Burns also outlined recent growth in the county and offered some insight into the upcoming one-penny roads referendum, which will be on the ballot in November.

Nonpartisan candidate filing for the November 5 general election begins Friday 12 noon and remains open through Aug. 15 at noon.

Candidates can file for office at the County Board of Voter Registration & Elections, 301 N Main Street Anderson, SC 29621, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  

Bobby McGowens, a long-time educator and legendary local athlete, takes the helm this year at the alternative school program that serves students in all five school districts in Anderson County who have been expelled, court ordered or placed by a home school for remediation.

While providing taxpayers with an exemption on the six percent statewide sales tax as well as any applicable local taxes, the tax-free weekend also benefits in-state businesses by urging taxpayers to do their back-to-school shopping in South Carolina. During this time, taxes will not be imposed on clothing, shoes, school supplies, book bags, computers, printers, bedspreads and linens, and more.

On Saturday, the Pendleton Community Center held an event to showcase the upgrades and repairs to the landmark site just off the square.

The board of directors worked to bring in financial support for the effort, including a recent $50,000 “Hometown Grant” from T-Mobile. The current upgrade stage provided new roofing, new siding for the exterior and some interior renovations.

The annual event was sponsored by  Quantella & Company of REAL Broker LLC, the back-to-school giveaway, who said the need continues to grow each year.

The state added 120 bridges to the repair list, to be funded by $200 million in the state budget slated for bridge projects. The bridge at S.C. 412 Trib Big Generostee Cr, joins three other Anderson County bridges on the new list: S.C. 81 Saluda River & S-4-143, S.C. 413 Rocky River and S.C. 413 Jordan Creek on the new list.

More than 2,000 showed up for the school supplies giveaway Thursday at the Anderson Mall, with lines winding across the front section of the mall.

In what has traditionally been the largest gathering of Republicans in South Carolina, the annual August event formerly known as “Faith and Freedom BBQ,” has been rechristened “A Night of Liberty and Freedom” and is set for Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Anderson Civic Center.

The featured speaker for the event is retired Lt. Col. Allen West, a decorated veteran, former member of Congress from Florida, former Texas GOP Chairman and current GOP Chairman for Dallas

“Anderson County is not paying for any of this,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, adding that the county has been working with promoters and other local groups to make the two-day event successful for seven months.

The shift, which was allowed after the South Carolina General Assembly gave counties the option to exclude groceries (unprepared foods only) earlier this summer, will reduce the amount of annual road funding for the county from $50 annually to around $35 million annually.

“If I had to go to the Anderson Detention Center I would rather go to the Anderson County Animal Shelter because it’s in better shape,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns.

The future plans for the theater include a $1 million renovation of the auditorium which will include structural improvements, better and more spacious seating, better handicapped access, and the restoration of the original orchestra pit in front of the stage.

Anderson County officially welcomed a new international company. Halton MEI USA, Inc.. a company headquartered in Finland, will bring 65 new jobs and a $2.6 million investment to Piedmont.

Approved $125,000 for engineering services for the design, specifications, bidding and construction services for the waterline running along Main Street from Tribble Street to Reed Street, to meet new Environmental Protection Agency Lead and Copper Rules with require the removal any lines that have lead joints or pipes that have lead solder over the next few years. With Main Street slated to be paved before the end of 2025, the city wanted to replace this line before the project begins.

Council often works behind the scenes with the county legislative delegation on such projects, seeking wisdom and input, but it is not the purview of members of the legislature to chide or lecture council.

Anderson City Council will consider the purchase of five new Police Dodge Chargers at a total cost of $175,830, as part of Monday night’s meeting at 6 p.m. in council chambers.

Despite threats of rain, the turn out for the annual Broadway Lake Family Day was impressive on Saturday at McFall’s Landing.

The event featured music, a ski show by the Carolina Ski team, a car show, food trucks, kids games, and the always-popular cardboard boat races.

The Anderson Area Quilt Show kicked off Friday at the Civic Center, with more than 200 quilts on display and a variety of vendors, demonstrations and other activities.

The show continues Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Executive Director Tiffany Estes, who took the helm last year, said the school is seeing not only growing student participation, but increased partnerships with business/industry and the community.