Category: News

For the fourth consecutive year, S.C. businesses will only pay the minimum 0.6% per employee for federal unemployment taxes (FUTA) because the Palmetto State once again met the requirements to obtain the maximum 5.4% credit for 2014 FUTA. South Carolina is the only borrowing state to receive a waiver for the full 5.4%. Receiving this credit means, S.C. businesses will […]

Police in the City of Anderson are offering a reward for information leading to arrests in the beating deaths of two men. Police said on Oct. 27, Carson Nance killed 61-year-old Artis Valentine on Sanders Street. A $500 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest. Police also report that on Nov. 7, an unknown suspect beat 55-year-old […]

The Oconee County Public Library’s Board of Trustees will hold their bi-monthly meeting at the Westminster Branch Library on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5:30pm. This is a departure from the normal meeting time, which occurs on the last Monday of every other month, due to the Thanksgiving holiday week. The meeting is open to the public, and time for public […]

A Pickens man must serve 30-years behind bars for criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins announces that a Pickens County jury convicted 29-year-old Justin Ryan Cone of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree. The Honorable William Keesley sentenced Cone to 30-years with at least 85% of his sentence served before he […]

Conditions are getting unusually dry across South Carolina. On Thursday, the South Carolina Drought Response Committee voted to place all 46 counties in an incipient drought, which is the lowest stage of drought classification. Officials say this fall has not seen a lot of rain, and lake levels have been dropping. The state will need above normal rainfall over the […]

The American Red Cross is assisting 48 people who were among those affected from 13 home fires Wednesday in South Carolina. Red Cross is meeting their immediate emergency needs, which may include temporary lodging, food, clothing, mental and health services. Red Cross is also providing referrals to partner agencies for their long-term recovery. People can help victims of fires and […]

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement opposing President Obama’s effort to take executive action and unilaterally change immigration. “I oppose President Obama’s effort to unilaterally fix a broken immigration system by granting amnesty to five million illegal immigrants. This is wrong. It is irresponsible. It will do damage to our efforts to fix a broken immigration system. […]

The failure of the one-cent capital project sales tax referendum leaves the Oconee Heritage Center more than $400,000 short to renovate and improve its facilities. However, the downtown Walhalla museum has not given up. It recently asked residents to fill their piggy bank, explains Oconee Heritage Center curator and director Leslie White. “We had worked very hard to promote passing […]

After examining the rising cost of healthcare in the United States, the City of Seneca decided to start encouraging city staff to get healthy. Initially the city offered incentives for employees to quit smoking, loose weight and eat healthy. Now the city is increasing efforts to get employees to exercise by offering extra hours at the Gignilliat Wellness Center by […]

Officially opening in August of 2015, the new Walhalla High School under construction on North Highway 11, is progressing ahead of schedule. Oconee County Schools Assistant Superintendent Steve Hanvey gives an update on the building. “We are still on that time line for end of February, early into March for Trehel to be finished up.” The new high school will […]