Anderson Observer Podcast

Interviews Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson County Emergency Management Director Josh Hawkins

PAWS needs Cross Country Track, New YMCA Facilities MLK Roundup New police chiefs in Williamston and Honea Path

Looking back at 2022 and ahead to 2023: Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton Belton City Manager Alan Sims Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor

Interviews West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland

A look back at 2022 and ahead to 2023 Interviews Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns City of Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts Anderson County Probate Judge JT Foster  

Interviews Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns PAWS Director Dr. Kim Sanders West Pelzer Town Clerk Paula Payton Homeland Park Leader Walt Lanier Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts Meals on Wheels of Anderson CEO Laurie Ashley Market Theatre Director of "Rent" Christopher Rose And a recording of Paul Brown being honored

Interviews: Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson Voter Registration and Elections Director Laura Booth Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn Belton City Councilman Josh Stephenson Anderson County Latinx Committee Director Maria Torres-Green Anderson Free Clinic Executive Director Tammie Collins

Happy Trails, Happy Gardens, Happy Rhinos, and a Happy County Administrator, all this and more on the Aug. 22 edition of the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust. Interviews: Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator Brett Sanders, Vice Chairman Anderson County Council John Benca, new Anderson County Auditor Rockey Burgess, Mayor of Williamston Zephaniah Smith, Cleo Bailey Experiment Ali Brandon, Oasis of Hope Jazz Wideman, Pendleton Rhinos John Sealy, Friends of Broadway Lake    

Interviews Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns School Dist. 4 Superintendent Dee Christopher TCTC President Galen DeHay

Interviews Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess School Dist. 5 Superintendent Tom Wilson School Dist. 1 Superintendent Robbie Binnicker School Dist. 2 Superintendent Jason Johns Career & Technology Center Executive Director Holly Harrell

Interviews Anderson County Vice Chairman Brett Sanders Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts Anderson County Librarian Annie Sutton Artist Nat Morris Anderson Arts Center Director April Cameron Anderson County Emergency Service Director Josh Hawkins

Interviews: Ben Phillips, Anderson Bluegrass Anderson County Council Vice Chair Brett Sanders, Council Recap Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor Summer Update Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland Summer Update Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton Summer Update Anderson County Museum Curator Dustin Norris on new Music Exhibit

Interviews Anderson Reconciliation and Remembrance Initiative/Juneteenth: Stuart Sprague Juana Slade Ankoma Anderson Grant Cunningham (health initiative at events) Carol Burdette (United Way work communitywide) West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw

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.

January updates from Anderson County Council, Legislative Delegation, news, events and more on the first podcast of 2022.

Interviews/Sound clips: Gracie Floyd Brock Elder/Walter Lanier,  Wellinton Project Ko Anderson, Reconciliation, Equal Justice Initiative David Phillips, Hope Missions of the Upstate Rusty Burns, Anderson County 2021 in Review Terence Roberys, City of Anderson, Year in Review Don Chapman, Candidate for S.C. House Dist. 8  

It's time to help our charities, as the holidays bring the peak of demand. AIM, the Haven of Rest, Hope Missions of the Upstate, the Anderson Free Clinic, Clean Start all tell you how you can help.   "The Magic Sled" author Scott Foster talks about the magic downtown Christmas story.   Updates from Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess, Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor, news and more....

Christmas is coming and the Anderson Observer is helping launch a campaign to shop locally and give locally during the holidays. This podcast features Anderson Area Chamber CEO Pamela Christopher, City Seed at the Station Owner Donna LeBrun, Indigo Framing and Artisan Market Owner Mellisa Moore, Meals on Wheel Anderson Dir. Laurie Ashley, Salvation Army of Anderson Maj. Joseph Irvin, West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders, The team that made the Pelzer mural possible, Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride, Anderson Police Chief Jim Stewart and Ben Phillips, co-founder of Anderson Christmas Lights.

News updates, events and more, including interviews with: Kimberly Spears 1:50 Soirée   Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton 13:30   Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland 22:02   Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess 40:14   Abigail Burden, Belton Museum Director 58:15   Belton Museum Board Member Jeremiah Palmer (Geer-Gantt High School). 59:50   Nashville Singer/Songwriter Margaret Haynie 1:02:50   Hope Mission Dave Phillips. 1:11

Interviews: Rusty Burns :54 seconds Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw 35:46 Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn 44:08 Belton Police Chief Ross Richer 54:27 West Pelzer Police Chief Scott Stoller 1:08:49 Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor 1:34:29 Anderson County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders 1:56:27 Anderson County Director of Governmental Affairs Steve Newton 2:07:57 Dr. Anthony Guiseppi-Elie 2:30:14

Interviews Cancer Association of Anderson Director Angie Stringer South Main Chapel and Mercy Center Pastor Kurt Stutler/Ellizabeth Hiott on a Ride Sharing program for those needing transportation to work. Anderson County Sheriff Deputy John Wilkinson talks about his days as "Stone Mountain," the WWF champion Anderson School Dist. 5 Coach Dickie Smith, Superintendent Tom Wilson and YMCA CEO Joe Drennon on the new regional Cross Country facility coming to Anderson And Belton hires a new police chief, Calhoun Falls native Ross Richey

Inverviews: Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson University President Evan Whitaker Sullivan's Metropolitan Grill Owner Bill Nickas Anderson County Councilman Ray Graham and some of the royalty from Skin's Hot Dogs

Interviews Dr. Kim Sanders. PAWS Robbie Binnicker School Dist. 1 Kathy Hipp School Dist. 3 Galen DeHay Tri-County Technical College Pelzer Heritage Commission officers Dianne Lollis and Larry Coker

Interviews with: Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson County Council Vice Chair Brett Sanders Anderson School Dist. 2 Superintendent Jason Johns Anderson School Dist. 4 Superintendent Dee Christopher Anderson School Dist. 5 Superintendent Tom Wilson Voter Registration Director Laura Booth

Interviews with Richard Farr, Shuk Hamdan, David Huff, April Cameron, Katy Smith, plus news and updates.

Interviews Anderson County Governmental Affairs Director Steve Newton Parks Director Matt Schell PAWS Director Dr. Kim Sanders Solid Waste Director Greg Smith AIM Founder and Director Kristi King-Brock County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders County Administrator Rusty Burns City of Belton Acting Mayor Eleanor Dorn

Anderson Area Remembrance and Reconciliation Initiative interviews Dr. Rev. Ankoma Anderson City of Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Juana Slade Faith Line retires interviews Annie Sutton Dani Lubsen Sara Lead Brianna McDonell Rusty Burns Faith Line City of Belton Update Acting Mayor Eleanor Dorn Foster Care Oasis of Hope Ali Bragdon Rhonda Sims Anderson County Dispatch 911 Officers Honored Anderson County Emergency Management Director David Baker Anderson County Sheriff's Dept. Major Bill Vaughn      

Interviews with Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts and United Way Executive Director Carol Burdette on the passing of Al Norris Interview Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw on the Spring Jubilee and growth of the town. Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns March update on economic development, recreation, roads, new website, upcoming budget. Anderson City Councilman Kyle Newton discusses the city's extension of the mask ordinance. Brianna McDonell, who is director of the communications for the Anderson County Library system, discusses how Spring brings new offerings, including seeds for your garden, fishing gear and free passes to S.C. State Parks.

Anderson County partners with AIM to distribute $6.1 million in COVID rent relief, in-person high school graduation, proms and the end of virtual school for Anderson School Dist. 5; a new app aims to make interacting with county easier; T.L. Hanna says goodbye to its second winningest coach of all time; the Cancer Association of Anderson celebrates a birthday, all on this week’s Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust. Interviews AIM: Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns and AIM Founder and Executive Director Kristi King-Brock 1:15 New County App, County Councilman Jimmy Davis 13:25 School Dist. 5 Superintendent Tom Wilson 16:10 Retiring Volleyball Coach Becky Easton 42:02 Cancer Association of Anderson Kathryn Smith and Angie Stringer 1:00:56  

This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

Interviews: Marion Tarrant and Charlie Ervin on the Men at Work Ministry Kathy Schoefield on the Rainbow Gang and Special Olympics April Cameron, Arts Center Director on Student Art Month  City Councilman Kyle Newton recaps the last city council meeting   Plus news and more....

News, updates and interviews with: Kathryn Smith on her new book: Baptists & Bootleggers; A Prohibition Expedition Through The South (with Cocktail Recipes). Annie Sutton, Greener Anderson Cladys Harrison, Anderson's Freedom Rider Plus news clips from AnMed expansion and County Council meeting on this week's Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust.

John Harris, a local historical and author of “The Last Slave Ships: New York and the End of the Middle Passage,” talks about his important book on the African slave trade.  Faith Line, who is in charge of the Anderson County Library System, talks about the year past and the year ahead. Plus news and notes on Anderson County for the week of Jan. 28, 2021.

Anderson says goodbye to a legend, County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd. Plus news of the week..

Anderson County is trying to find a better way to get enough vaccines into the arms of those who need them. Updates on mayors, PAWS, County Council and more Interviews Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson County Councilman John Wright, Jr. Anderson County PAWS Director Dr. Kim Sanders

On this week’s Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust, I talk U.S. Senatorial Candidate Jaime Harrison about his goals and plans for serving in the Senate; Maj. Joseph Irvin, new head of the Salvation Army of Anderson; and leaders in the arts community, Will Ragland of the Mill Town Players, David Larson, dean of the S.C. School of the Arts and a theater professor at Anderson University, and Will Whitley, a director at the Market Theater of Anderson about how the pandemic has impacted the arts.

Interviews and audio: the Rev. Emmanuel Donaldson, Anderson County Democratic Party Chair Tonya Winbush, Anderson City Police Chief Jim Stewart, Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride, Anderson County Sheriff's Candidate Brandon Surratt Plus, news on free COVID-19 testing, Anderson County Farmers Market opening, graduations and more.

Interviews: S.C. House 10 Seat West Cox, Incumbent, and Mark Durham S.C. House 8 Seat  Jonathon Hill, Incumbent, and Vaughn D. Parfitt S.C. Senate 3 Richard Cash, Incumbent, and Craig Wooten The winners of these races will run unopposed in November. and Marilyn Stephens, Assistant Regional Census Manager for the 2020 Census for the Atlanta Region.    

Interviews with Dr. Kim Sanders, executive director of PAWS Kristi King-Brock, executive director of AIM Rev. Josh Hunt, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Anderson Joe Drenno, CEO Anderson Area YMCA Adam Johnson, researcher on mental health study Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator

Interviews with: Laurie Ashely - Meals on Wheels Anderson, new program to feed seniors countywide Glenn Brill - Anderson County PRT Director, talking about quilts to protective masks Terence Roberts - Mayor of Anderson, talking about the city's efforts during the pandemic Tom Wilson - Anderson School District Five Superintendent discusses challenges of online school, praises teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria works and offers updates. Craig Wooten - Anderson County Councilman and candidate for the S.C. Dist. 3 Senate Seat talks about the challenges council faces crafting a budget, and about the new playbook for running for office during the days of the virus. Tonya Winbush - New Chair of the Anderson County Democratic Party discusses her experience she is bringing to the challenges of getting people out to vote and educating voters in Anderson County.    

Some ideas on where we are in Anderson County and South Carolina during pandemic days. Not all the news is good. Interviews: Jim Oswald, Palmetto Smokehouse and Oyster Bar Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator

Anderson County and its citizens are stepping up to help or friends and neighbors deal with the issues surrounding the pandemic. Interviews: Kristi King-Brock, AIM Angie Stringer, Cancer Association of Anderson Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator 

This week’s podcast includes news and information about what’s going on in Anderson County as well as interviews with: Annie Sutton, assistant director, Anderson County Library Carol Burdette, CPO, United Way of Anderson Justus Cox, Teacher, speaker, mentor Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator Matt Schell, Parks Director, Anderson County

Interviews CJCC Survey and Connections Board Chair Dave Phillips Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson County Parks Director Matt Schell Anderson County Councilman Jimmy Davis S.C. Agricultural Museum Education Director Andrew Stevenson