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

News

Charles Warner|Daily Times
Avoiding payday
None of us would ever thinking about leaving our place of employment without collecting the money we're owed on payday. There is, however, one payday and one set of wages we should never want to show up for. That's the payday when the wages of sin are paid for and the price of getting those wages is an eternity without Jesus Christ. For those who have decided to follow Him, Jesus has already paid the wages of their sin and spared them that most terrible of paydays.

Church Calendar
Saturday, March 23 7 a.m.: Victory Baptist Church holds yard sale and hot dog sale. The hot dog sale will start at 10:30 a.m. Hot dog plates are $5. Call 426-4624 to order ahead. All proceed go to playground equipment for the church. 11 a.m.-Until: First Unity Baptist Church holds fish fry at the PWA Building on Standpipe Street in Union. 11 a.m.-Until: Monarch Baptist Church, 212 Richard St., holds a youth fundraiser. Hot dog p...
full story

Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Union County Economic Development Board Executive Director Andrena Powell-Baker speaks to members of Union County Council and Union City Council about the need for development of local sites and buildings for industrial recruitment.

Board proposing $3.3 million in site improvements
UNION COUNTY — The Union County Development Board is proposing that Union County make itself more attractive to industry by making $3.3 million worth of improvements at three industrial sites. On Thursday afternoon, the Union County Advanced Technology Center hosted a meeting which included members of Union County Council, Union City Council and the development board. During the meeting, Development Board Executive Director Andrena Powell-B...
full story

Charles Warner|Daily Times
The spur that will link the Gonvauto manufacturing facility with the Norfolk & Southern Railroad line running along S.C. 18 will be connected to the line with a switching system that will be installed within the next 30 days.

Spur, railroad to be linked within 30 days
BONHAM — The switching system that will link the railroad line running along S.C. 18 with the spur that will serve the new Gonvauto facility is expected to be installed within the next 30 days but won’t actually be used until the facility begins receiving the raw materials it will use in its manufacturing process. Gonvauto South Carolina, LLC is a metal fabrication manufacturing facility currently under construction on a 24-acre site in the...
full story

Easter Egg Scramble moved inside
UNION — With a chance of rain and low temperatures predicted to be around 40 degrees, Saturday’s second annual Easter Egg Scramble — sponsored by the Union County Recreation Department and Woodmen of the World — will be held indoors. The Easter Egg Scramble event will be held from 5-7 p.m. in the main exhibit hall of the Union County Fairgrounds. The only fairgrounds gate that will be open is the one located on Old Buffalo Road, across from...
full story

Council_approves_sign_placement_amendment0_1363938466.jpg

Council approves sign placement amendment
UNION — Limits on the number free standing signs in a given area and the amount of time they can remain in place are part of an amendment to the City of Union zoning ordinance. Robby Moody, senior planner for the Catawba Regional Council of Governments, presented the proposed amendment to Union City Council earlier this week. Moody told council that the amendment would establish “reasonable and uniform” regulations for the placement of “Spe...
full story

County sees slight increase in commercial, industrial permits in 2012
UNION COUNTY — The number of building permits issued for commercial and industrial construction in Union County increased slightly between 2011 and 2012 while the number of permits issued for single-family dwellings decreased slightly according to the Catawba Regional Council of Governments. Since 1996, the CRCG has maintained a building permit tracking system for the four counties — Chester, Lancaster, Union, and York — that make up the Ca...
full story

Crime Report
The Union Public Safety Department reported the following arrests : — Kelly Lee Crawford, 31, of 121 Sullivan Circle, Union, was charged with two counts of shoplifting around 7 p.m. on March 20. According to arrest warrants, Crawford removed a Plantronics Bluetooth from its package, concealing it on his person while at Walmart, located at 513 N. Duncan Bypass in Union on March 10. Warrants also state Crawford removed 10 Lifeproof iPhone ca...
full story

Library Notes
Library Hours Monday – Friday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday – 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The library will be closed on Good Friday, March 29, and will reopen on Saturday, March 30. Upcoming Events Book Donations The Friends of the Library will have mini-sales and accept book donations from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 1 at 112 E. Main St. Friends of the Library receive a 50 percent discount during sales. Book Sale Another fantasti...
full story

Photo courtesy of Monarch Elementary School

Celebrating with the Cat in the Hat

Monarch Elementary School students with outstanding positive behavior celebrated Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with a party featuring the Cat in the Hat. Students enjoyed refreshments and a story read by the main character.

Community Calendar
Saturday, March 23 • The Corinth Baptist Church RFL Team holds a Chittlering Dinner Sale at 11 a.m. for $8 per plate “until they sell out” at the home of Sallie B. Bowser located at 109 Windbush Lane in Union. For information contact Sallie B. Bowser at 427-4289. • The S.C. Stingers will premier its first Boys Traveling Basketball Team in Union County from noon to 2 p.m. Tryouts will be held at Union County High School for boys between ...
full story

Thurman E. Pendergrass
SHARON — Mr. Thurman E. Pendergrass, 73, 4534 George Bridge Road, Sharon, passed away Saturday, Mar. 16, 2013 at his home. Born June 26, 1939 in York County, he was a son of the late Clarence and Maybell Thompson Pendergrass. Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Mt. Hopewell Baptist Church in Sharon, S.C. with Rev. George Shears officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The body may be viewed from...
full story

Photo submitted

Union native David Jenkins (third from left) plays the leading role of Hans Poley in "Return to the Hiding Place," and he was joined by (left to right) his father, Ellis Jenkins; his sister, Erin Jenkins Smith; and his mother, Nanette Jenkins for the showing of the film during the Projecting Hope Film Festival in Charlotte.

Jenkins stars in ‘Return To The Hiding Place’
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Friends and family of a Union native thoroughly enjoyed seeing him on the big screen — and in person — during a recent film festival. Those who know Union native and current Venice Beach, Ca. resident David Thomas Jenkins have enjoyed following his acting career and seeing him in such roles as a painter in a popular Coors Light commercial, a bully in a Pepsi Max commercial which gained popularity during the Super Bowl in 2...
full story

Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Meansville Riley Road Water Company Operations Manager Charlie Wilson speaks to county council members about the possibility of council sponsoring the non-profit company in the application for a South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority grant.

County to help water company obtain $350,000 grant
UNION COUNTY — Union County will sponsor the Meansville Riley Water Company in its application for grant funding to improve water line function and quality of water. During a meeting of the Union County Council Committee on Administration and Finance earlier this week, Meansville Riley Water Company Operations Manager Charlie Wilson spoke to committee members regarding MRWC’s potential application for grant funding through the South Carolin...
full story

Charles Warner|Daily Times
Dressed as Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill, reenactor Roy McRorie addresses the Union Rotary Club about Hill, Civil War reenactment, and the experience of taking part in the Living History Event reenactments at the Cross Keys House.

Living History Event returns to the Cross Keys House
CROSS KEYS — A story from the final days of the Civil War will be reenacted during Living History Event VI at the Cross Keys House in April. For the past six years, the Union County Historical Society has sponsored the Living History Events which includes a reenactment of Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ visit to the Cross Keys House on April 30, 1865. Davis, four members of his cabinet including Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin, ...
full story

Charles Warner|Daily Times
Robby Moody, senior planner for Catawba Regional Council of Governments, addresses Union City Council about the 2013 Needs Assessment process which identified and prioritized community needs. The assessment is required in order for the city to be eligible for Community Development Block Grants.

City council approves 2013 Needs Assessment
UNION — Infrastructure improvements, the demolition of dilapidated houses, and continued efforts to create economic opportunities for low- to moderate-income residents are among the needs listed in the City of Union’s 2013 Needs Assessment. Robby Moody, senior planner for Catawba Regional Council of Governments, presented Union City Council with the 2013 Needs Assessment earlier this week. Moody explained that in order to apply for Communit...
full story

Crime Report
The Union Public Safety Department reported the following arrests : — Donald Steven Harris, 30, of 302 W. Henrietta St., Union, was charged with burglary and grand larceny around 10:55 a.m. on March 19. According to the arrest warrant, Harris drove and provided transportation to two men while they committed the crime of grand larceny in a residence located at Lakewood Drive, Union. — Deasia Monet Neal, 7, of 203 Erwin Ave., Union, was ch...
full story

Photo courtesy of North Greenville University
The North Greenville University Concert Choir will perform at Mon-Aetna Baptist Church on April 10.

NGU Concert Choir making local stop on spring tour
TIGERVILLE — The North Greenville University Concert Choir plans to make a stop at Mon-Aetna Baptist Church in Union on their spring concert tour on Wednesday, April 10. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. The NGU Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Barry Combs, assistant professor of music, will be performing 12 concerts in churches and schools across South Carolina and North Carolina during the tour. The choir, one of 10 performing ...
full story

Photos by Catherine Childers
Members of the audience dance to the music of Jim Quick and the Coastline Band during the Union County Health Care Foundation's Shag Night 2013 fundraiser at the Union National Guard Armory. The event raised more than $15,000 which the foundation will put toward the purchase of a cardiovascular diagnostic stress testing system for the cardiopulmonary department of Wallace Thomson Hospital.

More than $15,000 raised at Shag Night
UNION — Good music and the auction of an autographed football jersey helped the Union County Health Care Foundation raise more than $15,000 at this year’s Shag Night fundraiser. Shag Night is one of a series of fund raising events held by the foundation each year to raise funds to help purchase medical equipment for the Union Hospital District. This year’s Shag Night, which was held earlier this month at the Union National Guard Armory, fea...
full story

Union Music Club holds March meeting
UNION — The Union Music Club met March 12 at the home of Susan Lawson with Martha Whitener and Mrs. Lawson as hostesses. President Kathy Stepp welcomed the members to the meeting. The members recited the Invocation, Collect, and sang the Federation Hymn with Tommy Bishop at the piano. Mr. Bishop introduced and played the song of the month, “Wait for the Wagon,” words and music attributed to R. Bishop Buckley in 1851. By the time of the Ci...
full story

Photo courtesy of the S.C. Department of Commerce
Gov. Nikki Haley presents Carmen Evola, general manager of Gonvauto South Carolina, with a plaque naming him an Ambassador for Economic Development.

Union County business leader honored by Department of Commerce
COLUMBIA — Carmen Evola, general manager of Gestamp South Carolina, was honored as an Ambassador for Economic Development by the Department of Commerce as part of South Carolina’s Industry Appreciation Week. The ceremony took place in Columbia on Tuesday on the grounds of the Governor’s mansion and highlighted 47 individuals from 46 counties for their exceptional efforts to bolster community and economic development activities in South Caroli...
full story

Photo courtesy of Monarch Elementary School

Monarch Students win roles in UCHS play

Pictured with cast members from the Union County High School Drama Department’s upcoming play are Anna Caroline Alexander and Kagen Wilson. These students won the opportunity to be in the play at the high school in April.

Community Calendar
Thursday, March 21 • The Union County Council holds a joint meeting with the Union City Council at 4 p.m. at the Advanced Technology Center to receive an economic development update and discuss other matters. The public is invited to attend. • Augsburg Lutheran Church, 151 Connector Road, Union, holds a $7 per plate spaghetti supper from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The menu includes spaghetti, meat sauce, salad, garlic bread, desserts, and d...
full story

City_allocates_more_than_300_000_for_sewer_water_projects0_1363801195.jpg

City allocates more than $300,000 for sewer, water projects
UNION — The City of Union will provide more than $300,000 in matching funds to help secure grants for the second phases of the Ottaray Mill Village and Monarch Mill Village projects. Union City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve resolutions authorizing the allocation of $51,172 and $277,962 for the second phases of the Ottaray and Monarch projects, respectively. The funds will serve as matches for the Community Block Develop...
full story

Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Town of Carlisle Administrator Shannon McBride thumbs through the library books now available at the Town Hall.

Library books now available at Lockhart, Carlisle town halls
UNION COUNTY — The Union County Carnegie Library has introduced a new system to spread library service across the entire county. After the library’s Bookmobile driver resigned last summer, that service has not been offered. Library director Ben Loftis said the library and its board of directors was looking for the most cost-effective way of offering such a service. “Obviously, we’re the library for the county, not just the city,” Loftis s...
full story

Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Sarah Lewis, founder of Halfway There Rescue, speaks to members of the Union County Council Tuesday evening.

Council receives suggestions on improving animal shelter
UNION COUNTY — Union County Council members heard several ideas for improving local animal control Tuesday evening. The Union County Council Committee on County Administration and Finance — which includes all members of council — met in the Union County Courthouse Grand Jury Room. The first item on the agenda was a presentation from the founder of Halfway There Rescue, Sarah Lewis. For the past eight months, Lewis has worked in partnership ...
full story

Charles Warner|Daily Times
Union County Republican Party Chairman Mike Fowler is one of 164 co-chairs of Gov. Nikki Haley's reelection campaign's statewide grassroots steering committee.

Fowler to work on Haley’s reelection campaign
UNION COUNTY — As he works for her reelection, Union County Republican Party Chairman Mike Fowler says he wants to have Gov. Nikki Haley come to Union County more often in the months ahead. Fowler is one of 164 co-chairs of the Haley campaign’s statewide grassroots steering committee. The co-chairs represent all of South Carolina’s 46 counties and Fowler is the only co-chair from Union County. As co-chair for Union County, Fowler said he wi...
full story