The November 3 election for four seats on Spartanburg County Council won’t be unlike past elections except in one critical respect: no incumbent is on the ballot. All elected seats will be new faces. And besides being a rare occurrence for a county as large as Spartanburg, it is indicative of an outspoken resident desire to see better leadership as Spartanburg positions itself as the state’s biggest hub of attraction for business and growth. “Not having incumbents on the ballot is unusual,” said John Baucom, director of registrations and elections for Spartanburg County. “I personally can’t recall another instance for a general election where that has happened.”
Fall in the Upstate means cooler temperatures, pumpkin patches and finding new ways to enjoy the outdoors. If you're looking for a family-friendly destination to add to your fall bucket list, Dirt & Grit Farm in Woodruff deserves a spot near the top.
This month, Upstate veterans who are blind or have low vision will have the opportunity receive Meta smart glasses, completely free of charge, courtesy of Meta’s partnership with the American Council of the Blind.
The Palmetto Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, is coordinating four distribution events across South Carolina, one of which will be taking place just down the road next week in Greer.
From the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine to the warmth of Southern comfort food and beyond, Andrew Hecht is cooking up something special at The Liminal Bistro — a soon-to-be favorite of the Spartanburg dining scene.
A native of the Bronx, Hecht has been cooking professionally for over 15 years. It’s a passion that began at home, growing up in what he describes as “a very big food family.”
“My father is a huge foodie, and my mother cooked at home every night,” says Hecht.
There’s something about a beautiful fall afternoon, a glass of wine and a good snack that just makes everything better. Add some mountain views and a short road trip, and you’ve got one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend afternoon.
One place my family and I absolutely love visiting is Mountain Brook Vineyards, located in Tryon, North Carolina, less than an hour from Spartanburg. It’s an easy little getaway that feels much farther from home than it actually is.
The property is beautiful, especially this time of year, with rolling hills, mountain views and plenty of outdoor space to relax. The Lawn offers indoor and outdoor seating, covered porches, fire pits and open-air gathering spaces.
You’ve seen Bundt Cakes for years – some with flavored frosting, some with fruit, some with light sugar sprinkling, and some just plain.
But when you come to the Nothing Bundt Cakes® bakery of Brian and Felicia Murrill in the Hillcrest Market Place on E. Main Street, you not only get it all, you get it from a husband-and-wife team who were recently named by OneSpartanburg, Inc., as the city’s minority-owned business of the year.
The honor came only four months after the Murrills were saluted this past May by PowerUp Spartanburg’s Small Business Week Proclamation & Recognition Ceremony – and less than four years after starting on only a hope and a shoestring.
When Global Transplant Solutions (GTS) officially began operations in 2017 in Spartanburg, the hope and intention by co-founders John Bruens and Tim Bruce was to be on the front end of helping meet U.S. demand for different kinds of organ donor transplants.
Now, just nine years later, despite exponential growth, a presence in four states so far, and having just supplied its 500,000th liter of organ preservation solution this September, GTS is running harder than ever to keep up with a growing demand that has no end in sight.
When Amanda Jones founded Willow Haven in November 2025, her one simple goal was to make a real difference in the lives of people who are victims of domestic violence.
Now, barely 10 months after starting with nothing more than Jones’ own singular pulling force, Willow Haven is fast becoming one of Spartanburg County’s main relief hubs, most recently thanks to two Walmart grants of $1,050 and $750.
The grants will go toward Willow Haven’s Fresh Start Program, which not only helps domestic violence survivors and their children transition into safe, stable housing, but provides solid footing toward regaining their independence.
There’s a very specific point every year when staying in Spartanburg for the weekend suddenly feels like a missed opportunity.
The temperature finally drops, the leaves begin changing and Western North Carolina starts calling — preferably with an apple cider doughnut waiting at the other end.
Fortunately, some of the Upstate’s best fall destinations are close enough to visit without packing an overnight bag. From apple orchards and pumpkin patches to wine and hard cider, here are six easy escapes to put on your fall calendar.
1. Is the book of Zechariah (KJV) in the Old or New Testament or neither?
2. From Genesis 17, who asked, “Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old”? Adam, Abraham, Aaron, Agrippa
3. What group did John the Baptist exhort to be content with their pay? Priests, Zealots, Judges, Soldiers
4. From Genesis 8, what was the first thing Noah did after leaving the ark? Burned the ark, Built an altar, Performed a marriage, Hiked to mountains
5. Which king of Israel had a reputation as a wild chariot driver? Joash, Jehoash, Jehu, Jeremiah
6. Whose biblical name meant “eagle”? Nehemiah, Timothy, Aquila, Miriam

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