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Anderson Independent Mail photographer Ken Ruinard received one of the highest honors at the South Carolina Press Association's annual meeting in Columbia on Friday.

Ruinard was named South Carolina Photojournalist of the Year for 2024.

"He's no stranger to this award, having won it several times," said Jen Madden, co-executive director of the SCPA, from the stage during Friday's ceremony.

The judges said, "This category was filled with excellent photos" and the "most consistent entries of great photos under the most difficult circumstances.

"The sports photos were caught at exactly the right moment. The flood coverage was moving. The variety of shots of expressions, devastation, relief efforts. Everything told the whole story. No words needed."

USA Today Network journalists in South Carolina received eight other awards from the press association. The Greenville News (two awards), Spartanburg Herald-Journal (one award), Anderson Independent Mail (three awards), and the Lowcountry weekly publication The Jasper County Sun Times (two awards) were all honored.

"Congratulations to Ken Ruinard and all of our winners. It is an honor that our journalism is recognized among the best in South Carolina. These awards are a testament to our unwavering commitment to local, service-focused journalism," said Leisa Richardson, South Carolina editor for the USA Today Network and executive editor of the Greenville News, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, and Anderson Independent-Mail. "I am proud of our amazing team."

Ruinard also won first place for a Sports Feature Photo for photographs at a Gaffney/Boiling Springs football game. The photo was titled “Agony of Missing the Feet.”

Reporter Shellie Murdaugh won first place for a Feature Photo for the Jasper County Sun Times. In the photo, Worth Congleton, 4, dressed in a replica of his great-grandfather's U.S. Army uniform, saluted after placing a wreath on a veteran's grave on Dec. 16, 2023, as a part of the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Ridgeland Cemetery.

Herald-Journal photographer Alex Hicks, Jr., won a second-place award in the Sports Feature Photo category for his photo at a Landrum Cardinals game.

Ruinard also won a second-place award in the photo series or photo story category for his work “Helene devastates Carolinas” and another second-place photo in the Sports Action Photo category for his photo of Westside High Senior Jaylen Telley making a diving catch against Pendleton High during the top of the third inning at the Spring Break Tournament at BHP High in Honea Path.

Greenville News reporter A.J. Jackson won a third-place award in the Arts and Entertainment Category for his story "Art supporters hope to encourage Black artists to create films and theatre in Greenville." Jackson covers business, food & dining, and downtown culture.

Former Greenville News business, growth & development reporter Sarah Swetlik won a third-place award in the Profile Feature Writing or Story category for "How Ma-ta Crawford's love of gardening led her to community leadership."

Murdaugh also won a third-place award in the series of articles category on Fentanyl.

Click here to see a list of all of the winners.

Black mold in an ice machine, live and dead roaches on the floor, food debris on kitchen appliances were a few of the problems cited by health inspectors in Greenville County restaurants in March.

In all, three restaurants received C ratings, the lowest the Department of Agriculture gives. A total of 367 facilities were inspected with 339 rated A and 24 rated B.

Carolina Fine Foods in Simpsonville earned the lowest score of the month with 72 points, and scored 98, an A, on a follow up inspection a week later.

Among the findings in the first inspection were multiple open employee beverages throughout the kitchen on and above food preparation areas, a food handler filling up a plastic bucket inside a hand sink, various appliances with food debris, including a can opener, a sandwich press and knives.

There was also food debris and grease on the kitchen floors and ventilation hoods were dirty and dripping. The sides and handles of some equipment were greasy.

The ceiling above the dish machine had microbial growth and rust as did a prep sink.

An ice machine used by customers at soda machines had with black microbial growth.

Large containers of food were not cooled properly in a walk-in cooler, including potatoes, turkey, black eyed peas, lima beans, brown beans, collard greens, turkey, rice, white gravy, brown gravy, cole slaw, ribs, beef roast and macaroni and cheese. The staff threw away the food.

Uncooked beef and chicken was stored at improper temperatures as was eggs and hush puppy mix.

A large metal pot containing raw turkey was rusted inside a basin.

None of the prepared foods had date markings.

An open container of chlorine sanitizer was stored in an area where food was prepared.

The insides of ovens were heavily soiled with char.

Tacos Bla Bla Bla @ Haywood in Greenville scored 74 points and in a follow up inspection a week later scored 98, an A.

In the initial inspection, employees stored drinks above food prep areas while cooking and one did not wash their hands before putting on new gloves. One was also seen touching a cell phone with gloves on and then continuing to cook.

One pair of tongs was used to handle various raw chicken, shrimp, beef and pork and was not cleaned every 4 hours.

An ice machine had black microbial growth.

Beef grease on a countertop was 48 degrees below the temperature regulations require. The person in charge said it sits out for hours, sometimes days.

Live and dead roaches were seen throughout the facility. The inspector said they were multi-generational and were seen in the main kitchen and a back prep room near a water heater.

Sanitizers were not used on wiping clothes and a scoop was touching ice in an ice machine.

Grease was built up on the floors behind the cookline and on equipment. Food debris and litter was under equipment and in the corners of the restaurant.

Jamaica Mi Irie on South Main Street in Greenville scored 81 points.

There was a roach infestation in the facility and food debris on shelving.

A cooler had torn gaskets.

There were holes in a wall and floors in poor repair with food debris, grime and grease. The lighting was not bright enough in some areas of the kitchen.

A follow up inspection 10 days later rated the restaurant 84, noting dead roaches, dirty shelving and holes in the walls.

Information on follow up inspections have been added to this story.

This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

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Booming exports turned a South Carolina city into the “Global Home of the F-16.” Slipping foreign demand among angry allies could hurt that economic engine.

April 2, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. EDTToday at 6:00 a.m. EDT

8 min

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Until recently, much of the world agreed: America makes the best fighter jets.

Even a half-century-old model no longer purchased by the United States military proved so popular abroad that Lockheed Martin started an assembly line here solely for foreign buyers. That export shop turned this conservative slice of South Carolina into the “Global Home of the F-16,” the governor declared, seeding hundreds of jobs while boosting Upstate part-makers. The Greenville site annually pumps $1.3 billion into the local economy, business leaders estimate.

What readers are saying

The comments reflect a strong sentiment that geopolitical tensions, particularly under Trump's administration, are negatively impacting Greenville, South Carolina's economy, which relies heavily on F-16 production. Many commenters express that Trump's actions have eroded trust... Show more

This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.

PICKENS, S.C. —

Four people have been charged in connection with the Table Rock wildfires in South Carolina that has burned more than 13,000 acres.

The fires started March 21 inside Table Rock State Park.

On Tuesday, the following people were charged with negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another:

South Carolina Forestry Commission

While involved in the search for a missing hiker in Table Rock State Park, Pickens County sheriff’s deputies, state park personnel and other first responders said they discovered a rapidly growing wildfire. As part of their response, the search group found and evacuated seven hikers, several of whom were questioned about the origins of the fire.

According to the arrest warrant affidavits, the suspects took part in smoking activities on a hiking trail at the state park and did not extinguish their cigarettes in a proper and safe manner, which officials allege led to the ignition of the Table Rock Fire.

The juvenile subject was charged with one count of the same offense; he was not booked and was released into the custody of his parents. The three adult suspects were booked into the Pickens County Detention Center and released on personal recognizance bonds of $7,500 each.

So far, the Table Rock fire and the Persimmon Ridge fire have burned more than 15,000 acres. Latest update on fire here.

Just before midnight the night the fires started, Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship posted a message on Facebook and said young men, whom he described as hikers, were responsible for starting the fire and that they had been identified.

What started the Table Rock complex fire in South Carolina?

Blankenship said the hikers were "negligent" and that negligence led to the forest fire.

Watch his full message from that night below:

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At the time, he said the investigation was being handled by Pickens County detectives and the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a Red Flag Fire Alert on Thursday, March 20.

Here's what that means, according to the commission:

"A Red Flag Fire Alert means conditions are favorable for a fire escaping easily and spreading rapidly. All outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. However, burning is not necessarily illegal. This is the most common notification you’ll see from this agency."

At 6 p.m. Friday, the Red Flag Fire Alert was upgraded to a statewide burn ban, which prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state.

A time for when the fire started has not been given, so it is not known if the state was under a burn ban at the time.

Recently, the Greenville News reported that Greenville, South Carolina, was among the nation's top 10 allergy capitals, landing at spot No. 9 in the list.

"South Carolina has an abundance of plant life, resulting in high pollen concentrations." according to concierge allergy practice Wyndly. "Due to climate and pollen levels, South Carolina is one of the worst states for allergies."

In the state, it is common for seasonal allergies to begin as early as February.

Now that springtime is here, resident allergy sufferers may be looking to a time where they can get relief. Here's when pollen season ends in the state.

What months are seasonal allergies at their peak in SC?

Seasonal allergies are usually at their peak in S.C. during the months of April, June, and September. These are the months allergy sufferers will want to keep a close eye on the pollen count and limit their time outdoors. Those with allergies may also try going out during the evening when pollen counts are lower in S.C.

When does allergy season end in SC?

Residents may get a brief break from seasonal allergies in November, the end of allergy season in the state. However, indoor allergies like dust, pet dander, or mold may worsen in the winter, becoming another nuisance for allergy suffers.

How can I decrease my exposure to pollen this season?

∎ Check pollen count daily.

∎ Trim trees, mow the lawn, and pull weeds.

∎ Wear a mask outdoors.

∎ Clean regularly.

∎ Keep windows closed.

∎ Install a HEPA filter.

What are SC's most common allergies?

∎ Ryegrass

∎ Bermuda grass

∎ Sweet vernal grass

∎ Ragweed

∎ Marsh elder

∎ Sagebrush

∎ Russian thistle

∎ Pine tree

∎ Hickory tree

∎ Ash tree

∎ Cedar tree

∎ Willow tree

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at [email protected]