It’s the holidays and Meals on Wheels (http://acmow.org/) of Anderson needs community support.

Meals on wheels prepares and delivers more than 600 hot meals each weekday to citizens of Anderson County who are not capable of preparing meals for themselves allowing the homebound elderly and disabled in maintaining their health, independence, and quality of life. Many would not be able to stay in their own homes without the assistance provided by the agency and its many volunteers.

For the eighteenth year Santa gave his reindeer a rest Saturday so he could ride the train into four Anderson County communities to spread holiday cheer. He even brought North Pole weather with him.

Greenville & Western Railway Company, LLC, in partnership with the Belton Interfaith Ministerial Association (BIMA) and the Presbyterian Food Bank of Pelzer and Williamston (PFB) hosted the Santa Express to collect food for those in the community who are in need this season.

The production is an enthusiastic deep-fried tribute to cornbread Christmas, and a throwback to the energy of “The Arthur Smith Show,” which was televised nationwide from 1951-1982 or “The Porter Wagoner Show.” The only thing missing was Speck Roads, although Mill Town Players founder Will Ragland brings a fried chicken breath performance, complete with Whispering Bill Anderson wig.

Successful events, new housing starts and movement on cleanup and future plans for the Chiquola Mill site highlighted 2024, according to Mayor Christopher Burton.

Burton said 2024 was a banner year for the town which continues to grow. He offered highlights of the town’s year in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

An upgrade to water and sewer system, planned restoration of historic structures and new recreation opportunities and events highlighted 2024 in the Town of Pelzer.

Mayor Will Ragland recapped the year in Pelzer in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

The new Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Anderson County, Anderson native Kevin Capell, knows the area well.

Capell returns to the area from the Greenville Chamber of Commerce where he served as Vice President for Investor Development and Engagement. He officially begins his job at the United Way Nov. 20.

The 10th Annual Western Carolina Sailing Club Parade of Lights was held Friday and Saturday night to benefit Toys for Tots and to collect canned goods for local food banks.

If every family in the Anderson County area spent just $10 a month with a locally-owned, independent business instead of a national chain, over $6.5 million would be directly returned to the Anderson community. This translates into better schools, better roads, more support for police, fire and rescue departments and stronger local economies.

Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns recaps 2024 and talks about why he is optimistic about the year ahead in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

Some long-awaited good news was made official at Anderson City Council on Monday, as the city approved the purchase and demolition of the buildings on South Main Street across from City Hall.

The buildings occupying the 406-420 South Main Street addresses have been in the crosshairs for redevelopment for years, but little has come of the efforts.

Residents who are having trouble getting debris to the right of way due to limited road frontage or debris blocking the way should call the South Carolina Department of Transportation at 855-467-2368.

Anderson City Council will vote on the purchase of the property on South Main Street across from City Hall as part of tonight’s meeting in the council chambers downtown.

The buildings occupying the 406-420 South Main Street addresses have been in the crosshairs for redevelopment for some time. In 2018, the city offered an incentive package for the redevelopment of the historic, which once housed the Anderson Hotel.

The county’s second-largest Christmas parade featured more floats than usual as crowds filled downtown Pendleton Sunday.

Belton annual holiday celebration brings out community for Christmas.

Perfect weather, good crowd for 2024 Honea Path Christmas parade.

Sanders has been instrumental in the planning and implementation of projects not only in Anderson County, but across most of South Carolina as well as dozens of other states. The founder and owner of Studio Main LLC, Sanders was instrumental in planning some major projects, including the Swamp River Trail. He also served for eight years as mayor of West Pelzer (and was the second youngest mayor in the state when elected), where he turned a mostly underused stretch of S.C. 8 into the “Upstate’s Front Porch,” aiding in the filling up of housing and businesses and creating a walking community.

Anderson City Council will consider a $2.4 million contract to replace the main water line from Tribble Street to Reed Street as part of Monday’s meeting at 6 p.m. in council chambers. The city is looking to replace the line as part of upgrades in preparation for the paving of Main Street along that same stretch.

Council will also vote on contracts for three other sewer/wastewater projects – the the $8.9 million Generostee Creek sewer relief line, the $284,000 Lafayette/White Street Streambank Restoration project and the $1.9 million North Street Drainage System Rehabilitation project as part of the meeting.

The 21st Annual Alternative Holiday Gift Fair at Boulevard Baptist Church kicked off Saturday and continues Sunday afternoon from noon-3 p.m. The event raises thousands of dollars for local non-profits.

The church hosts the annual event as their gift to those groups in our community and beyond serving those who need a little extra help.

December also brought a solemn remembrance of the “Day which shall live in infamy.”

Pearl Harbor Day was a time of education, reflection and even prayer not only in the classroom, but in civic events, media reports and even many churches.

As we mark the 83rd anniversary of the last time a foreign nation attacked American soil, the lessons of the day are as important as ever.

The City of Anderson kicked off a $5.8 million upgrade to Cater’s Lake on Thursday, with a groundbreaking and officials offering an overview of the project.

The renovations are scheduled to include walking trails, landscaping, environmentally friendly islands in the pond for the ducks/geese, a covered bridge architectural structure to improve visuals, additional areas for picnic tables and grassy play areas. Plans to dredge the lake to recover top soil are also in the works.