Legislators passed a $14.5 billion state spending package that cuts income taxes, increases state employees’ salaries and freezes tuition at public colleges in South Carolina for the sixth consecutive year.

Both the House and Senate easily approved the budget compromise Wednesday, sending it to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk.

The spending package also pumps money into the state’s tech schools, pays for improvements to overcrowded juvenile detention centers, and designates more than $500 million additional to bridge and road construction. That includes $200 million specifically for projects decided by local governments. 

Former West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders will be the new representative for South Carolina House Dist. 9, after Tuesday’s spirited runoff elections.

Sanders took 1,885 votes to opponent James Galyean’s votes in an election that got more than a little testy going into the runoff.

Sanders took big wins in Williamston and the Williamston Mill precincts, with 499 of 626 possible votes, while Galyean failed to post overwhelming numbers in precincts he won handily in the primary, especially in and around the City of Anderson.

The runoff attracted nearly twice the average runoff voters, with 11.65 percent of eligible voters voting.

In the race for United States House Dist. 3, Sheri Biggs led throughout the evening over Easley Pastor Mark Burns. Biggs

 “We are always looking for the next generation of leaders in Anderson County,” said Administrator Rusty Burns. “I have worked with Matt for a number of years and he is an excellent choice for the job.”

The South Carolina Primary Runoff election in Anderson County is under way. So far 2,225 participated in early voting for the election, which features two races.

Anderson City Council on Monday gave unanimous final approval to the $87.5 million fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, which includes funding for the $13.75 million Linley Park Project, $240,000 in additional funding for public safety, a three-percent raises for all employees, six new firefighters and no tax increase or increases in monthly utility fees, stormwater, or sanitation fees, though there will be an increase in tap fees, capacity fees, and pretreatment fees.

Of all the primary candidates in the 3rd Congressional race, Burns and Biggs had the most money as of June 5. But how the candidates are financing this run has become a matter of contention.

Burns had raised just $16,172 as of that pre-runoff filing. But he had received two loans totaling $750,000: $500,000 initially and then, days after that June 5 cutoff, an additional loan for $250,000, according to records filed June 9 with the Federal Election Commission. Both loans were made by the Bank of Washington — Washington, Missouri, that is.

The $500,000 loan was finalized on April 26, according to FEC records. The only collateral listed is “future contributions.” The loan is due back on Nov. 30 of this year, at 9.5% interest. It’s unclear he’s going to pay that back or why the bank was willing to make the loans.

Anderson City Council is expected to give final approval to the proposed $84.7 million fiscal year 2024-2025 budget Monday night at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. The budget includes three percent raises for all full-time employees and six additional firefighters for the Anderson City Fire Department.

The partnership with the City of Belton and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office will kick off July 1, when the county assumes law enforcement duties for Belton.

The city requested the Sheriff’s Office take over policing duties and a result of the challenge of keeping officers in a small town, and other costs associated with running a city police department.

On June 29, Williamston will host what some say could be their biggest event to date, with an freedome elebration that features concerts by Tracie Lynn and Gyth Rigdon, a golf cart parade, car show, Bobbers on the Creek race, a kids fun zone, food and a fireworks show.

Anderson County Council is expected to move ahead today in the selection process for choosing two additional at-large members for the County Library Board. Council members are expected to put forward their selections Friday from among the 43 applications.

It’s big news for the City of Pelzer. The town of 1,400 citizens is about to see major growth.

For the first time in more than a century a major housing development will bring more than 100 houses to town. Work in under way for Courtney Park, which will bring 125 houses and 18 town homes.

Today, Anderson can expect 14 hours and 25 minutes of daylight. By the first day of autumn in September, that will be down to 12 hours of daylight. At the winter solstice in December, that will be down to around nine hours and 43 minutes of daylight.

Two candidates are vying for the United States House Dist. 3 seat on Tuesday the S.C. Primary Runoff. Early voting is under way.

Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Sheri Biggs was the only candidate in the race who was interested providing voters with information on her goals and objectives if elected.

It is disappointing that with so little local coverage Mark Burns and James Galyean declined the opportunity to expound on their goals and objectives if elected.

Two candidates are vying for the South Carolina House Dist. 9 seat in Tuesday the S.C. Primary Runoff. Early voting is under way.

Former West Pelzer Mayo/Landscape Architect/City Planner Blake Sanders and Attorney James Gaylean.

Both were offered the opportunity to answer a series of questions for votes leading up to the runoff election. Only Sanders responded, despite multiple attempts and requests of Galyean to answer the same questions. The format is simple, with the candidates allowed to answer the questions in their own words without editing, save for grammar and to conform with the Associated Press Style Manual.

As Summer begins, the Town of West Pelzer is focusing on security.

Mayor Jim Riddle said the town is exploring technology to protect online information, and has hired a new police chief who he said will be another good move for the town.

In the United States House Dist. 3 race, Sheri Biggs will face Mark Burns. The two are vying to fill the seat which will be left vacant by Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-SC, who chose not to run for another term.

Burns received 35.72 percent of the primary election vote, 8,195 votes, and Biggs 33.24 percent, 5,842 votes.

In the race to fill the S.C. House Dist. 9 seat which will be left vacant by long-term legislator S.C. Rep. Anne Thayer, who is retiring, will feature attorney James Galyean and former West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders.

Sanders received 41.66 percent (1,852 votes) of the vote in the primary, to Galyean’s 38.78 percent, (1,763 votes). Rick Bradshaw, who received the remaining 551 votes in this race has endorsed Sanders in the runoff.

Today is Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, which commemorates the emancipation from slavery in the United States.

Anderson County Council gave final approval to the request on Tuesday from the City of Belton to transfer law enforcement responsibilities to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. 

The plan could be in place by July 1.

The Anderson County Library celebrated Juneteenth a little early this year, with an event in the Electric City Makerspace on the second floor of the main branch in Anderson.

Dr. Raen Parker Washington led the event, which included art projects, history lessons and other celebrations. Washington, an artist, poet and writer, even created an original poem based on the words from those in attendance.

The event also featured a selection of books from the library celebrating Juneteenth and the African-American experience.