🚧 RAILROAD CROSSING CLOSURES – PLEASE BE PATIENT! 🚧
Railroad crossing closures will begin on the north side of the City of Union, with work already taking place north of the City limits, and will progress south as work continues.
The City of Union and SCDOT will work together to assist with traffic and minimize disruptions as much as possible. Due to the moving nature of this work, detours and traffic patterns will change as crews move from one railroad crossing to the next. Please be aware that once a railroad crossing is closed, it may remain closed for several days.
Public Safety and EMS will coordinate with 911 to help ensure emergency vehicles can navigate the affected areas. Vehicles will be staged on both sides of the railroad crossing closures as needed to help maintain emergency access.
We ask for your patience and cooperation! We understand that railroad crossing closures can be frustrating and may require changes to your normal travel routes. We appreciate your understanding as this work progresses through our community.
Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time, follow posted detours, and use caution when traveling in affected areas. Remember that the closures will move as work progresses, so routes that are open today may be affected later.
Thank you for your patience as we work through these temporary disruptions and for helping keep our community safe!
Railroad crossing closures will begin on the north side of the City of Union, with work already taking place north of the City limits, and will progress south as work continues.
The City of Union and SCDOT will work together to assist with traffic and minimize disruptions as much as possible. Due to the moving nature of this work, detours and traffic patterns will change as crews move from one railroad crossing to the next. Please be aware that once a railroad crossing is closed, it may remain closed for several days.
Public Safety and EMS will coordinate with 911 to help ensure emergency vehicles can navigate the affected areas. Vehicles will be staged on both sides of the railroad crossing closures as needed to help maintain emergency access.
We ask for your patience and cooperation! We understand that railroad crossing closures can be frustrating and may require changes to your normal travel routes. We appreciate your understanding as this work progresses through our community.
Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time, follow posted detours, and use caution when traveling in affected areas. Remember that the closures will move as work progresses, so routes that are open today may be affected later.
Thank you for your patience as we work through these temporary disruptions and for helping keep our community safe!
October 20, 2026
City Council Executive Meeting at 5:30 PM-Agenda
City Public Hearing at 6:00 PM- Agenda
City Council Meeting at 6:30 PM-Agenda
Union City Council Addresses Rise in Panhandling
UNION, S.C. — [October 15, 2026] —
The Union City Council, administration, and law enforcement are aware of the recent increase in panhandling in areas of the City and has heard the concerns of many residents and business owners. Those concerns are legitimate. Residents should be able to drive, shop and walk through their community without feeling pressured or unsafe, and local businesses depend on customers who feel comfortable coming through their doors. At the same time, the Council recognizes that many people who ask for help on our streets are dealing with serious hardships, such as homelessness, job loss, mental illness or addiction. The City Council is committed to taking measures to curb the effects that this activity has on the quality of life of Union residents and the aesthetics of our community; however, the City Council recognizes that these individuals have the same constitutional rights as all citizens and that any measure that the City may use must take these rights seriously and may not infringe upon them.
Many residents have asked why the City cannot simply ban panhandling. The answer lies in the Constitution. Courts have repeatedly held that asking another person for money is a form of speech protected by the First Amendment. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, ordinances that single out panhandling have consistently been struck down in cities across the country, often leaving taxpayers responsible for the challengers’ legal fees. South Carolina has seen this firsthand: Charleston repealed its ban on panhandling after the American Civil Liberties Union and the Homeless Justice Project challenged it as an unconstitutional violation of free speech. Broad loitering ordinances that allow officers to move people along simply for being present in a public place have likewise been invalidated as unconstitutionally vague, and laws that punish people for being poor or homeless raise additional constitutional problems. As a result, the Union Police Department cannot arrest or cite someone for peacefully asking for help. Officers have enforced laws that apply to everyone, regardless of what a person is saying, including laws against disorderly conduct, littering, obstructing traffic or sidewalks, standing in the roadway, trespassing on private property after notice, and threatening or harassing others. Recently, a small number of Union residents have attempted to take matters into their own hands. These efforts are, themselves, illegal and only serve to further inflame the situation and subject themselves to legal consequences.
The City Council is reviewing additional laws and measures to curb panhandling within the City and will act quickly to implement these measures. The City has and will continue to engage with agencies and organizations already serving our community to address the underlying causes of homelessness and poverty; however, the City Council acknowledges that law enforcement must have additional tools to address the effects that panhandling has on the community. While the City Council, administration, and law enforcement continue its efforts to improve these conditions, residents with concerns about a specific situation may contact the Union Police Department at [864-429-1713], and anyone who feels threatened should immediately call 911.
UNION, S.C. — [October 15, 2026] —
The Union City Council, administration, and law enforcement are aware of the recent increase in panhandling in areas of the City and has heard the concerns of many residents and business owners. Those concerns are legitimate. Residents should be able to drive, shop and walk through their community without feeling pressured or unsafe, and local businesses depend on customers who feel comfortable coming through their doors. At the same time, the Council recognizes that many people who ask for help on our streets are dealing with serious hardships, such as homelessness, job loss, mental illness or addiction. The City Council is committed to taking measures to curb the effects that this activity has on the quality of life of Union residents and the aesthetics of our community; however, the City Council recognizes that these individuals have the same constitutional rights as all citizens and that any measure that the City may use must take these rights seriously and may not infringe upon them.
Many residents have asked why the City cannot simply ban panhandling. The answer lies in the Constitution. Courts have repeatedly held that asking another person for money is a form of speech protected by the First Amendment. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, ordinances that single out panhandling have consistently been struck down in cities across the country, often leaving taxpayers responsible for the challengers’ legal fees. South Carolina has seen this firsthand: Charleston repealed its ban on panhandling after the American Civil Liberties Union and the Homeless Justice Project challenged it as an unconstitutional violation of free speech. Broad loitering ordinances that allow officers to move people along simply for being present in a public place have likewise been invalidated as unconstitutionally vague, and laws that punish people for being poor or homeless raise additional constitutional problems. As a result, the Union Police Department cannot arrest or cite someone for peacefully asking for help. Officers have enforced laws that apply to everyone, regardless of what a person is saying, including laws against disorderly conduct, littering, obstructing traffic or sidewalks, standing in the roadway, trespassing on private property after notice, and threatening or harassing others. Recently, a small number of Union residents have attempted to take matters into their own hands. These efforts are, themselves, illegal and only serve to further inflame the situation and subject themselves to legal consequences.
The City Council is reviewing additional laws and measures to curb panhandling within the City and will act quickly to implement these measures. The City has and will continue to engage with agencies and organizations already serving our community to address the underlying causes of homelessness and poverty; however, the City Council acknowledges that law enforcement must have additional tools to address the effects that panhandling has on the community. While the City Council, administration, and law enforcement continue its efforts to improve these conditions, residents with concerns about a specific situation may contact the Union Police Department at [864-429-1713], and anyone who feels threatened should immediately call 911.
Now Hiring: Narcotics Investigator II
The City of Union is looking for a dedicated and community-minded full-time Investigator to join our team!
📍 City of Union, SC
👉 Apply today: https://bit.ly/4y9pDBu
Share this post with someone who may be a great fit!
Fire Hydrant Testing beings Monday, October 12 for Zones 3 and 4. Contact the utility department at 864-429-1717 with questions.
🌳 Foster Park Construction Update 🚧
Exciting progress is happening at Foster Park! Construction on the new Graham Amphitheater is scheduled to begin Monday, October 5.
As construction gets underway, portions of the walking trails will be temporarily affected, and visitors may encounter detours or temporary trail closures around the construction area. We ask everyone to please follow posted signs and stay clear of construction zones for your safety. We will make updates throughout the construction process regarding any changes.
We know Foster Park is a special place for our community, and we appreciate your patience as we work to add a new space that will bring music, events, and community gatherings to the park for years to come.
Thank you for helping us keep Foster Park safe and accessible during construction. We look forward to sharing the finished Graham Amphitheater with our community!
Construction begins Monday, October 5. Please watch for signs and follow designated trail detours.
SC Works Greater Upstate, SC@Work Rural Connections, USC Union, and the City of Union are teaming up to host the Union County Career and Resource Fair on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 10am to 1pm at the Main Street Junction, located at 107 East Main Street in Union.
Effective September 3, 2026, S. Lance Davis has been appointed as the City Administrator for the City of Union.
Lance has served the City in his role as Utilities Director and brings valuable experience, knowledge, and dedication to his new position.
We look forward to Lance's leadership as he takes on this new role and continues working with employees, departments, Mayor, and City Council in serving the citizens of Union.
Lance has served the City in his role as Utilities Director and brings valuable experience, knowledge, and dedication to his new position.
We look forward to Lance's leadership as he takes on this new role and continues working with employees, departments, Mayor, and City Council in serving the citizens of Union.
*Attention Monarch Residents*
The City of Union Water Department will be flushing hydrants in the Monarch area today, Wednesday 8-26-26, and tomorrow, Thursday 8-27-26.
Congratulations to the following winners for filling out our natural gas awareness survey and that entered them into a chance to win $50 towards their utility bill.
Thank you to all participants that took the time to do the survey.
The Catawba Regional Council of Governments based in Rock Hill, South Carolina has recently been recognized with a 2026 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for the Union-Jonesville Regional Wastewater Project.
The Union-Jonesville Regional Wastewater Project involved multiple project partners: South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority; Town of Jonesville; City of Union; Union County; South Carolina Power Team; Catawba Regional Council of Governments; KCI Technologies, Inc.; Tri County Utilities construction company; and SM Grading and Excavating, LLC. The project was a collaborative effort to regionalize wastewater services and address capacity limitations that were restricting economic growth in Union County, SC. The project replaced the Town of Jonesville’s outdated lagoon treatment system by extending service from the City of Union, installing 44,500 linear feet of sewer lines, constructing and upgrading pump stations, and demolishing the existing plant. The Catawba Regional Council of Governments (CRCOG) played a central role by facilitating partner coordination, developing and administering grant funding, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing financial processes. Anticipated to be completed in August 2026, the project restores system capacity, supports 36 local businesses and 287 residences, and opens the northern corridor for development, enabling major private investment and the creation of 760 new jobs while improving long-term community sustainability.
Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through creative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies.
This year’s cohort included 94 impactful projects led by 58 organizations across 20 states. These award-winning efforts will be recognized during NADO’s 2026 Annual Training Conference, to be held this coming October in Reno, Nevada. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap that showcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at https://www.nado.org/2026-impact-award-recipients/.
“Each year, the Impact Awards celebrate the remarkable work being done by regional development organizations to strengthen communities and improve quality of life,” said 2025-2026 NADO President Matthew Dolge, Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council in North Carolina. “This year’s honorees demonstrate how strategic leadership, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to progress can create meaningful and lasting benefits across the country.”
The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.
For more information, contact Lance Davis, Utilities Director for the City of Union at sldavis@cityofunion.org.
About NADO
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) promotes public policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts, and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations. Learn more about NADO at www.nado.org.
The Union-Jonesville Regional Wastewater Project involved multiple project partners: South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority; Town of Jonesville; City of Union; Union County; South Carolina Power Team; Catawba Regional Council of Governments; KCI Technologies, Inc.; Tri County Utilities construction company; and SM Grading and Excavating, LLC. The project was a collaborative effort to regionalize wastewater services and address capacity limitations that were restricting economic growth in Union County, SC. The project replaced the Town of Jonesville’s outdated lagoon treatment system by extending service from the City of Union, installing 44,500 linear feet of sewer lines, constructing and upgrading pump stations, and demolishing the existing plant. The Catawba Regional Council of Governments (CRCOG) played a central role by facilitating partner coordination, developing and administering grant funding, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing financial processes. Anticipated to be completed in August 2026, the project restores system capacity, supports 36 local businesses and 287 residences, and opens the northern corridor for development, enabling major private investment and the creation of 760 new jobs while improving long-term community sustainability.
Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through creative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies.
This year’s cohort included 94 impactful projects led by 58 organizations across 20 states. These award-winning efforts will be recognized during NADO’s 2026 Annual Training Conference, to be held this coming October in Reno, Nevada. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap that showcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at https://www.nado.org/2026-impact-award-recipients/.
“Each year, the Impact Awards celebrate the remarkable work being done by regional development organizations to strengthen communities and improve quality of life,” said 2025-2026 NADO President Matthew Dolge, Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council in North Carolina. “This year’s honorees demonstrate how strategic leadership, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to progress can create meaningful and lasting benefits across the country.”
The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.
For more information, contact Lance Davis, Utilities Director for the City of Union at sldavis@cityofunion.org.
About NADO
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) promotes public policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts, and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations. Learn more about NADO at www.nado.org.
*ATTENTION*
We have been notified that someone has been sending emails falsely representing the City of Union in an attempt to sell life insurance. The City of Union does not offer life insurance services. If you have received one of these emails, please report and delete as spam.
We have been notified that someone has been sending emails falsely representing the City of Union in an attempt to sell life insurance. The City of Union does not offer life insurance services. If you have received one of these emails, please report and delete as spam.
