Bill Thompson is a candidate for the Anderson School Dist. 5 At-Large seat.

A retired nuclear power reactor operator and full-time dad, Thompson earned an Associate of Science Degree in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Augusta Technical College.

Thompson includes among his community activities work with the Hunger For Hope Project and as A5 Citizen Expert. He has attended almost all school board meetings for the past two years and has spent time on in-person visits to his child’s classroom for observation.

Here are his answers to the Anderson Observer’s questions:

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Eddie D. Mattison is a candidate for Anderson School Dist. 5, Area 3.

Mattison earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film/Video and is retired.

He lists his community activities as service to  Meals on Wheels, the United Way Homeless/Housing Project,  and Hope Missions of the Upstate.

Mattison has attended school board meetings.

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Tommy Price is a candidate for Anderson School Dist. 5, Area 3.

Price is owner of Price Tax Service, LLC, and Price Driving School.

He earned a degree in Business Administration from Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University), Anderson College and is a graduate of Crescent High School.

He has served on the Anderson 5 Board of Trustees since 2012 and is current chairman, is on the Anderson Institute of Technology Liaison Committee, and has been the public address announcer for Westside High School Football since 2001 (and a 2023 inductee in the Westside High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Price is also a Board Member Centerville Volunteer Fire Department, Board Member Anderson County Accommodations Tax, Board Member Anderson Area Touchdown Club, President Hunters Glen Homeowners Association, and a member of the Anderson School Dist. 5 Steering Committee 2006.

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T.L. Hanna 42, J.L. Mann 20 (Thursday)

BHP 48, Crescent 21

Westside 49, Fountain Inn 18

West-Oak 57, Pendleton 7

Powdersville 39, Palmetto 29

Wren 55, Laurens 3

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S.C. Rep. Thomas Beach is a candidate for S.C, House Seat 10.

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The Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce search committee is close to fining a new Chief Executive Officer, according to the board member and designated spokesperson for the group, Anderson Attorney John Raffini.

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Early voting for the Nov. 5 General Elections begins Monday and continues through Nov. 2 from 8:30 am – 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday at the following locations:

Anderson County Board of Registration and Elections. 301 N Main Street, Anderson, SC 29621

Powdersville Branch Library. 4 Civic Court, Powdersville, SC 29642

Pendleton Branch Library, 650 S Mechanic Street, Pendleton, SC 29670

Watkins Community Center, 204 S Main Street, Honea Path, SC 29654

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Anderson County Council gave final approval to tax incentives for SMF, Inc., a company bringing 89 jobs to County District 2 on Tuesday,

The average pay is more than $20 per hour and almost a third of the jobs pay more than $30 per hour. The move is important for the district in which it is located, one which has almost 14 percent unemployment.

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Anderson City Council approved, on first reading, an $11.5 million bond issue for two recreation projects.

The funds will be used $5.65 million to finish Phase 2 of the Linley Park and $5.8 million for the upgrades to Cater’s Lake Park.

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The center will be open today through Thursday from 9 a.m-8 p.m. to provide services to those in Anderson County and surrounding areas to both apply for assistance, follow up and provide referral services to voluntary organizations who offer a variety of services to survivors on applications already submitted. No appointment is needed.

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The Market Theatre kicked off a Halloween offering this weekend, with “The Rocky Horror Show,” a mixture of horror, science-fiction and sexual coming of age story intended exclusively for an adult audience. This one is not for the kids.

The show is based on the movie of the same name which debuted in London in 1973 as a sendup of corny sci-fi films from the 1950s, the same fare “Mystery Science Theater” later tackled on cable television (which did not feature a transvestite host).

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The festival combined the events with the annual Honey Soppin’, which kicked off the day with the spirited contest Saturday, with new winners in both categories.

Marty Fleming, who was upset in last year’s biscuit-and-honey-eating contest after years as reigning champion, regained his crown easily on Saturday to take home the $100 prize.

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The Hispanic population is the fastest growing demographic group in the county, and the annual festival is the first of many events and programs aimed at meeting the needs of these friends, neighbors and co-workers.

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Temporary signs require a permit and must be placed on private property along with a letter of approval from the property owner. Anderson County Code of Ordinance Section 38-255: “A security deposit shall be required for each permit for temporary signs. Deposit shall be returned to the permit holder provided the sign has been removed after the expiration of the thirty-day period or the deposit will be forfeit.”

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There are too many surprises for me to say any more other than this one is among the most entertaining local plays I’ve seen, with engaging performances, fine directing and the perfect set.

Photo credit: Escobar Photography

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Walhalla 20, Pendleton 7

Crescent 56, West-Oak 9

Wren 49, Fountain Inn 12

Westside 41, Emerald 17

Powdersville 33, Christ Church 14

Palmetto 21, Southside 10

TL Hanna Saturday vs. Woodmont

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Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns said no event in the county’s history touched every square mile of the county like Hurricane Helene.

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The bigger concern is the cost to small farmers, who were already operating on tight margins and now must rebuild destroyed fences, replant toppled trees and recoup the cost of damaged crops, he said.

On top of the most recent storm, the state’s 22,000 farms were already having a difficult growing season, said Stephanie Sox, spokeswoman for the state Farm Bureau.

For much of the summer, most of the state’s counties were in a drought. Then, Tropical Storm Debby went to the opposite extreme, dousing fields in feet of water.

“This whole growing season has been a literal disaster for South Carolina farmers,” Sox said.

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The Anderson County Library is making it easier to be fun, fancy and/or spooky this Halloween with a costume recycling program aimed at making the holiday more affordable.

The library’s Youth Services department is accepting the donation of gently used costumes, dance outfits, etc. that are in good condition (i.e., show no visible stains, have minimal wear and tear, etc.) through Oct. 14. The outfits can be dropped off at the main branch of the library.

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In this stage version of the cult classic movie, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Along the way they meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock music, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.” 

The stage play includes extra songs and verses not in the movie, and there are a few other changes, but the spirit of the story and audience interaction remain the same.

photo credit: Kelly Crittendon

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