Boiling Springs native elected president of Student Government Association at the Clinton School of Public Service
Pashion Israel, a Boiling Springs native, has been elected president of the Student Government Association at the Clinton School of Public Service. With a background in community service, Israel has participated in projects focused on emergency preparedness and international development, including work in Southern Thailand.
One of her priorities as president is developing a peer mentorship program to connect second-year students with first-year students, helping them adjust to the program while encouraging collaboration and the sharing of experiences.
Israel said her interest in public service grew from watching family members work in firefighting, public health and education. Her studies at the Clinton School have expanded that perspective through hands-on research and field service opportunities with local and international partners.
Looking ahead, Israel plans to apply to doctoral programs and pursue a career in higher education, where she hopes to encourage others to continue their education and make a difference in their communities.
Pacolet Food Truck Takeover returns Nov. 7
Operation Grow Spartanburg will host its second annual Pacolet Food Truck Takeover on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Pacolet Station Community Park, 150 W. Main St., in Pacolet.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature food trucks from the Upstate and surrounding region, with each truck offering a $5 menu alongside additional full-menu selections.
Activities will include mobile taprooms, live music, children’s inflatables, face painting and other family-friendly entertainment.
Battle of the Badges Softball Classic set for Nov. 7
The City of Spartanburg police and fire departments will face off in the first annual Battle of the Badges Softball Classic on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Fifth Third Park.
A home run derby will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by the softball game at 1:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the gate for $10 or five canned goods. Admission is $5 for children younger than 6.
Proceeds from the event and 100% of gate fees will benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties and the South Carolina Firefighters Burned Children’s Fund.
Home & Garden Show returns to Spartanburg Oct. 31-Nov. 1
The semiannual Home & Garden Show will return to Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
The show will feature home improvement products and ideas for projects ranging from roofing and flooring to patios and pools. The event also offers ideas for homeowners planning renovations or landscaping projects for 2027.
For more information click here.
Landrum Halloween Stroll set for Oct. 31
Downtown Landrum will host its annual Halloween Stroll on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Children can trick-or-treat at local businesses along North Trade Avenue and East Rutherford Street. A costume contest is scheduled for 6 p.m.
For more information click here.
Scout Motors announces $82 million Upstate supplier investment
Scout Motors announced its Upstate supplier network during a special event recently, highlighting $82 million in planned investments by seven companies in the region.
The suppliers — Spartanburg Steel, Magna DRIVE, KV Final, Röchling Automotive, Magna Mirrors, Cooper Standard and Bant Boru — plan to invest in their existing facilities across Spartanburg, Duncan and Piedmont.
The investments are expected to strengthen the region’s automotive supply chain and support the Upstate’s role in South Carolina’s manufacturing industry.
Spartanburg Little Theatre to Present ‘CLUE’
Spartanburg Little Theatre will bring the classic murder mystery comedy CLUE to the stage beginning Friday, Nov. 6. Based on the popular board game and 1985 film, the production follows a group of suspects as they try to solve a murder and uncover the killer.
The production will feature seven performances running through Nov. 15. Audiences can follow the twists, turns and comic mishaps as the mystery unfolds. For more information, showtimes and ticket information, click here.
PAL expands Duncan Park Trail plans with community input
PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well. is working with the City of Spartanburg Parks and Recreation Department to expand recreational access at Duncan Park, with plans to improve the lake’s perimeter trail and make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
The organizations hosted a community information session Sept. 9 at the C.C. Woodson Community Center to share project updates and gather input from residents. The improvements are funded through a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.
Planned upgrades include a boardwalk near Rivermont Drive and North Park Drive to help the trail navigate a sharp curve, along with two proposed three-way stops intended to slow traffic near the park. The stops are planned for Parkview Drive, Carolyn Drive and West Park Drive, and the intersection of South Park Drive and Parkview Drive.
Additional work will extend off-road sections of the trail around Duncan Park Lake and improve the gravel path behind Veterans’ Point Memorial Park with a more accessible surface.
Community feedback has played a key role in shaping the plans. A February 2023 survey found that more than 90% of 180 participating residents and stakeholders considered the perimeter trail important. A more recent online survey drew 166 responses, with 97% supporting paving the trail and 90% favoring traffic-calming measures along Parkview Drive. Respondents also emphasized protecting the park’s trees, natural terrain and shoreline.
Spartanburg District 3 earns top rankings for academic achievement
The 2025-26 South Carolina School Report Card highlights strong academic performance across Spartanburg School District 3, with every school earning an overall rating of Excellent or Good.
Cannons Elementary, Cowpens Elementary and Clifdale Middle School earned Excellent ratings, while Pacolet Elementary and Broome High School received Good ratings.Pacolet Elementary and Cannons Elementary earned Excellent ratings in Academic Achievement, while Cowpens Elementary and Clifdale Middle School received Excellent ratings in Student Progress.
Broome High School earned Excellent ratings in both Graduation Rate and College and Career Readiness. Overall, 86.7% of Broome High School students were college- or career-ready, exceeding the state average of 78.9%. The Class of 2026 also earned more than $5 million in scholarship awards.
District 3 also received recognition from SchoolDigger.com, which ranked it the 10th-highest-performing school district in South Carolina out of 75 districts.
