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News

Jonesville Elementary/Middle School second quarter Honor Roll
Teachers’ Honor Roll Bailey Angel Caleb Antisdel Jada Bagwell Maija Bays Baylie Black Hagan Blackwell Dymia Brannon Miyonna Brannon Harley Jo Bright Camry Bullock Shelley Burgess Alayda Byrd Daytona Caldwell April Case Halee Chambers-Yount A.C. Curenton Delaney Duckett Zaria Eison Jesseca Farr Kalib Farr Keirston Floyd Jemeria Foster Micia Foster Tory Foster Kinsleigh Fulghum Breanna Garner...
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Photo courtesy of Monarch Elementary School

Monarch scientists

Monarch Elementary School held it’s annual Science Fair in preparation for the USC-Upstate Regional Science Fair. Several hundred projects were created as students conducted experiments following the scientific method. First, second, and third place ribbon winners are: Physical Science (first grade) Landon Sumner, Emma Garner, Garrett Ponder, (third grade) Carson Valentine, Kaigan Wilson, Marquavious Salter, (fourth grade) Brett Gregory, Dalton Gregory, Jabarious Crosby, (fifth grade) Sydney Childers, Mackenzie Harris/Ethan Sumner, Colby Gregory, Tevion Young; Math/Computer Science (first grade) Solomon Land, (second grade) Karissa Murphy. (third grade) Alazia Jeter, Shanyia Means-McBeth, Chandler Sizemore, (fourth grade) Grace Kirby, Tabarious Hill (fifth grade) Jake McGee; Biology (5K) Alex Garrett, (second grade) Jamal Judge, (fourth grade) Lindsey Johnson, Julia Bailey, Gavin Thompson, (fifth grade) Erica Lawson, Mary Ashton Garrett, Cailey Edwards; Chemistry (5K) Cameron Kendrick, (first grade) Kaitlyn Gist, Daria Davis, Ryder Smith, (second grade) Shonta Wicks, (third grade) Triston Manus, Rylee Austin, Julianna Smith, Autumn Wilson, (fourth grade) Anotonette Moore, Rebekah Fox, Yariah Stewart, (fifth grade) Sydnie Thompson, Holden Cooke, Courtney Seymore; General Science (5K) Eva Jolly, (second grade) Dontee Wicks, (third grade) Alex Ocampo, Brian Renwick, Macie Bradburn, (fourth grade) Jeremy Spears, Caitlin Davis, Chamir Dunn, (fifth grade) Haleigh Palmer, Jamaye Jeter, Gabby Manus, Connor Mitchell; Behavioral Science (first grade) Ayden Lancaster, Hunter Woods, (third grade) Ruthie Dean, Caityln Rish, Caitlin Goode, (fourth grade) Ebonie Proctor, Bryson Dowis, Caleb Pickens, (fifth grade) Kate Burgess, Layla Voiselle/Kayley Jayne Addis, RJ Sanders; Consumer Science (5k) Tyla Stewart, (first grade) Kerrie Hill/Falijah Jackson, Matthew Johnson, (second grade) Abby Gregory, (third grade) Luke Davis, Jameir Jones, Noah Smith, (fourth grade) Corenza Stewart, Logan Betenbaugh, Kallee Garner, (fifth grade) Madison Millwood, Anna Carolina Alexander, Trevor McCall, Taliyah Thomas. Pictured are the first place blue ribbon winners.

Community Calendar
Friday, March 8 • A breast cancer benefit for Kathy Farr Burgess is held from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. at Shadys with entertainment provided by Cadillac High and The Bud Newman Band. A silent auction will beheld and T-shirts, coozies and bracelets will be sold. All money raised will go to help the family with medical bills and expenses. For more information or to make a donation call 864-426-5786 or go online at kathyscancerbenefit@yahoo.com. ...
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Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Gestamp employee Bart Miller prepares a tour group for a trip through the facility.

Gestamp offers educational, job opportunities
UNION — A tour of Gestamp was likely the first of many educational opportunities for local high school students at the facility. A group of school representatives touring Gestamp on Wednesday morning included Upstate Regional Career Specialist Toney Farr, school board members Dr. Wanda All and Jantzen Childers, Superintendent Dr. Kristi Woodall, Job Placement/CATE Coordinator Patty Hughey, Director of Secondary Education Cindy Langley and I...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
The Union County Advanced Technology Center will host a WorkKeys testing class offered at the center April 8-17 by the Union County School District's Adult Education program.

WorkKeys class offered at Union County Advanced Technology Center
UNION COUNTY — A testing program that determines a person’s ability to perform up to 18,000 different jobs will be offered at the Union County Advanced Technology Center in April. Kathy Jo Lancaster, technology center site coordinator, and Eric Childers, director of Adult Education for the Union County School District, announced Wednesday that the WorkKeys testing program will be offered at the technology center April 8-17. The class, which...
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Jonesville approves purchasing procedures ordinance
JONESVILLE — An ordinance that spells out the Town of Jonesville’s purchasing procedures was approved by Jonesville Town Council this week. The ordinance is composed of seven sections which cover not only the bidding and awards process for contracts and other purchases by the town, but also the responsibilities of the council, mayor and town employees in the process, penalties for any violations of the process, and the non-discrimination po...
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Learning what it takes to grow food
UNION — A new gardening club will teach youth participants with a hands-on project. Union County 4-H is starting a new special-interest gardening club to teach youth to prepare, plant, maintain and harvest a small vegetable garden. “If you have ever thought you might have a green thumb, here’s the chance to find out how good you are at growing a garden,” said local 4-H agent Anne Brock. “This is a great way to learn where our food comes f...
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Library Notes
Library Hours Monday – Friday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday – 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. 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 March 15 and April 1 at 112 E. Main St. Friends of the Library receive a 50 percent discount during sales. Acrylic Painting Adult Acrylic Painting will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 7. Cost for materi...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
The intersection of U.S. 176 and New Hope Church Road has been the scene of 38 accidents in the past eight years. The number of accidents and the presence of Jonesville Elementary/Middle School has led to calls for a stoplight at the intersection. An overwhelming majority of the participants in an online poll conducted by The Union Daily Times on the subject agreed that a stoplight was needed.

Poll: Majority says stoplight needed at intersection
JONESVILLE — By a margin of nearly three-to-one, the participants in an online poll conducted by The Union Daily Times believe a stoplight is needed at the intersection of U.S. 176 and New Hope Church Road in the Jonesville area. Statistics compiled by the S.C. Department of Public Safety show that there have been 38 accidents at the intersection since 2005. The statistics, which include only accidents that resulted in more than $1,000 in v...
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Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Grant Osborne shows his sketch which was used for the design of the Miracle League 5K Walk, Run or Roll t-shirts.

Walk, run or roll for the Miracle League
UNION — For those who want to help The Miracle League of Union County with the last leg of its fundraising goal, it’s time to walk, run or roll. At the beginning of each school year, the Arthur State Bank Junior Board of Directors — made up of juniors and seniors of Union County High School — decides upon a particular cause for which to raise funds for the entire year. Board members say the decision became easy as students suggested various...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
The temporary recycling convenience center that serves the Bonham community will remain open while a nearby section of S.C. 18 is closed for the construction of the spur linking the new Gonvauto manufacturing facility with the Norfolk & Southern Railroad line across the highway.

Temporary recycling center to remain open
BONHAM — The temporary recycling convenience center serving the Bonham community will remain open during the three days part of S.C. 18 is closed for the construction of a rail spur. The Gonvauto South Carolina, LLC metal fabrication manufacturing facility currently under construction on a 24-acre site in the Bonham community will be linked the Norfolk & Southern Railroad line that runs along S.C. 18 by a spur which is also under constructi...
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City issues permits for more than $250,000 in repairs, new construction
UNION — The City of Union Planning Department issued 59 building and other permits and business licenses in January, collecting nearly $3,500 in fees. In its report to council for the month of January, the department reported issuing 45 permits and collecting $1,563.50 in fees on projects with a combined value of $267,180. The largest of these projects was $50,000 worth of new commercial electrical construction at the new Shoe Show store at...
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Public asked to tee off for The Sting Machine
UNION — The Union County High School Band Aid Club is asking the community to tee off to help The Sting Machine. On Saturday, April 13, the Union County High School Band — which has been affectionately known as The Sting Machine for decades — and its parent-member support group — the Band Aid Club — is hosting the first-ever Sting Machine Golf Tournament at River Chase Golf Club. The entry fee is $45 per golfer, and everyone is invited to...
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Crime Report
The Union Public Safety Department reported the following incidents : — A resident of Thomas Street, Union, reported on March 5 that someone had broken into his residence while he was at work. Items missing include a 32-inch Emerson LCD HDTV and a DVD player. The side kitchen window of the house and the front door frame were broken. Missing items were valued at a total of $195. The case was turned over to investigations. — The owner of T...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
The importance of decisions
What we decide to do in life can either place us in God's will or take us out of it, but it can never take us out of His reach because while we are finite He is infinite in his power, wisdom, mercy, love, and justice. God can and always will reach out to us but inevitably we must decide if we will respond to his outreach and let His will not ours be done, or if will reject it. While different, especially in their outcomes, the path of acceptance and the path of rejection share are both within God's reach and subject to His judgment.

Church Calendar
Wednesday, March 6 Noon: Grace United Methodist Church, 201 S. Church St. in Union, holds a Lenten Service. Music will be provided by Jack Kelly. The speaker will be Father Louis Miller from Nativity Episcopal Church. A Lenten Luncheon will be held at 12:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.: The Laura Farr Sunday School Class of Wesley United Methodist Church, 373 Wesley Chapel Road in Union, holds a Poor Man’s Supper. The menu will be hot dogs with c...
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Photo courtesy of Broad River Charities

Tyler Moss (CKC VFD), Anthony Mims (RETREAD), Larry McCullough (SonShine), Eric Swanson (SonShine), Jane Rhinehart (Charities Board member), Jim Vaughan (Union Habitat for Humanity), Jessica White (Cherokee MOW), Jane McQueen (Mobile Meals), Bessie Mayfield (Mental Health), Neil Keisler (Channel of Blessings), Lou Stackouse (Union DSN) hold the check for $21,500 from Broad River Charities. The money was divided between the groups which serve the three counties — Cherokee, Union, and Spartanburg — which are part of the Broad River Electric Cooperative service area.

Broad River Charities donates $21,500
GAFFNEY — In February, Broad River Electric Charities distributed $21,500 to local organizations as part of their Operation Round Up® program. Organizations receiving the funds included Meals on Wheels of Cherokee County, Meals on Wheels of Union County, Mobile Meals of Spartanburg County, the SonShine Club, Union Disabilities and Special Needs, Cherokee Mental Health, CKC Volunteer Fire Department, RETREAD Initiative, Spartanburg RSVP, Habit...
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Photo courtesy of Buffalo Elementary School

Spelling Bee winners

Buffalo Elementary Schools held its annual Spelling Bee for grades 3-5. The school-wide winner, Anna Gregory, will advance to the 2013 Regional Spelling Bee sponsored by the Herald-Journal in March. We are so proud of all of these students for their accomplishments. Classroom winners pictured are (front row) Zy'Deria Lawson, Maggie Berry, Jada Turner, Abby Inman, and Meiya Moses; (middle row) Chase Sherfield, Anna Gregory, Trinity Morton, Aaron Rice, and Nick Hixson; (Back Row) Jalaya Dawkins-Willingham, Delaney Lawson, Ria Shah, Christian Humphries, and Holeigh Harris.

Commuity Calendar
Thursday, March 7 • “Jam With Lunch” is held at the Union County Arts Council’s gallery on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All musicians, along with those who just want to listen, are invited to attend. Call UCAC at 864-429-2817 for more information. • The Union County Council meets with the Wallace Thomson Hospital Board at 6:30 p.m. in the Administrative Conference room at Wallace Thomson Hospital to receive an update on the hospit...
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Online article about Wallace Thomson Hospital disputed
UNION — An online article citing Wallace Thomson Hospital one of the “25 worst hospitals in the U.S.” could have been misleading to readers for a number of reasons according to both the hospital’s CEO and a spokeswoman for the group that compiled the data used in the story. The article from health.com with the headline “25 Worst Hospitals in the U.S. Is Yours On the List?” was posted Dec. 2, 2012, and has gotten local attention via online s...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
Snow made a brief return to Union County Saturday morning, quickly covering the landscape with a blanket of snow that was largely gone by lunchtime.

Snow makes brief return to Union County
UNION COUNTY — For the second time in less than a month it looked a lot more like winter as snow made a brief return to Union County Saturday morning. The county was transformed into a winter wonderland for the first time this year when a storm system brought three inches of snow on February 16. The snow began falling that afternoon and continued to do so until finally tapering off toward evening. With temperatures below freezing the snow r...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
Tammy Crook, manger of Shoe Show, prepares to bag up a customer's purchase while employee Courtney Graham rings it up Monday morning. The store, located at 515 N. Duncan Bypass, Suite B, Union, opened for business this past Friday.

Shoe Show open for business
UNION — The newest retail business in Union County is a “family shoe store” that carries a variety of footwear for customers of all ages. A steady stream of customers were trying on shoes and making purchases at the new Shoe Show store at 515 N. Duncan Bypass, Suite B, Union, Monday morning. Monday was the store’s fourth day in business and Shoe Show District Manager Michael Bishop said he was delighted with the response to the opening of t...
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Council of Governments applies for $500,000 grant for Ottaray
OTTARAY — The Village Renaissance Project for the Ottaray community is a step closer to reality with the submission of an application for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to the S.C. Department of Commerce Robby Moody, senior planner for Catawba Regional Council of Governments, said the grant application for Phase II of the project was submitted by his office on behalf of Union County on Monday. Moody said the application review...
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Crime Report
The Union County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests : — Shermorris Shynelle Clowney, 20, of 120 Aqua Lane, Union, was charged with violation of the zero tolerance law, possession of alcohol by a person under 21 and failure to stop for a blue light around 3:50 a.m. on Mar. 3; and Russell Correll Henry, 26, of 524 Hart Street, Union, was charged with broken alcohol seal and transfer of alcohol to a minor around 3:55 a.m. on Marc...
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Photo courtesy of Foster Park Elementary School
Foster Park Star Readers
Save the Children announced the recipients for their fall reading awards at Foster Park Elementary School for the time period September- December 2012. Foster Park students received the Gold Star Certificate. This certificate acknowledges and commends the exemplary after school program for improvement in meeting or maintaining goals in all of the following categories: the percent of children reading 90 percent or higher (independently); the percent of children scoring below 90 percent correct on quizzes; and the average percent of quizzes passed. This award recognizes the hard work of the students during guided independent reading time (GIRP). We are proud of our Save the Children students.

Community Calendar
Tuesday, March 5 • The Union County Council Committee on Public Works, Roads, and Bridges and County Property meets at 5:30 p.m. in the Law Library at the Union County Courthouse to discuss bridges, roads and equipment. The public is invited to attend. • The Union County Beekeepers Association meets at 7 p.m. in the Clemson Extension classroom. The program “Working with Honeybees” will be held in conjunction with the certified beekeepin...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
The Bonham Fire Station is on the northern side of the section of S.C. 18 that will be closed to through traffic for a three days while a rail spur is built. To ensure that any fires that occur during that time on the south side of the construction area are responded to in a timely manner, the Union and Monarch fire departments will assist the Bonham Fire Department. The department will also station a fire truck at its assistant fire chief's home on the south side until construction is completed.

Union, Monarch to assist Bonham while highway is closed
BONHAM — To continue to fully provide the community with fire protection while part of S.C. 18 is closed the Bonham Fire Department will station a fire truck at its assistant chief’s home and receive assistance from the Monarch Fire Department and the City of Union Public Safety Department. The Gonvauto South Carolina, LLC metal fabrication manufacturing facility currently under construction on a 24-acre site in the Bonham community will be...
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Crime Report
The Union Public Safety Department reported the following arrests : — Romello Jimelle Wilkes, 17, of 3473 Lockhart Hwy., Union, and Keiston Quzay Bishop, 19, of 119 Chambers Ave., Union, were each charged with second-degree burglary and petit larceny around 10 a.m. on Feb. 28. According to the arrest warrants, Wilkes and Bishop, along with Tierra Davis, entered a home on McBeth STreet in Union and stole a 47-inch TV and a laptop computer, ...
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Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Foster Park Elementary visual art teacher Amy Truitt shows students how to make stained glass windows out of tissue and construction paper.

Truitt is FPES Teacher of the Year
UNION — Amy Truitt is Foster Park Elementary School’s 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year. Truitt said her philosophy in regard to teaching is simple. “Love first and teach second, while still loving,” she said. “Love the kid who is rude and disrespectful; love the genius; love the slow to catch on; love the fastest runner; love the kid with the writing so sloppy it gives you a headache to read; love the one that interrupts constantly; love the...
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