Category: News

Oconee Sheriff’s Office announces charges filed in the shooting of a 48-year old man early yesterday near Seneca.  The victim was Aaron Parrish Putnam.  A 26-year old man, Wayne Austin Raffaldt, was arrested at the Singing Pines Road scene and is now charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.  Officers are ascribing family trouble as […]

This afternoon’s report reflects South Carolina COVID-19 data recorded on Sunday.  New, confirmed cases:  456 cases (16 of them in Oconee County).  New deaths statewide:  six South Carolinians.  Of 13,126 test results received, the new positivity:  5.7%.

Oconee Sheriff’s Office identifies a 26-year old man near Seneca as having shot a 48-year old man whose body was found in the yard of a home on the Singing Pines Road.  Initially, Wayne Austin Raffaldt was jailed on a temporary custody order that allows the investigators to gather the formal charges.  Not long after 1 o’clock this morning, with […]

A 29-year old man near Westminster has been jailed by the Oconee Sheriff’s Office on multiple charges from incidents reported last Friday on the Flat Rock Road near Walhalla.  Arrest warrants name John Michael Zaniboni Jr. as being accused of, among other charges, attempted armed robbery; assault and battery first degree; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  […]

A young mother testified this morning in the General Sessions Court about what happened to her on a concrete slab in front of her home and her injuries that sent her for emergency treatment.  The mother gave testimony in the state’s case against Sage Marquis Hernandez, arrested in 2019 on the charge of domestic violence high and aggravated.  She testified […]

The state health agency reports a skunk found at Six Mile near Bridwell Road and Bridwell Court tested positive for rabies.  At this time, no people are known to have been exposed, but two dogs that were exposed will be quarantined as required by the South Carolina Rabies Control law.  If you believe that you, someone you know, or your […]

A 26-year old man was reported taken into custody at the scene of the early morning homicide today near Seneca.  Sheriff Crenshaw says the man was jailed a few hours later, and his office will release the name of the accused once investigators secure arrest warrants.  The case this morning resulted from a call about a shooting at a home […]

The coroner is reporting a new Oconee County homicide.  The victim early this morning was a 48-year old man, Aaron Parrish Putnam.  Coroner Addis says a 9-1-1 call was received at 1:11 am at 170 Singing Pines Road.  Addis says Putnam died at the scene.  The Oconee Sheriff’s Office is investigating.  An autopsy will be conducted.  

Each of the five Walhalla city council candidates had their share of supporters at the forum last night, and the conclusion by the evening’s moderator is that voters next week will have tough choices to make.  At the start, with more members of the public still trickling in, the crowd appeared to be in excess of 100 in the spacious […]

A political newcomer at Westminster hopes to further acquaint herself with the city’s electorate.  The Rev. Audrey Reese, candidate for city council, will hold a meet-and-greet from 5 to 7 pm tomorrow at the Upper District, 214 E. Main Street, and invites everyone to stop in and say hello.