John Woodson Given Top Faculty Award at TTC

John Woodson, program coordinator for Media Arts Production (MAP) at Tri-County Technical College, was recently honored with the Presidential Medallion for Instructional Excellence at the College's spring commencemen. The award is highest award presented to the faculty.

Dr. Ronnie L. Booth, president, presented the medallion, presented each year to the instructor who has contributed the most during the academic year to the profession of teaching, to the development of the college and to the students, to the Anderson resident.  The medallion is presented each year to the instructor who has contributed the most during the academic year to the profession of teaching, to the development of the College and to the students.

A well-known media personality in the Upstate, Woodson has been leading the Media Arts Production (formerly Radio and Television Broadcasting, or RTV ) program since 2002.

"John is an enthusiastic faculty member and student advocate.  Through his actions, he exhibits a grounded commitment to the success of students and colleagues alike," said Tom Lawrence, department head for the College's business and public services division. "He takes an active role in ensuring that all individuals reach their educational and professional goals.  He proactively seeks new responsibilities, actively engages the College community and external stakeholders, and delivers process improvement on a College-wide scale," Lawrence wrote in his nomination letter.

"John's service to the MAP program and the division is exemplified by his novel approach to curricular design and ability to forecast market needs," added Lawrence. 

Woodson and MAP instructors worked with the program's advisory committee in 2014 to redesign the program's curriculum as it moved in the direction of multimedia and content creation.  The RTV program was renamed Media Technology Arts and later in 2015 became MAP to more accurately capture the array of skills and technical competencies developed in the program.  "John's work with the advisory committee has been identified as a best practice and the committee was named the College's Advisory Committee of the Year in 2015," said Lawrence. The College's MAP program remains one of the few two-year broadcasting/media production programs in the nation.

The program's restructuring allows students to earn certificate(s), along with the associate degree.  They can choose from three media certificates --  Graphic Communications, Digital Production Techniques, and Digital Photography.   The certificate gives them a specialty and the new degree has three electives.  If they choose properly, they can graduate with two credentials -- a degree and a certificate. 

"John recognizes that there needs to be continuous improvement for Media Arts Production to remain state of the art," said Jackie Blakley dean of the Business and Public Services Division.

"He is truly an advocate for the College and a great representative to the community.  He is well known in the media and is always looking for ways to provide opportunities to students," said Blakley.

"John provides quality instruction to his students is evidenced by the quality of jobs that his students receive upon graduation," she said.

For the past several years Woodson has served as the college's representative for the South Carolina Technical Education Association and was recently elected president of the organization. 

He is equally dedicated to his community. He is a graduate of Leadership Anderson and was elected to the Board of its Alumni Association.  He is the S.C. Broadcasters Association representative to the S.C. Congressional Delegation in Washington, DC.

Last year he provided technical and professional experience to Greenville Technical College's Holocaust Remembrance Week.  He also facilitated the transfer of archival papers for Walter Brown, a leading S.C. broadcaster, to the University of South Carolina.

Prior to joining Tri-County in 2002, Woodson served as radio personality and general manager at WRIX-FM 103.1 in Anderson.  He worked in every aspect of radio broadcasting, include DJ, production manager, program director, general manager and the co-host of the Talk 103 morning show.   He also taught broadcasting classes at Tri-County on a part time basis from 1993 - 97.  Additionally, Woodson is a weekend announcer for Classic Rock FM 101.1. 

A 1985 graduate of Tri-County's RTV program, Woodson also holds an associate in arts degree from Tri-County (1994) and a bachelor's in journalism from Anderson College (1997).  This year, he earned a master's in communication from Walden University.

He and his wife, Julia, live in Anderson and have six children and seven grandchildren.

Poll: Native Americans Don't Mind Washington Redskins Name

A new Washington Post poll found that 90 percent of Native Americans aren't offended by the Washington Redskins' nickname and an overwhelming majority consider it an unimportant issue.

The Post polled 504 people who identify primarily as Native American from across the country, including those who lived on reservations and those who were not part of a tribe.

The general population appears to care more about the name than Native Americans. A 2014 ESPN poll found that 23 percent of the population favored a name change.

Thursday's findings by the Post match an Annenberg Center survey taken in 2004. The Post poll also found that 78 percent deemed the Redskins' name an issue that is either "not too" or "not at all" important.

Suzan Harjo, the lead plaintiff challenging the team's trademark protections, rejected the new results, saying it was an invalid way to surveying those in Indian country.

"I don't accept self-identification," Harjo told the Post. "People say they're native, and they are not native, for all sorts of reasons. Those of us who are leaders in Indian Country ... know who we are representing. We also know if we are representing a minority view. And this is not the case here. Our experience is completely the opposite of the Annenberg poll and this one. I just reject the whole thing."

Full Story Here

S.C. Senate Wants Better Stand Your Ground Definition

A group of senators is holding off on a vote on a bill to expand the Stand Your Ground defense in South Carolina even as the state Supreme Court asked lawmakers to help them better define the self-defense law.

A Senate subcommittee took no vote after hearing testimony Thursday from women who said the bill would create a culture of shoot first, ask questions later.

The bill passed the House 106-0 in February. It shifts the burden to prosecutors to prove someone was not in fear for their lives when claiming self-defense.

The Supreme Court asked lawmakers for help Wednesday in a ruling that a Charleston County woman could claim self-defense in her boyfriend's fatal stabbing.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey says lawmakers need to carefully consider any changes.

Rain Cancels Tonight's Downtown Block Party

Tonight's Main Street Block Party in Carolina Wren Park has been cancelled due to rain.

The event will continue next Thursday at 6 p.m. with Anderson's own international blues singer Wanda Johnson performing.

S.C. Equine Show This Weekend at Garrison Arena

The South Carolina Upstate Equine Council proudly announces its 8th annual "Horse Play in May" fundraising event Saturday and Sunday at the T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena in Pendleton.

"This two-day annual event presents classes for many equine disciplines, and it's free to the public," said Donna Patterson, Chairman of SCLIEC. "It's the primary fundraiser for our non-profit organization which encourages, promotes and advances the quality of life through development of the equine industry."

On Saturday, the Hunter/Jumper series begins at 8 a.m., and the Carolina Horse Show Association Open Show starts at 10 a.m. The Open Show series includes English, Western, Arabian: games and more.

On Sunday, the Dressage and Combined Training series will begin at 8 a.m. The weekend also features Championship Awards and a Hunter Derby with a $500 cash purse, sponsored by Burton Properties and Jordan Burton. There will be a silent auction, and a drawing for equine prizes from Noble Outfitters.

The 2015 Horse Play in May event presented over 100 horses, from as far away as Charlotte, Columbia, Asheville and Atlanta. Funds raised from the event have provided scholarships, enhanced the trails and trailhead at Fants Grove, and have supported improvements to benefit equine events at the Garrison Arena.

Organizers expect this year's event to be their biggest and best yet.

All classes will he held under cover at the T. Ed Garrison Arena, so weather is not an issue. The arena grounds offer numerous stalls and RV hook-ups for out-of-town guests, and a variety of concessions is available on site. The host hotel for the event is the Holiday Inn Express in Clemson, less than five miles from the arena.

Horse Play in May is the primary fundraiser for the SCUEC, a volunteer 501(c)(3) organization.

AIM Looking for Sponsors for Summer Food Program

AIM's Summer Food for Kids program, which attempts to make sure no child struggles with hunger during the summer months, needs the community's help. To run this program, AIM relies on sponsors. It costs AIM $150 per site per week. The entire program for the summer will cost $12,000.

AIM believes in helping the whole family with basic needs and food is a basic need and that no child should go hungry when school releases for the summer, a time when many children go without meals. Families relying on free and reduced priced meals for their children during the school year face demands on their budget when children are home in the summer. School districts provide summer meals in some areas, but those with transportation issues can’t get there. 

The Summer Food for Kids program was established to meet the children where they are. Each Friday during summer break, the AIM Hunger Ministries staff and volunteers distribute weekend food bags to 9 low-income housing complexes. The bags include two lunchables, fresh fruit, juice, snacks and breakfast items in the hopes that this sustains them through the weekend.

For more information or to donate to the program, visit AIM.

Homeland Park Job Fair Set for Monday

A Homeland Park job and resource fair is scheduled for Monday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Homeland Park Baptist Church gymnasium. 

Sponsored by the South Carolina Departmeng of Workforce Development, Anderson County, AIM, Vocational Rehabilitation, Tri-County Technical College, the S.C. Department of Social Services and the S.C. Department of Mental Health. 

The goal of the event is to bring the community of Homeland Park the information they need for those who are unemployed or underemployed, to better their career and the Homeland Park economy. 

The event will also feature a $6 BBQ plate fundraiser. This plate will include a barbecue sandwich, Brunswick stew, and chips. 

Overtime Pay Extended to More Workers

The Department of Labor on Wednesday finalized new rules extending protections to 4.2 million workers who work more than 40 hours per week but do not receive overtime pay.

The White House announced Tuesday the rules, to go into effect on December 1, raise the salary threshold under which most salaried workers are guaranteed overtime pay, from $23,660 to $47,476 per year, with an adjustment assured every three years. Doubling the threshold, the White House said in a statement, will provide workers with an additional $12 billion in wages over the next 10 years.

The ruling offers employers flexibility in compliance with the new rules, providing opportunities to increase salaries to keep certain positions exempt from overtime pay, offering overtime pay for workweeks in excess of 40 hours per week and reducing overtime hours.

The Labor Department will issue guidance documents to help employers meet the new rules. The ruling improves on the overtime model found in the Depression-era Fair Labor Standards Act, which, the White House statement noted, "hasn't kept up with the times."

Most hourly workers already have overtime protections, and a limited number of occupations, including teacher, lawyer and doctor are ineligible for overtime pay or are subject to special provisions.

The is expected to mostly impact the retail and restaurant industries , but will also affect all private sector industries, government offices and non-profit agencies and schools.

Troopers Begin Seat Belt Enforcement Push Today

Troopers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol will officially kick off the “Buckle Up South Carolina” Memorial Day enforcement campaign on today.

Troopers will check for seat belt and child safety seat violations in the days leading up to Memorial Day weekend, which kicks off the “Deadly Days of Summer,” the period between Memorial and Labor Day that troopers say usually comes with an uptick in deadly crashes.

Under S.C. law, a law enforcement officer has the authority to stop a driver if the officer has a clear and unobstructed view of a vehicle’s driver or passenger not wearing a safety belt or not secured in a child restraint system. Warnings and citations can be issued for noncompliance.

S.C. Bill Bans Abortions After 19 Weeks

The South Carolina legislature passed a bill Tuesday prohibiting abortion after 19 weeks, becoming the 17th state to pass the restrictive ban.

The legislation will now head to Gov. Nikki Haley's desk. The Republican said in March she will almost certainly sign it, but wants to look at the details once it reaches her.

Similar laws are in effect in 12 states. They've been blocked by court challenges in three others, and the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule on the ban's constitutionality. A South Dakota law signed in March takes effect this summer.

In Utah, a related law, also signed in March, requires doctors to provide anesthesia to a fetus at least 20 weeks in the womb.

The South Carolina bill is among several fronts abortion rights supporters say make having the procedure tougher. Abortion opponents have also passed laws in other states requiring clinics to get admitting privileges for doctors and banning a procedure commonly used in the second trimester, called the dilation and evacuation method.

The sponsor of South Carolina's bill, Rep. Wendy Nanney, said she's hopeful the law is a step to eventually "get rid of abortion altogether."

"I firmly believe life begins at conception and anything we can do to protect human life I'm all for," said Nanney, R-Greenville.

The South Carolina House approved the compromise 79-29. The Senate approved it 36-9 in March.

The ban allows exceptions only if the mother's life is in jeopardy or a doctor determines the fetus can't survive outside the womb. The measure's limited definition of "fetal anomaly" means it would be illegal to abort a fetus with a severe disability if the child could live.

Such anomalies are generally detected around 20 weeks.

Gambrell Easily Wins Runoff for O'Dell's Senate Seat

Republican candidate Mike Gambrell has won a special election for the District 4 state Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Billy O'Dell.

"Thank you South Carolina Senate District 4," Gambrell said.  ?I am truly overwhelmed by all of the support I received today. I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve you in the South Carolina Senate."

Unofficial results show Gambrell, who currently represents state House District 7, won Tuesday's election. No Democrats filed for the seat and no other candidates were on the ballot.

In Anderson County, Gambrell took Gambrell  959 out of 1082 votes. He received 225 of the 233 votes cast in Greenwood County, and 62 of 65 votes in Abbeville County. 

Voter turnout was around 3 percent for the special election.

S.C. House Overrides Haley Farm Bill Veto

One day after Gov. Nikki Haley vetoed a bill that would have provided $40 million to farmers who suffered losses in last year's historic flooding, House lawmakers voted to override the governor's veto.

“The South Carolina House recognizes the unprecedented loss that our farmers experienced last October and understands the economic impact at stake if these concerns are ignored,” House Speaker Jay Lucas said. “Governor Haley’s factually inaccurate justification for vetoing the Farm Aid bill is inconsistent with South Carolina values."

Haley said Monday she vetoed the bill because it gives farmers help not available to other small businesses. Haley says farmers have crop insurance and federal aid to cover their losses.

The 112-2 vote to override on Tuesday was a sharp rebuke to the Republican governor and well over the two-thirds margin needed. The bill now heads to the Senate.

Foothills Alliance Ladies Day Golf Event June 3

On June 3, Foothills Alliance has scheduled it's annual Carole Bain Ladies Day Golf Tournament at Cobb's Glen. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. with tee-off at 9 a.m.

Sponsorships and team opportunities are available. Please contact me for more info. Hope to see you then as we Take a Swing at ending Sexual Assault and Child Abuse. For more information on sponsorships or golf registration contact Tracy.Bowie@foothillsalliance.org or call 864-231-7273.