Category: News

Friday, April 11th, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested 46-year-old Matthew Scott Chastain of West Union for Involuntary Manslaughter in connection with the death of his brother, 45-year-old William Jamie Daniel Chastain. Deputies initially responded to a cardiac arrest call on Welborn Road on January 23rd and found William Jamie Daniel Chastain deceased with multiple bruises. An autopsy determined the […]

To navigate financial headwinds caused by Oconee County’s impending termination of a $550,000 fire service agreement, the Walhalla City Council took action Tuesday, approving a citywide hiring moratorium until the end of June as they commence work on the 2025-26 fiscal year budget. City leaders acknowledged the increased financial ambiguity during their regular meeting, prompting City Administrator Celia Myers to […]

Southern Wesleyan University held its annual Scholarship Celebration Luncheon, honoring 126 students who received financial aid through 111 donor-funded scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year. The event recognized both the students and their generous donors and featured remarks from University President Dr. Bill Barker and Dr. Jonathan Sircy. Guests were also treated to a performance by the University Singers, led […]

A Tuesday morning accident sent at least three people to area hospitals for treatment and evaluation. According to reports, Corinth-Shiloh and Seneca Fire Departments and Rescue Squad, along with Prisma Health ambulances responded around 9am to the scene of the multi-vehicle accident on Clemson Blvd/US 123 at Golden Corner Animal Hospital. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is leading an investigation […]

Central Town Council unanimously approved a resolution this week, empowering staff to explore establishing a tax increment financing (TIF) district for the annexed 18 Mile Village development by Youngblood Land Co. LLC. This action permits the town administrator to consult with legal and financial firms and seek partnerships with Pickens County and the school district to potentially dedicate future property […]

The Oconee County Council convened Tuesday, approving the Oconee Economic Alliance’s recommendations to enter a grant agreement with the SC Coordinating Council for Economic Development and authorizing a Fee-In-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes and Special Source Revenue Credit Agreement with Lift Technologies, Inc., along with establishing their property within a joint industrial park with Pickens County, all aimed at facilitating […]

Over 3,000 members attended Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting recently, where a significant majority of the 2,310 votes cast favored a revised bylaw increasing the trustee membership tenure requirement from two to three years and mandating advance notification of nominations; via video, President and CEO Jim Lovinggood detailed the cooperative’s 2024, noting the addition of over 12,000 new connections […]

The Pendleton Town Council, comprised of Mayor Frank Crenshaw and Council Members Lyn Merchant, Barbara Hamberg, Vince Gaulin, and Jeff Van Drie, will hold a called meeting and work session today, April 16, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers at the Pendleton Town Hall to discuss the Fiscal Year 25/26 budget, with potential motions and votes to follow […]

Material handling manufacturer Lift-Tek, a subsidiary of Cascade Corporation, is investing millions to expand its Oconee County operations in Westminster, South Carolina, adding 110,000 square feet to its existing facility and upgrading production equipment. This expansion, expected to be online in January 2027, will create 41 new jobs. The project received support through job development credits and a Set-Aside grant […]

At its regularly scheduled board meeting held Monday,  April 14, 2025, the School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Mrs. Lindsay McKay as principal of Orchard Park Elementary School for the 2025-2026 school year.   Dr. Thorsland, superintendent, said, “Mrs. McKay brings a wealth of experience with her to our district. We look forward to working […]