Category: News

Governor McMaster is not in favor of moving teachers up in the priority for COVID-19 shots.  But the State Senate recently was unanimous (42-0) to move teachers to Phase 1A.  Yesterday the health subcommittee in the House at Columbia discussed the bill, but did not vote to move teachers to 1-A.  According to the spokeswoman for Oconee schools, because Phase […]

  A North Carolina man’s motorcycle ride in upper Oconee County two years ago turned to disaster, his lawsuit alleges, when his bike hit a deep pothole and he was thrown down an embankment and into a tree. To compensate for the cost of treatment and other damages, the civil court suit for Ronald Piccari alleges negligence and names Oconee […]

Third District Rep. Jeff Duncan has announced legislation to prevent the transfer or release of prisoners kept at the Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and is worried that, in the change of administrations, it’s possible the holding facility will be closed and, as Duncan puts it, some of the “most dangerous enemy combatants captured” by the U-S military”  He’s […]

An axe and a pry were used to help extricate golfer Tiger Woods from a wrecked car yesterday near Los Angeles. Woods’ predicament was very much on the minds of Seneca fire fighters later yesterday, as they gathered for an announcement that, thanks to a donation from a local manufacturing plant, the fire department will receive enough money to buy […]

A total of 718 new confirmed South Carolina COVID-19 cases appear on yesterday’s DHEC report.  Two of those cases are Oconee residents.  An additional 21 deaths were reported statewide, including one elderly Oconeean who died February 17.  Of 15,095 test results received, the positivity was 6.6%.

The Andrew Pickens Ranger District plans three prescribed burns on Wednesday 2/24 for a total of 2,453 acres. Burn objectives will help wildlife habitat improvement, research, and hazardous fuels reduction. Smoke may be visible, with residual smoke lingering into the afternoon and evening hours. The information for the three units is as follows:   State Line- 1,762 (807 in SC) […]

Only a few years after Oconee desegregated its public schools at the end of the 1960s did local police welcome men of color to their ranks.  And this month, as part of Black History Month, the Oconee Sheriff’s Office pays tribute to three African-American deputies who helped pave the way for inclusion and diversity in its office.  The three are […]

The Public Service Commission in Columbia has approved Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage program in South Carolina, and Duke says it means expanded renewable energy options for its customers.  The program builds on similar programs that Duke has offered to large customers since 2014.  It offers large customers the flexibility of selecting and negotiating all price terms directly with a […]

Mechanical break downs and a contractor’s inability to finish the job have stopped a utility line project along SC 188/the Keowee School Road.  The stopped project is at the bridge near the Emerald Pointe subdivision.  Duke Energy, in a statement of explanation, said, “This project is a strategic improvement to increase reliability, support the growth of the community and make […]

The police in Walhalla remind motorists about the laws covering children riding in motor vehicles.  Children eight and under must be secured, and the police say drivers should be familiar with the rules covering seatbelts, booster seats, rear-facing car seats, and forward-facing car seats.