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GREENVILLE, S.C. —

What is millage rate?

It’s one of the three factors used to adjust property taxes.

For the first time in 30 years, Greenville Co. citizens could soon be seeing an increase in its millage rate.

On Tuesday, county council got an overview of the projected county budget for the next two years. The budget includes a millage increase from 48.8 to 59.8. That means with the median home value in the county being $350,000, the one year tax increase on that is $154.

However, as the county continues to grow, members of council said they want to look at all the options.

County administrator Joseph Kernell said there are a number of factors why it’s needed. Some involve rapid growth, rising prices, and the uncertain economic climate.

Kernell added they have done the best with what limited staff the county has.

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"It does show that the county did really well in managing before by not having to do the millage adjustment. Now trying to compensate for that lax in adjustment is a pretty big task," Councilman Benton Blount said.

How does compare to neighboring counties?

Hearst Owned

Hearst Owned

After the increase, it still puts Greenville behind Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson Co.

The budget also reflects the priorities set by council. Those priorities are:

"To me, the priority has to be on public safety and if we're not able to fund that department the way it needs to be, I think all the other things become irrelevant," Vice Chairwoman Liz Seman said.

"We, obviously with the more people and more development we have, we have more need for public services, EMS, the sheriff's office, and all the others. So it definitely is important," Blount said.

However, some council members feel there are more avenues to consider.

"If we struggling with the budget, I don't want to go right to the homeowner and the taxpayer to say solve our problem for us. I want to solve that problem, Councilman Steve Shaw said. "Areas that we can either look at selling some of the assets of the county, look at making things more efficient and look at areas that we are getting into. Businesses that we not be the best at doing that."

"If something happens to a loved one, you're going to want ems to show up. If you need the fire department, police, even roads, and infrastructure. All the cost of those things has increased dramatically and I think that's what we are responding too," Seman said.

Council had the first reading of the budget Tuesday. A public hearing is scheduled to be held on June 6.

All members of council emphasized that they are not going to rush this for the sake of everyone here in the county.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – The Greenville Humane Society is asking for help in caring for two dogs which were abandoned last week.

According to a post on the Greenville Humane Society’s Facebook page, last week witnesses saw two yellow labs being dumped from a truck. While driving away, the truck reportedly ran over one of them with no attempt to stop.

Animal control services were notified of the incident and officers found the dogs and brought one of the dogs to the county animal shelter and the other, who had been hit by the truck, to a local veterinarian.

The second dog was later diagnosed with a broken leg and both have tested positive for heartworm disease.

The two labs were determined to be around nine years old. The day after they were picked up they were taken in by Greenville Humane Society for care.

“We named them Macaroni (boy) and Cheese (girl) because they go together perfectly. Macaroni stayed by Cheese’s side after being dumped and never once left her alone,” wrote the humane society.

Cheese was sent back to a vet for surgery on her broken leg and both dogs are being treated for heartworm. The cost of treating both dogs is $6,500.

Helping animals like Macaroni and Cheese is part of the mission for Greenville Human Society. But the timing of the dogs arrival has put the organization in a difficult position.

The organization is in the middle of constructing a new dog kennel, and space for the animals is limited.

” We have The Hope Fund for cases like these but having already treated over 1,250 sick or injured animals just this year, our fund is running out,” the post said. “Heartbreaking cases like these come to us often. We try not to ask for help unless we’re desperate… and that’s where we are.”

On Thursday, the dogs went to a foster home where they will continue their recovery.

Greenville Humane Society is asking for donations to cover Macaroni and Cheese’s care.

Donations can be made online at Greenville Humane Society, through Venmo to @greenvillehumanesociety or by mail to 305 Airport Road, Greenville, SC. 29607.

GREENVILLE — A bowling ball barrels down a shiny lane toward a set of pins. A waiter takes the food orders of a couple sitting in a sea of chairs. Dozens of arcade games flash neon colors.

These are the sights and sounds of Greenville’s newest entertainment center.

810 Billiards and Bowling, a Myrtle Beach-born concept, soft-opened its first Upstate location on May 17. It has plans for a grand opening within the next month.

The 20,000-square-foot entertainment center replaced the old Burkes Outlet at 842 Woods Crossing Rd. in Greenville, near the Haywood Mall. There are seven locations of 810 Billiards and Bowling listed on the corporate website across South Carolina, Arizona, Texas and Arkansas.

The Greenville center, owned by franchisee Rylan Miller, has 10 bowling lanes, eight billiards tables and two dart boards. It is still waiting on additional activities to come in like more arcade games and cornhole boards. Once fully stocked, the arcade will have about 30 games.

The kitchen offers burgers, pizza, tacos, chicken wings and tenders. Miller said the center is looking into brunch options for the weekends. The bar serves beer, wine and liquor with some top-shelf options. The dining area has about 100 seats.

“We really want it to be a place where you can come with your whole family,” Miller said. “But also feel like, if you’re on a date or you want to bring your husband or wife for a night out, you can go there and feel like it’s an adult place, too.”

Miller, a Navy veteran originally from North Carolina, is a serial franchiser. He owns dozens of Tropical Smoothie Cafes in South Carolina and beyond. The Greenville location of 810 Billiards and Bowling is his first location of the entertainment concept. He now lives in Myrtle Beach where the bowling brand originated.

Monday through Thursday bowling costs $10 per person, and it’s $12 Friday through Sunday. Lanes can accommodate up to 8 players. Shoe rentals are $4 per pair. Lane reservations can be made by calling 810-269-5646.

Billiards costs $8.10 per hour on Monday through Thursday and $10 Friday through Sunday. Darts always cost $8.10 per hour.

The center is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

The bustling South Carolina city of Greenville officially becomes "Greekville" starting Friday.

That's when the community of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral celebrates its 37th Annual Greenville Greek Festival.

The entire sprawling church campus, located at 406 North Academy Street, transforms into a Greek marketplace that includes the vast Hellenic center and tours of the beautifully designed and appointed cathedral.

Visitors experience Greek culture through music, dance and, especially, food.

One of the Greenville restaurants serving up souvlaki, baklava, lamb burgers and more is John Makkas, owner and head chef of ji-roz, at 644 North Main Street, near the corner of Stone Avenue.

ji-roz, spelled in all small letters with long vowel marks over the "i" and "o."

More news (story continues after links.)

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"It’s the name of the gyro," Makkas said, referring to the delectable Greek "sandwich" on pita bread with lamb and beef cooked on a vertical rotisserie for hours, then thinly sliced and folded with tomato, onions and drizzled with defining tzatziki sauce.

"No one ever knows how to really say (the word) so we’re playing with it," he said. "It strikes a conversation at every table."

In preparation for the festival, Makkas took some time out of the ji-roz kitchen (and "One-Eyed Donkey Food Truck) to appear on WYFF News 4 Today.

(See video in box above.)

John also shared the restaurant's special, authentic recipe for tzatziki sauce, if you'd like to try it below.

If you'd rather taste the authentic, professionally-made stuff, the Greek Festival opens Friday at 11 a.m. and runs through Sunday at 5 p.m.

For everything you need to know before you go, click here.

ji-roz Tzatziki sauce

Ingredients:

Instructions:

In a big enough bowl, grate your washed cucumber on the bigger grater holes with the skin on. Then, mix everything else together and salt to taste. Let sit at least a half an hour before serving. When serving, drizzle some more Greek extra virgin olive oil over the top.

Upstate Parent

Yes, there’s still some school left, but it’s time to plan ahead for summer. Tweens and teens can take a class to prepare for babysitting, families can secure their tickets for an upcoming show, and you can mark the calendar for some free fun, too. Get to it – and don’t miss reading the good news about some amazing fifth graders and get some tips for finishing the school year strong. All this and much more is at upstateparent.com.

To include your organization’s family friendly events in Upstate Parent, email chris@worthyplace.com.

Registration is open for Park Hop – a free, summer long scavenger hunt at park and recreation venues throughout Greater Greenville County. This scavenger hunt encourages children and families to discover featured parks throughout the summer while searching for answers to clues within each park. Get the ParkHop app on GooglePlay or the App Store. Visit parkhop.org.

“Once on This Island” continues through May 21 at South Carolina Children’s Theatre. Recommended for grade 3 – adults. For tickets and details, visit scchildrenstheatre.org/once-on-this-island.

Starry Nights programs are at Roper Mountain Science Center May 19. “Big Bird’s Adventure: One World, One Sky” is at 4:30 p.m., “Oasis in Space” is at 6 p.m. and “Stars of the Pharaohs” is at 7:30 p.m. Advance ticket purchases are required. For details, visit ropermountain.org.

“Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit” opens May 20 at the Upcountry History Museum. At this play-and-learn exhibit, visitors step into the pages of author and illustrator Eric Carle’s colorful picture books and experience them as artist and reader, while discovering and playing with five special insects from his well-known children’s books. For details, visit upcountryhistory.org.

Tunes in the Park, a free outdoor concert, is at 6 p.m. May 20 in the amphitheater in Greer City Park. The event includes Greer Idol and Greer Idol Jr. auditions. Visit greerculturalarts.com.

Zookeeping Kids – What Do the Animals Do All Night? for ages 8 – 11 is at 7 p.m. May 20 at the Greenville Zoo. The cost is $20 each for members and $30 each for nonmembers. Experience what it is like to work at a zoo. For details and registration, visit greenvillezoo.com.

Tell Me About It Tuesday: Aldabra Tortoise (World Turtle Day) is at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. May 23 at the Greenville Zoo. Included with admission. For details, visit greenvillezoo.com.

Build it Better with the Three Little Pigs is at 11 a.m. May 23 at the Spartanburg Main Library. Enjoy a puppet show from Columbia Marionette Theatre during this special story hour. Attendance is limited to the first 100 participants. For details, visit spartanburglibraries.org.

The Governor’s School Senior Music Showcase is at 7:30 p.m. May 23 at the SCGSAH Campus, Smith Recital Hall. This event is free and open to the public and will also be presented live at youtube.com/scgsah. For details, visit scgsah.org/calendar/events.

Nature Discovery Club – Middle School: Student’s Choice is 4 – 5:30 p.m. May 25 at Conestee Nature Preserve. Grades 6 – 8. For details, cost and registration, visit conesteepreserve.org/events.

Family Craft Night: Camping is 5 – 7 p.m. (drop in) May 25 at the Five Forks Branch Library. Visit greenvillelibrary.org.

Bidding on a Legacy is Let There Be Mom's online auction. Bidding closes May 25 at 9 p.m. Items include vacations, spa packages, jewelry, home and garden items, fashion and more. Proceeds help LTBM preserve the legacies of local parents who are battling life threatening illnesses. Visit lettherebemom.org.

Red Cross Babysitter's Training for ages 11 – 15 is 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. May 30 at the Pelham Falls Clubhouse in Greer. The cost is $115 each and includes certification card and book. For details and registration, visit CPRbyDanee.com.

Safe Sitter for ages 11 – 13 is 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. June 9, June 16, June 30 or July 14 at Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside. The cost is $65 per child. Safe Sitter is a one-day course that covers information on how to handle emergencies, major and minor. Students listen, practice, and role play to learn about safety precautions, rescue breathing techniques, recognizing emergencies, and calling for emergency help. Safe Sitter also covers childcare basics. Register online at bonsecours.com or call 864-675-4400.

Looking ahead:

Triumph Day is 4 – 6 p.m. May 26 at Swamp Rabbit Café. Meet Greenville Triumph and Liberty soccer players. The event includes activities for kids. Visit swamprabbitcafe.com.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is presented by Mauldin Theatre Company May 27 and 28 and June 3 and 4 at the Mauldin Cultural Center. Visit mauldinculturalcenter.org.

“Shrek the Musical” is presented June 2 – 25 at Greenville Theatre. For tickets, visit greenvilletheatre.org.

SCCT’s End of Season Block Party is 3 – 6 p.m. June 3 in the parking lot of SCCT Headquarters. Admission is free. Enjoy live storytelling with favorite characters, outdoor activities, music and more. Every child will leave with a new book, sponsored by Greenville First Steps. For details, visit scchildrenstheatre.org/sccts-end-of-season-block-party.

“Cinderella: Enchanted” is presented June 9 – July 2 at Flat Rock Playhouse. This is a fresh take on a timeless classic, for children and adults. For tickets, visit flatrockplayhouse.org/cinderella.