South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster listed fighting organized labor and increasing penalties for felons caught with guns as among his priorities for the year ahead in his State of the State Address Wednesday.

McDowell's Emporium is an open shop, located in a little old house off N. Main St. in Anderson, South Carolina that is brimming with used, out-of-print, and select new hardback and paperback books. Our inventory includes most major categories with large selections of Literature/Fiction, Children's, Religion, Mysteries/Thrillers, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Christian Fiction, and Regional books.

“Our economy is humming,” said Gambrell, who commended the county and city governments for their part in the growth. 

The night featured guests who bought tickets to join in the cards, roulette, dice tables, food, beverages as music. The event concluded with a raffle drawing for a 2024 Nissan Rogue from sponsor Grainger Nissan, which was won by John Pruitt.

Anderson-native Chris Sullivan, officially announced his intentions this week to run for the district one seat, saying he hopes to continue to build on the progress in the county. 

The structure, which was dedicated in 1898, has had some work and updates/revisions over the past century, but nothing in more than three decades. County council approved an $8 million bond to remedy this, since much of the work was structure and critical to the courthouse being used now and in the future.

The old elementary school on Anderson’s East Side, is already helping fill neighbor’s grocery bags with fresh produce, but it is beginning to feed the community’s soul as well. The garden has not only been a source of produce in a food desert, it has provided education opportunities as well.

Hope Missions of the Upstate, 213 South Towers St., is the county’s regular warming center, opening anytime the temperatures drop below 32 degrees for more than four hours in a day. The ministry is always lookin for volunteers to help with their work.

In Williamston, Hillcrest Baptist Church, 1300 Anderson Drive, is also now open for those needing a place to keep warm.

Concentrating the influence of France on the history, culture, and present-day Anderson County, the exhibit feature artifacts from area community members’ trips abroad and local businesses with French ownership. 

“I was privileged to be appointed by Governor McMaster to the SCDOT in 2020 and will continue to honor what I promised him to do which is to support the team at SCDOT and continue to ensure the safety of our citizens in South Carolina,” said Christopher.

Hall is a “unicorn among state agency heads,” unique in her ability to tell people how it is instead of what they want to hear, but also in earning trust that she'll do everything she can to solve problems, Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Larry Grooms said Thursday.

Residents in this area should boil their water for at least one minute before drinking or using in cooking. Ice not made from boiled water should not be used

The deadline for voter registration to vote in the Feb. 24 Republican Presidential Primary is Jan. 25. Registration online, which requires a valid South Carolina drivers’ license or S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles identification card can be done at SCvotes.gov.

S.C. State Sen. Richard Cash, R-Anderson, who narrowly lost to Duncan in a runoff election in 2010, is expected to announce his candidacy for the seat.

County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders, recaps the meeting for the Anderson Observer.

Charitable Organizations across Anderson, including the Cancer Association of Anderson, Westside Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, Lot Project and AIM hosted volunteers to help with projects as a tribute to the late civil rights leader.

The event raised more than $14,000 for the United Negro College Fund.

Those of us who grew up in the segregated South remember it well, though I know my friends and neighbors of color remember it better. Downtown Anderson had a “Whites Only” water fountain in front of the historic courthouse as late as 1970.

His decision, however, could have a ripple effect on the Anderson County Legislative Delegation. While official filing for statewide office does not begin until March 16, the political winds currently blowing through the county could bring dramatic changes. I’ve written before about Sen. Cash’s likely run against U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, which opens up his seat to challengers.