Hot Summer Busy with Elections, Updates, News, Events, Farmers Market and More

Welcome to the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust, our first episode of the screaming hot summer of 2022.

A lot going on locally. The Anderson County Farmers Market opens with full produce options on Saturday. I am dubious there will be real summer tomatoes, it’s a little early, but we shall see. Lots of other stuff available though, including early peaches, strawberries, squash and more.

Juneteenth celebrations today and tomorrow in Anderson will mark the final end of slavery, a date long after the Emancipation Proclamation. Will talk more about these events with interviews tomorrow.

Summer is here and last week was the annual boat parade at Broadway Lake.

Roy and Peg Ivey had this to say about the event.

Primary elections were held this week, and three local incumbents lost to political newcomers: S.C. Rep. Brian White who had held his seat since 2001, who lost to April Cromer, West Cox from Dist. 10, who lost to Thomas Beach and Anderson County Council Member Ray Graham from Dist.. 3, who lost to Greg Elgin.

JT Foster won the primary election for the Probate Judge position, which will be left vacant by the retirement of the amazing Judge Martha Newton who has served for four decades.

The unexpired term of Anderson County auditor, left vacant by the death of long-time auditor Jacky Newton, is in the midst of a recount and should be settled later today. The unofficial count had Anderson Businessman John Benca, owner of McGee’s Irish Pub, 17 votes ahead of assistant auditor Danni Caldwell.

The next few podcasts will be a special series of my regular seasonal interviews with the county’s leaders and mayors, plus a special interview with an animal lover well-known for other things.

My interview with Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, recorded a week ago, offers a wide spectrum of updates on the county economic development, recreation, the upcoming budget and more.

The Anderson County Finance Committee will meet 2 p.m. Monday to put final touches on the fiscal year budget. The public in invited as well as a public hearing June 29 on the final vote.

Meanwhile, up in Pelzer, Mayor Will Ragland, as if he was not already busy enough running a town, the Mill Town Players and the new Simpsonville Performing Arts Center, has a new title, Will Ragland: Cat-Rescuer.

Ragland’s Mill Town Players finish up their run this weekend of “Rex’s Exes,” a southern fried comedy. The Clemson Little Theater at Pendleton Playhouse has Busted Wedding Belles going on as well. A lot of theater in town. The Mill Town Players “Shrek,” which finished Monday brought enthusiastic crowds to Carolina Wren park for the shows which got excellent reviews.

That’s it for this edition of the Anderson Observer Podcast. Join me again tomorrow for interviews and details on Anderson Juneteeth celebrations, news and interviews from Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn and Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw, and more on the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust.