The Woodruff Times

06/30/2024

Congratulations!

06/29/2024

Congratulations to Taylor Gilliam, Miss Boiling Springs and winner of The Debra Pound Legacy Scholarship. Best wishes to Taylor who will compete for the Miss South Carolina title in the pageant tonight. See ways to watch the pageant below.
🌟 Taylor Gilliam, has shared her platform Tiny Miracle Network through various activities and appearances. Her platform
is dedicated to supporting premature babies, NICU nurses, and their moms—a cause that's deeply personal to her. Taylor was born 3 months early, weighing just 1 pound and 10 ounces, and spent 4 months in the NICU. She is grateful for the incredible care she and her mother received. Taylor's passion for giving back to the community is inspiring. She has participated in two March for Babies walks, one in Columbia and one in Spartanburg. She has shown her appreciation for NICU nurses by delivering donuts to Baptist Hospital in Columbia and gifting a special basket to nurses at Spartanburg Regional. Additionally, Taylor organized a bake sale with Gamecocks4Babies, raising funds for the March of Dimes. Taylor is a student in the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

The 2024 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen Competition will be a vibrant, colorful, and exciting event as the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization celebrates its 87th year. Taylor along with the other delegates vying for the titles of Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen exemplify all that is best in today’s modern woman. Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen must be talented, intelligent, and well-spoken; they are leaders with a strong commitment to their communities. They understand the importance of health and fitness and serve as role models for millions of women, not only for their spot-on sense of style and fashion but also because they have become relatable and can connect with today’s contemporary woman.

Tune into Miss South Carolina 2024 at 8 PM. You can catch it on the following channels:

- WACH Fox 57 in Columbia
- WPDE ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/ Florence
- WCIV ABC 4 in Charleston
- WLOS My Network in Greenville & Spartanburg

And you can live stream from anywhere on Miss-SC-Live.org.

06/28/2024

The City of Woodruff's 150th Celebration & Time Capsule Ceremony

06/27/2024

Awesome! Congratulations!

Ribbon cutting for Stitched & Styled located at 123 S. Main St. Welcome to Woodruff !!!

06/27/2024

Check out the Official Order of Events for our Time Capsule Ceremony, Vinyl Ju**ie Concert, and Firework Show tomorrow night, June 28th at McKinney Park! We can’t wait to celebrate the 4th of July and Woodruff’s 150th Anniversary with YOU! See you there!🇺🇸🎇

The Vinyl Ju**ies… we are ready for YOU!

Woodruff Chevrolet, Fletcher Funeral & Cremation Services, and Ryan Homes thank you for your sponsorship!🎆🎶

06/27/2024

06/27/2024

Will you be watching the presidential debate tonight?

06/27/2024

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a public reminder about the critical importance of South Carolina’s mandatory reporting laws following an incident involving a failure to report by an educator at Clifdale Middle School.

On February 7, 2024, a concerning incident was reported involving a juvenile who disclosed being sexually assaulted by another juvenile during their time at Clifdale Elementary School. The student revealed that the sexual assault had been previously reported to Ms. Joy Allen, a guidance counselor at Clifdale Middle School, on two separate occasions. Despite these disclosures, Ms. Allen failed to report the matter to the Department of Social Services (DSS) or law enforcement, as required by law. Ms. Allen failed to report between August 2021- February 2024.

The matter came to light when the student spoke to a School Resource Officer (SRO) Deputy at Daniel Morgan Applied Technology Center. Further inquiry revealed that the juvenile had been seen at the Children’s Advocacy Center, where they confirmed the sexual assault and reiterated that Ms. Allen had been informed. According to the student, Ms. Allen had indicated that too much time had passed to take action.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Ms. Allen on April 24, 2024. During the interview, she confirmed that she did not report the incident and expressed her belief that she had not violated any laws. Ms. Joy Allen’s training records indicated that she has, in fact, had mandated reporter training multiple times throughout her career.

Ms. Joy Allen, 61, has turned herself into the Spartanburg County Detention Center, For failure to report child abuse/neglect (63-7-310), warrant number 2024A4210100691. On Wednesday 06/26/2024 at 08:11 AM, Ms. Allen is still awaiting a bond hearing. (Copies of the original warrant are not available at this time).
This incident underscores all mandated reporters' need to understand and fulfill their legal obligations, particularly in educational environments. The safety of our children is paramount, and all suspicions of abuse or assault must be reported promptly to ensure the welfare of all students.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office takes this matter seriously and is dedicated to enforcing all laws designed to protect our community's most vulnerable members. We are committed to thorough investigations and supporting the victims of such offenses in every way possible.
___________________

Here is the statement from Spartanburg School District Three. Please attribute to: Taggart Houck, Public Information Officer for Spartanburg School District Three.

Spartanburg School District Three has been notified that, on June 25th, one of our guidance counselors was charged by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office with a misdemeanor pursuant to the SC state law regarding the mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect. In accordance with District practice, that employee has been notified that placement on administrative leave effective at the start of the 2024-25 school year will be enacted if the matter is not resolved prior to that date. As this is a personnel issue, the District will not comment further at this time.

06/27/2024

Thank you Pastor Derrick Scurry for the many ways of service in the community as the Chaplin for the City of Woodruff.

06/27/2024

🌟 Best wishes to the Woodruff All Stars as they play in the championship game tonight! 🌟 Join us at 7:15pm at Tyger River Red Field 11 to cheer on these amazing athletes. The coaches and players have shown passionate commitment and dedication to being the best. Let’s show our support by going to the game or posting an encouraging message here for them. Go All Stars! ⚾️

06/26/2024

Starting tomorrow we will be closing off Clyde “Ham” Werner Field, the basketball courts and the grassy areas adjacent to the basketball courts in preparation for Friday night's Firework Show.

Please come join us at 7pm as we celebrate Woodruff’s 150th anniversary with the burying of a time capsule that will be set to open on the 200th anniversary in 2075.

The Vinyl Ju**ies will be performing starting at 7:15pm and fireworks will start around 9:30pm.

We look forward to seeing everyone as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Woodruff and our final concert in our concert series.

06/26/2024

The 1st Woodruff Times Directory will be mailed to 10,000+ residents in August. Contact us to include your business or use this link: http://www.thewoodrufftimes.com/woodruff-business-directory

06/25/2024

06/24/2024

Exciting Runoff Tomorrow: Meet Your County Council Candidates!

Don't miss out on tomorrow's crucial runoff election for county council! Get to know the candidates, Justin McCorkle and Grant DeShields, who are vying for your vote. Discover their visions, plans, and what sets them apart. Your community's future is in your hands—read our in-depth article now and make an informed decision!

Facebook20Tweet0Email0 Due to no candidate securing a majority vote in the recent primary for the Spartanburg County Council District 4 seat, a runoff

06/23/2024

Woodruff, SC - On Thursday night, June 20, Terrence Banks, a local photographer and a photographer for The Woodruff Times, was injured in a motorcycle accident near the Food Lion in Woodruff.

Banks, who was riding his motorcycle at the time, collided with another vehicle. As a result of the accident, he sustained several broken bones and is scheduled to undergo surgery next week.

We will keep Terrence Banks in our thoughts and prayers as he begins his recovery.

06/23/2024

06/23/2024

Do you have an interest in trains and rail service in South Carolina? Hop on board to learn about the SCDOT Statewide Rail Plan! Register for the Statewide Rail Plan Virtual Public Meeting on June 26, 2024, 5:30 - 6:30 PM EST: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7zFdX-BWRlaeVM4mgMpdqQ

Can't attend the meeting? Learn more and submit your comments on our website here: https://www.scdot.org/travel/freight-rail.aspx.

06/22/2024

The 1st Woodruff Times Directory will be mailed to 10,000+ residents in August. Contact us to include your business.

06/21/2024

A Look Back at the Year That Was for the Woodruff Wolverines
By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | [email protected]
Alas, all good things must end. Woodruff High School’s commencement ceremony on May 23 marked the end of another school year and, with it, an end to Wolverine athletics until August. The 2023-24 school year was full of exciting moments and significant milestones for our school’s athletes....

Facebook0Tweet52Email0 A Look Back at the Year That Was for the Woodruff Wolverines By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | [email protected]

06/21/2024

The 2024 Spring Football Game Bridged the Gap Between Generations of Wolverines
By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | [email protected]
The 2024 Maroon and Gold spring football game was held at Varner Stadium on May 16, and the Wolverines delighted the crowd during a spirited first glimpse at this year’s team. But it was the Wolverines of old that really stole the show....

Facebook0Tweet0Email0 The 2024 Spring Football Game Bridged the Gap Between Generations of Wolverines By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | garrett@the

06/21/2024

By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer | [email protected]
Thanks to a state grant, Woodruff Middle School will soon receive a new set of security scanners like those at the high school, which will increase student safety. The Spartanburg County School District Four Board of Trustees unanimously approved the purchase of five new Opengate metal detectors, adding the four systems already used at the high school....

Facebook0Tweet52Email0 By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer | [email protected] Thanks to a state grant, Woodruff Middle School will soon receive

06/21/2024

By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | [email protected]
Colin McAbee had a senior season for the ages. If not for the Woodruff Wolverines’ ace pitcher taking a leap of faith and being willing to change positions, his record-breaking final campaign may never have happened. Colin was one of the Wolverines’ stars, but having always been a catcher, pitching was something he was never asked to do....

Facebook0Tweet52Email0 By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | [email protected] Colin McAbee had a senior season for the ages. If not for the

06/21/2024

By: Vareva Harris | [email protected] The Knox-Gifford household has welcomed an exciting new addition to their family: Mina Boyer, a 16-year-old junior from Réunion, an island department of France located in the Indian Ocean. Mina’s arrival has been a joyous experience for hosts Stephanie Knox and Dane Gifford, who describe the cultural exchange as both enlightening and heartwarming. “Mina has seamlessly integrated into our daily routines, with the only major change being a trip to and from school each day,” Stephanie shared....

Facebook0Tweet52Email0 By: Vareva Harris | [email protected] The Knox-Gifford household has welcomed an exciting new addition to their famil

06/21/2024

By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer | [email protected]
With Waste Connections, the current waste management company, moving away from residential service, Woodruff residents will soon have a new garbage collector. The Woodruff City Council approved a resolution to enter into a four-year contract with Kirby Sanitation for residential trash pick-up. City Manager Lee Bailey told the Council that Waste Connections, which has had the city’s contract for a decade, notified him that they would no longer be providing residential service and recommended transferring the contract to Kirby....

Facebook0Tweet52Email0 By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer | [email protected] With Waste Connections, the current waste management company, mov

06/21/2024

Due to no candidate securing a majority vote in the recent primary for the Spartanburg County Council District 4 seat, a runoff election will be held on June 25th between McCorkle and DeShields according to John L. Baucom, Director of Spartanburg County Voter Registration & Elections. The runoff is necessary as the primary system requires a candidate to receive over 50% of the vote to advance....

Facebook0Tweet52Email0 Due to no candidate securing a majority vote in the recent primary for the Spartanburg County Council District 4 seat, a runoff

06/21/2024

The Celebration of James Lanford Sr. and the Restoration of Lanford Family Cemetery By: Jennifer Davis, Contributing Writer
On May 25, 2024, many Lanford descendants gathered at Antioch Church to honor James Lanford. Representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) also attended the celebration. James Lanford's journey began before the Revolutionary War when he traveled from Virginia to North Carolina....

Facebook0Tweet0Email0 The Celebration of James Lanford Sr. and the Restoration of Lanford Family Cemetery By: Jennifer Davis, Contributing Writer On M

06/21/2024

By: Vareva Harris and Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
Woodruff Mayor Kenneth Gist, Police Chief Greg Ryan, and Lee Bailey, Woodruff City Manager, honored Officer Darrell Dawkins for his 28 years of stellar service with the Woodruff Police Department. Praised by Bailey as “one of the good ones” for his work, Dawkins received a framed service weapon and a department shoulder patch from Chief Ryan....

Facebook0Tweet52Email0 By: Vareva Harris and Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer Woodruff Mayor Kenneth Gist, Police Chief Greg Ryan, and Lee Bailey, Woodruff