🌱 Patch AM: How a Mauldin Tropical Grille got swept into a federal probe

Cheers Mauldin! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Mauldin Tropical Grille got swept into a federal probe
• Why Mauldin's Flock camera searches are fueling a statewide records fight
• How did Mauldin officers misuse powerful license plate reader data?

Also on today's calendar: Drew & Ellie Holcomb and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, with a high of 86 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 82, low: 69.
• Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 85 and low of 69 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Tropical Grille responds to U.S. Department of Labor findings from investigation (foxcarolina.com) — Mauldin Tropical Grille workers are among 779 employees receiving back wages after a federal investigation found child labor, overtime, and tip-pooling violations across 13 locations. The company has paid more than $618,000, accepted $100,000 in penalties, and agreed to new training and policy changes meant to prevent future violations affecting Mauldin and other Upstate staff.
   

• South Carolina County Demands Preservation Of Flock Audit Logs (fitsnews.com) — Mauldin officers are among those statewide accused of misusing Flock license plate cameras, as Oconee County scrambles to preserve years of audit logs before ending its contract. The dispute centers on who can see detailed search records, how long they must be kept, and whether stronger statewide rules are needed to prevent personal or improper lookups that could affect Mauldin drivers.
   

• South Carolina lacks laws to regulate license plate reader cameras, investigation finds (foxcarolina.com) — Mauldin is among several South Carolina jurisdictions where officers were found to have misused license plate reader data, even as the state has almost no laws regulating the technology. The investigation explains how ALPR cameras track vehicles, details firings tied to improper searches, and outlines potential future legislation that could change how Mauldin-area agencies use and retain this data.
   

📸 Around Mauldin

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Mauldin

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday September 2
• The Grateful Brothers Poe Mill Music Residency →
  Poe Mill Music, 904 Pinckney St, Greenville
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday August 31
• Volleyball Vs. Bryson
  Greenville Middle Academy Greenville, SC 29607
  4:30 pm
Wednesday September 2
• HOSA - B-Cafeteria
  J. L. Mann High Academy Greenville, SC 29607
  8:00 am
• Volleyball Vs. Fisher
  Greenville Middle Academy Greenville, SC 29607
  4:30 pm
Friday September 4
• Spirit Friday: Wear Your Team Colors or Shirt
  Washington Center Greenville, SC 29607
Monday September 7
• Labor Day - Student Holiday
  Golden Strip Career and Technology Center Greenville, SC 29607
Sunday September 20
• Drew & Ellie Holcomb →
  Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy St, Greenville
  7:00 pm

📣 Mauldin Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday August 28
• College Application Day
  Brashier Middle College Simpsonville, SC 29680
  8:30 am
• Fortune Feimster →
  Peace Center Concert Hall, 300 S Main St, Greenville
  7:00 pm
Monday August 31
• Volleyball @ Beck
  Hillcrest Middle Simpsonville, SC 29681
  5:30 pm
• Volleyball at Woodmont
  Ruldolph G. Gordon School at Jones Mill Simpsonville, SC 29681
  5:30 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Women's Impact Network Presented by Primerica →
  Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce 105A W. Curtis Street Simpsonville, SC 29681
  8:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Mauldin PatchAM possible:

• Shining Stars Tutoring — (864) 431-3914
• Palmetto Roofing Specialties — (888) 597-6720
• Shining Stars Tutoring Services LLC — 8644313914
• John W. Molony Law Firm, LLC — (843) 762-5732

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Essential Cabinetry Group posted a job opening for Material Handler in Simpsonville. Apply here.
• Contract Lumber, Inc. posted a job opening for Full Time Load Builder/Forklift Operator Needed in the Great State of South Carolina in Simpsonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mauldin here.

🗞 Nearby News

Simpsonville

• What started as a dream for an SC couple is now a chain of cheesecake restaurants (thestate.com)
• Over $618K recovered in back wages for Tropical Grille workers denied full pay (foxcarolina.com)
• Simpsonville discusses Flock camera uses, policies: City Council notes (greenvillejournal.com)

Greenville

• Greenville Triumph SC Signs Omar Ramadan to 25-Day Contract (greenvilletriumph.com)

Ok Mauldin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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