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Weather impact update
A powerful Arctic blast hit Greenville on Saturday, bringing 4 to 8 inches of total snowfall, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts up to 40 mph created potential whiteout conditions in some areas. This could be the milestone event that people will discuss for years to come, said one man in Taylors. Another person said that many will display pictures of this event in family photo albums. Meantime, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor for S.C., severe to extre
Feb 21 min read


Greenville promotes the arts
A consortium of Greenville Arts Center presents a Fine Arts Center, events include the Governor’s School Visual Arts Exhibit at the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, and various other First Friday Gallery events. Key Arts Programs and Events (January 2026) Creative Arts Collective Mini-mester (Jan 13–Feb 10): A 5-week program for grades 7–12, covering visual arts, film, acting, writing, and dance. Fine Arts Center (FAC) Application (Deadline Jan 15): The p
Jan 311 min read


Greenvillle Public Works to be on Emergency Operations
The City of Greenville Public Works is opening its Emergency Operations Center at 1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, with full crews on 12-hour shifts to manage expected sleet and freezing, according to a statement it posted. Weekend Operations: Public Works crews will operate in 12-hour rotations, utilizing specialized equipment to handle both snow and ice conditions. Road Safety: Hazardous travel is expected; residents are urged to stay off roads, particularly from Saturday
Jan 301 min read


Duke assesses the damage
Duke Energy announced on its website that it had begun assessing the damage. That will take some time. The statement said that, next, the appropriate technicians will be assigned specific tasks to restore the downed lines and, in time, better understand how its preparedness can be stronger in the future. In the meantime, here is a list of the outages.
Jan 261 min read


Duke prepares for winter storm
Duke Energy urges consumers to prepare for a severe winter storm on Saturday and Sunday. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster today declared a state of emergency ahead of an icy weekend. Duke urges consumers to prepare for power outages. Duke will have tree and vegetation crews trimming branches ahead of the storm to reduce the risk of outages. Line crews from the surrounding regions are being strategically placed to respond promptly to down lines and other challenges, off
Jan 221 min read


Spartanburg attracted $3.5 billion in investment in 2025
In 2025, OneSpartanburg, Inc. landed 20 economic development projects on behalf of Spartanburg County and City, resulting in $3.5 billion in capital investment and the creation of 1,024 new jobs. KATHERINE O'NEILL The total investment in Spartanburg County is about $9.6 million per day over the course of the year. “Our continued work to bring high-paying, knowledge-based, and corporate jobs to Spartanburg County paid off in 2025, as a host of innovative companies chose to loc
Jan 211 min read


GTC was selected to the high-wage GM program without requiring a BA
Greenville Technical College (GTC) has been selected by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) for the Early Career and Technical Skills Exposure Program. The program encourages middle school participants to prepare for a high-wage career that doesn’t require a four-year degree,” said Dr. Candice Lewis, vice president of Greenville Tech. photo is couttesy of GTC “General Motors recognizes the urgent need for workforce development nationwide. That’s why we are i
Jan 152 min read


ANALYSIS: Judicial funding disparity puts justice in peril
Let's look at the big picture before rushing to conclusions about weighing advantages and disadvantages between prosecutors and public defenders. Justly or not, public defenders often get a bum rap. What is the success rate of public defenders? While the success rate for other defense attorneys edged up only from 12% to 13%, for public defenders it nearly doubled, soaring from 18% to 35% during the same period from 2008 to 2019. What skews the view? Top law students split bet
Jan 138 min read


Greenville remains in a severe drought
Despite two days of rain, Greenville County remains in severe drought (D2) conditions across most of the area, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. On January 8, 93.25% of Greenville County is in severe drought. In fact, 100% of the county is experiencing some level of drought, according to the report. The current conditions reflect below-normal rainfall over the past several weeks, leading to dry topsoil, declining streamflows, and heightened fire-weather concerns, accordi
Jan 111 min read


The SC hospitality industry is scrambling to deal with new liquor laws
Greenville’s bar and restaurant scene is adapting to SC’s new liquor law, effective Jan 1, 2026. According to lawmakers, the law is aimed at easing crushing liquor liability insurance costs by capping restaurant liability at 50% and offering discounts for risk-reducing measures like ID scanners, server training, early closures, and providing hope after recent closures, but some owners feel more needs to be done to combat high premiums and frivolous lawsuits that have plagued
Jan 71 min read


Outbreaks of measles have the US on the brink of losing its elimination status
The United States reported more than 2,000 measles cases in 2025. How has the highest annual total impacted the measles elimination status? Epidemiologist Linda Bell A medical elimination status means a specific infectious disease is no longer constantly present in a region, though it can still be reintroduced from elsewhere. It’s achieved through successful public health efforts, such as vaccination, resulting in 12 months of continuous local transmission, as verified by org
Jan 12 min read


Billy Thompson is listed #26 as Broncos most outstanding players of all time
Greenville (SC) native, Billy “Alan” Thompson was born in Greenville, SC. He played as a defensive cornerback and safety for the Denver Broncos from 1969 to 1981. Thompson was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1987. He set an NFL record (since tied) for the most fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns in a career. Also, a Greenville native and legend, John Whiteside, well remembers how talented Thompson was during his f
Dec 31, 20253 min read


S. African judge to speak on MLK at Furman
Leona Theron, a judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, will be the keynote speaker at Furman University’s 2026 MLK Community Breakfast. The breakfast begins at 8 a.m. on Jan. 16 in the Younts Conference Center on Furman’s campus. The program features rousing songs, with remarks from Furman President Elizabeth Davis, Joseph Vaughn Scholar and health sciences major Amiya Young 2026, and Director of Community Relations, Outreach and Impact Chandra Dillard. Each yea
Dec 30, 20252 min read


Greer City Councilman is inspired by Jim Clyburn's steadfastness and his bestseller
Greer City Councilman Karuiam Booker, a long-time admirer of Congressman Jim Clyburn, attended the seminar/book-signing in Sumter. BOOKER AND CLYBURN Sumter native Clyburn, 86, started his book tour in Sumter on Sunday, Nov. 16, as part of his statewide tour to promote his new book, "The First Eight.” The event was held at Patriot Hall, with the program presentation, followed by a book signing and reception. According to Booker, an excited audience of about 150 people stron
Dec 18, 20251 min read


Rigsby's Classic Rock Cafe, a new entertainment hub in Spartanburg
A new Spartanburg restaurant had its pre-grand opening bash Thursday night. Chamber members were welcomed to Rigsby’s Classic Rock Cafe for a meet-and-greet occasion and an introduction to the new restaurant. First-class decor, tasty food, good music, ambiance blend and exudes a party atmosphere and palatable sense of good times. For the moment, no other place exists. Strong vibes resounded that these folks are serious about hospitality, service, entertainment, and teamwork.
Dec 12, 20252 min read


Greenville's Red Lobster survived the national trim-down
Red Lobster emerged from bankruptcy in 2024. Damola Adamolekun, the new Nigerian-American CEO, closed 100 low-performing locations. The remaining 544 restaurants he upgraded with a $60 million infusion. Gone are the “endless shrimp” specials that siphoned profits; new menu innovations enhance the guest experience and boost the bottom line. So much for financial reports and spreadsheets, it was time for a test drive of concepts. A family of four went into the Wade Hampton/P
Dec 9, 20251 min read


A master baker has found her niche
Anita Evans is not a quitter. Once she has set her mind on a good business idea, she sees it through. Evans, a lover of sweets, contracted various health challenges that restricted her consumption of desserts. To circumvent the doctor’s dictum, she created plant-based recipes that can be consumed in moderation by diabetics, persons with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other conditions. Evans is the heart and soul behind Sweet Bites Bakery, LLC. With over 30 years o
Dec 1, 20252 min read


The Greenville County Historical Society moves to a new location
The Greenville County Historical Society is moving in January to 644 East Washington Street, a well-preserved century-old residence in the heart of the Pettigru District. And just in time because, according to John Nolan, President of the Board of Directors, their collections have grown, our programs have expanded, and we've outgrown our current space. Nolan said this move represents more than just additional square footage. The move embodies our commitment to historic preser
Nov 25, 20251 min read


Exceptional food punctuates memorable occasions
The taste of Northern Italy is a fitting accent to rare occasions. Such a magical place nestles at the corner of Coffee and Main Strees in Greenville. Ristorante Bergamo affirms the enchanting ambiance that enhances the wine, appetizers, and all the courses throughout the fine food experience. CHEF GIAN PIETRO FERRO Hospitality is welcoming and accommodating, gently suggestive and affirming, making sure we miss nothing while simultaneously acknowledging our preferences. Our c
Nov 19, 20251 min read


An Eastside graduate made a perfect score on a test this year
Matthew Littrell, an Eastside 2021 graduate, made a perfect score on the AP Computer Science Principles Exam that he took in May. The AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) exam covers broad computing concepts like data, algorithms, networks, and the impact of technology, not just coding, focusing on computational thinking through two main parts: a digital multiple-choice/written exam and a "Create" performance task where students build something. It's sponsored and administ
Nov 15, 20251 min read
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