Tag: Featured

Defense witnesses yesterday in the Oconee courtroom included an uncle and his niece. Freddy Lopez, owner of West Union Manor Apartments testified about the unit that he rented to defendant Jaime Mamian Motta and his role as the sponsor for the woman who Motta is accused of kidnapping and committing criminal sexual conduct first degree. Lopez’s niece, Abigail Lopez, testified […]

The City of Walhalla Water Department has issued a 24-hour boil water advisory customers along Highlands Highway from Zion to laurel Hill Drive affecting both sides of Highlands Highway and surrounding (shaded map of affected area included). A main water line was struck and damaged by contractors working in the area. Those included have been notified by phone call. During […]

At holiday time, Dr. Caren von Hippel hopes Oconeeans can spare a donation for the non-profit Baby Read, a program that over 11 years has advanced literary skills of some of the county’s youngest population.  Baby Read volunteers read to infants and give away books for parents to take home and read to their children.  Von Hippel doesn’t mince words […]

In the name of a football great, Seneca wishes to build a new recreation park.  It’s to be the Benny Cunningham Jr. Park, and city of Seneca wishes to hear comments from the public on a conceptual design for the park.  That opportunity will be a city hall hour event, 5 to 6 pm, on Tuesday, November 18.  The idea […]

Of the three finalists to be the Corinth-Shiloh fire chief, one of the three has withdrawn from consideration.  That means, according to the current volunteer chief Christenbury, the fire board will choose from one of the two men remaining.  They will be identified during separate public meetings over the next week – the first one to take place tomorrow at […]

A former Colombia, South America woman testified for hours yesterday in the Oconee General Sessions Court.  The prosecution has identified her the victim in South Carolina v. Motta.  Jaime Mamian Motta went on trial Monday, charged with kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct first degree.  The jury heard testimony that Motta over social media urged the woman to immigrate to the […]

Rural Fire reports two Mountain Rest home fires.  An occupant of a home on Vinson Drive near the Bauknight Road suffered burns to the hands in a fire at her home reported early last night.  At 2:30 this morning, the fire fighters were on the go again in Mountain Rest – this time on the Whetstone Road.  Responders were able […]

  Walhalla council winners:  David Underwood, Jessie Bunning, and Chris Grant. Seneca council winners:  Lekesha Benson, Dana Moore, Dan Alexander, and Ernest Riley. Westminster council winners:  Charles Morgan, Jamie Jones, and Jimmy Powell.  Political newcomer Morgan also won the contest for the unexpired Audrey Reese term and will have a choice to either accept the unexpired term or a full, […]

Sheriff Crenshaw has confirmed changes, moves that he believes will better serve the public.  And those changes, among others, involve the courthouse deputies.  Crenshaw today said, “I have renamed the Detention Bureau to the Judicial Services Bureau.  The courthouse deputies were assigned to the Special Operations Bureau.  I moved them to the newly named bureau to increase our efficiency and […]

Clemson University attorney Robert Wilkins has replied to the Oconee County Council request for information that would explain what connection, if any, the university had to a development company’s bid to build thousands of houses in the vicinity of Newry village. The letter, is dated October 31, and reads in part: ”Regarding your request for a “written explanation of any […]