9 Matters! provides health and prenatal education for pregnant teenagers in Anderson County. Studies show that higher rates of prematurity typically occur among the youngest and oldest mothers.

In 2008, 16 percent of deliveries at AnMed Health were from young women between 13 and 19 years old. Nine percent of those women delivered prematurely.  That same year, four Anderson County babies died as a result of unsafe sleep practices.  Region 1 of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, the area that includes Anderson County, is tied for the worst infant mortality rate in the state.

Premature birth can cause a number of lasting disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning problems, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing problems. According to March of Dimes, half of all neurological disabilities in children are related to premature birth. 

9 Matters! consists of six, one-hour classes taught by registered nurses and health educators. To make the program easily accessible, 9 Matters! is offered in all five Anderson County school districts and at AnMed Health Family Medicine. The program is held three times a year at each location, and up to 10 young women can enroll in each session. In 2009, the program’s inaugural year, 9 Matters! held 19 sessions across seven sites in Anderson County.  

Expectant teens who are interested in enrolling in 9 Matters! should call AnMed Health Women’s and Children’s Hospital at (864) 512-4800.

The primary goal of 2010 Citizens’ Academy is to provide:

• insight on how City government works
• open lines of communication between citizens and City staff
• provide information on how citizens can easily utilize the services offered by City government
• encouragement for citizens to become involved, and
• provide a realistic understanding of City Government operations.

The City of Anderson’s 2010 Citizens’ Academy is an eight (8) week course developed to inform residents about the City government process and the public services it provides. Sessions are once a week from 5:30 pm – 8 pm.

Applicants to the program must be City of Anderson residents or property owners, age 18 or older, and make a personal commitment to the 8 week series of information sessions. Class size is limited to eighteen (18) participants.

Curriculum is currently being developed for sessions to begin in April, 2010.

For more information, please contact Erin Fann, Business Development and Neighborhood Manager at (864) 231-2229 or ehall@cityofandersonsc.com

The dinner will be open to all ACRP members as well as any one in the community who would like to come.  This would give us all a great opportunity to invite others and let them see what the ACRP and the SCGOP are all about.  The details of the banquet will soon follow. For more information http://www.andersongop.org/

Publix said it has taken the mixes off of its shelves and says shoppers can return them to the stores for a full refund. The privately held grocery store operator said late Monday that the mixes were made with hydrolyzed vegetable protein supplied by Basic Food Flavors, which is based in Las Vegas.

Consumers who eat products tainted with salmonella could suffer serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly young children, frail or elderly persons and others with weakened immune systems.

Spokeswoman Maria Brous said in a statement there have been no reported cases of illness with these products.

The recalled products include all lot codes for 0.75 ounce packs of Publix Mushroom Gravy Mix with the UPC 41415-03308; 1 ounce packages of Publix Meatloaf Seasoning, UPC 41415-03408; 1.45 ounce packets of Publix Beef Flavored Stew Mix, UPC 41415-03608, and 1 ounce packs of Publix Au Jus Gravy Mix with UPC 41415-04208.

Publix has 1,012 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.

Five states reported record-high joblessness in January: California, at 12.5 percent; South Carolina, 12.6 percent; Florida, 11.9 percent; North Carolina, 11.1 percent; and Georgia, 10.4 percent.

Michigan's unemployment rate is still the nation's highest, at 14.3 percent, followed by Nevada, with 13 percent and Rhode Island at 12.7 percent. South Carolina and California round out the top five.

The state's jobless rate was well above the national rate, which dipped to 9.7 percent in January. Nationally, South Carolina's unemployment rate ranked fourth behind Michigan, Nevada and Rhode Island.

The number of South Carolina's unemployed rose about 4,600 to more than 273,000 people, also setting a state record high. As temporary workers were released after the holiday shopping season, the retail sector cut 7,700 positions in January.

 “We are pleased to be associated with the Main Street Program and their efforts to promote downtown,” said Robert Hayes.  Larry Lyles, lll with Carolina Beer states, “The Main Street Program is a valuable asset not just for the downtown businesses but for our community as a whole.  We are pleased to be involved and happy that we could help make this happen.”

Main Street Board member, Jeff Waters commented, “This has been months in the making and we couldn’t be more excited about partnering with these two businesses.  I’m looking forward to enjoying many great nights in downtown Anderson with some wonderful outdoor music.”

The Thursday night Block Party Series will begin on April 1st and run through October 28th.  There will be two extended Block Parties this year covering Thursday through Saturday.