The Courier News

Task force to review Claxton school sale

May 6, 2026 by Ben Pounds

Anderson County Schools hopes to sell part of the current Claxton Elementary School, shown here, to help pay for a new one. - Ben Pounds

Budget Committee members, followed by the Anderson County Commission, are expected to vote on forming a task force to examine options for the sale of the Claxton Elementary School property.

Commissioners are also expected to vote on the task force’s membership at a meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18.

The group would develop a request for proposals, or RFP, outlining how the county will evaluate offers to purchase the property.

The school is at 2218 Clinton Highway.

Anderson County Schools plans to replace it with a new facility at 105 Fellowship Lane, which is currently under construction.

During a work session Monday, May 4, Director of Schools Tim Parrott told school and county officials that the existing building has safety concerns and other issues related to its age.

To help pay for the new school, the system hopes to sell the current site for an estimated $4 million to offset construction costs.

“Come January, there’s a bill that needs to be paid, and we’re going to need money to pay it,” Parrott said.

Beer Board approves downtown brewery

May 6, 2026 by Ben Pounds

This building at 341 Market St. in downtown Clinton will be the site of Clinton’s first brewery. to be called Gather, which Brian Hatmaker plans to open sometime in late July or early August. - Tony Cox

With approval from the city of Clinton Beer Board, a new brewery and full-service restaurant in downtown Clinton is moving toward an opening late this summer.

Brian Hatmaker, the owner and operator of the future Gather on Market, applied for the permit and is also a member of the Beer Board.

He said Gather will serve its own beer alongside wine and liquor and pub-style food like smash burgers and wings.

He hopes to open on July or August this year.

The brewery and restaurant will be at 341 Market St., a building that previously hosted Granny’s Attic antiques.

“I believe the ongoing construction will only strengthen the future of our downtown space, and I look forward to its completion,” Hatmaker told The Courier News.

The measure passed unanimously on April 27, although member David Queener was absent.

Clinton Police Department Incident Reports

May 6, 2026

• April 17 – Officers responded to a shoplifting in progress at Food City, 507 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd. Two individuals were charged with theft of property. The case was cleared by arrest.

• April 19 – Police investigated a suspicious person report at a South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard address. The incident resulted in charges of theft from a motor vehicle and burglary of a motor vehicle. The case was cleared by arrest.

• April 22 – Officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at Walmart, 150 Tanner Lane. A suspect was charged with theft of property. The case was cleared by arrest.

• April 22 – Police responded to a shoplifting report at Food City, 507 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd. The case remains active.

• April 22 – Officers investigated a theft classified as “all other larceny” at Food City, 507 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd. The case remains active.

• April 24 – Officers responded to a “speak to an officer” call at Walmart, 150 Tanner Lane. The incident involved a report of shoplifting. The case remains active.

• April 26 – Police answered a “speak to an officer” call at Walmart, 150 Tanner Lane, regarding a shoplifting complaint. The case remains active.

• April 29 – Officers responded to a shoplifting incident at Walmart, 150 Tanner Lane. Two individuals were charged with theft of property. The case was cleared by arrest.

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