Archive for March 2020

Columbia – March 27, 2020 — Beginning Saturday, March 28, all state parks in South Carolina will be closed through Thursday, April 30, to support the state’s response to COVID-19. The closure is designed to keep visitors and employees as safe as possible by mitigating the spread of the Coronavirus.

Visitors who are currently occupying campsites and cabins can remain through the duration of their rental reservation as long as they continue to practice the state’s recommendations for social distancing. All new reservation arrivals, however, from Saturday, March 28, to Thursday, April 30, will be cancelled and refunds issued.

This is the third limited-access directive the Park Service has made this month in response to public health advisories. Earlier, state parks cancelled all large-group gathering reservations and suspended all interpretive programming and special events for March. Those suspensions remain in place through April. For two days this week, parks closed day-use areas like picnic grounds, lakefronts and trails. Those areas will remain closed through April 30 as well.

The Park Service continues to be engaged with their fans and followers, however, by hosting Facebook Live events regularly. The first one was held March 18 from Hunting Island State Park, and can be viewed here. Follow @SC.State.Parks on Facebook for more information on Live events.

For more information, contact Dawn Dawson-House at ddawson@scprt.com or 803-467-0202.

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As part of its ongoing effort to minimize public risks associated with the COVID-19 virus, Anderson County is modifying access and service availability at Anderson Regional Airport.  

Effective at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 23^rd, NO PUBLIC ENTRY INTO THE TERMINAL OR MAINTENANCE SHOPS WILL BE ALLOWED.  Aircraft fueling services will remain available.  Those requiring AVGAS will have access to the airport’s self-service pump.  Those requiring jet fuel may contact FBO Services at 864-964-5656 between 8 am and 5 pm for service. On-call jet fueling service will be available during all other hours, 

Access to private hangars will remain unrestricted.  Aircraft travel using the airport runways will remain unrestricted.  Airport administrative staff are working remotely and will return all phone calls, emails, and other communications. 

These operating conditions will remain in effect until further notice. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:

RUSTY BURNS, ANDERSON COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

(864) 260-4031

ANDERSON COUNTY TO OFFER PUBLIC WIRELESS ACCESS POINT 

Wi-Fi service is available at the Civic Center of Anderson effective immediately. 

Anderson County, S.C. (March 19, 2020) – In order to serve our citizens effectively with access to Wi-Fi we have enabled a Public Wireless Access Point at the Civic Center of Anderson effective immediately. We understand that during this time of uncertainty our citizens need the ability to connect to our state services for filing for unemployment insurance, and to search for new employment opportunities. 

The Public Wireless Access Point is positioned under the covered entrance at the front of the building and can be accessed through the circle driveway. The Civic Center of Anderson is located at 3207 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.  

Instructions for connection: Enter the circle driveway located at the front entrance of the Civic Center and proceed towards the covered entrance.

Enable “Wi-Fi” on your smartphone or device. 

Locate the connection:  SSID – William Floyd Amphitheater

Password:  Anderson2020!

Connect to the Wi-Fi signal and enter the address below: 

To search for jobs: https://jobs.scworks.org

To learn about filing an unemployment claim: https://www.dew.sc.gov/

*You may continue to experience difficulty as many people throughout the state are attempting to access the resources listed above. 

**Disclaimer – Use of Public Wi-Fi is intended for restricted use and anyone found to be abusing the network will have the session terminated and device banned.

SLED to Enforce Governor’s Executive Order 2020-10

Governor Henry McMaster is encouraging all affected facilities to provide take out, drive through or delivery service. 

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (3/19/2020 2:35 p.m.) – SLED will be enforcing the execution of the Governors orders regarding restaurants. They will also work with DHEC and DOR on these matters.  The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office will not be doing restaurant enforcement at this time since the state agencies will be enforcing compliance.  This provides uniformity on how those types of matter are handled.   

These are unprecedented times and the ACSO is committed to serving our citizens to the best of our ability. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Sheriff Chad McBride                                    864.260.4400            

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Anderson County, S.C. – Following COVID-19 guidance from the Governor’s Office, the Center for Disease Control, SC-DHEC, and the White House, Anderson County has decided to restrict public access to County buildings effective at open of business on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. County offices will be open, and staff will provide services by telephone, email, and online.

County Emergency Management and Administration are monitoring this situation continuously as it develops.

Citizens concerned about COVID-19 should visit scdhec.gov/covid19 or call the DHEC Care Line at (855) 472-3432, available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. If you believe you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you can be assessed virtually through MUSC by visiting musc.care.

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Effective today March 17th, Anderson County will modify Parks Department services until further notice, to protect citizens and minimize opportunities to spread COVID-19 in our community. We will re-evaluate these changes as more information is available and will advise any changes, which alter this closure.

Taking into consideration CDC and DHEC recommendations on social distancing and measures taken across the nation, all County parks and public spaces closed until further notice. All County park restroom facilities will also be closed to the public. This park closure includes: Kid Venture, Green Pond, and McFalls Landing.

The County’s website and social media accounts will be updated regularly.

MEDIA CONTACT: Rusty Burns, Administrator

(864)844-5700

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Due to recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding group gatherings, the Anderson Arts Center’s 45^th Annual Juried Show schedule is undergoing a few changes. 

The Anderson Arts Center will still be accepting entries for the Juried Show on March 19, 20 and 21 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. In an effort to assist in social distancing during the in-take of artwork, the Arts Center staff will be available for curb-side pick-up of entries.

Shuttle locations for artwork drop-off in Columbia and Rock Hill are still available. Center for the Arts in Rock Hill will accept entries Tuesday, March 17 through Thursday March 19 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Entries will be picked up on March 19 at 5 p.m. City Art in Columbia will accept entries Tuesday, March 17 through Thursday March 19 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Entries will be picked up on March 20 at noon.

The March 21 Member’s Preview Party has been cancelled. However, there will be open gallery hours on Sunday, March 22 from 1 – 5 p.m. for purchase award donors and members to see all entries and select items for purchase.

A virtual tour of the show will be made available on the Arts Center’s website. We will inform the public when the virtual tour is complete and live via social media posts and email.

The opening reception and awards ceremony scheduled for April 3 has been postponed. A tentative date of May 8 has been selected for a closing reception and awards ceremony. We will continue to monitor the suggestions on group events from the CDC before making final plans.

At this time, the Arts Center remains open during normal business hours, Tuesday – Friday, 9:30-5:30 p.m. Please visit our Facebook and Instagram page for updates.

Thank you for your patience during these unchartered times. If you have any questions, please feel free to email aprilc@andersonarts.org or call 864.222.2787.

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For Immediate Release—March 16, 2020

Announcement from Clerk of Court Richard A. Shirley  

Re:  Update on Court Operations  

Due to concerns for public health involving the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Judges of the Tenth Judicial Circuit have canceled all jury trials, non-jury matters, and motions in the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions Court thru April 3, 2020.Transfer Court for Thursday, March 19^th has been canceled.  All matters on the docket of the Master-in-Equity have been canceled thru Friday, April 3, 2020.     

As for Family Court, our judges will only hear emergency matters to include DSS Emergency Protective Custody, Juvenile Detentions, Bench Warrants and Emergency Petitions for Orders of Protection from Domestic Abuse.  In these emergency hearings, only attorneys, their clients and necessary witnesses will be allowed in the courthouse.  All routine hearings regarding child support have been suspended at this time. 

At this time, the Anderson County Courthouse is open, but public access is being restricted.  All offices are operating and employees are available during our normal business hours via telephone or e-mail.   

MEDIA CONTACT:       Richard Shirley, Clerk of Court (864)260-4053

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For Immediate Release 

(March 16, 2020) – In order to help prevent the further spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community, the Anderson County Library System will be on very limited service beginning Tuesday, March 17. All library buildings will be closed to the public. Books and materials will be available by pick up only until 6:00pm. This will be in effect at least until March 31 with continuing evaluation.

  ·         All library programs and public meetings are cancelled. The Friends of the Library Bookstore and Café (Main Library) are closed.

·         Please call your local library to request materials. Requested materials will be available to pick up only. You will not be able to place holds on materials. Please specify if you need any accommodations regarding physical limitations. 

·         Please keep any materials you already have checked out. All fines will be waived while limited service is in effect.

·         No donations will be accepted.

·         All Bookmobile stops are cancelled.

·         For questions regarding other library services, please email reference@andersonlibrary.org 

We encourage patrons to take advantage of our digital collections and resources. During this time:

·         Additional ebooks and digital audiobooks will be added to Overdrive/Libby

·         Hoopla Digital limits will be increased

·         Streaming movies and TV are available through RB Digital

·         Tumblebooks offers unlimited interactive ebooks and learning for children.

·         DISCUS provides a range of digital learning resources for K-12. 

We recognize and respect that this is a difficult time for everyone and ask for patience and understanding. We are committed to providing our community access to information, basic services, and cultural enrichment as the safety of our staff and community allows. Additional information and updates will be available on our website at www.andersonlibrary.org and on Facebook and Twitter. For questions or more information, call the Anderson Main Library at 260-4500.   

Brianna McDonell

Marketing and Communications Manager

Anderson County Library System

300 N McDuffie StAnderson, SC  29621

864 260 4500 x107

bmcdonell@andersonlibrary.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anderson County Announces Modified Operations Related to COVID-19

SCDHEC Has Identified Two Presumptive Positive Cases in Anderson County

Anderson County, S.C. (March 15, 2020, 5:00 p.m.) – Anderson County is announcing changes in its operations effective today, March 15^th, following identification of two presumptive positive cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. The changes will last through the end of March with the possibility of extension depending upon developments in that timeframe.

Following recommendations from the CDC, SCDHEC, and the Governor’s Office, the County will be implementing the following measures to limit transmission of the virus among our residents:

·         Any and all County business, if possible, will be conducted online or by telephone, through the end of March.

·         County offices will remain open, but this is subject to change, as officials will be reviewing the situation on an hourly basis.

·         All events at the Anderson County Civic Center, Sports Complex, and Amphitheater will be postponed or canceled through the end of March. The Anderson County Museum and Anderson County PAWS Animal Shelter will be closed through the end of March.

·         Circuit Court: Per Clerk of Court Richard Shirley, jury trials in Circuit Court scheduled to convene on March 23, 2020 and March 30, 2020 have been canceled. Summoned jurors should not report for jury duty.

·         Summary Court: Per Chief Magistrate Linda Dudley-Graham, all bench and jury trials are postponed until April 13^th. All will be rescheduled. Bond court will continue normally at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

·         Detention Center: Per Sheriff McBride, all visitation to the Anderson County Detention Center is suspended until further notice.

·         First responders will continue providing services. Non-emergency police reports should be made over the phone to (864) 260-4400.

·         SCDHEC recommends the following preventive practices for individuals: 1) Wash hands often; 2) Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; 3) Avoid contact with sick people; 4) Stay home while you are sick, avoid others; 5) Cover mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

·         Governor McMaster has announced all schools will be closed through the end of March and recommended against public gatherings of more than 100 individuals.

For general questions about COVID-19, please visit scdhec.gov/covid19 or call the DHEC Care Line at (855) 472-3432, available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. If you believe you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you can be assessed virtually through MUSC by visiting musc.care.

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