Personal Injury Attorneyin Greenwood, SC.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Flybar, Inc., a premier sporting toy company, today announced plans to establish distribution operations in Greenwood County. The company’s $8 million investment will create 36 new jobs.

Founded in 1918 as the “original pogo stick company,” Flybar, Inc. has become one of the largest pogo stick manufacturers in the world. The company has recently expanded its active play and bounce portfolio, producing over 500 products in 14 different categories. In addition to pogo sticks, the company manufactures skateboards, ride-on vehicles, trampolines, sleds, preschool toys and more. The products are available at major retailers in store and online.

Located at 795 West Alexander Road, Flybar, Inc.’s new distribution operations in Greenwood will support its increasing inventory and fulfillment needs.

Operations are expected to be online by early January 2023. Individuals interested in joining the Flybar, Inc. team should visit the company’s contact page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $75,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Greenwood County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

QUOTES

“At Flybar, our mission is to create smiles and lifelong memories for our customers, our team, and our communities. We are so excited to bring this mission to Greenwood. We know we will be in good company with other great organizations, a strong labor force and the South Carolina DOC, for whose support we are so grateful. Greenwood’s infrastructure, proximity to the port and mature business market made it the ideal location for our main distribution center. We can’t wait to get Greenwood bouncing and smiling.” -Flybar, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Saul Wolhendler

“South Carolina’s booming economy and strong workforce continue to attract top-tier companies. We congratulate Flybar, Inc. on establishing operations in Greenwood County and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our state.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are excited to announce operations for Flybar, Inc. in Greenwood County which will add to the area’s growing roster of new businesses. By creating these job opportunities and investing in our state, Flybar, Inc. joins our robust logistics community that continues to advance South Carolina’s economy.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“I am excited to welcome Flybar, Inc. to Greenwood County and to District One. They are creating 36 jobs in our area and will be breathing new life into the former Eaton facility. Flybar, Inc. is known as “masters of bounce,” and their presence will positively impact the lives of many families in Greenwood County and will be a great boost, literally and figuratively, for our community and our economy.” -Greenwood County Councilwoman Edith Childs

FIVE FAST FACTS

GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. —

The Upstate has a big dam problem. And its ripple effect impacts communities miles downstream. Now, a group of more than a thousand concerned residents is working together to prevent what could be one of the worst environmental disasters in South Carolina history.

"If that dam were to break," SC Rep. John McCravy said, "my guess is it would flow right over the dam in Greenwood, go right into the Saluda River and keep on going to Columbia down to Lake Murray."

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The Conestee Dam was built in 1892 in Greenville County. According to a Kleinschmidt engineering study, dams built during that time period were supposed to last 50 years — 130 years later, officials say the dam is cracking under the weight of water and decades' worth of pollutants.

If the dam breaks, chemicals from things like pesticides, coal tar, and petroleum would flow down the Reedy River and pollute areas like Lake Greenwood, Greenwood County's only source of drinking water and a major moneymaker for surrounding towns.

"We're not a very big community," said lake-side dweller, Stephanie Bowen. "So, the resources we get from outside, people patronizing our businesses and our restaurants, we won't survive."

"The drinking water, the fact that we could suffer fish kills or fish may not be edible here. This is one of the cleanest lakes in South Carolina right now," said Ralph Cushing of Save Lake Greenwood.

Last year, SC Sen. Billy Garrett secured $3 million to study the best ways to solve this problem.

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McCravy has met with the Ways and Means Committee to get another $47.5 million to create its solution.

"The only way forward really is to build a dam 10 feet downstream the current dam that would prevent any toxic sediment from going past that point in the event that that dam fails," he said over Zoom Thursday.

Since we broke this story for the first time on air earlier this month, more than 1,000 residents have mobilized, starting Save Lake Greenwood on Facebook.

"If this dam was to break, not only does that compromise our drinking water, this is the water we bathe our children. This is the water our children swim in," said Bowen, a member of that group.

Ralph Cushing started the page to spread awareness and help residents take action.

"It's important to write to your legislators, and it's important to do that today. The reason is action is happening right now in Columbia. Your input makes all the difference in the world," Cushing said.

McCravy says next, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will need to request the funds for the dam in its next budget, most likely in the next 30 days.

After that, the budget will make its way through the House, Senate, and the governor's desk.

GREENWOOD, S.C. —

It may be a thing of the past in most places, but in one Upstate town, owners of an outdoor “auto theater” are about to turn on the projectors again after 77 years in the same spot.

The 25 Drive In Movie Theater, on Highway 25 South, in Greenwood, will begin the 2023 season on Friday, with some major motion pictures showing on three screens.

Owners Carolyn and Tommy McCutcheon, or “mom and pop” as they’re called on the website, call it "dinner and a movie like you've never had before," with admission at $5 for kids 3 to 11 and $10 for ages 12 and up.

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The McCutcheons have decades of experience in the restaurant business, but stumbled into the drive-in business back in 2007 when the property was in shambles.

The original drive-in opened at the same location in 1945, according to the website. After two separate owners spanning 40 years, the McCutcheons gave the dilapidated drive-in new life in 2009, adding additional screens in 2011 and 2015, converting to a digital projector in 2014.

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More on the auto theater's history here.

WYFF News 4 did a story on The 25 back in 2013 when they were competing with other theaters across the country to win a projector.

Watch that 2013 story below.

They did not win the projector, and said they ended up taking out a loan against their home to pay for the improvements.

"Running a drive-in is a lot of fun, but it's not easy," Tommy said, "The problem is, we're so small--with just three screens--we don't get a fair shake from the distributors."

Adding to the financial challenge of owning a drive-in is the physical demands of keeping up the property, the equipment and the restaurant.

"We're in our mid-60's and we should be thinking about retiring," Tommy said. "But I'm afraid if we do that, someone will buy up the property and put apartments or condos on it."

With three screens, the drive-in is now the area’s spring and summer hot spot, according to regulars.

Trip Advisor gives the place 4-and-a-half stars out of 5, with reviews like: "Excellent drive in movie theater and a must do for families of all ages."

Gates open at 6 p.m. for dinner every Friday and Saturday, according to the website, with double features showing on each screen at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

At the restaurant, you can indulge in their homemade, “hand pattied burgers” or other menu items, ranging from BBQ tenderloin sandwiches to corndogs and even salads.

For a $20 fee, you can pack your own cooler with food and drinks.

Of course, popcorn is always on the menu.

Below is a list of the films showing for opening weekend.

Screen One:

Screen Two:

Screen Three:

GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — For more than a century, the Conestee Dam has held back water from Lake Conestee.

According to DHEC, the dam is also holding back hazardous and toxic chemicals.

Studies found that the chemicals were put in the water in the 1800s when nearby businesses and a nearby mill got rid of their waste.

The Conestee Dam is aging, making many concerned that the dam will break and the chemicals will flow downstream into Lake Greenwood.

“If that dam goes, it changes everything,” said Ralph Cushing, who lives on Lake Greenwood and started the Facebook group, Save Lake Greenwood. “It will rush down here to Lake Greenwood basically ruining this beautiful community that we all live in.”

“Who wants to come to a lake that is known for toxic waste that has spilled into it?” asked Annemarie Humm, who also lives on Lake Greenwood.

In the last week, hundreds of people have joined the Facebook group, Save Lake Greenwood. They are raising awareness about the dam and urging state and local leaders to find a solution.

“It will impact everyone who lives near, on, and around the lake,” explained Humm. “Our drinking water will be impacted, possibly toxic, which would be horrible for everyone in this area, both counties. It would also [affect] our economy that is booming from restaurants to the new companies that come here.”

“The cleanup could be billions of dollars,” added Cushing.

Last year, the state secured $3 million to study the dam and come up with a plan. Experts decided the best solution would be to build a new dam 10 feet from the existing one. State Rep. John McCravy said it will cost about $48 million and take three years to build.

“To me, this is an urgent matter,” said McCravy. “I’m treating it as an urgent matter.”

McCravy told 7NEWS he brought this issue to the state house last week and is asking lawmakers to award the $48 million in the upcoming state budget.

“We certainly don’t want any kind of environmental issue in Lake Greenwood,” said McCravy.

The Conestee Nature Preserve provided a statement to 7NEWS. To read the full statement, click here.

The Conestee Dam, which is over 130 years old, has legacy contamination in the sediments ofits lake, and needs to be replaced to ensure those pollutants remain where they are; safelycapped by newer sediment. With $3M in funding in hand and a clear plan to secure allnecessary funds in 2023, Conestee Nature Preserve has a team of consultants and engineers,a DHEC-appointed trustee, and meets regularly with a regional stakeholder group to shareprogress and collaboratively seek solutions.

Erin Knight, Operations Director

To learn more about the group, Save Lake Greenwood, and their efforts click here.

GREENWOOD, S.C. —

It has almost been two months since 28-year-old Kenneth Hughes was last seen.

However, no matter how bad the weather was Thursday, friends, family, and the Greenwood community came together to lift each other's spirits in hopes Hughes will come home.

In a dark church in Greenwood County, the family and friends of Kenneth Hughes came together to pray for a miracle.

Hughes was last seen off of Rush Road in Hodges, South Carolina, on Nov. 16. Since then, the family has dealt with the ups and downs of new leads and disappointment.

"I mean, we do get leads. Not every day but every so often and we get excited because we think we're going to find him. Then we hit a brick wall and then it's nothing. Then we get another lead and it's the same thing," Hughes' aunt, Rhonda Crenshaw, said.

Crenshaw said Hughes' son is also taking it hard as he waits for his dad to come home.

"He's been asking when his daddy is coming to see him. He's been crying wanting to know if he is going to see him again. It's just sad. He doesn't understand, he's 6," Crenshaw said.

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Michael Hubbard with Loudwater Outfitters, an organization that works on missing persons and cold cases, has been helping the family since Hughes disappeared. He said people need to understand this can happen to anyone.

"People think that somebody can't go missing in their family or in their community. That's the worst thing. Out of all these mothers and family members that I've talked to, not just Kenneth Hughes's case but all of them. It's terrible," Hubbard said.

While Hughes' family sat in that quiet church praying for good news, Crenshaw said the stormy weather outside was proof of her nephew's presence.

"He's coming in with the hurricane just because the thunder, lightning, wind and all that. I just thought that was funny because that's him. He was just always full force," Crenshaw said.

"If you're out there listening, give us a phone call and let us know if you're alright because that's what we need. We need that comfort, that closure in this situation. Your dad and your son, they are looking for your return," Hughes' uncle, Bill Crenshaw, said.

The Greenwood Co. Sheriff's Office about Hughes's case and they sent the following statement:

"We appreciate the communities support and willingness to help in all of the searches that have been conducted to try and locate Hughes. Our investigators are continuing to track down leads and interview those willing to speak to us. We ask that anyone that may have any information to come forward or submit it anonymously by calling 1-888-crime-sc."