Category: News

You can’t blame Walhalla Oktoberfest organizers if they are smiling over the change to autumnal weather.  75 for a high yesterday, 53 for a low.  That’s ideal weather for Walhalla’s annual three-day event celebrating the County Seat’s German origins.  And it’s likely OK’fest organizers would like to bottle the current weather and repeat it next weekend, which will be festival […]

The office of the 13th Circuit Solicitor has announced the sentencing of a Central man who pleaded guilty to sex and drug charges. A judge ordered Fred Russell Urey to serve 18 years for the crimes of criminal sexual conduct first degree and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Urey is 41 years old. According to Solicitor Walt Wilkins, […]

Burglars have struck targets in the last handful of weeks in the Tamassee-Salem area of Oconee County, and the Sheriff’s Office is investigating to bring the culprit or culprits to account. A spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office says in that part of the county there have been three burglaries in the last 40 days.

South Carolina is in an extended drought that’s creating extreme fire conditions.  This is the word that the U-S Forest Service wants to get out to all South Carolinians so that everyone is diligent in not tossing a lighted cigarette or tries to conduct a controlled burn that could lead to wildfires. Often fires start in the leaf-litter from an […]

A Tennessee man is awaiting extradition to Franklin County, Georgia after he led authorities on a high-speed chase into Oconee County that ended in Anderson County, South Carolina. According to WLHR Lavonia, 34-year old Julius Marshall O’Brian Bowling of Johnson City is currently being held in the Anderson County Detention Center facing multiple charges in Franklin County and Anderson. Franklin […]

Tri-County Technical College’s Commissioners welcomed a new member to the governing board at a bi-monthly meeting October 7. Larry A. Smith, retired plant manager for Schneider Electric in Seneca, attended his first board meeting since being appointed by the governor to fill the Oconee County seat vacated by Ham Hudson, who retired in June after serving 18 years on the […]

Monday, October 21 is a day of no classes for the Oconee public schools.  But high school students–if they are so inclined–may spend the morning hours competing to determine which of the county’s three high schools can pick up the most trash on the roads around their schools.  It’s called the Inaugural Oconee Litter Bowl Competition and is arranged by […]

Friends and family members will have an opportunity to remember and celebrate loved ones who have passed away when the South Carolina Botanical Garden holds its second annual Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos, celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, at the garden. Admission is free. Shuttle buses will be available to bring people […]

At its meeting next week, the Oconee County Council will be asked to help the unfortunate by doling out money.  The county’s only homeless shelter, Our Daily Rest in Seneca, seeks a $20 thousand dollar allocation so that it can continue its work to offer a hand up and a second chance to homeless individuals.  It’s estimated that in 10 […]

Fire took a toll early last night at a home on Westminster’s Marcengill Road.  No injuries are reported.  Fire fighters rolled to that fire scene at 6:20 last evening and remained there for two hours.