Category: News

Oconee County has been chosen to receive more than $30 thousand dollars in federal funds for emergency food and shelter purposes. The money comes from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program of “FEMA”—the Federal Emergency and Management Agency. A local board will now decide how the money will be distributed among food and shelter programs run by local […]

The sewer portion of the new Walhalla High School has been finished. Scott Parris, city utilities director, announced last night that DHEC has issued a permit and toilets at the new school may now be flushed. The new Walhalla High remains on schedule to open for class when the next school year starts in Oconee County—Tuesday, August 18.

Walhalla has given the contractor, Hutch ‘N Son Construction, the nod to undertake Streetscape. But, as yet, there is no contract. The mayor and the council were told last night that it’s going to take the state Department of Commerce 30 days to approve the contract. Scott Parris, utilities director, says the state agency is holding a $500 thousand grant […]

The U-S House of Representatives has sent President Obama a Homeland Security bill—without conditions. The House passed the bill 257-167, with South Carolina Third District’s Jeff Duncan in the minority. The Republican from Laurens said he voted no because the bill did not contain language needed to stop, what he called, the President’s illegal executive actions. Opponents sought immigration-related concessions. […]

Two years after the opening of the new Sheep Farm Road and some 10 years or more after planning for that project began, Oconee County leaders are being urged to think up ideas for new transportation projects. At a meeting last night Steve Pelissier, executive director of the regional Appalachian Council of Governments, urged the council to develop a new […]

Since going public with an appeal for the public’s help, the Walhalla police have received tips on who robbed a Main Street convenience store. And Chief Ronald Wilbanks told the mayor and council last night his officers are sorting through those leads to determine whether one or more will result in the arrest of the man who last month held […]

Walhalla City Council has scheduled a vote in two weeks on whether to pursue a design-build concept for its new water plant on Lake Keowee. Scott Parris, city utilities director, told a meeting of the mayor and council last night the idea amounts to “construction management at risk” similar to what the Oconee School District employed for its new Walhalla […]

  In anticipation of their project to build a treatment plant, the policymakers for Pioneer Rural Water District have approved a rate increase. The one dollar, 30-cent increase on the base rate for a customer’s bill will go into effect in 60 days and is estimated to generate $350 thousand in additional revenue for the water supplier serving parts of […]

Long Creek Community Club is looking for funding to enhance the community center with the hope of creating a multi-use park in their mountainous area. Club leaders want the opinions of all Long Creek and surrounding residents to determine the kinds of amenities and activities for the park to feature. Forms for the “Long Creek Park and Community Center Survey” […]

A scenic spot on Lake Jocassee graces the cover of the 2015 Vacation Guide of South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism. And Oconee County tourism promoter Ken Sloan says it’s going to bode well to draw attention to a prized resource that is not well known in other parts of the state and elsewhere. The cover picture is that of […]