Category: featured

In response to the November shooting of Deputy Cpl. Lucas Watts, Oconee County is enhancing patrol car protection. Sheriff Mike Crenshaw announced that over half of the cars will receive ballistic windshields and armored door panels. The initiative, prompted by Watts’ incident, has received a unanimous council vote for a $430,000 budget. This makes the agency the first in the […]

Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina has signed the “constitutional carry” bill, allowing adults to openly carry loaded handguns without a permit or training. The law also increases penalties for crimes committed with stolen firearms. Despite concerns from law enforcement about the lack of mandatory training, the law maintains existing restrictions on carrying firearms in certain places like hospitals and […]

During Wednesday morning’s rush hour, amidst a heavy downpour, two vehicles collided on the 123 Seneca Bypass. Authorities reported that one individual needed to be transported to the hospital due to the incident. The accident resulted in a traffic jam for westbound commuters near the newly established landscaping business, previously known as Lake Keowee Ford. Officer Jerry Wirtz took this […]

Kevin Bishop, who has lived in Easley and Pickens County for a quarter of a century, has declared his candidacy for the Third Congressional District of South Carolina. Bishop, who recently retired from his role as Communications Director for U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, is not the only one vying for the seat. Sheri Biggs, a Salem resident with a distinguished […]

The Clemson 8 Challenge, an annual event honoring Clemson University alumnus who were World War II POWs, will take place from March 9-16. The event welcomes all, from marathoners to casual walkers, to complete an 8, 14, or 26.2-mile event in a day or over eight days. The on-campus event is on March 9 at the Upper Intramural Fields. The […]

The Toccoa Police Department is currently probing a deadly shooting that took place in the early hours of Tuesday, March 5. A distress call led officers to Ruby Street, where they encountered Ieshia Chantavia Thornton, 33, and Christopher Howell, 33, inside a vehicle. Upon entering a nearby house, they discovered the deceased, Eric King, 51. Thornton was subsequently apprehended and […]

A contentious ordinance limiting the growth of the county budget has been enacted by the Oconee County Council. The ordinance caps any increase to the general fund based on population growth and inflation. It also includes a clause that allows the limitation to be suspended upon a two-thirds vote from the council. Jim Mann, the Chairman of the Oconee County […]

Tuesday, Stephens County GA Sheriff Randy Shirley issued a press releaese announcing his retirement after fifty years in law enforcement and serving his community as Sheriff for 16 years. Shirley’s last day of service as Sheriff will be December 31st, 2024.

Upon the planning commission’s suggestion, the elected officials of Oconee County have provisionally approved a law regulating commercial junkyards. However, some council members hinted at potential opposition during the final review of the ordinance. Glenn Hart, representative of District Five, abstained from the initial reading in protest, as the law, originally intended for residential junkyards, was modified to apply to […]

As part of the ongoing Severe Weather and Flood Safety Week, a statewide tornado drill is scheduled for today, Wednesday, March 6. Participants, including public schools and state and local emergency management departments, will commence activities at 9 a.m. Residents of South Carolina are advised to seek shelter indoors, preferably in a secure area or room, avoiding corners, windows, and […]