Airport to Close for Runway Work Aug. 12-20

The runways at Anderson Regional Airport are scheduled for temporary closure starting at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 12.  Runways are expected to reopen no later than 8 a.m. on Aug. 20.  All air traffic operations, including takeoffs and landings, will be suspended at the airport during the closure period.

The temporary closure is due to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Runway 5-23.  During the closure, work will be performed in and around the intersection on Runways 5-23 and 17-35.

“The closure is absolutely necessary as our contractors require enough time to repair degradation found at the intersection of runway 5-23 and runway 17-35, which has proven to be much more extensive than originally thought,” said Anderson Regional Airport Manager Justin Julian. 

The closure dates and times could be modified due to weather conditions or other factors.  Contact the Anderson Regional Airport administration office at (864) 260-4163 or the airport’s Fixed Base Operations staff at (864) 964-5656 for more information.

Wells Fargo to Pay $2 Billion in Mortgage Loans Case

 Wells Fargo agreed to pay a $2.09 billion penalty for issuing mortgage loans it was aware contained incorrect income information, the Department of Justice said Wednesday.

The bank agreed to pay the civil penalty under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 for the actions, which the government said contributed to last decade's financial crisis.

"Abuses in the mortgage-backed securities industry led to a financial crisis that devastated millions of Americans," acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, Alex G. Tse, said. "Today's agreement holds Wells Fargo responsible for originating and selling tens of thousands of loans that were packaged into securities and subsequently defaulted. Our office is steadfast in pursuing those who engage in wrongful conduct that hurts the public."

Under the deal Wells Fargo agreed to pay the penalty without admitting liability to resolve all civil claims under FIRREA. The government agreed to release Wells Fargo from any potential claims arising under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act, the Injunctions against Fraud Act and on certain other grounds, the company said in a statement.

Health Alert Over Lettuce Spreads to More Products

Federal health officials have issued a public health alert after finding a parasite in some food products with lettuce sold at Walgreens and Trader Joe's.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the alert over concern certain beef, pork and poultry salad and wrap products may be contaminated with the microscopic parasite Cyclospora.

The alert applies to dozens of products with "best by" or "sell by" dates from July 18 through July 23. The products were sold at Kroger, Trader Joe's and Walgreens locations nationwide and distributed by Caito Foods and Gordon Food Service.

Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused from Cyclospora, causes diarrhea in most infected people. The incubation period for the illness ranges from two to 14 days, and officials said anyone concerned should see their doctor.

Caito Foods discovered the problem when it found the romaine lettuce used in some salads and wraps had been recalled.

The illness has also been linked to McDonald's salads in 15 states, mostly in the Midwest where it's sickened 286 people, the FDA said. The agency said 11 people have been hospitalized for the parasite.

Little Pigs BBQ in Anderson Sold; Changes not Expected

Little Pigs BBQ, a tradition in Anderson since 1968, has been sold.

Current owners Matt and Amy Leonard have decided to sell the establishment which they bought five years ago due to family illness. The new owner Melvin Bright has no plans to make "serious" changes to the restaurant.

Here is the Facebook post of the announcement:

"It is with a heavy heart that I am posting this, those who know me personally know that I never post personal business, ever! So with that i must let you all know that with much prayer and consideration Matt and I have sold the restuarant to allow us the time we need to take care of his precious mother. Dementia is horrible and robs families of memories and time together. You see i lost my dad 2 years ago to dementia and i worked 12 hrs a day, then would go help feed, bathe and spend every second i could in Hope's he would not forget me. It almost killed me and now facing it again we have made the decision that family always comes first! We sold the Pig to a man named Melvin Bright in Hope's that he will continue the tradition that my family fought to maintain for the last 5 years and we did it very well. It is up to them now. My heart aches to leave so many people in this great town that have supported us on this journey, and you will be missed! To my friends and family..your love, support and encouragement mean more than anything to us. So as i told my staff, it's not goodbye..its see you later...much love to you all."

Voters to Consider Hospitality Tax, Sunday Alcohol Sales in November

Anderson County’s November ballot just got a little bit longer, as Anderson County Council approved one measure on Sunday alcohol sales and a second on a two percent hospitality tax for unincorporated areas of the county. 

Council approved a non-binding advisory referendum on the November ballot to allow the hospitality tax to provide funding for parks and recreation.

The two percent hospitality tax would generate approximately $3.4 million annually for such projects. Nearly all of the county’s municipalities already have the two percent hospitality tax, and the City of Anderson generated $2.7 million from their hospitality tax last year.“All this will do is give us a mandate for the conversation,” said Anderson County Councilman Craig Wooten who proposed the referendum. “Can we not have a conversation about economic development and quality of life?”

“There is a way we can bring down property taxes if the referendum passes,” Wooten said. “We’re not seeking a way to avoid accountability.”

Pam Christopher, president of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber’s 800 businesses asked her to attend Tuesday’s meeting to express their support for a hospitality tax. 

The chamber has established a committee made up of four citizens from each council district, including the school superintendents and mayors, to help explain the benefits of the hospitality tax to citizens. 

“We’re leaving dollars on the table right now,” Christopher said. “Right now we are missing out on that money. Look at our neighboring counties and what they have done with hospitality tax.” 

Christopher said 65 percent of the funds from the hospitality tax would come from tourists or those visiting those areas of Anderson County. 

“I run a restaurant in Iva (which already has a hospitality tax in place), and I’ve never had a customer complain about the hospitality tax,” said Anderson County Councilman Ray Graham, adding that a new hospitality tax in unincorporated areas of the county is important for economic development.

“Growth in the county is enormous, and we have to start focusing on recreation. Every industry that comes to Anderson County asks us about schools, public safety and our recreation opportunities.”  

“I have asked the administrator to put together a list of which projects can, and which projects cannot be funded, by funds from a hospitality tax,” said Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson. 

Wilson said council will prioritize such projects if the referendum suggests broad support of the new tax. 

One citizen offered outright opposition to even having a referendum on the subject. 

“I find that (the hospitality tax) totally unnecessary,” said Bob Martin, a resident of Anderson for nearly three decades. “Unless you can describe to me what you are going to spend that money on, this is a pig in a poke.” 

Chris Sullivan of Anderson disagreed, saying his family was forced to travel to find opportunities for his daughters to participate in sports.

“We travel all of the state state and we’re so far behind other counties,” Sullivan said. “Something needs to be done.” 

Graham said the other proposal, a two-question referendum on Sunday alcohol sales which will also be included on the ballot, is the result of local businesses expressing concern that they are at a disadvantage because of the current laws. The City of Anderson already allows the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday, and may of these are next door or across the road from other businesses just outside the city limits.  

Voters will be asked to answer two questions considering the new : 

1. “Shall the South Carolina Department of Revenue be authorized to issue temporary permits in this county for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors by the drink to bona fide nonprofit organizations and business establishments otherwise authorized to be licensed for consumption-on-premises sales?”
2. “Shall the Department of Revenue be authorized to issue temporary permits in this county for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours to allow the sale of beer and wine at permitted off-premises locations without regard to the days or hours of sales?” 

The chamber also voiced support for this as well. 

“We absolutely are behind this, it is impacting on businesses that cannot sell on Sunday,” Christopher said. “Currently people can go into a restaurant and by a beverage, but they cannot sell beverages to take home. This hurts our local businesses.”

“If our citizens can’t buy here, there are going to neighboring counties.”

“The City of Anderson already allows this, and being a business owner, I understand the those who are running these businesses wanting to make a living,” Graham said. 

“We want to have the citizens the opportunity to decide whether we want to do this.”

Facebook Disables Fake Accounts Aimed at Election Meddling

(Reuters) - Facebook Inc has identified a new coordinated political influence campaign to mislead users and organize rallies ahead of November’s U.S. congressional elections, taking down dozens of fake accounts on its site, the company said on Tuesday. 

A Russian propaganda arm tried to tamper in the 2016 U.S. election by posting and buying ads on Facebook, according to the company and U.S. intelligence agencies. Moscow has denied involvement. 

Facebook on Tuesday said here had it removed 32 pages and accounts from Facebook and Instagram, part of an effort to combat foreign meddling in U.S. elections, attempts that lawmakers have called dangerous for democracy. 

The company said it was still in the early stages of its investigation and did not yet know who may be behind the influence campaign for 2018 elections that will determine whether or not the Republican Party keeps control of Congress. 

Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said on a call with reporters that the attempts to manipulate public opinion would likely become more sophisticated to evade Facebook’s scrutiny, calling it an “arms race.” 

“This kind of behavior is not allowed on Facebook because we don’t want people or organizations creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they are, or what they’re doing,” the company said in a blogpost. 

More than 290,000 accounts followed at least one of the pages and that about $11,000 had been spent on about 150 ads, Facebook said. The pages had created about 30 events since May 2017.

Anderson's Locke Designs to Close at End of August

Locke Design Omnimedia, a graphic design firm which has served Anderson for mre than 22 years, will close its doors for good on Aug. 31. 

Owner David Locke, in a blog on his website, said he is closing the business to manage and expand his family's business at North Gate Apartments. 

24 Hour Musical Scheduled for Saturday at AU

Anderson's fifth annual 24 Hour Musical will be held this Saturday at the Henderson Auditorium of Anderson University Callie Stringer Rainey Fine Arts Building. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged to support the group's 2018 charity partner, the Anderson County Foster Parents Association.

The Broadway-style musical will be put together in 24 hours, with the announcement of the play and the first meeting of the cast set for Friday, just 24 hours before showtime.

Last year's event, a production of "High School Musical" raised $3,505.02 for Meals on Wheels of Anderson.

For more information visit http://www.24hourmusicalsc.org/

Clemson Turfgrass Event Set for Aug. 14

CLEMSON – It’s time to tee up for the 2018 Clemson University Turfgrass Research and Education Field Day.

Registration is at 8:30 a.m., with the field day beginning at 9 a.m. on Aug. 14 in the Owen Pavilion behind the Madren Conference Center on the Clemson campus. Field day coordinator Bert McCarty, a professor of turfgrass science and management, said this year’s field day is full of vital information for everyone who grows, uses or is interested in learning more about the turfgrass industry.

“Field day participants will see the latest research pertaining to turfgrass,” McCarty said. “They also will have an opportunity to learn about the latest trends in the turfgrass industry.”

Field day participants embark on a tour that stops first at the Walker Golf Course where McCarty will talk about post-emergence control of various weeds. Bobby Kerr, a doctoral student, will talk about using water to activate various herbicides to reduce turf phytotoxicity damage from compounds including salt and pesticides.

The event is free and open to the public. Pesticide continuing education credits for South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia will be offered, as well as certified crop adviser and certified professional agronomist continuing education credits and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America education points for golf course superintendents. For more information, contact McCarty at 864-656-0120 or bmccrty@clemson.edu.

Foothills Alliance Adult Field Day Fundraiser Aug. 11

Foothills Alliance of Anderson is looking for teams to compete in their first Adult Field Day. The event, set for Aug. 11 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the McCants Bowl, will offer blue ribbons and prizes for the best teams. Team and individual registrations are $25 for indivicuals, $125 for a five-person team and $200 for two, five-person teams, and are available by contacting Tracy Bowie at tracy.bowie@foothillsalliance.org.  Detalls of the events and information on sponsorships available here.

Feds Expected to Leave Interest Rates Unchanged, for Now

 The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday but solid economic growth combined with rising inflation are likely keep it on track for another two hikes this year even as President Donald Trump has ramped up criticism of its push to raise rates. 

The U.S. central bank so far this year has increased borrowing costs in March and June, and investors see additional moves in September and December. Policymakers have raised rates seven times since December 2015. 

The Fed will announce its decision today at 2 p.m. No press conference is scheduled and only minor changes are anticipated compared with the Fed’s June policy statement, which emphasized accelerating economic growth, strong business investment and rising inflation. 

Draisen Edwards Music Sold to National Music & Arts Chain

Draisen Edwards Music Center, which has served Anderson in some form since 1947, has been acquired by the national chain run by Music & Arts. Draisen Edwards offered thaks to loyal customers on their Facebook page and encourage them to turn now to Music & Arts for instruments, lessons, rentals and repairs which will operate in the same building.

Founded in Bethesda, Maryland, Music & Arts is a national music store chain, with more 180+ Music Stores throughout the country, and over 130,000 products on MusicArts.com.

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Electric City ComiCon Set for Saturday

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's your neighbor Darryl in tights and a mask!

The Anderson County Library System will host the Fourth Annual Electric City ComiCon from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday at the Main Library. The event features all ages in in the costumes of their favorite hero, young adult authors, comic artists, local authors, vendors, and artisans, a Cosplay contest, food trucks (including the Pound Cake Man, The Pig Truck, Gravy Train) and more. Full schedule can be found here.

This year’s keynote session at 3:45 p.m. will Science Fiction Author Beth Revis. Other celebrity panelists include Jessica Lake, Ashley Poston and Emily B. Martin.

The Cosplay Contest, open to all ages, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.  Registration, for both individuals and a groups, is required prior to the contest. 

Partial funding and special assistance for the ComiCon has been provided by Empire Games, the S.C. Arts Commission, the S.C. Humanities Council, Friends of the Anderson County Library, Forx Farm, and Dollar Bin Productions.  For more information, visit www.andersonlibrary.org, email electriccitycomicon@andersonlibrary.org, or call Brianna McDonell at 864-260-4500, ext. 103.