Today 
Monday, May 23, 2016 at 10:38AM The city of Clemson and CATbus are asking for the public’s input as the city re-imagines its bus system. City officials said they want to start with a blank slate and get input on where and how bus service will be needed currently and in the future.
People who want to weigh in on the public transportation discussion can fill out this survey.
Monday, May 23, 2016 at 8:57AM The Anderson Area Farm and Food Association (AAFFA) will kick off it's first market of the season Tuesday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Anderson County Farmers Market. The AAFFA will be open every week through Aug. 9 with and will feature live music, workshops, a professional chefs' competition, and a large selection of farm, food, and craft vendors.
Full season vendors at the 2016 market include:
Monday, May 23, 2016 at 6:53AM South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers kicked off the peach season at Watsonia Farms in Monetta with the first “official” pick of the season.
The peach trees are in full bloom and everyone is excited as the days are getting warmer, the sun is shining bright, and the smiles are getting bigger.
South Carolina is the largest peach-producing state on the East Coast and is second only to California nationally. Last year, South Carolina actually produced over double the volume of peaches that Georgia produced.
Joining Weathers on the tour were S.C. Reps Tommy Pope, Bill Taylor, Ralph Kennedy and Shannon Riley. The delegation also visited Dixie Belle Farms in Monetta, Big Smile/Yonce and Sons in Johnston, as well as Titan Farms in Ridge Spring.
“Each farm brings a unique perspective to growing the tastiest, juiciest peaches in the country and these farms illustrate the diversity of agriculture in South Carolina,” Weathers said.
For more information about South Carolina peach farms, visit scpeach.org.
Monday, May 23, 2016 at 3:11AM As many as 500 top evangelical and social conservative leaders, including Dr. Ben Carson and Tony Perkins, will have a closed-door meeting with Donald Trump on June 21 in New York City to ascertain what he has to offer to the country.
"Our goal is to be able to have a conversation that could lead to a better understanding of what Donald Trump has to offer to the country," said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, according to Fox News, which says Trump has agreed to meet with the evangelical and social conservative leaders.
Perkins, along with Bill Dallas of United in Purpose, worked with former Republican candidate Carson, who has endorsed Trump, to arrange the meeting.
"I want to be actively supportive of a candidate who can help turn this nation around. With Trump – I'm not there yet. I hope to be there – but I'm not there right now," Perkins told Fox News' Todd Starnes.
Those leading the efforts include Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, Faith and Freedom Coalition's Ralph Reed, Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America, Bob McEwen, Tim Wildmon of the American Family Association, Kelly Shackleford of First Liberty, American Values President Gary Bauer, Family Leader President Bob Vander Plaats, and megachurch pastors Jack Graham and Ed Young.
"There is no preconceived outcome here," Perkins added. "I'm hoping we can have a conversation that could lead to helping conservative leaders make a decision about what to do in this election."
Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 10:24PM A view of the ocean is good for the soul, a new study says.
Researchers compared people who lived in various areas of Wellington, New Zealand, and found that having the sea in sight every day was linked with lower levels of stress.
This association remained even after residents' wealth, age, sex and other factors were taken into account.
However, viewing green spaces -- such as grassy parks and forests -- did not seem to show the same benefit, according to the study published in the May issue of the journal Health & Place.
Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 1:12PM Anderson County's unemployment rate dropped significantly in April, moving to 4.7 percent, down from 5.1 percent in March. The statewide unemployment rate increased slightly in April to 5.8 percent, up from 5.7 percent in March.
Anderson County has the fifth lowest unemployment rate in the state. Out of a workforce of 89,915, 85,653 are employed, leaving 4,262 unemployed.
"I would say that the report offers encouraging news about the condition of our local economy and serves to support this Council's ongoing commitment to our economic development program." said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn.
The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 percent in April.
Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 4:39PM South Carolina now has a 24-hour hotline to report domestic violence.
Residents can call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) if they are victims of domestic violence or know some one who is a victim of domestic violence.
The hotline is a part of https://safeplacesc.sc.gov, which offers resources for victims of domestic voilence and is a place offering help to those who are causing the violence.
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 8:03PM The Anderson County Bridge connecting South Carolina 20 to U.S. 29 will be closed June 6 through June 17 for paving and repairs.
Details emerging.
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 6:33PM Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn is holding a budget workshop Monday at 9 a.m. in the historic courthouse downtown.
The meeting will include proposed changes to the approved first and secord drafts of the budget:
1. Comparison of Budgets
2. Millage Rate Comparison
3. Anderson County Library Millage
4. Tri-County Technical College Millage
5. Millage Bank
6. New Positions Recommended
7. Fringe Benefit Increases
8. Road Fees
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 6:20PM Friday, May 20, 2016 at 2:51PM State economic forecasters expect no extra money coming into South Carolina's primary coffers, giving legislators less to haggle over as the chambers negotiate a final spending plan.
The Board of Economic Advisors made no changes Thursday to its general fund revenue forecast for this fiscal year or next. That puts into question $40 million worth of spending the Senate added during floor debate earlier this month on the chance collections would exceed prior estimates.
Advisers did increase estimates for lottery profits by $35 million, partly because of a recent flurry of Powerball ticket sales. However, state law limits that spending to college scholarships and education programs.
Legislators will try over the next two weeks to agree to a state spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 4:52PM The collection of outdated, unusable or unwanted pesticides is set for May 24 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Southern States, 4010 South Murray Avenue.
The pesticide and chemical program is open to all private, commercial and non-commercial pesticide applicators in the state, as well as homeowners. SCDA staff will be on site to monitor pesticide collection and disposal, and will have final authority on acceptance of products.
For more information contact SCDA’s John Stokes at 803-737-9696 or jstokes@scdca.sc.gov or Ken Webb with ECOFLO, Inc., the company handling the disposal, at 336-617-2733 or kwebb@ecoflo.com.
Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 4:37PM A bill that would shorten South Carolina's legislative session by three weeks most years is on its way to the House floor.
The Judiciary Committee approved legislation Thursday which would end the General Assembly's yearly sessions on the second Thursday in May. The session currently runs until the first Thursday in June.
The bill would save about $86,000 for each week the legislature does not meet. It would shave three weeks off session in 2017. In 2018 and some other years, the session would be four weeks shorter.
The bill has provisions to lengthen the session if the state budget is delayed passing or budget projections are submitted late.
The bill passed the Senate 35-0 last month.