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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

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is launching GSP Change for Good, a new charitable giving initiative that transforms coins tossed into the airport’s fountains into donations for local nonprofit organizations. Recent coin collections from GSP’s fountains totaled more than $3,000, providing the initial funding for the program. Going forward, every coin tossed into a fountain will help support future charitable donations. Each year, GSP will partner with local

My wife and I attended a Ray Charles concert at the Peace Center many years ago. We were excited to listen to the master. Imagine our surprise when a lone man, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, no pips, Raylettes, or dancers, confidently walked center stage and just stood there for a minute. JOSH WHITE JR. It was clear that he didn’t hesitate because of stage fright or butterflies. This strategic pause raised anticipation. I cannot speak for others, but we certainly won

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

Real life can be more inspiring than fiction and fantasies. The Odyssey of flesh-and-blood contemporary cannot be denied. The history of Latonya Littlejohn, affectionately called Tonya, stands in stark contrast to myths and instills far more inspiration, pound for pound, than legends. The bleak and painful birth of Tonya Littlejohn on January 24, 1979, in Rock Hill, York County, S.C., and the determined actions of this victim of birth defects prove that no one has to be capti

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.

The secret is out. Just stroll through this 640-acre nonprofit-owned Wildlife Sanctuary minutes from Downtown Greenville and discover how popular this calming trail is. Visitors report spotting deer, ducks, turtles, hawks, and other animals and birds that form a biodiverse community of wildlife. A few decades ago, this was a polluted and therefore unwanted property. But careful planning, design, and architecture have resulted in a network of over 13 trails, boardwalks, and 11

If you wait until you feel thirsty or you get a headache, you are already dehydrated and vulnerable to the heat. So says Stephanie Trowbridge, a Prisma Health Urgent Care Doctor. Dr. Trowbridge recommends drinking plenty of water and no-sugar sports drinks. Skip alcohol and sugary beverages. They deplete your body of fluids, possibly leading to dehydration. Summer travelers are susceptible to heat exhaustion and dehydration because tourists forget about Greenville’s intense

Dr. Erick Topol bases his new book on findings from a study of 1400 super agers, persons 85 and older who are completely free of cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative conditions. Cardiologist Eric Polol, leads breakthrough research How reassuring that such a group exists. No one is surprised that it took Dr. Topol and his team seven years to find this remarkably healthy group. Participants were over 85, free of any chronic diseases, and did not take any regular medicat

South Carolina’s highest citizens’ honor has recently been bestowed on Carolina Robertson, the executive director of Greer Relief. The relief program is one of the oldest and most honored for its openness and efficiency. The Mayor of Greer, Rick Danner, recently presented the award. The organization has grown over the years, adding departments, additional staff, and programs. In fact, Greer Relief recently moved into the 18,000 square-foot building at 113C Berry Street in Gr

Converse University Receives Grant from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation Grant increases access to nutritious food; provides nutritional education Converse University has received $2,400 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help nourish University community members experiencing food insecurity. The Nourishing our Neighbors grant supports community feeding partners by helping neighbors increase their access to nutritious food, nutritional education and other

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 Greenville County Library System purchased the former Bi-Lo grocery store for $6.7 million some time ago. The new location at East North Street and Howell Road has been identified as an expanded library. Now the remodeling of the 56,000-square-foot Library Branch is in the contracting and design phases. Once construction timelines and permits are ratified and the architectural design and engineering work are approved by the county, renovation can start. Passersby have rec

The conservative majority on the Supreme Court seems poised to gut the last remaining parts of the Voting Rights Act. What has Justice Clarence Thomas proposed? The high court will consider in October whether it is wrong to stop openly racist tactics in drawing congressional districts. Who could be at risk? Several Black Democrats in Congress, such as Reps. Cleo Fields (D-La.), Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). Thomas makes the case

Brave souls at the Greer Starbucks stand up to corporations, demanding more workers to ease the workload. The location on Hammett Bridge and Suber Roads recently voted in favor of better wages, guaranteed staffing levels, and improved work protections. PHOTO BY CHARLES REAMS The risks to unionize include stalled negotiations, potential retaliation allegations, reduced hours, and operational disruptions stemming from ongoing, national labor disputes. This location is the seven

Greenville’s public works staff know how to have fun. Notice how they deal with the doldrums on their own time, not with boredom or distractions, but with creative showmanship. The objective is to pick up the tennis ball from the cone without knocking the cone down, while keeping the ball in the bucket. How do you manipulate earth-moving tractors with surgical precision? With power, grace, and precision. Good job, cowboy! x TWO TIMERS STRESS IMPORTANT OF CERTIFYING A WINNER x

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