Category: News

By 7pm last night, power had been restored to all members on the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative system known to have lost service as a result of this week’s storm emergency. Any member who might still be without power should contact the cooperative immediately by calling 1-888-BLUE-RIDGE.

Oconee County Emergency Services will be opening a warming center this evening at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Walhalla, which is located at 607 East Main Street. The center will be opening up beginning at 7pm. This warming center is being opened up in partnership with the Red Cross and Oconee County C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team).

As people across South Carolina are facing cold temperatures over the next two days, the American Red Cross is working with emergency management officials and partner agencies across the state to open shelters. The shelters give residents, especially those without power or other heating options, a place to sleep, meals, and other services. Warming centers offer residents a place to […]

Rep. Bill Sandifer recently introduced a bill that would help bystanders avoid legal liability for rescuing endangered children or vulnerable adults from hot cars. That bill has unanimously passed the House, after gaining many sponsors, and moves to the Senate this week. Sandifer says his bill, H.3145, is designed to raise people’s awareness that they have the right knock out […]

Wind and freezing rain are wrecking havoc on power lines in the Upstate, so motorists are urged to be vigilant behind the wheel. As well as watching out for other motorists, watch for linemen working on the side of the road, encourages Terry Ballenger manager of communications for Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. “I think it is just a matter of […]

Blue Ridge Fest is set to bring the best in great entertainment again to raise money for 12 local charities. On May 8, Johnny Tillotson, Shirley Alston Reeves and the Shirelles, and the Swingin’ Medallions will entertain attendees with their classic sound. “With the level of entertainment we have planned for Blue Ridge Fest this year, we are expecting record […]

The Oconee County Conservation Bank Board holds a meeting on March 10 at 10am in Council Chambers of the Oconee County Administrative Offices, which are located at 415 South Pine Street in Walhalla.

A white flag is waiving outside of Our Daily Rest in Seneca. “When it is going to be 32 degrees or below and it is going to be hazardous to anybody outside, hypothermia and stuff like that, then we will have it out.” Our Daily Rest operations manager Ben Tichenor says the United Way of Oconee County sponsors the white […]

Crews with Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative are working non-stop to get the power back on in Upstate South Carolina. Extra linemen were brought in to assist with the restoration efforts, explains Terry Ballenger manager of communications for Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. “We had near 300 people in the field yesterday and we started out with around 10,000 of our members […]

This week’s winter storm caused widespread damage across the tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina. The Highway Patrol reports more than 1,400 incidents on state roadways were caused by the ice storm. From Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety responded to 721 collisions and 434 trees or downed power lines. More than half of […]