Union Daily Times - Local News, Sports, Classifieds & Businesses in the Union, South Carolina area.

News

JROTC Leadership Team to compete in national finals
UNION COUNTY —The Union County High School JROTC Leadership Team will once again compete in a national leadership and academic event. The JROTC Leadership Symposium and Academic Bowl is a nationally recognized academic and leadership competition created exclusively for JROTC students. Cadets who participate learn the values of citizenship and academic competition while increasing their SAT/ACT scores. The process also increases interest in ...
full story

Photo submitted by Tina Boulware

Tina Boulware, administrative assistant at Jonesville Elementary/Middle School, snapped this photo of downtown Union on February 16 during the snowstorm that hit the area. Notice that all of the traffic signals are in the ‘stop’ position. The National Weather Service forecast for the Union County area calls for a high of 44 degrees today with a 30 percent chance of rain or snow.

A look back at a winter wonderland
UNION COUNTY — The snow that fell on Union County in February turned Main Street in downtown Union into a winter wonderland. The National Weather Service forecast for the Union County area calls for a high of 44 degrees today with a 30 percent chance of rain or snow.
full story

Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Breaking ground on Lockhart Power's new corporate office building were, left to right, Mayor Elaine Harris of Pacolet; Mayor Ailene Ashe of Lockhart; Mayor Ernest Moore of Jonesville; Mayor Harold Thompson of Union; Richard Webel, President of Pacolet Milliken; Bryan Stone, Chief Operating Officer of Lockhart Power; Ralph Walker, Senior Vice President of Energy of Pacolet Milliken; and Philip Land, Outreach Director for Senator Lindsey Graham.

Breaking ground on a new century of service
LOCKHART — Lockhart Power Company and its parent company, Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, Inc., broke ground Thursday on the power company’s new corporate office building, to be located next to the company’s current office facility at 420 River St. in Lockhart. The ceremony began with a welcome from Lockhart Power COO Bryan Stone as he introduced special guests, which included Lockhart School student body president Hunter Plemmons, who led at...
full story

Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

UCHS student Joseph Beavans demonstrates the properties of of equilibrium for Buffalo Elementary student Ja Ruth.

Preparing students for the workforce of the future
UNION COUNTY — The Union County School District held its annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Night at Union County High School on Thursday evening. Each school in the district showcased students’ work in math, science and technology, with the students on hand to demonstrate a variety of projects they completed. The UCHS guidance department offered a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) workshop, as w...
full story

Photo submitted
This map provided by Union County Councilman Frank Hart shows how a proposed plan for the Carlisle Fire District would ensure that every resident in the district is within five miles of a fire station.

Council issues bond to support fire station, substation construction
UNION COUNTY — A plan to improve fire safety and reduce insurance costs for the people of Carlisle got a financial boost from Union County Council this week. Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve first reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of a $310,000 general obligation bond for the Carlisle Fire District. The purpose of the ordinance, which was requested by the Carlisle Fire Control Board, is to help facilitate...
full story

Charles Warner|Daily Times
Katherine Pendergrass places dots on a map of a 14-county region that includes Union County during an open house at the Union County Advanced Technology Center. The open house was part of the CONNECT Our Future initiative which seeks public input on developing a plan to cope with the population growth the region will experience over the next 40 years. Participants in the open house were asked to place dots on the map indicating where they live, work and play.

Open house gathers input for regional growth framework
UNION COUNTY — The development of a “regional growth framework” for a 14-county region that includes Union County was the goal of an open house sponsored by the Catawba Regional Council of Governments at the Union County Advanced Technology Center Thursday evening. CONNECT Our Future is an initiative that deals with the future growth of a 14-county region that includes the North Carolina counties of Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Irede...
full story

UCHS announces cast for ‘Seussical: the Musical’
UNION — The Union County High School Department of Visual and Performing Arts will present “Seussical: the Musical” April 18-21. Written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, it tells the story of Horton the Elephant and his attempts to save the Whos of Whoville, yet it also includes many characters from other books by Dr. Seuss. The cast features Bess Lawson as The Cat in the Hat, Jacob Boineau as Horton, Abby Kingsmore as Gertrude McFuzz, ...
full story

Crime Report
The Union Public Safety Department reported the following arrests : — Cheronnica Janay Means, 23, of 720 Lakeside Drive, Union, was charged with two counts of assault and battery around 5:25 p.m. on Feb. 26. According to arrest warrants, Means struck a woman about the head and face and struck a man in the head during an argument which occurred on South Herndon Street, Union. — Shadela Crystal Holley, 20, of 303 South Herndon Street, Unio...
full story

Relay For Life events
Relay For Life groups are holding the following fund raising activities: 1. The Grace United Methodist Church RFL Team is selling quarts of “Tommy Sinclair’s World Famous Chicken Stew” for $7 per quart. Sales are by advance purchase of tickets only through March 2. The stew will be available for pick-up at the church kitchen on Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m. until noon. For information contact Kelli Johnston at 426-8871 or Gary Lindner at 5...
full story

Eleven_young_women_will_compete_for_the_2013_Miss_USC_Union_crown0_1362169872.jpg

Eleven young women will compete for the 2013 Miss USC Union crown
UNION — On March 9, 2013 the University 101 Classes at USC Union will produce the second Miss USC Union Pageant since 1978. Last year the pageant was reincarnated as a community service project. Proceeds from this pageant will benefit the local Alzheimer’s Association. Since fall 2011 the University 101 classes have raised more than $10,000 towards finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. This year’s theme, “Carolina Girls,” will showcase 11 young w...
full story

Photo courtesy of Monarch Elementary School

Monarch Students support local food banks

The Monarch Elementary School Student Council donated cans of soup to Bethel United Methodist Church. The contest was held for Super Bowl Sunday! Mrs. Heather Wilson's class donated the most cans of soup! Featured are Rev. Tuie Wentz, Mr. and Mrs. David Turner, Ginnie Ponder, and members of the MES Student Council.

Community Calendar
Saturday, March 2 • Union County Dixie Girls Softball is having registration for ages 3 to 18 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Union County Recreation Department, 111 Thomas St., Union. Cost is $55. • Philippi Baptist Church, 327 Philippi Church Road, Union, will hold its annual yard sale from 7 a.m to 1 p.m. There will be furniture, baby items, electronics, household items, exercise equipment, and other items for sale. All proceeds wil...
full story

Charles Warner|Daily Times
The spur linking the new Gonvauto facility in the Bonham community with a nearby Norfolk & Southern Railroad line is current under construction. The spur will cross S.C. 18, part of which will be closed for three days in March while the work is completed. Signs have already been posted notifying the public of the dates that section of S.C. 18 will be closed and directing motorists to follow the detour.

Part of S.C. 18 to be closed while spur is built
BONHAM — A section of S.C. 18 will be closed for three days in March to accommodate the construction of a rail spur linking a new manufacturing facility with a nearby railroad line. Gonvauto South Carolina, LLC is a metal fabrication manufacturing facility currently under construction on a 24-acre site in the Bonham community adjacent to S.C. 18. The facility is being built by Gonvarri Steel Services, a provider of steel processing to manuf...
full story

Charles Warner|Daily Times
The Bonham Fire Station is currently located on Fire Station Road next to the Gestamp plant and the new Gonvauto facility. The department is seeking to acquire land that will enable it to relocate should its current location be needed for any future industrial development. Union County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve second and final reading of an ordinance to help facilitate the acquisition.

County supporting land acquisition by fire district
UNION COUNTY — A fire district’s efforts to be ready for and to support industrial growth in Union County got a boost Tuesday with the passage of an ordinance by Union County Council. Council voted unanimously to approve second reading of an ordinance facilitating the Bonham Fire District’s acquisition of 15 acres of land on S.C. 18 and Oak Grove Road from Mary Sprouse for $33,000. Council voted in December to allow Bonham to acquire the la...
full story

Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Rep. Bakari Sellers speaks at USC Union on Wednesday during a program celebrating Black History Month.

Sellers calls on youth to ‘dream with your eyes open’
UNION — South Carolina Rep. Bakari Sellers spoke at USC Union on Wednesday, with a message of reflection and inspiration. Wednesday’s event, held in celebration of Black History Month, was hosted by the university’s AAA/MWOM (African American Association/Men and Women on a Mission) student group. Sellers began by discussing the story of historical figure and his biggest inspiration, Cleveland Sellers, who is also his father. Cleveland S...
full story

Poll: Majority support background checks, safety programs for gun purchases
UNION COUNTY — A majority of of the participants in an online poll conducted by The Union Daily Times believe that a person who buys a gun of any sort should have to undergo a background check and a gun safety program. The massacre at Sandy Hook in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 12, 2012, reignited the debate over gun control and a concurrent debate over how to best secure America’s schools to prevent a recurrence of such atrocities. The steps pro...
full story

Crime Report
The Union Public Safety Department reported the following arrests : — Joshua Jeter, 22, of 210 Goings Lane, Union, was charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary and two counts of petit larceny around 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 26. According to arrest warrants, Jeter entered a residence on South Street, Union, between Dec. 23-24, 2010, without permission and stole an HP Deskjet printer, an Acer LCD monitor and a keyboard valued at $...
full story

Photos courtesy of the Union County Carnegie Library
A Kids Crochet Class was held at the Union County Carnegie Library on Monday, February 25. The class was taught by Andrea Justice.

Library Notes
Library Hours Monday – Friday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday – 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Upcoming Events The Library will be closed Friday, March 1, 2013 for a Staff Work Day. The Library will be open on Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 9 until 3. Book Donations The Friends of the Library will have mini-sales and accept book donations from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on March 1, March 15 and April 1 at 112 E. Main St. Friends of the Library recei...
full story

Photo courtesy of Monarch Elementary School
Learning about gun safety
Gun safety was taught to all first and second graders at Monarch Elementary School by Lt. Troy Wright. Featured with Lt. Wright are Katilin Clark, Gregory Garner, and Jamaria Booker.

Community Calendar
Thursday, Feb. 28 • Union County School Math, Science ad Technology Night is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All schools will display student work in math, science and technology. Local industry will highlight technical skills needed for their workforce. Other industry will display advances in technology in their fields. Union County High School Guidance will offer support in college applications and career guidance. Camp information will be a...
full story

Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Meeting organizer Nancy Millwood speaks to those in attendance about the need for South Carolina DOT action at the intersection of Hwy. 176 and New Hope Church Road in Jonesville.

Jonesville area residents hear about plans for intersection
JONESVILLE — Jonesville residents found out at a meeting held Tuesday evening that a plan of action regarding the intersection of U.S. 176 and New Hope Church Road should be in place within two weeks. The meeting, which was organized by Jonesville resident Nancy Millwood, shed light on concerns many local residents have regarding the intersection. The general consensus among residents at the meeting seemed to be that a stop light is needed ...
full story

Charles Warner|Daily Times
Michael Freeman of Auburn University's Water Management Department returned "Flat B.J." to B.J. Jeter in Sheila Bates' first grade class at Foster Park Elementary School Tuesday morning. The paper figure of the student was mailed to Freeman as part of the class' "Flat Stanley Project." Freeman served as "host" for the paper figure which he photographed at Auburn landmarks and presented a slideshow on Flat B.J.'s visit in Bates' class on Tuesday.

‘Flat students’ travel around the world
UNION — The students of Sheila Bates’ first grade class at Foster Park Elementary School have traveled to Alaska and New York City and to Australia and the Great Wall of China without leaving Union County and they did it by mail. Stanley Lambchop is the main character in a series of children’s books initially written by Jeff Brown — and since his death in 2003, continued by other authors — about a boy who is flattened when a large bulletin ...
full story

School_district_‘on_target’_with_budget0_1361992885.jpg

School district ‘on target’ with budget
UNION — During Monday night’s meeting of the Union County Board of School Trustees, District Finance Officer Lynn Lawson presented board members with the district’s monthly budget report. “With four months remaining in the fiscal year, the district is operating ‘on target’ with year-to-date budgeted revenue and expenditures,” Lawson said. Lawson said the district’s year-to-date revenue is $12,686,231 — $10.8 million from state funding and...
full story

CONNECT_Our_Future_open_house_Thursday_evening0_1361992889.jpg

CONNECT Our Future open house Thursday evening
UNION — The residents of Union County will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of plans for the future of a region that encompasses 14 counties in two states during an open house on Thursday at the Union County Advanced Technology Center. CONNECT Our Future is an initiative that deals with the future growth of a 14-county region that includes the North Carolina counties of Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Linco...
full story

Charles Warner|Daily Times
A stop sign and railroad crossing signs were knocked down during a collision between a trailer and a train Tuesday morning. No one was injured in the incident.

Train collides with trailer
UNION — An inability to move because of traffic was the cause of a collision between a train and a trailer Tuesday morning. Lt. Troy Wright of the Union Public Safety Department said the collision occurred around 7:30 p.m. on a private driveway off Thompson Boulevard (S.C. 18). Wright said a motorist had a trailer attached to the back of his Tahoe and was attempting to cross the railroad tracks onto Thompson Boulevard. He said oncoming traf...
full story

Council_to_make_hospital_board_appointment0_1361992705.jpg

Council to make hospital board appointment
UNION COUNTY — Three applicants are seeking to fill a vacant seat on the Union District Hospital Board. Dr. Stan James, Rev. Louis Miller Jr., and Shirley B. Gist are seeking appointment by Union County Council to the board seat which has been vacant since the Dec. 26 death of board member I.G. Vanderford. The three were each interviewed individually by council during a special meeting Tuesday evening in the Grand Jury Room of the Union C...
full story