facility would be free to Anderson County citizens. 

Approved, on second reading, a tax-incentive agreement to work with the City of Anderson to help develop unused buildings in downtown Anderson to recruit and bring in new businesses. The buildings are directly across South Main Street from City Hall. The buildings are being renovated for commercial use. The infrastructure credit agreement will allow investors to pay reduced property taxes on those properties. 

Approved, on second reading, tax incentives for JB Ferguson Properties, LLC, to purchased and renovate a number of buildings on South Main across from City Hall. The properties are expected to eventually generate approximately $70,000 in tax payments for the county. 

Approved, on second reading, tax incentives for the collaborative project with the City of Anderson for a $12 million, 90-bed hotel downtown at the corner of South Main and East Market Streets. 

Approved Williamston EMS contract based on recommendation of the Anderson County Public Safety Committee.

Tickets Still Available for Saturday Cancer Association Concert

The 17th Annual Cancer Association of Anderson's Concert of Hope and Remembrance is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Boulevard Baptist Church. The concert features a choir more than 150 singers and a youth choir of 35 singers accompanied by instrumentalists. The public is invited to this community event.

Songs from Disney movies: Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, etc.

This year’s theme, “Be Our Guest: A Disney Tribute,” wil feature songs from Disney movies such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Mary Poppins," and "The Little Mermaid."

An Afterglow Party is also scheduled at the Anderson Area Cancer Center where those who attend can mix and mingle with the concert choir and symphony orchestra as well as CAA Board Members and staff.

All money raised helps local cancer patients with treatment-related expenses. The Concert of Hope and Remembrance is CAA’s largest and most important annual fundraiser, bringing in almost one-third of the organizations's annual budget. The CAA serves, on average, more than 160 different patients every month.

General Admission tickets are $25; Patron tickets are $100 and include admission to the Afterglow party immediately following the concert at AnMed Health’s Cancer Center on Greenville Street. Tickets may be purchased at the Cancer Association of Anderson, 215 East Calhoun Street, Anderson or by calling the 864-222-3500.

The Cancer Association of Anderson is the only local cancer charity in Anderson County. Their mission is to help reduce the burden of cancer on Anderson County residents battling cancer by providing treatment-related financial assistance, information and referral as well as emotional support. 

Greek Festival Plus to Feature Bonus Music and More

The Annual Anderson Greek Festival Plus is scheduled for Sept. 14-16 at the Civic Center of Anderson. Proceeds to support causes in the Holy Land and charities in the Anderson area, and The Shepherd's Guild outreach fund.

Julie RobertsThis year will feature Nashville recording artist Julie Roberts, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m., which is free, though a donation to help the charity is suggested.

The festival was honored as “Best Annual Community Event" 2015 and 2017, and this year added "Plus" to the name to promote our other non-Greek entertainment. The festival offers the new activities while keeping the traditional Greek culinary base and mission.

A wide variety of traditional Greek food, music and dancing are the key elements of the festival each year.

The festival entertainment kicks of Sept. 14 with hours from 4:30-9:30 pm. featuring live music by Slighshot Mickey & Machine Funk and will continue on Sept. 15 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and  Sept. 16 and from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 19.

 

Admission is free and the public is invited.

The proceeds of the 2018 Festival will support causes in the Holy Land and charities in the Anderson area, and The Shepherd's Guild outreach fund.

The Festival is a project of The Shepherd's Guild, a 501c3 nonprofit service organization.

AnMed Cancer Survivors' Day Set for Sept. 23

Hundreds of Upstate cancer survivors will celebrate a touchdown in their battle against cancer Sept. 23 as part of the "Survivors Day" celebration at the Anderson Civic Center.

This event is free and open to all cancer survivors and their families. Survivors who are planning to attend are asked to pre-register by calling (864) 512-2255. In this football-themed event, scheduled from 2- 4 p.m., survivors, family and friends are invited to put on their favorite football jersey or football garb and celebrate a score in the fight against cancer. 

The AnMed Health Cancer Survivors Day celebration will feature recognition of survivors, entertainment, games, shopping and tailgate food. There will also be a photo booth where one can pose in football regalia.

“We get to celebrate the patients and their caregivers," said Samantha Carter, assistant vice president of oncology services at AnMed. "When patients are diagnosed with cancer, they see us sometimes as much as they see their family because they come in for treatment as often as 2 - 3 times a week. We get to hold their hands through the journey. They are family to us, just like we’re family to them.”

New Wofford Coach to Speak at Anderson TD Club

Coach Josh Conklin, first year head coach for Wofford College, will be the guest speaker at the Anderson Area Touchdown Club on Friday.  Coach Conklin comes to Wofford from the University of Pittsburgh as the defensive coordinator and was an assistant coach at Wofford from 2007-2009.

Players of the week and the coach of the week will be also honored from the previous Friday night games.

Memberships are still available to the club.  An individual membership fee is $50 and a Corporate membership (which includes 5) is $200.

A meal is served and members are charged $10 and visitors $15.  The food line opens at 11:30, the program begins about 12:10, and the program concludes at 1:00 pm. 

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

AnMed to Open Occupational Health Clinic in Clemson

AnMed Health has opened an occupational medicine clinic that will serve employers and employees in Clemson, Seneca and Westminster. The new occupational medicine clinic is located at the AnMed Health Clemson campus, 885 Tiger Boulevard / U.S. Hwy 123 in Clemson.

It will provide local employers pre-screening physicals for new employees, drug screens, safety exams and work injury care in addition to other services. 

For more information, employees and employers may contact the clinic at (864) 654-8624.

Tropical Storm Moving Toward Gulf Coast

Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Gordon, which has pounded South Florida with heavy rain, is moving toward the Gulf Coast states, the National Hurricane Center said early Tuesday.

It is not expected to directly effect weather in the Upstate.

Gordon strengthened over the course of the day on Monday and is now threatening the Florida Panhandle and the Alabama coast with rain, wind and waves.

Forecasters expect the storm to continue to gain strength, and said Gordon will probably be a hurricane by the time it makes landfall along the central Gulf Coast.

Early Tuesday, the storm was 280 miles east-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Storm surge, tropical storm and hurricane warnings are in effect for parts of the region.

"A hurricane warning has been issued from the mouth of the Pearl River to the Alabama-Florida border," the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update. "This warning replaces the hurricane Watch and tropical storm warning for this area."

Meals on Wheels Annual Oyster Roast Set for Sept. 22

The 14^th annual Meals on Wheels Oyster Roast and Low Country Boil, presented by Eco Waste Services, Inc. and Piedmont Automotive, will be held Sept. 22 from 5-8 p.m, at the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center.

This Meals on Wheels Anderson fall tradition offers all-you-can-eat roasted oysters, a Low Country boil featuring boiled shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn as well as Brunswick Stew from Creekside Barbeque. 

Tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Children 5 and under are free. 

Tickets include all food and beverages and may be purchased online at www.acmow.org; at the Meals on Wheels Center at 105 S. Fant St.; or by calling 864-225-6800. It is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance but a limited number will be available at the door. 

Sponsors are also still being sought for the event. Sponsorship levels range from $250 to $5,000 and include Briny Bucket sponsorships, Cater’s Lake Petite Oyster, Broadway Lake Olde Salt Oyster and Lake Hartwell Mud Oyster. 

Meals on Wheels of Anderson serves more than 400 homebound elderly and disabled residents of Anderson County by providing hot, nutritious meals each weekday and frozen meals for weekend use when requested. Every dollar raised will help the program continue to reach out, as well as help us extend our reach, to these vulnerable residents of our county in maintaining their health, independence, and quality of life.

County to Consider 74.6-Acre Development at Midway/Crestview

By Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

On Tuesday night, Anderson County Council will consider a proposal from Falcon Real Estate Development to build a 170-180 single-family subdivision at the corner of Harriet Circle and Midway Road/Crestview Road.Area of proposed subdivision.

The proposed development would include between 170-180 houses on 74.6 acres on the property which stretches from just north of Midway Elementary School to the intersection of Midway/Crestview. 

The property is owned by Larry Kowalski, and many will remember the Kowalski store at the corner of that intersection.

The "Preston Trails Subdivision" (which is named after a project on which the developer's father worked in Texas 40 years ago - and has no relation to former Anderson County Administrator Joey Preston), would feature entrances on both Harriet Circle and Crestview Road. 

The houses built in the area along the Crestivew entrance would likely be between 2,000-3,000 square feet, while the houses built closer to the Harriet Circle entrance would be in the "low 2,000" square feet category, according to Phillip Day, the developer with Falcon Development. There are currently no estimates on the prices of these houses.

"We're prepared to work with the community and county on any traffic concerns," Day said. "We went back and worked with our engineers to give up enough land to widen the roads and create a roundabout or whatever is needed."

The request to rezone the area, approved by the Anderson County Planning Commission, from its current "Planned Development" status, to an Innovative Zoning District Status. The current zoning would allow for two-acre commercial component, allowing up to 10,000 square foot at ground level for retail store and shops. It would also allow for 146 single-family detached and 56 single-family attached (duplexes), and approximately 6.95 acres of reserved for open space. 

The new zoning would permit no commercial componet, and no more than 180 residential lots (single-family detached houses). The proposal includes approximately 25 acres reserved in open space, with maximum efforts to preserve existing vegetation/trees around the perimeter property line and along the creek. The proposal also includes a walking trail system, sidewalks on both sides of internal roads, and additional amenities within the common areas including a fire pit area, dog run area, a playground and sidewalks to Midway Elementary School. The sidewalks would connect with the sidewalks to be built by the county and the South Carolina Department of Transportation to connect the school with the East-West Parkway. 

The owner will also work with the developer of the adjacent Bronson Ridge subdivison to provide pedestrian interconnectivity between the two developments.

Anderson County Councilman Craig Wooten, which represents the area of the proposed development, said the plan to rezone for this project is a good one.

"The developer has given us room to widen the roads, and we've talked to (Anderson County Assistant Administrator) Holt Hopkins said that having that option would allow for adjustments at a later date," Wooten said.  "The property owners are going to do something with this property, and they voluntarily offered to do something that would work. Everybody I've talked to seems to think it's a good idea."

Wooten said some have asked him to do something to ensure there will be no traffic problems before approving the project, something he said is not practical.

"You can't do all the infrastructure on the roads to guarantee traffic is going to be good before a project is built," Wooten said. He added that consideration is already being given to either traffic lights or a roundabout at the Midway/Crestview intersection.

"If we can be part of the impetus to go ahead and get something done at that intersection, we want to be part of that," Day said. 

Falcon is currently building a similar development, Hunter's Crossing, in Powdersville.

"In every situation I've ever seen, when people get their house built, they want to pull up the ladder, and that's just natural," Day said. "But ther entire Upstate is growing like crazy, which is good, but we are trying to be careful here and create something here people want to live with quality of life and things like walking trails, and green space."

Anderson County Council will vote on the project as part of the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the historic courthouse downtown. Full agenda here.

"People want a sense of community, to get out with their neighbors, to see children playing, and those are the kind of neighborhoods we want to create," Day said.

Day said if council approves the rezoning, work on the project would begin immediately.