Archives

For the first time, I walked into the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery Store at 205 Cedar Lane Road yesterday. I was so enthralled by the richness and variety of their food selection that I walked away from my classic cane and didn’t remember leaving it there until last night. All night I fretted over my lost cane, wondering if I would ever find it again. First thing this morning, I called the cafe and left a voicemail. I was surprised to receive a text quickly asking how they co

Cranking up a restaurant from scratch is not a cakewalk. Now that Eddie Marini, his wife, and three children have paid their dues in full, their new restaurant, called The Mason Jar, plans to stay in downtown Greer. When Marini opened the restaurant in 2022, people used to walk by. He got busy remodeling the front, adding large TV screens, enhancing the menu, and increasing staff. OWNER, EDDIE MARINI Customers started entering the restaurant in ever-increasing streams. Income

Longtime receptionist with a ready smile for all, Ms Rhonda Thompson has retired from the Phillis Wheatley Center. She always greeted others with a warm smile. Her joy was contagious, say colleagues and guests. Ms Rhonda brought warmth and life to the building, touching countless lives. She was always willing to lend a hand and listen to others’ concerns, lifting their spirits. If you were in central casting for the silver screen, Rhonda’s natural role would be everyone’s fav

Converse University announces four new members to its Board of Trustees. They are Nakia Martin Alexander, Walter Goldsmith, Cary Perkins, and Ann Richardson. Nakia Martin Alexander Nakia Martin Alexander is a distinguished federal law enforcement, fraud, and compliance executive who currently serves as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. Alexander brings to Converse a wealth of executive leadershi

The National Weather Service warns that the heat index could rise to 106 today. High humidity and high temperatures could push the index to a record high, the NWS said. The leading weather expert has offices in Greenville and Spartanburg. Safety tips: stay hydrated, limit activities outdoors, check on vulnerable neighbors, never leave children and pets unattended in vehicles,

Even casual observers are quick to say there is a reason the Hispanic Alliance of the Upstate is the largest group of its kind in the Upstate, and it is also the fastest-growing by a large margin. DEBBRA ALVARADO, HOST Elite leadership cannot be ignored. The depth of its programs is unmatched. Look for yourself. Debbra Alvarado is the director of Programs. She displays the range of her skills and grasp of details when she conducts public meetings like the one today at South F

Taylor residents woke up Sunday to find two massive trees down at the corner of Scottswood Rd and Dover Dr in Taylors, across the street from the Recreation Pavilion. Experts often point to soggy soil and high winds due to thunderstorms as the cause of the fallen trees. Still, credit is due to the prompt removal service from Greenville County. Thanks to an alert supervisor and responsive crews, local residents no longer have canceled plans for their Sunday morning.

Plant-based dining in the Upstate is not a gimmick or a catchphrase. It’s real. Just step into Topsoil Restaurant on 13 S. Main Street in Travelers Rest and see for yourself. Chef Adam Cooke walks the walk by daily harvesting fresh produce from his 64-acre farm and from other local growers. Today we stopped in for brunch to have cornmeal pancakes with carrot toppings, scrambled eggs, thick-sliced bacon, and coffee. Time stands still when you’re relishing healthy cuisine that

eniors eat sweets whenever they want. There are no rules for them. Of the 5,000 members at Senior Action in Greenville across 8 locations, members can enter their favorite location and have a good chance of finding hot coffee and cake at just about any time of day. Today’s treat was furnished by Carol, who also served out free slices with a smile. There are dozens of programs, including free meals for eligible members. But there is always a warm response to an unexpected sl

The closure of the Church Street Bridge is part of the final phase of the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) construction, which began in May. Closing that portion of East McBee is necessary while several bridge repairs are made. The full closure of the Church Street Bridge to vehicle and pedestrian traffic is expected to last six weeks, with the bridge permanently reopening in mid-June. “From a traffic management standpoint, this is going to be the most im

Angela Brobson, a 2023 Converse University alumna, has received a Fulbright U. S. Student Program award for 2026-2027. Brobson will serve as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Germany. Brobson, who is from Spartanburg, earned a Bachelor of Arts in German Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, along with a minor in Data Science at Converse University. She took on every challenge during her time at Converse, accumulating a long resume, including participating

Greenville’s South Church Street Bridge has entered its final construction phase and is expected to be completed by June 12, say city engineers. Although residents know their route, engineers timed alternative downtown routes and strongly recommend using GPS to avoid congestion caused by accidents and other untimely delays.

Seneca native Tiffany White was promoted in April to Contact Center Manager at Greenville Federal Credit Union. Whites was previously the manager of the Pelham Road office. White good work at her previous post has propelled her to the new challenge of managing a Contact Center. What does that entail? The center staff are the first responders to all incoming calls, routing calls and messages and handling complex phone system features. White says she loves a good challenge. Her

Greenville, SC — The Greenville Police Department will begin accepting applications for its 2026 Citizens Academy on May 1st, an interactive program that gives community members an inside look at the department’s operations and daily responsibilities. The Citizens Academy will run from August 11 through October 6, with sessions held every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Participants will gain valuable insight into various aspects of law enforcement through hands-on experi

Guest writer Jay Jackson Retired MLB pitcher after 17 years in the pros. Greenville native The way to generate more interest in baseball in Greenville, SC, is through visibility, access, and consistent community investment. Greenville already produces great baseball talent, so the foundation is solidly established. The next step is creating more opportunities for young players and families to see that baseball has a real future in this area. That can be achieved through more

According to the Greenville District School (GCS) website, its security system has had a major upgrade. It now deploys Raptor alert badges and Evolv weapons detection system. The districtwide upgrades cost $1.1 million and focus on faster, proactive safety measures, said the site. The new integrated system with layered security elements replaces a traditional metal detector. The element of unpredictability is a strong deterrent for shooters, said Dr. Burke Royster, Superinten

Today, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that cases of measles have been occurring since March 17, bringing the total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak to 997. There are currently no people in quarantine or isolation. If no new cases are reported, the last day of the outbreak will be April 26. Moving forward, unless there is a new case, DPH’s reporting rhythm for the duration of the outbreak will be the following: wee

A reconstructed neighborhood center was named the Mary Duckett Center, as the council unanimously approved the name this week. The request came from the Community Development Empowerment Team to honor the late activist. “This dedication reflects our commitment to fostering belonging, uplifting local voices, and ensuring equitable access to services, said Mayor Knox White. The Mary Francis Duckett Community Development Center on Hampton Avenue will open next month. Duckett was

More raccoon sightings are reported in March for a reason. According to the S. C. Department of Natural Resources, Greer sees more raccoons in March because it’s the peak of their spring breeding season, and their torpor has ended. This drives mothers to forage during the day to feed their ravenous young, though they are normally nocturnal animals. Nighttime foraging is not enough to feed its cubs or kits, said Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Most citizens are concerned ab

Most recipes offer general guidance on ingredients, but to get the nitty-gritty, I asked my friendly grocer for specific suggestions on noodles, ground beef, and spaghetti sauce. Wade at the Greer Harris Teeter offered these friendly tidbits. “Any noodles will do, but to spice things up, mix the tomato basil sauce with the onion and garlic sauce. We walked over to the produce section. There, Dante suggested buying the mixed pack of ground beef, port, and veal. “This mix will