Diversified global manufacturer Milliken & Company was again named to the America’s Most Innovative Companies list, an annual honor published by Fortune and Statista Inc., which recognizes U.S. organizations at the forefront of innovation. This is Milliken’s second year receiving the award, and it is one of 200 companies included among the 2024 honorees. “At Milliken, we come to work each day ready to roll up our sleeves and take on big challenges,” shares Halsey Cook, president and CEO of Milliken & Company. “We use our materials science expertise to solve everyday problems that ..read more

A new sensor in development at Clemson University is designed to detect bacterial infections in wounds before they become serious and resistant to antibiotics, a problem affecting millions of Americans each year. Jordon Gilmore, an associate professor of bioengineering, said his long-term goal is to make the sensor simple and inexpensive enough that it could be used by an at-home caregiver with no special medical training. It would provide answers about infection severity in as little as five minutes. The sensor could eventually be combined with an imaging device and artificial intelligence to ..read more

From dishing out tasty meals and brightening lunchrooms with friendly smiles to encouraging healthy habits and helping their communities, dedicated lunch ladies and men show their superpowers as true heroes inside and outside of the cafeteria. On Friday, May 3, Chartwells K12 celebrated National School Lunch Hero Day to recognize its 16,000 chefs, dietitians, and food service workers serving up 2 million meals a day and making the cafeteria the happiest place in school. To mark the national celebration and as a tribute to their dedication, Chartwells let every associate know they’re the “zest ..read more

Honey bees play an important role in Spartanburg County’s environment and South Carolina’s economy. Honey bees add millions of dollars statewide to the value of fruit, vegetable, and seed crops. In addition, they contribute to a diverse and healthy ecosystem, acting as key pollinators for most flowering plants and trees in our own yards and fields. Currently, scientists widely agree that honey bees are threatened by a lack of available nutrition and too many parasites, diseases, and pesticides. Bees are considered agricultural, and therefore, are not currently subject to regulat ..read more

May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is encouraging South Carolinians to know their status and get tested. Hepatitis C is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Many people who are infected with HCV may not know they are infected. Hepatitis C can result in death if not treated. Chronic hepatitis C affects multiple generations, with infections highest among two age groups: 30-49 and 50-64 years. “Hepatitis is a hidden illness,” said Ali Mansaray, director of the Division of STD/HIV/Viral Hepatiti ..read more

Conserving Carolina is holding its fifth annual Habitat at Home spring photo contest, which celebrates the beautiful and wild things we can see right outside our door. The purpose of the contest is to inspire more people to restore natural habitat at their homes, as well as places like schools, businesses, and houses of worship. The contest started April 5 and runs through May 15. Conserving Carolina is looking for photos that showcase ways that people are restoring natural habitat — such as native plant gardens or bird boxes. They are also looking for photos of animals spotted around homes an ..read more

South Carolina Federal Credit Union is proud to announce the winners of its 14th annual scholarship program. The credit union will award $45,000 to nine students attending a traditional or technical college in South Carolina for the fall 2024 semester. The winners of this year’s scholarship program: Rachel Joel (University of South Carolina) Jennifer Boone (Wofford College) Macie Thomas (Charleston Southern University) Muskaan Makkar (University of South Carolina) Harmonie Frederick (University of South Carolina) Piper Barth (Clemson University) Phoebe Johnson (Midlands Technical College) Mar ..read more

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will conduct its annual national food drive on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Letter Carriers will join forces with community leaders and others to help fight hunger throughout the country. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the country’s largest single-day food drive, provides residents with an easy way to donate food to those in need in the community. To participate in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, residents are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods next to their mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on Satu ..read more

Dogged by pests, pathogens, poor nutrition, and other problems, the European honey bee is having a rough time these days. The bee pollinates over 90 different kinds of fruit, vegetable and nut crops. These same crops are also pollinated by native bees, particularly on smaller or diversified farms and especially in home gardens. Together, their pollination services are an $18 billion annual asset to U.S. agriculture, and concern over their welfare prompted the White House to issue a 2015 directive aimed at bolstering their numbers and health through a series of initiatives including improv ..read more

Flat Rock Playhouse is excited to open its 2024 Mainstage Series Series with Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. This Tony Award-winning production takes viewers on a journey through the rise and fall of the iconic 1960s rock ‘n’ roll group. Audiences can expect to be transported back in time as they witness the highs and lows of the band members’ lives, their struggles, triumphs, and the timeless music that made them legends. With hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” Jersey Boys is written by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elic ..read more