Category: News

Work to remodel the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority’s administration/operations building in Seneca is in final stages, and yesterday the staff started to occupy their new space. For months, they’ve been confined to temporary trailers brought onto the grounds at Return Church Road. The project, carried out by contractor Hogan Construction of Powdersville, represents the first major work of the […]

A claim by a former water plant operator in Westminster against the city has been dismissed by a federal court with the consent of attorneys for both sides. A filing in the U-S District Court, Anderson Division, shows the dismissal of the case of Fitzgerald Smith versus the city of Westminster. Smith’s claim alleged he lost his job in 2017, […]

Oconee Sheriff’s Office is congratulating eight deputy sheriffs who graduated last week from the Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia.  The eight represent the largest number from Oconee ever to attend the same basic certification class.  One of them, Chris Johnson, received the J-P Strom Award for the student with the highest academic average.  J-P “Pete” Strom served as chief of […]

The Seneca city administrator expects to get answers to questions today when he has a look at a privately-run hydro-power plant near the city limits, from which the city purchases a small amount of electric power. At issue before Seneca’s elected leaders is whether to renew the purchase agreement with the Coneross power station on highway 59. Complicating that arrangement […]

The Walhalla police chief says a recent active shooter drill conducted at the Oconee Department of Social Services on Kenneth Street proved to be a valuable lesson for all who took part. Chief Sean Brinson says his officers frequently receive calls to go to the DSS offices, so the conduct of an exercise in which there was a make-believe shooter […]

The need to curb the inflow and infiltration problems that beset the system of piped sewer in Oconee’s three largest cities and parts of the unincorporated areas was re-emphasized during a discussion last night at the Walhalla City Hall. Speaking to the mayor and two council members, utilities superintendent Scott Parris said that as the Joint Regional Sewer Authority tries […]

Walhalla’s Mark Hollifield has ended 17 years with the fire department with his resignation. “We will get thru this,” is what Chief Brandon Burton said to the mayor and three members of the city council. It’s an indication that Hollifield and his expertise will be missed at the fire department. Burton says Hollifield’s departure means the department has lost a […]

A mother and her child were rescued late yesterday afternoon after nearly drowning at Oconee’s Chau Ram Park near Westminster. Authorities say they suffered traumatic injuries when their inflatable tube hit a large rock in the river. The female child was flown for emergency Greenville treatment while the mother was sent by ambulance to the Oconee hospital. Emergency Service quotes […]

Ten new Oconee County deputies were among the most recent graduating class of the state justice academy. Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said it’s the largest number of new graduates at one time in Sheriff’s Office’s history. The new graduates represent the Sheriff’s Office regaining its strength in certified officers from a drain that resulted from the county expanding its number of […]

County officials are hoping the Oconee County Courthouse will be a little more secure thanks to an upgrade to the courthouse security camera system thanks to a state grant. The County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to accept a $35,820 Justice Assistance Grant from the South Carolina Department of Safety Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs. The grant funds will […]