NEWBERRY — Newberry Health has been named a 4-Star Hospital on the inaugural Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list, placing it among an elite group of hospitals nationwide recognized for delivering high-quality, high-value care. Notably, Newberry Health received a 5-Star ranking for patient experience and is one of only 12 hospitals in South Carolina to earn a spot on the prestigious list.

NEWBERRY COUNTY — Piedmont Technical College graduates listened to inspiring speeches before collecting their diplomas during two commencement ceremonies on Dec. 11.

NEWBERRY — A lot has happened in 2025 - here are The Newberry Observer’s Top 10 news stories from the year:

The holiday season is full of faith and celebration. Even though people may believe this important time begins at the start of December, for millions of the Christians, the Twelve Days of Christmas begin with the birth of Baby Jesus on December 25 and continue through the Epiphany on January 6.

Towering evergreen trees adorned in lights and other trinkets are a focal point of the holiday season.

Christmas celebrations span the globe. According to a 2025 report from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there are roughly 2.6 billion Christians worldwide, a figure that undoubtedly contributes to the popularity of Christmas. Christianity continues to have the most adherents of any religion in the world, and the Christian population is expected to top three billion before 2050.

December is brimming with festive holidays designed to celebrate family, friends and good fortune. While Christmas and Chanukah may dominate the holiday landscape this time of year, African American and Pan-African cultures observe a week-long celebration known as Kwanzaa from December 26 to January 1.