Category: News

‘Tis the season in Oconee for governments to write budgets for next year. Dr. Mike Lucas, Oconee superintendent of education, calls attention today to a ranking that shows of the state’s 46 counties, Oconee taxes seventh lowest in the state. On his blog, Lucas displays a ranking of figures provided to his office by Oconee Auditor Ken Nix. Currently, Oconee […]

This just in from Oconee General Sessions: A jury is deliberating the case of S.C. v. Kenneth Wayne Whitworth, charged with distribution of methamphetamine third offense. When trial began yesterday, defendant Whitworth was absent. But his attorney, assistant public defender Danny Day, asked the jury to not hold his client’s absence against him. For the jury, the prosecution played an […]

A long-time Westminster Library worker is calling it a career. Refreshments will be served at a party at 4 o’clock this afternoon at the Westminster Library for Margaret McCall, who is retiring. It’s an opportunity for fellow library workers and library patrons to wish McCall well.

A chase during the 4 o’clock hour of yesterday morning near Seneca yielded an arrest and the discovery of what officers suspect are illegal drugs. Sheriff’s officers say the object of their chase, a Ford truck with no tag light, reached speeds of 60 miles an hour in the wrong lane of Return Church Road. But at Return Church Road […]

Agricultural education students at Seneca High School attended the South Carolina FFA-sponsored State Legislators Appreciation Ceremony last week in Columbia. They were accompanied by Christina Alexander, instructor and FFA advisor, along with student teacher Jessica Brown. The day began with a visit with State Senator Thomas Alexander, Oconee-Pickens Republican, to thank him for his support of agricultural education. Next, they […]

Seneca has received responses from seven companies in its project to convert a former school into a new home for utilities offices and warehousing. According to Bob Faires, utilities director, the seven have submitted RFQs—requests for qualifications. The task at hand is to re-adapt most of the former Kellett Elementary School on Seneca’s southside to the new Light and Water […]

The discovery of an Oconee County cemetery containing the remains of slaves and its deteriorating conditions has inspired a county resident to start an effort to pay greater respect to the departed. Paul Elston, representing the Clemson African-American Museum, asked Seneca City Council last night for its assistance in making every February a time of the year for a citizens’ […]

Oconee’s Sheep Farm Road opens a rural landscape which could not previously be viewed from the window of a motor vehicle.  However,  the brand-new, five-lane highway won’t carry the distinction of a scenic highway and the rules such highways must adhere to. The county planning commission this week voted to recommend against a scenic highway designation for the highway that […]

For street events, such as Seneca’s Jazz on the Alley, patrons of permitted bars and restaurants may enjoy beer and wine at tables set up in Ramcat Alley. The question arises whether a patron, with a glass of liquor in his hand, may do the same. The Seneca city attorney is not sure. Though the city council last night gave […]

From her perch on Walhalla’s N. Catherine Street, Maxie Duke has an idea for a new festival in the County Seat. A festival, she says, that can make a mark in ways similar to Walhalla’s Oktoberfest and Mayfest. The point she makes is that, thanks to groups of determined people, Walhalla about five years ago was able to save Stumphouse […]