Anderson City Councilwoman Dr. Beatrice Thompson said the new complex is “a blessing” and the fulfillment of a long-held dream during the official groundbreaking Monday,

“Today, I thank God,” said Thompson. “It’s finally coming to pass. It’s a blessing.” Thompson also expressed gratitude to all who supported the project, whom she said have “been the wind beneath thy wings, helping us to make this thing a reality.”

“This holiday season, Hope Missions is proud to stand at the heart of our city, serving neighbors in need every single day,” said Dave Phillips, CEO of the ministry. “Each morning, we welcome around 135 individuals into our downtown Anderson mission for breakfast and a range of supportive services.”

“I want to be able to give my kids something special or something that resembles the past like his grandparents grew up with,” he said, highlighting an ethos that mirrors generational pride and continuity.

The concert marks the beginning of a golden anniversary season for the orchestra and its parent organization, the Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium (GAMAC). Founded in 1980, GAMAC grew out of a community movement to establish a permanent symphonic presence in Anderson. Over the decades, it has nurtured both professional and student musicians through groups such as the GAMAC Chorale, the Chamber Orchestra, and the award-winning Pre-College strings programs.

Belton Honea Path 52, Southside Christian 6

T.L. Hanna 38, Greenville 14

Loris 56, Orangeburg-Wilkinson 20

Mountain View 50, Crescent 49

Powdersville 30, Pendleton 7

Westside 55, Wren 20

The project will focus on restoring historic downtown structures, enhancing commercial properties, and upgrading key community spaces. Town officials say the improvements are intended to strengthen the visual identity and economic vitality of Honea Path’s business district while creating new opportunities for local enterprise and community engagement.

A ceremony to dedicate a monument to General Robert Anderson, namesake of Anderson County, is scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Old Stone Church in Clemson. The event is sponsored by the Anderson County Museum.

Greenville (7-4) at T.L. Hanna (9-1) 

Class AAAA 

Wren (8-3) at Westside (7-4) 

Mountain View Prep (9-1) at Crescent (8-3)  

Pendleton (6-5) at Powdersville (9-2) 

Southside Christian (6-5) at Belton-Honea Path (11-0) 

The planned expansion will increase production capacity and equip the facility with state-of-the-art technology, positioning Sargent Metal to meet growing demand from clients across the Southeast and solidify its competitive edge. Investments will fund new equipment and upgrades that promise efficiency and innovation, extending the company’s reach in a fast-evolving marketplace.

Growers recount how state agencies and federal regulators promoted the expansion of industrial hemp, not just as an agricultural experiment but as a pathway to invest in new revenue streams. Many farmers responded by shifting resources and labor towards hemp cultivation, incentivized by access to financial assistance and scientific support from government programs designed to monitor compliance and ensure crops remained within federally mandated THC thresholds.

“We’ve got brand new big displays and things like that that just help with the decoration, make it have that Hallmark town feel as you come in,” said Ben Phillips, executive director of Anderson Christmas Lights. The village, once simply a gazebo at Darwin Wright Park where Santa (and visitors) braved the cold, now sprawls with new boutiques, a working bakery, a general store stocked with handmade crafts by local artisans, and a “filling” station for hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Today, to all who served abroad and to those whose steadfast service stateside kept the wheels of war turning, I offer profound gratitude. Those of us who never wore the uniform salute you—guardians of the freedoms we hold dear.

“This is more than just a place to live, this is where I chose to call home and where I chose to invest in my businesses,” wrote Sanders in a social media post. “I believe in bringing people back together, building back our community pride, and creating a future where we all are proud to say that we are from West Pelzer.

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, will be open and as winter approaches, the community can help.

Volunteers are needed to help with this effort. Contact Dave Phillips at dave@hopeupstate.org if you can help.

This Veterans Day, let gratitude be neither pro forma nor perfunctory. Let us see, and thank, those who took up the burdens we did not—and whose sacrifices, said and unsaid, make the remainder of our history possible.

Still, there is something quietly radical about small kindnesses. Holding a door instead of hurrying through it, listening instead of diagnosing, asking a tired friend what they need instead of what’s wrong. Compassion, like light in the darker months, is cumulative.

Reflecting on his initial year, Capell said he is impressed by the strength and commitment of the Anderson County community and the support from donors—ranging from large corporations to longtime individual contributors—which he said remains a steadfast pillar for the United Way’s ongoing efforts.

Local news notes on politics, business and social services.

Anderson County will mark Veterans Day with a pair of parades and other events beginning this weekend.

Honea Path’s first Veterans Day Parade is set for 11 a.m. Saturday downtown. The parade will be followed by a meal at 11:45.

The annual Anderson County Veterans Day Parade is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Downtown Anderson.

On Tuesday at 11 a.m., the Richard C. Campbell Veterans ceremony honoring the service and sacrifice of residents and area veterans will be held at the facility.

Wednesday, Palmetto Middle School will host a “Thank You Veterans” celebration at 9 a.m. in the school’s gymnasium. A complimentary breakfast will be served from 8-8:45 a.m. in the school cafeteria.

Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw lost to challenger Sarah Stokoski who received 565 of 1012 votes cast. Incumbent Pendleton Council Member Lyn Merchant held on to her seat against challenger Abigail B. Clark by 93 votes of the 1019 cast.

West Pelzer will have two new council members, as Rick Sanders and Jeff Turner won over incumbents Johnny C. Rogers Sr. and Jeff Lee. Sanders received 106 and Turner 67, while Lee received 36 and Rogers 14,