It’s July 4, a holiday for many American workers (please be especially kind to those working today, especially in the grocery stores and restaurants), and a time to reflect on some of the notable facts about the day we celebrate the nation’s independence.

Whether or not the freedoms envisioned by those who founded our country have continued to evolve remains up for debate, but a new world was born when the Declaration of Independence was written setting the stage for the United States of America. So, it is fitting we celebrate the spirit of this great document and its message which has served as a moral compass for this country for nearly 250 years. 

Anderson School Dist. 2, which has invested in smaller classroom sizes, will start the 2024-2025 school year with the highest pay for new teachers with a bachelor’s degree, with salaries of $50,002.

"We are incredibly grateful to S.C. Representative Anne Thayer, a long-time supporter of Mill Town Players, and to the state of South Carolina for recognizing the value in not only preserving this iconic, century-old auditorium, but also ensuring its life as a cultural center for modern audiences and future generations,” said Will Ragland, founder and artistic director for the Mill Town Players.

The Cancer Association of Anderson (CAA) has received $850,000 from the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for the construction of their new facility on East Calhoun Street in Anderson.

The new facility will feature more space for those suffering from cancer and their families, including additional wellness areas. The organization moved into its current temporary location after the 100-year-old house which originally housed the charity was deemed unsafe due to the deterioration of age.

Anderson County School District 4 growing exponentially, and is expected to add an additional 1,300 students in the decade ahead to the current student population of just over 3,000 students.

A new high school, which is scheduled to be open for the 2025-2026 school year, and numerous improvements at all other schools thanks to the voter-approved referendum last November, are part of the district’s plans to keep up with the growth.

Anderson County’s annual Labor Day weekend event, Celebrate Anderson, will feature two country music concerts this year, along with food and fireworks.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the event and will include Randy Houser on Aug. 31, and Ashley McBryde on Sept. 1. The weekend will also feature fireworks, food, activities for kids and more.

The playground at Mineral Springs Park is about to get a major upgrade, thanks to a $750,000 grant from the State of South Carolina.

An all-new playground with ADA compliant equipment, including synthetic turf and a fence to keep kids safe are part of the project.

A camp this week at the Anderson County Library, aimed for more than fun and games.

The Empowered to Win organization hopes their programs are a launching point to change the future for young people by helping them get a firm grasp on the skills they will need to succeed.

The group, founded by “Coach” Kelly Simmons III and Richard Yeargin III, both former Clemson football players, was created in 2022 to provide something in the summer beyond the ordinary camp experience.

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Williamston kicked off the community July 4 season with a full day of events on Saturday, including the annual “Bobbers on Big Creek Race.”

Saturday also featured a golf cart parade, a day concert by Jukebox45, food/craft vendors and more in Mineral Springs Park.

The evening main event included concerts featuring TracieLynn and Gith Rigdon, followed by a fireworks show in veterans park behind town hall.

Anderson County Council gave final and unanimous approval to a $345 million fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, which includes no tax increase.

The Pendleton Candy Company has been chosen the top candy store in the state by the GuideToSouthCarolina.com

Just across from the Village Green in Pendleton. The Pendleton Candy Company, was founded almost a year ago by Kimberly Blackwell, a mortgage banker with a passion for baking. It has since become a favorite not only of Pendleton but the surrounding region as well.

James Galyean, CEO at Icelaven Development Group and former candidate in the recent race for South Carolina House Dist. 9, has filed a lawsuit against S.C. House Dist. 9 Representative-Elect Blake Sanders, R-Anderson, and two others alleging slander and libel during the election cycle.

The final official results for Tuesday’s South Carolina runoff elections revealed final numbers slightly higher than the unofficial results.

The Anderson Regional Airport will soon be a destination for more than flying, thanks to a $350,000 grant from the state to construct a new aviation-themed playground.

S.C. Sen. Mike Gambrell, R-Anderson, and S.C. Rep. Don Chapman, R-Anderson, sponsored the bill to help fund the project, which will also use $160,000 in private funding.

“It’s the perfect public/private partnership,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. “It expands one of our top assets and will generate more interest in aviation among children in the area.”

Legislators passed a $14.5 billion state spending package that cuts income taxes, increases state employees’ salaries and freezes tuition at public colleges in South Carolina for the sixth consecutive year.

Both the House and Senate easily approved the budget compromise Wednesday, sending it to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk.

The spending package also pumps money into the state’s tech schools, pays for improvements to overcrowded juvenile detention centers, and designates more than $500 million additional to bridge and road construction. That includes $200 million specifically for projects decided by local governments. 

Former West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders will be the new representative for South Carolina House Dist. 9, after Tuesday’s spirited runoff elections.

Sanders took 1,885 votes to opponent James Galyean’s votes in an election that got more than a little testy going into the runoff.

Sanders took big wins in Williamston and the Williamston Mill precincts, with 499 of 626 possible votes, while Galyean failed to post overwhelming numbers in precincts he won handily in the primary, especially in and around the City of Anderson.

The runoff attracted nearly twice the average runoff voters, with 11.65 percent of eligible voters voting.

In the race for United States House Dist. 3, Sheri Biggs led throughout the evening over Easley Pastor Mark Burns. Biggs

 “We are always looking for the next generation of leaders in Anderson County,” said Administrator Rusty Burns. “I have worked with Matt for a number of years and he is an excellent choice for the job.”

The South Carolina Primary Runoff election in Anderson County is under way. So far 2,225 participated in early voting for the election, which features two races.

Anderson City Council on Monday gave unanimous final approval to the $87.5 million fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, which includes funding for the $13.75 million Linley Park Project, $240,000 in additional funding for public safety, a three-percent raises for all employees, six new firefighters and no tax increase or increases in monthly utility fees, stormwater, or sanitation fees, though there will be an increase in tap fees, capacity fees, and pretreatment fees.

Of all the primary candidates in the 3rd Congressional race, Burns and Biggs had the most money as of June 5. But how the candidates are financing this run has become a matter of contention.

Burns had raised just $16,172 as of that pre-runoff filing. But he had received two loans totaling $750,000: $500,000 initially and then, days after that June 5 cutoff, an additional loan for $250,000, according to records filed June 9 with the Federal Election Commission. Both loans were made by the Bank of Washington — Washington, Missouri, that is.

The $500,000 loan was finalized on April 26, according to FEC records. The only collateral listed is “future contributions.” The loan is due back on Nov. 30 of this year, at 9.5% interest. It’s unclear he’s going to pay that back or why the bank was willing to make the loans.