Monday, December 8, 2025
Rusty Burns Gives County Top Grade for 2025 Accomplishments
Nothing captured the year’s mood more than the $80‑plus million detention center, a project that turned incarceration into an engineering story. Burns described watching prefabricated cells arrive like oversized appliance boxes, lifted by forklift and slid into place, each one a complete room that simply had to be tied into utilities before becoming someone’s new address. The pace has been brisk enough that the project is running roughly a month ahead of schedule, though Burns still warns the public not to confuse visible progress with imminent occupancy; a facility that size, he notes, takes time to test and staff, even with what he dryly calls “a waiting list” that is not getting any shorter.
Anderson County Farm Gets Boost from S.C. Agribusiness Grant
The Milky Way Farm in Anderson County, which has 120 dairy cows, was among the recipients and received funds that helped buy a $200,000 robotic milker.
Anderson Area TD Club Annual Awards; Playoff Schedule
Friday’s Playoff Games:
Westside at South Pointe
Powdersville at BHP
AIM Offers Hope for Holiday; Community Support Important
On Monday, AIM orchestrated its annual Thanksgiving distribution at the Civic Center, serving a thousand families with food and, one suspects, with a helping of reassurance.
$36M BMarko Expansion at Williamston Spec Building to Bring 225 Jobs
Total investment for the project is $36 million, and approximately 150 workers are already employed at the facility.
Honea Path Holiday Event Includes Annual Tree Lighting
Downtown was filled with Christmas lights and vendors showing off holiday arts, crafts and food, and just after dusk, the tree blazed to life in the park.
Pendleton Kicks off Holiday Season Friday with Tree Lighting, Christkindlmarkt
The tree lighting is set for Friday at 6 p.m. and the market will run 4:30-8:30 p.m. the following dates:
November 29-30,
December 6-7,
December 13-14 2024
Care/Connection Key to Stemming County’s Rising Suicide Rate
As of November 17, 2025, the Anderson County Coroner reported 55 suicides. Our previous record was 54 in 2015 and again in 2020. By the same date last year, there were 28. These are not just numbers. They are our neighbors, coworkers, parents, siblings, teenagers, and older adults. The deaths range in age from 16 to 87.
Corporate Entities Gobbling Up Residential Properties Nationwide
According to a joint “Who Owns America” report, nearly 9% of residential parcels in 500 U.S. counties are owned by a corporation. The concentrations exceed 20% in some cities, including St. Louis, Missouri; Harrisonburg, Virginia; and Franklin, Ohio.
High School Playoff Scores, Next Round Games
BHP 34, Woodruff 3
Powdersville 52, Mountain View Prep 30
Westside 24, Camden 21
Indian Land 43, T.L. Hanna 41
Nov. 27 Playoff games
Westside at South Pointe
Powdersville at BHP
Budget-Friendly County Christmas Tree Something Even Scrooge Could Love
In retrospect, the council’s move has proved both inspired and economical. Upgrades each since 2015 have stretched the tree to 58 feet, its lights multiplying and ornaments growing each season with an effect both dazzling and, more quietly, efficient.
Pendleton Mayor-Elect Brings New Optimism for Town’s Future
Her agenda for the days ahead are driven by a desire to promote responsible growth and development, recreation programs for all ages, and collaboration with those seeking to make Pendleton a better place to work and live.
Cancer Association of Anderson Worthy of Support
As you make your holiday plans, please consider adding the Cancer Association of Anderson to your Christmas list. Your generosity will shine far beyond this season, carrying into the new year as strength, dignity, and hope for your Anderson County neighbors living with cancer.
Pendleton Year in Review, with Mayor Frank Crenshaw
As the calendar moves toward Thanksgiving, Pendleton’s streets are showing signs of of a small town adorning itself for the holidays. Behind Mayor Frank Crenshaw, a Christmas tree gradually takes shape—a symbol of tradition amid change—as the town prepares for its annual Christmas market and tree lighting. It is a fitting backdrop for a conversation about a year that has been, in Crenshaw’s words, a time of “coming together” and cautious progress.
Franklin Workforce Housing to Feature 68 Apartments, Multiple Amenities
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.”
Helping Others During Holidays: Hope Missions of the Upstate
“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.”
Pelzer Mayor-Elect Hopes to Build Community
“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.
GMAC Kicks Off 50th Concert Season Sunday
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.
High School Playoff Football Scores
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
Covan Properties to Invest $3M for Honea Path Restoration Efforts
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.