Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInGREENVILLE COUNTY (FOX Carolina) - The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation is underway after a deadly shooting involving a deputy on Sunday dispatch received a 911 call around 9:50 p.m on Sunday from a home on Bryson Heights Drive regarding a disturbance involving a firearm a deputy encountered an armed suspect and shot the suspect The sheriff’s office said the suspect died and that no deputies were hurt during the incident The Greenville County Coroner’s Office identified the suspect as 34-year-old James Daniel Webster Jr The sheriff’s office provided a video explaining the situation: the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was asked to investigate The sheriff’s office said a critical incident community briefing video with more details will be released on June 18th at 8 a.m Stay with FOX Carolina News as we work to learn more — Red Sox 2nd Round Pick Payton Tolle struck out 12 over five scoreless innings and the Greenville Drive exploded for 16 runs on 12 hits to rout the Asheville Tourists 16-0 on Saturday afternoon at Fluor Field The Drive (12-15) set season highs in runs and margin of victory while handing Asheville (12-15) its most lopsided loss of the year including a seven-run sixth and a three-run eighth to cap the blowout allowing just three hits and no walks in his five-inning outing He was backed by a bullpen that combined for four more scoreless frames and totaled 19 strikeouts on the day eight of Greenville’s nine starters reached base and seven drove in runs Brooks Brannon went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs and Andy Lugo added two RBIs with a triple in the sixth Franklin Arias hit a solo home run in the third and walked twice finishing with two RBIs and three runs scored Zach Ehrhard and Marvin Alcantara also drove in two apiece and Miguel Bleis contributed a sacrifice fly and an RBI groundout The Drive capitalized on four Asheville errors and went 7-for-18 with runners in scoring position Asheville managed just four hits and didn’t advance a runner past second base Garret Guillemette doubled in the first for the Tourists’ lone extra-base hit The Drive closed the homestand with a win in the finale on Sunday and will prepare for a 6-game road trip to face the Rome Emperors beginning May 6 SC — Securing a series win against the Greenville Drive the Asheville Tourists downed their foe 6-0 on Saturday night at Fluor Field Playing in a seven-game series due to making up a postponed contest from April 11 the Tourists (12-14) have now taken home four games off the Drive (11-15) pitching excelled today behind the arms of Derek True (W allowing just one hit while striking out three to secure his second win of the year Santos took care of the next four frames out of the pen giving up two hits and totaling a trio of whiffs It is the third time this year the pitching staff has accumulated a shutout performance Chase Jaworsky catalyzed the run column with an RBI infield single Plating three runs in the eighth inning to leave no doubt before Cristian Gonzalez singled to bring home another The cherry on top came with a Cam Fisher RBI sacrifice fly in the ninth Facing off one final time in a Sunday matinee the first pitch of Game 7 in the series is set for 3:05 p.m Limestone University in Gaffney held its final graduation Saturday Limestone graduating students lined up before the start of the graduation Limestone University in Gaffney has been around since 1845 Limestone University professors Lisa Samagaio and Michelle Phillips-Meek posed for a selfie after graduation Saturday Some graduating students decorated their mortarboards at Limestone University's last graduation Limestone University graduate Yagym Lowery posed for a selfie with his mother Nicola Young-Lowery Saturday Nearly two centuries of history ended at Limestone University's final graduation staff and students shared their disappointment and anger as the school's last graduates prepared to cross the stage in Gaffney GAFFNEY — On the morning of Limestone University’s last-ever graduation Hollie Wilson and Pam Parker walked through the campus they spent years of their lives caring for The sun was just breaking through the clouds in this quiet corner of the Upstate It lit the blooming pansies and sweet peas and the old white brick building where Limestone began 180 years ago It lit the professors parking their cars and trudging to offices soon to be filled with cardboard boxes shoving the last of their belongings into overstuffed cars they had no idea the school was $30 million in debt and on the verge of collapse They didn’t know until four days ago this would be Limestone’s last graduation "Brokenhearted," is all Parker could say before she began to cry “I’ve watched this campus grow,” Wilson said “And to watch it taken away just like that” — she snapped her fingers — “it’s hard to swallow.” This is how it ends for Limestone University’s roughly 1,750 students and 300 employees The school says long-standing financial pressures declining enrollment and rising costs make it impossible to continue Another contributor is a series of federal lawsuits accusing a former employee of secretly filming female student-athletes in the locker room and posting the videos online Clark said faculty and students did what they could to support each other and save the school in its last days For Gaffney and its 12,000 residents, it’s a crushing blow. Limestone, just a few minutes from downtown, contributes an estimated $150 million to the local economy Students rent out houses and apartments in the city’s tree-lined neighborhoods They buy school supplies from local stores a popular sandwich shop where students' photos cover the wall Clark said the small community revolves around Limestone She doesn't know what will happen without it That’s the word students used over and over again to describe this moment normally reserved for the celebration of their achievements stood in the quad with her friends and soccer teammates Her years at Limestone were some of the best “It's bittersweet knowing that we're the last class to be graduating one last moment together as a whole,” Carrier said Carrier's professors made sure students were the priority trying to find a place for them to transfer But Carrier is worried about her professors The faculty have blasted the school’s leadership, according to media reports They met before the graduation and voted to disinvite the school’s president and board of trustees “There’s no shortage of anger,” said Bob Boyle physics and computer science at the school Boyle stood and watched graduates walk through the campus they called home He’s glad they don’t have to scramble to find somewhere to complete their degrees like the underclassmen do The students will be OK, he said. They’re resilient, and colleges across South Carolina have stepped up to offer assistance The faculty are whom Boyle is worried about Boyle already lined up a job at Spartanburg Day School and his wife is the real breadwinner anyway But he doesn’t know what will happen to his colleagues walked in a thin line across the quad toward the auditorium “I can’t believe this is happening,” one said to another Then came the graduates in brilliant blue robes Audience members in the auditorium hooted and hollered shook cowbells in the air and raised signs that said Wilson and Parker watched from the overflow room across campus wearing matching Limestone shirts and clutching university umbrellas When a student they recognized walked across the stage “There are so many godly people on this campus,” Wilson said and that of fair Limestone must be with me forever News tips/online questions: greenville@postandcourier.com 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: Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University have partnered to create a dual enrollment academy to provide sophomore high school students a path toward obtaining a degree from Clemson This agreement offers first-generation college students an early start in college Those in the academy earn college credits toward a two-year program at Tri-County and then can move on to a four-year degree at Clemson The Tri-County Technical College Dual Enrollment Academy aligns with the Clemson Elevate strategic plan to enhance the student experience and transform lives in South Carolina, according to Robert H. Jones, executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost of Clemson University It also builds a skilled local workforce that attracts innovative job creators Tri-County Technical College and Clemson Dual Enrollment Academy are expected to launch in spring 2026 with 25 students in the first class It will increase incrementally each academic year to 150 students per year Students in the first cohort are anticipated to transition to Clemson in fall 2028 "This partnership between Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University is an exciting opportunity to expand access to higher education for students across Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties," said Dr. Danny Merck, superintendent of the School District of Pickens County. "Through aligning resources and creating a clearly defined this initiative helps more students take the next step toward their college and career goals," he said Tri-County Technical College is a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson Tri-County Technical College offers more than 70 major fields of study Clemson University is committed to providing access to education and ensuring that high-achieving students in our state have a clear supported pathway to earning their degrees," Jones said Clemson University offers extensive academic programs spanning various fields including 74 undergraduate and 71 graduate degree programs These programs are housed in the following categories and support to help students achieve their educational and career goals "By working together, we can make an impact in this region and really for South Carolina as a whole," said Galen DeHay, president of Tri-County Technical College The Dual Enrollment Academy will be a collaborative effort involving all seven school districts in Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee counties Participating high schools will be crucial in identifying and selecting qualified students for the program Tri-County Technical College Dual Enrollment Academy will recruit students in their sophomore year area high schools will ensure enrolled students have transportation to the nearest TCTC campus for in-person coursework Student qualifications: what to knowStudents must meet specific academic requirements to be eligible for the program They must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all college coursework and achieve a GPA of 4.0 or higher in their high school coursework The academy will provide a college admissions and orientation session that prepares the student for dual enrollment and the college experience Tri-County Technical College and Clemson will also provide future-focused advising and career counseling Parents and guardians can participate in community-building activities and attend workshops on financial literacy and the FAFSA and understanding the unique needs of first-generation college students How to sign up?Students interested in the Tri-County Technical College Dual Enrollment Academy should contact their guidance counselor to learn more. Information can also be found online at tctc.edu/academy "Our goal is to ensure that students achieve the best outcomes," said Dr vice president of academic affairs and workforce development at TCTC the best outcomes are courses that count toward the student's desired field of study," she said the student is ready to start college," Elmore said which translates into significant savings in both time and tuition costs," she said Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com The city of Greenville announced May 1 the launch of the second phase of a master plan to review downtown infrastructure needs “As our city is growing and our Central Business District is growing we’ve got to be able to identify the corridors that we need to be focusing on to address operational efficiency within the transportation system and safety improvements,” Link said Community members are invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the traffic infrastructure needs in downtown Greenville. A public meeting will also be held for the master planning process on May 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Prisma Health Welcome Center in Unity Park Projects to improve mobility congestion and safety on downtown streets will be identified in the study the study will also examine alternative modes of transportation in downtown The first phase of the Downtown Transportation Master Plan was completed in 2019 The city used the study to identify and complete several short-term projects such as adding a second right turn lane from  East North Street onto Academy Street The study’s final report will be submitted to the city’s engineering department in August. For more information, visit www.greenvillesc.gov/1647/Downtown-Transportation-Master-Plan  Input your search keywords and press Enter the redevelopment of County Square is one of the biggest — and the most important — developments in Greenville’s recent history when you have a small piece of land and it doesn’t work out as intended there’s a lot more at stake,” said Nancy Whitworth the City of Greenville’s deputy city manager “With this site and its sensitivity to the park and downtown The county-owned property is more than 37 acres equivalent in size to downtown Greenville’s core and located within walking distance of Falls Park and the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail Its redevelopment is expected to be a billion-dollar the redevelopment of a block of South Main Street across from the Peace Center the mixed-use development at the corner of North Main and Washington streets the master planned urban community on Verdae Boulevard and Laurens Road on land once owned by the late reclusive textile magnate John D at 1,100 acres and $1.5 billion when completed and we’ve got to make sure to get it right,” said Greenville County Council Chairman Butch Kirven County Square was not thought of as a part of Greenville’s downtown But Falls Park opened in 2004 and Fluor Field two years later planning started for the Swamp Rabbit Trail a 22-mile multiuse trail that opened in 2009 Because the former mall that now houses county operations will be torn down the developer and the county have a wonderful opportunity to design from the ground up professor emeritus of city and regional planning at Clemson University and former member of the city’s planning commission and Design Review Board “They have the opportunity to be creative and efficient and make it an important part of Greenville “Any time you double or triple the density of activities it’s going to strain existing capacities,” he said “They’ll have to have other ways to get there so you don’t have to get in a car They’ll need to think carefully about the back streets They need to make it attractive and feasible to walk with site lines and well-defined walking routes.” who said the city hasn’t had discussions with the developer said the city will be interested in how the development’s design will minimize impacts on traffic The city will also look at other elements like parking The development will likely require a zoning change “There’s no opportunity to back-door anything.” Kirven said County Square is more than an extension of downtown “It’s a test bed to demonstrate how the future looks in an urban environment,” he said “It’s a clean slate where we can design and create a smart urban environment for the future Acceptable Copy Guidelines for the CJ Guaranteed Service Before issuing a press release over the CJ Guaranteed service you will have to confirm that you have the right to do so and that you have read and understood the CJ Guaranteed terms and conditions If you have any doubt on either 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reasonable control All news releases and other information transmitted by Community Journals must contain a clearly identifiable source The source indicates the entity or individual that is responsible for the Content and cannot be the name of an agency issuing news on Your behalf This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way Any dispute arising under or related in any way to this Agreement shall be adjudicated in a court of competent jurisdiction in the County of New York Nearly two decades after the idea for a Cancer Survivors Park grew from a high school senior project to beautify an area outside a local cancer treatment center Greenville Cancer Survivors Park will hold its grand opening this weekend A public ribbon cutting will be held at 11 a.m “The Dedication to a Vision of Hope and Healing” will feature community leaders sharing the story about the creation of the park and plans for the Center for Hope & Healing a space for community celebrations and survivorship programs The ceremony will include recognition of the Greenville Health System and other contributors who made the park possible “The Garden Party,” will be held from 6 p.m The fundraising soiree will feature music by Trey Francis Guests at the party will be able to walk through the park and hear stories about the design and meaning Tickets are $125 and are available at cancersurvivorspark.org/the-garden-party.php Proceeds will benefit the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance’s education programs A free Cancer Survivors Day Celebration will be held at the park from 1 p.m Activities include walking tours of the park A survivors recognition ceremony and photo are set for 2:32 p.m Registration is requested but not required “We are excited to be celebrating a significant milestone — the transformation of a challenged piece of property into a beautiful park We still have much to do as we transition from bricks and mortar to a focus on incorporating the creative features and resources that are the essence of our vision — creating a space for hope and healing,” said Kay Roper executive director of the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance As the functions of parks grow more complex public-private partnerships have increased as a funding source Greenville’s Unity Park is an example of many of the current trends in building urban parks — a greater reliance on public-private partnerships the conversion of postindustrial sites into green space and construction of facilities that accommodate fluctuation in water levels to help water quality and flooding issues “Parks are no longer simply places for recreation That’s why public-private partnerships are so important,” said Catherine Nagel “Really where public-private partnerships shine is that they bring in more resources and skills.” While Greenville has been known for public-private partnerships for downtown development projects such as the Hyatt Mayor Knox White said Unity Park is the city’s first example of a true public-private partnership on a park The city has earmarked $20 million in hospitality tax revenue for the new park over 10 years and wants private partners to contribute another $20 million Separate from the city’s fundraising efforts is one led by Community Journals’ chairman and co-founder Doug Greenlaw to raise money for a veterans memorial in the park Greenlaw is a founder of the Upstate charter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart “Public-private partnerships have become a critical funding tool in the toolbox,” said Kevin O’Hara vice president of urban and government affairs for the National Recreation and Parks Association public-private partnerships are good for parks.” Chicago’s Millennium Park was a result of a public-private partnership Mayor Richard Daley originally proposed construction of a parking garage with a landscaped greenroof on land that had been parkland The original plan financing called for $120 million from parking revenue bonds and $30 million from private resources plans for the park had changed drastically A cycle center provides heated bicycle parking There are outdoor art galleries and a promenade and the Pritzker Pavilion that hosts the Grant Park Musical Festival Underneath the park is a 4,000 space parking garage the park was the Midwest’s most popular tourist attraction There’s a wide range of how park public-private partnerships are structured “There’s a real range of public-private partnership models to consider,” she said “The key is to fit the model to your community Some cities have a strong base of philanthropic organizations City Park would also mirror the trend in other cities where postindustrial sites are turned into parks and green space those sites are on waterfronts and riverfronts areas that some cities turned their backs on and became nasty places to which people didn’t want to go a waterfront cargo yard was turned into one of New York’s signature parks The city redirects real estate taxes from residential and commercial developments in the project zone creating a self-sustaining revenue stream that is far less dependent on concessions and permits for special events than signature parks in other major cities “Parks are helping to revitalize cities and put them on the map,” Nagel said “It’s exciting that those projects are not just happening in the largest cities but in medium and small cities as well.” presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina The evening will include live music from Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues; barbecue from Upstate vendors including Smoke on the Water; and beverages and desserts from Spears Acres To purchase tickets or for more information, go to tenatthetop.org and click on Events The Sippin' in Simpsonville Summer Beer Tasting will take place May 16 in downtown Simpsonville The walking tour will show off downtown companies and shops; live music; local food; and 30 businesses pouring two-ounce samples of local Regular tickets are $30 in advance and $45 on May 16 Tickets include tastings and a commemorative glass VIP tickets are $50 in advance and $65 on May 16 a mix-and-match six-pack of beer to take home Volunteers will receive a T-shirt; those ages 21 and up will receive a ticket The ticket can be used after the volunteer shift No children or pets are allowed. For information about the event, volunteering or tickets, go to simpsonvillechamber.com/ and click on the Calendar International Ballet Presents ‘Don Quixote’The International Ballet will bring Spain to the stage with the romantic comedy The performances will take place May 31 to June 1 at Peace Center concert hall in Greenville Ludwig Munkis' score will be performed live by the Greenville Symphony Orchestra This is the first time the ballet has been performed in its entirety in Greenville Vlada Kysselova is the Artistic Director of International Ballet Professional guest artists from Cincinnati Ballet will lead the cast with Melissa Gelfin in the role of Kitri and Rafael Quenedit in the role of Basilio Viacheslav Kravchenko from Ukraine will perform the title character Seventeen additional professional guest artists will join 16 local pre-professional company dancers from International Ballet Academy said producing a full-length classical ballet is a major artistic undertaking “But we succeeded with ‘Swan Lake’ last season and thought we would do it again,” she said “The fact that our ‘Nutcracker’ and ‘Swan Lake’ did so well over the past year makes us optimistic that there is an audience for ‘Don Quixote.’ Melissa Gelfin and Rafael Quenedit are world-class performers so it’s exciting to see talent of this caliber share the stage with our local talent.” “Don Quixote” is sponsored in part by Charles Wofford and Nancy Thomas Ticket prices start at $25; purchase them online at peacecenter.org or by visiting or calling the Peace Center Box Office at (864) 467-3000 Dance Workout Pops At Hotel HartnessA pop-up of the Anneclaire Experience a dance-based workout led by Greenville native Anneclaire Nelson will be presented with Hotel Hartness at 10 a.m Nelson has worked as a dancer and trainer for 20 years helping women gain strength and confidence through movement New York City and Miami while working for fitness brands and training celebrities including Jennifer Lopez Nelson returned to her home state to found ACE Tickets include a 55-minute class followed by a day of relaxation by the Hartness Hotel pool Those who attend also will receive 20% off a visit to the Hotel Hartness Spa H and the opportunity to book a room at a discounted rate of $289 per night on May 16 and May 17 For tickets, go to ACE in Greenville Other activities at Hotel Hartness include: GSP Garage Meets Milestone; Completion Scheduled This YearGeneral contractor Brasfield & Gorrie recently topped out the 763-space precast parking garage adjacent to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport terminal Topping out marks the project reaching its full height The project is scheduled to be completed later this year “This milestone is exciting for us and our community and it’s possible because GSP is a true partner,” said Ben Barfield Brasfield & Gorrie Vice President and Division Manager “Our crews are proud that their efforts will positively affect those traveling to and from the Upstate.” Rental car services will improve as part of the finished project rental car companies use offsite service stations for refueling vacuuming and topping off fluids for each vehicle the structure includes a quick-turn-around facility for rental car companies; the lobby and office space will adjoin the return area for rental cars; additional space for rental car parking Ground was broken 14 months ago for Parking Garage C and the consolidated rental car facility President and CEO of Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District “This facility is more than a garage — it’s a key part of our growing infrastructure and we’re excited for the progress still to come,” he said The project is scheduled for completion in late 2025 Brasfield & Gorrie has completed nearly 200 projects in South Carolina during the 40 years it has worked in the state The general contractor opened an office in Greenville in 2013 and has 13 offices in eight states Carolina Handling Pledges Support To Habitat GreenvilleA material handling solutions provider has donated $5,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greenville and pledged to participate in a build day in October our customers and our community has been an intentional part of our day and an integral part of the Carolina Handling culture since our founding in 1966,” said Brent Hillabrand “We believe in giving back in meaningful ways and we demonstrate that by looking for opportunities to work alongside those in need and those who work every day to assist them,” he said Corporate donations like the one from Carolina Handling help create a stronger community, said LaTonya Phillips, Habitat Greenville CEO and President “Affordable homeownership is essential for a thriving community These donations contribute to making the dream of homeownership a reality for local families,” she said Carolina Handling is the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for South Carolina and the region and dock and door equipment for manufacturers and an equipment distribution center in Piedmont Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County brings together families, community partners and volunteers to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build strength, stability and self-reliance. For information, go to habitatgreenville.org The Peoples Bank has opened a new branch at 216 Three Bridges Road in Powdersville The branch will have a full lineup of banking services and the team will move to the new Powdersville location “We are excited to officially move into a new region and extend our banking services to the people of Powdersville and surrounding communities,” said Coleman Kirven President and Chief Executive Officer of The Peoples Bank “We can’t wait for people to visit and have an opportunity to see what makes banking with The Peoples Bank a positive experience.” The Powdersville location will be led by commercial bankers Scott Dunn and Wendy Stafford Dunn has 38 years of experience in the banking industry and has overseen The Peoples Bank’s loan office in Easley for several years Stafford has 19 years of banking experience and has lived in the Easley/Powdersville area for 20 years The Peoples Bank has been part of Anderson County for nearly 75 years The bank has eight full-service branches and a Greenville-based loan office The locations offer personal and commercial banking The new branch is designed to honor the region’s history Finley spotlights Powdersville’s history and the bank's work with customers and the community The City of Greer Fire Department has again earned the Fire Safe South Carolina Community Designation joining 207 fire departments across the state recognized for their commitment to reducing fire-related injuries and improving community safety The 2024 Community Designation reflects the Greer Fire Department’s public education The award is given by Fire Safe South Carolina and its statewide partners “Our team works hard to serve this community beyond emergency calls This designation is about more than a title it’s about saving lives,” said Greer Fire Chief Dorian Flowers fire departments must complete specialized training in risk reduction and build partnerships that address local risks The City of Greer has received the Fire Safe South Carolina designation every year since 2021 The Middle Tyger Community Center in Duncan broke ground recently on the Middle Tyger Education Center The facility will be located across from Byrnes High School at 101 S The center is being built to address the critical shortage of early childhood education resources in western Spartanburg County 73% are classified as “not ready,” said Haley Grau Executive Director of Middle Tyger Community Center “Investing in early childhood education is more important than ever,” Grau said “The development of the Education Center represents our unwavering commitment to ensuring that all families – regardless of income – have access to quality Grau gave credit to partners SEW-EURODRIVE “This project is proof that public-private partnerships can truly move the needle for children and families and serve as a model across the state,” Grau said The Community Center has provided services to families for 25 years The addition of the Education Center will help improve educational outcomes an employer in the region and a lead investor in the project has a longstanding relationship with Middle Tyger Community Center Many employees’ children are served by the center “We believe strongly in the mission of MTCC and in the power of early education to uplift families not only for our employees’ families but for the broader economic and social health of the region,” said Rainer Blickle Research underscores the long-term benefits of investing in early education including a 46% reduction in incarceration rates and a 26% decrease in reliance on government assistance the Community Center provides support for caregivers; GED and adult literacy classes; sliding-scale individual and family counseling; crisis-relief and emergency food and utility assistance; senior services; early child care and education services; and other resources for individuals For information, go to middletyger.org The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Women's Impact Network will meet from 8:30 to 10 a.m May 6 at the chamber’s Prisma Health Conference Room Each event includes a presentation from a monthly sponsor and a local nonprofit organization Guests are invited to bring a small donation for each month's charity This month’s sponsor is Founders Credit Union; the nonprofit has not been selected For information, go to simpsonvillechamber.com and click on the Calendar The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Men's Engagement Network will meet from 4 to 6 p.m The quarterly happy hour event offers a way to end the workday while networking with fellow men in business and giving back to the community Each event will include a presentation from a quarterly sponsor a spotlight or presentation from a local nonprofit organization The host and nonprofit have not been announced There is no charge for members; the fee for nonmembers is $5 For information, go to simpsonvillechamber.com and click on Calendar Be one of the first to try our new activity feed I went down to my local crit to find out who was coming out to watch More than a few first-time bike race fans were there getting a taste of the sport From the junior ranks through a lengthy pro career bike racing has been a passion of mine for most of my life and I continue to watch as many races as possible on TV But there is nothing like watching a bike race in person The Greenville Cycling Classic, which kicked off the Speed Week series (with all races being streamed live on Velo!) last week gave me the opportunity to experience live racing again in my adopted hometown of Greenville There is a certain level of PTSD when I attend a bike event and I was quickly reminded of the stress level that comes along with pinning a number on your back by watching all the racers nervously prepare for their event and regardless of category each participant must accept the risks and consequences of their actions during a criterium event Although I have attended countless bike races Whether it’s a stage of a grand tour the constant factor is that every rider participating strives to achieve their personal best but it got me thinking about what the people standing on the outside of the barriers really thought about what they were watching so I decided to walk around and get some of their thoughts on the fan experience here on the domestic criterium scene The first person I ran into was Charlie Livermore I worked with Charlie back in the early ’90s on USA national team trips with Chris Carmichael but this time he was in a different support role Tell us why you’re here at the Greenville Cycling Classic holding a flag and wearing a vest Charlie Livermore:  I’m paying back for all the wonderful things that cycling has given me in my life Volunteering for these events is really important Cycling in the United States is not super hardy right now we should keep the ball rolling in cycling in the United States I then walked by two guys in work clothes who just happened to be standing in the most dangerous corner of the course I guessed that they didn’t know anything about the event Bobby Julich: Are you fan of cycling or rooting for someone in particular I have never seen a bike race or understand anything about it but am really enjoying myself here and the motorcycles rip around this turn is exciting (BJ): Would you consider coming back next year This is cool and I want to come down with some friends and really enjoy the whole event from start to finish I still don’t totally understand what I am watching It is common to have expo and vending tents set up around a downtown criterium, but when I saw an ex-professional cyclist manning his own booth, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get his perspective being on the outside of the barriers rather than the inside. TJ Eisenhart is one of the owners of Imaginary Bikeworks which is half bike shop and half art studio in Greenville and has recently moved to the area Bobby Julich: What do you think about being a spectator here at the Greenville Cycling Classic I came last year; it was my first time seeing it and I was shocked by the crowd and how many people were out here but how little people know about cycling and are still here I think more of these races need to be all across the US where it’s a series I think it’s sweet to have it in our hometown of Greenville (BJ): You’re a seasoned cyclist yourself but what do you think the normal person on the side of the road can take away from this event (TE): I think a normal person that doesn’t know much about cycling is going to experience the speed especially with the pro women here and the pro men coming up next Just the speed of how quick they are and how scary it is when they go by the barriers and how close they get to the barriers I think it kind of makes a lot of people push back I think that’s what’s super exciting It’s cool because Americans love cheering for sports even when they don’t know about it They love to go to their downtown area where a lot of people are going to be and cheer for things that they don’t understand just because it’s fun to watch people do cool things While eating some food and enjoying a tasty beverage in the VIP tent I witnessed a young woman cheering very passionately for the riders every single lap The reason for her unbridled passion was due to the fact that she had never been to a bike race before (BJ): What is the coolest thing you have seen watching your first ever bike race (RB): I love that the town is out and supporting all these cyclists from all around I also love the fact that it brings the community together The Greenville Cycling Classic was a huge success and even some rain during the last 25 minutes of the men’s event couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the several hundred fans that came out to support the event I realize that there aren’t a ton of bike races in the USA right now so I encourage everyone to go out and experience the atmosphere of a live bike race whenever possible If you are a longtime cycling fan or a first-time newbie make a day out of it and support the athletes and volunteers that make these events so special…and don’t forget to bring your friends What’s it like to be an American cyclist living in France Watch to get professional road cyclist Joe Dombrowski’s view An institution in Dallas' Knox Street neighborhood has been uprooted: Chuy's the Tex-Mex restaurant that had been open at 4544 McKinney Ave The relocation is due to the fact that the old space at the corner of Knox and McKinney will be razed — part of a mixed-use development on Knox Street that's expected to open in 2026 and include a hotel Rumors about the likely closure of that Chuy's location had circulated for nearly a year A spokesperson said "It’s been an honor to be part of the Dallas community for more than 30 years and serve guests at our restaurant in the Knox-Henderson district bigger restaurant just two miles away and to keep offering our guests everything they love about Chuy’s." Founded in Austin by Mike Young and John Zapp in 1982 Chuy’s became known for its Tex-Mex cuisine and eclectic decor Signature dishes include Big As Yo Face Burritos The McKinney Avenue location was also known for its Hatch chile program that included not only featuring Hatch chiles in various seasonal specials but also positioning a chile roaster outside the restaurant right on McKinney Avenue — very much Old Knox as opposed to the glossy high-rise direction in which Knox is currently headed In July 2024, Chuy's was acquired by Darden Restaurants the hospitality company that owns other big-name chains such as Olive Garden and The Capital Grille But Chuy’s is upbeat, outfitting the new location wiith its iconic eclectic theming, including the Chihuahua Bar, towering metal palm trees, ceilings filled with hand-carved wooden fish, and the Elvis fountain – which has just been refurbished. The new location is operated by the same team, including General Manager Jack Miller, and they've also expanded total staff to accommodate the space. "We relocated to Greenville Avenue because it was a great area with long-term growth potential and wasn’t too far from where we served our guests for more than 30 years," their spokesperson says. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Greenville man held without bond for attempted murder after Sullivan's Island incidentby Abigail Quinn (WCIV) — Bond has been decided in the case of a man who was taken into custody Thursday after hitting two children and an adult with his car and then fleeing the scene on Sullivan's Island is charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of first-degree assault and battery Adams was given a $100,000 surety bond for his assault and battery charge and was given no bond for his three attempted murder charges According to the Charleston County Sheriff's Office Adams used his vehicle as a weapon to hurt children by driving onto an active playground One of the children and the adult injured in the incident were taken to the hospital and treated for injuries The second child suffered minor injuries and was treated WSPA 7NEWS Wade Hampton wins a baseball thriller at B The sheriff's office said a person of interest has been detained Read more: https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/deputies-on-scene-at-shooting-in-anderson-co/ including ones with United Way of Greenville County and United Way of the Piedmont were terminated due to a shift in federal priorities Read more: https://www.wspa.com/news/top-stories/upstate-americorp-members-impacted-as-doge-terminates-grants/(opens in a new tab) More than 3,800 checks will be mailed out to people in South Carolina in the coming weeks as the State Treasurer's Office works to return hundreds of thousands of dollars in unclaimed property Read more: https://www.wspa.com/news/state-news/thousands-of-south-carolinians-could-receive-a-check-from-the-state-treasurers-office-this-month-heres-why/ The Travelers Rest Planning and Development Committee denied the request to annex 19-acres to build "The Inn at Altamont" on Monday night Read more: https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/request-to-annex-land-for-hotel-on-paris-mountain-denied-whats-next/ The sheriff's office will share video of the shooting on June 18 Read more: https://www.wspa.com/news/1-dead-in-greenville-co-deputy-involved-shooting/ announced Monday that he’s not running for U.S Senate in 2026 against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff READ MORE: https://www.wspa.com/news/state-news/georgia-republican-gov-brian-kemp-wont-run-for-us-senate-seat-in-2026-against-democrat-jon-ossoff/ Police are asking for the public’s help as the investigation into a shooting at an Upstate mall last Friday continues READ MORE: https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/police-ask-public-to-share-video-footage-of-spartanburg-mall-shooting/ Accessing available healthcare that is more conveniently located is now a reality for people living in Piedmont The Anderson County Coroner is enroute to a shooting on Checkerberry Lane in Pendleton SC Bill would require every school board meeting to be recorded and posted sources told The Greenville News on Friday The sources requested anonymity because no public announcement has been made The transfer portal opened March 25 and closes April 22 However a player in the portal can still withdraw and return to the team after the closing date who lost to UConn in the national championship game on April 6 Fulwiley also was on the South Carolina team that went undefeated last season and won the national title a new guard would cut into the minutes of Fulwiley and sophomore Tessa Johnson TRANSFER TRACKER: South Carolina women's basketball transfer portal tracker 2025: Who's in, out for Dawn Staley who was named SEC Sixth Player of the Year averaged 18.9 minutes off the bench this season and shot 42.6% from the field and 25.8% from the 3-point line She scored a game-high 23 points in the Sweet 16 win against Maryland on March 28 the third time this season she scored 22 or more She had a season-high 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting on Feb When Fulwiley chose South Carolina as a five-star recruit just under 10 miles from Colonial Life Arena She was the first freshman in program history to win SEC Tournament MVP in 2024 after scoring 24 points in the SEC tournament championship game against LSU on March 10 Shortly after that, she became the first college athlete to sign with Steph Curry's brand, Curry Brand she debuted two custom shoes with the company Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X A family will mourn the tragic passing of their young daughter next week  Five-year-old Brite Shalom Acoy‘s funeral on May 10 at the Watkins Garrett & Woods Mortuary in Greenville on Augusta Street Acoy and her twin sibling suffered from gunshot wounds on April 25 when a gunfight erupted outside their apartment and her sibling remains hospitalized in critical condition Greenville Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of gunfire at the apartment complex's "G Building’' around 5:30 p.m The unidentified 18-year-old was also hospitalized but with non-life-threatening injuries Deputies arrested three people on April 26 suspected in the shooting who has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime A separate minor involved in the shooting is charged with possessing a firearm while under the age of 18 Deputies later arrested the guardian of the twins on April 28 Stanice Joy Acoy was charged with five counts of unlawful conduct towards a child possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a weapon during a violent crime More: Buy or sell? Zillow forecasts home value trends for 15 SC areas: See where values may rise, fall Investigators said she kept the children in deplorable living conditions The family is asking for a private intimate ceremony (This story has been updated to clarify a data point.) House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arlington has proposed cutting $12 billion to school meal programs across U.S The proposal is a threat to the USDA's Community Eligibility Provision program (CEP) a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas According to the Food Research and Action Center 31,355 in Greenville County will lose access to CEP if Congress increases the eligibility threshold from 25% to 60% of students identified as receiving benefits this drop in percentage will cut over 24,000 schools from participating in the program affecting the health and learning of over 12 million children Here's what to know about CEP and how the proposal will increase hardships for children and families in South Carolina Schools that adopt the program are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific mean-tested programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families How will SC children and families be impacted by Congress' proposal?S.C. children and families will be greatly impacted by proposal cuts to school meals. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Food Research and Action Center 351 schools in the state would no longer receive free school meals through CEP and would have to reinstate meal applications There are 246,009 children who attend schools that will no longer be able to offer free meals to all students through CEP "Rather than reducing access to school meals Congress should invest in CEP and reduce barriers to applying for free or reduced-price school meals so families can afford groceries and children have access to the nutritious meals they need to thrive in school and beyond," both centers said in the state-by-state CEP fact sheet SC Children and schools to be impacted per school district∎ Aiken County: 9 schools ∎ Cherokee County Charter School: 1 school ∎ Virtus Academy of South Carolina: 1 school Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInGREENVILLE (FOX Carolina) - The dates for the 2025 Greenville Country Music Fest have been announced Organizers said the festival will be switching back to a two-day festival for it’s 6th year 25 at the the CCNB Amphitheatre in Simpsonville The artist lineup will be dropped on Monday As part of its centennial anniversary celebrations Renewable Water Resources officially opened its Clean Water Connector Loop during a ceremony May 2 in which staff community partners and elected leaders gathered to mark the organization’s impact on the community over the past 100 years The new trail is a spur off the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail’s Blue line, which is a four-mile section starting at Parkins Mill Road and connecting to the 640-acre Conestee Nature Preserve ReWa and Conestee Nature Preserve have partnered to dedicate 1,000 acres of green space in the area to conservation The new connector highlights much of this landscape and traverses a portion of ReWa’s Mauldin Road Water Resource Recovery Facility One of the most striking features of the new trail is a 2,200-square-foot “For the Love of Water” mural on one of the filter tanks at the Mauldin Road WRRF The mural depicts native plants and wildlife that can be found along the Reedy River a brown and yellow spotted salamander and a yellowtail butterfly Milestone: ReWa celebrates a century of keeping Greenville’s water safe Adam Schrimmer, a Greenville-based artist and owner of Blank Canvas Mural Company was commissioned for the project and collaborated with Jody Wells Besides the mural, trail users will also encounter nine bronze salamanders as part of a scavenger hunt similar to Greenville’s “Mice on Main.” The Clean Water Connector Loop was the brainchild of Joel Jones who retired at the end of April as ReWa’s CEO In comments during the trail opening ceremony Jones said he doubted ReWa’s founders would have envisioned 100 years ago that a trail would bring visitors onto the campus of a wastewater treatment facility to enjoy nature and learn about the importance of protecting water resources “We’re inviting people to come,” Jones said Up Front: The digital and print life of John Olson https://greenvillejournal.com/community/up-front-the-digital-and-print-life-of-john-olson-community-journals-greenville-sc/ The refreshing sounds of the countryside alternate with a bustling urban beat in the Greenville Symphony’s concert “Beethoven and Brazil.” Music director Lee Mills conducts the two Peace Center performances that feature contemporary Brazilian composer João Guilherme Ripper’s “Five Poems by Vinicius de Moraes” and Beethoven’s ever-popular Sixth Symphony Mills is joined by soprano Tess Altiveros for Ripper’s “Five Poems by Vinicius de Moraes,” a piece that incorporates traditional Brazilian rhythms in a lyrical orchestral texture 1959) sets five poems by Vinicius de Moraes (1913-1980) representing a different phase of the poet’s life,” Mills said “He reflects on the various stages of life from birth to childhood Altiveros will sing the work in Portuguese with a translation projected above the stage Mills is a particular advocate of Brazilian music having worked with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra for five years “There so much great Brazilian music,” Mills said “I’m always looking for a place to add some Brazilian music to a program.” The performances conclude with Beethoven’s Symphony No unique among the composer’s works for its descriptive titles for each of the five movements Beethoven sought to vividly convey his devotion to nature “I think of (the) ‘Pastoral’ Symphony as an expression of unbridled enthusiasm and excitement,” Mills said “Beethoven really loved being out in the country Though there are moments of pastoral serenity in the work Beethoven loved nature for its inspiring vigor The concerts open with contemporary composer Jessie Montgomery’s “Starburst,” a 2012 work that evokes the idea of light and energy with its fast-moving swirling textures and intense rhythmic drive What: Greenville Symphony Orchestra: “Beethoven and Brazil” Info: 864-467-3000 or peacecenter.org In honor of fallen officers across the nation Law Enforcement United - Team Greenville has begun their journey to Washington Their route for the Road to Hope bicycle ride won't bring them through Greenville this year Greenville County sheriff's deputies have shot two people in the past week SIMPSONVILLE — Greenville County sheriff's deputies shot and killed a man May 4 the second person they've shot in the past week Ryan Flood said a deputy responding to a Simpsonville domestic disturbance late May 4 encountered an armed subject who was shot and killed The Greenville County Coroner's Office identified the man as 34-year-old James Daniel Webster Jr The shooting comes five days after another deputy shot and injured an armed man during an April 30 confrontation in Piedmont No deputies were injured in either incident The Greenville County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina's largest, routinely kills more people than any other sheriff's office in the state, according to previous Post and Courier reporting the deadliest year for the agency since 2010 Details on the two latest shootings remain thin law enforcement agencies may release body camera footage The Greenville County Sheriff's Office's policy is to release a "Critical Incident Community Briefing" with a curated selection of body camera footage 45 days after the incident In the most recent shooting, Greenville County received a 911 call at approximately 9:50 p.m. May 4, Sheriff Hobart Lewis said in a Facebook video The call regarded a domestic disturbance involving a firearm on Bryson Heights Drive in Simpsonville Deputies were able to remove the victim from the home Greenville County deputies were in Piedmont near Lindley Road conducting surveillance for the Anderson County Sheriff's Office which was attempting to serve a man with a warrant stemming from an incident in its jurisdiction a Greenville County deputy encountered the suspect The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating both shootings The Sheriff's Office said it will release critical incident reports June 14 and 18 to provide more details about the shootings Sentinel Offender Services' Greenville office employed 12 people and supervised more than 500 people in 2020 according to a proposal to Greenville County Anissa Henderson's house was supposed to be surrounded with GPS boundaries to notify authorities when Gary Whitten's ankle monitor came near Sentinel Offender Services didn't notify the Sheriff's Office that Whitten was near until hours later Rather than spending time in jail at the Greenville County Detention Center people on house arrest are allowed to go home Advocates say that freedom can come with a cost The company monitoring people on house arrest in Greenville County has faced numerous lawsuits accusations of negligence and criticism from civil liberties' advocates GREENVILLE — In 2020, Greenville County had a decision to make: Who should it trust to keep the community safe These are the people who would oversee house arrests in the county — the people who would make sure a husband accused of domestic violence didn’t see his wife again that those addicted to drugs didn’t relapse that someone suspected of violent crime didn’t hurt anyone else Greenville County had farmed out the public safety program to a for-profit company from California — Sentinel Offender Services — in 2010 accusations of negligence and mounting criticism that the company’s tactics took advantage of the poor three victims have been killed by people under Sentinel's supervision and a Sentinel employee who enforces supervision is accused of taking bribes officials have just weeks to decide if Sentinel still deserves the contract — or if its even wise to hand over public safety to a private company The June 30 deadline comes after the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sentinel employee Kendrick Fuller on April 11 accusing him of taking bribes to overlook violations by someone he was supposed to be monitoring A year before the arrest, a Post and Courier investigation showed that a lapse in communication between Sentinel and the Sheriff’s Office contributed to the deaths of three people They were each killed by men under Sentinel’s supervision wearing ankle monitors Greenville County declined to say whether Sentinel still has its trust or whether recent events will impact contractual decisions County spokesperson Bob Mihalic said it’s reviewing the contract now Sentinel defended itself in an emailed statement to The Post and Courier for this story saying that it is addressing certain issues “We are focused every day on innovation and effective monitoring as an alternative to incarceration and are committed to delivering a quality electronic monitoring program to Greenville County and the law enforcement community,” the company wrote The 15-year arrangement with Sentinel allows the county to avoid paying for the Home Incarceration Program Sentinel reaps the profits from the program Each person is charged a daily fee — sometimes to the tune of hundreds of dollars a month according to documents obtained by The Post and Courier Local defense attorneys said these are generally people charged with minor misdemeanors It’s an arrangement heavily criticized by civil liberties advocates who say it takes advantage of people to make a profit sometimes forcing them into debt to pay exorbitant fees president of the Greenville Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys it allows people charged with minor crimes to await trial or serve out their sentence at home rather than in jail Crangle and others said there are serious questions about whether Sentinel truly makes safety a priority over profit — and whether the county is asleep at the wheel Greenville County has handed more and more power to Sentinel in the past several years transferring control of the house arrest program from the detention center to the for-profit company according to previous Post and Courier reporting The county said it reviews any matters having to do with “contractual compliance” with Sentinel But when asked for any audits or other monitoring reports on Sentinel’s performance from the past two years a Greenville defense attorney who regularly speaks out on behalf of inmates' rights and police accountability said the county's lack of oversight allows Sentinel to get away with practices that aren't good for the community “Is it cheaper for the taxpayers for it to work this way Is it fair in the sense of the kind of society we want to live in?” The system was going according to plan — up until two women ended up dead Gary Pratt Whitten accused of pointing a gun at his former partner and threatening to kill her according to previous Post and Courier reporting: Whitten wasn’t allowed anywhere near his former partner or her home So when Whitten arrived at her house in the middle of a January night not long after his release alarm bells should have started ringing — literally Sentinel called Whitten’s former partner to make sure she was OK but the company didn’t call the Sheriff’s Office until hours later Whitten’s former partner and his mother were dead and he was on the loose after breaking his ankle monitor and stealing a pickup truck Months later, another man under Sentinel’s supervision, Robbie Fleming began arguing with someone near Augusta Road striking a bystander in the chest and killing him Yet the Greenville County Sheriff's Office never received a notification of the violation officials previously told The Post and Courier Greenville County declined to comment on the three deaths or how it might affect its decision-making process Sentinel did not directly address a question about what the company is doing to prevent incidents like these from happening again, but it said it’s regularly audited by a third party to ensure “quality management standards.” These three deaths are exactly the type of incidents Sentinel is supposed to stop it’s monitored more than a million people in 48 states since its founding in 1993 it keeps tabs on people out of jail on bond or sentenced to house arrest It also performs drug tests for people on probation The company has made its case to Capitol Hill In an August 2024 letter to Congress in response to criticisms Sentinel said that electronic monitoring keeps people out of jail “Sentinel fully believes that its products and services support important criminal justice interests by reducing incarceration and providing participants the ability to remain contributing members to their communities,” the company wrote an attorney and visiting assistant clinical professor of law at the University of South Carolina said monitoring programs like the one in Greenville are plagued with safety problems and ethical questions Even in the world of for-profit monitoring companies She said monitoring can infringe on privacy and push participants into debt as they struggle to pay fees “If our governments engage with these for-profit companies it is clear the intention is not to help the people,” she said County Council member Ennis Fant defended the company’s conduct in an interview with The Post and Courier He said he’s aware of the concerns raised in other communities but he’s seen no evidence of misconduct in Greenville County And he said Sentinel’s past issues — like accusations of bribery and people it supervised going on to kill others — are inevitable You're going to have complaints,” Fant said Sentinel makes people under supervision pay the cost Depending on income and the type of monitoring used people pay between $5.40 and $9 per day for basic electronic monitoring according to the county’s contract with Sentinel Costs go up if alcohol or drug tests are required meaning people being monitored must pay the company roughly $200 to $300 a month state law sets probation and parole fees between $20 and $100 a month for community supervision and $10 and $30 a week for intensive supervision Sentinel said its fees are “historically among the lowest in the electronic monitoring industry” and stressed that the criminal justice system establishes the terms of supervision and enforces them How much Sentinel makes from the arrangement is unclear Sentinel didn’t respond to a question about its finances and Greenville County said it doesn’t track that information Sentinel said it was supervising more than 500 people in the county system at the time the company was taking in more than $2,700 per day the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office received a concerning complaint: A Sentinel employee had solicited bribes Two weeks later, deputies arrested 27-year-old Kendrick Fuller, who according to his LinkedIn page was an assistant branch manager such as breaching curfew and entering a prohibited area accepting money to conceal a crime and accepting bribes as a public employee Investigators say he confessed to the crimes A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said the evidence collected so far suggests Fuller had an arrangement with a single individual in an isolated incident He posted photos on social media of Sentinel staff grilling burgers and going bowling "Love our Greenville team!" he wrote in one post Greenville County declined to comment on the allegations against Fuller and Fuller could not be reached for comment launched an internal audit and is cooperating with the investigation the revelation that a Sentinel employee might have been taking advantage of the system wasn’t exactly a surprise It’s what happens when you trust a for-profit company to keep the public safe “The fundamental priority is to get paid," Erwin said In 2014, Human Rights Watch wrote a scathing report on “offender-funded” monitoring, much of which focused on Sentinel. The Brennan Center for Justice also criticized the company in a 2022 report In 2024, Democratic Congressional leaders raised concerns about Sentinel’s business practices as well They wrote in a letter to Sentinel that companies like it “offer many jurisdictions a cheap shortcut at the cost of individuals’ safety Sentinel has been named frequently in lawsuits since 2010 according to a review of federal court records Some of the cases were thrown out as frivolous others were dismissed and some the company eventually settled Some of these lawsuits dealt with situations where someone monitored by Sentinel killed another person Others accused the company of violating the civil liberties of people it monitored In the mid-2010s, Sentinel forked over millions to settle several Georgia lawsuits accusing the company of unlawfully jailing people who didn’t pay supervision fees for minor misdemeanors like traffic violations or public intoxication Sentinel did not respond to a question about why it faces such continual legal scrutiny When Sentinel pitched its services to Greenville County in 2020 it styled itself as an industry pioneer with a proven track record “While other vendors may try to impress the committee with slick software lower pricing and promises of grandeur,” the company wrote in its proposal “Sentinel has delivered a program that has set the bar for programs across the State of South Carolina.” What wasn’t included in its proposal was any explanation of the millions the company paid to settle lawsuits or the reports accusing it of pushing people into debt to make a profit Greenville County would not say whether it knew about the criticism before renewing its contract nor would it say why Sentinel was the right company for the job A spokesperson noted only that Sentinel was chosen after a competitive bidding process While it's not clear what will happen to Sentinel's contract with the county Fant said he would have no problem renewing it again a Democrat and former state representative would prefer the county subsidize the cost of electronic monitoring instead of forcing defendants to pay and you can rest assured that the public is not going to pay for it as red as Greenville County is," he said said for-profit companies can’t be trusted to do what’s in the best interest of its clients or the community They have an incentive to keep people on house arrest Wilson is calling for the county to suspend its contract with Sentinel and review the company’s practices He wants the county to be more “hands on,” criticizing it for a lack of oversight Local defense attorneys also said the county has failed to properly monitor the company it trusts to keep the community safe electronic monitoring plays an important role in the criminal justice system paying taxes and taking care of their kids It can keep them away from drugs or alcohol But both Crangle and Erwin said the county has allowed Sentinel to monopolize parts of the criminal justice system to the detriment of defendants — and to reap the profits with little oversight but the tool needs to be implemented in a fair manner,” Crangle said Erwin said he often hears complaints from his clients about Sentinel’s practices bribery and unsavory tactics — he’s not so sure whom to trust "Many veterans are at risk for housing instability and unemployment due to service-related challenges and lack of understanding of available resources." "When people have access to stable housing they are better positioned to secure employment In communities across the Upstate and beyond veterans and individuals striving for financial stability often find themselves caught in a cycle of insecurity This is where Community Economic Development (CED) organizations step in—not just as builders but also architects of opportunity CED organizations like Homes of Hope and Upstate Warrior Solution are at the forefront of innovative solutions that go beyond brick and mortar Our local veterans are particularly at risk for homelessness and unemployment due to service-related challenges and lack of understanding of how the ecosystem can support them and our non-veteran community members are also facing similar challenges We are committed to equipping individuals with the skills and resources needed for long-term success and are committed to partnerships at the community level to address these needs businesses and individuals is crucial to sustaining and scaling our efforts When communities support CED organizations Affordable housing is a fundamental pillar of financial stability pursue education and contribute to their local economy It is no coincidence that cities with healthy CED initiatives see lower homelessness rates stronger job markets and a more vibrant small business ecosystem Supporting CED organizations extends beyond housing These organizations provide workforce development programs that empower individuals with job training and placement opportunities men in the Workforce Development Program gain hands-on training in construction trades while simultaneously earning a livable wage and overcoming addiction Upstate Warrior Solution ensures that veterans transitioning to civilian life have the resources they need to achieve long-lasting stability These programs break cycles of poverty and dependence equipping individuals with the skills to build their own futures The impact of CED organizations is evident in every family that moves into a stable home in every individual who secures a well-paying job and in every neighborhood revitalized by intentional investment We urge businesses and individuals to partner with CED organizations to invest in the workforce of tomorrow. We call on policymakers to champion House bill H4164 and we invite individuals to get involved—whether through advocacy Contact your legislative representatives in both the House and the Senate and ask them to either co-sponsor this legislation or vote in favor. H4164 is the renewal of the 2000 CED Act and will provide tax credits that CED organizations can leverage into millions of dollars of additional investment The CED tax credit is the single most powerful capital-attracting tool that CED organizations have And there is a proven record of impact since 2000 which in turn creates more revenue for the State of S.C we can create communities where economic opportunity and housing security are not just ideals 17 prospect Payton Tolle strikes out 12 batters across five scoreless innings for High-A Greenville 4 prospect Franklin Arias hits a solo home run to center field for High-A Greenville 30 prospect Brandon Clarke racks up seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings in his High-A debut for Greenville — The Greenville Drive’s struggles at the plate continued Saturday night as they managed just three hits and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position in a 6-0 shutout loss to the Asheville Tourists at Fluor Field The loss dropped the Drive to 11-15 on the season and marked the second time they've been held scoreless this year Despite a strong start from left-hander Dalton Rogers Greenville couldn’t find any rhythm offensively and let a winnable game slip away striking out nine and allowing just two unearned runs over five innings Both runs came in the fourth inning after a walk and a catcher’s interference call set the table for Asheville A soft RBI single by Chase Jaworsky and a passed ball gave the Tourists a 2-0 lead despite minimal hard contact Greenville’s best scoring opportunity came in the seventh when Zach Ehrhard singled and Andy Lugo followed with a two-out base hit But Albert Feliz struck out looking to end the inning The Drive put at least one runner on base in four straight innings from the fourth through the seventh but couldn’t push one across Asheville starter Derek True (2-2) kept them off balance with five strong innings of one-hit ball and reliever Yeriel Santos tossed the final four innings for the save while Nelly Taylor walked and stole his ninth base of the season the Drive committed one error and had a passed ball and catcher’s interference both of which contributed to Asheville’s early scoring The Tourists broke the game open with a three-run eighth off reliever Jeremy Wu-Yelland Walker Janek tripled home two runs and later scored on Cristian Gonzalez’s RBI single Asheville tacked on one more in the ninth with the help of a hit-by-pitch Greenville will look to bounce back and salvage the series on Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m Red Sox prospect Jeremy Wu-Yelland makes a glove flip to first to get the out for High-A Greenville the Greenville Drive and West End Events announced its annual seasonal hiring process for the 2025 baseball season as various departments in the ballpark gear up for another successful year at Fluor Field Individuals 16 years and older interested in 2025 seasonal positions are encouraged to apply for open positions at this link candidates will be contacted for phone or Zoom interviews and the opportunity will be offered for a final interview to be held at the seasonal job fair Various departments within the Drive and West End Events will be looking to fill positions including: Food/Beverage/Events Operations: Concessions Prep On-Field Operations: Game Day Grounds Crew Merchandise: Game Day Sales & Retail Locations Fluor Field will host more than 300 community events in 2025 including Drive and amateur baseball games and non-baseball events welcoming more than 500,000 people to the ballpark in 2025 “We’ve often said that our gameday and events staff are the backbone of the ballpark,” said Drive General Manager Eric Jarinko “They not only live and work in our community but go the extra mile to serve our community at games and events and help give Fluor Field the best atmosphere night in and night out even more important (and fun) as we celebrate 20 years in the community this season." A law enforcement call to a domestic disturbance ended with one person dead in Greenville County on Sunday night According to a report from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call at 111 Bryson Heights Drive in Simpsonville around 9:50 p.m Sheriff Hobart Lewis said deputies “were able to get the victim out of the home More: Alex Murdaugh defense attorney to release true crime book on 'Charles Manson of the South' and we’re very thankful for that,” he added Lewis said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division the deputy involved with the shooting has been placed on paid administrative pending an internal review the public information officer with the Greenville Sheriff's Office I’m not interested in writing about new restaurants because it usually takes a few months for the operation and its crew to jell but when the doors are opened for the first time all those plans go out the window and one must start anew the owners may feel like they’re riding a bucking bronco But when a couple of my chef pals and Dani Matthews (@healthyishdani on Instagram) fawned over the food at Half Rooted and told me I had to eat and write about it I cajoled chef Carlos Baez of Overbrook’s Mr. Crisp to join me at the former Cateran Lodge that relic of our city’s mediocre culinary history and we agreed that Half Rooted is definitely worth a visit — today Empanadas are one of my favorite foods and they are practically global What culture doesn’t have some sort of fried or baked dough filled with roasted meats or vegetables One could easily argue that ravioli from Italy and empanadas from the Spanish speaking Old and New World are all in the same family That’s something no one else in town is doing An arepa is a pan-fried corn cake made with corn flour and fresh corn similar to a Johnny cake in the American South an arepa is typically topped with a slice of queso fresco Chef and owner Carlos Loaiza prepares his in a rectangular mold then sears them on the flat grill and garnishes with grated queso fresco The crunchy exterior held an interior that was the texture of soft spoonbread and was redolent of sweet corn juice “Salsa rosada is a blend of mayo and ketchup with spices; the pineapple habanero jam was cool as was the aji sauce and the chipotle sauce,” Baez said “And the cashew and mushroom filling for that empanada was quite clever.” Loaiza has given Greenville something new and desirable in the form of unapologetic Colombian street food at Half Rooted and if we’re going to wear that “foodie town” label we toss around like confetti at a wedding we should embrace restaurants such as this one Half Rooted, at 1419 Wade Hampton Blvd. is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday “City Juice” is a colloquial term for a glass of tap water served at a diner. John Malik is a restaurant coach and hospitality consultant. He can be reached at chefjohnmalik@gmail.com