Renee Ortiz

South Carolina

Staff Writer at The Index-Journal

Keloland News Reporter bringing you the news as it comes! My tweets are my own.

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Articles

Greenwood's king of smoothies: Franchisee, Andre Gregory

1 week ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

When you stroll into Smoothie King off Bypass 72-NW, you'll be greeted with the sound of whirling blenders and the smell of fresh fruits and veggies. At the register, you'll find the giant sign of smoothies and owner Andre Gregory as he rings up your order. On his badge under his name, you can see that he is, in fact, a lover of naps. Gregory, who naps a little less these days, laughs about how busy life is now that his franchise is in it's fifth year of operations.
‘This is only the beginning’: Calhoun Falls councilmember leads push for reform after audit fallout

1 week ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

When Calhoun Falls resident and councilmember LaSean Tutt took office in January 2024, she brought with her a commitment to transparency. “I told the people when I was running that I wanted to get to the bottom to what happened to every penny council has spent,” Tutt said. “As a resident, I’m pissed off, and I’m disappointed.” Tutt continued. “I’m first a resident before I am council.
What the forensic report found and what Resolution 2025-03 aims to fix

1 week ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

A forensic audit conducted by CRI Advisors identified 26 key areas where the Town of Calhoun Falls had failed to comply with basic financial standards, procurement rules, and internal controls. Each item was assigned a risk level, ranging from low (L), medium (M) and high (H). The risk levels are based on potential impact to the town’s operations, finances, and legal compliance.
From loan to lawsuit: Aiken man says Calhoun Falls Mayor took $4,500 and disappeared

1 week ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

What started as an interest-free loan meant to open a new grocery store in Calhoun Falls, has turned into a cautionary tale about trust. Rick Lind, a 65-year-old retired business owner living in Aiken said in January 2023, he loaned $4,500 to Calhoun Falls Mayor Terrico Holland. Lind said the loan came after Holland pitched a plan to revitalize the local economy with a small grocery store.
Behind the government scenes: Upper Savannah COG assists with planning, transportation

2 weeks ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

From major road improvements to historic land preservation efforts, the Upper Savannah Council of Governments (COG) is working on a broad range of initiatives aimed at strengthening communities across the region. Government Services Director Rick Green has been with the Upper Savannah COG since 1994, and oversees a wide array of projects. His primary focus is on planning and transportation.
Youth leadership in action: Greenwood Mayor’s Youth Council plans Color Run fundraiser

2 weeks ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

In its third year, the Greenwood Mayor’s Youth Council continues to shine as a platform for civic education, leadership development, and community service for high school juniors and seniors across the city. Mayor Brandon Smith says the council was created as a way to engage young voices in local government. He says this council offers a seat at the table to the next generation of Greenwood’s leaders. “This isn’t something I made up, it was an idea that came to me,” Smith said.
Greenwood City Council hears hate crime ordinance plea, reviews first reading ordinances

3 weeks ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

Upcoming events The Mayor’s Youth Council fundraiser at 9 a.m. at the YMCA on will be on Saturday, April 26th. The event will raise money for Next Level Lifestyles and will include activities like a walk-a-thon and a color throw. Participants will wear white t-shirts that will get colored during the event. Community Action Day will be on 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday May 16, at the James Medford Family Event Center at Piedmont Technical College.
"Make a ham sandwich": Calhoun Falls Audit uncovers extensive credit card use, financial blackouts and mismanagement

3 weeks ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

A forensic audit of the Town of Calhoun Falls has uncovered widespread financial mismanagement, budgetary failures, and questionable practices by Mayor Terrico Holland and other officials — a conclusion provided by a report issued this month by CRI Advisors, LLC on behalf of the South Carolina Office of the State Auditor.
SIDEBAR: Calhoun Falls audit forwarded to SC Inspector General's Office

3 weeks ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

For more information You can find more information about Title 8, Chapter 13 of the South Carolina Code of Laws at:You can find more information on the State Ethics Commission here:For information and to access the complaint form, visit the State Ethics Commission’s Complaints page. What is Proviso 117.200?
Greenwood County Council tables RV Park decision, approves food truck regulations

3 weeks ago | indexjournal.com | Renee Ortiz

Talk of growth, development and public use shaped the Greenwood County Council’s meeting Tuesday, where members advanced several zoning proposals but paused one major plan for an RV park. Council voted unanimously to postpone Ordinance 2025-06, which would have rezoned about 8.12 acres at 3211 Hwy 72-221 E, for a medium-density RV park under a Planned Development District (PDD). The proposed RV park that would accommodate 40-60 recreational vehicles with six-month stay options.

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