Margaret Haynie Finding Joy in the Nashville Experience

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Belton-native Margaret Haynie grew up singing in church and school and has taken her talent for singing and songwriting to Nashville. She's already released one single and more new music is scheduled to drop in November. She talks about her new journey and plans for the future in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

 

FreshTaste Anderson Pairs Local Restaurants, Farms

Anderson Observer

FreshTaste Anderson pairs local restaurants with local food sources for the ultimate local farm to table competition. 

This year's contest runs today through Sunday and features the following restaurants/farms:

Groucho's Deli with Palmatier Farms

Earle Street Kitchen and Bar with Forx Farm & Growing Green Family Farms

MaKi Sushi Bar & Bistro with Providence Farm

Summa Joe's Searing Pans with Providence Farm

Mr. Rivers Breakfast Joint with Providence Farm

Sullivan's Metropolitan Grill with Growing Green Family Farms

The Local Pub and Eatery with Growing Green Family Farms

Figs Cafe & Farmacy with Hampton Acres

Taco Loco with Split Creek Farm

To vote for the winners, who will receive a $500 prize and a giant fork plaque, visit here.

Mayor: Honea Path Ready for Busy Fall Schedule

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton talks about events and growth in the town in this Fall 2021 update with the Anderson Observer.

Anderson Mall Set for Foreclosure Tuesday; Stores Will Remain Open as New Owner Sought

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

On Tuesday, the Anderson Mall is officially up for sale.  

The mall’s parent company, Washington Prime Group, which owns more than 100 locations across the country has filed for bankruptcy protection after more than a year of challenges from the pandemic.

“As of Tuesday, we are officially in foreclosure,” said Sandy Stalnaker, who has served as office manager at Anderson Mall for the past 36 years. 

“There has been a downturn for malls in general,” said Stalnaker. “Since the COVID shutdown people started shopping more and more online and the habit just stuck. Our traffic has been down for more than a year because of it. It’s hard for me since I have been here so long.” 

The foreclosure effects much of the main portion of the mall, which was built in 1972. Belk’s, Dillard’s and Sears (store closed in 2018, but owned by national Sears) own the property on which their stores reside and are not part of the foreclosure. 

Anderson Mall opened in March 1972 with 43 stores, anchored by department stores JCPenney and Meyers Arnold. In 1984 both Gallant Belk relocated to the mall from downtown along with Sears to the newly expanded and renovated mall. Meyers Arnold was later purchased by Uptons, and upon the closing of that chain of stores, became a Belk Men's & Home store. In 2007, the Belk Men's & Home store closed, and the spot was taken by Dillard's, which opened in late 2008.

Earlier this year, Washington Prime Group closed a number of its properties and relaxed collection of rent from some tenants during the pandemic, pinching the group’s finances. 

Washington Prime's estimated assets range from $1 billion-$10 billion, in line with its estimated liabilities, in a filing made in the US States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas earlier this year. 

“The bankruptcy shows that while things are now getting back to normal, many of the scars left by the pandemic have not fully healed,” Neil Saunders, retail analyst and managing director at GlobalData, told CNN Business at that time. 

“Strong balance sheets and sound operations are needed to see property companies through this period,” Saunders said. “Washington Prime did not have those fundamentals and so has chosen Chapter 11 as a way to restructure and pay down its debts.” 

The Columbus, Ohio-based company, formed in 2014 after a spin-off from mall giant Simon Property Group Inc., remains in talks for roughly $100 million of so-called debtor-in-possession financing to aid operations during bankruptcy proceedings. 

During the pandemic in 2020, the company's rental income plummeted almost $127 million from 2019 levels. During the first three months of 2021, rental income was off roughly $20 million compared with the same time in 2020. 

“The company's financial restructuring will enable Washington Prime to right size its balance sheet and position the company for success going forward,” said CEO Lou Conforti.

S.C. House to Begin Drawing Redistricting Maps

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A special South Carolina House committee considering drawing new districts based on the 2020 U.S. Census is holding its final meeting to gather public comment this week.

Attention will now turn toward finishing the new maps of U.S. House and state Senate and House districts that must be approved by the General Assembly and will likely also face a court review.

Candidates will need to have those new districts in place before filing for the 2022 primaries and election begins in March.

In recent public meetings, lawmakers from rural and minority districts and their constituents have asked special committees in both the House and Senate to consider allowing districts that are up to 10% above or below the population if the districts were all drawn with equal numbers of people.

They said that will prevent diminished representation for African Americans and in rural areas, which both lost population from 2010 to 2020.

Both chambers have leaned toward using the 2010 criteria, which allowed up to a 5% difference.

The House’s redistricting committee meets 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Blatt Building at the Statehouse to listen to the public both in person and online.

The committee with five Republicans and three Democrats just finished holding nine meetings around South Carolina on what criteria should be used to draw maps for the 46 state Senate districts, 124 state House districts and seven U.S. House districts based on 2020 U.S. Census data.

The Senate subcommittee held 10 hearings across the state. They set their criteria for new districts earlier this month.

The two chambers usually don’t alter the other chamber’s map. Both chambers will work together on the U.S. House map.

South Carolina added nearly 500,000 people from 2010 to 2020 to become the 23rd largest state in the U.S. with 5.1 million people, according to the Census.

Much of that growth was along the coast and the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina. Twenty-four of South Carolina’s 46 counties lost population, mostly in rural areas.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Construction to Reroute Some Downtown Traffic Beginning Tomorrow

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Expect traffic confusing downtown for the next few weeks, as a section of East Whitner beside the historic courthouse is closed beginning Monday for the demolition of a building adjacent to Carolina Wren Park. This portion of the street is expected to reopen no later than Oct. 28.

The building, which officials said is beyond repair will be replaced with a new building and is one of two purchased by Anderson School District Five for administration offices downtown. Rennovation of the other building, the main First Citizens building on the corner of East Whitner and North Main is expected to be completed by Summer 2022. 

The district plans to relocate senior adminstration and the financial services department, which handles such things as payroll and grants into the main building. The new construction will be used for other adminstrative offices.

"We are hoping to move all of our instructional services department downtown into the oldest of the First Citizens buildings," said Assistant Superintendent Kyle Newton. "That would include all of our early childhood and elementary instruction staff, secondary instruction staff, and special education staff.".

Newton said the administration had outgrown the current offices on Pearman Dairy Road, which were built in 1967.  

"Lots of things have changed since 1967, most significantly when it comes to a staffing perspective is special education services, transportation services, and technology," said Newton.

"Moving instrucional services and financial services to a more centralized location downtown is going to allow us to bring our technology department upstairs (now housed in the basement at the current facility on Pearman Dairy Road)," said Newton. "Moving them also allows us to finally give the district's bus drivers a really nice space of their own."

Currently, that division occupies two old trailers in the back parking lot. 

"These moves will allow them space inside of the main building with all of the other staff, which is what they truly deserve," said Newton. "We also plan to do some renovations in the basement to better accommodate the drivers when they are on their break or before/after they complete their routes."

Anderson County High School Football Scores

Westside 58, Easley 20

Powdersville 55, Palmetto 20

T.L. Hanna 37, Woodmont 14

BHP 53, Pendleton 27

Abbeville 49, Crescent 0

Crappie USA Championship Set for Oct. 15-16

Observer Reports

Crappie USA celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a championship event set for Oct. 15-16 at Hartwell Lake's Green Pond Landing.

Anglers have been fishing Crappie USA events nationwide to qualify for the annual championship.

“Mid-October should be good on Hartwell,” advised CUSA Operations Manager Darrell Van Vactor. “I would think the long-line trollers will find good success as well as vertical jig fishermen. It should produce some good weights at Green Pond Landing weigh-in.”

All teams must pre-register at least seven days before the event. Entry fees are, Amateur Division $225.00 per team; Pro Division $400.00 per team; Big Fish (optional) $25.00.

Registration is scheduled for Thursday at the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center from noon-5:00 pm. A banquet and seminar will follow beginning at 7 p.m.

The tournament weigh-in will be held at Green Pond Landing. Fishing hours are 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and all anglers are required to be in the weigh-in line by 4 p.m. Interviews of the top 5 teams are conducted following the weigh-in and the public is invited.

For more information visit www.visitanderson.com.

Mayor: Williamston Experiencing Historic Growth

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Williamston is facing unprecedented growth moving into the final months of 2021, as outlined by Mayor Rocky Burgess in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

Glen Raven to Add 135 Jobs in Anderson

Observer Reports

Glen Raven Inc., a high-performance textile manufacturer, today announced plans to expand operations for its custom fabrics division in Anderson County with a $70 million investment will create 135 new jobs.

“Glen Raven has been an integral part of Anderson County for decades now, and I am glad to see the tradition continuing with this expansion," said Anderson County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders. "A company like Glen Raven Inc. would be welcome in any country around the world, and it says a lot about our workforce and our community that they choose to stay right here at home.”

Located at 4665 Liberty Highway in Anderson, Glen Raven Inc.’s expansion will add a distribution center to the company’s existing local operations with new equipment and processes that will improve overall efficiency and capacity. The company is also enhancing its Sunbrella® manufacturing assets with additional finishing capacity and investments to optimize material flow while expanding and improving inspection and sampling capabilities.

Operating in Anderson County since 1986, Glen Raven Inc. is a leading provider of textiles with widely recognized global brands including Sunbrella® and Dickson®. The company focuses primarily on the awning, marine and furniture markets.
 
Designed with flexibility to adjust as markets change, the company’s new facility is expected to be constructed and operational by early 2023. Individuals interested in joining the Glen Raven Inc. team should visit the company’s careers webpage.
 
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $400,000 Set-Aside grant to Anderson County to assist with the cost of site preparation and building construction.

Mill Site Development a Game Changer for Pelzer

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Pelzer's recent announcements of massive develop at the old mill site, including a new housing and a new restaurant, are only part of the town's rapid growth.

Mayor Will Ragland talks about these and other issues in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

Saturday Voter Registration Deadline for Fall Elections

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

If you’re not registered to vote, Saturday is the deadline to register for Anderson County elections scheduled for Nov. 2. To register or check your voter registration, visit SCVotes.org.

Elections are scheduled for Belton, Easley, Honea Path, Iva, Pelzer, Pendleton and West Pelzer. Absentee voting begins Tuesday, for those who are eligible. 

The following races are set for Nov. 2:

Belton

Council Ward 1 Mark Spence

Council Ward 3  Brandy Vaughan, Tammy Kay

Council Ward 5, Lynda McCoy (Incumbent), Heather Adams 

Honea Path

Council Ward 1 A. Earle Ashley (Incumbent),

Council Ward 3  Jean Perrett (Incumbent),

Council Ward 5  Dorothy “Dot” Evans(Incumbent),

Iva

Mayor  Bobby Gentry (Incumbent),

Council Ward 1 Elmer Powell

Council Ward 2  Dwayne Kelley (Incumbent),

Council Ward 3  Mary B Forrester (Incumbent),, 

Council Ward 4   Paul Hart (Incumbent), 

Pendleton 

Mayor Frank Crenshaw (Incumbent),

Council Ward 1 Lyn Merchant

Council Ward 1 Bruce L. Kalley (Incumbent),

Council Ward 3 Vince Gaulin, M. Denise Jackson (Incumbent),

Pelzer

Mayor, Will Ragland (Incumbent),

Council Skip Goldsmith (Incumbent) , Mike Matthews (Incumbent), Donna Ide, Matt Turner 

West Pelzer

Council  Jeff Lee, Johnny C Rogers Sr, (Incumbent)

The qualified reasons for voting absentee are listed below.  

QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING ABSENTEE 

• Members of the Armed Forces 
• Members of the Merchant Marine 
• Spouses and dependents residing with members of the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine 
• Persons serving with the American Red Cross or with the United Service Organizations (USO) who are attached to and serving with the Armed Forces outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them
• Citizens residing overseas 
• Persons who are physically disabled (includes illnesses and injuries)
• Students attending school outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them
• Persons who for reasons of employment will not be able to vote on election day
• Government employees serving outside their county of residence on Election Day and their spouses and dependents residing with them
• Persons who plan to be on vacation outside their county of residence on Election Day
• Persons serving as a juror in state or federal court on Election Day
• Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on Election Day or within a four-day period before the election
• Persons with a death or funeral in the family within three days before the election
• Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial
• Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons
• Certified poll watchers, poll managers, and county election officials working on Election Day
• Persons sixty-five years of age or older

For more information on absentee voting, contact the Anderson County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 260-4035 or visit their website at www.andersoncountysc.org.

Belton Museum New Exhibit to Feature Indigenous People

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Belton Area Museum Association (BAMA) will open its newest exhibit "Natives and Immigrants" at the historic Belton train depot Saturday from 10:30 a.m.– 4 p.m..

In commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Colony of Carolina, the exhibit focuses on the indigenous people groups who were already living in the territory and the European settlers who arrived on these shores to create a new life for themselves. 

“Many of the amazing artifacts both groups left behind are on display,” said BAMA Executive Director Abigail Burden.  

At the center of the exhibit is the S.C. State Museum’s traveling exhibit "The First South Carolinians: The Life and Times of the First Cultures in the Palmetto State." Visitors can walk through the exhibit and view the extensive collections of several local patrons. 

Included in the display are 15,000 year old stone implements, a buckskin dress, ritual masks, photographs and portraits, basketry and pottery by renowned Native American crafters, silver pieces and minted items from the Carolina colony, trade industry items, furniture and everyday cultural items of the settlers. 

The exhibit will be on display until December 11, 2021. For more information or to arrange a group tour, please call 864-338-7400.