Stories and Highlights covered by The Journal during 2024
Looking Back at 2024 . . .
JANUARY
Jan. 3 – During their first meeting of the new year, Anderson County Council approved third reading on an ordinance for a one percent transportation sales and use tax to provide funding for road and bridge repairs in the county. The new tax will go to a Referendum for voters to decide if they want it or not, on election day November 5, 2024. District Five Councilman Tommy Dunn was elected to continue to serve as County Council Chairman. District Four Councilman Brett Sanders was elected to continue to serve as Vice-Chair.
One person was shot on Breazeale Street in Belton. The individual was flown to Prisma Health Greenville by Med-Trans 1. Williamston police officers and Honea Path responded as backup for Belton. The SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Agents charged Charles Bernard Norris, 59, with Assault & Battery of a High & Aggravated Nature, Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Violent Felony. SLED was requested to investigate by the Belton Police Department.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed that a skunk found near Autun and Cantrell roads in Pendleton, tested positive for rabies. No people were known to have been exposed. One dog was exposed and was quarantined.
Jan. 10 – James R. Riddle, Sr. was sworn in as West Pelzer’s new mayor during the West Pelzer Council meeting. Municipal Judge Stephen Turner administered the oath of office. Councilmen Thomas Scarfo and Timothy Williams were also sworn in. Councilman Jeff Lee was named Mayor Pro-tem.
Heavy rain and gusty winds caused problems throughout the area. Mineral Spring Park was closed due to flooding. The covered bridge over Big Creek was just above the water line and banks were beginning to overflow in some areas.West Geogia Road and others were closed due to the flooding.
The Town of Williamston MLK Breakfast was held at the Caroline Community Center. Themed “A Change Is Gonna Come,” the event honored the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sam Cooke, advocating for equality and civil rights. The breakfast featureed Dr. Nika White, a renowned authority on diversity and inclusion.
Re-elected Pelzer Councilman Eddie Waits was sworn in by Town Attorney Richard Thompson. New councilmember Cruz West was absent due to illness and was sworn in at the February meeting of Council. Councilmember Donna Ide was elected Mayor Pro Tempore.
During the West Pelzer Council meeting, two agenda items were tabled and another did not pass due to a split vote. Council unanimously approved a resolution to accept 2023 PARD Grant Award from the Anderson County Legislative Delegation of $35,360 for new HVAC system for the Pelzer Gym. Discussion on the location for the Pelzer Heritage Commission (PHC) Veterans Memorial continued.
The Woodmont High School Athletic Hall of Fame honored the 2023 class in the Athletic Hall of Fame during the home basketball game with Hillcrest High School. The inductees included Lamont Calhoun, Tony Sullivan, and Tracy Trantham Ferrill.
Jan. 17 – Anderson School District One Superintendent Robbie Binnicker announced that this school year will be his last as Superintendent. Binnicker made the announcement following an executive session held by the School Board to discuss a personnel issue during the November Board meeting. Binnicker served as superintendent since 2018. Under his leadership, District One completed a $132 million building program that included construction of two new middle schools, classroom additions, renovations and safety improvements throughout the District.
After overseeing that building program, Binnicker began the process of overseeing a new building program which began in 2023 and includes the construction of a new elementary school in Powdersville. During his time as Superintendent, District One has consistently led the State in School Report Card ratings, student test scores and other areas.
Anderson County Council approved a resolution to accept a PARD grant for Dolly Cooper Park in Powdersville and rezoned property in Slabtown to allow for expansion of a landmark business. The $12,000 Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) grant will be used for disc golf course improvements at Dolly Cooper. The grant required a matching fund of $3,000. The Disc Golf Association is also providing funding for the project.
District Six Councilmember Jimmy Davis said he is very excited about the opportunities the improvements offer. “We have been working on bringing the disc golf course up to standards to attract regional and possibly national tournaments,” he said. Davis said the number of people attending a tournament will provide an economic return on the investment.
The Piedmont Historical Preservation Society is seeking donations for a matching grant to continue their work to preserve the 1908 YWCA building in Piedmont. The organization has the opportunity for a matching grant up to $40,000 for the project.
Powdersville’s Boy Scouts of America Troop 210 recognized its 100th Eagle Scout, a milestone for one of the oldest and largest Scouts BSA Troops in the area.
Wren High School junior Carsten Wind was recognized with the BSA’s highest advancement award at Mountain Springs Baptist Church. Wind’s Eagle Scout project included rebuilding the Wren High School band’s large wooden drum storage units this past summer.
Adam Balts, a senior at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, was also recognized at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor hosted by Bethesda United Methodist Church. Balts’ project consisted of soundproofing and painting the dining room that is connected to the Bethesda UMC’s gymnasium.
Jan. 24 – The South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF) Board approved four opioid remediation projects submitted by Anderson County. The approved projects have a combined budget of $418,824.
The projects included a Detention Center addition treatment program, Detention Center Post-release recovery program, Anderson County Coroner’s Office Drug Education Initiative and PlaySafe AOD/OAA Student Connect Initiative:
Jan. 31 – The Anderson School District One Board of Trustees unanimously approved hiring Dr. Seth Young as the neext Superintendent of AD1. Dr. Young will officially take over the position on July 1, 2024.
The School Board meeting was held in the Palmetto Middle School Cafeteria to accommodate a large crowd of students, parents, teachers and administrators. The Palmetto High Cheer Team was recognized for winning the State 3A Cheer competition and several team members were recognized for being named to the All State Region Team. The Wren Cross Country Team was recognized for winning the State 3A Championship. A number of students were recognized for having perfect scores for math and reading on the SCReady test.
Town of Williamston Public Works Director David Rogers was named the SC Rural Water Association 2023 System Manager of the Year. The award was announced in November and Rogers was recognized at a SC Rural Water Association meeting held at the Williamston Municipal Center which was attended by Water Association members from all over the State.
The Democrat Presidential Preference Primary and the Republican Presidential Preference Primary were held on different dates in February. Three candidates were on the Democratic ballot, Joe Biden, Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson.
Two major candidates were left competing for Republican presidential nomination, Donald Trump and Nikki Haley. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended his campaign just before the New Hampshire primary.
Feb. 7 – Anderson County Council approved first reading on an expansion of the County Library Board, heard a soil and water presentation and approved funding for a new community organization in Piedmont. Three people expressed concerns about an expansion of the County library board. All three urged council to not allow politics to affect public libraries in the county.
A new organization, the Piedmont Community Alliance, is in the process of applying for their 501C3 status as a non-profit and working with Greenville County Long Range Planning, in collaboration with Anderson County, in developing an area plan for the Piedmont community.
The Town of Pelzer began seeking proposals from licensed architects to provide construction documents for the rehabilitation of the historic Hospital building located at 141 Lebby Street in Pelzer. The project will include work on the existing building which Town officials are planning to eventually use as a Town Hall.
Willie Joe Wright was recognized for his service to the community during the Town of Williamston MLK Breakfast at the Caroline Community Center. Diallo Moore presented the award to Wright.
Newly elected Pelzer Town Councilman Cruz West was sworn in by Attorney Richard Thompson. Council approved new Gym rental rates. The rates are $30/hour, $200/day (8 hours), $50 cleaning fee and $50 refundable deposit. After an ongoing controversey, Council unanimously approved a rental agreement for Kimberly Majors’ use of the gym for an exercise class. Majors will pay monthly rental of $200 and must obtain a business license.
Feb. 14 – Investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Specialized Investigations Division made an arrest in connection to the kidnapping of a 13-year-old in Greenville. Tyler Michael Berlick, 35, of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, was arrested in Florida after Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies came in contact with Berlick at the Pink Plaza shopping center in Key Largo Florida. Deputies discovered the missing teen in the vehicle. During the course of the investigation, GCSO investigators discovered that Berlik and the teen met through an online chatting service and gaming app.
Areas on both sides of the Saluda River in Piedmont are seeing tremendous growth with sixteen large subdivisions either planned or already underway. Some residents of the area want to plan for the impact of the growth and for preserving Piedmont’s identity and natural resources as it happens. Members of the newly formed Piedmont Community Alliance, are already working to develop an Area Plan for the Piedmont community. The Area Plan document will serve as a guide to Anderson and Greenville County councils, boards, and commissions when making decisions affecting the Piedmont community.
Feb. 21 – The Palmetto Business Association (PBA) is planning two events to be held in March. A scavenger hunt at local businesses and the annual community Easter Egg Hunt.
Pamela L. Christopher was named Chairman of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission at the Commission’s meeting held in Columbia.
Christopher is the first woman to serve as Chair of the SCDOT Commission. Christopher, a Commissioner representing the 3rd Congressional District, joined the SCDOT Commission in 2020. Christopher is also the President and CEO of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce.
Wendy Burgess, Team Lead for Early Learning at the South Carolina Department of Education, was selected for the inaugural National Association of State Leaders in Early Education (NASLEE) Leadership Academy. She is one of only eight Early Education Leaders selected from around the country. Burgess also serves on the Anderson School District One Board of Trustees.
Feb. 28 – In Anderson County, out of 121,928 registered voters, a total of 34,582 people voted in the Republican Presidential Primary Election. This was a 28.51 percent voter turnout. Donald J. Trump was the clear choice of Anderson County Republican voters with 23,717 votes. The only Republican candidate still in the primary race, former SC Governor Nikki Haley, received 10,568 votes.
The Palmetto Business Association presented a check for $500 to Erica Bruce for the Boys Mentorship Program at Palmetto Middle School. Several PBA members attended the presentation.
During a worksession, Williamston Town Council heard preliminary information about several new items that will be on the agenda next week including proposed zoning changes for two proposed duplex developments and related sewer infrastructure. Council also heard updates on a number of ongoing projects including Greenville Drive property, the old hospital building, Medshore building lease, two subdivisions, Mineral Spring trail expansion and improvements to the Municipal Center Auditorium.
Mar. 6 – Anderson County Council recognized Town of Williamston Public Works Director David Rogers for his service to the Town and for being named the 2023 SC Rural Water Association System Manager of the Year. More than half of the 2.5 hour meeting Council heard public comments, primarily about adding two new at-large members to the Anderson County Library Board of Trustees. The library board currently has seven members and will be expanded to nine.
Mar. 13 – Pelzer Town Council approved an ordinance to annex and rezone a small piece of property at the ballfields and Additional Requirements for Applicants to the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals. First reading on an ordinance addressing On-street Parking, was tabled.
The Watson Engineering held their annual Car Show in Piedmont. All proceeds from the car entries were divided between the Rose Hill Cemetery and Piedmont Village Christmas Lights, Inc., two charities that are important to the area.
Mar. 20 – The Pelzer Planning Commission hosted a drop-in for citizens to obtain information and view a site plan for a new subdivision being planned for Pelzer. The proposed subdivision, called “Courtney Park” will include 125 homes and 18 Town Homes. The proposed subdivision will be located on approximately 56.2 acres between Courtney Street and the old shopping center on Hwy. 20.
State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver surprised Palmetto Middle School’s Braden Wilson with news that she has been selected as one of five finalists for the South Carolina Teacher of the Year award.
During a special called meeting, West Pelzer Town Council approved an agreement with Greenville Water to operate the town’s water system. The agreement provides that Greenville Water will operate, maintain and make necessary repairs to the Town’s water system. Following the vote, West Pelzer Mayor Jim Riddle said regarding the Town’s water system, “Very little will change.” The town’s maintenance person had recently quit, leaving the town with no one to operate the system, make repairs or read meters.
Mar. 27 – Anderson School District One Finance Director Travis Thomas presented preliminary information on the State House spending plan and how it will affect the District’s 2024-25 budget. Additional funding available from the State includes Retiree increase of $260,643; a reduction of $79,485 for Career and Technology Education; an additional $2.47 million in State Aid to classrooms (GF) and $225,465 in state aid to classrooms (EIA) for a total of $2,882,719.
Thomas said expected increase in expenditures for the District next year will include a loss of ESSER funding; a minimum salary scale and step raises for teachers, bus drivers and other employees; a health insurance increase of 11.8 percent; tuition increase for the Anderson Career and Technology Center; substitute teacher cost increase and property and casualty insurance increase.
Superintendent Robbie Binnicker presented information on the draft salary scale being recommended by the State for 2025. Binnicker said, “We are already above the state minimum” on new teacher salaries. However he said the Governor is trying to get to starting salary for a new teacher to $50,000.
Dr. Jeff Wilson recognized several students with perfect scores on SC Ready testing. School District One has approximately 60 students with perfect scores on the state test.
Palmetto High School was recognized for recently being named a Model PLC school. Principal Robbie Roache and teacher team members were recognized at the meeting.
Dr. Seth Young presented information on the goals of the District One Strategic Plan, a five year plan which is updated annually. Focus areas include: Early Childhood Education; Academic Achievement (SCReady ELA & Math; SCPASS Science; EOC–Eng2, Alg1, Biology, US History and Graduation Rate); College & Career Readiness; School Climate/Culture; Teacher Quality
Apr. 3 – The Area 14 Special Olympics Team “Blue Lightning” was congratulated and recognized with a resolution for winning the silver medal at the 2024 Statewide Cheer Competition. On March 9, the “Blue Lightning” team competed in the South Carolina Special Olympics Statewide Cheer Competition, where they demonstrated their abilities to cheer, chant, and dance, and brought home the Silver Medal. Team “Blue Lightning” is made up of 11 athletes including Crystal Clark, Lauren McGaha, Shelby Brown, Maranda Aiken, Sakshi Kumar, Melissa Trotter, Rie Wickham, Caroline Singleton, Cameron Mayer, Killian Barnes, and Kristina Spainhour. They are coached by Head Coach Brittany Burdette, an operations analyst in Anderson County’s public works division, and Assistant Coach Daniel Hart, an officer with the Williamston Police Department.
A ribbon-cutting was held to celebrate the completion of a new community playground at Dolly Cooper Park in Powdersville. Improvements at the park include a new play structure featuring elements suitable for use by different age groups, poured-in-place fall protection, benches, and picnic tables. The redevelopment efforts at Dolly Cooper Park are the result of an ongoing partnership between the Anderson County Council and Anderson County Legislative Delegation. The project received a $500,000 state legislative appropriation, sponsored by State District Three Senator Richard Cash, in addition to a $100,000 donation from the Duke Energy Foundation Water Resources Fund, and a $35,000 grant from SCPRT’s Parks and Recreation Development (PARD) program.
Maria Hollis, the director of Piedmont Emergency Relief Center, was one of five women working in nonprofits awarded the Upstate Women Making History Bajeyah Eaddy Community Service Award. The banquet was held at Upstate Circle of Friends.
A total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The upstate experienced approximately eighty percent eclipse.
Williamston Town Council approved second reading to rezone property at 604 Belton Drive from residential commercial to R3. The zoning will allow a developer to build six townhomes on the property located between Belton Drive, Parker Street and Hwy. 77. Council also held first reading on a 2024 election ordinance. Coming open this year are the Mayor’s seat (Rockey Burgess), Town Council Ward 3 (Tabatha Austin) and Town Council Ward 4 (Chris Alexander) seats.
Apr. 10 – The Pelzer Planning Commission gave their approval to the proposed “Courtney Park” subdivision. Pelzer Planning Commission Chair Laura Rainey said the project was approved with a 3-2 vote. She said there were some concerns about traffic and changing the “small town feel” of Pelzer. The property was annexed into the Town in 2022. “The land is zoned for residential development and they meet all the set back requirements,” Rainey said.
Piedmont firefighters worked a car crash in which the driver and passenger both were fatally injured when the car struck a tree on Old Pelzer Road. Senior Deputy Coroner Kirstine Strange identified them as Manuel Jeronimo Gregorio, 52, and Roberto Arreola, 24, both of Piedmont.
A 3 month old infant died from injuries sustained in a horrific accident involving 10 vehicles including a cement truck on Highway 29 at Welcome Road. Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore identified the victim as Jakai Govan, a 3-month-old male from Anderson.
Pelzer Town Council approved first reading on an ordinance to adopt regulations for on-street parking within the town and approved the annexation and rezoning of a small strip of land at the Pelzer ballfields.
Apr. 17 – Anderson County Council heard a report on services provided by the Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG), heard an update on a new drug awareness program and approved a zoning change for property on Beaverdam Road.
ACOG representative Steve Pellissier said Anderson County’s annual investment in ACOG of $93,885 in 2023 had a return on investment in grants and services amounting to $33,476,306. The ROI investment ratio amounted to $356.57 on every $1, he said.
Don McCown presented information on a new drug awareness program that is being introduced throughout the County. McCown said the program, called Drugs End All Dreams (D.E.A.D.), will provide proactive education to the public on what substance abuse is doing to our community.
McCown also provided information on the EMS system, stating that “The EMS structure that we have is doing phenomenal.” Since going to a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV)/ Paramedic response in addition to a single EMS Ambulance service two years ago, Anderson County is seeing some of the best response time in the country.
Anderson County has 14 QRVs stationed throughout the County and has 45 paramedics and 15 part-time staffing. Forty-two percent of emergency calls are handled by the QRV Paramedics, he said. “The QRVs have the latest technology.”
High winds that blew through the area resulted in another Williamston landmark tree coming down. A large cedar tree in front of the Williamston Post Office on Minor Street fell as a result of the strong wind.
Apr. 24 – The Anderson School District One Board was presented with detailed information on a first draft budget for the 2024-25 school year. Meeting increased state mandated costs, keeping employee raises competitive and a loss of $5.1 million in “ESSER” funds will result in a deficit of almost $1 million at the current level of revenue the District receives. This is before any employee raises for next year.
The Anderson School District One Board chose a name for the new Powdersville Elementary School, approved an increase in the price of meals served at schools and heard an updated budget presentation. The new school will be named Oak Hill Elementary. The school is expected to open in fall 2026.
The Board also recognized several groups of students and athletes including the Powdersville Patriots 3A Basketball State Champions, English and World Language students and the Anderson School District 1 & 2 Career Technology Center Broadcast Program.
The CTC Broadcast program, under John Boone, was recognized as National Champions for having the top intercollegiate (IBF)radio station and also the two top national radio personalities.
A student team from Anderson 1 & 2 Career & Technology Center in Williamston is among 100 national finalists in the American Rocketry Challenge. The students will compete against other teams at the National Finals, taking place in The Plains, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. In addition to competing for the title of national champion and an all-expense paid trip to the International Rocketry Challenge in July at the Farnborough Air Show in England, teams will be competing for $100,000 in prizes. The top 25 teams will automatically receive invitations to NASA’s Student Launch workshop.
The team is making its first appearance in the National Finals after fielding a team in 2023. The team is advised by James Davis.
The Town of Pelzer Planning Commission will review and make recommendations to Council regarding implementing regulations for placement of Campers, RVs and Motorhomes within the Town of Pelzer.
The Anderson County Coroners Office is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash on Three and Twenty Road which was the third motorcycle related fatality for Anderson County in a week. Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore identified the victim as Eric Edmont Rose, 36, of Woodruff.
West Pelzer Town Council approved first reading on an ordinance authorizing the transfer and sale of the town’s water system to Greenville Water. The transition will begin June 11. Greenville Water operated the West Pelzer water system since a special called meeting in March in which West Pelzer Town Council approved an agreement with Greenville Water to operate the system.
May 1 – The 3rd Annual AnMed Rhythm on the River 2024 will be held at Dolly Cooper Park, located on the Saluda River in Powdersville. The family-friendly outdoor event is free for all attendees and will inclued a day filled with live music, food trucks, children’s activities, and local artisans. The event was sponsored by AnMed Piedmont, which is expanding services in northern Anderson County with a new faciltiy that will include vital emergency services.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) released 450 weed-eating carp to address invasive weeds that have been found in Broadway Lake. The carp were released at Muldrow Park. The project is a partnership between Anderson County, Friends of Broadway Lake, and SCDNR.
Dogwood State Bank, based in Raleigh, NC and Community First Bancorporation, based in Senaca, SC, announced the signing of a merger agreement in which Dogwood State Bank will acquire Community First Bancorporation, and its subsidiary, Community First Bank in an all-stock merger. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024.
May 8 – Connect Powdersville, hosts of the AnMed Rhythm on the River music festival, postponed the event due to forecasted severe weather conditions, including lightning. The new date for the festival is Sunday, May 19.
A severe thunderstorm with heavy rain, wind and associated tornado (warning) that came through the area and caused power outages throughout Anderson County.
Williamston Town Council heard from three Palmetto Middle School teachers with concerns about unsupervised teens in Mineral Spring Park. Each had concerns about violence, vandalism and other illicit activity taking place in the park, mostly by unaccompanied and/or unsupervised teens. They offered suggestions including having an age restriction for unsupervised children in the park, increasing patrols, cameras, a phone or signal and more positive recreational programs.
Mayor Rockey Burgess agreed that it is a pressing concern and that there had been several incidents involving unsupervised or unattended children/teens, some not from the area. One involved a teen with a firearm reported stolen in Seneca. Another involved fighting among teens from Easley and Greenville. There have been incidents involving twelve and thirteen year olds. Fourteen juveniles were placed on trespass notice after an incident that began at McDonalds, moved to the park.
Williamston Town Council approved first reading on the 2024-25 budget, heard an update on upcoming events and approved a revised election ordinance. The new budget was approved by title only with no information presented during the Council meeting. Mayor Rockey Burgess said that it is a draft budget and a worksession will probably be held by Council to address final details of the budget.
The election will be held in conjunction with the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Books will be open for filing beginning August 1. Coming open this year are the Mayor’s seat (Rockey Burgess), Town Council Ward 3 (Tabatha Austin) and Town Council Ward 4 (Chris Alexander) seats.
May 15 – Anderson School District One Graduation Services for all three high schools were held at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson.
May 22 – Anderson School District One Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Becky Brady recently received the 2024 South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) Lifetime Achievement Award. SCASA, an organization for South Carolina leaders in public education, recognizes several school administrators with this award each year for their commitment to education.
Anderson County Council approved second reading on an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Belton for the Sheriff’s Department to provide law enforcement services within the City of Belton. The City of Belton is eliminating their police department and will pay Anderson County $100,000 monthly for law enforcement services to be provided by the Sheriff’s Office.
The Town of Honea Path has been awarded a $2,650,770 grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency for environmental remediation and cleanup efforts at the Historic Chiquola Mill site. The funding was awarded under the auspices of the Federal government’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of 2021. Honea Path is one of only 35 cleanup grant recipients in the southeast, and the grant amount awarded to the project is the fourth highest in the region.
Envision Williamston held their Campin’ Creekside event in Williamston’s Mineral Spring Park.Campers can sleep under the stars, by the creek, and then enjoy complimentary breakfast on Saturday morning.
A mother and son were arrested after beating and shooting a dog in their neighbor’s backyard in Pelzer. According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Russell Hamby’s dog ran over to the neighbor’s yard on Ina Marie Lane and began attacking a dog tethered inside the yard. As the dogs were fighting, Hamby went onto his neighbor’s property and began beating their dog with a log from the yard. A short time later, Hamby’s mother, Connie Henderson, joined using a pellet rifle to shoot the tethered dog several times before it died as the result of the mother and son’s actions. Russell Nathaniel Hamby, 23, and Connie Henderson, 50, are both charged with Felony Ill-treatment of Animals/Torture. They have since bonded out of the Detention Center.
Phillip Ellison and his grandson Prestyn Chapman attended the Grand National F-100 Show at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. The Grand National F-100 Show is the largest classic Ford pick-up truck event in the world with over 1000 entries. Phillip owned a 1954 F-100 panel truck previously and Prestyn and his family ran across this truck for sale and decided to buy it back and take it to the show.
AFJROTC Unit SC-942 at Palmetto High School was selected to receive the 2023-2024 Air Force Junior ROTC Distinguished Unit Award with Merit.
The “with Merit” signifies the “Exceeds Standards” rating received for the March 2024 Headquarters AFJROTC Unit Evaluation. Palmetto High School AFJROTC has received the Distinguished Unit Award for seventeen years
For the ninth consecutive year, AFJROTC Unit SC-942 at Palmetto High School also earned the Air Force/Space Force Junior ROTC “Silver Star” Community Service with Excellence Award.
This prestigious award recognizes the top 5 percent of all AFJROTC units based on community service in support of schools and local communities. Of the 803 AF/SF JROTC units worldwide, only 45 units earned this award. Of the 45 AFJROTC units in South Carolina, SC-942 is the only one to receive this award.
During a budget worksession, Williamston Town Council discussed a two percent across the board raise for town employees, a minimum wage for town employees, an increase in water rates, fireworks and the old hospital building.
May 29 – The Anderson School District One Board unanimously approved a balanced budget of $114,070,843 for the 2024-25 school year. The new budget reflects an increase of $7,726,479 over the current budget of $106,344,364. It also included an increase in the millage rate from 158.05 (the lowest in Anderson County), to 166.05, which will generate an additional $1,155,776 in revenue. Under the draft budget presented to the Board at the April 23 meeting, the District was facing a deficit of approximately $1 million before any employee raises.
State mandated employee step raises, employee raises, Career and Technology Center tuition increase, paid parental leave, health insurance, property and casualty insurance and mental health counselors added an additional $2,975,000 in expense to the budget over last year. Most of that was offset by the final State budget which provided an additional $2,868,276 in revenue for the District.
Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore investigated a motorcycle wreck on Murphy Road in which the victim, Dakota O’neal Wilson, 32, was riding a motorcycle in front of his home, when he lost control and struck a culvert, which caused him to hit a tree and be ejected from the motorcycle. It was the sixth motorcycle death in Anderson County this year.
JUNE
June 5 – Tetramer Technologies, LLC located in Pendleton, was honored with the 2023 SBIR/STTR Small Business of the Year Award by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The presentation was made during a recent ceremony in Minneapolis, MN. This prestigious recognition highlights Tetramer’s innovative contributions to environmentally sustainable technologies and their successful commercialization efforts within the energy sector.
Williamston Town Council heard an update on the election ordinance, information on several Envision Williamston events and approved second reading on a $7,939,946 budget for 2024-25.
The new budget shows an increase in revenues and expenses, with no tax increase. The millage rate of 122.5 will remain the same. There is no tax increase, however the budget does include a two percent cost of living raise for employees and a six percent increase in water rates.
June 12 – Piedmont firefighters assisted Anderson Technical Rescue, Medshore, Anderson and Greenville sheriff’s office, Greenville County CERT team in a search and recovery of a wanted suspect in the Saluda River in Piedmont. According to reports, the Fugitive Investigations Unit attempted to stop the suspect, he failed to put his Ford in “Park,” and it went into another Bronco. No one injured. The suspect then fled on foot and jumped into the river. Deputies spotted the suspect swimming halfway across the river when he went under.
Of the three candidates vying for the House District 9 seat, former West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders and Anderson Attorney James Galyean were the two top vote getters and will face off in the June 25 runoff election.
West Pelzer Town Council approved first reading on a revised budget for 2024-25 which includes an increase in tax millage to pay for better police salaries and keep law enforcement “In-house” and reflects changes due to the sale of the water system to Greenville Water
It included an increase in the sanitation fee in which Residential customers will pay $13 per month. Commercial customers will pay $16 per month. The budget also reflects a tax millage increase of 13 mills. The proposed millage increase will be a targeted fund to support and build the West Pelzer Police Department. The millage increase will result in an additional $36,000 in revenue for the town.
Senator Mike Gambrell presented a check for $5,000 from SCPRT to be used for park and recreation in the town.
Town Clerk Paula Payton reported that the dog show had gone well and a donation from proceeds from the event was sent to Anderson County PAWS. Three dogs were adopted during the event which included eighteen dogs participating in the show.
June 19 – The premier High School Fishing event in the world was held on Lake Hartwell. The 15th Annual High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship dual event had over 400 teams from around the world.
The annual Juneteenth Celebration was held at the Caroline Community Center. The event, designed to honor the past, celebrate the present, and build the future, celebrated with the theme “Unity in Progress, Strength in Community.”
Former West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders and Anderson Attorney James Galyean will face off in the June 25 runoff election for the SC House District 9 seat.
Sheri Biggs and Mark Burns faced off in the Republican Primary Runoff race for the U. S. House District 3 seat formerly held by Congressman Jeff Duncan
West Pelzer Town Clerk Paula Payton reported that the closing for the sale of the town’s water system to Greenville Water is expected to happen on June 21.
June 26 – The Envision Williamston Bobbers on Big Creek Race was held in conjunction with the Williamston Freedom Celebration. The fun event is co-sponsored by the Palmetto Business Association (PBA).
The Williamston Freedom Celebration and Concert included the Bobbers On Big Creek Race, a Freedom Vendors Market, golf cart parade, cruise-in, kids Fun Zone and will be capped by a Freedom concert and fireworks.
The event included a concert featuring national recording artists Gyth Rigdon and TracieLynn.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis announced a significant breakthrough in the cold case formerly known as “Mr. X.” The case, which originated in 1975, involved the discovery of an unidentified body by a hunter near Hwy 20 and Blakely Road. Despite numerous outreach efforts over the years, the victim’s identity had remained unknown.
Upon taking office in 2020, Sheriff Lewis revamped the cold case unit, aiming to re-examine active cases and leverage technological advancements. Sheriff Lewis said the identification of “Mr. X” was determined to be Oscar James Nedd of White Plains, New York.
Pelzer Town Council approved second reading on their 2024-25 budget. Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland said highlights of the new budget include funding to continue planned renovations on the Community Building and old Hospital Building. The town is still waiting on architectural and engineering drawings for the renovations.
The Town of Pelzer held their annual July 4th fireworks celebration at the Lower Mill property located on Murray Street. The free event included free hot dogs and a foam pit and fireworks.
The Independence Day celebration is sponsored by the Pelzer Heritage Commission, Town of Pelzer and many others.
Blake Sanders defeated James Galyean in the June 25 Republican Primary runoff election for the SC House District 9 seat in Anderson County. Sanders received 54.06 percent of the vote with 1,970 to Galyean’s 1,674 or 45.94 percent of the total 3,644 votes cast.
Sheri Biggs narrowly defeated Mark Burns in the Republican Primary Runoff race for the U. S. House District 3 seat formerly held by Congressman Jeff Duncan.
Biggs received 28,130 votes (50.99 percent) to Burns’ 27,043 (49.01 percent). A total of 55,173 votes were cast across the District which includes Greenville, Anderson, Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens and Saluda counties.
Part 2 Looking Back at 2024 July through December will be published in the Jan. 1 issue.
