Good morning, Spartanburg.

Spartanburg School District 7 is demolishing the old McCracken Middle School on Webber Road to build a new Jesse Boyd Elementary School that will open in August and serve about 600 students with more space and better areas for hands-on learning.

The campus will keep the nature trail built over 20 years ago—preserving a piece of its past.

Local residents may notice Bradford pear trees blooming in spring but experts warn these trees grow fast and hurt native plants.

Homeowners who want to improve yards are encouraged to replace them with alternatives + such as Tupelo, Blackgum or Dogwood and to hire licensed professionals for removal.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert on Thursday afternoon — the alert remains until further notice and will be reevaluated on Sunday as gusty winds and low humidity raise wildfire risk, urging residents to delay outdoor burning.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will launch a pothole blitz in the coming weeks on state roads in all 46 counties—drivers can submit reports online or by phone.

Residents should contact local government for repairs on county or city roads.

Spartanburg County Emergency Management said lane closures on I-26 are in effect between exits 10 and 15 because of a brush fire and dangerous winds.

Officials have not said how big the fire is or why it started.

Experts warn that fatal drownings for children have increased by 12% as more families plan spring break and summer outings—local officials stress the need for better water safety education and supervision to prevent accidents.

They advise parents to learn proper swim techniques and closely watch children near water.

Wofford center Kyler Filewich—who switched to shooting free throws underhand after a series of low accuracy games—will use this rare technique in today’s first-round matchup against No. 2 seed Tennessee.

Former NBA star Rick Barry is coaching him as Filewich works to boost his game during the tournament.

Final Oyster Roast Event

This ticketed event features a final oyster roast of the season at Fretwell, including fire-roasted oysters, chili, and hot dogs.

Building Confidence 101 Workshop

1:30-3 p.m. — Spartanburg County School District One — Registration required — Empower yourself with strategies to boost self-esteem and unleash your potential.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Concert

8:00-9:30 PM — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — Tickets available — Experience a night of folk music with a celebrated band known for classics like 'Mr. Bojangles'.

Greer Farmers Market

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Greer City Park — Free entry — Explore local produce and handmade goods at this beloved monthly market.

Jeezy Live Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — Ticket prices range from $52 to $266 — Experience a night of hip-hop vibes with Jeezy at Spartanburg's iconic venue.

Squirrel Level Road Concert

6-9 p.m. — Fretwell — Free entry — Enjoy acoustic folk tunes and harmonies from local favorites Squirrel Level Road.