Electrician Contractor in Powdersville, SC

Since this story was published, the Anderson County Council has passed three readings to vote on the final district lines. Minor changes have taken place, different from the map in this story. These changes affect District One, Two and Five. Those changes took place to bring District Two to a 50.03% majority minority as opposed to 49.59%. That will restore around 700 people to their current council district.

The Anderson County Council seat boundaries are being redrawn as population shifts toward Powdersville and some lines near Anderson city get tweaked to keep a majority minority seat.

Once a decade, the lines change.

The District Six area will shrink by the White Plains area and the Three & Twenty area, since there are more people.Other changes were to keep a majority minority district in the city of Anderson.

Tweaking district lines is never a perfect process, said attorney Joey Oppermann, who has worked on redistricting issues and has been involved in state and local Democratic Party efforts.

He said the plans for Anderson do not dilute the areas.

"They did a pretty good job trying to respect communities and maintain boundaries," he said. "It's never a perfect process but the changes appear to be clean lines overall."

Redistricting in Greenville:County Councilman is determined to keep the minority a majority in his district

This year is Steve Newton's fourth time drawing up the new district borders in Anderson, a process heavily driven by math, he said.

"It's difficult. It's time consuming," said Newton, the county's governmental affairs director, he said. "I try to be as sensitive to the community as I can."

As Anderson grows, some districts are filling up quicker than others, and that's what is causing some shifting in boundaries.

County council lines do NOT change:

County council lines could change:

District Six was the only district over its population capacity so only that district would be losing significant area, Newton said. The district currently has 33,125 people but the proposed lines would bring their population down by 7.87%.

Jimmy Davis, District Six's council member, has seen extraordinary growth numbers in the northern part of the county. He anticipates the new district lines will help clean up some of the overlap in voting precincts and council members.

Besides Powdersville, District Six includes the Three & Twenty area, all of the Anderson County side of Piedmont, Wren, Mt. Airy and Hunt Meadows. Davis has seen growth across the district especially in Piedmont and Hunt Meadows, so he knew changes would be coming to the densely populated district, he said.

"We're proud of our heritage and we want to continue to grow," Davis said.

Tommy Dunn, the council's chairman, said he has seen so much growth in Anderson in the last decade. He said while he hates losing some of the people he's had in District Five, it is a necessary change.

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Dunn currently represents the Lakeside and Varennes precincts but under the new lines, they would move over to council member Glenn Davis in District Two.

When Davis heard redistricting is coming, one thought came to mind first. "I thought the African American vote would be diluted," he said.

But he was pleased the proposal plans to to keep District Two at almost 50% minority, he said.

He was surprised that his district reached farther down to Lakeside but he's happy to add that precinct along with Varennes, a precinct that already felt like part of his district, he said.

The goal of the majority minority district is to give the Black community a voice, Davis said.

South Carolina is still under Section Two of the Voting Rights Act which prohibits vote dilution, Oppermann said. This section aims to protect the majority minority district so they can elect a candidate of their choice.

For Davis, his priority is to get people to the polls and voting in local elections.

"Local elections are pushed to the side but they are more important than our national elections," he said. "These are the things that affect us the most."

District One will be losing and gaining, but for John Wright's first time going through redistricting he felt the process was simple.

"The heart of my district didn't change a whole lot," Wright said. He has been on the council for two years and said it is about maintaining balance.

Though the lines stretch farther up State 81, he said the changes make sense as he's seen the county grow, he said.

Sarah Sheridan is the community reporter in Anderson. She'd appreciate your help telling important stories; reach her at ssheridan@gannett.com or on twitter @saralinasher.

Stay with us all night to follow high school football scores for third round playoff games across the Upstate. Once the games end, check back for photo galleries, videos and statistics.

More:Dorman High School football coach Dave Gutshall to retire after 29 years leading Cavaliers

Statistics

Chester 35, Powdersville 18

Powdersville: 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18

Chester: 14 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 35

First Quarter

C – Zan Dunham 3 run (Henry Glenn kick)

PV – Tank Slade 50 pass from Eli Hudgins (conversion failed)

PV – Slade 50 interception (kick failed)

C – Andre Evans 4 pass from Dunham (Glenn kick)

Second Quarter

C – Evans 25 pass from Dunham (Glenn kick)

C – Shydem McCullough 7 run ( Glenn kick)

PV – Sloan 46 pass from Hudgins (conversion failed)

Fourth Quarter

C – Dunham 22 run (Glenn kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – C: Zan Dunham 33-180-2, Shydem McCullough 23-110-1, Sherard Feaster 5-53, Antonio Hopkins 3-6, Andre Evans 2-32, Darius Head 1-(-1). P: Xavier Fowler 7-11, Eli Hudgins 4-(-15).

PASSING – C: Zan Dunham 11-15-1-105-2, Henry Glenn 0-1-0-0-0. P: Eli Hudgins 15-27-4-223-2.

RECEIVING – C: Andre Evans 5-36-2, Ju’Quan Carter 3-44, Reggie Heath 2-21, Sherard Feaster 1-4. P: Drake Sloan 6-91-1, Tank Slade 5-105-1, Kyle Rice 1-2, Jalen Rambert 1-2.

Records: Chester 9-3, Powdersville 12-1.

Up Next: Chester (9-3) vs. Daniel (12-0).

Greenville 42, Irmo 23

Irmo: 7 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 23

Greenville: 14 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 42

First Quarter

G – Mazeo Bennett 62 pass from Prometheus Franklin (Lang Steck kick)

I – Larontae Scroggins 23 run (Jose Villanueva kick)

G – Josh Sapp 2 run (Steck kick)

Second Quarter

I – Villanueva 27 FG

G – Sapp 3 run (Steck kick)

I – DeAree Rodgers 29 pass from Izayah Whiteside (kick failed)

I – Rodgers 45 pass from Whiteside (Villanueva kick)

Third Quarter

G – Tyler Brown 60 pass from Franklin (Steck kick)

G – Sapp 2 run (Steck kick)

Fourth Quarter

G – Sapp 2 run (Steck kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – I: Larontae Scroggins 8-17-1, Izayah Whiteside 15-38, Erick Tucker 8-24, DeAree Rodgers 2-6. G: Josh Sapp 7-11-4, Khalique Holland 13-125, Jayden Peper 6-13, Prometheus Franklin 6-9, Ramon Whitner 1-0.

PASSING – I: Izayah Whiteside 16-23-0-234-2. G: Prometheus Franklin 10-15-0-286-2.

RECEIVING – I: DeAree Rodgers 6-110-2, AJ Brand 4-75, Telvin Smith 4-31, Larontae Scroggins 2-8. G: Tyler rown 2-111-1, Mazeo Bennett 2-66-1, Aalijah Kelly 3-61, Josh Sapp 2-36, Jayden Peper 1-12.

Records: Irmo 7-4, Greenville 10-2.

Up Next: Greenville (10-2) vs. South Pointe (10-1).

Gaffney 16, Northwestern 13, OT

Gaffney: 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16

Northwestern: 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13

First Quarter

N – Kanoah Vinesett 25 FG

Second Quarter

N – Elijah Caldwell 19 pass from Will Mattison (Vinesett kick)

Third Quarter

G – A.J. Hames 21 FG

Fourth Quarter

G – Tyler Smith 6 run (Hames kick)

Overtime

N – Vinesett 26 FG

G – Tyler Smith 1 run (no kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – G: Ken Littlejohn 12-45, Tyler Smith 12-25-2, Grayson Loftis 4-(-3). N: Turbo Richard 29-156, Will Mattison 9-59, Greer Hopkins 1-(-19).

PASSING – G: Grayson Loftis 19-36-1-130-1. N: Will Mattison 18-30-1-168-1.

RECEIVING – G: Edward Jefferies 9-66, Deshun Corry 5-50, Tyler Smith 3-9, Jada Littlejohn 1-6, Ken Littlejohn 1-(-1). N: Elijah Caldwell 7-59-1, Christi Watkins 5-52, William Brooks 3-8, Turbo Richard 2-23, Drennon Faile 1-26.

Records: Gaffney 13-0, Northwestern 11-2.

Up Next: Gaffney (13-0) at Spartanburg (9-3).

These are the All-State selections from the South Carolina Football Coaches Association (SCFCA) announced on Monday from The Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson areas. Players had to be nominated by their coaches and were voted on by the SCFCA:

Class AAAAA

Quarterbacks:

? Bennett Judy, Hillcrest; Gabe Rogers, Byrnes

Running Backs:

? Tyler Smith, Gaffney

Tight Ends:

? Chapman Pendergrass, TL Hanna

Wide Receivers:

? Collin Imhoff, Byrnes; Avery McFadden, Hillcrest

Offensive Lineman:

? Charles Couch, T.L. Hanna; Houston Curry, Hillcrest; Sawyer Whitman, Gaffney; Markee Anderson, Dorman

Defensive Lineman:

? Dakota Quinonez, Byrnes;

Linebackers:

? Randy Caldwell, Mauldin

Defensive backs:

? Jeadyn Lukus, Mauldin; JD Lawson, Spartanburg

Special teamers:

? John Love, Spartanburg

Athletes:

? Kendall Norman, Dorman

Honorable Mention:

? Jacob Mattison, Spartanburg; Miguel Dingle, Byrnes; Landon Bullock, Gaffney; Judah McJimpsey, Spartanburg; Ryan Brown, Riverside; Wes Stringer, TL Hanna; Hudson Lee, Dorman; Kabrail Morrison, TL Hanna; Fletcher Cothran, TL Hanna; Walt Smith, TL Hanna; Kamren Johnson, TL Hanna; Jevaris Rice, Spartanburg; Raheim Jeter, Spartanburg; Noah McKinney-Byrnes; Deverious Abercrombie, Wade Hampton; DJ Geth, Dorman; Dallas Shirley, Hillcrest; Thomas Gregory, Byrnes; Dominic Cardone, Riverside; Andrew Dantin, Spartanburg; Cameron Jackson, Spartanburg

Class AAAA

Quarterbacks:

? Prometheus Franklin, Greenville

Wide Receivers:

? Aalijah Kelly, Greenville

Tight Ends:

? Josh Sapp, Greenville

Offensive Lineman:

? Colin Sadler, Greenville; Brady Bendig, Westside;

Linebackers:

? KT Perry, Westside;

Special teamers:

? Devery Cagle, Eastside

Honorable Mention:

? Blake Shirley, Eastside; Talan Scott, Easley; Noah Pierce, Easley; Jacari Hellams, Travelers Rest; AJ Brown, Easley Cayden Erwin, Eastside; Alex Ward, Travelers Rest; Israel Rhodes, Greer; Roy Price, Eastside; Alex Gomez, Greer; Amir Dendy, Westside; Malaki Fuller, Greer;

Class AAA

Quarterbacks:

? Trent Pearman, Daniel; Zan Dunham, Chester; Drew Settle, Chapman

Running Backs:

? Thomas Williams, Powdersville; Jamir Dewberry, Broome

Wide Receivers:

? DJ Black, Chapman; Mathias Dial, Woodruff; Eli Merck, Daniel

Offensive Lineman:

? Angus Fisher, Powdersville; Caleb Carter, Wren; Jackson Hall, Belton-Honea Path

Defensive Lineman:

? Jaheim Lawson, Daniel

Linebackers:

? Nick Morgan, Wren, Logan Lasher, Daniel; Gabe Harvey, Palmetto

Defensive backs:

? Travon West, Wren; Misun Kelly, Daniel; Chance Gamble, Southside; Drake Sloan, Powdersville

Special teamers:

? Brodey Conn, Daniel

Athletes:

? Xzorion Brown, Palmetto; Jaheim Dodd, Berea; Braxtin Turner, Broome; Braeden Enloe, Blue Ridge

Honorable Mention:

? Gabriel Smith, Daniel; Drake Sloan, Powdersville; Tank Slade, Powdersville; Noah Quinn, Broome; Peyton Little, Powdersville; Luke Hiller, Powdersville; Shane Forrester, Daniel; Bryce Smith, Daniel; Sam Maloa, Chapman; Nick Cox, Chapman; Andrew Melton, Chapman; Trez Fowler, Powdersville; Demarian Elmore, Woodruff; Abijah Webb, Pendleton; Eli Hudgins, Powdersville; Dylan Ramirez, Broome; Carson Tucker, Woodruff; JaBryson Hunter, Union County;

Class AA

Quarterbacks:

? Kaydon Sauers, Crescent

Running Backs:

? K.D. Boyd, St. Josephs

Wide Receivers:

? BJ Atkins, Christ Church; Cody Drummond, Crescent

Offensive Lineman:

? Ethan Dugat, Landrum

Defensive Lineman:

? Carson Shaw, Christ Church

Linebackers:

? Chandler McMaster, Christ Church; Caleb Emory, Landrum; Harrison Scott, St. Josephs

Honorable Mention:

? Grayson Klue, Christ Church; CJ Sahlman, St. Josephs; Reece Benninger, Crescent; Gabe Waldrop, Crescent; Elijah Richey, Crescent

Class A

Defensive Lineman:

? Michael Kennedy, Southside Christian

Joe Dandron covers high school sports for The Greenville News and 864Huddle. Contact him at jdandron@gannett.com or on Twitter: @JoeMDandron.

On Thursday night, the Powdersville High girls basketball team accomplished a feat the program had never seen since the school opened in 2011: The Patriots earned their first-ever playoff win.

In the first round of the Class AAA playoffs, Powdersville defeated Woodruff on the road 49-37.

“I feel like they were kind of in shock,” coach Deidra Langston said of the team after the win. “I don’t know if it really hit them yet. Because I told them, 'You know, this is history and just realize that you can (win) if you just work hard, play hard and put everything into it.'

"They were excited. They were just like, 'Whoa, we really did just do this.' I think they were all just trying to put their thoughts together, to be honest with you.”

While the players needed to soak it all in, Langston was probably the most ecstatic one immediately following the win.

“I felt amazing,” she said. “I’m not the type of person that just jumps up for joy no matter what, but I think it’s amazing. Like, I always thought they had the potential to do it. Even the girls in the past, and I’m very excited.”

The game was the third matchup between Powdersville and Woodruff this season. Powdersville took both prior games 35-33 and 50-38 in December.

Even with those two wins, Langston wasn’t complacent heading into the third game and wanted to throw off Woodruff. She switched some things around by adding a new defensive set to their game plan.

It takes only one player being unaware of their responsibilities to throw off an entire set, but the girls adapted to the new scheme, and it paid off. Through the game, Powdersville ran three different defensive sets and a few new plays offensively.

The win gives Powdersville a confidence boost heading into the next round where the competition only gets tougher. Powdersville (18-10) will be on the road Saturday against the AAA defending champions, Keenan, and one of the top players in the state, Milaysia Fulwiley.

Joshua Miller covers high school sports for The Anderson Independent-Mail. You can contact him at joshua.miller@independentmail.com and follow him on Twitter: @NameIsJoshua.

The first major developments, and 450 homes or townhomes, could break ground soon in what had been a largely-untouched area along a new section of State 153 in Easley.

The newly-approved developments include several of the largest available pieces in or around Easley and US 123 near Greenville.

An expansion of State 153, adding four miles of road that opened around a year ago, was designed in part to open up land for development. City and county planners in 2018 and 2019 had intended the land to be used for light industrial, high-tech or residential/commercial hybrid growth.

Several plots totaling around 175 acres were given initial approval Monday to come into the city's borders. The annexations were requested by a single development company, BlackStream Development.

It's a moment of growth for Easley that has been years in the making and it comes at a time when the city is getting a new city manager, a new city council member who is skeptical of the growth and an impact fee that begins in January and will eventually increase the price of new homes by $3,340.

The annexations mean higher tax collections for Easley along with the impact fees. It would increase the burden on fire service and other utilities but city officials said Monday there is capacity to handle the extra demand as long as it comes with the extra revenues.

The land annexed into Easley

Most of the land that was annexed is set to be developed as a flexible review district, a city zoning term that calls for plans to be tightly reviewed by the city but allowing for deviations from lot sizes and other typical regulations.

The presented plans do not yet have the price range or square footage of the proposed homes.

The plots are:

The Easley council also gave initial approval for a 66.5 acres development with about 160 lots. That development is away from the 153-123 corridor, at Meadow Lane.

Easley impact fee starts in January

Easley's impact fee, the first of its kind in the Upstate, kicks in starting January.

New homes will eventually cost $3,340 more, after a three-year phase-in process that starts in January with 50%.

It will be one of the costliest impact fees in the state, although several communities have signficantly higher fees.

The city projects that it will be raising $8 million a year, which is the equivalent of 2,400 homes, although that would also include fees from apartments and from new commercial buildings, which are based on square footage.

More:Easley approves first impact fee in the Upstate, new home fee for parks, police, more

Easley expects to hire new manager

Shannon Baldwin, currently the city manager of Lake Lure, North Carolina, is expected to be the new Easley city manager.

City Council members approved the hiring with a memorandum of understanding, with a compensation package of $123,000 a year, in a Monday meeting. Baldwin will be offered the contract this week, council members said.

Interim administrator Dennis Harmon, stepped down from his role after the meeting and said he would be available to help Baldwin during the transition.

Harmon had led the city since this summer, when administrator Stephen Steese left for a similar job in Bluffton.

A new City Council member in Easley

The newest council member, Denise Davidson, won election last week over incumbent Kent Dykes.

Davidson said she would like the city to take a pause on new developments until she can get up to speed and while the city's overdue long-term planning process can be finished.

She said the city has existing rules about developments, some of which were voiced by residents at a Monday meeting when they objected to traffic in a neighborhood off Brushy Creek Road, where construction vehicles are using existing subdivision roads to access the new land.

Davidson said she wants the city to look smarter at growth and how to handle new people and new businesses.

Easley is one of the fastest growing cities in the Upstate, at least in terms of construction with thousands of new homes being built or planned for the next few years.

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Mike Ellis lives in Powdersville and tells South Carolina stories with a focus on Anderson County and Pickens County along with faith and investigations. He's always looking for the next story that people need to read, please send any tips or feedback to mellis@gannett.com