Anderson Observer Podcast

John Harris, a local historical and author of “The Last Slave Ships: New York and the End of the Middle Passage,” talks about his important book on the African slave trade. 

Faith Line, who is in charge of the Anderson County Library System, talks about the year past and the year ahead.

Plus news and notes on Anderson County for the week of Jan. 28, 2021.

Anderson says goodbye to a legend, County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd.

Plus news of the week..

Anderson County is trying to find a better way to get enough vaccines into the arms of those who need them.

Updates on mayors, PAWS, County Council and more

Interviews

Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns

Anderson County Councilman John Wright, Jr.

Anderson County PAWS Director Dr. Kim Sanders

On this week’s Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust, I talk U.S. Senatorial Candidate Jaime Harrison about his goals and plans for serving in the Senate; Maj. Joseph Irvin, new head of the Salvation Army of Anderson; and leaders in the arts community, Will Ragland of the Mill Town Players, David Larson, dean of the S.C. School of the Arts and a theater professor at Anderson University, and Will Whitley, a director at the Market Theater of Anderson about how the pandemic has impacted the arts.

Interviews and audio: the Rev. Emmanuel Donaldson, Anderson County Democratic Party Chair Tonya Winbush, Anderson City Police Chief Jim Stewart, Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride, Anderson County Sheriff's Candidate Brandon Surratt

Plus, news on free COVID-19 testing, Anderson County Farmers Market opening, graduations and more.

Interviews:

S.C. House 10 Seat

West Cox, Incumbent, and Mark Durham

S.C. House 8 Seat 

Jonathon Hill, Incumbent, and Vaughn D. Parfitt

S.C. Senate 3

Richard Cash, Incumbent, and Craig Wooten

The winners of these races will run unopposed in November.

and

Marilyn Stephens, Assistant Regional Census Manager for the 2020 Census for the Atlanta Region.

Interviews with

Dr. Kim Sanders, executive director of PAWS

Kristi King-Brock, executive director of AIM

Rev. Josh Hunt, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Anderson

Joe Drenno, CEO Anderson Area YMCA

Adam Johnson, researcher on mental health study

Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator

Interviews with:

Laurie Ashely - Meals on Wheels Anderson, new program to feed seniors countywide

Glenn Brill - Anderson County PRT Director, talking about quilts to protective masks

Terence Roberts - Mayor of Anderson, talking about the city's efforts during the pandemic

Tom Wilson - Anderson School District Five Superintendent discusses challenges of online school, praises teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria works and offers updates.

Craig Wooten - Anderson County Councilman and candidate for the S.C. Dist. 3 Senate Seat talks about the challenges council faces crafting a budget, and about the new playbook for running for office during the days of the virus.

Tonya Winbush - New Chair of the Anderson County Democratic Party discusses her experience she is bringing to the challenges of getting people out to vote and educating voters in Anderson County.

Some ideas on where we are in Anderson County and South Carolina during pandemic days.

Not all the news is good.

Interviews:

Jim Oswald, Palmetto Smokehouse and Oyster Bar

Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator

Anderson County and its citizens are stepping up to help or friends and neighbors deal with the issues surrounding the pandemic.

Interviews:

Kristi King-Brock, AIM

Angie Stringer, Cancer Association of Anderson

Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator