Saturday, December 13, 2025
Memorial Day Ceremonies Set in Anderson, Iva, Honea Path, Pendleton
Four ceremonies are set in Anderson County to remember the men and women who served this country in uniform and who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Services are set Sunday night at the memorial on the square in Iva at 6:30 p.m., and Monday at Richard Campbell Veterans Nursing Home’s Dolly Cooper Cemetery Pavillion at 11 a.m., in downtown Honea Path at 10 a.m. and Pendleton at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park.
Education Focus of Adjustments in S.C. Budget
South Carolina’s traditional K-12 public schools will receive a bigger share of new money in the coming school year under a compromise approved this week.
An adjustment in calculations ultimately shifted nearly $10 million of a $112 million sum from charter schools to traditional public schools, according to data provided by the state Department of Education. That’s part of roughly $4.5 billion total the budget sends to K-12 public schools.
Also included in the $14.7 billion spending plan advanced Wednesday is more than $500 million to fund projects at the state’s public colleges, plus a continued guarantee that tuition rates will remain frozen for in-state students.
New Iva Library to Open May 30
The new Iva Branch of the Anderson County Library has relocated to a new, modern facility at 622 East Front St., directly across from the gazebo on the town square, and will hold its grand opening May 30 at 10 a.m. The totally renovated 4,000-square-foot space features an open layout, more room for books and computers, a large meeting room for community use, and plans for expanded programs like vocational training.
Study: Real Estate Hot in West Pelzer, Belton, Iva
Noticed rapid growth in West Pelzer, Belton and Iva? One study has.
Anderson County has the three among the top 15 fastest-appreciating real estate markets, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.
House Passes Budget Package, Senate Rewrite Expected
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House early Thursday approved the “big, beautiful bill” that Republican leaders spent months negotiating with centrists and far-right members of the party — two distinct factions that hold vastly different policy goals — over intense opposition from Democrats.
All six of South Carolina’s Republicans voted for the bill. The state’s lone Democrat, Rep. Jim Clyburn, voted “no.”
The 215-214 vote ships the package to the Senate, where GOP lawmakers are expected to rewrite much of it, before sending it back across the Capitol for final approval, a process likely to stretch through the summer.
County Gives Final Approval to Riparian Buffer Rules
Anderson County Council on Tuesday gave unanimous and final approval to a measure to protect waterways from runoff and pollution. All properties of 50 acres or less will require a riparian zone of 50 feet buffer and properties of greater than 50 acres a 100-foot buffer. A riparian zone is the transitional area between a body of water and the surrounding land. It's essentially the area where terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems meet, influencing both the soil, vegetation, and overall environment. River/stream banks and flood plains are among the areas impacted by the new ordinance.
400 College Anglers to Compete in Championship at Green Pond
One of the biggest annual tournaments at Green Pond Landing and Events Center will bring as many as 400 anglers to Anderson beginning Thursday for the Association of Collegiate Anglers 20th Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship.
This no-entry-fee competition, set for Thursday and Friday, will crown a national champion from the 200 teams in competition and distribute more than $30,000 in prizes. Triple points will also be awarded towards the prestigious Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
Expanded Behavioral Health Hospital to Replace Marshall Pickens
The three-story, 134,621-square-foot facility, is being built on 46-acres off S.C. 153 near Easley. Construction on the hospital, made possible by $100 million in state funds, is expected to take approximately two years. The new location is licensed for 112 beds and will replace Prisma’s 65-bed Marshall I. Pickens Hospital, which was built in 1969.
Civic Center to Host Community-wide Yard Sale Saturday
The Civic Center of Anderson will host the Great Anderson County Yard Sale and Food Truck Rally Saturday from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. with all proceeds benefiting programs and services in Anderson County.
The public is invited to this family-friendly event where visitors will be able to explore hundreds of yard sale booths and sample and dine with fare from some favorite local food trucks.
County Email Payment Scam Reported
Anderson County officials were recently notified of a scam operation wherein a customer of the Planning Department received fraudulent invoices via email with instructions to wire payment to a particular web address.
The scam emails originated from an address with a “@usa.com” domain. Authentic emails from Anderson County will be from an “@andersoncountysc.org” domain. The Planning Department does not ask for wired transfers as payments.
Council to Hold Second Reading on 2025-26 Budget Tuesday
Council meets at 6:30 p.m. in the historic courthouse downtown. Full agenda should be available tomorrow.
Farmers Markets Senior Vouchers Program June 4-6
Distribution of vouchers will be held at the Anderson County Famers Market from 8-10 a.m. on the following dates:
Iva Farmers Market - June 4
Anderson Farmers Market - June 5
Belton Farmers Market - June 6
GOP Student Loan Overhaul Could Increase Cost of College
the bill has drawn criticism and worry from student advocates and congressional Democrats over how the proposed changes would impact higher education affordability and access.
U.S. House Budget Includes $5B in Private School Tax Credits
The proposal in the U.S. House would allocate $5 billion a year in tax credits for people donating to organizations that provide private and religious school scholarships and is baked into the Ways and Means Committee’s piece of a massive reconciliation package to fund President Donald Trump’s priorities.
S.C. High Court Upholds 6-Week Abortion Ban
Issuing their third ruling on abortion since 2022, justices unanimously decided state law’s definition of “fetal heartbeat” — the sound of which makes an abortion illegal — applies to when an ultrasound first detects cardiac activity.
Attorneys for Planned Parenthood argued the ban that took effect in August 2023 should apply at nine weeks rather than six, since the heart doesn’t actually form until roughly the ninth week of pregnancy.
Amelia Earhart a Key Factor in Anderson Aviation
One of America’s aviation pioneers may be more famous for her international contributions to flight, but she’s also likely one of the key reasons Anderson County moved to build a more modern airport.
School Dist. 5 Free Lunch Program Set May 27-July 18
Anderson School District Five’s free Summer Lunch Program will run from May 27-July 18 for any child aged 18 or under. Meals are provided without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion or national origin or free and reduced meal price status.
Anderson School District Five and Culinary Services will provide an average of 2,300 meals per day as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Feeding Program.
In Split Vote, City Oks Annexation on East-West Parkway
Councilmen Kyle Newton, Luis Martinez, Greg Steele and Councilwoman Bea Thompson voted against the measure.
Saluda River Rally, Rhythm on the River Saturday
Anderson County is combining Dolly Cooper Park’s two largest annual events for a day-long series of activities, with the Saluda River Rally and Rhythm on the River scheduled for June 7.
Mother’s Day Should Be a Bigger Deal
It’s Mother’s Day, a time to honor our mothers who are still with us or remember the ones who have gone on before us. For some of us, this is good, but not so much for others.
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.
But it’s also a time that offers too brief moment to properly acknowledge the never-ending role of motherhood.