S.C. Senate OKs $7.5 Billion Spending Plan

The South Carolina Legislature's $7.5 billion spending plan for next fiscal year is one vote from Gov. Nikki Haley's desk.

Senators voted 36-9 Tuesday to approve the budget compromise reached over the weekend by a panel of Senate and House members. House approval would send the package to Haley, who has the authority to veto specific items.

Spending she might strike could include the $40 million of aid to farmers whose crops were wiped out by last October's catastrophic flooding. The Legislature already overrode Haley's veto of legislation setting up how that aid will be distributed.

Republican Sen. Tom Young of Aiken complained that negotiations eliminated $12 million that would have finished reimbursing counties' clean-up expenses from the 2014 ice storm. The biggest chunk would have gone to Aiken County.

General Mills Recalls 1 Million Pounds of Flour

General Mills Inc  on Tuesday issued a voluntary recall of about 10 million pounds of flour, saying it was working with health officials to investigate an outbreak of E. coli that had sickened 38 people in 20 states. 

Brands recalled include Gold Medal, Gold Medal Wondra and Signature Kitchens.

The bacteria strain behind the outbreak has not been found in any of General Mills' Gold Medal, Wondra and Signature Kitchens flour or their manufacturing plant, the company said in a statement. Consumers have not contacted it directly to report any illnesses, Minneapolis-based company added.

"Out of an abundance of caution, a voluntary recall is being made," General Mills said in a statement.

U.S. and state health authorities are probing an outbreak of E. coli O121 from Dec. 21 to May 3, General Mills said in a statement. The potentially deadly strain can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration, mostly among the elderly, very young children and people with weak immune systems.

The Centers for Disease Control found that about half of the 38 sickened people reported cooking with flour before becoming ill, General Mills said. About half of this group reported using a General Mills brand, a company spokesman said in a phone interview.

Additional recall information can be found at www.generalmills.com/flour.

Haley Veto Kills Bill to Keep Teacher Evaluations Private

Gov. Nikki Haley's veto has killed legislation exempting teacher evaluations from public disclosure, but she says she'll support a better-written bill next year.

Haley says she recognizes the bill's intended to promote a more candid evaluation process, but it's too broad. The bill exempts educator evaluations with "personally identifiable information" from the state's public records law.

Haley says that allows school districts to withhold any record related to an evaluation, including information on teacher misconduct.

Cayce Rep. Kenny Bingham says he supports the veto, as he didn't intend to create a potential loophole. The House voted unanimously Tuesday to sustain the veto.

Haley is working with Bingham and state Superintendent Molly Spearman on legislation that will be introduced next year.

Bingham says a budget clause covers teachers in the meantime.

Special Needs Camp Set for June 13-17

A registration event for a summer camp for those with autism and special needs ages 5-25 will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Anderson County Civic Center. 

"Tackling the Streets," is the camp which will be held daily from 8 a.m. -4 p.m., June 13-17 at the Civic Center and will offer diverse activities daily instructed and monitored by staff, coaches, and health care professionals. Anderson School District 5 will provide lunch each day, while local restaurants are donating breakfast each morning. Medshore Ambulance Service is a camp sponsor and will staff the camp along with other health professionals. 

Tackling the Streets is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides mentoring and physical activities, sports, and agilities while developing the mind and spirit with the can do attitude. Rev. Emmanuel Donaldson, the organization’s executive director oversees a diverse team that has over 25 years’ experience in ministry, education, and social interactions among youth. Additionally, offering more than 50 years in combined physical training and sports.  

To register for the camp you may visit www.tacklingthestreets.org or attend Camp Registration Day Saturday. For more information, contact Emmanuel Donaldson at Emmand777@yahoo.com, calling 864-940-7142 or 864-932-7862 or by visiting www.TacklingtheStreets.org 

County Transportation Committee to Meet Monday

Members of the Anderson County Transportation Committee will meet Monday at 3:00 p.m. in the Anderson County Annex Building at 401 E. River Street, Planning Department Conference Room.

The agenda will include a vote on using annual SCDOT commitment to cover overruns on H-4230 One-Time Appropriation & Additional Distribution for State Secondary Road (Shady Grove Rd.) and evaluate the following requests:

Honea Path; resurface/rehabilitate 18 City Streets.                  

West Pelzer; resurface/rehabilitate 9 City & 1 State road.

Town of Williamston, Minor St. Culvert replacement

Double Springs F.D. RC Pipe & Drop Inlet

Old Dobbins Bridge Rd. Approaches

Anderson Democrats to Meet Saturday

On Saturday, the Anderson County Democratic Party will meet at 9 a.m. at the group's headquarters downtown for the regular first Saturday breakfast meeting. 

For more information visit here.

Reminder: Famers Market Senior Vouchers Available

Beginning tomorrow, Anderson County seniors may apply for produce vouchers as part of the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Seniors. The Anderson County Senior Citizens Program and Anderson County, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services and other state agencies, will issue vouchers to eligible senior citizens. Vouchers can be used to purchase produce at participating farmer’s markets through November 2016. Each eligible person will receive $25 worth of coupons. Vouchers are issued on a ‘first come- first serve’ basis until the supply is exhausted. EBT is accepted year-round.

“For the past few years, low-income Senior Citizens across Anderson County have been given the opportunity to supplement their diets with fresh, healthy and local produce by means of the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program,” said Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “Seniors can apply for these vouchers between June 1-3 at the Iva, Belton and Anderson County Farmers Markets. When residents spend their vouchers at our Farmers Markets, they are supporting our county's farmers and our local economy also gets a healthy boost from those dollars spent. I want to once again, encourage everyone to help us get the word out about this beneficial program and also to remember to support our local farmers at the Anderson County Farmers Market.”

“Once again, Anderson County Senior Citizens Program is receiving $20,000 worth of vouchers for our seniors & farmers,” said Anderson County Senior Citizens Program Manager Kelly Jo Barnwell. “It is so important that each senior who receives their vouchers, spends their vouchers with our local farmers!! We want everyone in Anderson County to WIN with SFMNP!”
 
Individuals aged 60 or older, with a low monthly income, or who receive SSI or Food Stamp benefits are eligible for these free coupons. Individuals must apply in person; provide proof of their identity, age and their Anderson County residency. Applicants must also meet household income eligibility limits. Information regarding the income of all household members is required to determine eligibility. Verification of Social Security numbers is also required.

Individuals wishing to apply for homebound seniors must provide a statement from the senior granting permission to submit an application on their behalf. Proof of identity and proof of income for the homebound senior must be presented at time of application.

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program’s goal is to supplement the diets of low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious produce while supporting South Carolina’s small farmers. South Carolina is one of several states that receive funds from the USDA to operate this program.

Application for vouchers will be at the following locations & available first come, first served:

Wednesday at 8 a.m.: Iva Farmer’s Market
Thursday at 8 am: Belton Farmer’s Marke; Williamston Mineral Park, 10 a.m.
Friday at 8 am: Anderson County Farmer’s Market

For more information about the Senior Voucher program, please contact Anderson County Seniors Program Manager, Kelly Jo Barnwell at 231.2237.

Study: Lifestyle Key to Treating ADHD in Kids

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often treated with medications, such as Adderall or Ritalin. But a new study suggests that parents can also help their kids by promoting healthy lifestyle habits.

For the study, researchers looked at 184 children with ADHD and 104 without the disorder. The investigators found that those with ADHD were less likely to adhere to healthy behaviors recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Sleep Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Those guidelines include no more than one to two hours of total screen time a day (TV, computers, video games); at least one hour of physical activity a day; limited intake of sugar-sweetened beverages; getting nine to 11 hours of sleep a night; and drinking seven to 10 cups of water daily, depending on age. The kids in the study were aged 7 to 11.

The findings, published online recently in the Journal of Attention Disorders, suggest that following more of these healthy habits could benefit children with ADHD.

"Many parents of children diagnosed with ADHD do not want their children on medication. Having their children follow healthy lifestyle behaviors may be an effective intervention, either alongside or in the place of traditional ADHD medications," said study author Kathleen Holton. She is a member of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience at American University in Washington, D.C.

Full Story Here

Memorial Day: Remembering

Celebrated on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that's designated as a time of reverence and remembrance of those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and made the ultimate sacrifice and died in service to their country. 

Inside Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C., travelers awaiting their flights before the holiday weekend might hear announcements inviting them to welcome World War II veterans who've arrived on Honor Flights to attend Memorial Day services at the National WWII Memorial, where they'll be among some of their last surviving peers, and veterans from subsequent wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Washington Post's editorial board notes in a Memorial Day column that Americans have become increasingly aware and appreciative of the sacrifices made by U.S. soldiers and Marines, with many returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with physical and often visible wounds, as well as the unseen mental and emotional trauma following their overseas tours.

"But we have not yet come to a full understanding of the debt owed those who have died and suffered for this country," the Post's editors write.

They also mention the division between military and civilian families that's described in the book, Standing By, written by Alison Buckholtz, a Navy wife who writes that: "It's not as if I expected to look around the mall and see people sobbing, but there was – and still is – a seriousness missing from American cultural life, seriousness that wartime demands. …The country has not been asked to make serious sacrifices since 9/11."

While many Americans will enjoy backyard cookouts with their friends and neighbors, in a quiet and less celebratory fashion, other families will gather at military and community cemeteries to decorate the graves of loved ones who died too young and too soon, and left a transformational mark on their family members who are forced to live the remainder of their lives without fathers, husbands and sons.

Poet Joseph Martino of Millburn, N.J., shares his thoughts about Memorial Day and writes: "Please do not take for granted the legacy they bequeath, for these brave heroes never heard the words: 'run' or 'defeat.' So always remember and shall we never forget, to thank our veterans and active service men and women every chance we get," published by the Springfield Patch.

Ret. Marine Corps Colonel Mac Miller, 98, told WALA-TV that Memorial Day reminds him of the men he served with that were killed in battle.

"All I do is sort of go back through these memories we're talking about and rejoice that I made it back and I think of some of my comrades that didn't," Miller told WALA-TV.

Tropical Storm Brings Light Rain to Upstate

Tropical Storm Bonnie was downgraded Sunday morning to a tropical depression and pummeled the South Carolina coast with high winds and heavy rain. The Upstate is expected to get light rain throughout the day from the storm.

The National Hurricane Center downgraded the second named storm of the year, dropping the tropical storm warnings. The storm was still expected to produce maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour throughout the day.

"Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours," the National Hurricane Center reported. "A slow northeastward motion near the coast of northeastern South Carolina is expected by tonight and on Monday."

Bonnie is expected to drench the Carolinas with up to six inches of rain. The storm began battering the coast of the South Carolina coast Saturday.

Whipping winds and dangerous waves as high as 13 feet could also hit both North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as Georgia and Florida over the coming days, forecasters said.

The tropical depression was approximately 25 miles east-southeast of Charleston at 8 a.m. Sunday

Increased Shark Attacks Expected this Summer

As the summer beach season opens in the United States, at least one expert is predicting an increase in shark attacks around the world this year that will surpass last year's record number.

"We should have more bites this year than last," George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, said in an interview shortly before the Memorial Day holiday weekend that signals the unofficial start of America's summer vacation - and beach - season.

In 2015, there were 98 shark attacks, including six fatalities, according to Burgess.

Why the increased bloodshed? Shark populations are slowly recovering from historic lows in the 1990s, the world's human population has grown and rising temperatures are leading more people to go swimming, Burgess said.

Still, the university notes that fatal shark attacks, while undeniably graphic, are so infrequent that beachgoers face a higher risk of being killed by sand collapsing as the result of over achieving sand castle builders.

New Law Increases S.C. Cell Phone Fees

New laws in South Carolina extend taxes to cellphones and fix a quirk in campaign finance law that has entangled many state officials.

Those are among the dozens of measures passed by the Legislature in the final weeks of its session.

Cellphone users will share the cost of phone services for rural customers and people with disabilities under a law Gov. Nikki Haley signed Wednesday. Starting in January, the state's 1 million landline customers will pay less as fees extend to 4.5 million cellphones.

People running for office no longer have to abide by a quirky fundraising restriction if they advance to a primary runoff.

Bills that Haley signed Thursday require schools to teach the United States' "founding principles," and elementary school teachers must undergo training in dyslexia before August.

Tropical Storm Warning for S.C. Coast

The National Hurricane center has issued a tropical storm warning for the coast of South Carolina. A weather system in the Atlantic has been dubbed Tropical Depression Two, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. 

Strengthening is expected in the next 48 hours, with forecasters expecting it to develop into a tropical storm by Saturday.  It's currently located 400 miles southeast of Charleston, SC. 

While the warning is for South Carolina, people from Georgia to North Carolina should monitor the storm’s progress.The storm is expected to produce two to four inches of rainfall from the upper coast of Georgia into southeastern North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said. 

The announcement comes after a hurricane hunter aircraft investigated the storm Friday afternoon. The storm has been brewing between Bermuda and The Bahamas for the past four days.