Category: News

This year’s public hearing on the new Oconee County budgets lasted only a little more than 30 minutes. And the hearing room audience was small. Nevertheless, county leaders got an earful from a handful of speakers as to how they manage the taxpayers’ money and conduct their business. The proceeding prompted Joel Thrift, council chairman, at hearing end to lay […]

Lyn Morrey in front of Oconee County Council said she felt “a big, obstructed barrier right here”—meaning  there should be more of a one-on-one interaction between the councilmen and their constituents. Morrey, a retired naval officer, said one reason she can’t at this time recommend Oconee as a retirement destination are the bad vibrations she feels between council and audience. […]

How does a real estate sales price of $11 million dollars sound…in nearby Rabun County, Georgia? That’s the original asking price for the Lake Burton home of Alabama football coach Nick Saban. The Associated Press and an auction company handling the sale of the 9,600 square foot home report the Saban home auction has been rescheduled for June 27. The […]

A senior at West-Oak High and the Hamilton Career Center, is the recipient of one award after another this year. Cassidy Westmoreland is in line for a South Carolina Careers Governor Award Student of the Year. Cassidy earned salutatorian of her class and graduated with 32 high school credits—eight more than required. She earned all A’s in her Career and […]

The Walhalla police have arrested a man in the investigation of a home burglary last week on Bell Mill Road. Lt. Paul Harris said Randy Lee Cantrell, 33 years old, was arrested yesterday and charged with burglary second degree and larceny. The victim’s home was entered through a back door. Taken was a pocketbook containing cash and credit card. Harris […]

Action by Oconee school trustees establishes a slightly-altered route to run sewer pipe to what will be the new Walhalla High School at Picket Post. Last night the trustees approved a route of highway 11, from Scenic Heights Baptist Church to Cane Creek. The original route left 11 near the church. “This should clear our engineers, Design South, to bid […]

In a three-day period, Oconee’s wastewater plant recorded more than three inches of rainfall. The Coneross plant at Seneca is in the business of treating wastewater but sometimes, such as this week, heavy rain creates issues. “The system was functioning, for sure,” said Bob Winchester, executive director of the Joint Regional Sewer Authority. In the Martin Creek basin, between Seneca […]

Chairman Wayne McCall of the Oconee County Council Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee says he isn’t sure why, but a disease transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes is making a comeback. It’s called malaria. McCall last night urged the committee to consider protective measures that’ll ensure good health. He urged the county to borrow a page from the Central […]

At the urging of Sheriff Mike Crenshaw, members of Oconee County Council want their attorney to review other counties’ laws against businesses selling drug paraphernalia for the purpose of proposing a similar ordinance to cover their county. The council’s law enforcement and public safety committee last night also agreed to get tough on distracted driving, including the dangerous practice of […]

A new charge has been placed against the 43-year old Walhalla area man who surrendered after officers say he barricaded himself inside his home Sunday on the Fairfield Road. According to arrest warrants, Timothy Scott Blackwell has now been charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of a violent felony. Deputies say Blackwell unlawfully possessed […]