Morning Answer Daily

SPARTANBURG CO., S.C. (WSPA) – As the holidays roll around, it’s a good time to remind everyone about the dangers of drinking and driving.

7 News spoke with a family who’s trying to ease the pain of losing their son by raising awareness.

“I’ve often wondered if he was afraid or if he knew he was going to die,” Suzie Thomas said.

On September 26, 2001, Suzie Thomas’s life changed forever.

“They told me he was killed instantly. And it might sound awful, but I hope so,” she said.

She and her two sons were out walking when a driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol hit her youngest son, Gregory. He was only 14 years old.

Now, 18 years later, the holidays are still very hard for Thomas’s family...

WYFF News 4 and 94.5 WGTK The Answer will both livestream a debate Monday night between the five Republican candidates for Greenville County sheriff.

Darius Hall, Hobart Lewis, A.T. "Tommy" Smith, Sean Zukowsky and Robert Whatley are running for the position.

The debate, hosted by First Monday and WGTK 94.5 The Answer, will begin at 7 p.m at Global Trade Park.

Deb Sofield of First Monday and Joey Hudson of WGTK will serve as debate moderators. This event will last 90 min.

The winner of the Republican nomination will face Democratic candidate Paul Guy.

The primary election is Jan. 7. The general election is March 10.

Gov. Henry McMaster permanently removed Will Lewis from the office of sheriff after Lewis' conviction on a misconduct of a public officer charge.

Johnny Mack Brown will remain the interim sheriff until the special election is held.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – The SC Department of Transportation will open the final bridge in the I-85/I-385 Gateway Project to traffic Friday, following a ribbon cutting ceremony on site at 10 A.M.

The new bridge will move the Woodruff road exit on I-385 Southbound, about three-quarters of a mile closer to Downtown Greenville from its current location.

Drivers are being detoured until after the opening at 10 A.M.

Until the ribbon cutting ceremony concludes, those seeking Woodruff Road from I-385 Southbound need to take Exit 34 on Butler Road and turned around to take I-385 Northbound to get on Exit 35 for Woodruff Road.

Following the ribbon cutting, there will be no detours to get to Woodruff road, and anyone traveling on I-85 Southbound and I-385 Southbound will have access to the Woodruff road exit.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – The deadline for Salvation Army of Spartanburg’s Angel Tree Program is Tuesday, December 10.

There are more than 200 angels, 0 months to 12 years old, that need gifts this holiday season.

As of Wednesday, December 4 there are still 80 angels on the tree at WestGate Mall, at 205 W Blackstock Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29301, in need of Christmas gifts.

Tables are bare, boxes are empty, and there only a few pairs of shoes next to an empty coat rack. This program needs some community support.

Lt. Katie Tate said the Spartanburg community will come through for the children, once they know the need isn’t being met...

Donate to the Salvation Army Today at TeamHudson.Org

SPARTANBURG CO., SC (WSPA) – Deputies say suspects wanted in connection package thefts in Boiling Springs are also suspected in the theft of a car from a gas station in Inman.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office said a man’s car was stolen from the parking lot of the Circle K on Asheville Highway near Inman around 3:00am on November 27.

The victim told deputies that he left his car running and unlocked when he went inside the convenience store to buy items before work and when he came out the car had been stolen, according to the report.

Its the time of year for giving and Joey Hudson, The Morning Answer, and WGTK have set out to help The Salvation Army provide food, shelter, and other assistance to anyone in need in our community. Go to TeamHudson.org or click on the the title of this article to give what you can.

When was the last time you really thought about how fortunate you are to have the advantages you have worked so hard for. Now, imagine not being able to feed your kids a regular meal let alone offering that simple gift every child deserves at Christmas. Ask yourself "where would you go if you didn't have your home?" 

Sometimes we just need a helping hand to get back on our feet. That is, in part, what the Salvation Army is all about. Since we can't always open our own doors or tables to help, give to The Salvation Army and keep their doors and tables open instead. Your donations at TeamHudson.org stay right with the Salvation Army in your area. Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Laurens, wherever you are, lets help our neighbors in need with a donation today!

ATLANTA (AP) – The chairman of the powerful Georgia House Rules Committee has died after suddenly collapsing at a lawmaker retreat.

Rep. Jay Powell died after collapsing at a Republican caucus leadership event Monday night at the Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, according to House Speaker David Ralston.

“His loss is devastating to the state of Georgia,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement.

Powell, 67, was an attorney from Camilla in south Georgia. He had served in the state House since 2009. In his role on the Rules Committee, which he assumed earlier this year, Powell helped decide which bills came up for a vote in the House. He also advocated for rural revitalization, and previously co-chaired the House Rural Development Council.

(Greenville News) It had been a long day, but Chris Wilson decided to take on one more fare before heading home to Greenwood.

He'd been making the rounds driving Uber in Anderson all afternoon on Oct. 26, and his last ride request came from AnMed Health Medical Center, a fairly common pickup location for patients looking for a ride home after an appointment, he said.

Wilson accepted the ride, but what he found when he arrived at the hospital left him shaken.

(WSPA) – Governor Henry McMaster has issued a proclamation declaring November as Adoption Month and November 25th as Adoption Day in South Carolina.

Across the state, SC Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty has dozens of day-long hearings planned for Monday to finalize adoptions.

Eighty children are scheduled to be adopted by 60 families in family courts in Anderson, Charleston, Horry and Sumter counties.

Governor McMaster hopes that this will help awareness for the 140 children in the state’s foster care system who are ready for adoption and are waiting for a permanent home.

Nearly 100 of those children are aged 10 through 17.

(NEWS10) — Picture this: It’s Thanksgiving morning. The parade is over. The countdown clock for your extended family’s arrival has begun ticking towards zero and it’s time to start talking turkey. Slippers on your feet, bathrobe tied tight, coffee mug in hand, you open the freezer and lift out the magnificent bird destined to be the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving meal. You set it down on the kitchen counter. *CLUNK* It’s frozen solid. Your poultry procrastination has officially come home to roost.

If you purchased a frozen turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, preparation needs to begin days ahead of time. Depending on the size, some turkeys can take days to thaw. Refer to the handy infographic above to determine exactly when you should move your turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator....

(WSPA) – Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office officials said 53 suspects were arrested during their “Operation Accountability” drug round-up that started Tuesday.

According to a sheriff’s office news release, investigators signed warrants on 116 people and, as of noon Wednesday, 53 people had been arrested.

Sheriff’s Office officials said there were 55 methamphetamine cases, 30 marijuana cases, 28 heroin cases, 16 pill cases, 13 cocaine cases, 8 crack cases, 4 weapons cases and one case each for mushrooms, driving under suspension and drug paraphernalia....

(WSPA) — A former detention center officer found himself on the other side of jail bars.

Christopher Rollins Marden, 24, of Duncan was charged with kidnapping and aggravated domestic violence.

The S.C. Law Enforcement Division said in a release that SLED agents arrested the former detention center officer on Tuesday.

According to arrest warrants, Marden pointed a gun at the victim and threatened to kill her in March 2018...

Voters headed back to the polls just a couple short weeks after the general election. Run-off elections were held today through out the upstate where many of these seats were hotly contested.

Check here for a list of unofficial results now that all precincts have reported in. Maybe your candidate was the winner...

(WSPA) – Greenville County Sheriff’s Office investigators said they are currently investigating two horse attack incidents in the county.

According to a sheriff’s office news release, both incidents were reported within the past week, with the first happening on Oct. 31 at a location off of Fews Bridge Road.

In that incident a horse was standing in the road bleeding heavily and was suffering from several cuts.

The second incident occurred between Nov. 14 and Nov. 16 when owners found their dead horse suffering from several gunshot wounds.

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Hundreds of people have been screened for tuberculosis after possible exposure to a patient recently diagnosed with the contagious disease.

Lexington Medical Center spokeswoman Jennifer Wilson says more than 300 free screenings have been completed on people who possibly came into contact with the Lexington Oncology Infusion Center patient between August and September. Citing a statement by Wilson, news outlets report none of the screenings conducted by the center and the state have come back positive so far....

COLUMBIA, SC (WSPA)- Lawmakers designated this year as the year for education. And earlier this year both the House and Senate filed a comprehensive bill more than 80 pages long they believe will reform education in the state.

The lawmakers have been discussing the state’s education system since January and so far only the House has passed legislation to address issues in classrooms across the state.

But Wednesday, members of the Senate moved forward with legislation after months of discussion and public hearings...

(WSPA) – While people for sure to bundle up when they go out making sure your pipes and your pets are protected is important too.

While the first chill of the season is on the way, we want to make sure you and your love ones are informed.

We’ve been working all day gathering information to bring you reminders that might help you stay safe and warm this season.

When the temperature drops Chicago native Cheyrel Gosell knows just what to do...

(WSPA)–Former Sheriff Will Lewis will soon be released from prison–at least for now. A judge approving a request for his release during the appeal process. The judge setting bond at $50,000.

Attorney Rauch Wise appearing in Laurens County Court on his client’s behalf on Tuesday. “I think this statute is definitely overly broad,” said Wise. Wise explaining after court that his appeal focuses on what he calls a vague charge against former sheriff Will Lewis. “That doesn’t get away from the basic premise that we had originally that it was a vague indictment and it’s a vague statute,” said Wise

TOWNVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – Locals in Townville said they’re ready to move on three years after a school shooting that killed a six year old boy.

Sentencing will begin Tuesday for Jesse Osborne, the teenager who pleaded guilty to killing his father and a first grader at Townville Elementary School.

As this latest chapter in the tragedy begins to unfold, 7 News went to Townville Monday to speak with folks who tell us they are ready to put this in the past and move on...