
Anderson Observer Podcast
100 episodes — Page 1 of 2
Ep 106Roads, elections, parks and summer programs
Interviews Richard Dorn, chairman Anderson County Capital Tax Commission Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator Terence Roberts, Mayor City of Anderson Will Ragland, Mayor Pelzer Annie Sutton, Anderson County Library Director Sarah Ann Bannister, AIM
Ep 105Finding Hope for the Homeless, Wastewater Treatment for the Future, Big Events and Future Flowers for Pelzer
Interviews: Erin Goss, Indivisible Clemson Reid Lehman, Miracle Hill Ministries Dave Phillips, Hope Missions of the Upstate Zoe Hale, Hope Missions of the. Upstate Matt Schell, Anderson County Parks Kathy Schofield, Area 14 Special Olympics John Harvin, Connect Powdersville Jimmy Davis, Anderson County Council Ronnie Roper, Vets Helping Vets of Anderson Frank Crenshaw, Mayor of Pendleton Rusty Burns, Anderson County Adminstrator

Ep 104Kool News, County Updates, Equestrian Century Milestone, Student Robot Champs. Spring Jubliee
Interviews Code Wright Consultant Chad Meadows Anderson County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders Anderson County Councilman Jimmy Davis Anderson School Dist 5 Board Member Harold Kay II Chadwick Boseman's Parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman Anderson School Dist. 5 Superintendent Brenda Kelley Anderson County Library Teen Programs Director Rachel de Silva Equestrian Lina Hostetler Upstate Equine Council Elle Oldre Lake Hartwell Country Events Manager Jordan Bannister
Ep 103The road to steady progress in Anderson County referendum, City of Anderson annexation on the East-West Parkway, a new foundation makes Williamston a better place, plus honors and awards galore
interviews Anderson City Councilman Kyle Newton Anderson County Councilman Chris Sullivan Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson Emergency Management Josh Hawkins and James McAdams The Burgess Foundation Rockey Burgess Belton City Administrator Alan Sims
Ep 102Chamber Update, Development Standards, CAA, Homeless, Theater, Arts
Interviews Carol Burdette: Interim CEO Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce Dave Phillips, CEO Hope Missions of the Upstate Angie Stringer, Executive Director Cancer Association of Anderson Noah Taylor, Market Theatre Founder
Ep 101Mental Health Court, Library Update, Smithsonian Belton, Frank Sinatra, more
News Interviews Judge Cordell Maddox Marlene McClain, director of Anderson County Mental Health Court Annie Sutton, Director of Anderson County Library System Kim Matkins, Love Well Minstries Brett Sanders, Anderson County Council Abigail Burden, Belton Area Museum Director Erin Spainhour, Director Anderson Arts Center Will Ragland, Founder, Mill Town Players
Ep 100Spring, Plan This City, Housing Updates, and a Veteran Chooses Honea Path
City of Anderson Planning and Development Director Maurice McKenzie United Way of Anderson Community Impact Director Zeke Stephenson Habitat for Humanity of Anderson Director Kylie Herbert Homes for Our Troops Daniel Metzdorf Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns
Ep 99County Looks at Pause on Housing, Honea Path Gets Downtown Boost School Dist. 5 to Pay Board Members, Library has Swag
News, updates and more from the Anderson Observer, News from people you trust.
Ep 98The Art of Business and the Business of Art
Interviews with Anderson Business Development's Brayden Sherman, New Art Center Director Eric Spainhour and Market Theatre Founder Noah Taylor

Ep 97Good News and Challenges for City of Anderson, Williamston Update, Dist. 2 considers middle school merger
The return of the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust, looks at new businesses and new challenges facing downtown Anderson, updates from around the county and more with interviews and analysis.

Ep 96Libraries, roads, parks, reconciliation, broadband, community kitchen, theater season and superheroes
Summary of the current library situation in Anderson County. Interviews: SCDOT Tyke Redfearn S.C. Sen. Mike Gambrell on expanding broadband Francesca Milford, director of City of Anderson Shared Kitchen United Way CEO Carol Burdette and Clubhouse International Joel Corcoran on a new mental health clubhouse Stuart Sprague, Anderson Area Recognition and Remembrance Initiative Noah Taylor, Founder and artistic director Market Theatre Sybil Todd, Founder of White Knight Entertainment and Cosplay

Ep 95News, Countywide Updates, Emergency Management, EMS Meeting
Interviews Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson County Emergency Management Director Josh Hawkins
Ep 94PAWS, MLK, Cross Country Track, New Police Chiefs, Council Dust Up, and news
PAWS needs Cross Country Track, New YMCA Facilities MLK Roundup New police chiefs in Williamston and Honea Path

Ep 93Looking Back, Looking Ahead, Part 3: Pendleton, Honea Path, Belton, Iva
Looking back at 2022 and ahead to 2023: Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton Belton City Manager Alan Sims Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor
Ep 92Part 2: Looking Back and Looking Ahead - Pelzer, Williamston, West Pelzer
Interviews West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland

Ep 91Looking back and looking ahead, Part I: Anderson County, City of Anderson, Probate Judge
A look back at 2022 and ahead to 2023 Interviews Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns City of Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts Anderson County Probate Judge JT Foster

Ep 90Holidays Collide, Updates from Around the County, honoring local legend, theater, voting and more
Interviews Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns PAWS Director Dr. Kim Sanders West Pelzer Town Clerk Paula Payton Homeland Park Leader Walt Lanier Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts Meals on Wheels of Anderson CEO Laurie Ashley Market Theatre Director of "Rent" Christopher Rose And a recording of Paul Brown being honored

Ep 89Autumn Ushers in Busy Days, Progress, Festivals, News
Interviews: Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson Voter Registration and Elections Director Laura Booth Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn Belton City Councilman Josh Stephenson Anderson County Latinx Committee Director Maria Torres-Green Anderson Free Clinic Executive Director Tammie Collins

Ep 88County update, new auditor, new trail for Williamston, Cleo Bailey Experiment, Pendleton Rhinos, Friends of Broadway Lake
Happy Trails, Happy Gardens, Happy Rhinos, and a Happy County Administrator, all this and more on the Aug. 22 edition of the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust. Interviews: Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator Brett Sanders, Vice Chairman Anderson County Council John Benca, new Anderson County Auditor Rockey Burgess, Mayor of Williamston Zephaniah Smith, Cleo Bailey Experiment Ali Brandon, Oasis of Hope Jazz Wideman, Pendleton Rhinos John Sealy, Friends of Broadway Lake

Ep 87Summer Updates with Anderson County Administrator, School Dist. 4 Superintendent, TCTC President
Interviews Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns School Dist. 4 Superintendent Dee Christopher TCTC President Galen DeHay

Ep 86Williamston Growing , School Days With School Superintendents from 5, 1, 2, ACTC Dir. Holly Harrell
Interviews Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess School Dist. 5 Superintendent Tom Wilson School Dist. 1 Superintendent Robbie Binnicker School Dist. 2 Superintendent Jason Johns Career & Technology Center Executive Director Holly Harrell

Ep 85Budgets. Art, City of Anderson Update, Emergency Alerts and Special Populations
Interviews Anderson County Vice Chairman Brett Sanders Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts Anderson County Librarian Annie Sutton Artist Nat Morris Anderson Arts Center Director April Cameron Anderson County Emergency Service Director Josh Hawkins

Ep 84Summer Music, Updates with Mayors, Whole Lot of Shaking Going On
Interviews: Ben Phillips, Anderson Bluegrass Anderson County Council Vice Chair Brett Sanders, Council Recap Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor Summer Update Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland Summer Update Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton Summer Update Anderson County Museum Curator Dustin Norris on new Music Exhibit

Ep 83Farmers Market Ushers in Summer, Juneteenth Celebrations, Updates from Pendleton, West Pelzer and Belton
Interviews Anderson Reconciliation and Remembrance Initiative/Juneteenth: Stuart Sprague Juana Slade Ankoma Anderson Grant Cunningham (health initiative at events) Carol Burdette (United Way work communitywide) West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw

Ep 82Hot Summer Busy with Elections, Updates, News, Events, Farmers Market and More
Welcome to the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust, our first episode of the screaming hot summer of 2022. A lot going on locally. The Anderson County Farmers Market opens with full produce options on Saturday. I am dubious there will be real summer tomatoes, it’s a little early, but we shall see. Lots of other stuff available though, including early peaches, strawberries, squash and more. Juneteenth celebrations today and tomorrow in Anderson will mark the final end of slavery, a date long after the Emancipation Proclamation. Will talk more about these events with interviews tomorrow. Summer is here and last week was the annual boat parade at Broadway Lake. Roy and Peg Ivey had this to say about the event. Primary elections were held this week, and three local incumbents lost to political newcomers: S.C. Rep. Brian White who had held his seat since 2001, who lost to April Cromer, West Cox from Dist. 10, who lost to Thomas Beach and Anderson County Council Member Ray Graham from Dist.. 3, who lost to Greg Elgin. JT Foster won the primary election for the Probate Judge position, which will be left vacant by the retirement of the amazing Judge Martha Newton who has served for four decades. The unexpired term of Anderson County auditor, left vacant by the death of long-time auditor Jacky Newton, is in the midst of a recount and should be settled later today. The unofficial count had Anderson Businessman John Benca, owner of McGee’s Irish Pub, 17 votes ahead of assistant auditor Danni Caldwell. The next few podcasts will be a special series of my regular seasonal interviews with the county’s leaders and mayors, plus a special interview with an animal lover well-known for other things. My interview with Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, recorded a week ago, offers a wide spectrum of updates on the county economic development, recreation, the upcoming budget and more. The Anderson County Finance Committee will meet 2 p.m. Monday to put final touches on the fiscal year budget. The public in invited as well as a public hearing June 29 on the final vote. Meanwhile, up in Pelzer, Mayor Will Ragland, as if he was not already busy enough running a town, the Mill Town Players and the new Simpsonville Performing Arts Center, has a new title, Will Ragland: Cat-Rescuer. Ragland’s Mill Town Players finish up their run this weekend of “Rex’s Exes,” a southern fried comedy. The Clemson Little Theater at Pendleton Playhouse has Busted Wedding Belles going on as well. A lot of theater in town. The Mill Town Players “Shrek,” which finished Monday brought enthusiastic crowds to Carolina Wren park for the shows which got excellent reviews. That’s it for this edition of the Anderson Observer Podcast. Join me again tomorrow for interviews and details on Anderson Juneteeth celebrations, news and interviews from Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn and Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw, and more on the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust.
Ep 80January updates from Anderson County Council, Legislative Delegation and more on the first podcast of 2022
January updates from Anderson County Council, Legislative Delegation, news, events and more on the first podcast of 2022.

Ep 79Happy New Year, Looking Ahead, Recapping 2021
Interviews/Sound clips: Gracie Floyd Brock Elder/Walter Lanier, Wellinton Project Ko Anderson, Reconciliation, Equal Justice Initiative David Phillips, Hope Missions of the Upstate Rusty Burns, Anderson County 2021 in Review Terence Roberys, City of Anderson, Year in Review Don Chapman, Candidate for S.C. House Dist. 8

Ep 78Christmas a time to help the helpers, a Magic Sled downtown, Anderson named one of the best places to live, Williamston, Iva Growing
It's time to help our charities, as the holidays bring the peak of demand. AIM, the Haven of Rest, Hope Missions of the Upstate, the Anderson Free Clinic, Clean Start all tell you how you can help. "The Magic Sled" author Scott Foster talks about the magic downtown Christmas story. Updates from Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess, Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor, news and more....

Ep 77Shop local, give local, Anderson Christmas Lights, Wellington Recreation Project, Pelzer Mural and more
Christmas is coming and the Anderson Observer is helping launch a campaign to shop locally and give locally during the holidays. This podcast features Anderson Area Chamber CEO Pamela Christopher, City Seed at the Station Owner Donna LeBrun, Indigo Framing and Artisan Market Owner Mellisa Moore, Meals on Wheel Anderson Dir. Laurie Ashley, Salvation Army of Anderson Maj. Joseph Irvin, West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders, The team that made the Pelzer mural possible, Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride, Anderson Police Chief Jim Stewart and Ben Phillips, co-founder of Anderson Christmas Lights.

Ep 76Soirée, Expanding Downtown, town updates, serving downtown, a missing drum is home and a rising Nashville star
News updates, events and more, including interviews with: Kimberly Spears 1:50 Soirée Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton 13:30 Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland 22:02 Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess 40:14 Abigail Burden, Belton Museum Director 58:15 Belton Museum Board Member Jeremiah Palmer (Geer-Gantt High School). 59:50 Nashville Singer/Songwriter Margaret Haynie 1:02:50 Hope Mission Dave Phillips. 1:11

Ep 75Updates from Anderson County, Belton, Iva, news and more
Interviews: Rusty Burns :54 seconds Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw 35:46 Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn 44:08 Belton Police Chief Ross Richer 54:27 West Pelzer Police Chief Scott Stoller 1:08:49 Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor 1:34:29 Anderson County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders 1:56:27 Anderson County Director of Governmental Affairs Steve Newton 2:07:57 Dr. Anthony Guiseppi-Elie 2:30:14

Ep 74Labor Day, Balloons, Ride Sharing, WWF World Champion, New Cross Country Facility, and a new Police Chief for Belton
Interviews Cancer Association of Anderson Director Angie Stringer South Main Chapel and Mercy Center Pastor Kurt Stutler/Ellizabeth Hiott on a Ride Sharing program for those needing transportation to work. Anderson County Sheriff Deputy John Wilkinson talks about his days as "Stone Mountain," the WWF champion Anderson School Dist. 5 Coach Dickie Smith, Superintendent Tom Wilson and YMCA CEO Joe Drennon on the new regional Cross Country facility coming to Anderson And Belton hires a new police chief, Calhoun Falls native Ross Richey

Ep 73Good News, Updates on County, Anderson University, Birthdays at First Baptist Church, Skin's and Peoples Bank and more
Inverviews: Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson University President Evan Whitaker Sullivan's Metropolitan Grill Owner Bill Nickas Anderson County Councilman Ray Graham and some of the royalty from Skin's Hot Dogs
Ep 72Aug. 15, 2021: School Days, Dog Days, Days of Virus, and Good Citizens Honored
Interviews Dr. Kim Sanders. PAWS Robbie Binnicker School Dist. 1 Kathy Hipp School Dist. 3 Galen DeHay Tri-County Technical College Pelzer Heritage Commission officers Dianne Lollis and Larry Coker

Ep 71Updates from School Districts 2, 3, 5, County's July Update, Voter Registration and Redistricting, Fountain of Restoration and more...
Interviews with: Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Anderson County Council Vice Chair Brett Sanders Anderson School Dist. 2 Superintendent Jason Johns Anderson School Dist. 4 Superintendent Dee Christopher Anderson School Dist. 5 Superintendent Tom Wilson Voter Registration Director Laura Booth

Ep 70Fast Trains, Hot Days for Fire Commission, Muddy Shores of Asbury, Honoring Gracie Floyd, New Williamston Fire Chief, New Iva Police Chief and more...
Interviews with Richard Farr, Shuk Hamdan, David Huff, April Cameron, Katy Smith, plus news and updates.

Ep 69Sunshine Brings Heat and Construction Projects, PAWS, AIM. Update with Anderson Count Administrator Rusty Burns and more
Interviews Anderson County Governmental Affairs Director Steve Newton Parks Director Matt Schell PAWS Director Dr. Kim Sanders Solid Waste Director Greg Smith AIM Founder and Director Kristi King-Brock County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders County Administrator Rusty Burns City of Belton Acting Mayor Eleanor Dorn

Ep 68A move to remember and encourage reconciliation, an Anderson legend retires, Belton update, honoring 911 dispatch, and encouraging foster parents
Anderson Area Remembrance and Reconciliation Initiative interviews Dr. Rev. Ankoma Anderson City of Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns Juana Slade Faith Line retires interviews Annie Sutton Dani Lubsen Sara Lead Brianna McDonell Rusty Burns Faith Line City of Belton Update Acting Mayor Eleanor Dorn Foster Care Oasis of Hope Ali Bragdon Rhonda Sims Anderson County Dispatch 911 Officers Honored Anderson County Emergency Management Director David Baker Anderson County Sheriff's Dept. Major Bill Vaughn

Ep 67Saying Goodbye to Al Norris, Anderson County Updates, Pendleton Jubilee/Frank Crenshaw Interview, Library offers more than books and more
Interviews with Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts and United Way Executive Director Carol Burdette on the passing of Al Norris Interview Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw on the Spring Jubilee and growth of the town. Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns March update on economic development, recreation, roads, new website, upcoming budget. Anderson City Councilman Kyle Newton discusses the city's extension of the mask ordinance. Brianna McDonell, who is director of the communications for the Anderson County Library system, discusses how Spring brings new offerings, including seeds for your garden, fishing gear and free passes to S.C. State Parks.

Ep 66County/AIM tRent Relief, Need County Communication App, Dist. 5 Graduation, Prom, Virtual School, Becky Easton Retires, CAA Marks 18 Years
Anderson County partners with AIM to distribute $6.1 million in COVID rent relief, in-person high school graduation, proms and the end of virtual school for Anderson School Dist. 5; a new app aims to make interacting with county easier; T.L. Hanna says goodbye to its second winningest coach of all time; the Cancer Association of Anderson celebrates a birthday, all on this week’s Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust. Interviews AIM: Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns and AIM Founder and Executive Director Kristi King-Brock 1:15 New County App, County Councilman Jimmy Davis 13:25 School Dist. 5 Superintendent Tom Wilson 16:10 Retiring Volleyball Coach Becky Easton 42:02 Cancer Association of Anderson Kathryn Smith and Angie Stringer 1:00:56

Ep 65Anderson County Council Dist. 2 Candidates - Democrat Arsenio Mandrake Walker
This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

Ep 64Anderson County Council Dist. 2 Candidates - Republican David Standard
This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

Ep 63Anderson County Council Dist. 2 Candidates - Democrat Marian A. Robinson
This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

Ep 62Anderson County County Dist. 2 Candidates - Democrat Micah Jenkins
This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

Ep 61Anderson County Council Dist. 2 Candidates - Democrat Willie Day
This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

Ep 60Anderson County Council Dist. 2 Candidates - Democrat Debbie Dotson-Leverette
This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

Ep 59Anderson County Council Dist. 2 Candidates - Democrat Reggie Davis
This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

Ep 58Anderson County Council Dist. 2 Candidates for Special Election - Democrat Glenn Davis
This is a series of short interviews with the candidates seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Gracie Floyd.

Ep 57Men at Work, Rainbow Gang, New Art Exhibit and City Council Recap
Interviews: Marion Tarrant and Charlie Ervin on the Men at Work Ministry Kathy Schoefield on the Rainbow Gang and Special Olympics April Cameron, Arts Center Director on Student Art Month City Councilman Kyle Newton recaps the last city council meeting Plus news and more....

Ep 56An Anderson Hero, Bootleggers & Baptists, Making Anderson Greener and More
News, updates and interviews with: Kathryn Smith on her new book: Baptists & Bootleggers; A Prohibition Expedition Through The South (with Cocktail Recipes). Annie Sutton, Greener Anderson Cladys Harrison, Anderson's Freedom Rider Plus news clips from AnMed expansion and County Council meeting on this week's Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust.