Car Accident Attorney inCross Anchor, SC

There is one patch of land at Musgrove Mill Golf Club, near the 11th tee, where the woods thin out just enough and golfers can catch sight of cars and trucks whooshing by on South Carolina Highway 56, headed south toward Cross Anchor, or Pauline, or maybe all the way to Spartanburg. Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay designed the course to be rustic, natural, a daylong escape, and wherever those vehicles wind up, the sounds they hurl toward the turf is a surprise after a couple hours of solitude.

“This is the only place you can hear any traffic,” superintendent Will Holroyd says. “It reminds you of what you don’t want to go back to.”

Holroyd is lean and quick, his Bean Boots laced, his face covered in a thick mustache. He knows everything one person can know about these 315 acres because he is the only superintendent in the history of the course. Musgrove Mill opened in Clinton, South Carolina, almost equidistant from Atlanta and Charlotte, in the fall of 1988. Holroyd arrived in 1987.

Generous with his time, he will tell you that the course is rich with dogwoods and cedars, oaks and walnuts, and that the Penncross bentgrass greens are originals. He will tell you that he regularly spots deer, beavers, wild turkeys and wild pigs on the grounds. Occasionally, he might spot a bobcat or a coyote, or a bald eagle. He will tell you that the Enoree River is both his “greatest asset and biggest headache.” He will tell you there are 21 fans dotted around the course — he describes them as “game-changers” for the turf — and that 15 holes need some sort of air movement.

And he will tell you that at least one person — and, most likely, many more than one — has described the place as the “Pine Valley of the South” — a reference to both its rugged beauty and its nearly constant challenge. “We’ve opened it some, softened it,” Holroyd says, “but we’ve never made it easier. It’s a penal course.”

Jeff Tallman, the director of golf since 1996, likes to tell the story about when a member approached him and expressed their wish that the course was just 16 holes. “My score would be a lot better,” Tallman remembers the member saying. “Well, which two holes do you have a problem with?” Tallman asked. “That’s the problem” the member responded. “It changes every time out.”

Holroyd will also tell you about the unique schedule he developed for his maintenance crew. Out of necessity, he splits the team into weekday and weekend staffers. The six full-time crew members and one full-time mechanic work Monday through Friday mornings, with weekends starting at 10 a.m. Fridays. The part-timers work Saturdays and Sundays, free to do whatever they want the rest of the time.

Most of those part-timers are students, which also requires Holroyd to shuffle project schedules around school calendars and holidays. Aerification, for example, is scheduled for every Presidents’ Day. “And if we get washed out that day …” Holroyd says. He trails off, not wanting to consider a late-February downpour. “If I can stay another 35 years,” he says, “I might be able to straighten some of this out.”

Oh, and one other thing Holroyd will tell you. Before he arrived at Musgrove Mill, he worked out of state for a while. Holroyd, the 2017 recipient of the Carolinas GCSA Distinguished Service Award, values the industry infrastructure and support across the region. “Everybody in the Carolinas needs to move, at least for a year, to really appreciate what we have here,” he says. His last stop before landing at Musgrove Mill was at a course over in Tennessee that handled 50,000 rounds per year. “It was like a factory,” he says, “and it just about drove me out of the profession.”

Musgrove Mill is a little quieter, a little more reserved. Well, a little more reserved most of the time: At least two people have instructed family and friends to spread their ashes on the course — and one of them had his remains fired from a cannon.

“It shows the passion people have for this place,” Holroyd says. “I have that passion too.”

Matt LaWell is Golf Course Industry’s managing editor.

Two fire departments with a long history of working together are planning to merge and become the second consolidation in Spartanburg County since 2018.

Spartanburg County Council on Monday, Sept. 20, will consider the first reading of the planned merger between Roebuck and Croft fire departments, and the borrowing of $5 million by the Roebuck Fire District to assist in the merger.

If approved after three readings, the legal name will be Roebuck Fire District, doing business as South Spartanburg Fire District. Administrative offices will be at the Roebuck fire station on Southport Road. The combined districts will cover 44 square miles.

The new department would become the first since Trinity Fire Department in southern Spartanburg County was formed in 2018 as a merger between Enoree, Hobbysville and Cross Anchor, with Woodruff joining the following year.

The Spartanburg County Legislative Delegation already gave its approval of the planned Roebuck-Croft merger. All that's left is county council approval.

Croft was formed in 1956 and declared a special purpose district by the state legislature in 1960. Roebuck was formed in 1957 and declared a special purpose district by the legislature in 1958.

"We just felt it was time to do it," said Roebuck Fire Chief Brian Harvey. "It will streamline our purchasing and give us a lot more staffing options. We will use the same equipment."

Harvey and Croft Fire Chief Ryan Eubanks will be co-chiefs of the new department.

Both said the merger has been in the discussion stages for years, and that their firefighters, as well as others in the county, support it.

"After gathering input, it became apparent that this was the way to go," said Eubanks, who succeeded the recently retired Lewis Hayes. "We've streamlined, moved resources around, shared staffing and equipment, eliminated redundancies, and there's more of that to come."

New tax rate

The merger will bring about a new fire tax rate. Roebuck's is now 29 mills, and Croft's is 32.9 mills – 27.5 for operations and 5.4 mills for debt service.

The new rate will likely be 31.5 mills – 29 for operations and 2.5 for debt, according to Eubanks.

"For the Croft taxpayer, it will be about the same, and a little increase for Roebuck," he said.

The taxpayer pays $8 per mill for each $100,000 of assessed property value, he said. So a 2.5-mill increase on a $200,000 property will cost a taxpayer $40 more a year.

"We don't want to increase taxes," he said. "But we also have to recognize it takes dollars to run our service. We're going to be prudent about that number."

A couple years ago, Croft District borrowed $2 million to buy two new fire trucks, resulting in the 5.4-mill debt service tax.

"For taxpayers, we've been operating like one department," Eubanks said. "They will never see anything change. They will be getting the same fire protection."

Joint operations

Roebuck Station 1 on Stone Station Road houses two engines, a tanker, a rescue, brush unit and command vehicle. Station 2 on Southport Road is manned with Croft and houses an engine.

The Croft station is on Cedar Springs Road and houses six pumpers and two ladder trucks.

The Roebuck Station 2 on Southport Road has been jointly operated by Roebuck and Croft since 2011 when the former Arkwright fire district was consolidated into Roebuck and Croft. That station has a battalion chief and three firefighters.

Roebuck has 13 paid firefighters, 15 volunteers and provides 24/7 service. Croft has 13 paid firefighters and one volunteer, also providing 24/7 service.

Between the two stations, the departments respond to more than 2,000 calls a year – many for vehicle crashes and assist calls from neighboring districts.

Both departments have operated jointly since 2011, when the former Arkwright Area Fire District disbanded and Roebuck and Croft absorbed the Arkwright coverage area.

Growth strains departments

For several years, fire chiefs in many of the 35 departments countywide have complained about a lack of finances and dwindling volunteer manpower to keep up with the demands brought by growth in Spartanburg County.

Some have been able to increase their millage rates, but to do so requires a voter referendum. In many cases, voters reject the referendum.

Mergers recommended:Study recommends consolidation or mergers of fire departments in Spartanburg County

In August 2020, voters in the Cherokee Springs Fire District rejected a referendum asking them to approve borrowing $5.5 million for a new, larger fire station. The vote was 77% against and 23% for. If approved, the tax rate would have gone up by 10 mills.

Last year, a consulting firm presented a study to the county's Fire Prevention and Protection Advisory Committee recommending merging or consolidating fire departments as a way to streamline costs.

Chris Massey, who is director of the Emergency Services Academy in Duncan, is filling in with his second stint as chief of the Trinity Fire Department while the county searches for a full-time chief.

He said he's already seen the benefits of that merger of four departments in the southern end of the county, covering roughly 140 square miles.

"It's definitely improved response times," Massey said. "It's operating like a fire department, 24/7, with four full-time and an assistant chief part-time."

Harvey said his Roebuck district has seen a lot of growth with residential and some industrial development in recent years, which brings in more tax revenues, but it also brings higher call volume and stretches resources.

"Manpower in every fire district is the Achilles heal right now," he said.

Looking forward, Harvey and Eubanks said if they get county council approval, they hope the consolidation will take effect Jan. 1.

"I hope this mentality spreads across the county," Eubanks said. "You're going to be able to eliminate a lot of redundancies, (equipment) replacements – all at a benefit to the taxpayer. You need to take a wholesystems approach and stop looking at individual silos of our organizations, and look at a countywide picture."

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com

A TV news anchor is retiring after decades on the air — but not before trying his hand at the South Carolina weather forecast.

“This is like surrendering the aircraft to a 12-year-old at 36,000 feet,” said Michael Cogdill, a longtime fixture on the anchor desk at the Greenville-based station WYFF.

The station, an NBC affiliate, said colleague “Parella Lewis threw him a curve ball and had him do the weather.”

Video shows Cogdill standing in front of a South Carolina map as forecast-related graphics cross the screen on Monday, Nov. 22.

“This is what’s to come,” he told viewers about one of the graphics. “I have no idea what it is, but it’s coming.”

The laughter-filled segment aired one day before Cogdill was set to retire from WYFF. After working for the station since 1989, he plans to publish a book and launch a company, McClatchy News reported.

“Tomorrow is my last night here at WYFF 4 — emphasis: night,” Cogdill said during the Nov. 22 forecast. “I am a nocturnal sort of chap.”

Instead, he was up at 6:39 a.m. to share the forecast on live TV. And he said he didn’t like the colder temperatures he saw in the days ahead.

“Oh my goodness, no,” he said as he pointed at Nov. 23’s predicted low of 29 degrees. “Get me to Aruba.”

It turns out, it’s not Cogdill’s first time doing the weather. He said he had given the forecast “like a generation ago, by accident.”

This time around, viewers praised his effort on social media.

“Michael was hilarious, while still managing to give us a good idea of the upcoming weather,” one Facebook user wrote. “Bravo, sir!”

Another person commented: “I loved this !! Michael Cogdill you can do it all. Trying for sports next??”

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A man who was reported missing has been found dead in Spartanburg County.

Officials said 29-year-old Franklin Hines, also known as Solo, was found near Cross Anchor Road in Woodruff.

7NEWS spoke with loved ones who said they’re still in shock.

“I love my dad a lot and I miss him so much,” said Shamarion Hines.

Loved ones said Solo had two sons. One of them is 9-year-old Sharmarion Hines. He said he’s been hurting since he found out his dad passed away.

“I’m feeling really sad and I love my dad even though he not here with me, but my uncle told me that even though he not here, he’s still in my heart,” said Shamarion.

The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office said Hines had been missing since Sunday. They said his body was found on Wednesday, around 7:50 p.m.

Loved ones 7NEWS spoke with reminisce on memories and reflect on the many things they’re going to miss.

“When I was little I used to take pencils and pots and pans and bang on it in his room,” said Shamarion.

“He was so goofy, he was always goofy and playful. He just lit up the whole world,” said Jenita Anderson.

Jenita Anderson said she and Solo have been dating for 6 years.

“I’m in shock still,” she said.

She said even though he’s gone, she can still feel his presence.

“He was with me all day yesterday,” she said.

Anderson said what’s been helping her get through the pain is replaying old messages Solo left for her.

“I have messages from him on my phone telling me to be strong, I got this,” said Anderson.

She said she knew something was wrong when he didn’t show up to her house this past Sunday morning.

“I didn’t hear from him and right then, I knew, he’s missing. He’s nowhere hiding, he’s nowhere but missing right now,” she said.

She said she put up missing posters everywhere for him and was heartbroken when she learned he was found.

“When I got that phone call, I had just, just pulled into my driveway. Like literally just pulled in there and all I could do was scream and holler at the top of my lungs. That’s all I did, was cry, cry, cry. That’s all I could do, was cry,” she said.

Now, his family is left wanting an answer.

“We need justice for my dad,” said Shamarion.

The sheriff’s office said this is still an active investigation and the coroner’s office said Hines cause of death cannot be released yet, in order to not jeopardize the investigation.

Woodruff’s population is expected to more than double over the next five years, driving Spartanburg County School District 4 to approve a plan to realign its schools and consider building a new Woodruff High School to open in fall 2025.

The new construction would require a referendum to be approved by voters, most likely in September 2022. While the Board of Trustees approved the realignment plan in October, it has not voted to place the new high school construction plan on a future ballot. That decision could come later this year or in early 2022.

Woodruff City Manager Lee Bailey told The Post and Courier there are 3,000 single- and multi-family homes under construction within city limits. The population of 4,500 is expected to increase to 11,000 by 2026. There are another 2,000 homes scheduled for construction outside city limits toward Greenville County that includes areas served by District 4.

The cost to build a new high school on Highway 146 about a half-mile from the existing high school would be between $60 million and $75 million, according to William Rallie Liston, superintendent of School District 4.

“The growth that is happening is driving all of this discussion,” Liston said. “For years, we have watched growth in the Greenville County School District that borders us. It’s been an overnight surprise with the houses being built in Woodruff.”

Woodruff is located in southern Spartanburg County. The city’s growth was modest before recent development in the area pushed it to unprecedented levels.

Liston said a 2018 study determined the cost to retrofit the district’s existing four schools would be about $30 million. The district has a primary, elementary, middle and high school. It’s been 32 years since a new school was built in the district, Liston said.

The board opted not to retrofit the buildings. Instead, a plan was developed to move second grade students from the primary school into the elementary school, move fourth and fifth grade students from the elementary school into the middle school and move middle school students into the existing high school once a new new high school was built.

Today you’re holding the latest example of our commitment to delivering local news to Greenville and Spartanburg.

This is the first edition of a new monthly newspaper that we’re publishing in addition to daily coverage we provide at www.postandcourier.com/greenville and www.postandcourier.com/spartanburg. You’ll also find the monthly edition available on our site as an E-Paper, a digital replica of the print version. We’ll publish the edition on the third Thursday of every month.

We’re excited to provide this service. You may recall that The Post and Courier announced in 2020 that we would fill a void as newspapers were closing in South Carolina or drastically reducing coverage. We launched an ambitious expansion across the state. We’ve opened news operations in Greenville and Spartanburg, Rock Hill, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, the Pee Dee, Hilton Head and North Augusta.

Sam R. Hall, a veteran editor who recently moved to Greenville as Upstate and Regional Editor for The Post and Courier, is in charge of coverage in your area. You can reach Sam at shall@postandcourier.com, 864-887-2314 or at our office at 20 Augusta St. in the West End of downtown Greenville.

“The Post and Courier has a tremendous reputation for local journalism, and I’m happy to be a part of this ever-expanding effort,” Hall said. “The commitment to Greenville, Spartanburg and the entire Upstate is evident as we roll out this new product and continue to invest in these communities.”

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