41st Annual Midnight Flight Set for Aug. 24

The 41st Annual Peoples Bank Midnight Flight, Anderson's most famous race, is set for Aug. 24, beginning at 8:15 p.m. 

Among the largest night races on the East Coast, the even offers a one-mile fun run, a 5K and a 10K race. The race courses all start on Greenville Street  which is on a decline with different turn-around points for each race, heading back up an incline to Reed Road finishing at the Anderson Area YMCA.  Thes races are for all ages and all different levels of fitness.  The 5K and 10k races are registered with Run & See Georgia Grand Prix and The Running Journal Grand Prix and with the top three in each overall categories winning cash prizes.

Registration is available at the YMCA Membership Services Desk www.andersonareaymca.org, and online at www.active.com. Pre-registration ends Aug. 19 at 11:59 p.m. Late registration starts Aug. 20. FREE Tech shirts will be given to the first 1,500 entries.

Packet pick up will begin at noon on race day in the Anderson Area YMCA Community Room and will end 30 minutes prior to each race.  Runners are encouraged to arrive early to allow enough time to make it to the starting line on Greenville Street.  Participants are asked to park in the AnMed Health Campus parking area across East Reed Road from the YMCA.  Animals, strollers or headphones will not be permitted on the YMCA property or on the race courses.

Mars Makes Closest Orbit to Earth Tuesday

Now's the time to catch Mars in the night sky.

Next week, the red planet is making its closest approach to Earth in 15 years.

The two planets will be just 35.8 million miles (57.6 million kilometers) apart next Tuesday. And on Friday, Mars will be in opposition. That means Mars and the sun will be on exact opposite sides of Earth. That same day, parts of the world will see a total lunar eclipse.

Mars is already brighter than usual and will shine even more— and appear bigger—as Tuesday nears. Astronomers expect good viewing through early August.

A massive dust storm presently engulfing Mars, however, is obscuring surface details normally visible through telescopes. The Martian atmosphere is so full of dust that NASA's Opportunity rover can't recharge—not enough sunlight can reach its solar panels—and so it's been silent since June 10. Flight controllers don't expect to hear from 14-year-old Opportunity until the storm subsides, and maybe not even then.

The good news about all the Martian dust is that it reflects sunlight, which makes for an even brighter red planet, said Widener University astronomer Harry Augensen.

"It's magnificent. It's as bright as an airplane landing light," Augensen said. "Not quite as bright as Venus, but still because of the reddish, orange-ish-red color, you really can't miss it in the sky."

In 2003, Mars and Earth were the closest in nearly 60,000 years—34.6 million miles (55.7 million kilometers). NASA said that won't happen again until 2287. The next close approach, meanwhile, in 2020, will be 38.6 million miles (62 million kilometers), according to NASA.

Hart Count Theater Needs Volunteers to Assist with New Seating

Hart County Community Theater nees your help.

The Peace Center in Greenville has donated more than 150 seats, literal seats-not tickets, to help the HCCT replace their aging seating. 

The group is looking for volunteers with trucks, trailers and drivers, loaders, unloaders, installers to ease the transition. They are also considering renting a large truck to carry the bulk of the seating but need someone skilled at driving/backing up a large U-Haul type vehicle. Volunteers with their own pickup trucks, trailers or box trucks are also needed  to transport additional seating. We would like to meet at the theatre around 9 AM to discuss our plans for the trip. 

HCCT is also seeking volunteers to unload all these new seats and more volunteers over the next few weekends to get the old seats out and the new seats installed! 

If you can help, call 706-376-5599 and leave us a message, or email hcct@hartcom.net

School Dist. 5 to Demolish Buildings Behind Old McCants

Anderson County School District 5 is planning to demolish several buildings behind the old McCants Junior High School before the year ahead.

"We are in the process of demolishing these buildings, and they are in great need of being torn down," said Kyle Newton, assistant superintendent for the district. "As they exist, they are a safety hazard and an eyesore. Tearing them down is long overdue, and I think will help clean up that section of Whitner Street."  

Anderson County owns the main section of the old McCants building, on the right of the image. The building currently houses Meals on Wheels of Anderson.

School Dist. 5 owns the rest of the buildings in the image, and the city uses the old McCants playing field. The buildings on the far left nex to the outlined area slated for destruction, are used by thel district to store Campus Enhancement and Culinary Services equipment and supplies.

When the new Anderson Institute of Technology opens up, these items will likely be moved to where the current Career Center is located on McDuffie Street, allowing the demolition of these buildings as well.

McMaster/Senate Showdown Over State-Owned Utility

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina's governor and leaders of the state Senate appear to be heading over a showdown on who runs the state-owned utility.

Gov. Henry McMaster sent a letter Monday to senators saying he was installing former state Attorney General Charles Condon as Santee Cooper board chairman.

That appointment requires approval of the Senate, but senators ended the session without voting on Condon, a decision some said was an intentional snub.

McMaster says he can now use a state law granting him the power to fill vacancies when the Senate is not in session.

Three Senate leaders signed a letter written by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Luke Rankin, saying the chairman position came open in December so McMaster's power to appoint without Senate approval ended when lawmakers came back in January.

CDC Blames Backyard Chickens for Salmonella Outbreak

At least 212 people from 44 states, including South Carolina, have been infected with salmonella since July 13. The infections are linked to contact with live poultry in backyard flocks.

Of those sick, 72 percent of people told the CDC that they had contact with chicks or ducklings in the week before their illnesses started. 

If you’re really loving your backyard chickens and all those fresh eggs, avoid those chicken snuggles and kisses, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

You might be putting yourself at risk for a salmonella infection, the department said, and you wouldn’t be alone. 

There is currently a multistate outbreak of salmonella infections linked to people touching backyard poultry, the CDC said on Monday. s

As of July 13, 212 people in 44 states had been infected with the outbreak strains of salmonella, the department said in an outbreak advisory. The illnesses all began between Feb. 15 and June 21 of this year.

Of those infected, 34 people have been hospitalized and 26 percent are children younger than 5 years old. No deaths have been reported, the CDC said. 

North Carolina, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Florida, Minnesota and Michigan have all had at least 10 people who were infected. Many of the other states with multiple people affected are in the Midwest and Southern regions, including Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Iowa. 

At least 212 people from 44 states have been infected with salmonella since July 13. The infections are linked to contact with live poultry in backyard flocks.

Of those sick, 72 percent of people told the CDC that they had contact with chicks or ducklings in the week before their illnesses started. 

The CDC saw a record-high number of illnesses linked to backyard poultry in 2017 — 1,120 people in 48 states were infected as of Oct. 19, 2017. One person died. 

“As raising backyard flocks becomes more popular, more people are having contact with chickens and ducks – and may not know about the risk of Salmonella infection,” the CDC said in last year’s outbreak summary. 

The investigation of the 2018 outbreak is ongoing, but the CDC issued the following advice: 

• “Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water” after handling or being near poultry and their equipment — even if you didn’t touch the birds. 
• Do not let children under 5 years old handle or touch chicks, ducklings and other live poultry without supervision. “Children younger than 5 years of age are more likely to get sick from exposure to germs like salmonella.”
• Do not let live poultry in the house or where you keep food and drinks.
• Change your shoes after taking care of your backyard flock

• “Don’t snuggle, kiss, or touch your mouth to live baby poultry.”

Krispy Kreme Celebrates 81 Years with $1-a-Dozen Doughnuts

A dozen doughnuts for a dollar? Yes, please!

To celebrate 81 years, Krispy Kreme is giving doughnut fans two ways to join the celebration. Customers can buy one dozen classic original glazed doughnuts for only $1 with the purchase of any dozen doughnuts on Friday, July 27.

Sweets lovers can also pick up the new glazed confetti doughnut, available for one week only Friday, July 27 through Thursday, Aug. 2, while supplies last.

The special release glazed confetti doughnut features a vanilla birthday cake-inspired dough with confetti sprinkles throughout, glazed in classic original glaze, and lightly topped with colorful sprinkles.

A list of participating locations can be found on the company's website.

Pepperidge Farm Recalling Goldfish Crackers

Pepperidge Farm is voluntarily recalling four varieties of Goldfish Crackers because of fears they could have salmonella. The company took the action Monday after one of its ingredient suppliers notified it that whey powder used in a seasoning may be contaminated. 

The products were distributed in the United States and no illnesses have been reported.

The Goldfish recall covers Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar, Flavor Blasted Sour Cream & Onion, Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar and Goldfish Mix Xtra Cheddar + Pretzel.

The company has posted a chart with the product codes on its website.

No other Pepperidge Farm products in the U.S. are subject to the recall.

The products can be returned to place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers can call customer service at 800-679-1791.

Duke to Offer Shared Solar Options for Some in S.C.

Duke Energy Progress is launching an affordable option for customers that will enable them to share in the economic benefits from the output of a single solar facility—providing customers another choice that will continue to grow renewable energy in South Carolina.

The Shared Solar Program is available to all qualified Duke Energy Progress residential and nonresidential customers including those who hold tax-exempt status, those who live in multifamily housing or rent homes, and those who may not otherwise have access to solar energy.

Customers who subscribe to solar energy through the Shared Solar Program will receive a monthly bill credit for the value of the energy produced by their subscription.

“This is a great program for any customers who don’t own their residence or are unable to put a solar facility on their property,” said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, state president for Duke Energy in South Carolina. “We estimate that residential customers will earn back their initial payment in credits from the solar array in three years. Customers are not only saving on their electric bill, they are directly supporting a renewable energy future in South Carolina for generations to come.”

County Looking for New Contractor for Park on East-West Connector

Anderson County is in the process of hiring a new construction firm to complete work on the East-West Connector park and parking lot.

Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns said the move comes after the firm previously contracted to complete the area has repeatedly failed to meet deadlines. 

Burns said the connector park would be finished "sooner, not later."

Grace Church Expects Spring Opening in Downtown Anderson

Grace Church of Anderson should be open for worship in the Spring of 2019.

Located in the building which has been home to the State Theater and Anderson Community Theater (in recent years renamed Alverson Community Theater), Grace has received approval for the design from the city and is currently developing drawings with LS3P Associates of Greenville. 

“We have a floor plan, and they are working on the drawings of the exterior,” said Jeff Randolph, business operations director for Grace.   

Randolph said the church is planning to select a contractor within the “next couple of weeks.”

The church has submitted a plan for the interior reconstruction/demolition and hope to have a permit to begin the work by October. 

Construction is expected to be completed and the church open downtown by Spring of 2019.

Average weekly attendance at Grace Church of Anderson, including students and children, is around 450. The church currently meets on Sundays at North Pointe Elementary School on S.C. 81 North.

Randolph said the new downtown location would allow for activities in the building seven days a week. 

The decision to locate downtown is part of the church’s strategy across their nine campuses in the Upstate. Grace has downtown campuses in Greenville and Greer, and typically looks for buildings to renovate rather than tackling new construction. Their Powdersville campus is a rare except to this approach. 

“We feel like we can be a positive influence and have a positive impact downtown, not just for our members but for the entire community,” Randolph said. “We want to impact the local community through life change. We are big on building community, surrounding anyone who shows up with others who can impact their lives and care for them.” 

“Our buildings are just tools to help us to do ministry, not just our members but to the local community. We are looking forward to being in a permanent facility in downtown Anderson.” 

Upon completion, the downtown Anderson Campus will seat between 400-425, which will require multiple services at launch.

Grace’s strategy is to keep the size of services small at all their locations as they grow, to help foster community. The ideal size of a service is 325, he said, and Grace has 19 services across it’s nine locations to maintain the intimacy of a smaller church.

Grace averages approximately 8,000 each Sunday at their sites across the Upstate.

Fox21: Red Cross Helping Belton after Severe Storms

BELTON, SC (FOX Carolina) - The American Red Cross said disaster volunteers are helping families whose homes were damaged by storms in Anderson County over the weekend.

A strong weather system pushed through the area on Saturday, causing hail and knocking out power for more than 12,000 people in the county at one point. By Sunday morning, outages were down to around 5,300, but the sunrise shed light on considerable damage left behind.

PHOTOS: Strong storms damage Anderson County homes

Homes in the area of Jones Chapel Road in Belton suffered heavy storm damage. Witnesses shared photos of a home where part of the roof appeared to have been ripped off in strong winds.

The Red Cross said they are assisting two families who live on Jones Chapel Road after the storms. Four adults and two children affected by the storms are receiving help getting food, clothing, lodging and other essentials, the Red Cross said.

The Craytonville Fire Department responded to the scene.

As of 7:30 a.m. Sunday, more than 5,300 customers were still without power after strong storms moved through the area on Saturday.

The estimated restoration time is by 6:40 p.m. on Sunday.

Bill Would Curb Trump Supervision of Nuclear Administration

WASHINGTON (AP) - A bill being negotiated in Congress would essentially end the Trump administration's direct supervision of an agency that oversees the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile.

The Senate-approved bill would remove the National Nuclear Security Administration from direct control of the Energy Department, where it's been since its creation in 2000, and empower it to act nearly on its own.

The White House and Energy Secretary Rick Perry strongly oppose the plan. It's also opposed by senior lawmakers in both parties. But efforts to remove that change from the bill have come up short.