Law Enforcement Appreciation BBQ Set for Saturday

Observer Reports

The City of Anderson and Anderson County will host a Law Enforcement Appreciate BBQ Saturday at the Civic Center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Tickets for the event, with BBQ provided by Creekside BBQ, are available here, and 100 percent of the sales will go directly to the foundations for the officers of the Anderson City Police Department and the Anderson County Sheriff's Department. 

"We are looking forward to a great event, supporting a great cause," said Anderson City Councilman Kyle Newton. "Our local law enforcement go above and beyond the call of duty each and every day, and we are excited to show our appreciation for them and all that they do for the community. Being able to partner with my counterpart on county council to show how government works best when they work together is an added benefit, and I appreciate the great relationship that our city currently has with Anderson County."

“I’m just excited to be a part of an event that not only brings the city and county together, but honors the men and women of law enforcement that so selflessly serve our community day in and day out," said Anderson County Councilman John Wright Jr. "It’s truly an honor to be able to give back just a small fraction of what they give to us each and every day and it’s a great opportunity to recognize them for their service and thank them for what they do.”

Holy Trinity Bazaar Set for Saturday in Clemson

Observer Reports

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clemson will hold its annual Bazaar and Artisan Market Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the church fellowship hall located at 193 Old Greenville Highway across from Clemson University.

The annual Bazaar, dating back more than 75 years, will feature handcrafted items made by artisans from around the Upstate and crafters at Holy Trinity. Items for sale will include holiday, ornaments, jewelry, gift baskets, soaps, quilts, plants, candles, American Girl Doll clothes, as well as homemade take-home frozen meals, baked and canned goods. The event also will include a silent auction.

The Bazaar will also include a tailgate-style party featuring grilled burgers, hot dogs and chili, cole slaw, grilled cheese, fruit, and other dishes. 

All profits to Holy Trinity will be shared among local charities. In recent years, proceeds have been donated to Clemson Community Care, Family Promise of Pickens County, Collins Children’s Home, Our Daily Rest, Safe Harbor, Habitat for Humanity of Anderson, and the Clemson Free Clinic, among others. 

Masks will be required indoors in keeping with the Clemson city ordinance. More information about the event can be found at www.holytrinitybazaar.org or by contacting the parish office at 654-5071.

City of Anderson to Limit Firearms at Permitted Public Events

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson City Council on Monday gave final approval to an ordinance prohibiting open carry of firearms during picketing and other permitted events on public property.

The ordinance includes a prohibition of concealable weapons or open carry of firearms during pickets “as expressly allowed by Section 22-31-520 of the South Carolina Code of Laws” on public property in the city being used for permitted events.

The move aims to eliminate any potential ambiguity in regard to state law, which gives local landowners and municipalities the right to regulate the use of firearms or ammunition. 

The amended ordinance limits the open carry of firearms during all other permitted events on public property as also expressly allowed by the aforementioned S.C. law. The goal is to promote peace and good order during events and, further, recognizes the prohibition of open carry as described above is in keeping with city policy as it pertains to its own buildings and facilities. 

The ordinance is similar to one passed by the City of Greenville last month. 

Signs will be placed downtown as part permitted events to help educate the public on the new regulations.

Also on Monday, city council approved the rezoning of  218 Tribble Street, 508 and 520 Fair Street, and 1.98 acres located off Clinkscales Street from HI, Heavy Industrial to GC, General Commercial.

County Still Evaluating Last Week's Rainstorms Damage

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Parts of Anderson County left soggy by last weeks hard, steady rains are still assessing the damage after as much as 10 inches were recorded in some areas.

Shackleburg and Scott's Bridge Roads in Anderson were damaged by the storms, along with roads in some areas around Powdersville and in multiple places in Honea Path. Driveways were also washed out in some areas.

Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns said the weeked was "all hands on deck" for county employees working to assess and alieviate some of the damage. The county is still evaluating areas hardest hit.

Honea Path Mayor Christoper Burton reported as many as seven roads/culverts effected in and around his town.

The storms last for five days, leaving the ground saturated and unable to absorb the continued rainfall. Trees falling and septic tank issues were reported across the county through the weekend, even after the rain ended Friday night. The storms also forced the rescheduling of three high school football games.

"What we need right now is all the sunshine we can get," said Burns.

No estimate of the damage from the week of storms has been calculated, but the situation is being evaluated and there is a possibility of seeking financial relief help to remedy the situation in Anderson County.

West Pelzer recorded the record for most rainfall in a single day in Anderson County, when 12.81 inches fell on August 27, 1995.

Mayor Credits Planning to West Pelzer Growth

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders says growth in his community is a result of long-range planning in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

McMaster has Raised $3.5M for Re-election Fund

(AP) -In his pursuit of a second full term, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster brought in more than $1 million in the most recent fundraising quarter, eclipsing the amount one of his Democratic challengers has raised overall since launching his campaign.

McMaster's third-quarter haul brings his total for the 2022 election so far to more than $3.5 million, the Republican's campaign said Friday. As of the end of last month, McMaster and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, had about $2.4 million on hand.

This is McMaster's first $1 million quarter of the 2022 campaign. He reached the mark several times during his 2018 bid.

“We can feel it everywhere we go that the people of South Carolina are excited, optimistic and strong – and that is why we are already setting records,” McMaster said. “I could not be more excited for what the future holds.”

McMaster has yet to draw a primary challenger who is actively raising money to face him in the contest next June. In 2018, McMaster faced three opponents in the Republican primary before defeating one of them, businessman John Warren, in a subsequent runoff election.

Several Democrats have filed to take on McMaster next year. This week, one of them, former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, said that he had raised more than $1 million since launching his campaign, more than $360,000 of that coming in the most recent quarter.

Another Democrat, state Sen. Mia McLeod, has not released her latest figures. Last quarter, she brought in around $104,000.

High School Football Scores

Updated to include Crescent score

Daniel 56, Pendleton 0  

Wren 34, Seneca 21

Greer 24, BHP 14

T.L. Hanna 42, Mauldin 15

Crescent 57, Ninety-Six 40, Saturday

Palmetto @ Blue Ridge ppd until Monday 7 p.m.

Powdersville @ Berea ppd until Monday 7:30 p.m.

Westside @ Travelers Rest ppd until Monday 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 8. 2021: Soirée, Downtown Growth, Serving Others, Geer-Gantt Icon Comes Home, a Rising Start in Nashville, Events, News

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

News, events and more, including interviews with:

City of Anderson Economic Development Director Kimberly Spears 1:50 Soirée 

Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton 13:30 

Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland 22:02

Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess 40:14 

Abigail Burden, Belton Museum Director 58:15 

Belton Museum Board Member Jeremiah Palmer (Geer-Gantt High School). 59:50 

Nashville Singer/Songwriter Margaret Haynie 1:02:50 

Hope Mission Dave Phillips. 1:11

Lost Geer-Gantt High School Finds Home at Belton Museum

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The drum beat of history is never forgotten.

A bass drum used for many years at the old Geer-Gantt High School and thought lost forever in 1969, was discovered on sale online and purchased by an anonymous donor who gave the drum to the Belton Area Museum.

The school was merged with Belton-Honea Path High School during desegration in 1970.

Return of Soirée Set for April 2022

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

After an absence of more than a decade, the Anderson Soirée plans to return to downtown in 2022.

The two-day festival downtown will take place from 4-9 p.m. April 29 and from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 30. 

“We’re kind of in the middle of the planning stages right now,” said Kimberly Spears, director of economic development for the City of Anderson. “We’ve got the greenlight from city council to move forward, and we’re putting a committee together and really assessing everything.”

Talks of reviving the festival have been ongoing for some time, Spears said, including encouragement from Caroline Gaddis, business education & events manager for the city who had fond memories of the downtown festival. 

The Soirée, which ran from 1985-2009, with a gap during the construction of the new courthouse in the early 1990s, was Anderson's annual signature arts and entertainment event. The return of the festival is expected to be better funded and have more support from the city, which has been making improvements downtown which will make logistics much easier.

“The city upgrades around downtown will make it easier,” said Spears. “Since the last Soirée we’ve added Carolina Wren Park, Church Street Park and other improvements.”

The improvements include the availability of electrical connections throughout downtown which will facilitate having entertainment on multiple stages.  

Spears said the arts center will again be a major player in the festival which showcases include the performing arts and culinary arts. 

“It’s still a big undertaking, but the city has been putting things in place to engage and involve the public downtown for some time. This has been at the forefront and this will really help. We want to make sure it will be a partnership, a community-led festival that we are hosting.”

Plastic Omnium Announces $17.7M Expansion, 76 New Jobs

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Plastic Omnium, a leading automotive equipment provider has announced plans to expand operations in Anderson County with a new $17.7 million investment which will create 76 new jobs.

Anderson's Pearman Dairy Road plant will produce bumpers and tailgates for General Motors’ new Lyric electric vehicle. Additionally, the company will upgrade existing injection molding machines and paint lines, as well as invest in new equipment.

The expansion is expected to be completed by February 2022. Individuals interested in joining the Plastic Omnium team should visit the company’s careers webpage. 

“Plastic Omnium has been a mainstay here in Anderson for many years now," said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. "Their $17.7 million expansion and 76 new jobs they bring with this announcement shows why we are glad they continue to make Anderson their home, and it also shows their of our workforce.”

County Approves Tax Breaks for Equinox Mill Development

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County Council on Tuesday gave initial approval to a deal to provide tax incentives to a company which has purchased the old Equinox Mill site for development.

M Peters Group of Greenville will clean up the site, which has been in rubble for years, and build apartments, town houses, parks and other amenities on the property off Jackson Street as a part of a $31.5 million investment in the location. 

“M Peters Group was selected to move this project forward,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. “They were chosen for their work on other similar projects, such as the Newry Mill renovation.”

Burns said initial plans for cleanup are already under way. He added that the development would be built in stages, with timeline goals to be determined. If these agreed upon goals are not met, the property would revert back to the county.The plans include 120 low-income (60% AMI) multi-family units and 26 single-family homes, a playground, a community garden, a dog park, a trail and retail development. 

“This is a great thing for that area,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Anderson Airport Adds Chartered Services to Public

Anderson Observer

Clemson Air Charter (CAC) is now offering chartered flight services to the general public at the Anderson Regional Aiport. 

CAC owner and operator John Von Kaenel has more than 15 years of experience as a commercial airline pilot and charter operator, and will offer Anderson-area residents air travel for business or pleasure.

Call (864) 276-7047, or visit their office at the Anderson Regional Airport terminal, located at 5805 Airport Road, or visit www.clemsonair.com for more information.

“We couldn’t be happier to have Clemson Air Charter joining the family at Anderson Regional," said Anderson County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders, who is also a pilot. "People have been wanting this kind of service for years and we are happy to deliver.”

“These are the types of aviation-related businesses that we’ve been working hard to recruit to Anderson Regional Airport," said Anderson Regional Airport Manager Brett Garrison. "Operations such as this help us provide better service to the community while also enhancing the utility of our facility.”