Steve White Auto Group has acquired Volkswagen of Spartanburg, returning the dealership to local ownership after being part of a large regional automotive group. The dealership will continue to offer new Volkswagen vehicles, manufacturer-certified service and a wide selection of pre-owned vehicles. Steve White Auto Group plans to invest in the dealership's facilities, operations and customer experience, with a focus on modernization and increased service capacity.
Applebee's in Spartanburg will host a profit share night on March 24 to benefit Angels Charge Ministries, a charity that supports formerly incarcerated women. Customers who mention the fundraiser or show their server the informational flyer will have 25% of their tab donated to Angels Charge. The funds will be used to support the organization's programs, including transitional housing and faith-based support.
Students at Wellford Academy of Science and Technology in Spartanburg District Five will soon be able to explore engineering and design through a unique hands-on experience. The initiative, called Telepresence Amusement Park, enables students to design and build small amusement park rides using K'NEX construction systems and to share their creations via livestream video. The project aims to foster curiosity, teamwork and problem-solving skills, while giving students an early introduction to STEAM pathways. The project is part of the Community STEAM Collaborative's mission to build connections between schools and communities while providing innovative, accessible learning experiences.
The Institute for Youth Justice and OneSpartanburg, Inc. have partnered to provide 50 new internships for high school students in Spartanburg County. The program is for students who are interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement or the judicial system. The five-month training program has been active since 2016 and has graduated over 100 students.
Fall 2025 is a record-breaking semester for Spartanburg Community College, with the highest enrollment in the college’s history. There are more than 7,000 academic students enrolled. This is a 70% increase since 2020.
Over 130 people in the Upstate have been placed in quarantine after exposure to measles, with 52 cases reported since Oct. 2. Most of those quarantined were students and staff at three public schools. Anyone who visited the Greenville Spartanburg International Airport or Way of Truth Church in Inman on specific dates should monitor themselves for symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary. The best way to prevent the spread of measles is to get vaccinated, with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine being 97% effective.
Spartanburg Community College has been selected as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Semifinalists for the prize are to be announced in Spring 2026.
Twelve of the fourteen schools in Spartanburg County District Five have been placed on America's Healthiest Schools list for 2025 by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The schools were judged across nine categories for accreditation. The announcement was made at Monday night’s Board of Trustees meeting. The board also voted to unanimously approve a 2027 summer field trip to Greece and Italy for students enrolled in Project Lead The Way biomedical science courses.
The Upstate Renaissance Festival is set to take place from Sept. 12-14 at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg. The festival, which was held in Greer City Park in its first year, will feature a variety of vendors. These include local businesses such as Not Just Gamin' and Darkstar Machinations. Attendees are encouraged to dress in historical or fantasy garb, and tickets are available online and at the gate.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Dudley Paul Bishop in connection with an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation. Dudley has been charged with luring a child and criminal solicitation of a minor. The investigation remains active.
