In effect until 10 AM Tuesday morning along & west of I-35. Very large hail and isolated tornadoes possible RADARBrush fire the size of a "football field" contained in NW Austinby Tara Brolley Texas — Firefighters contained a brush fire that spread to the size of a football field in Northwest Austin early Monday morning which began around a dumpster near an encampment near U.S spread to nearby fencing and trees before crews brought it under control ALSO | Apartment fire in SW Austin displaces 15 during frigid temperatures Multiple witnesses reported the blaze to authorities Fire crews worked for approximately 45 minutes to contain the fire and prevent further spread Rex Jackson is chairman of the board for the Anderson Mill Grist Mill and Museum. He shares information about it for the Standard’s Texas Museum Map series: The Anderson Mill Grist Mill and Pioneer Museum in Volente features a full-scale replica of the original water-powered mill built by Thomas Anderson in 1861 the original mill was well known for its beauty and as an asset to the local community Farmers from all around the area came with their families to process their corn and cotton and visit each other The original Anderson Mill before it was destroyed in 1941 The working replica of the original Anderson Mill and its outbuildings were completed in the 1960s by the Andersonville Garden Club It was built just a few hundred feet from the original location that was flooded by the building of Mansfield Dam in 1941 The museum features many items owned by the Anderson family and other pioneering families of the area Andersonville Garden Club volunteers continue to maintain the old mill and twice a year to grind corn kernels into cornmeal using the original methods The Mill Museum is open to the public on the fourth Sunday of each month Do you have a favorite museum we should feature on the Texas Museum Map? Send in your suggestions here – you can even record a message that we might play on air If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Your gift helps pay for everything you find on texasstandard.org and KUT.org ©2024 Texas Standard. A service of the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin | Contact us It's time for Austin-area voters to cast their ballots in the Nov. 5 general election Early voting begins in Texas on Monday, and several races will be decided, including the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Registered voters in Travis County can cast their ballot at any voting center where a “Vote Here/Aqui” sign is displayed These early voting locations are open from 7 a.m These early voting locations are available from 7 a.m Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m Below is a map with a full list of early voting locations: Registered voters in Williamson County can cast their ballot at any polling center where a “Vote Here/Aqui” sign is displayed GeorgetownCity of Georgetown Fire Station No GeorgetownGeorgetown ISD Technology Building GeorgetownThe Oaks Community Center-Sun City Round RockBrushy Creek MUD Community Center TaylorBelow is a map with a full list of voting locations: For those in Bastrop County who want to vote early SmithvilleBastrop County Cedar Creek Annex ElginHays County early voting locationsThese early voting locations are available for Hays County registered voters to cast their ballots from 9 a.m 301 Student Center DriveBuda City Hall Multipurpose Room 2610 Main St.Hays Consolidated ISD Academic Support Center UhlandYarrington-Hays County Transportation Department 2171 Yarrington RoadTexan Academy at Scudder 400 Green Acres DriveWimberley Community Center-Johnson Hall 231 Patriots’ Hall Boulevard— This story has been updated to correct hours for early voting locations in Travis County Body Harmony is set to begin offering Pilates classes off Anderson Mill Road near the Austin and Cedar Park border Anderson County has agreed to help redevelop the former Pelzer Upper and Lower Mill site located east of South Gossett Street and south of Minor Street The former mill sites have been abandoned since the 1900s The Pelzer Heritage Commission currently owns the former Pelzer Mill property, according to Anderson County meeting minutes. Anderson County Council approved a memorandum agreement between Anderson County and the Pelzer Heritage Commission The redevelopment of the Pelzer Mill property aims to breathe new life into the historic site that has remained unused Despite previous efforts, such as the announcement of Daleview Biscuits and Beer in 2021 and a proposed 200 housing units this new memorandum represents a renewed commitment to revitalizing the area "We are seeking to transform the site into a commercially viable area while maintaining its historical significance, said Laura Rainey, Planning Commission chairwoman Here is what you should know about the approved Memorandum Agreement surrounding the former Pelzer Mill property What to know about approved Memorandum Agreement?The Pelzer Heritage Commission asked Anderson County to facilitate the redevelopment process focusing on preserving the site's rich history According to the agreement, the Pelzer Heritage Commission will collaborate closely with Anderson County to preserve the site's historical integrity while being commercially viable The plan will involve a public hearing and input from local historians and community members to incorporate their perspectives and maintain the cultural value of the site The Pelzer Heritage Commission agrees to the following Here is what you should know about the condition of former mill sites Rainey stated that the first step will involve cleaning up the properties to prepare them for redevelopment Anderson County Assistant Attorney Jordan Thayer explained that there are usually many contaminants when old mill sites close As a result, this site was contaminated, Thayer said. The site had been placed under a voluntary clean-up contract restricting what the County can do with the property The clean-up process will address environmental concerns ensuring that the site is safe for future development The hazardous materials present in the soil have gradually decayed over time "We’re at the point where the Department of Environmental Services is allowing the County to use the property but we will have to restrict certain uses," he said "We’re restricting single-family residential use," Thayer said "This would allow us to put multi-residential properties or commercial facilities on the property," he said The purpose of this memorandum is to allow the County to develop the land in the future a developer or engineer would assess the sites to determine the most suitable options for development Keep reading to learn about the history of the former Pelzer Mill sites The Pelzer Mill sites have a rich history tied to the textile industry, according to the South Carolina Picture Project. The Upper and Lower Mill sites have remnants of cotton warehouses that once belonged to the Pelzer Manufacturing Companies These mills were built along the Saluda River and were founded in 1880 by Captain Ellison A Will Ragland, the mayor of Pelzer, said these sites played a pivotal role in the region's economic development The mills contributed significantly to the local community's growth and prosperity Pelzer had a population of over 4,000 people and was half the size of Greenville making it the second-largest city in the county after Anderson He explained that losing a job at the mill meant losing one's home The decline of the textile industry led to the closure of the Pelzer Upper and Lower Mills in the late 1990s when Gerber, the company operating the mill, shut down operations, according to the South Carolina Picture Project. Ragland expressed that this marked the end of an era for the community which relied heavily on the mills for economic stability The closure resulted in a significant economic downturn for the area as many residents lost their primary source of employment and the community had to adapt to new economic realities the town gradually lost many amenities and services the Town of Pelzer has seen its population grow to around 1,400 residents Despite the challenges faced after the mill closures Pelzer has slowly begun reinventing itself while preserving its historical roots The former post office building is now a coffee shop that serves food and is available for private events It was opened by sisters Caitlyn and Calle Walters Calle Walters said that as someone with a soft spot for small towns and historic properties she is very excited to see Pelzer getting the recognition it deserves She explained that back when the Mill was operational and doctor's office - a gathering place for the town we've had people tell us stories about visiting Frierson's drugstore as a kid or getting their hair cut when it became Scott's Barbershop," Walters said "We would love to see more retail and dining options come to Pelzer," Rainey said While growth can be challenging and not everyone supports it it brings opportunities for new development "This is similar to what is happening at the old mill sites," Rainey said "It's exciting to see Pelzer's potential to transform and offer more to its residents." Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com 183 Highway has shut down all northbound lanes at McNeil Road in northwest Austin Friday night Austin-Travis County EMS said the collision happened in the 13000 block of N US 183 northbound The Texas Department of Transportation said traffic is being diverted to the frontage road at the Anderson Mill Road exit ALSO| Williamson County's fourth fire station opens in Hutto to meet rising emergency demands David's Round Rock with critical injuries It's unclear how many vehicles were involved The cause of the crash is under investigation The following early voting locations are open from: Cedar ParkChrist Our Savior Lutheran Church AustinGeorge Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center AustinLake Travis ISD Educational Development Center ManorMillennium Youth Entertainment Complex AustinRandalls Flagship West Lake Hills Café AustinRound Rock ISD Hartfield Performing Arts Center AustinTravis County Civil and Family Courts Facility PflugervilleWestminster Presbyterian Church AustinBelow is a map with a full list of early voting locations: These early voting locations are open from: Williamson County early voting locationsGeorgetown Annex 1Bastrop County early voting locationsBastrop County Courthouse Annex ElginHays County early voting timesTHays County registered voters can cast their ballots from: Speed limit changes on several Cedar Park roads The Learning Experience is expected to open on Anderson Mill Road in far Northwest Austin early next year Florida-based affordable multifamily developer Housing Trust Group has secured financing and begun construction on a $26 million affordable housing community in Northwest Austin Red Oaks at 11723 N FM 620 in Anderson Mill is a 80,014-square-foot garden-style complex with 70 apartments — a mix of studios and one- to three-bedroom units ranging from 569 to 1,143 square feet Apartments at Red Oaks will be reserved for income-qualifying residents who earn at or below 30 Community amenities include a resort-style swimming pool and an outdoor turf recreational area.  Monthly rent will range from $661 to $1,965 the Austin metro grew faster than any large metro in the country and is still experiencing a continued trend of strong and rapid population growth,” Housing Trust Group's Matthew Rieger said “The City of Austin is far from its goal of developing tens of thousands of affordable homes to meet this demand underscoring the urgent need to address the city’s housing crisis We’re proud to expand our reach into Austin with Red Oaks and look forward to growing our firm’s presence throughout the Lone Star state.” Red Oaks is HTG's second development in Texas; the Coconut Grove-based company broke ground on Inn Town Lofts an affordable housing community with 56 units in Lubbock Anderson Mill Road was one location with proposed speed limit changes Anderson Mill and Oak Grove roads on April 2 State transportation officials plan to reshape the intersection The SCDOT plan to reshape the intersection of Reidville The department might revise these plans due to community concerns A plan from state transportation officials received updates despite the department stating it's only in the design phase SPARTANBURG — A plan from state transportation officials to reshape a busy messy four-way intersection on Spartanburg’s Westside has residents still seeking answers The intersection of Reidville, Anderson Mill and Oak Grove roads can be confusing for drivers and pedestrians. Earlier this year, the state Department of Transportation proposed a project it says will “increase safety and improve operational efficiency.” Part of its plan is to eliminate left turns at the main intersection of Reidville and Anderson Mill A new schedule for the project outlines a plan with construction starting in fall 2025 and lasting around a year It schedules right-of-way acquisition to take place this fall Other updates include travel time comparisons between the intersection in its current form and DOT’s new plan The comparisons claim travel times will be better or about the same with the new project that would redirect drivers turning left to a new public roadway that would connect Reidville and Oak Grove Even with these updates indicating the project moving forward in its current state DOT spokesperson Hannah Robinson said the project is still in its “design phase.” In early April Robinson said that “SCDOT has begun revising the design” based on community concerns “We’re hoping to have something to present to the public soon,” Robinson said in late July She later clarified by email that the department hopes “to have information to re-engage with the public by the end of the year.” Spartanburg County Councilwoman Jessica Coker said in an email the intersection needs improvement and is excited that DOT has “taken the time to listen to the concerns of the citizens.” “I believe SCDOT has considered the desperate need for improvement as well as their budget and time constraints to find a solution that is achievable,” Coker said but I hope it will improve the flow of that area’s traffic issues.” Coker added that Reidville Road is a “top priority for improvements” via the county’s road improvement 1 percent sales tax effort She also hopes the road will see more improvements Some residents are unhappy with the project in its current form. At a DOT meeting about the project attended by more than 200 residents, many expressed their displeasure with the project, according to WSPA who has lived in the West Forest subdivision for 46 years and is the president of its homeowner’s association spoke out against the project at a county meeting in mid-March I have not heard positive comments on the project I have heard a fair number of worries,” Carson said “I’m not looking forward to having 112 families complaining.” Carson told The Post and Courier this month that he is waiting for a response from DOT before making any new comments Charles and Kathryn Bennett also live near the intersection and would see their front yard become the home to much of the redirected traffic under the current plan They have lived there for over 30 years and think their home would lose value if DOT continued with its plan it’s got an intersection in your front yard,’” Charles Bennett said Charles and Kathryn also expressed frustration with a lack of communication with DOT The department has provided numerous reasons for its current design reduces travel times and also would not force any homes or businesses to move She also previously said the Quadrant Roadway Intersection design is a “standardized design” by the Federal Highway Administration this is not a project that is that is set in stone yet,” she said News tips/online questions: spartanburg@postandcourier.com Delivery/subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Dazzle Dental opened Aug. 20 off Anderson Mill Road in far Northwest Austin. (Courtesy Dazzle Dental) A former hotel converted to a multifamily complex that provides long-term housing for people age 55 and up exiting homelessness is open in Anderson Mill, a neighborhood in far north Austin. Austin Housing Finance Corporation owns at the two-acre property at 10813 Pecan Park Boulevard, a former Candlewood Suites hotel that the city converted to a multifamily community, and Family Eldercare manages and operates the complex. The city's Austin Housing Finance Corporation purchased Pecan Gardens, a former Candlewood Suites hotel, for $9.55 million in 2021. It began converting the two-acre property at 10813 Pecan Park Boulevard to an apartment complex with 78 furnished studios in 2023 and started renting them in August of this year. Central Texas nonprofit Family Eldercare manages and operates the complex.. Pecan Gardens residents have access to housing stability services, including case management, health assessments, living skills coordination, and community-building activities, as well as assistance with basic needs such as food through an onsite food pantry. The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing provides clinic services onsite. Tenants of the pet-friendly complex sign yearly leases and will not spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent, which includes all utilities. All units in complex are supported by the a housing voucher program that pays fair market rent for efficiencies. Residents were referred to the facility through the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition Coordinated Entry System. RADAR1 injured 7 unharmed in Cedar Park two-vehicle crashby CBS Austin One person was injured in a two-vehicle collision Monday morning at the intersection of Cypress Creek and Anderson Mill Road in Cedar Park Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the crash at 10:31 a.m One person was initially pinned in a vehicle and required extrication by first responders The extricated individual was transported to St David's Round Rock with non-life-threatening injuries Seven other people involved in the crash refused medical treatment at the scene The crash caused significant traffic disruptions. Cedar Park Police reported the westbound lanes were shut down while eastbound traffic was reduced to a single lane Officials have not released information about the cause of the crash Best Places to Work in South Carolina Initial redevelopment plans at the Chiquola Mill site call for a gymnasium a large park with a themed playground and misting stations extensive trails and a residential component Historic Anderson County textile mill to be redeveloped after funding boost A federal grant will allow for the cleanup of a historic textile mill site in Anderson County The town of Honea Path has been awarded a $2.65 million grant from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency for environmental remediation and cleanup efforts at the historic Chiquola Mill site The funding was awarded under the auspices of the Federal government’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of 2021 Honea Path is one of only 35 cleanup grant recipients in the Southeast and the grant amount awarded to the project is the fourth highest in the region Cleanup efforts will be supplemented by a $1 million redevelopment site grant from the state of South Carolina sponsored by state Sen Anderson County is serving as a project partner and is providing technical support and other resources toward the redevelopment effort “This is a monumental day for our town and our community,” said Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton said in the release “Almost all of our residents have ties to the Chiquola Mill and we are committed to helping the site become something that will help Honea Path usher in a new era of prosperity.” Related: Something new is brewing at Greenville’s iconic Old Cigar Warehouse Related: Building materials manufacturer enters South Carolina market with $23M Anderson facility cleanup activities will include removing approximately 10,750 tons of asbestos-containing materials found in debris piles and the remnants of onsite structures It will also include removing approximately 6,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil and the area will be backfilled to grade with 1-1.5 feet of clay and 0.5-1 foot of topsoil Initial redevelopment plans call for a gymnasium very resilient community with some of the best people you’ll find anywhere,” said Anderson County Councilmember Cindy Wilson in the release “I am so proud of them today — they truly deserve to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Chiquola Manufacturing (later Springs Industries) developed a textile mill on the property in the early 1900s It remained the town’s largest employer until its closure in 2003 and it provided work for thousands in the region over several generations Discover how collaborative robots are reshaping industries at Furman University’s free Advantage Greenville [...] Brian Kolb of EVG Media shares insights on AI’s impact Huntington National Bank opens its first South Carolina branch in Spartanburg Aerowerks invests $10M in Cherokee County for its first U.S creating 52 jobs and expanding its food[...] Blackstream Christie’s opens a Six Mile office to serve luxury real estate buyers near Lakes Keowee South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis will stay in office for now as the House opts not to act on Senate reso[...] Sign up for your daily digest of GSA Business News Hundreds turn out to see what governor and South Carolina Department of Employment and Wor[...] Discover how collaborative robots are reshaping industries at Furman University’s free Advantage G[...] Brian Kolb of EVG Media shares insights on AI’s impact Huntington National Bank opens its first South Carolina branch in Spartanburg Aerowerks invests $10M in Cherokee County for its first U.S creating 52 jobs and expandin[...] Blackstream Christie’s opens a Six Mile office to serve luxury real estate buyers near Lakes Keowe[...] GSA business is the market leader in business media in South Carolina We connect you with decision-makers and stakeholders throughout the state Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications Log in for access to the latest digital and special editions View Plan Honea Path and Anderson County Announce a $2.6 Million Grant for the Restoration and Redevelopment of the Historic Chiquola Mill Site 2024) – The Town of Honea Path has been awarded a $2,650,770 grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency for environmental remediation and cleanup efforts at the Historic Chiquola Mill site Honea Path is one of only 35 cleanup grant recipients in the southeast Cleanup efforts will be supplemented by a $1 million redevelopment site grant from the State of South Carolina sponsored by State Senator Michael W Gambrell and State Representative Jay West “This is a monumental day for our Town and our community,” said Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton “Small towns like Honea Path are the backbone of South Carolina and promoting revitalization efforts in these areas makes for a more prosperous community for us all,” said Rep “I am proud to have been part of this effort and can’t wait to see what the future brings!” “Renewal of the Chiquola site has been a top priority here since the day the mill closed its doors for good and now the time has come when we can finally celebrate what the future holds in store,” said Sen very resilient community with some of the best people you’ll find anywhere,” said Anderson County Councilmember Cindy Wilson “I am so proud of them today—they truly deserve to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” it remained the town’s largest employer until its closure in 2003 and it provided work for thousands in this region over several generations the site has always been an integral part of Honea Path’s geography and character and community leaders have pledged to work together to ensure that redevelopment efforts will serve the greater good in much the same way as the Chiquola Mill did in its lifetime © Anderson County, 2025 | Privacy Policy Construction on Phase 2 of the Anderson Mill Road project has been underway for the past year. (Courtesy Adobe Stock) RADARNew sculpture unveiled on Anderson Mill Road symbolizes importance of family and natureby Tara Brolley The City of Austin’s “Art in Public Places” collection now has a new installation Artist Dianne Sonnenberg created the Community Seed Pods as a part of the Transportation and Public Works Department’s Anderson Mill Road Regional Mobility Improvement Project oversized seed pod sculptures symbolize the importance of family life and nature in the community The sculpture can be viewed at the corner of Anderson Mill Road and Olson Drive The Texas Department of Transportation anticipates traffic counts at the intersection of RM 620 and Anderson Mill Road to increase by 14% by 2025 Improvements at the intersection are not scheduled to begin until 2027 at the earliest UPDATE 7:50 p.m.: APD's SWAT team has been cleared from an apartment complex in Northwest Austin after officers searched the area and did not find anyone A police spokesperson said APD asked to assist in a barricaded subject call at the complex near the Anderson Mill Road and West Parmer Lane intersection The 911 call stated he needed assistance and was going to barricade himself in an apartment Residents were evacuated to the complex's clubhouse and officers secured the scene Officer went to the apartment number given by the caller but found no one inside Police were able to contact the residents of the apartment and they are OK Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody said the 911 call was a hoax. He tweeted a portion of the call and asked if anyone recognized the voice to call WilCo crime stoppers at 512-943-1300. Further details were not immediately available. People in a Northwest Austin neighborhood are being warned to stay in-doors due to a potentially dangerous situation. It’s happening at the intersection of Anderson Mill Road and West Parmer Lane, according to Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody. A watch commander for the Austin Police Department says their SWAT team has been requested to respond to a barricaded subject call. West Parmer Lane from Anderson Mill Road to Amberglenn Boulevard and Anderson Mill Road from West Parmer Lane to Amasia Drive are closed while police investigate. The intersection of RM 620 and Anderson Mill Road is one of the most congested on the corridor. The expansion project will reconstruct that intersection to add bypass lanes, turnarounds and sidewalks. (Joe Warner/Community Impact) A woman who said Anderson Mill Elementary School refused to accept her 10-year-old daughter’s essay on LGBTQ rights is suing the school, according federal court filings. The lawsuit states the woman’s daughter, a fourth-grader, was asked to write a paper on any topic addressed “to society” for class. She chose to write about treating people who identify as LGBTQ equally. The suit states the student’s grandfather is gay, and she and her mother consider themselves advocates for the LGBTQ community. Principal Elizabeth Foster, who is named as a defendant in the suit, reviewed all of the essays before they were put in a combined package to go home with students, the filing states. According to the lawsuit, Foster told the child the essay she wrote was not appropriate and had her write a revised essay about bullying. A week before the woman filed the suit, the complaint states, Foster told her the original essay would “make other parents upset,” and that it was “not age-appropriate to discuss transgenders, lesbians and drag queens outside of the home.” The court filing says Foster raised her voice and spoke loudly while talking to the woman about the essay. “Principal Elizabeth Foster further proclaimed that ‘due to the type of school this is, the people that work here and the students and families of the students that go here, the topic would be disagreeable,’” the suit said. The filing states that in barring the 10-year-old from submitting the essay, the school, principal and Spartanburg School District 6 violated her First Amendment rights and caused emotional distress. A statement from District 6 said it has reviewed the court filings and denies the claims made in the suit. “The district has forwarded a copy of this lawsuit to our attorney and look forward to sharing our side of the story. We are serious about treating every child with kindness, respect, and without discrimination,” the statement said. The suit asks a court to bar the defendants from similar actions in the future and to pay punitive and actual damages to the plaintiff. People make a church, not the buildings, says D.J. Horton, pastor of Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church. But when a congregation outgrows its worship center, a bigger building becomes a priority. Such is the case with the Spartanburg County church known as The Mill, founded 30 years ago by Pastor Floyd Loudermilk and his wife Sara and a handful of people in their living room. “Gather, grow, give, go and share,” Horton said is his church’s humble motto. With space constraints and having to hold five services in two buildings each Sunday, a multi-million dollar capital campaign was launched in October 2016 to build a new 93,000-square-foot, 2,100-seat sanctuary. It is under construction at the north end of the 30-acre campus, adjacent to the existing sanctuary/education building. Groundbreaking was Aug. 20, 2017, and it is scheduled to open in March 2019. The current sanctuary will be converted into space for the children’s program. Sunday church attendance has grown from 1,375 in 2013 to 2,300 today. On Easter Sunday the past two years, attendance has exceeded 3,600. Horton oversees 10 pastors and a support staff of 20. Tasha Ellison has belonged to The Mill for about 12 years. She has never thought about going to another church. “They are precious people who love the Lord,” she said. “They truly love you. From the minute you walk in the door you feel love. You feel accepted. They don’t care where you came from. They want to grow you, invest in you.” The current church offices occupy the first church that opened in 1990 with a 400-seat capacity. An expansion took place in 1999, and in March 2009 the congregation held its first worship service in the current sanctuary. The new sanctuary will include 20 classrooms, a concourse, along with state-of-the-art audio and visual tools, to allow for large gatherings on Sunday and throughout the week. In addition, it will have meeting rooms, a welcome center, kiosks, a large children’s check-in facility with an indoor playground. Horton said the church has grown as Spartanburg County has. Since 2009, he said businesses have invested more than $41 billion and created nearly 9,000 jobs. In the past five years, the county has averaged $14.9 million in new investments and 26 new jobs each week. With low unemployment, he said it means new families are moving in “at a remarkable rate." The county’s population is expected to grow to 310,000 by 2020 and 336,000 by 2030, he said. With its location in the fast-growing west side of Spartanburg, Horton said the church draws people from as far away as Union and Laurens counties and from western North Carolina. “As a church, we have a choice: Do we proactively prepare ourselves to reach as many people as possible or do we sit idle and refuse to join God in His mission to change lives?” Horton said. Longtime church members said new residents have hundreds of churches to choose from, but they believe The Mill is special. Sherry Vaughn and her husband Steven have belonged since 1999. “We attribute success to absolutely God,” Sherry Vaughn said. “I don’t mean that to sound flip in any way. Our church is completely devoted to the Lord. We trust him, want to be obedient to him. I just believe the Lord is blessing our church because of that trust.” David Bullington and his family have also belonged since the early days. “The Christ-like love and acceptance of people across generations is one of many traits that makes The Mill so special,” he said. “Our senior adults take on the task of preparing for and feeding as many as 500 children during our mid-week activities. Youth deacons faithfully visit and minister to members who may no longer be able to attend services on campus due to age or health. “Members of all ages are involved in local mission efforts such as Miracle Hill and the Children’s Shelter. Hundreds go on mission trips as families during the summer, sacrificing vacation time and personal expense to minister all around the world.” Members also attribute growth to Horton himself, in his 15th year at the church. Born in Montevallo, Ala., south of Birmingham, he played college football at Auburn, found his calling and attended New Orleans Baptist Seminary. He became Anderson Mill’s fourth pastor in January 2004. He and his wife Laurel have six children. Members said they like the pastor’s straightforward approach by delivering words and messages directly from the Bible without twisting the meaning. “Our pastor unashamedly presents God’s word each week,” Bullington said. “His clear teaching from The Bible guides all ages to a deeper understanding that God has joined us together in this community to grow spiritually so that He can use us to accomplish His purpose.” Vaughn said, “We love him. There’s no question that D.J. Horton is anointed by God to deliver God’s word. He teaches from the Bible and doesn’t deviate from God’s word. That’s what we as a people who love the Lord need to hear in order to live obediently in this world.” Ellison added that Horton has the ability to connect with people. “I think he is on fire for Jesus,” she said. “He’s funny, very witty and he’s down to Earth, very approachable. But he’s very straightforward about the gospel and doesn’t compromise about what God’s word is. It’s always the truth. The sermons are always straight out of God’s word.” Rachel Cantrell, communications director for the church, said The Mill’s success is simple. “Leadership,” she said. “We’ve cast a clear vision for growing people in the Lord and our staff and lay leadership have bought in 100 percent.” RADAROne arrested after pulling out a gun in Austin bar after 4 in the afternoon APD got a call about a man pulling out his gun during an altercation Police say the family and household disturbance call came from the Anderson Pub located on Anderson Mill Road and Spicewood Parkway Authorities also stated the disturbance arose from a couple who are in a romantic relationship ALSO | One dead after vehicle hits utility pole and business sign in S Austin While a gun was exposed during this disturbance Construction on the new location off Anderson Mill and RM 620 is expected to begin in September 2024 Traffic will shift to one side of the road at certain Anderson Mill Road intersections this summer Steve Adler and Eric Bailey celebrate the ribbon cutting for Anderson Mill Road Anderson's first cotton mill employed hundreds of employees and served as an economic anchor for the city's downtown the 18-acre site nestled along railroad tracks between West Whitner and Glenn streets consists of heaping piles of rubble the skeletal remains of buildings and overgrown weeds But the property remains critically important to the future of a neighborhood known as the alphabet streets city officials announced plans to transform a blighted area under the Murray Avenue bridge into a pedestrian park featuring an array of trees The bridge acts as a boundary separating the city's flourishing downtown from the derelict mill property and the adjacent alphabet streets The $145,000 "Under the Bridge" project will prompt a renewed focus on the alphabet streets who described the neighborhood as "an area that needs a little love and attention." Related: 'Under the Bridge' project gets green light in downtown Anderson City leaders and residents realize that efforts to improve the neighborhood will hinge largely on whether the mill property can be redeveloped "It has been an issue for years," said Anderson City Councilwoman Beatrice Thompson whose district includes the mill and alphabet streets neighborhood coordinator of the A Better Community neighborhood group on the alphabet streets agreed that the mill property is a "big problem." "There are so many good things that could be done there," she said calling the mill site "an opportunity as opposed to an obstacle." The Anderson mill started operating with steam power in 1890 In 1897, it became the South's first mill to receive electricity through long-distance power lines The electricity came from a 10,000-volt generator that William Whitner built 11 miles from Anderson along Portman Shoals on the Seneca River The mill property now belongs to Anderson resident William Crawford He worked as a supervisor at the mill during the final years before it was gutted by a 1995 arson Crawford sought to build a 1,500-seat concert hall and dinosaur exhibit on the land He said opposition from city officials scuttled the project Crawford has been trying to build a $12 million assisted living facility for veterans on the mill property He says the 120-bed facility would be the first step in a $34 million development that would also include medical offices said in an interview this week that he is talking to two developers who are interested in the project He said the 10,000 tons of concrete on the property could be crushed and used to build roads for the development The antique bricks from the old mill also could be utilized as part of the project While he waits to obtain financing for the assisted living facility Crawford says he is working to clean up the property He said he spends money from his Social Security checks to buy diesel fuel for a bulldozer that moves around debris on the mill site Crawford said city officials recently offered to buy his property for $52,000 the 18 acres has a market value of about $330,000 The city's offer "was so ridiculous it was stupid," he said In the news: Anderson family sues city over property seizure Crawford said he met earlier this month with Assistant City Manager David McCuen City Attorney Frankie McClain and a staff member from the city's economic development division He said they discussed his plans to build the assisted living facility the city's desire to create a biking and walking trail along Whitner Creek and four pending code enforcement citations accuse Crawford of failing to control weeds allowing rubbish or garbage to accumulate on the mill property and not taking steps to deal with an unsafe structure McClain said the city is seeking to resolve the citations that were issued to Crawford Crawford said he wants to work with city officials in redeveloping the mill property and improving the alphabet streets neighborhood "All I want to do is get some momentum going," he said Councilwoman Thompson said she doesn't believe that Crawford will be able to clean up the mill property and build an assisted living facility Thompson also said the city lacks the financial resources to acquire Her hope is that private interests can be persuaded to take on these tasks but it is going to take a lot to get it done," she said "That is a place that is right for development Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM In the news: 'I just want to be safe': Neighbors react after drive-by shooting in Anderson A federal appeals court has upheld the authority of school officials to withhold a 4th grader’s essay in support of LGBTQ rights from a class booklet that was to be sent home to families The principal of a South Carolina elementary school told the child’s mother that “it was not age-appropriate to discuss transgenders and drag queens outside of the home,” and that such a topic “would be disagreeable” in the community alleging a First Amendment free speech violation and other claims but lost in a federal district court and in a ruling this week by a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S a high school principal had refused to allow the student paper to publish articles on divorce and teenage pregnancy The high court said that school officials “do not offend the First Amendment by exercising editorial control over the style and content of student speech in school-sponsored expressive activities so long as their actions are reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns.” The controversy occurred during the 2018-19 school year at Anderson Mill Elementary School in Spartanburg County School District No Students in the 4th grade class were assigned to write an “essay to society” on any topic Court papers say the student identified as R.R.S has a grandfather who is a member of the LGBTQ community and the student viewed herself as a “proud advocate” of LGBTQ rights the student refers to disapproval of transgender people by some in society “People need to think before they speak because one word can hurt someone’s feelings,” the essay says “We need to fix this because this is getting out of hand!” told R.R.S.’s teacher that the topic was inappropriate But R.R.S.’s mother engaged in a series of communications with Foster in which the principal defended the decision to exclude the LGBTQ essay in what the parent described in her suit as “abusive” and “emotionally distressing” terms These included the principal’s references to “transgenders and drag queens” and a comment that “due to the type of school this is the people that work here and the students and families of the students that go here the topic would be disagreeable,” the parent’s lawsuit says Foster changed course and said both of R.R.S.’s essays would be published in the class booklet the mother was concerned about her daughter’s privacy and both essays were removed The lawsuit proceeded on the basis that the original decision to exclude the LGBTQ essay was a violation of the First Amendment The appeals court said Foster did not violate R.S.S.’s speech rights based on the Hazelwood decision because the class essay booklet was a form of school-sponsored student speech R.R.S.’s 4th grade teacher—who decided to compile the 4th grade students’ essays into a booklet and send copies of that booklet home with the students for their families to read,” the appellate court said for the students’ families to view the essay booklet as bearing the imprimatur of Anderson Mill Elementary School and the School District.” wrote the LGBTQ-themed essay to society pursuant to a school assignment that was supervised by both the 4th grade teacher and Principal Foster the essays were part of the Anderson Mill Elementary School 4th grade curriculum.” And the principal acted out of legitimate pedagogical concerns because the essay booklet was also going to be placed in the classroom for 4th graders to read and discuss during the school year “While reasonable minds could debate the pedagogical efficacy of shielding 4th graders from topics like sexuality and gender identity it cannot be denied that maintaining the age-appropriateness of school-sponsored expressive activities is a pedagogical concern that passes muster under Hazelwood,” the court added The 4th Circuit court also dismissed the mother’s claim that the principal had discriminated against the student based on the student’s viewpoint None of the principal’s justifications about the age-appropriateness of the essay or her fear that it would anger families “suggest that the restriction had anything to do with the content of R.R.S.’s essay these justifications illustrate that Principal Foster was averse to the subject of LGBTQ rights appearing in the essay booklet.”