Today 
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 10:02PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland looks back at 2022 and ahead to 2023 in this interview with the Anderson Observer.
Topics include infrastructure, business growth and parks and trails for Pelzer, plus a brief history of the Mill Town Players.
Monday, December 26, 2022 at 5:07AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Most Americans don't celebrate Dec. 26, but it's a tradition we might want to consider adopting.
St. Stephen’s Day, also called Boxing Day, or Wren Day, is one of two holidays widely observed in honor of the life of St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who was known for his service to the poor and his status as the first Christian martyr (he was stoned to death in AD 36).
In the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, the Dec. 26 the holiday is commonly known as Boxing Day, which takes its name from the practice of giving small gifts to household servants on that day for their work throughout the year.
The day after Christmas is, for many, a time to count new gifts and blessings and prepare for New Year's Day. BIt could also be a time to be a blessing to those in our community whose commitment to our friends, family and neighbors who need a litte extra help throughout the year.
Their work bringing food, shelter, health care, clothing and other assistance is a daily challenge, and they depend on our community to help them help others.
Boxing Day could become a day to contemplate and take action to join their efforts. Get a gift card or two you don't need for Christmas? Donate it to a local charity. Get new coat, sweater or gloves? There are those who would love to have the old ones.
And if you are looking to donate money at the end of the year for any reason, including tax purposes, this is the day to remember that decision.
Anderson has many worthy organizations doing daily, on-the-ground work, but this list offers a starting point of those who serve large groups with information on their efforts and how to donate:
Sunday, December 25, 2022 at 6:20AM In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Saturday, December 24, 2022 at 9:19AM 
It's Christmas Eve, a time for preparations of the big meal and family gatherings, and more than 27,000 Duke Power Customers in Anderson County are without power.
Duke Spokesman Ryan Mosier blamed the outage problems on the cold weather which led to increased holiday demand.
"The extremely low temperatures have put higher stress on the equipment used to generate and deliver electricity,” Mosier said. “Isolated equipment problems have resulted in scattered outages,” he added.
Mosier urged everyone to conserve energy, and had some advice for people who lose power.
“Turn off as many appliances and electronics as possible ,” he said. “This will help with restoration efforts as it will reduce the immediate demand on the power lines when power is restored.”
Once power is restored, Mosier said wait a few minutes before turning your equipment back on.
Customers who experience an outage should call Duke Energy’s automated outage-reporting system:
Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online at duke-energy.com/storms.
Saturday, December 24, 2022 at 8:56AM Friday, December 23, 2022 at 11:25AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Merry Christmas from The Hotel Chiquola, built in 1888 downtown on the square.
The Hotel Chiquola was one of the finest hotels of its day when built. By the 1930s the Hotel Chiquola had been renamed the Plaza Hotel, and suffered many setbacks largely due to the lack of parking and private restrooms.
By the 1960s the Plaza was scarcely used and began to decline even further. By the 1980s the building was home to a few ground level businesses and a few retirement tenants. The Chiquola faced demolition several times in the 1990s but was revived in 2006 by a group of investors rebuilt the Chiquola to luxury condominiums, and a private club with restaurant and bar.
Most of the property was later donated to Anderson University in 2014.
This photograph is courtesy of one of Anderson County's brightest and best sites, the Anderson County Museum where you can discover things you never knew about your hometown or adopted hometown. Exhibits change regularly, so visit often to support one of the most extensive museums in the state.
For more on this and other Anderson County history topics you can visit the Anderson County Museum on Tuesdays from 10AM to 7PM and each Wednesday through Saturday 10AM to 4PM. Their Roper Research Room is open every Tuesday from 1PM to 7PM or by appointment with the curator. The museum is located at 202 E Greenville Street, or contact them at 864-260-4737. Also, visit their social media pages and website: andersoncountymuseum.org.
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 3:04PM Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 4:04PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
A new library is coming to downtown Iva.
As reported earlier this year in the Anderson Observer, Anderson County, in partnership with the Town of Iva and the Anderson County Library System, will use a $500,000 grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for a new library branch downtown.
“This new facility will be a welcome addition to this wonderful community, and we expect that it will serve to encourage further redevelopment and renewal in the Town of Iva”, said Anderson County Councilmember Ray Graham. “We’d all like to thank South Carolina Commerce and the CDBG program for their invaluable assistance in support of this effort.”
The new location will be in an existing storefront location in the Iva town square on East Front Street, directly across from the gazebo, a space once used by the Iva Fire Department. The building still has extant architectural features in place from that time, and these elements will be incorporated into the design of the new library where feasible. Their presence will help provide the type of unique environment and historical reference that makes for a very unique and special public space.
“The development of the new library branch in the facility will ensure that the old fire station continues to serve as a community benefit” said Iva Mayor Bobby Gentry. “The project enhances our ongoing efforts to revitalize our town square and offer a wide array of services and activities to area residents.”
In addition to enhancing the Iva downtown, the project will serve to promote efforts by the Anderson County Library System to offer upgraded facilities which better serve the current needs of its clientele.
“In the digital age, the public library is called upon to serve as much more than a repository for books”, said Julie Hart, Chair of the Anderson County Library Board. “The new Iva branch library will serve as a ‘community commons’ and provide a variety of multimedia tools for people who want to explore alternative modes of accessing information. We believe our local libraries can, and should, function as vibrant hubs of activity and be prominent social centers in the communities they serve.”
Renovation work is scheduled to begin by early summer 2023.
The move will also allow Anderson County School District Three to consolidate operations at their current location to include the space currently occupied by the Iva Branch of the Anderson County Library.
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 7:03AM Anchored in His Grace Ministry will hold its Annual Feed the Community Charity Event on Christmas Day from 11am- 2pm at the Anderson County Farmers Market.
This is the third year that Pastor Matthew Merriweather and his family will provide a full meal to the community of Anderson. The event has grown each year with the help from the Anderson County Council, donations, partnering with other organizations, and some local businesses in the community.
Volunteers that help prepare the food are also critical to the event. Volunteers will also deliver food to those that can't make the commute to the Farmers Market.
Monday, December 19, 2022 at 7:46PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The return of the Standpipe Festival, new housing and new businesses are some of the highlights of the past year for the City of Belton.
City Administrator Alan Sims recapped the year for the Anderson Observer.
Monday, December 19, 2022 at 4:13PM Observer Reports
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages South Carolinians to take advantage of the federal government’s continued efforts to provide free, COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits to households across the country.
The White House has relaunched a partnership with the United States Postal Service to provide home tests for every household in the nation. Those interested can visit covid.gov/tests and order four free at-home tests that will be mailed to their home. The federal government ended the free program earlier this year with plans of reopening during the winter months when virus spread has the most potential to increase.
In addition to the national effort, South Carolinians can visit their local public health department and pick up free COVID-19 tests. These locations have plenty of home tests that are easy to pick up.
Monday, December 19, 2022 at 5:12AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Williamston continues to be one of the fastest growing towns in the Upstate, and 2022 was not exception.
New businesses, a new town master plan, the return of events and festivals and new housing are just some of the highlights.
Mayor Rockey Burgess recapped the year in this interview with the Anderson Observer.
Sunday, December 18, 2022 at 2:53PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
More than 1,000 new houses, recreation improvements and expasion and a solid economic year marked 2022 for the City of Anderson.
Mayor Terence Roberts discussed some of the years milestones with the Anderson Observer.