Today 
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 7:56PM Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 7:33AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 9:32PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
One of the most beautiful buildings in downtown Anderson has a new owner.
The iconic three-story building in downtown, located at 401 North Main Street, served as the post office from 1909-1940, and McDougald-Bleckley Mortuary/Sullivan-King Mortuary (the latter reflects the name changed in 1949) from 1941-2011 and briefly as Sosebee’s Mortuary until 2018.
The 15,055-square-foot building was purchased for $900,000 in September by a buyer listed as Anderson Post Office QOBZ, LLC.
The new owners plan to use the building as the Anderson anchor for the real estate company Coldwell Banker Craine, which currently employs 202 residential agents and 13 commercial brokers in the Upstate.
Renovation, which aims to return the building as much as possible to the original layout, is expected to begin before the end of the year. The firm will use the offices of Coldwell Banker Exclusive, which it recently acquired, at 1008 N. Main St. in Anderson, until the historic building upfit is complete.
The building was purchased from Kummrow Properties, LLC, which paid $625,000 for the property in 2019 with the idea of use as a mixed retail and residential space.
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 8:28PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 9:23AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The Town of Honea Path has a new police chief. 
With more than 35 years of law enforcement experience, Chief Barry New was officially chosen by the town to take over the post.
New who has served as interim chief since November, and has been serving as School Resource Officer at Honea Path Middle School since 2019. New’s experience includes the City of Abbeville Police Department, Lander University Police Department, Abbeville Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Due West Police Department, and the Town of Iva Police Department before coming to Honea Path.
“He has done an outstanding job as our SRO and interim Chief, and I can’t express how pleased I am that he accepted this position and have him here to lead our police department forward,” said Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton.
Chief New is a native of Abbeville County, married to DeLane Canfield New and has 6 children and 5 grandchildren.
Monday, December 5, 2022 at 11:47PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County Council will consider a new housing development in Pendleton, use of Anderson County Transportation Committee road funds and review recommendations by the Planning and Public Works Committee as part of Tuesday's meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the history courthouse downtown.
At the 6 p.m. recoginition meeting, council will honor Pamela Christopher upon being named the 2022 South Carolina Chamber Executive of the Year; the Belton Preparatory Academy for its many achievements including top test scores and designation as a diamond school of excellence; and Susan Pettigrew of Starr-Iva Water & Sewer District upon being named the 2022 South Carolina Rural Water Association Office Manager of the Year.
Monday, December 5, 2022 at 1:41PM Observer Reports
Christmas is a time for inviting guests into our homes. But it’s the uninvited ones that we bring into the house can bug us to the point of making the holidays less happy and bright.
Clemson Cooperative Extension Service Entomologist Eric Benson said insects can enter the home through bringing in firewood, on pets or even on Christmas trees.
Benson said one way to cut down on the number of these uninvited guests is to avoid storing firewood inside.
“Insects that use wood as food or a resting place will emerge indoors and worry many people,” said Benson. “Insects such as long-horned beetles, other wood-boring beetles, wasps, some moths and several other small insects may fly around indoors and be attracted to lights and windows.”
But Benson said they generally are just nuisance pests coming from the firewood, and are not dangerous to any furniture or wood inside the home.
Firewood can harbor many species of pests, some of which are on the outside of the wood and others that have bored or chewed their way inside. Clemson Cooperative Extension Forest health specialist David Coyle reminds people to obtain firewood locally whenever possible.
“If you do have to purchase firewood, make sure it has been heat-treated,” said Coyle. “Moving firewood long distances is one of the most common ways invasive forest pests get moved from place to place.”
Insects also can be found in live Christmas trees, including Cinara aphids, which are very large brown aphids, and are often be brought indoors on trees. Even though they are plant feeders, many people think Cinara aphids are ticks which can cause great concern when several hundred are seen walking around a holiday tree. To help ensure this doesn’t happen to you, Benson offered some tips.
“Inspect Christmas trees carefully,” said Benson. “If any sooty mold or honeydew is observed, do not buy the tree. These are indications of aphids or scale infestations and, with them, you can get ladybeetles.”
Other insects, typically outdoor nesters or plant feeders, are often brought into homes on potted plants moved indoors to avoid freezing temperatures outside. Sometimes fire ants or Argentine ants nesting in outdoor pots get inside homes this way.
Finally, Benson said it is important to make sure pets are free of fleas. If appropriate, bathe and treat pets before bringing them inside or check with your veterinarian for the best treatments for your pet.
Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 9:47PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The 19th Annual Alternative Holiday Gift Fair at Boulevard Baptist Church raised thousands of dollars for local non-profits over the weekend.
The church hosts the annual event as their gift to those groups in our community and beyond serving those who need a little extra help.
Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11:24PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County officially kicked off the holiday season with the annual downtown Christmas tree lighting on
Friday, with music and other holiday events for the entire family.
It's also the final stretch of the shopping season, and County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders reminds everyone of the importance of shopping locally.
Saturday features more celebrations in the county, with parades in Belton, Honea Path and Pelzer/West Pelzer.
Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 9:49PM Updated 12/2 with comments from Visit Anderson's Neil Paul
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
A pair of Palmetto Boat Challenge student fishing tournaments are set for Hartwell Lake Friday and Saturday.
More than 50 boats are expected to launch from Green Pond Landing and Event Center Friday for the Two-Day Palmetto Boat Center College Tournament Trail, with boats launching at 7 a.m. and the weigh-in at 3 p.m.
On Saturday, more than 225 boats, carrying more than 450 students (including 60 middle school teams), are set to participate in the Palmetto Boat High School Tournament, which will kick off at 7 a.m. with weigh-ins for middle school competitors at 1:30 p.m. and high school participants at 3 p.m. and the college final weigh-ins at 5 p.m.
“The Palmetto Boat Center tournaments have become a staple at Green Pond Landing and Lake Hartwell," said Neil Paul, executive director of Visit Anderson. "The PBC College Championship will bring anglers representing colleges and universities from three states, while the High School and Middle School events feature our youth and our future residents of Anderson County. They are extremely important to our community, our lake and our facilities.”
All events are free and open to the public.
“High School fishing in the Upstate remains one of the fastest growing activities in school," said Marty Walker, Tournament Director, and owner of title sponsor Palmetto Boat Center. "Fishing is a competitive activity that is open and challenging for everyone. This High School event is a super tournament, where all four divisions compete together to see who the best for the day."
The high school anglers are competing for the heaviest five-bass limit, and for a $2,000 scholarship to the winning team. The college anglers will be finalizing the angler’s of the year and school of the year on Saturday.
The event is sponsored by Palmetto Boat Center, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Shimano Fishing, Nitro Performance Bass Boats, Phoenix Bass Boats, Tracker Off Road, Mercury Marine, Visit Anderson, and the Anderson County Parks & Recreation Department. For more information on the tournament trail, contact Marty Walker at 864-561-2026, martyw@palmettoboatcenter.com.
Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 3:15PM Observer Reports
The Anderson Special Needs Foundation will hold their 3rd Annual Christmas Parade Saturday at 4 p.m. on the Balloon Launch Field across from the Anderson Civic Center. Parade participants are asked to line up at the Anderson Christmas Lights main gate at 3 p.m.
The event will also feature classic cars, Jeep Club, motorcycles. Tractors and high school bands.
The public is invited to this free event.
For more information contact contact Jerrel Lynn King at 864-260-4526.
Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 2:01PM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Friends of New Prospect Baptist Church will join in wreath-laying ceremonies Dec. 17 on "National Wreaths Across America Day," a day to remember, honor the contributions of veterans, both during the event and throughout the year. The goal is to also provide an opportunity to inform and engage concerning those in the community about the sacrifice of veterans.
Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,500 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad. To sponsor, donate or volunteer locally at New Prospect Baptist Church in Anderson
For more information about the national organization, visit here.
Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 8:41AM Observer Reports
The Anderson County Christmas tree lighting is Friday, beginning at 6 p.m.
The annual event will feature music by the T.L. Hanna Jazz Band and the Combo Kings, plus activities for the kids and remarks by county and city leaders.
The Pelzer Light People are also scheduled to make an appearance.
Across the square, Friday will also mark the opening of the Holiday Ice skating rink in Carolina Wren Park.
Prior to the event, the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Cookie Crawl downtown.
On Sunday, Main Street will be closed from from West Highland Avenue to River Street from 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. for the City of Anderson Christmas Parade. No cars should be parked on Main Street in this area beginning Sunday morning at 7 a.m.