Honey & Hotrods Light Up Mill Town Players Stage after Dark Year

Honey and the Hot Rods strutted onto the Mill Town Players stage Friday night, the first performance at the venue after more than a year of being shut down for the pandemic, with full-tilt energy and an engaging stage presence that reminded theater goers what we have missed.

The road house four-piece retro-rock band did not disappoint the sold-out house.Honey and the Hotrods light up the stage at the Mill Town Player theater Friday night. Photo: Anderson Observer

Katie Rockwell, who wowed audiences on this same stage in 2016 with her “Always…Patsy Cline” tribute show, blazed through a series of classics from the 1950s on Friday, covering a set that stretched beyond the advertised rockabilly show.

From the kickoff “Backstreet Boogie,” Katie, along with husband Larry whose guitar work sizzled with licks that at times evoked a Chuck Berry/Carl Perkins after a six-pack of Red Bulls, offered a show that connected with the full auditorium, who hooted and applauded when asked if they had missed live music. Larry’s hot guitar hooks were the perfect match to Katie’s voice, which effortlessly slide from ballads to rock as she kicks in a quick growl into her vocal licks. 

Joined by a solid rhythm sections with Pete Cash on bass and Fred Wooten on drums, Honey and the Hot Rods blew through covers of seminal songs of the era, including echoes of the Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and, of course Patsy Cline. 

From “All I Have to Do is Dream” and “Crying,” to “Folsom Prison Blues” and the playful “Shake Your Money Maker,” to mention a few, Friday night’s concert was just plain fun.

But the stellar moment of the concert was Katie’s cover of “When Will I Be Loved,” which soared into an orbit of its own. Originally another Everly Brothers hit in the 1950s, Katie followed the Linda Ronstadt arrangement, which energy and emotion unmatched in Friday night’s all-around strong set. 

Her voice on the song were perfect, and if Mill Town Players CEO Will Ragland is half the promoter I know he is, the creation of a show of Katie covering the entire Ronstadt “Heart Like a Wheel” album should already be in the works.

Ragland, who also serves as mayor of Pelzer, was almost floating as he introduced the return to live shows at the auditorium, thanking the loyal patrons and the South Carolina Cares Act for saving the theater from oblivion during the pandemic. 

Honey and the Hotrods was a one-off performance, the perfect kick off for the theater's reopening. The Mill Town Players season continues July 23 with “Steel Magnolias.” For more information on the new season visit here.

S.C. Names Members to Senate Redistricting Committee

Observer Reports

On Friday, S.C. Sen. Luke A. Rankin, R-Horry, chairman of the S.C. Senate Judiciary Committee, announced members of the Senate Redistricting Subcommittee. In addition to Rankin, who chairs the subcommittee, they are: S.C. Sen. George E. “Chip” Campsen, III, R-Charleston, S.C. Sen. Tom Young, Jr., R-Aiken, S.C. Sen. Ronnie A. Sabb, D-Williamsburg, S.C. Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Colleton, S.C. Sen. Scott Talley, R- Spartanburg, and S.C. Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Columbia. 

“The members of our bipartisan subcommittee represent a wide range of different experiences and perspectives," said Rankin. "I look forward to our working together on a redistricting process that is fair and equitable to all South Carolinians.” 

The subcommittee will hold an organizational meeting at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Room 105 of the Gressette Building in Columbia.

Districts for the S.C. General Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives are redrawn every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, to meet the requirements of federal and state law. This process aims to see that members of the S.C. General Assembly and South Carolina’s members to the U.S. House of Representatives are elected from districts with approximately the same population. 

The public is urged to attend the public hearings that will be held across the state, with the dates, locations, and times will be announced in the near future.

For additional information about the public hearings, redistricting subcommittee meetings, and other information related to the Senat redistricting process, email redistricting@scsenate.gov or call (803) 212-6634.

Laura Booth New Director for Anderson Elections Office

Observer Reports

The Anderson County Board of Voter Registration and Elections has appointed Laura Booth as the new Executive Director, effective July 26. 

Booth has been with the election office since 2007, previously serving as the Voter Services Supervisor. She assumes the duties of former director Katy Smith, who recently retired. 

“Laura is an experienced election official who will continue to conduct orderly, fair and transparent elections in Anderson County,” said Board Chariman Peggy Taylor. 

“I am honored to be given this opportunity to serve the citizens of Anderson County," Booth said. "Anderson County Board of Voter Registration and Elections office has an excellent staff that gives me complete confidence knowing that we uphold the integrity of every election to the highest standard and to the law. I want every voter to have the best experience casting their ballot and have that same confidence knowing that every vote counts!” 

Developing...

14 Fire Chiefs Posted Online Content on May 18 Referendum

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer 

The Anderson County Fire Commission has suspended two fire chiefs, accusing them of using “websites to sway the election.”

Centerville Fire Chief Greg Dunn, and Hopewell Fire Chief Andy Ginn were disciplined on June 30 after refusing to sign and agree 60-day suspensions issued by Anderson County Fire Chief Jimmy Sutherland who said both chiefs used official fire station websites to encourage voters to oppose the referendum.

Neither station has a website, but both do have Facebook pages. Ginn, along with 12 other chiefs also have personal Facebook pages. All 13 men posted partisan posts on Facebook prior to the May 18 referendum. It is unclear if the Anderson County Fire Department has written policies concerning such action.

Both Dunn and Ginn, and their attorney Nancy Jo Thomason, have expressed concerns that the move is retaliation.

“I have been a volunteer firefighter in Anderson County for more than forty years. I still go to almost all the calls that occur in my district. I am dedicated to educating and protecting our citizens,” Dunn said. “So, it is more than disappointing to find out that our County Chief of the Fire Commission has decided to take such retaliation against me because I have a different point of view. I thought that was what our country was founded upon. Being able to speak freely and share your opinion on a topic is as American as it gets. Trying to hush people with punishment, is the opposite.” 

Ginn agreed.

“As a 38-year veteran of the Hopewell Volunteer, Fire Department, I am shocked that I have been disciplined, without any specific explanation,” said Ginn. “It is clear that Chief Dunn and I are being made examples so others know not to cross the ‘powers that be’ at the county fire commission.”

“It is obvious that the Anderson County Fire Commission and its Chief, Jimmy Sutherland, are retaliating against my clients because they opposed the tax increase referendum,” said Thomason. “I look forward to exposing this for what it really is; vengeful and childish behavior.”

Thomason said her clients have requested a hearing on this matter before the full Fire Commission as is provided for in their policy.

A March 5 email to all 27 fire stations covered by the commission, ordered them "to stay neutral on their websites about the election on the referendum." The letter said chiefs were reminded at a March 22 meeting to remain neutral “on their websites.” Thomason says the March 22 meeting did not follow legal guidelines for an official meeting.

There is also no mention on restrictions on chiefs favoring or opposing the referendum is listed on the official Anderson County Fire Department agendas from March-May.

Neither Centerville nor Hopewell have websites. Both do have Facebook pages, and Hopewell has an Instagram account as well. There has been no evidence presented of a posting on the Centerville Facebook page, though a “Vote No” photo without comment was posted March 15 on the Hopewell Instagram account as well as Ginn’s private Facebook page which includes a photo of a “Vote No” billboard published March 15.

Dunn does not have a personal Facebook page, but  many of the other fire chiefs do, and 12 of these chiefs (there are 27 total station chiefs in the county fire department) posted either “Vote Yes” photos, a paid video encouraging a yes vote on the May 18 referendum, or both.

The following fire chiefs posted support for the referendum on Facebook prior to the vote (the Anderson Observer has screenshots of each incident, many are still on Facebook as of July 15):

Pendleton Station 2 Chief: Anthony Hamby, May 18

Double Springs Station 5 Chief: Gary Bean, May 17

Three & Twenty Station 19 Chief: Tommy Keaton, May 18

West Pelzer Station 6 Chief: Lee Blackwell, May 18

Powdersville Station 7 Chief: Brad Kuykendall. May 13

Broadway Station 8 Chief: David Burnette, May 13

Walker McElmoyle Station 16 Chief: Kevin Kay, May 18

Townville Station 17 Chief: Billy McAdams, May 18

Grove Station 18 Chief: Marty Watt, May 18

Craytonville Station 21 Chief: Chris Branyon, May 18

Wren Station 24 Chief: Bryon Owens, May 16

Sandy Springs Station 26 Chief: Randy Wilson, May 18

Evidence clearly shows that 12 other fire chiefs posted some material online concerning the referendum, but singled out for discipline.

Who paid for the video supporting the referendum many of these chiefs posted is unclear. The Anderson Observer is still investigating. This story is developing. 

S.C. Health Officials Warn of Another COVID-19 Surge

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Public health experts warned Wednesday of another surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths across South Carolina as more than half of state residents remain unvaccinated.

Health officials reported 204 confirmed cases Wednesday, far lower than the thousands of cases recorded daily during the pandemic's January peak. But cases have been rising steadily in the last three weeks, with a 58% increase last week, state officials said.

As of Wednesday, the state also had 205 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, compared to 147 hospitalizations on June 23 — a 39.4 percent increase over three weeks.

“This is alarming,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, director of public health at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. “Our current situation is tipping in the wrong direction.”

Health experts have urged South Carolinians to get inoculated in light of the rising cases, attributing the uptick in disease spread to close contact among the unvaccinated. Recent analysis by the state health department showed the vast majority of people contracting COVID-19 in the state are unvaccinated.

Less than 44 percent of South Carolinians aged 12 and older have completed their vaccinations against COVID-19, placing the state in the bottom half of vaccination rates in the country.

Young adults lag significantly behind other age groups in vaccine uptake as with growing numbers of young adults nationwide are contracting the illness. Fewer than 19,000 of the 2.1 million South Carolina residents who have started their vaccinations are between the ages of 20 and 24.

The fast-moving delta variant will likely become the predominant strain in the state in the next couple of weeks, said Dr. Helmut Albrecht, an infectious disease specialist at the University of South Carolina.

Albrecht said recent outbreaks in the state’s Midlands region have become “disturbingly large by the time we get our hands on them,” he said.

The experts encouraged the unvaccinated to continue social distancing, wearing masks and following other public health guidelines.ve.”

Health officials also confirmed three deaths due to the virus Wednesday, bringing the state's confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 8,675.

Two TCTC Animal Adoption Events Set for Next Week

Observer Reports

Tri-County Technical College’s Veterinary Technology Department will hold pet adoptions on Monday from noon-4 p.m., and July 22 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Halbert Hall on the Pendleton Campus. The event is open to the public.

All animals will be adopted on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to insurance regulations, the TCTC does not allow other animals on the premises and can’t show any animals before adoption day. 

The adoption fee is $45 made payable by cash or check only. This fee includes animal spaying/neutering, microchip with registration, up-to-date vaccines, and current heartworm and flea prevention. Canines have been started on basic commands, and leash manners and felines have been socialized. 

Click here to see photos of the animals available for adoption.

For more information about the animals or the event, contact Stephanie Brown, adoption coordinator, at sbrown6@tctc.edu. 

Johnson & Johnson Recalls Some Sunscreen Products

Wire Reports

Johnson & Johnson announced Wednesday that the company is recalling five of its aerosol sunscreen products due to the discovery of trace amounts of benzene, a carcinogen, in some samples.

The company said consumers should stop using the affected cannisters, which include solely Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreen products. The recall covers all can sizes and SPF levels, which were distributed nationwide.

The specific products being recalled are:

• Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen
• Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen
• Neutrogena Invisible Daily defense aerosol sunscreen
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen
• Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen.

Benzene is not an ingredient used in the sunscreens. The company said it's reviewing how the chemical might have gotten into certain samples.

Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can cause leukemia or other cancers.

"Daily exposure to benzene in these aerosol sunscreen products at the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences," Johnson & Johnson said in its statement Wednesday. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling all lots of these specific aerosol sunscreen products."

Iva Police Chief Enjoys Small-Town Law Enforcement

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Shuk Hamdan has been on the job for six months as the new Iva police chief, but he brings to the job years of experience in law enforcement.

Hamdan talks about small-town law enforcement in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

City Council Moves Ahead on Midway/Crestview Development

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson City Council passed by a vote of 7-2 the first reading of an updated plan to annex 50 acres on the corner of Midway Road and Crestview Road for a planned subdivision. The proposal was tabled at the last council meeting.

The revised proposal, which was not available to review Monday night for council members or the public, was said to offer 159 homes, instead of 200, sidewalks, a mixture of large and small lots, retention of some old-growth trees, green space and improved traffic lanes.

Several residents of the community were in attendance and of those who spoke, none expressed support for the new subdivision, arguing that traffic would be overwhelming and that a high-density housing project would compromise the current makeup of the area.

The two council members who opposed the approval of the project, Don Chapman and John Roberts, expressed concerns after a report of a planned roundabout traffic improvement at the corner is currently not scheduled to be completed before 2025. Other council members, including Councilman Tony Stewart, suggested the current South Caroina Department of Transportation scheduled timeline may not reflect a correct estimate.

House sizes were orginally slated to be between 1,500-4,000 square feet and have a finished floor elevation a minimum of 12 inches above the adjacent grade – no slab on grade houses. All lots are required to have 2 trees per lot, one of which is to be planted near the front. No updates were given on these requirements.

City Councilman Tony Stewart promised the updated requirements would be available at the next city council meeting slated for July 26.

Also on Monday night, council:

• Approved the annexation and rezoning to a Planned Development District, approximately 323 acres located off Williamston Road near the intersection of U.S. 29 Bypas. There will be six development phases for the property, with 168 acres undeveloped (157 acres is mostly floodplain adn 11 acres will be set aside for common area, which will include a clubhouse, pool, and athletic courts. The development calls for 3-5 bedroom homes with driveways and garages. The single-family dwellings are required to have a finished floor elevation a minimum of 12 inches above the adjacent grade.
• Approved a contract for Recreation Complex Phase III. Phase III will include a state-of-the art synthetic turf system, a restroom/concession/storage building erected between Phase II & III, a 10-foot-wide section of the Whitner Creek greenway will be constructed as part of this project between Piedmont and Bleckley Streets. The expansion will include LED lighting and 12 security cameras. The completion of the expansion will provide a quality field and be totally ADA compliant. The total cost of the project is $5,010,878.90.
• Approved tax incentives for a new development in the old Meeting Place building on West Whitner and a new cafe and business at 110-112 East Benson Street.

AU Expected to Name Lamb Head Football Coach Tuesday

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson University is expected to name Bobby Lamb, former head football coach at Furman University to pilot the new football program set to lauch in the fall of 2024 at a 3 p.m. press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Lamb, 58, has a record of 108-79 as a head coach.

Lamb began coaching as an assistant for the Paladins in 1986 and was the defensive ends coach on the 1988 team that won the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship. He became the quarterbacks coach in 1989, a position he filled until taking over head coaching duties in 2002. In November 2010, he announced his resignation from Furman after the team had missed the playoffs four straight years.

In 2011, Lamb was announced be the first modern head football coach for Mercer, which began playing football in 2013 after the sport's 70-year absence from campus.

Anderson University's plans to kick off their new football team got a boost recently with a $1 million deal with Spero Financial for naming rights of atheletic fields.

In 2019 AU announced its plans for a NCAA Division II football program, after Upstate South Carolina philanthropist and friend of the niversity Dr. Melvin Younts donated $3 million as a challenge gift in support of the initiative. Spero Financial is among the partners helping realize the goal of securing a total of $6 million needed to launch the program.

City Council to Hold Second Vote on Midway/Crestview Project

Greg Wilson/Anderson Obsevrer

Anderson City Council will consider a delayed first reading an ordinance to annex 50 acres on the corner of Midway Road and Crestview Road for a planned develop of 200 houses tonight at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.

Council chambers were beyond standing room only on June 14 as residents from the area around the proposed project showed up in such numbers that many were turned away at the door.

At that meeting, Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson, who represents the district on which the property sits, was also on hand to discourage the scope of the development. Wilson's comments were met with applause from the crowd which was decidedly against the new development. 

The total project area consists of 50.17 acres located on the Northeast corner of the intersection of Midway Road and Crestview Road which would be broken down into four phases of 50 lots each, for a total of 200 new houses.

The 200 single-family residential dwellings proposed would have have minimum lot sizes of 6,500 square feet, with setbacks of 20 feet in the front, 7.5 feet on the side and 10 feet rear. The lots will require four off-street parking spaces per house, up to two of which are in garage.

A minimum of 20 feet of separation will be provided from front property line to the front of the garage to ensure no overhang over sidewalks/streets.

House sizes will be between 1,500-4,000 square feet and have a finished floor elevation a minimum of 12 inches above the adjacent grade – no slab on grade houses. All lots are required to have 2 trees per lot, one of which is to be planted near the front.

Because of increased traffic demands in the general area, Harriett Circle and the Midway Road/Crestview Road intersection were also identified as a need for future road improvements.

The Anderson Area Transportation Study (ANATS) Policy Committee included this area in their long-range plans and later advanced the project using their allotted federal funding. Since these roads are state-maintained, the South Carolina Department of Transportation has created preliminary designs that includes two roundabouts and a road relocation. 

The new planned development was approved by the City Planning Commission by a 3-1 vote and sent to council.

New Williamston Fire Chief No Stranger to Area

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Williamston recently hired the town's first full-time paid fire chief. But while new to the position, Chief David Huff has decades of experience the field, including serving as West Pelzer Fire Chief.

Huff talks about his decades of work as a firefighter in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

Chef Returns Home to Start New Restaurant in Anderson

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson-native Richard Farr, son of John and Evelyn Farr who ran Farr Music in the city for decades, has returned home after serving as chef in Charleston for more than 25 years to start a new restaurant.

Restaurant 151 at the Bleckely offers fine dining, breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a weekend brunch.

Farr offers details on how he crafted his menu, as well as why he returned home, in this interview with the Anderson Observer.