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News

Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

2013 Union County Chamber of Commerce Industry of the Year - Haemonetics. Pictured left to right are Rep. Mike Anthony, Haemonetics Senior Corporate Officer Kelly Lawson, chamber president Pam Roberts, Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Harvey Peeler, and Sen Ronnie Cromer. Chamber director Torance Inman looks on from the podium.

Chamber honors industry, small business of the year
UNION COUNTY — Each year, the Union County Chamber of Commerce Annual Member Banquet is highlighted by a number of awards, which are chosen by chamber members and evaluated by the chamber’s nominating committee. Selections are based on each industry, business or group’s contribution to the chamber mission and its overall service to Union County as a whole. Industry of the Year The 2013 Union County Chamber of Commerce Industry of the Ye...
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Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Gov. Nikki Haley served as the keynote speaker at the Union County Chamber of Commerce Annual Member Banquet Thursday evening.

Haley talks jobs, government reform at chamber banquet
UNION — Jobs and economic development and her need for the public’s help in passing her governmental reform agenda were the subjects of Gov. Nikki Haley’s address to the Union County Chamber of Commerce’s annual member meeting and awards banquet. Haley was keynote speaker for the event, which was held in the Family Life Center of Tabernacle Baptist Church. The event, which is usually held in March but was rescheduled to Thursday to enable H...
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Crime Report
The Union Public Safety Department reported the following arrests : — Misty Jo Blanchard, 17, of 134 North Church Street, Union, was charged with assault and battery around 12:20 p.m. on April. 10. According to the arrest warrant, Blanchard punched another female in the face while at Union County High School. — Regina Lynnaye Deberry, 49, of 118 Rifle Range Road, Union, was charged with driving under suspension around 3:45 p.m. on April ...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
This school bell was used at the Sardis School in the 1930s. It was donated to the Union County Museum by a former student.

More than 22,000 visit museum’s online exhibit
UNION — The number of visitors to the Union County Museum’s online virtual exhibit of old photos of Union and postcards dating back to the 19th century more than doubled in March. The exhibit began in early February when the museum posted 30 photos and postcards on Facebook. The postcards, some of them dating back to the 1880s, are a mixture of color and black and white. They depict historic landmarks, scenes from everyday life over the pas...
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Photos courtesy of Union County Carnegie Library
The Union County Carnegie Library recently held a personalized candy jar class. Here Malinda Scott works on her jar.

Library Notes
Library Hours Monday – Friday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday – 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Upcoming Events Book Signing Danny Reginald Pearson, author of “Victorious Spirit,” will be at the library to sign his book, April 20, from 1-3 p.m. Book Sale Another fantastic book sale by the Friends of the Library will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 25-26 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 27 at the Lions Club building, Main Stree...
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Photo courtesy of Monarch Elementary School

Students of the Quarter

Monarch Elementary School Students of the Quarter for the fourth nine weeks are (third grade)Carson Valentine, Madison Gilbert, Dillon Caldwell, (fourth grade) Kenny Barnes, Neely Parks, Antonette Moore, (fifth grade) Taliyah Thomas, Jai’lyn Worthy, and Sulley Wood. Congratulations to these wonderful star students!

Community Calendar
Friday, April 12 • The Corinth Baptist Church RFL Team holds a Chinese Auction at 6:30 p.m. in the Corinth Church Fellowship Hall. For information contact Emma Garner at 429-8845. Saturday, April 13 • GUMCEP hosts a yard sale/bake sale from 8 a.m.-noon in the Grace United Methodist Fellowship Hall. • The Jonesville Elementary/Middle School RFL Team will be having their “Annual Cow Patty Festival” at 10 a.m. at the school. Squares ...
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Photo submitted

Union County High School's indoor percussion ensemble wins silver medals at the CIPA (Carolina Indoor Performance Association) championships.

UCHS Indoor Percussion Ensemble takes the silver
UNION COUNTY — Students at Union County High School have proved for the last six years that marching band is not just for football season. The UCHS Indoor Percussion Ensemble has proven itself this year with its best competition season scores to date. The group’s show theme for this year was “A Siren’s Song.” “It’s our rendition of the old tale of sailors who were lured in by sirens to their doom,” said UCHS Band Director Matthew Chasta...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
The centerpiece of Wednesday's grand opening of the Union County NonProfit Partnership Center was a ribbon-cutting ceremony involving representatives of the four organizations that will be sharing the facility and local dignitaries.

Center opens with ribbon-cutting ceremony
UNION — One of the public service organizations sharing the new Union County NonProfit Partnership Center is looking to hire a “professional with a disability” to handle its operations in the county. The center, which is located in the Union County Health Department at 115 Thomas St., Union, held its grand opening Wednesday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries and representatives of the four organizations tha...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
Like other correctional facilities around the country, the Union County Jail must be in compliance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act by August.

Jail must comply with federal anti-rape law by August
UNION COUNTY — Complying with a federal mandate requiring correctional facilities to take steps to prevent and punish the rape and other forms of sexual abuse of inmates could prove costly to the county according to Sheriff David Taylor. The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 was passed unanimously by both houses of Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush on Sept. 4, 2003. Taylor told Union County Council’s Finance Committ...
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Friends of Library to hold annual book sale
UNION — It’s that time of year again — time for the Friends of the Union County Carnegie Library’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The Friends of the Library will hold its annual book sale fundraiser Thursday, April 25-Saturday, April 27 at the Lions Club building, located at 134 East Main St., Union. The sale will run from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. Friends of the Library members will receiv...
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Crime Report
The Union Public Safety Department reported the following arrests : — Michael Jerome Williams, 411, of 138 Forest Circle, Union, was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of alprazolam around 2:36 p.m. on April 9. According to the arrest warrants, Williams had a quantity of both drugs in his possession while at his residence. — James Jaboris Mobley, 23, of 405 Mt. Joy Church Road, Jonesville, was charged with disorderly condu...
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Tiffany Grady-Hudgins|Daily Times
Shane Grady displays his winning March Madness Tournament bracket.

Shane Grady wins Tournament Challenge
A month ago, the Union Daily Times announced its March Madness Challenge, a chance for readers to compete against local coaches and their Sports Editor by filling out a bracket for the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament — We thought it would be a challenge because we are all so attuned to the world of sports — We were wrong. Turns out most of us know nothing about college basketball. The majority of participating coaches hovered around the mi...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
This car was in a wreck that occurred late Wednesday afternoon on Sardis Road. One of those involved in the wreck was later involved in an assault on Hart Street. He was subdued by law enforcement personnel, lost consciousness and was taken to Wallace Thomson Hospital where he later died.

SLED investigating Fountain Inn man’s death
UNION — An incident that left a Fountain Inn man dead and four law enforcement personnel injured Wednesday night is being investigated by the State Law Enforcement Division. The incident began shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday when officers of the Union Public Safety Department were dispatched in response to a wreck. In a statement released this afternoon, Lt. Troy Wright, the department’s public information officer, stated that initially, ...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
This vehicle was involved in an accident on the Sardis Road that was followed a short time later by an assault on Hart Street late Wednesday afternoon. In the aftermath of these events one person is dead and a police officer injured and the incident under investigation by SLED.

One dead following accident, assault
UNION — One person is dead and a police officer injured following an automobile accident on Sardis Road and an altercation on Hart Street late Wednesday afternoon. Officers of the Union Public Safety Department and deputies of the Union County Sheriff’s Office were both on the incident scene along with the Southside Fire Department and Union County EMS. Union Public Safety Director Sam White said the incident is still under investigation,...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
Union County Sheriff David Taylor addresses Union County Council's Finance Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon about a possible 10 percent cut in his office's budget.

Sheriff: budget cut would eliminate five deputies
UNION COUNTY — A 10 percent cut in his budget would require eliminating five of his deputies Sheriff David Taylor told Union County Council Tuesday afternoon. Council voted in March to approve first reading in name only of the proposed 2013-2014 budget. Since then, council has been trying to balance the budget which currently projects expenditures totaling $12,458,701.76 but revenues of only $11,107,959.77 leaving a projected deficit of $1,...
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Photo submitted

Tutti Whicker cheers on Noah Hendrix, as he doesn't let being on crutches get in the way of completing in the 50-meter dash.

Local Special Olympians participate in Area 12 activities
SPARTANBURG — Union County was well represented during Special Olympics events on Tuesday. The Special Olympics held track and field events for athletes in Spartanburg and Union counties Tuesday morning at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind in Spartanburg. Paula White — director of Special Olympics South Carolina Area 12 which includes Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee counties — said there were 465 athletes from Spartanburg a...
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County’s violent crime rate lower than the state’s
UNION COUNTY — Union County’s violent crime and property crime rates were lower than South Carolina’s according to a report issued by SLED earlier this month. The 2011 S.C. Uniform Crime Report issued by SLED contains statistical information about crime trends in South Carolina as well as in the state’s 46 counties. The report covers violent crimes — murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault — and property crimes — breaking and entering...
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Crime Report
The Union County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents : — A resident of River Road in Union reported on April 8 that she was the target of a Craig’s List scam. She listed a forklift for sale and received a text from a buyer who stated they would send a check for the price, $6,000. When she received the check, it was for $9,850. She contacted the buyer and was told to cash the check, send back $3,350, and keep $500. The address...
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Photo courtesy of Dollar General

Pat Littlejohn, Dr. Christy Woodall and Eric Childers with Union County Public Schools accept a check for $15,000 from Niki Stinespring and Bill Wilkinson with Dollar General.

Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards $15,000 grant to Union County Adult Education
GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Last week, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to Union County Adult Education to further adult literacy and basic education programs in Union. “Dollar General is proud to support these local literacy initiatives that will have a strong and direct impact on the Union County communities,” said Denine Torr, Dollar General’s director of community initiatives. Union County Adult Education off...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times

The power of grace

In the face of the lures of the world, the flesh, and the devil, human beings are practically powerless to resist the seductive lure of evil. There is, however, a power far greater than that of Satan and his worldly allies and that is the saving power of Jesus Christ and the grace that comes with accepting Him as your Lord and Savior. The grace that comes through the salvation provided only by Christ is, however, not a license to indulge in sinful behavior, but the power to resist the temptation of sin. By leaning on Christ and Christ alone and placing all our trust in Him we receive that grace which enables us to live the life that He wants us to live.

Church Calendar
Friday, April 12 6:30 p.m.: Corinth Baptist Church’s Relay For Life Team sponsors a Chinese auction in the Fellowship Hall of Corinth Baptist Church. Saturday, April 13 7 a.m. until: First Baptist Church on East Main Street in Union holds an indoor yard sale in the Church Family Life Center. Some of the proceeds will go to missions. 7 a.m.: Hebron Baptist Church has sausage and ham biscuits, coffee, canned drinks, and baked ...
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Photos by Deb Belk

The Union Civitan Club has been busy lately greeting a very special guest, the gift of a very special flag, and hearing an address from one of its members. Mrs. Lou Stackhouse welcomes City of Union Mayor Harold Thompson to the club. Thompson recently addressed club members.

Union Civitan news
UNION — The Union Civitan Club was recently visited by City of Union Mayor Harold Thompson; presented with a flag that flew over the State Capitol; and heard a presentation by Civitan Penny Adamo, Community Relations Liaison for Hospice Care of South Carolina.
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Photo courtesy of Monarch Elementary School

Wet Ones award

Thank you Wet Ones for your generous donation to Monarch Elementary School. Mrs. Brown and her class stand proud with 30 containers of Wet Ones which her class shared with the whole school. Monarch is making sure to stay healthy and not spread germs during this cold and cough season. This donation was due to Mrs. Brown’s participation in TeacherLists.com and one of their sponsors, Wet Ones.

Community Calendar
Wednesday, April 10 • Happy Hearts meets at noon at Dawkins. Thursday, April 11 • The Torrington/Timken Retirees will meet at Midway BBQ at 6 p.m. Friday, April 12 • The Corinth Baptist Church RFL Team holds a Chinese Auction at 6:30 p.m. in the Corinth Church Fellowship Hall. For information contact Emma Garner at 429-8845. Saturday, April 13 • GUMCEP hosts a yard sale/bake sale from 8 a.m.-noon in the Grace United Meth...
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Lawson files lawsuit against Gault
UNION — A long-time employee of the Union County Clerk of Court’s Office who was fired shortly after mounting an unsuccessful campaign for Clerk of Court is suing her former boss claiming she was wrongfully dismissed from her job and her civil rights were violated. Melanie Lawson ran for Clerk of Court in the Nov. 6, 2012 general election and was defeated by incumbent Freddie Gault. A little over a week after she was defeated, Lawson met wi...
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Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Jill Brown paints a flower on the face of Jasmine Glenn while her brother, Chad Crosby, waves at the camera.

Organizers hope festival will be annual event
LOCKHART — Lockhart’s first Down to the River Festival was held Saturday, and those involved said they can’t wait until next year. Jacob’s Well Mission Center co-founder Spencer Ledford said Saturday’s event was a gift to the Town of Lockhart from the center. “There was an annual festival in Lockhart years ago during the time when the mill was open and the town was more vibrant,” Ledford said, explaining that he and co-founder Mitch Sincl...
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