Category: News

Nine members of Oconee County’s fire service took part over the weekend in advanced training at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Making the trip were County Chief Charlie King, Crossroads Chief Ronnie Williams, Picket Post-Camp Oak Chief Jeff Heaton, Oakway Rescue Chief William Myers, along with fire fighters Brad Whitifield, T-J Harlos, Bradley Roach, Brian Phillips, and Cole […]

The seven-year executive director of the Oconee Alliance, a public-private partnership, is moving on. Jim Gadd has announced his resignation effective at the end of next month. Gadd says he’s moving to Orlando, Florida, where his wife, Elizabeth, has accepted a job with the University of Central Florida. Gadd helped lead a number of Oconee County projects—such as Oconee Vision […]

Oconee Medical Center is not a heart-surgery hospital, but it does provide emergency diagnostic care and transport for patients in need of heart catherization. And, for the quality of those services, OMC is being recognized by the Greenville Health System Heart and Vascular Institute for ongoing excellence in the care of STEMI patients. According to Kent Whitten, Oconee EMS Director, […]

Oconee Sheriff’s Office reports three drug arrests since Thursday afternoon. In each instance, arresting officers say their attention was alerted by either erratic driving or a vehicle violation. At 12:44 a-m Friday, a deputy stopped a Jeep Cherokee on the West-Oak Highway with no rear tailights. That stop led to the arrest of Jerry Lynn Wooten, 52, of Fern Drive, […]

Once again, the annual National Hunting and Fishing Day in Oconee County is designed as a free outdoor family adventure. Those who take part this year—Saturday, September 21 at Duke’s World of Energy—-can learn to kayak, practice shooting bows and arrows, enjoy lake fishing and test their fly-tying skills, along with many other hands-on activities. Hunting and angling together are […]

The Oconee Board of Zoning Appeals moved last night to avoid 11th hour requests to withdraw applications. What seemed like a sudden withdrawal of an application shortly before a recently officially-scheduled hearing caused some confusion, and last night Josh Stephens, county zoning administrator, recommended the board insist on some new procedures. “We want someone to actually request in person that […]

One of the largest commercial property insurers has sent Oconee County a grant to bolster fire prevention. Representatives of FM Global presented $2 thousand to Shane Gibbs, assistant county fire chief. The money is to be used to help with pre-fire planning to efficiently collect and track data related to community buildings. This information is intended to better help fire […]

Two recent children fire fatalities in Pickens County prompts the Oconee Emergency Services to urge all Oconeeans to ensure that they have working smoke alarms in their homes. Each year it is reported that more than 2,400 children age 14 or younger are injured or killed in home fires. By having a working alarm in your home can dramatically reduce […]

More than 40 young musicians took part in the annual Traditional Arts and Music Day Camp for Young Appalachian Musicians. Many of the campers, and camp counselors, as well, showcased their music skills at the week-long event’s finale – a talent show held July 19 at the new Pickens Downtown Amphitheater. The camp is designed to expose youngsters – grades […]

Clemson University police have arrested a Seneca man in an investigation of the theft of an employee’s wallet from a campus office. Richard Clayton Sr. was charged Tuesday with three counts of felony financial transaction card theft, along with petty larceny less than $2 thousand and trespassing after notice. According to a university statement, the 43-year old Clayton was on […]