05 Jul Upstate Headlines: New SC bridges, Panthers Camp, and more!
A collection of the top Upstate headlines for the week of July 4, 2017
Red, White, and Blue Festival
Fireworks lit up the sky during the Red, White, and Blue Festival in downtown Greenville on Tuesday. Check out the Greenville News photo gallery!
How okay is it to wade in Falls Park?
The Reedy River serves as Greenville’s postcard. On any given day, you can find people wading in the water. However, the Reedy was designated as “impaired” and one of the most-polluted waterways in South Carolina due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. While the water quality has improved in recent years, E. coli levels still vary and all should take precautions.
SCDOT to replace over 130 Upstate bridges 
The Department of Transportation plans to widen Interstate 85 and replace more than 100 bridges. It is part of a statewide plan to fix South Carolina’s roads using funding from fees and a gas tax increase. SCDOT’s website shows plans to replace 132 bridges, doubled resurfacing, safety features added to 12 deadly corridors, and widening Interstate 85 from Greenville to the North Carolina state line. Statewide, 465 bridges are expected to be replaced.
Beyond Panthers Camp: Check out all Spartanburg has to offer
The Carolina Panthers summer camp starts the week of July 26 at Wofford College in Spartanburg. Since daily practices conclude at noon, you have some time to explore downtown Spartanburg. Check out this guide for a day of fun in the Hub City after the Panthers pack up their cleats for the day.
Upstate lawmakers urge state AG to investigate GHS, Palmetto Health partne
rship
Earlier this month, the Greenville Health System (GHS) and Palmetto Health in Columbia announced plans to form the state’s largest health system, one that will serve 1.2 million patients annually and earn a projected $3.9 billion in annual net revenue. But members of the Greenville County Legislative Delegation, a group that decides who serves on GHS’ board of trustees, want South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson to investigate the partnership.
