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November 17, 2009
SC Lawmaker Proposes Hiking Maximum Interstate Speed Limit to 80
Driving eighty miles per hour on South Carolina interstate highways is against the law.
A state representative proposes making it the new legal norm.
November 11, 2009
Remembering Our Veterans
This Veterans Day 2009, I have been pleased to see more signs at churches and businesses along the routes I travel, thanking our veterans.
November 06, 2009
Toy Drive This Sunday 11/8 in Memory of Syl Syl
There will be many toy drives this holiday season.
But one going on this Sunday 11/8 carries a special memory with it.
It’s the day of the sixth annual “Syl Syl Christmas Toy Drive.“
The toy drive is 2 - 4 pm at “The Clock Restaurant” on West Poinsett Street in Greer.
It’s in memory of Sylvia Holtzclaw.
November 05, 2009
My First Look Inside Superbike Motorsports
Walking around the former Superbike Motorsports building last month was one of the most erie experiences I’ve had in the news business.
It was my first trip to Superbike. I had gotten permission from the current owner to do an interview inside with Senior Investigator William Gary of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s office.
It was a long ride up Parris Bridge Road. Superbike was in the middle of nowhere. That was probably good for a business that generated a lot of noise with the revving of engines.
November 02, 2009
Keeping Count of the Halloween Visitors
Even in a down year, we did pretty good.
Gayle and I kept a running count of “trick or treaters” who came to our door this past Saturday night.
I can’t remember what time the first one knocked on our door. But the last one who came by at 9:15 was number 66.
Some years we have 100 or more. A few times we’ve only had maybe 30.
But considering the on-and-off pouring rain and competition from fall festivals at churches and schools, 66 was a solid number.
October 30, 2009
My Columbia Adventure (Not the USC City)
You’re probably very familiar with Columbia, SC, especially if you’re a Gamecocks fan.
South Carolina state capitol… state government hub… home of the University of South Carolina.
Ever been to Columbia, -North- Carolina?
If you’ve traveled to the NC Outer Banks via US Highway 64, you’ve gone right through it.
If you blinked, you missed it.
And that’s too bad.
October 28, 2009
Upstate Will Also Benefit from Boeing, Twelve Thousand Jobs
With unemployment standing at 11.6% in September, South Carolina hurts for good news about jobs.
Tonight monumental good news has arrived on the wings of aircraft manufacturer Boeing.
It’s big for the Lowcountry, but it’s also big for the entire state.
Think of it as BMW with wings.
October 05, 2009
Widening Corruption Scandal Adds to Union County’s Woes
In one of his live reports tonight from in front of the federal courthouse in Greenville, News Channel 7’s Chris Cato called this “a dark day for Union County.“
Union County has seen more than its share of dark days over the past two years.
Corruption and unemployment have made for hard times.
Federal indictments revealed today accuse top current and former county officials of a wide range of corruption charges.
September 24, 2009
Discovering One of Spartanburg’s Unique Downtown Restaurants
Though my family has lived in Spartanburg for 28 years, we are constantly discovering new things.
I’ve discovered we have some very fine restaurants, and the days of having to drive to Greenville for quality dining are over.
One of the best discoveries I’ve made recently happened September 5th when Gayle and I went downtown for the second annual “Spartanburg Creative Tastes” festival showcasing local restaurants. It was our first time attending, and we had a terrific time. We mingled with local leaders, friends from work, and buddies we hadn’t seen in ages. The weather was perfect, and at each booth, restaurants were selling plates of food that looked and smelled amazing.
September 14, 2009
Patrick Swayze’s Long-Lasting Impact on Lake Lure
“Do you love me? (I can really move) Do you love me? (I’m in the groove) Ah do you love? (Do you love me) Now that I can dance?“
These are the words to the chorus of “Do You Love Me,“ a 1962 hit for the Contours.
It’s one of the great songs from the soundtrack of the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing.“
The greatest of the actors in that film has died.
Tonight the Carolinas mourn the passing of Patrick Swayze.
September 11, 2009
Big Event for Dog Lovers Saturday 9/12
If you have a dog, or just plain love dogs, there’s an event for you this Saturday 9/12 in Spartanburg County.
It’s the “Spartanburg Tailgate” at Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park on McMillan Boulevard in Boiling Springs, 10 am - 2 pm.
Here are the event highlights from the Spartanburg Parks Commission (formerly Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation):
August 27, 2009
Peeks at the Past and the Future at My Wife’s High School Reunion
My wife’s fortieth high school reunion last weekend turned out to be fun and a most interesting life lesson.
A lesson in what retirement may be like, and in some cases, should be like.
First let me be honest and tell you I really didn’t want to go. I figured since it wasn’t my high school class, I would be bored. But knowing it was important to Gayle that I go, I decided to make the best of it. After all, I really only had to do two things: (1) dress nicely and (2) not say anything stupid or that would embarrass Gayle.
The reunion was in Salisbury, North Carolina. My wife was in the 1969 graduating class of Boyden High School, the last class before the school was renamed Salisbury High School.
August 19, 2009
News Channel 7’s New Hogback Tower Expected to be Ready in a Few Weeks
We are just weeks away from having News Channel 7’s new tower on Hogback Mountain beaming our signal.
Edgar Woodfin, the station’s Engineering/Transmitter Supervisor, tells me the new tower hopefully should be transmitting by September 15th. General Manager Phil Lane told station employees at a staff meeting today that the target date remains September 1st.
The construction consists of a primary tower that will hold News Channel 7’s new main and new back-up antennas.
The tower will be 459 feet high, same as the old one, but designed stronger.
August 18, 2009
The Three’s Hit Home
You’ve heard the saying that bad news comes in three’s.
It couldn’t be more true at my house.
Maybe “bad” is too strong a word for what’s going on. Actually, it’s more like “aggravating.“
As I write this, the air conditioning to the upstairs portion of my house is out for the third time this summer.
Big Success at WestGate; Another Blood Drive This Weekend
Thanks a million to all of you who gave your support to the “Jail Cells for Blood Cells” blood drive at WestGate Mall this past Saturday 8/15. You’ll find pictures in my Facebook photo album.
Piedmont Blood Center spokesperson Andrea Wall tells me 65 usable units of blood were collected, including one from me.
I consider myself blessed greatly to be able to share this gift of life.
Wall called Saturday “a great day.“ She attributes it to community support from donors, the mall, the media and other sponsors.
August 12, 2009
Your Opportunity to Save Three Lives Saturday at WestGate Mall Blood Drive
Each of us has an opportunity this Saturday to save three lives.
That’s the impact each time a person donates blood.
This Saturday 8/15 at the WestGate Mall food court in Spartanburg, the Piedmont Blood Center is hosting “Jail Cells for Blood Cells” from 9 am - 5 pm.
Imagine a “jail and bail” where the emphasis is on collecting blood donations rather than money. You catch the drift!
August 11, 2009
Frank Ezell, Senior’s Legacy to the Faith Community and News Channel 7
Sundays at 11 am, News Channel 7 presents a live broadcast of the worship service at First Baptist Spartanburg.
The First Baptist broadcast has been presented, without interruption, every Sunday since November 21, 1956.
It is by far the longest-running program in WSPA-TV’s history.
And from now on, when I watch the service, I will remember Frank Owen Ezell of Spartanburg.
August 06, 2009
The School Bell Has a New Ring in My Home This Year
For the first time since 2000, Gayle and I are not buying back-to-college items for our daughters.
With Kayla’s graduation this past May and Lauren’s graduation earlier, both our girls have their degrees from Clemson University, and we are super proud of them. Watching each of them cross the stage inside Littlejohn Coliseum and receive their diplomas ranks among the great moments in my life.
But it also means no more mountains of school supplies to buy!
Right?
Wrong!
July 21, 2009
The Chesnee Summer Festival Returns This Saturday
A little town in Spartanburg County is going big time this Saturday (7/25).
And you’re invited.
After a three-year absence, the Chesnee Summer Festival is returning.
Festival committee member Al Corey believes the timing is just right.
Like those in so many other communities, residents of Chesnee have endured difficult economic times and the fear brought on by the Cherokee County serial killer.
Moon Landing Anniversary Reminds Us How NASA Has Enriched Our Lives
I was 15 years old when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon.
I remember watching the live broadcast late at night on my family’s black and white Motorola television set.
I also remember my grandfather, on my mother’s side, who was in his eighties at the time, never believed a man actually went to the moon. He thought it was fake.
I heard today six percent of Americans (roughly 10 million) side with my late grandfather and believe we never put a man on the moon.
I don’t know that I’ll live to see a Mars mission, but I hope it happens.
July 18, 2009
Remembering Walter Cronkite and His Visit to Spartanburg
Walter Cronkite played a huge role in one of the proudest moments in the history of WSPA-TV.
He came to Spartanburg on March 19, 1977 to participate in the gold shovel ground-breaking ceremony of the station’s new facility at Interstates 85 and 26 which opened in April 1979 and where we broadcast to this day.
During that trip, Cronkite also visited the station’s old facility in downtown Spartanburg and gave a speech to the Spartanburg County Foundation at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium.
Former News Channel 7 photojournalist Mike Allen documented Cronkite’s visit to Spartanburg.
July 16, 2009
Upstate Teacher in Right Place, Right Time to See McCartney’s Letterman Performance in NYC
My musical tastes fall into two categories.
The Beatles.
And everyone else.
That gives you an idea of what a huge Fab Four fan I’ve been since I first heard one of my classmates talking in our elementary school lunch line about the “Meet the Beatles” album.
I wish I could’ve traded places Wednesday night (7/15) with Ashley Palermo, a recent Clemson University graduate who starts her teaching career this fall at West Oak Middle School in Oconee County, SC. She and my daughter Kayla were college friends.
July 10, 2009
My First Experience With Chiropractic
Many of you followed with interest my experience over the last couple of years with sleep apnea.
I’m happy to tell you I continue to do much better thanks to the dental appliance I wear when I sleep.
This week I’ve had an entirely new medical experience: my first true exposure to chiropractic.
I won’t go into detail about my conditions that are being treated or the doctor.
But I will tell you it’s been an eye-opening, back-popping week.
July 07, 2009
Let the Healing Begin
“At some point, the criminal justice system is going to need to explain why this person was out on the street. We owe this to the victims and citizens of the community who lived in terror for days.“
This quote is from SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd.
And to me, it was the quote of the night outside the Cherokee County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office.
July 03, 2009
July 4th, 2009: The Fight for Freedom in Cherokee County, SC
America’s patriotic celebrations, like July 4th, include many references to battles fought and sacrifices made in the name of freedom.
Even in our national anthem, we sing about “the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air.“
This holiday, thousands of our troops continue fighting a battle for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq. Others are keeping an eye on rogue nations that would threaten the freedoms Americans cherish.
In Cherokee County, South Carolina, the threat to freedom is different but very real and serious.
June 29, 2009
A Great Night at Red, White and Boom
got to see Spartanburg’s “Red, White and Boom” in person this past Friday (June 26).
What a great night!
My wife and I returned from a beach vacation in time to take in the City of Spartanburg’s official Fourth of July celebration for the first time.
Remembering Ed, Billy, Michael and Farrah
It was quite the week for me to be on vacation.
And I’m not even talking about Mark Sanford’s confession.
This is about celebrity death… after death… after death… after death.
Here are my thoughts about the famous people who left us in late June.
June 17, 2009
Protecting Yourself During a Tornado: Safety Tips When Seconds Count
As much as we all wanted it to rain in the recent drought-ravaged years, many now hope for a break from it.
Our plentiful rain this season has often come during fast, destructive storms.
The storms Tuesday 6/16 left hundreds of families in Laurens County, SC and Cleveland County, NC, especially around Kings Mountain, with heavily damaged homes and other property and a long road to recovery.
I’ve covered my share of hurricanes and tornadoes.
Tornadoes scare me the most.
June 09, 2009
The Stoplight I’ll Never Forget
How many times have you heard someone use the phrase, “My life flashed before my eyes.“
Add me to that group.
My life flashed before my eyes at a stoplight on Spartanburg’s west side recently.
May 15, 2009
The Sixth Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Savings Bank Triple Murder in Greer
Sometimes I see him in-person.
Other times we communicate via e-mail.
Around this time of year I make it a point, one way or the other, to be in touch with David Holtzclaw.
I talk with him as a journalist but also his friend.
This is the sixth anniversary of the triple-murder and robbery at Blue Ridge Savings Bank in Greer.
