Category: News

It has been weeks since most Oconee students have seen their teachers..and vice versa.  For morale purposes, Walhalla Elementary has decided to end that streak–yet keeping to the social distancing guidelines.  The school’s teachers, staff, principals, with the help of the spouses, are organizing a motor vehicle parade to the homes of the students.  The students have been telephoned beforehand, […]

Here is the Sheriff’s Office announcement on new development in shooting last weekend in southern Oconee: “An Oconee County man who has been charged by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office in an Attempted Murder investigation has been extradited back to Oconee County. 27 year old Devan Chavis Bennett was apprehended last Thursday evening around 7:30pm in Stephens County (GA). The […]

From a sewing machine in her Oconee County home, a retired health care worker has been churning out face masks out of cotton and elastic materials. She’s doing her part to help friends and neighbors protect against catching COVID-19. Gabrielle (not her real name) believes each of us should do what we can to help others. Hers is a talent […]

At the next meeting, a Walhalla councilman says he will renew his push for a drive-thru window at the City Hall for the convenience of customers who prefer to pay utility bills without leaving their vehicles. According to David Underwood, the chairman of council’s utilities committee, the virus spread is a new reason to add a drive-thru window. Until at […]

A second transport of medical equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile on Saturday delivered the following equipment to Oconee County: 360 N95 respirators; one thousand face masks/surgical masks; 193 face shields; 132 surgical gowns; one coverall; and two thousand gloves. DHEC inventories the materials and the South Carolina National Guard distributed them to every county based on population and emergency […]

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced one additional death related to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. This brings the state’s total number of deaths to 16. The patient was an elderly individual from Horry County who had underlying health conditions. “Today’s announcement is a solemn reminder of how serious this disease is. It has challenged […]

Friday afternoon’s DHEC report of 86 additional cases shows both Oconee and Pickens have seen their totals increase by one case for each of the two counties.  In Oconee’s case, that makes three total COVID-19 cases but no deaths.

Prisma Health issued this statement Friday afternoon: “Prisma Health has received countless inquiries from area businesses, community organizations and individuals who would like to help provide necessary supplies during the COVID-19 public health crisis. We appreciate our local communities’ desire to come together during this time of need. The entire Prisma Health team is committed to meeting the healthcare needs […]

In his briefing late this afternoon, Gov. McMaster announced an executive order requiring all people coming into South Carolina to self-quarantine for 14 days—especially those coming from the virus “hot spots” including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Orleans. Following McMaster, state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell reports an additional 84 South Carolina infections and four deaths—brings to 13 the […]

Because large crowds were gathering at the Sassafras Mountain Tower and at Bald Rock Heritage Preserve, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has made the decision to close the two Blue Ridge Escarpment destinations beginning Saturday, March 28. “With a limited amount of space on top of Sassafras and Bald Rock, it is hard to practice ‘social distancing’ […]