Matthew Hensley

3 days ago | postandcourier.com | Matthew Hensley

CALHOUN FALLS — At yet another packed and acrimonious meeting that saw arguments among attendees spill into the parking lot, Town Council discussed dire options such as scuttling its police force and slashing staff while plotting its path forward amid financial uncertainty.

3 weeks ago | postandcourier.com | Matthew Hensley

SPARTANBURG — The hearing itself was simple. And quick. An attorney briefly ticked through the details of the case. A judge asked the plaintiff a few questions, mostly yes-or-no. After the defense attorney gave no objections, the judge approved a $350,000 settlement with the S.C. Department of Transportation. When all was said and done, the June 3 court appearance lasted less than 10 minutes.

1 month ago | postandcourier.com | Matthew Hensley

CALHOUN FALLS — A chaotic council meeting frustrated both officials and residents alike in a beleaguered Upstate town of about 1,700 that's at the center of three state investigations and is struggling to move forward after a damning forensic audit that detailed mounting debt, unpaid utility bills and troublesome spending habits.

1 month ago | postandcourier.com | Matthew Hensley

SPARTANBURG — Earlier this month, federal authorities descended on two Spartanburg County homes, executing search warrants and arresting three people in connection to a more than yearlong drugs and money laundering investigation into the Red Mafia Family. Sealed filings in the ongoing probe keep the full scope of the case from the public, but the response from Nyaisa Shanice Foster led to another investigation — one centered on allegations she threatened an informant.

1 month ago | postandcourier.com | Matthew Hensley

CALHOUN FALLS — In the wake of a scathing state-funded audit that took town leaders to task for everything from shoddy record keeping and a lack of transparency to wasteful spending and owing six-figure sums in past-due utility bills, Calhoun Falls Town Council had a closed-door emergency meeting to hash out how to respond. That April 23 meeting broke state law meant to keep the public informed about what local governments are up to, according to longtime press attorney Jay Bender.