Spartanburg County updates website to track penny tax projects
Spartanburg County has launched a redesigned version of SpartanburgPenny.org aimed at making it easier for residents to follow how voter-approved one-cent capital sales taxes are being used.
The updated site provides information on the capital sales taxes approved in 2017 and 2023 and highlights the progress and community impact of projects funded through the initiatives.
Among the featured projects are major public investments such as the new Spartanburg County Courthouse and the planned joint city-county government complex. The site also offers ongoing updated on 577 road, bridge and infrastructure projects across the county funded through the Roads Penny program.
Kennedy Dunnings named SMC interim head women's soccer coach
Spartanburg Methodist College head women's soccer coach Debbie Pekel announced her resignation on December 10. In 2025, she helped lead the SMC women's soccer program to a berth in the Appalachia Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament.
Spartanburg Methodist College has named assistant coach Kennedy Dunnings as interim head coach.
Tyger River student wins District Five holiday card content
A Tyger River Elementary School student is having his artwork shared across Spartanburg County this holiday season.
District Five officials announced that Nolan Copeland, a fifth-grader at Tyger River Elementary, is the winner of the district's 2025 Holiday Card Content. Copeland and his art teacher, Nancy Mabry, were recognized by the District Five Board of Trustees during its late November meeting.
The annual content invites students from all eight District Five elementary schools to design festive holiday cards. Art teachers select the top entries from each school, which are then reviewed at the district level.
Copeland will receive a certificate and 50 copies of this winning card to share with family and friends. A framed version of the artwork will also be displayed at Tyger River Elementary School throughout the year.
Spartanburg One earns statewide Purple Star District designation
Spartanburg School District One recently announced that it has officially been named a Purple Star School District, a statewide recognition for the district's commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.
The Purple Star designation reflects the district's ongoing efforts to ensure smooth transitions for students of active-duty service members, National Guard, and Reserve families. This included providing dedicated support, collaborating with military partners, and creating welcoming environments that honor the unique needs of military children.
What you need to know in 2026
The annual Outlook Spartanburg Conference features legislative, economic, hospitality, community, and talent forecasts at the local, regional, national and global level to enable attendees to make informed decisions in 2026.
This event will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Milliken Customer Center, 920 Milliken Road, Spartanburg.
Register online for this event at https://web.onespartanburg.com/atlas/events/outlook-spartanburg-2026-9506/details.
Spartanburg Community College names William Brothers chief academic officer
Spartanburg Community College has appointed Dr. William Brothers as its new chief academic officer, bringing more than 15 years of experience in higher education leadership, administration and instruction.
Brothers comes to SCC from Greenville Technical College, where he most recently served as dean of the School of Engineering technology and Professional Studies. While there, he received the President's Award for Excellence.
He holds a doctorate in business administration, an education specialist degree, and master's degrees in business administration, entrepreneurship and human resource development. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting. Brothers also holds a Professional in Human Resources certification and is a graduate and former facilitator of the North Carolina Community College Leadership Program.
