Category: News

Discouraging news to report on the employment front, the local and state jobless rates increased in June.  The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce reports that Oconee County’s jobless figure rose 1% from 8.3% in May to 9.3% in June.  Oconee County’s labor force of 32,089 currently has 2,994 citizens looking for work.  Pickens County lists the June unemployment […]

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made the following statement on news that Medical Mutual of Ohio, the parent of the Carolina Care health plan, will be pulling out of South Carolina by the end of the year.  Carolina Care is the second largest issuer of individual health insurance plans in South Carolina. According to the Columbia Regional Business Report, Medical […]

The Oconee County Council will hold a public hearing on “an ordinance to amend chapter 38 “zoning” of the Oconee County Code of Ordinances, including all zoning maps incorporated therein and thereby, in certain limited regards and particulars, only; and other matters related thereto” on August 20 at 6pm in Council Chambers of the Oconee County Administrative Offices, located at 415 South Pine Street in […]

Clemson University’s Center for Corporate Learning will host the fourth annual Art of Leadership summit, a five-day conference that enhances, reinforces and advances participants’ leadership skills using proven concepts, models and real-world projects.  During the Aug. 5-9 conference, participants will engage in planned activities designed to help them better understand and develop their own leadership styles, as well as to learn to […]

A fatal motorcycle accident Thursday evening in Pickens County is under investigation.  The South Carolina Highway Patrol reports the accident occurred around 6:40pm on Shady Grove Road and Highway 133 in Pickens County. Troopers said a 2009 Yamaha motorcycle was traveling south on Highway 133 when it crossed the centerline and hit a truck head on. Pickens County Coroner Kandy […]

An early-morning fire in Westminster sent firefighters from two states to the scene.  Dispatchers said the call came in just after 5am about flames at a home on Cleveland Pike Road, near Unity Church Road in Westminster.  Officials said 50 to 60 firefighters from five departments, one from as far away as Stephens County, Georgia, responded to the scene to […]

Throughout the state of South Carolina, teachers are actively preparing for another school year.  In the School District of Oconee County, students return to the classroom on August 20.  Therefore, teachers and administrators will use the remaining time this summer preparing to implement more of the Common Core of State Standards.  Oconee County Schools Assistant Superintendent Steve Hanvey explains. “We […]

The Town of Pendleton is now accepting grant applications from non-profit or government agencies for 2013/14 funding of projects that enhance tourism in Pendleton.  The program will provide grants to events, activities, programs and capital investments that are sustainable and support and enhance the Town’s tourism infrastructure, as well as enhance the positive image of Pendleton as a destination.  The […]

Early storm damage estimates are between $125,000 and $175,000 for the Town of Pendleton after last weekend’s heavy rain.  The majority of that money will be spent repairing damage done to the Town’s pump stations.  Officials said the Village Hill pump station received the most damage and needs new pump replacements.  The Town of Pendleton received nine inches of rain […]

Most of the South Carolina Botanical Garden has reopened and is seeking volunteers to help clean up the garden after weekend flooding caused heavy damage.  Volunteers are being sought to help clean up the garden from 9am to noon weekdays until July 26. Volunteers will meet each morning at 9am at the Hayden Conference Center and will be assigned to work […]