Daniel Prince
Aug 12, 2025
WBCU News airs 6:30, 7:30, 8:35, 12:35, and 5:40 Monday through Friday
8-12-2025
Union County Council will hold its regular monthly meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at 103 West Main Street. On the agenda for the meeting, Sheriff Jeff Bailey will recognize some of the Post 119 Explorers. The council will consider appointments to the Tax Assessment Board of Appeals, which has four vacancies; the Building Code Board of Appeals, which has one vacancy for an alternate position; and the Kelly Kelton Fire Department, which has one vacancy. Joe Prater and Megan Diedolf will present an update on the Charter Spectrum Broadband Buildout in the county.
Council will consider two grants for approval. The first is a SC Department of Public Safety grant for the sheriff’s office for $402,874, with no county match required. The grant will fund the equipment, salaries, and fringe benefits for four school resource officers. The second is a $2,483,462 grant with a $620,865.50 county match from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The funds would go to provide backup generators at 28 locations in the county at critical facilities and shelters to be used in the event of an emergency. The council has to approve the 25% match before applying for the grant.
Council will consider approving an additional $149,910 in local match construction funds for the Buffalo Mill Pond Site Improvements project. They will also consider approving a contract with Upstate Grading, Inc. for that project, pending approval from the SC Department of Commerce.
Council has one resolution and one ordinance to consider. The resolution will authorize Union County to take ownership of the Union County Dry Cleaners property on East Main Street from the city in order to be eligible for grant money to clean up the site. The ordinance is third and final reading authorizing the conveyance of the Buffalo Mill Site property to the City of Union for the purpose of them being able to qualify for grant funding to clean up the site.
After that, the council will hear from any elected officials who want to make a report. Supervisor Phillip Russell will present his report to council, followed by any committee reports. The meeting will then adjourn.
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While we have not heard back from anyone in Mycoworks management about the layoffs WBCU News first reported on Friday, we have learned more about the circumstances surrounding it. An email from Mycoworks to some of the affected employees was shared with us, part of which reads:
“Mycoworks is still an early-stage technology company that depends on support from its investors to fund ongoing operations. In partnership with JPMorgan, we recently embarked on an ambitious plan to raise capital via the tax-exempt bond market. Our executive team and board of directors were advised by JPMorgan that our financing efforts had a good chance of success as recently as three weeks ago. When our bond process was unsuccessful, an unexpected outcome, we did everything within our control to find an alternate path forward.
Unfortunately, we need to reduce the size of our team at every level of the organization and are notifying employees as soon as we possibly can. Since being informed of the failure of the bond financing only a couple of weeks ago, the MycoWorks leadership team has worked to develop a plan that keeps the company moving forward but requires cuts to our staff in order to preserve cash. We are eliminating roles across multiple sites, and these may take time to execute in compliance with local legislation. While this is sudden given the surprise outcome of the bond financings, these are reductions that no one wants to make but which we must make to give the company time to achieve critical milestones. We are now pursuing a more traditional equity financing with our existing investors.”
We are continuing to reach out to MycoWorks executives for comment, and we hope to get comments from local officials, as well. The number of layoffs has not been confirmed, with some saying close to 90% of the workforce, another saying a total of 170 layoffs, another saying close to 100, with anyone who had been there less than 3 years being let go. The layoffs have still not been reported through the SC WARN database.
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Dr. Susan Elkins, founding chancellor of the University of South Carolina’s Palmetto College, was awarded the state’s highest civilian honor yesterday. Elkins received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Henry McMaster at a ceremony at the SC State House yesterday afternoon. Elkins was named chancellor of Palmetto College in February 2013, and she announced in May that she was stepping down from that role. Palmetto College comprises the USC system’s four associate-degree-granting colleges—USC Union, USC Lancaster, USC Salkehatchie, and USC Sumter, along with the online bachelor’s degree completion programs offered by USC Aiken, USC Beaufort, USC Columbia, and USC Upstate.
As chancellor, Elkins has overseen tremendous enrollment growth and the expansion of USC’s online offerings for students, particularly for those who have already entered the workforce and are returning to pursue higher education. Enrollment at USC’s two-year campuses has grown 54% since Palmetto College’s inception. The online bachelor’s degree program, which serves students who started but did not finish their college studies, has conferred more than 4000 degrees, including more than 1200 RN-BSN nursing degrees through USC Upstate.
In June, USC announced that Craig Wilson was selected as the new Palmetto College chancellor. He will begin his duties next month. Until then, interim chancellor Michael Sonntag will remain in the position. Wilson most recently served as vice provost for Outreach, Distance and Continuing Education at the University of Arizona.
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The Union County Library System announced yesterday a new fitness program that they will be hosting for older adults. It is called Geri-Fit, a 45-minute evidence-based strength training exercise class for older adults. Most of the bodybuilding exercises are performed while seated in chairs using a set of lightweight dumbbells. As you become stronger, you can advance to heavier dumbbells to challenge yourself. The program is designed to increase muscular strength, improve balance and coordination, boost motor skills and reaction time, enhance flexibility and gait, lessen arthritic conditions, and manage chronic disease. The class is free with no registration required. All fitness levels are welcome. Dumbbells, stretch bands, and water will be provided. The class will be taught by a certified Geri-Fit instructor. Classes will begin at the Union County Carnegie Library on Wednesday, September 3rd. It will be held each Wednesday from 9-9:45. If you have any questions, call the library at 864-427-7140.
8-11-2025
In a release by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, at the request of Union County Supervisor Phillip Russell, they have launched a formal investigation into the escape of two inmates from the Union County Detention Center. The investigation is focused on determining how the escape occurred and identifying any individuals who may have assisted the inmates once they were outside the facility.
The two escapees were ultimately located and taken into custody in Georgia. The Sheriff’s Office was notified of the escape after being contacted by the Georgia State Patrol, who had detained the individuals and were seeking confirmation of their escape status.
As a result of the ongoing investigation, three individuals have been arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to a felony for their roles in assisting the escapees after they fled the detention center. Those charged are:
Casandra Lacey Bailey, 31, of N Church Street. According to her arrest warrant, she is accused of driving Nicklaus Bevis and Devin Fisher from one location in Union County to Spartanburg County, knowing they were detainees at the Union County Detention Center.
Bradley Dane DePratter, 41, of Flat Drive. According to his arrest warrant, he obtained money through Cash App and tried to transfer it to Fisher, knowing they were detainees at the Union County Detention Center.
Katherine Ann Granger, 41, of Flat Drive. According to her arrest warrant, she drove the pair from one location in Union County to another, knowing they were detainees at the Union County Detention Center.
“This escape raised concerns that we are actively working to address, public safety is our top priority, and we are fully committed to uncovering who was involved. We will pursue every lead until we have the full picture and everyone responsible is held accountable. -Sheriff Jeff Bailey. “
The investigation remains active, and additional arrests may follow as evidence continues to be developed.
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Supervisor Phillip Russell also issued a release on Friday giving further details of the escape. He said the detention center received an inquiry from the sheriff’s office about the possibility of an escape. After performing a security check, detention center staff confirmed two of the pre-sentenced detainees had escaped. 12 minutes later, Supervisor Phillip Russell was notified of the escape and that both individuals were in custody at Hart County Detention Center in Georgia.
After being made aware of the escape and subsequent capture of the detainees, Supervisor Russell immediately contacted Detention Center Director Niel McKeown to confirm the detention facility was on lockdown, and requested that the facility remain in lockdown until further notice. He directed McKeown to secure all pertinent records in preparation for a thorough investigation. After seeing to immediate security needs with the director, Supervisor Russell contacted appropriate staff to meet with the Detention Center Director to make emergency repairs necessary to correct any deficiencies discovered that allowed for the breach in security to occur.
Supervisor Russell then contacted the sheriff and requested that his office conduct an investigation of all circumstances surrounding the escape.
Supervisor Russell was notified of the escape and capture of the detainees simultaneously. At the time of notification, there was no danger to the public. As the detainees were in custody, Russell said the first priority was to make the detention facility safe and prevent any other escape possibilities. Second was to ensure that the investigative process into the event be conducted in a timely manner. Supervisor Russell posted a press release as soon as practical after the event occurred.
The escapees were pre-sentenced detainees who, due to overcrowding of the jail, were being housed in a dorm facility located at the work camp area of the Detention Center. Prior to their escape, the detainees determined that due to breakdown of cement, they could manipulate two of the bars covering a plexiglass window in one of the cells in the dorm. After making the discovery, these individuals allegedly conspired with other detainees as well as civilian accomplices to facilitate the escape.
On the night of July 28, 2025, Union County Detention Center was operating with a full 6-person staff. There is body-worn camera footage to document that the detainees were present in the facility during a security check of the dorm at 10:05 pm. At some point after the 10:05 security check, the detainees manipulated the bars from the aging mortar, exited the dorm facility, and fled the grounds of the Union County Detention Center. The condition of the aging facility directly contributed to the ability of the detainees to escape. Union County has addressed the aged condition of the facility by constructing a new jail addition. This new addition is currently pending SC Department of Corrections and State Fire Marshal approval before detainees can begin occupying the new 62-bed jail facility. Had these detainees been housed in the new facility, the likelihood of this escape would have been greatly reduced.
As review of this event has progressed, they have discovered that the Detention Center has documented proper SC Department of Corrections approved policies, procedures and protocols in place and that all staff have been trained on them; however, the failure of some employees on shift the night of July 28 and morning of July 29, 2025 resulted in the escape going undiscovered until after the staff were alerted that the detainees were in the custody of another law enforcement agency in a neighboring state.
The escape was a result of deterioration of an aged facility, and the lack of discovery was due to failure to adhere to proper policies, procedures, and protocols by personnel. Emergency repairs to the currently facility have taken place while we await final approval to occupy the new facility. After the population has been moved to the new facility, there will be an opportunity for additional inspection, upfits, and repairs to the facility that is currently in use while it is vacant.
All personnel matters have been addressed.
“This escape is embarrassing to me, as your supervisor, and to our Detention staff. While we cannot change what happened, we can learn from it. We can use what we have learned to improve on our policies, processes, and procedures; and we can hold employees accountable for following the standards that are put in place for the safety and security of the personnel, detainees, and the public. My office will comply with confidentiality laws surrounding any personnel actions that were taken as a result of this event. Corrections employees have tremendously difficult jobs, and we are thankful for the many experienced officers that we are fortunate to have on staff; but it is increasingly difficult to hire and train new personnel to take on the complex duties required of corrections staff.”-Phillip G. Russell, II, Union County Supervisor
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There is a lot of talk online about forever chemicals based on the City of Union’s reporting of water testing results and an online environmental group called the Environmental Working Group that sets water health safety guidelines far below legal limits. For those who don’t know, the chemicals, known as per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have come under additional scrutiny by environmental agencies as they remain intact and toxic over time. These are man-made chemicals used worldwide in consumer products and industrial applications to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Reports state that the chemicals increasingly have been found to be toxic, with exposure linked to kidney, testicular, and breast cancer, ulcerative colitis, and thyroid problems. The chemicals can also weaken a person’s immune system and cause developmental delays in children.
The Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency published standards in 2024 for legal limits of 4 parts per trillion of the two most common chemicals, with utility companies being given until 2029 to get in compliance. 4 parts per trillion is considered the lowest level for which the chemical can be reliably detected. President Trump’s EPA has rolled back regulations of three other forever chemicals, including the so-called GenX chemicals that were found in NC, as well as on a mixture of PFAS. The EPA is also giving water utilities until 2031 to meet the regulations of the two chemicals for which they are keeping standards.
According to the Environmental Working Group’s report, the City of Union has PFOS levels of 4.06 parts per trillion, which is about 1.5% over the proposed limit. PFOA levels of 3.98 were detected, which is 0.5% under the proposed limit. The Environmental Working Group proposes limits much stricter, at .3 parts per trillion for PFOS and .09 parts per trillion for PFOA. The group also has far stricter guidelines for other commonly tested chemicals that are typically reported in the city’s Consumer Confidence Report, as well as others that are not. The city’s report details regulated substances that are detected in finished drinking water, such as chlorine, haloacetic acids, nitrate, sodium, total organic carbon, turbidity, and total trihalomethane, as well as lead and copper. PFOA and PFAS are not included in the report. It is unknown if it will be included in future years prior to the 2031 date the EPA says utiltiies must be in compliance. All levels reported in the Consumer Confidence Report fell within legal limits, as did all levels reported by the Environmental Working Group, except for the PFOS, which fell just outside the proposed limit.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the City of Union stated it is aware of concerns surrounding PFAS-related compounds in drinking water and it is actively taking steps to alleviate the concerns. The city, or any other entity that produces drinking water, did not introduce the compounds in question, but they are tasked with mitigating the issue. They said they currently have a pilot project underway at the water plant to determine the best method to remove any compounds of concern.
In July 2023, The State newspaper published an article about forever chemical contamination at the former Carlisle Finishing Plant that could be affecting chemical levels downstream. According to state data at the time, forever chemical pollution at the site was up to 7200 times higher in the groundwater than the proposed federal limit, and sludge from waste basins near the plant had levels up to 80 times the proposed limit. A cleanup plan filed by consultants called for filter systems to be installed to remove the chemicals before being released to the Broad River, and sludge from the waste basins was to be disposed of in a lined landfill on the property. That landfill is going through the permitting process right now through the SC Department of Environmental Services. Sludge had previously been distributed to area farmers for use as fertilizer. According to The State’s report, DHEC had previously given approval to spread the plant’s waste on more than 80 farm fields, including in communities like Buffalo, Whitmire, and Carlisle. Tests in 2022 found some wells near sludge fields contained PFAS levels that would exceed the proposed federal drinking water standard, with one of the wells showing levels 11 times higher than the proposed limit.
Union City Council voted in November 2023 to opt out of a class-action lawsuit against 3M Corporation related to the chemicals. At the time, City Administrator Joe Nichols and Utility Director Lance Davis said the city could reasonably expect around $1.2 million if they stay in the class action suit, but the costs to remove the PFAS from the water and wastewater systems and properly and safely dispose of them could be far greater than that. Nichols said that by opting out of the settlement, as many cities are doing, it is believed they have a better chance of recovering more money, because they can show actual damages of how much the mitigation efforts will cost.
In September 2024, the council voted to authorize the city to remove itself from a class action lawsuit being brought against Tyco and BASF related to the chemicals, as well. Nichols said at that time the settlement amount was unclear, but it would not be nearly enough to cover the city’s costs to install the necessary equipment on the water and wastewater sides to remove those chemicals.
WBCU has been following this story since 2023, and we will continue to provide updates on the City of Union Utility Department’s efforts to mitigate forever chemicals.