The Post and Courier Greenville

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Friday, October 16, 2026 — Vertex Catalyst Group LLC, an innovation and stewardship company based in Greenville, South Carolina, today announced JudeMed.AI™ (https://judemed.ai), an AI Health Companion for everyday life.

Every day, people talk to Jude, the JudeMed.AI assistant, in their own words, by typing or by speaking. They can save a blood pressure, pulse or weight reading from the chat with one press, keep a list of their medicines and supplements, and add test results. When it is time for an appointment, Jude turns this into a clear summary they can download or share with their doctor.

“Your health does not only happen at the doctor’s office. It happens every day, at home, in small moments that are easy to forget,” said Friedrich Wilhelm Lehmann, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Vertex Catalyst Group. “We built JudeMed.AI as a daily health companion. You talk to Jude in your own words, and it keeps your health story in one place, so when you do see your doctor, you walk in prepared.”

Family Mode lets parents add up to five children. Users choose which AI services are used for them, their data is never sold, and they can delete their account at any time. JudeMed.AI is a wellness tool: it does not diagnose or treat, and it is not an emergency service. Every plan starts with a 14-day free trial.

About Vertex Catalyst Group: an innovation and stewardship company in Greenville, S.C., with frontier research across life sciences, IT and AI, physics and engineering, exploration and defense, and sustainability and energy. JudeMed.AI™ is its first live product.

Full release: https://www.prlog.org/13177245-vertex-catalyst-group-launches-judemedai-daily-ai-health-companion.html

Media contact: Media Relations, Vertex Catalyst Group, +1 (864) 924-5227, press@vertexcatalystgroup.com

GREENWOOD, S.C. – A total renovation on a Lake Greenwood home garnered a Pinnacle Award from the Home Builders Association of South Carolina for Charles & Associates.

The Home Builders Association of South Carolina (HBASC) hosts the Pinnacle Awards to honor excellence in new home construction, remodeling, green building, sales/marketing, and subdivision/community development. The Pinnacle Awards recognize the craftsmanship of the best home builders and remodelers in the Palmetto State.

Charles & Associates earned a Remodel of the Year Award for its work on a private residence on Masters Drive. The company also took home a Best Logo for a Builder Award.

Renovation work included:

Demolition of the original sunroom and existing primary suite.

Creation of a full basement via excavation that now connects directly to a lakeside patio.

A soaring new great room was constructed to serve as the heart of the home, integrating a relocated custom kitchen that previously sat on the opposite side of the residence. 

A private primary suite addition also was constructed, featuring a spacious walk-in closet, dual vanities, and a walk-in shower fitted with two independently plumbed shower valves.

“The defining architectural objective of this remodel was to capture panoramic lake views across all core living spaces. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows anchor both the great room and primary suite,” said Chad Charles, owner of Charles & Associates.

Charles explained the original structure consisted of four-inch concrete block walls poured solid with brick veneer, supported by a small and structurally weak foundation. To open up the floor plan and accommodate the new great room addition, the team executed delicate underpinning, modified the foundation, and selectively removed critical sections of the rear structural block wall without compromising total structural integrity.

Greenville, SC – October 14, 2026 – Stokes & Company, CPAs, is pleased to announce that Cassell & Hendricks, CPA, PA, has been acquired by Stokes & Company, expanding the firm’s presence in the Upstate with a new office in Pickens, South Carolina.
As part of this acquisition, the Cassell & Hendricks team has joined Stokes & Company and will continue serving clients from its existing office at 269 Ann Street in Pickens. Donna K. Hendricks, CPA, and Branden T. Daniels, CPA, will continue leading and serving clients in the Pickens community alongside the familiar team clients have come to know and trust.
The combination brings together two firms with a shared commitment to personal service, trusted relationships, and professional excellence. Cassell & Hendricks clients will continue working with the professionals they know while gaining access to additional resources, broader expertise, and expanded services through Stokes & Company and Paysmart.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome the Cassell & Hendricks team and their clients to Stokes & Company,” said Stephen C. Stokes, CPA, Managing Partner of Stokes & Company. “They have built strong relationships in Pickens through years of dedicated, personal service, and that approach aligns closely with who we are as a firm. Our goal is to build on that foundation by bringing additional resources and support to the team and their clients. We look forward to being an active part of the Pickens community and growing together for many years to come.”

The Pickens office marks another step in Stokes & Company’s continued growth throughout the region while preserving the local, relationship-driven approach at the heart of the firm. The combined team shares Stokes & Company’s core values of excellence, passion, proactivity, integrity, and collaboration.
The new Stokes & Company Pickens office is located at 269 Ann St., Suite A, Pickens, SC 29671, and can be reached at (864) 878-7735.

Furman Group is real estate agency of record

GREENVILLE, SC – A Seattle-based developer with a history of creating modern, functional living communities is building more than 50 homes in the Pebble Creek area.

While the majority of its work has been in Washington state, Greencity Homes has expanded into the Upstate because it believes there is amazing opportunity to create value for residents.

Aetna Springs features 16 home sites in the $915,000 to $1,300,000 plus price range, while Inverrary Point will have 35 home sites ranging from $695,000 to $850,000 plus, said Patrick Furman, Managing Broker of Herlong Sotheby’s International Realty. He and fellow Furman Group associate, Matt Nocks, are the Agents of Record for these two communities.

“The Pebble Creek area is fantastic and it’s just minutes from downtown Greenville. Aetna Springs and Inverrary Point offer the perfect balance of quiet neighborhood living and city convenience,” Furman said. “Whether you’re starting a new chapter or settling into your forever home, Aetna Springs and Inverrary Point are built for connection, community, and modern Southern living.”
Greencity Homes is known for helping homeowners personalize their builds.

“Inside the onsite Design Center, you’ll work one-on-one with a dedicated designer to bring your ideas to life,” Furman said. “From finishes to fixtures, layouts to lighting, every detail is shaped by your preferences. Because your home shouldn’t just be built, it should be crafted for you. That’s the driving mantra behind Greencity Homes.”

Aetna Springs and Inverrary Point provide a modern residential retreat surrounded by scenic green space and easy access to the Pebble Creek Golf Course. Homes at Aetna Springs showcase open-concept layouts, energy-efficient construction, and designer finishes that reflect Greencity’s signature blend of comfort and sophistication.

The ‘King of Country Comedy’ and Toby Keith collaborator –– Rodney Carrington –– makes a return engagement at the Peace Center on Friday, October 23.

A multi-talented comedian, musician, writer and actor, Carrington co-wrote and co-starred with his longtime friend Toby Keith in the hilarious movie “Beer for My Horses.” His friendship with Keith runs deep, often incorporating stories about their friendship into his standup acts. Other comedic roles include starring in his own ABC sitcom “Rodney,” and releasing a Netflix special titled “Here Comes the Truth.” Along the way Carrington became one of the world’s highest-grossing touring comedians.

Carrington is the ultimate blue-collar musical comedy icon; a rare, raw force who perfectly balances the grit of a down-home country songwriter with the unapologetic, unfiltered humor of a seasoned stand-up. He last performed at the Peace Center in 2023.

Carrington’s shows are a high-octane party where everyone in the room feels like they’re having a beer with an old friend from back home. Fans revere him for pioneering a seamless blend of genuine country twang with hilariously explicit storytelling. Whether he’s crooning about the chaotic realities of marriage, the struggles of getting older, or the absurdities of modern life, his crowd knows every lyric by heart and sings along to classics like “Don’t Look Now” and “Show ‘Em to Me” like they are rock anthems.

His comedy album Laughter’s Good debuted at #1 on the Billboard Comedy Albums chart and Get Em Out hit #1 on the iTunes comedy charts. His breakthrough major-label project Hangin’ with Rodney (1998) achieved RIAA Gold status (over 500,000 units sold each). His double-disc Greatest Hits compilation achieved a rare feat in modern comedy by earning RIAA Platinum certification (over 1,000,000 units sold).

Get tickets today at peacecenter.org.

Greenville, S.C. (October 9, 2026): Join golfers from across the Southeast for a day of fun, games, and friendly competition—while supporting a great cause. Proceeds benefit the Center for Developmental Services (CDS), continuing the legacy of Ned Marshall, a dedicated AC Controls employee for 30 years who loved helping children.
Presented by AC Controls | Wednesday, October 28, 2025Venue: The Preserve at Verdae Golf Course, Greenville, SC
Highlights & Impact:
•Last year, the tournament raised over $15,000.
•Cumulative charitable support now exceeds $140,000, all to benefit children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Register & Sponsor:
•4-person teams: $500
•Individual registration: $125
•Contact keleevents@kele.com for team registration and sponsorship information.
•Visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nedmarshalltournament/2029798 to sign up online.
•Registration closes October 16th.
About CDS:
CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive services in therapy, diagnosis, audiology, day care needs for the medically fragile, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Project Hope Foundation; KidVentures of Thrive Upstate; and five programs of Prisma Health – Upstate: Audiology, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics,Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,500 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

Countybank Mortgage has been named the Best Mortgage Lending Company in Greenville’s Best of the Upstate awards.

The annual awards recognize businesses across the Upstate that are nominated and selected by members of the community for their excellence in service and overall customer experience.

The recognition reflects Countybank Mortgage’s longstanding commitment to serving borrowers throughout the Upstate through every stage of the home financing process. Countybank’s mortgage experts provide knowledgeable guidance and a range of customized lending solutions to support home purchases, refinances, and construction financing.

“Being voted the Best Mortgage Lending Company in the Upstate is a tremendous honor and a reflection of our team’s unwavering commitment to raising the standard of excellence in the lending industry,” said JD Nelson, Countybank’s Mortgage Division Manager. “This award reinforces our dedication to delivering exceptional service, innovative lending solutions, and trusted guidance every step of the way. Every member of our mortgage division is proud of this recognition and grateful for the trust customers place in us.”

As part of Countybank, a local community bank serving Upstate South Carolina since 1933, Countybank Mortgage combines local lending expertise and personalized service to help individuals and families make informed decisions and achieve their homeownership goals.

For more information on Countybank and its commitment to serving the Upstate of South Carolina since 1933, visit www.ecountybank.com or follow Countybank on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Jewish Film Festival will present The Soundman on Sunday, November 8, at 4:00 p.m. at Camelot Cinemas, continuing its year-round series of films that bring compelling stories, history and culture to audiences in the Upstate.

The film takes you back to May of 1940; as Europe trembles on the edge of war, two lives intersect within Brussels’ legendary Flagey building – the beating heart of the national radio. Elza, a young actress making her debut in the world of radio drama, meets Berre, a gifted soundman with an almost magical ear. She is captivated by the spell of storytelling; he finds refuge in the mysterious power of sound. Their encounter ignites a love that dares to exist beyond the rising shadow of their time. 

The Soundman is a moving love story about passion, imagination, and the pursuit of humanity during dark times. Set against the marvelous world of 1940s Belgian radio, their voices rise above the rumble of approaching war – an echo of hope in a world about to lose its innocence. 

What sets this film apart from others is its use of sound, and the way it creates an immersive experience for the audience. Belgian filmmaker Frank Van Passel collaborated with some of Europe’s most respected sound designers, who spent over a year crafting the film’s sonic landscape. As he stated in an interview, the soundtrack is not merely heard; it is felt. 

Admission is complimentary, but people must register at www.greenvillejewishfilmfestival.com/soundman.   Concessions available for purchase.

“Set against the tense days leading up to World War II, this film blends a fictional narrative with a story deeply rooted in historical fact,” said Caroline Warthen, a co-founder of the Greenville Jewish Film Festival. “We offer this movie free to the community to express our thanks and to commemorate Kristallnacht.”

Countybank and Greenwood Capital announced the graduation of six employees from TCB Next, an internal leadership academy for emerging leaders within Countybank and its affiliate company, Greenwood Capital.

Employees are selected for the TCB Next program based on their demonstrated leadership abilities, strong performance, and commitment to the organization’s core values. Throughout the program, participants gain a deeper understanding of the company’s strategic plan and financial performance while developing key leadership skills through workshops focused on communication, presentation, and career development.

Graduating in the class of 2026 were Verity Averill, Joseph Hubbard, Carrie Logan, John Beale, Sheyla Corona, and Allison Hanline. Program facilitators for the class of 2026 were Countybank President Wells Dunlap, Chief Financial Officer Annette Scott, Chief Credit Officer Geoff Crocker, Chief Banking Officer Ken Harper, Communications Director Laura Beth Brooks, General Counsel Jamie Hedgepath, Human Resource Director Amber Price, and Mortgage Loan Originator Dustyn Attaway.

In addition to classroom learning and professional development opportunities, participants collaborate on a companywide project that supports the organization’s strategic plan. The hands-on experience allows employees to strengthen their professional skills while contributing meaningful ideas and solutions that support Countybank’s long-term objectives.

“TCB Next reflects our commitment to investing in the growth and development of our employees and preparing the next generation of leaders within our organization,” said Countybank President, Wells Dunlap. “The Class of 2026 demonstrated exceptional dedication throughout the program, and we’re proud to recognize their accomplishments.”

For more information on Countybank and its commitment to serving the Upstate of South Carolina since 1933, visit https://www.ecountybank.com or follow Countybank on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn