Category: News

Greenville resident and former Oconeean Ann Holleman said, “It’s so rare the right thing happens.” And when she said it she was referring to a snowball of a public-private effort that, during a seven-month period, raised more than $4 million to save precious Oconee County land from development. Under the shelter of Walhalla-owned Stumphouse Tunnel Park, a variety of public […]

A man near Walhalla went to jail today after he allegedly swung at a deputy sheriff and connected with his fist to the face of the officer. Law enforcement reports show Bruce Alan Wilson Sr., 38, charged with breach of peace and resisting arrest with assault on an officer. Officers went to a Fairfield community home shortly before 5:30 a-m […]

For Oconee County to build the replacement jail at its current preferred location, the county must ask the Walhalla zoning administrator for a special exception. The city attorney, Julian Stoudemire, says it’ll be zoning administrator James Ashton’s duty to schedule a hearing and, and in Stoudemire’s words , “it will proceed from there.” At least to some extent, such a […]

A closed section of the Dr. John’s Road near Barrett’s Way, south of Westminster, has been temporarily re-opened, at a lower speed limit. “The speed limit has been reduced to 25 mph and since this slide section of the road has been reduced to one lane, we have incorporated a stop control. This will require travelers to stop at stop […]

A fire this morning south of Seneca damaged a Lake Hartwell home. The fire, on Timberlake Drive in Crossroads community, broke out in a home that, at the time, appeared to be un-occupied. Charlie King, county fire chief, says it is known that the fire started in the back of the house, but an investigation was just starting to pinpoint […]

It’s been the mantra of farmers for time immemorial. “Make hay while the sun shines.” The sun has shone less often on South Carolina crops this summer. Welcomed as rain was after years of drought, it can be too much of a good. Walhalla got a one and three-quarter inch drenching from yesterday’s late afternoon storm that toppled at least […]

Oconee-based Community First Bank says 5% of its debit cards were compromised during routine merchant transactions in June and July. Federal, state and local enforcement authorities are investigating. And, according to a statement from the bank, the investigation is delving into possible criminal activity related to other unauthorized transactions involving debit card activity in the area. Fred Shepherd, Community First […]

A 15-year veteran of the Oconee Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Randy Jones, retired this week. Jones’s departure was marked by a ceremony Wednesday attended by family members, along with current and former members of the sheriff’s office. He received several gifts, including a plaque from Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. Jones started as a road patrol officer in 1998, then moved to judicial […]

One big reason for the big crowds expected in Seneca this weekend is a Dixie Youth baseball tournament that’s bringing in players, coaches, and fans from the outside. Once opening ceremonies take place at 7:30 tonight, there’ll be a lot of baseball played through out the weekend. Riley Johnson, the city events coordinator, gives credit to Rick Lacey, recreation director, […]

If you’re wondering what’s so special about this weekend, the first weeked in August, well, in South Carolina this is tax-free weekend. It means that the purchases of those back-to-school supplies, clothes, household items and computer is made somewhat less painful by the state’s waiving of the sales tax—between now and midnight Sunday.