Morning Answer Daily

Greenville County is facing a crucial vote in selecting your next Sheriff. Today is the day we select our Republican Candidate to face Paul Guy in the Special Election. We need to restore the Greenville County Sheriff Office to it rightful standing as a pillar in the community, and its up to us to do it by electing the right Sheriff. So get out there and make your voice heard at the ballot box!

Click on this story to see a list of polling locations as some have changed due to schools being in session. Feel free to share this as well as many of your neighbors are not aware of the polling place changes! Lets Get The Word Out Together!

(Fox Carolina) In 1983, President Ronald Reagan officially declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday, but it wasn't until 1986 that it was celebrated that way. Since then, the holiday has allowed many Americans the day off to remember the legacy of the prominent civil rights leader. But it also makes it confusing to know what stores, services and buildings are open or closed.

Well, let this be your guide before you head out the door. Here's what's open and closed on January 20, 2020...

Our friends at WSPA are helping you get out and have some adventures this weekend with this handy lust. We live in such a wonderfully rich area here in the Upstate of South Carolina and Western North Carolina. Why not get out do or see something you have not done or seen before! Here is a list with several ideas of new and fun things you can do.

Reserve your spot for Tonights debate between Hobart Lewis and AT 'Tommy' Smith just ahead of the January 21st Runoff to see who will face Paul Guy in the race for Greenville County Sheriff. Join First Monday, 94.5 WGTK The Answer, and WYFF this Tonight at 6:45p at the Veranda @ Global Trade Park. Its your chance to hear first hand what each candidate has planned should he be elected the next Sheriff in Greenville County.

We can all agree, our county cannot afford another WIll Lewis in office. So be informed before you head to the polls. Join us for this free event, then get out and make your voice heard on election day. If you are not sure of changes to your polling place, and there Are changes to several polling locations, just check the handy list below.

Click Here to attend the debate. Subject to availability. Seats are First Come first served.

Find Your Polling Place Here

Check out some of the culture and arts available to you here in the Upstate. Our friends at WSPA TV have put together this list of events and ideas to help you make the best weekend possible. We are very lucky to live in such an exciting and diverse area so why not get out end enjoy!

(WSPA) – The Greenville Police Department announced on social media that it will open positions for new officers from January 20 to January 31.

Posts on social media said the department wants those interested to know it’s a career that’s rewarding and has a little bit of everything.

The starting salary range for a new police officer is between $42,484 to $52,613.08 annually, according to the department’s website.

Applicants will need to apply online and provide 10 years of previous employent and residence, three professional references and two personal references...

(WSPA) – The Republican primary for Greenville County Sheriff is headed to a runoff between the top two contenders.

No candidate received enough votes to win the race outright.

The top two candidates, Hobart Lewis and A.T. “Tommy” Smith will face off in a runoff election on January 21... (continue reading for overall results)

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Click Here to find your Polling Location

If you know your precinct, check this list to find your polling place for today's GOP Primary in the race for Greenville County's next Sheriff. There have been several changes so check before you head out and save yourself that extra time.

(WSPA)- 7News is taking a closer look into the background of the candidates who want to be the next Greenville County Sheriff. 7News examined records, including employment and training histories from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and independent reports.

Records show Hobart Lewis worked at the Greer Police Deparment from 1994 to 2004 and then with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office from 2010 to 2014, when he resigned. Sean Zukowsky was hired at the Sheriffs Office in 2015 from another police department and resigned in 2019 to take a job with another agency. Robert Whatley has been with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office since 1993.

Records show Paul Guy, the sole Democrat running, was terminated by Sheriff Johnny Mack Brown in 1999 after more than a decade at the Sheriff’s Office...

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – The City of Greenville released information Thursday afternoon saying Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller and Interim Captain Jason Rampey were placed on administrative leave.

City officials said Deputy Chief Howie Thompson will be acting police chief.

On Wednesday we reported that a letter from the First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe on Dec. 17 said there was not sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against Miller.

Pascoe reviewed material regarding complaints of official misconduct following a request from the 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins. This was in partnership with an investigation launched by SLED.

In the letter, Pascoe said although he and SLED are “concerned” by some of the actions revealed by the investigation, there was no criminal wrongdoing by Miller or any other parties involved in the investigation.

CLEMSON, S.C. (WSPA)- After nearly three hours of debate and public comments, Clemson City Council voted 5-2 Monday to pass an amended ordinance that would put a temporary moratorium on housing developments with 200 beds or more for at least six months.

Like much of the Upstate, the city of Clemson is growing quickly. City leaders will use the time during the temporary moratorium to partner with a third party to review the city’s vision and mission as it grows...

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

Students from Bob Jones University are involved in a sexual misconduct investigation at Furman University, according to BJU spokesman Randy Page.

Page said the students involved were suspended.

When asked if the students involved were victims, suspects or both, Page said "It is unclear at this point."

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division first reported its investigation Friday into the sexual misconduct involving multiple students at Furman University, according to Kathryn Richardson with SLED.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA)- Governor Henry McMaster, along with every lawmaker in the state, vowed to make education a priority.

Tuesday the governor unveiled a component of his 2020 executive budget that keeps to that promise.

Speaker of the House Jay Lucas recapped the discussion he had with Governor McMaster concerning education.

“Governor McMaster and I had a conversation about 18 months ago and we were quite frank that there were some holes in our state’s education system,” Lucas explained.

South Carolina lawmakers have spent the last year trying to fix the state’s education system, pledging changes in the classroom...

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.