Dixie Youth World Series Kicks Off Today in Anderson

Observer Reports

The Dixie Youth Baseball World Series kicks off in Anderson today, with teams from 11 states coming to town for the tournament. The championships will continue at the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Complex through Wednesday.

Teams from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Lousiana, Virginia, Texas, Tennessee are set to participate in the event, which has filled hotels in Anderson and the surrounding area.

County to Host Community Fun Day Saturday

Observer Reports

Anderson County has scheduled a Community Fun Day for Saturday, from 3-7 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex, 401 East River Street.

Admission is free and the public is invited.

The event will feature an Anderson City Fire Truck Splash Play (shoes required at all times), face-painting, a dunk tank (proceeds to the Cancer Association of Anderson), the P.A.W.S. adoption trailer, the Anderson County Sheriff's Safety Group, the AnMed Health Mammogram Bus, plus music, food, school supplies giveaways and more.

School Dist. 3 Continues Growth Heading into New School Year

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson School Dist. 3 Superintendent Kathy Hipp, who has been a part of her district as an educator and student for more than 40 years, is looking forward to the new school year.

Hipp looks back at the 2021-22 school year and ahead to the improvements and plans for the upcoming school year in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

Water Access Expected to Help Cleo Bailey Experiment Grow

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Cleo Bailey Experiment, a project which seeks to turn the abandoned East Whitner Street school into a community center, recently received a grant and assistance from the City of Anderson to have water connected to the property.

The immediate benefit will be water for the community garden, which provides the neighborhood with fresh produce.

City to Consider Long-Term Lease for Memorial Stadium

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The City of Anderson will consider a long-term lease for Anderson Memorial Stadium for Anderson University as part of Monday’s meeting at 6 p.m. in council chambers downtown. 

The university, which has used the stadium for baseball for some time, seeks a long-term lease to allow for upgrades and improvements to the stadium, which in the past hosted minor league baseball teams from the Senators, Phillies and Braves.

Full agenda here.

Magistrate's Anderson Office to Extend Service Hours

Observer Reports

Beginning Aug. 29, the Anderson County Magistrate's office will expand office hours to better match court schedules.

The new hours, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., will effect only the main Magistrate’s Office, located in the Ronald Townsend Building in Anderson. The new service hours are based on information from citizens who had experienced difficulties attending court due to work schedules.

“I hope that this will assist the citizens of Anderson County in some small way,” said Chief Magistrate Wynee Eubanks.  “By extending the hours of operation, the Magistrate Court will be available to the public in the evening.”

For Magistrate office hours in Pendleton, Belton, Honea Path, Powdersville, Williamston, and Iva, visit the Magistrate’s webpage under locations for schedule.

Craig Morgan to Headline Celebrate Anderson Event

Observer Reports

Country music artist Craig Morgan will headline the 24th Celebrate Anderson festival Sept. 4 beginning at 5 p.m.  Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the concert.

The annual Labor Day event will open with the Celebrate-Fun-Zone on the front lawn of the Anderson Civic Center from 1-5 p.m. for kids and offer festival food area for food purchases.

Morgan, member of the Grand Ole Opry and United States Army veteran, will visit Anderson as part of his "God, Family and Country" tour. He has seven studio albums and know songs such as "Almost Home" and "The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost."

“Anderson County is appreciative of Michelin, Arthrex, as well as other sponsors and partners for joining the county in giving back to the local community by funding and hosting this free family event,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns.

Celebrate Anderson will follow the event's tradition and open with the Special Forces Parachute Team and T.L. Hanna High School Jazz Band.

A patriotic fireworks finale honoring the armed services and local first responders will close the evening. 

“There is no need to look further than Anderson County for something to do this Labor Day Weekend,” said Council Chairman Tommy Dunn.  

Anderson County Council Recap for July 19

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

July 19: Updates on Anderson County, School Dist. 4, TCTC

S.C. to Require Personal Finance Course for High School Graduation

Observer Reports

South Carolina students will soon be required to complete a personal finance course to graduate high school.

The course will include such basics as budgeting, checking, savings and managing credit.

The new proposal will require the South Carolina Department of Education to develop the guidelines for the required high school course by the end of September. It will not be in place for the upcoming school year. 

In nearby states,  North Carolina already has such a course in place, while Georgia will add the requirement this year.

Council to Consider Tax Breaks for New Industrial Project

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County Council will consider new tax incentives for "Project Fiddler" as part of Tuesday's regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the historic courthouse downtown. The meeting is the first of the new budget year.

Full agenda here.

At 6 p.m., council will honor Crescent High School Anglers on being named the 2022 Palmetto Boat Center Tournament Trail High School of the Year and Anna Kay and Elizabeth Pamphilon for winning 2022 TBF High School Fishing World Finals Top Female Team.

To Infinity - And Beyond!; Clemson Joins U.S. Space Force

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

To infinity - and beyond! Clemson University has joined the Space Force.

The university was named the 13^th school to joint the newest branch of the United States Space Force. 

The United States Space Force welcomed Clemson University as an official member of its university to aid in identifying, developing and retaining a diverse, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)-capable workforce to further its mission to protect the nation and allied interests in space.

As modern warfare is increasingly fought via satellite control networks, the need for workers proficient in the STEM fields is at an all-time high. Through the partnership, the USSF will seek to recruit new members and create educational and leadership development programs for existing Space Force employees.

“Clemson is proud to partner with the United States Space Force in becoming a member of the USSF University Partnership Program,” said Clemson University President Jim Clements. “As we continue our institution’s strong history with the United States Armed Forces, this new partnership is an incredible opportunity for our faculty, staff and students to continue to engage in groundbreaking research, develop innovative educational experiences and discover new and exciting ways to serve our country.”

The USSF and Clemson will immediately begin working to meet the program’s four main goals: 

• Establish opportunities for world-class research, advanced academic degrees, and workforce and leadership development for USSF Guardians.
• Identify and pursue research areas of mutual interest with member universities, individually and collectively.
• Establish scholarship, internship and mentorship opportunities for university students and ROTC cadets.
• Recruit and develop diverse officer, enlisted and civilian Guardians with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Clemson joins the University of North Dakota, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, The University of Texas at Austin/System, The University of Texas at El Paso. Howard University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Purdue University, The University of Colorado Boulder/System, The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Arizona State University and The University of Southern California in the Space Force Program.

Health Care Fair Highlights Resources for Local Citizens

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

A community-wide health fair was help Saturday, offering a variety of medial tests and other resources available to Anderson County citizens.

AIM, AnMed Health, the Anderson Free Clinic, Foothill Healthcare, Safe Kids and Clemson Extension, were part of the event hosted by Tri-County Technical College, which also provided student learning opportunities in healthcare.