Greenville Journal

01/11/2026

A new year, a new issue and the stories shaping the Upstate business community.

The January issue of Upstate Business Journal is live, featuring:
• Hughes Agency’s 25-year milestone and Velda Hughes’ legacy of community impact
• How Upstate restaurateurs are adapting to a changing economy
• What comes next after founders cash out and how they continue to make an impact

Start 2026 informed and inspired.
🔗 Read the January issue

https://upstatebusinessjournal.com/

01/09/2026

REdEFIND, one of the Upstate’s most popular bands, has evolved to a stunning degree on the eight-track release.

REdEFIND, the quartet of Caparell, drummer Dustan Snow, bassist Drew Porter and guitarist Dru “Drucipher” Woodall, will play an EP release show at Greenville’s Radio Room Jan. 10.

REdEFIND, one of the Upstate’s most popular bands, has evolved to a stunning degree on the eight-track release.

01/09/2026

With unchecked and in many cases unknown community circulation of the virus, infections in the Spartanburg County measles outbreak have surged with 99 new cases, the state Department of Public Health reported Jan. 9.

While there are 200 people in quarantine, numerous public exposures are complicating efforts to trace sources for new infections.

01/09/2026

Fountain Inn Council approved first reading of an agreement to sell 1.2 undeveloped acres at 610 Fairview St. to Greenville County Schools.

The property will be used to accommodate larger drop-off zone at Fountain Inn Elementary School, so it can include sixth through eighth grades.

01/09/2026

Local stories you may have missed this week.⁠
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- First look: Peace Center’s new music venues in downtown Greenville
- Conestee Nature Preserve adds 2.6 acres, seeks annexations
- Restaurant Week 2026 begins. Here’s where to eat in Greenville County
- SCDOT wrapping up two downtown Greenville bridge replacements
⁠
Want the full stories? 📲 Visit greenvillejournal.com.

01/09/2026

A sense of place. That’s the secret sauce to a memorable and beloved restaurant. Can you imagine our town without such luminaries as Soby’s, Pita House, OJ’s Diner or Henry’s Smokehouse? Our town just wouldn’t be the same and the absence of any of those four luminaries would leave a hole in the heart of many.

Stephanie Burnette agrees, and we recently sat down at OJ’s for — what else? — fried chicken, and to discuss her new book, “100 Things To Do in Greenville, SC Before You Die.” Her book only lists a couple dozen restaurants and, naturally, OJ’s is one of them.

Read this week's City Juice.

I recently sat down with Stephanie Burnette at OJ’s to discuss her new book, "100 Things To Do in Greenville, SC Before You Die."

01/08/2026

Greenville County Administrator Joe Kernell is entering his final 18 months at the helm of the state’s most populous county.

A nationwide search for a successor will begin immediately as County Administrator Joe Kernell enters his final 18 months at the helm.

01/08/2026

The South Carolina Department of Transportation plans to finish two bridge replacement projects in downtown Greenville in early 2026.

The South Hudson Street and West Washington Street bridges were scheduled for emergency replacement after Hurricane Helene.

01/08/2026

“We just want to be able to make an impact as the youth in Greenville. We feel like there’s a lot that we can do.” — Jackson Benton, co-chair of the Youth Commission and a senior at Southside Christian School

The city of Greenville's Youth Commission was established in 2009 to invite local youth to participate in the city’s decision-making process.

01/08/2026

In 2012, Steve Grant founded Chris and Kelly’s HOPE Foundation, which was established as a donor-advised fund through the Community Foundation of Greenville.

Steve Grant has been in the Upstate’s financial services industry for more than 40 years and is a graduate of Furman University.

01/07/2026

The Peace Center plans to amplify the local music scene with two new performance venues opening soon in downtown Greenville. Renovations began in late 2022 after approximately two years of planning.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Megan Riegel, CEO of the Peace Center.

The Peace Center plans to amplify the local music scene with two new performance venues opening soon in downtown Greenville.

01/07/2026

An Upstate child has become the first pediatric flu-related death this season, the state Department of Public Health reported Jan. 7.

According to state epidemiologist Linda Bell, the pediatric case is among 26 deaths reported statewide so far this flu season.