That information, delivered by ballot, now shapes everything the district does next. The two existing middle schools — Belton Middle and Honea Path Middle — will receive immediate attention this summer: roofing replacements at Belton, switch gear, switch panels, boiler repairs, and additional roof work at Honea Path. The money will come from the local option sales tax, a one-cent levy passed by Anderson County voters in 2015 that directs infrastructure dollars to all five school districts in the county.

Still, legislators will return for a special session as they try to hammer out compromises on some of leadership’s remaining priorities.

TCTC hosted a signing ceremony May 13 for the inaugural cohort of the TCTC Dual Enrollment Academy-Clemson Connect, a partnership announced in April 2025 that offers qualified high school students a guaranteed admissions pathway to Clemson. The program specifically targets students whose parents did not earn a bachelor's degree, aiming to open doors for first-generation college students in the Upstate.

Gov. Henry McMaster will order a special session beginning Friday morning, GOP leaders in both chambers told reporters Wednesday evening. The self-imposed deadline for passing a new map of congressional districts is May 26, said House Majority Leader Davey Hiott.

It’s graduation season, and Anderson County high schools have scheduled their ceremonies beginning next week. Here’s a roundup of the dates and times for the county’s public high school graduations

Voters of the school district recently approved a bond that authorizes the borrowing needed to build Crescent Middle School, a modern facility designed to replace Starr-Iva Middle School, which has served the community since the early 1950s and which the superintendent describes, with the resigned precision of someone who has toured it many times, as well past its intended useful life.

“As someone who has lived and worked in Anderson County most of my life, I understand how important safe and reliable roads are to our local economy, our schools, and the daily lives of families across the Upstate,” said S.C. Rep. Don Chapman, R-Anderson.

Senators’ 29-17 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority approval needed to proceed. Officially, senators refused to add redistricting to a resolution setting the rules for what the Legislature can do after the session ends Thursday.

For the June Primaries, Anderson County is supplementing pay for this election. $30 for poll managers and $50 for clerks. Poll Managers will receive $135 a $30 supplement. For the Nov. 3 election day, the pay is $60 for training and $75 plus $30 supplement for election day or $165 total. Clerks will receive $195 plus a $50 supplement and if the clerk attends an additional clerk training, that will pay another $100.

Only a few days after the United States Supreme Court’s decision Louisiana to redraw districts, essentially killing the 1965 Voting Rights Act, South Carolina seems poised to eliminate the one Black voice in its delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.

Mother’s Day is one of those strange holidays where many folks set aside a few hours to have lunch with their mom, or devote an hour on the phone if miles between are too great.

Against a field of more than 1,000 teams from colleges and universities around the country, Anderson University last weekend captured a national title in the National Cyber League Team Competition, a 56-hour test of digital problem-solving that has become one of the best-known contests in cybersecurity education.

The measure will take two-thirds approval. While the GOP has supermajority control in both chambers, some Republican senators, including the majority leader, oppose the idea.

A map endorsed by the White House circulated Thursday at the Statehouse, as House Republicans introduced legislation that could change the entire congressional map. One bill would draw the map. The other would set a new schedule for congressional primaries, which would be delayed by two months. Parties would have to re-open filing next month for candidates.

The work of Artist Wendy Converse, Anderson Arts Center Arts Slam Winner 2026, is on display there through May 30. Converse’s work is both whimsical and serious, bringing to life pieces created from common objects. Her process is simple, but the results are not.

The musical, produced by Market Theatre, pairs Buffett’s island-themed songs with a new story set to match the site’s lakefront setting. Drew Whitley, associate artistic director for Market Theatre, said the show was chosen in part because it fits the “lake vibe” at Green Pond Landing as summer begins.

The agenda also includes two ordinances up for third reading, both of which have already drawn public interest. One would establish an Anderson County Agricultural Advisory Board, intended to strengthen and promote the county’s farming sector  Members of the board would be represented by those from Anderson County Farm Bureau, Anderson County Cattlemen's Association, Anderson County Forest Landowners Association, and Anderson County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners. 

In-person registration is available at the Anderson County Board of Voter Registrations and Elections, 301 N. Main Street, in Anderson. Those who have moved need to update their voter registration. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by May 11.

The festival moved closer to the river this year and featured music, food, kid’s activities, art, vendors and other attractions.