Tag: News

At Oconee County Council meeting on Tuesday, several citizens voiced concerns about development restrictions and resource conservation. Councilman John Elliott shared his experiences of witnessing rapid urbanization in Clemson, leading to increased traffic and loss of its college town charm. He questioned whether Oconee County wanted to follow a similar path. Despite agreement on the issue, he noted the lack […]

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has verified to Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that Jose Antonio Ibarra, the individual accused of murdering Georgia student Laken Riley, was unlawfully paroled into the country. DHS has stated that Ibarra was granted parole due to a lack of detention capacity at the Central […]

On Monday, officials from Anderson School District 4 convened to initiate the construction of the new Pendleton High School. The school, which will be situated at 350 Boscobel Road, is a component of the district’s 10-year plan that was unveiled last year. This plan was devised by the district to accommodate the increasing student enrollment observed in recent years. As […]

Despite local opposition and requests to postpone the decision, Clemson City Council approved The Hub Clemson, a lakefront development by Core Spaces, on April 15. Columbia attorney Kathleen McDaniel, representing two residents, argued that the developer was using a lawsuit to pressure the council. The council’s final vote was 4-3, following a failed motion to refer the project back for […]

The new Seneca Middle School on Wells Highway was inaugurated on Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Principal Michael Cory and Board of Trustees representative Sandra Sloan. Cory said it’s a facility designed for middle schoolers. The event, attended by community members, former and current administrators, and those involved in the school’s design and construction, was held before the […]

Oconee school officials have cautioned that the teacher shortage could intensify without higher salaries. Trustees favored a proposal to raise $55.6 million locally, pending County Council’s review of the budget tonight. The district’s pay scale challenges, highlighted by Superintendent Dr. Thorsland and Finance Director Schickling, are critical amidst competition for teachers with neighboring districts.

The Hampton Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) in Pickens, which has been the subject of numerous calls and around 100 patient escapes in the past 13 months, has closed its doors. The closure follows a violent incident involving several juvenile patients. The facility is moving its residents to other locations for consolidated and comprehensive care. Police Chief Randal Beach expressed […]

Pickens County welcomes Cynthia Wolthuis as the new Director of the Department of Social Services (DSS) this week. With an extensive background in social services spanning the tri-counties, including a pivotal role as an investigations leader and team coordinator in Oconee County, Ms. Wolthuis is well-prepared for her new responsibilities. She will commence her duties with the Pickens County DSS […]

Tonight, the Walhalla City Council will convene with a full agenda. They are poised to grant final approval to ordinances revising the water and sewer regulations, economic development incentives, and the 2023-24 budget fee schedule. Discussions will include a wage study, a sidewalk project quote, and a transfer request. The Mayor will issue proclamations for Small Business Week, Peace Officers […]

The Board of Trustees for the Oconee County School District is set to meet at the newly constructed Seneca Middle School, situated at 15440 Wells Highway, Seneca, at 6 p.m. today. The meeting’s agenda features a report by Superintendent Michael Thorsland on School Library Month, Special Olympics, and the Testing Calendar. Thorsland, along with Steve Hanvey, the Associate Superintendent of […]