Ryan Expects Contested GOP Convention

House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Thursday it is increasingly likely that the Republican Party's presidential nominating convention will be a contested one this summer.

If no candidate can assemble 1,237 Republican delegates by July, the party's presidential nominee for the November election will be chosen by convention delegates in Cleveland, Ohio, in what could be four days of political drama, carried live on national television.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump warned on Wednesday of "riots" if he is denied the party's presidential nomination, after he scored big wins in primaries in Florida, Illinois and North Carolina on Tuesday. It is uncertain whether Trump can get the 1,237 convention delegates he needs before July.

Ryan denounced Trump's "riots" comment, saying it was unacceptable to even hint at violence. He said he had to study up on the convention process, since he would be chairing the event and wanted to be sure the rule of law prevails. 

"Nothing has changed other than the perception that this is more likely to become an open convention than we thought before. So, we're getting our minds around the idea that this could very well become a reality," Ryan said.

As chairman, Ryan will be charged with opening and closing the event, and overseeing the presidential nomination roll call - possibly more than one, if the first is not decisive. He would also be expected to deal with any floor fights on controversial motions that arise.

"I will have to obviously bone up on all the rules and all of those things," Ryan told reporters.

"My goal is ... to be neutral and dispassionate, and to make sure that the rule of law prevails, and to make sure that the delegates make their decision however the rules require them to do that," he said.

The last time delegates arrived at a Republican convention without a clear nominee, in Kansas City in 1976, then-President Gerald Ford edged out challenger Ronald Reagan on the first ballot.

The last time it took multiple ballots to get a Republican nominee was in 1948, when Thomas Dewey was nominated.

Anderson County PAWS to Limit Operations Saturday

Anderson County PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) will be closed Saturday for staff to assist with an off-site adoption event for FLW Walmart Fishing Tour, in cooperation with MARS pet care. General public access will be restricted during this time.

“PAWS has been given a wonderful opportunity to participate in a special adoption event,” said PAWS Director Jessica Cwynar. “This is a special opportunity for the pets of PAWS to get the spotlight they deserve. We at PAWS are working with our life saving partners to find the right forever home for these wonderful animals!” 

The following restrictions are in place for PAWS Saturday : 

• PAWS will not accept any drop-offs or surrenders of animals by the general public until normal operations resume Monday. Animals seized by law enforcement during that time will continue to be received at the PAWS facility. 

• PAWS Adoption facility will be closed. Animals available for adoption are listed online at http://www.petango.com/ANDERSONCOUNTYPAWS 

Staff will answer calls from  noon-6:00 p.m. weekdays. The number is 864-260-4151. Those calling outside of those hours are asked to leave a message—PAWS staff will be returning all calls. 

Haven of Rest Truck Stolen During Pick Up

The Haven of Rest thrift box truck was stolen Wednesday in the driveway of a home while the driver was making a pick-up from a donor.

The truck was last seen on Highway 29 and New Pond Road in Anderson. 

The truck's has South Carolina tag 732-OFB. The truck is one of three trucks from Haven of Rest Ministries. If you see this truck, call 911. 

Haley Plan Would Boost Foster Parents

Gov. Nikki Haley plans to help her social services agency get more people to become foster parents in South Carolina. Haley said Wednesday that the Department of Social Services wants to recruit about 1,500 more foster care families.

To reach the goal, Haley says her cabinet agencies agreed to streamline inspections and licensing of foster homes.

DSS also set up a new website at www.scfamilies.org to help families about apply to be foster parents and to help them when they get a foster child.

DSS attempted a similar push in 2011, but Haley says the difference is the agency is taking a statewide approach this year, while it concentrated on local efforts five years ago.

Haley Supports Cruz after Rubio Drops Out

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has thrown her backing behind Senator Ted Cruz for the Republican Party's presidential nomination, South Carolina newspaper Post and Courier reported on Wednesday.

The show of support comes the day after Haley's first pick, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, dropped out of the race following a devastating loss in his home state of Florida's primary.

Civic Center Pond Restocked with Catfish for Saturday Event

The pond at Chris Taylor Park at the Anderson County Civic Center has been stocked with catfish for a catfish in preparation of Saturday’s fishing derby. The unified fishing derby is for young anglers and Special Olympics athletes in the area and is hosted by FLW Foundation Pro Cody Kelly.

There will be event goodie bags for the first 50 participants signed up for the event Saturday. Rods and Reels will be available; or participants can bring their own. Bait will be donated by DMF Baits. First and Second place prizes for biggest fish will be awarded on the FLW Stage. For more information or to register, email Judith.allen@flwfishing.com. 

March 30 Deadline for Filing to Run for Office in S.C.

People who want to run for office in South Carolina can begin to file their paperwork.

The State Election Commission and county commissions will begin accepting paperwork to run in the June primaries and November general election at noon Wednesday. Filing runs until noon on March 30.

Every state House and state Senate seat is up for election, along with all U.S. House seats and the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Tim Scott.

Solicitors, sheriffs and coroners are also up for election in several counties.

The Democratic and Republican primaries are on June 14 and the general election is on Nov. 8.

Obama to Name Scalia Replacement Today

President Obama will announce his choice for a seat on the Supreme Court on Wednesday, setting up a battle with Senate Republicans over constitutional prerogatives and the ideological balance of the nation’s highest court.

The president will make a formal announcement of the “eminently qualified” choice at the Rose Garden at 8 a.m. Pacific, he said in an email to supporters.

“As president, it is both my constitutional duty to nominate a justice and one of the most important decisions that I -- or any president -- will make,” Obama wrote.

“I’m confident you’ll share my conviction that this American is not only eminently qualified to be a Supreme Court justice, but deserves a fair hearing, and an up-or-down vote," he added, nodding to the fierce fight with senators that lies ahead.

U.S. Eases Travel, Education Restrictions on Cuba

The United States on Tuesday eased some restrictions placed on Cuba ahead of President Barack Obama's historic visit to the island country next week.

The U.S. Department of Treasury and Department of Commerce announced the amended restrictions would permit individuals to visit Cuba for "people-to-people educational travel," which will allow Americans to make educational visits to Cuba in tour groups and as individuals. The U.S. embargo against Cuba continues to place a tourism ban.

The changes will allow Cubans to open U.S. bank accounts and permit Cubans living in the United States to earn a salary, also making it easier for dollars to be used by Cubans.

"Today's steps build on the actions of the last 15 months as we continue to break down economic barriers, empower the Cuban people and advance their financial freedoms and chart a new course in U.S.-Cuba relations," Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew said in a statement. "Today we are building on this progress by facilitating travel for additional Americans looking to engage with Cubans; allowing Cuban citizens to earn a salary in the United States; and expanding access to the U.S. financial system, as well as trade and commercial opportunities."

Anderson County Posts 5th Lowest S.C. Jobless Rate

Even though unemployment numbers were up in every county, the South Carolina Department of Labor Statistics reported the state's overall unemployment rate was unchanged in January.

In Anderson County, the jobless rate rose from 4.6 percent to 5 percent in January, with 4,469 of the county's 88,693 workforce employed. Anderson County’s increase to is a result of a slight rise in the labor force and a slight decrease (approximately 100 persons) in the total number of persons employed. 

Anderson County still has the fifth lowest unemployment rate in the state and more than 3,000 mor employed now than in January 2015, when the rate was 6.2 percent.

Contributing to the change in Anderson County’s rate was a decline in seasonal employment from December to January.  This decrease reflects  historical trends for this time year.

The national unemployment rate in January was 4.9 percent.

Reminder: Hartwell Lake Exhibit Opens Tonight at Museum

Tonight, the Anderson County Museum will celebrate the opening of the new Hartwell Lake Exhibit, “62 Years in the Making,” with a reception from 5-7 p.m. The wine and cheese reception, sponsored by the Friends Board of the Anderson County Museum, is free and open to the public. The exhibit will feature a historical look at Lake Hartwell and will include such items as the 2015 Bassmaster Classic Trophy won by Casey Ashley of Donalds as well as some additional memorabilia from Ashley’s collection.

March 21 Public Meeting to Discuss Piedmont Blighted Structures

A public meeting is scheduled for March 21 at 7 p.m. at the Piedmont Fire Department to discuss removal of blighted residential structures in the area.

Anderson County was recently awarded funding from S.C. Housing under the Neighborhood Initiative Program (NIP) to help stabilize property values and prevent future foreclosures for existing property owners in targeted areas.

For more information, contact Steve Newton, Government Affairs Liaison (864)260-1010 or Planning and Community Development at (864)260-6993.

County Council to Meet Tuesday Night

Anderson County Council will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the historic courthouse downtown.

Full Agenda of Meeting Here