Two new measles cases were confirmed in Spartanburg County recently. CDC
photo
Two new measles cases confirmed in
Spartanburg County
Information compiled and edited by Bob Dailey Jr.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health recently confirmed two additional
measles cases in Spartanburg County, bringing the total number of confirmed cases statewide to 10 since July 9.
Eight of those cases had been reported in Spartanburg County as of October 7, including seven tied to an outbreak
first identified on Sept. 25. Health officials define an outbreak as three or more cases of the same infectious disease linked
to a common exposure.
While some of the state’s cases are connected to travel or close contact
with infected individuals, others, including those in the current outbreak, have no known source. This suggests the virus
is spreading within the community, DPH officials said.
In response, the agency has launched a
dedicated measles outbreak webpage to provide updates and educational resources. The page will be updated every Tuesday and
Friday by noon, though that schedule may change based on the status of the outbreak. The page can be found by going to https://dph.sc.gov/online
and following the links to the measles page.
Measles
Highly Contagious, Officials Warn
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can linger
in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. People are considered contagious starting four days
before a rash appears and continuing for four days afterward.
Health officials say nine out of
10 unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will become infected. The best protection, they emphasize, is the measles vaccine,
typically given as part of the MMR or MMRV series.
Most people recover at home with rest, fluids
and over-the-counter medications for fever and discomfort. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required, though treatment
remains supportive in nature.
DPH’s measles page includes educational materials, videos,
frequently asked questions, and guidance on symptoms, prevention, and vaccination. The site also links to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly updates on measles cases nationwide.
Walmart
picks Kings Mountain, N.C., over Spartanburg for $300 million fulfillment center
Kings Mountain,
N.C. — Walmart has selected Kings Mountain over Spartanburg to locate a new $300 million fulfillment center, state officials
announced recently.
The facility will be built in the Gaston County portion of Kings Mountain,
near the Cleveland County line, and is expected to create 300 jobs over the next two years. Kings Mountain, a city of about
12,000 residents, is located roughly 25 miles west of Charlotte.
According to reports, the new
positions will offer an average annual salary of $69,360 — approximately 33% higher than Gaston County’s current
average wage of $52,180. In neighboring Cleveland County, the average annual wage is $50,379. Based on a 40-hour workweek,
the new roles would pay more than $33 an hour.
Walmart plans to complete its investment by December
31, 2027.
The 1.2 million-square-foot facility was developed by The Keith Corporation, a
commercial real estate firm based in Charlotte.
Banana Ball coming to Spartanburg’s Fifth
Third Park August 6 - 8, 2026
Edited from information provided by OneSpartanburg, Inc.
Banana Ball is headed to the Hub City. For the first time, the Savannah Bananas'
fast-growing, entertainment-driven baseball league will bring its signature style of play to Spartanburg in 2026.
Fifth Third Park will host a three-game series in the Banana Ball Championship League from August 6 to 8, featuring
the Texas Tailgaters and the newly announced Indianapolis Clowns, while the hometown Spartanburgers are on the road.
The Bananas revealed the stop during their annual City Selection Show, part of a broader expansion that will include
60 games played across the country in the league’s debut season.
“This opportunity
was a no-brainer,” said Tyson Jeffers, general manager of the Spartanburgers.
“Bringing
Banana Ball to Spartanburg aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver fun, engaging experiences to the Upstate. There’s
nobody better than the Bananas at creating unforgettable moments through baseball.”
Tickets
are not sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, fans must register through a lottery system at bananaball.com/tickets
by October 31 for a chance to purchase. If selected, general admission tickets start at $35, while meet-and-greet experiences
begin at $100. All ticketing is handled by the Bananas and their parent company, Fans First Entertainment.
Hosting the Bananas is expected to bring a boost to the local economy.
“This is
a tremendous win for Spartanburg,” said John Mark Freeze, vice president of tourism development for OneSpartanburg.
“The series will bring thousands of visitors downtown and drive business for our hotels, restaurants, and local shops.
It also highlights Spartan-burg’s growing status as a destination for sports and entertainment.”
Spartanburg High School leads county with 2026 National
Merit Semifinalists
District 7 proudly honors three Spartanburg High School seniors who have earned
prestigious recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corpora-tion as part of its 71st annual program.
Sebastian Cartwright and Myles Klosterman have been named National Merit Semifinalists, placing them in the top 1%
of more than 1.3 million high school seniors nationwide who entered the 2026 competition. This achievement not only highlights
their academic excellence but also distinguishes Spartanburg High School as the public school in Spartanburg County with the
highest number of Semifinalists this year — a testament to the rigorous instruction and supportive learning environment
within District 7.
In addition, Josiah Rogers was recognized as a National Merit Commended Student,
an honor reserved for students in the top 3% nationwide. This accolade underscores Josiah’s dedication and hard work,
as well as the strong academic foundation fostered throughout his education in District 7.
Spartanburg
High School Principal Dr. Andrew McMillan praised the students’ accomplishments, saying, “These honors reflect
the strength of a District 7 education. Our teachers and staff are committed to nurturing curiosity, challenging students
to reach their full potential, and opening doors to future opportunities. We celebrate these students not only for their achievements
but for the leaders they are becoming.”
The National Merit recognition program, which identifies
some of the nation’s most academically talented high school students, is highly competitive and considered a mark of
exceptional achievement. The honors received by these students highlight the dedication of both learners and educators throughout
the district.
Isuzu recently broke ground on its’ $280 million production facility in Piedmont,
SC. Isuzu North America Corporation
Isuzu
breaks ground on $280 million manufacturing plant in Piedmont
Piedmont, S.C. — Isuzu North
America Corpora-tion broke ground recently on its new, 1 million-square-foot production facility in Piedmont, South
Carolina — a key step in the company’s long-term strategy to expand its footprint in the North American market.
The groundbreaking ceremony drew state and international dignitaries, including South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster,
Isuzu Motors Ltd. Chairman and CEO Masanori Katayama, and Shigeo Yamada, Japan’s ambassador to the United States. Speakers
highlighted the project’s economic and strategic importance, both for South Carolina and Isuzu’s global operations.
Gov. McMaster and Katayama took part in a ceremonial gift exchange, followed by a symbolic turning of soil. To mark
the occasion, Yoshino cherry trees — the same variety gifted by Japan to the United States in 1912 — were planted
on-site to symbolize new beginnings and enduring international friendship.
“This groundbreaking
underscores our strong commitment to the North American market,” said Noboru Murakami, chairman and CEO of Isuzu North
America Corporation. “This new facility brings us closer to our customers, enhances our ability to serve them, and positions
us for long-term growth. We’re investing in our future, creating jobs, and supporting the local economy.”
Gov. McMaster emphasized the significance of the project to the state.
“This is
more than a construction milestone — it’s a testament to South Carolina’s global reputation as a destination
for leading companies,” McMaster said. “Isuzu’s decision to locate here is a major win for our people and
our economy.”
The $280 million facility is being built on a 200-acre site in Greenville
County. Once fully operational, it will produce Isuzu’s medium-duty truck lineup, including the N-Series Gas, N-Series
Electric and F-Series models. The plant is expected to begin production in 2027, with a target annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles
by 2030. The company anticipates employing more than 700 workers by 2028.
In addition to the new
plant, Isuzu is increasing its use of domestic suppliers and expanding research and development initiatives in advanced automotive
technology across the United States.
The Piedmont facility will consolidate Isuzu’s assembly
and logistics operations under one roof, integrating key functions such as parts management, vehicle assembly, and post-production
installation. Designed with flexibility in mind, the plant will allow Isuzu to respond quickly to evolving customer needs
in the North American commercial vehicle market.
South Carolina Ports names Micah Mallace as
President and CEO
Charleston, SC — The South Carolina Ports Authority Board
of Directors has unanimously appointed Micah Mallace as the agency’s next president and chief executive officer.
Mallace brings more than a decade of experience in maritime logistics and port operations, including a previous 11-year
tenure at SC Ports. From 2011 to 2022, he held multiple leadership roles at the organization, most recently serving as chief
commercial officer. During that time, he helped lead key strategic initiatives, including the successful recruitment of Walmart’s
import distribution center near the Port of Charleston.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity
to return to SC Ports in this role,” Mallace said. “This organization and the broader maritime community in South
Carolina deliver exceptional service. I look forward to building on that legacy and strengthening our global competitiveness.”
SC Ports Board Chairman Bill Stern praised Mallace’s appointment, noting his operational expertise and industry
foresight.
“The reach of our port extends far beyond South Carolina’s borders,”
Stern said. “Micah understands the role we play in global trade and the importance of staying ahead in a competitive
maritime landscape. His knowledge, experience and vision make him the right choice to lead us forward.”
Mallace succeeds interim CEO Phil Padgett, who will return to his role as the port’s chief financial officer.
“Micah is the right person to guide SC Ports into the future,” Padgett said. “His leadership will
be instrumental as we continue our push to rank among the top ten U.S. container ports.”
Mallace
will deliver his first State of the Port address on Oct. 28, where he is expected to outline his strategic priorities and
provide updates on port operations.
Prior to rejoining SC Ports, Mallace served as president of
Harbor Logistics, a Charleston-based third-party logistics firm focused on port drayage, warehousing and trans-loading. A
native of Charleston, he lives in the area with his wife and three children.
