Category: News

Friday afternoon’s DHEC report of 86 additional cases shows both Oconee and Pickens have seen their totals increase by one case for each of the two counties.  In Oconee’s case, that makes three total COVID-19 cases but no deaths.

Prisma Health issued this statement Friday afternoon: “Prisma Health has received countless inquiries from area businesses, community organizations and individuals who would like to help provide necessary supplies during the COVID-19 public health crisis. We appreciate our local communities’ desire to come together during this time of need. The entire Prisma Health team is committed to meeting the healthcare needs […]

In his briefing late this afternoon, Gov. McMaster announced an executive order requiring all people coming into South Carolina to self-quarantine for 14 days—especially those coming from the virus “hot spots” including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Orleans. Following McMaster, state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell reports an additional 84 South Carolina infections and four deaths—brings to 13 the […]

Because large crowds were gathering at the Sassafras Mountain Tower and at Bald Rock Heritage Preserve, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has made the decision to close the two Blue Ridge Escarpment destinations beginning Saturday, March 28. “With a limited amount of space on top of Sassafras and Bald Rock, it is hard to practice ‘social distancing’ […]

The executive director of the Joint Regional Sewer Authority has this advice for all customers:  Do not  flush wipes, no matter if the package reads “flushable.”  Chris Eleazer, JRSA executive director, says the collection system for wastewater generated by Seneca, Walhalla, and Westminster is working well, but the JRSA has noticed an increase in wipes in the system.  Those wipes, […]

Two more Oconeeans have been arrested as part of the sheriff’s office investigation of Wednesday’s shooting in the Foxwood Hills subdivision at Lake Hartwell. According to the announcement, Regina Leigh Mote and Timothy Wayne Rogers have been charged with accessory after the fact of a felony. According to arrest warrants and based on what the sheriff’s office says is evidence […]

The Democrats have two Seneca man running to be their party’s nominee for the U-S House.  They are retired teacher Mark Welch who is joined by fellow Democrat Hosea Cleveland.  An insurance man, Cleveland has previously competed for the House seat that has now been held by a Republican for nearly three decades.  Welch and Cleveland’s candidacies come in the […]

From a conference call with the board of the South Carolina Municipal Association, one Oconee mayor learned some bad news, but he also drew encouragement from what he heard.  First, Westminster Mayor Brian Ramey was saddened to hear about the plight of South Carolina’s great tourism industry.  Specifically, to hear that the tourist places on the coast that literally have […]

A Seneca man has declared his intent to be a Democratic primary candidate for his party’s nomination to run for the U-S House of Representatives.  Mark D. Welch, a retired school teacher, is the latest candidate to qualify for an office pertaining to Oconee.  In his case, he’d like to serve as the U-S Representative from the South Carolina 3rd […]

In the opinion of Julian Davis, the chairman of Oconee County Council, Oconee should not abide by stricter orders than that which are promulgated by Governor McMaster.  The governor made clear yesterday South Carolina is not at the point where the recommended stay-home order should be expanded to mandatory.  Davis says he believes the governor and his staff have the […]