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Seneca High School in South Carolina announces death of faculty member
SENECA, S.C. — Update at 2:30 p.m.:. The district sent the following statement Thursday afternoon:. "The School District of Oconee County was made aware this morning of the death of a Seneca High School teacher. Seneca High school was placed on an extended code yellow while school administrators notified faculty and staff. Mrs. Ashley Ramirez, Seneca High Principal, then shared the news with students. Counselors were available on campus for students and staff. The presence of law enforcement on the Seneca High School campus was for a pre-planned school resource officer meeting; it was not related to this tragedy. Out of respect for this teacher’s family, the district will not release the name of the teacher or any other details at this time.
Hippie Fest Headed to Downtown Lavonia Saturday
There’s a groovy happening coming up this weekend in downtown Lavonia that’s going to be a far-out event for the whole family. The Lavonia Downtown Development Authority is inviting you to take a trip – back to the days of peace, love, and bell bottoms at the annual Hippie Fest.
District: Student, mother back home after being hit by bus during morning pickup in Anderson
ANDERSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Anderson County School District Five said a mother and child are back home after they were hit by a school bus Thursday morning. The district said the transportation department informed officials that a bus made its normal stop on Amber Drive but no students got on the bus.
Decision on Seneca Middle School Property
After over an hour of closed-door deliberation, the School District of Oconee County’s Board of Trustees voted on Monday to sell the 22-acre former Seneca Middle School property to the city of Seneca for $200,000, with the city covering closing costs and fees. The property, appraised at $1.8 million as-is and $1 million with demolition, will be used to expand the Shaver Recreation Complex, incorporating portions of the existing building for sports fields and activity spaces. The sale, approved 4-1 with Trustee Sandra Sloan dissenting, will enable Seneca to extend the Shaver Recreation Complex and repurpose parts of the building for sports fields and activity spaces. Sloan expressed concern about setting a precedent for future property sales. Although she supported the use of the property for expanding the Seneca Recreation Department, she advocated for the district to donate the property instead of selling it.
Westminster and Blue Ridge are striking a deal
Westminster City Council gave preliminary approval last night to an ordinance to welcome Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in an operation and management arrangement. The city is a retail electric power customer of “PMPA” — a municipal electric wholesale consortium based in Greer. As explained by city administrator Kevin Bronson, the deal with Blue Ridge is a year-to-year arrangement in which Westminster can count on Blue Ridge help in emergencies and other situations. The city is retaining two valuable linemen and seeks to hire two more. According to Bronson, Blue Ridge is to be compensated for at cost-services. If the assistance requires a Blue Ridge subcontractor, the remuneration shall be at cost plus 5%.
New Dill’s Food City Construction Getting Closer Say Owners
Construction on the new Dill’s Food City in Royston is getting closer. That’s according to Dill’s co-owner Tracy Dilworth. Dilworth took time Tuesday evening after the Royston City Council meeting to talk to WLHR News about where they are with the plans to rebuild. He said they’re...
Westminster Orders Chatuga Ridge to Pay Back Taxes for License Reinstatement
On Tuesday, the Westminster City Council agreed to reinstate Chatuga Ridge Coffeehouse’s business license, contingent upon payment of $600 in penalties and hospitality taxes for January and February. The license had been suspended earlier this year after the business failed to pay hospitality taxes owed to the city. Despite previous warnings and communication, including a series of notices and legal reminders, the dues were only settled in June. The council’s decision followed a special hearing where both sides presented their case, and it was noted that the business must also provide proof of occupancy within city limits to complete the reinstatement process.
Town of Central annexes 690 acres, residents voice concerns
CENTRAL, S.C. (WSPA) — The town of Central annexed 690 acres into the town limits. Town Council voted to annex several properties during its meeting Monday. Mayor Andrew Beckner said the annexation will change the town “pretty dramatically.” “Annexation is a hot-button issue,” Beckner said. “I realize that. I’m not always for annexation, but when […]
SCBOC to consider STR tracking software
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. today for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting will take place at the Historic Courthouse, 37 West Tugalo Street in Toccoa. On the agenda for the meeting is consideration of entering into an agreement with Deckard Technologies for Rentalscape...
West Union Council Approves Initial Annexation for New Properties
During their meeting Tuesday, the West Union Town Council gave initial approval to annex three properties into town limits. The properties include a 3.27-acre site at S.C. Highway 11 and Collins Road, a 1.61-acre site for the Walhalla Veterinary Clinic off Highway 11, and a portion of the S.C. Department of Transportation right-of-way near Collins Road. Police Chief Ben Hailey cited concerns about transient camps and issues affecting the veterinary office as reasons for the annexation. Recent annexations in West Union include Holcomb’s Office Supply, Advance Auto Parts, McDonald’s, Tigers Ford, and a railroad stretch owned by Norfolk Southern Railway. A final reading for these annexations is anticipated at the council’s meeting on September 10.
Covingtons’ business license re-instated
Westminster re-instated the business license for a Retreat Street coffee shop, an act of compassion for a young couple who violated business license provisions. The city council acted unanimously after a contentious one-hour-plus hearing. Council members, however, conceded although there were communication difficulties with the operators of Chatuga Ridge Coffee, city staff carried out their role in trying to ensure the business license fee and hospitality taxes were paid. There are conditions attached to re-instating the license. Afterward, Zack Covington said, “We are going to try to re-open.” City administrator Bronson led staff’s account of who said what to whom. In the end, Bronson, conceded it’s city council’s call, although he cautioned the mayor and council that, by re-instating the license, a bad precedent could be set if others in the business community appeal for similar or identical exceptions. Zack and Erica Covington’s plight received support from sympathizers in last night’s hearing audience. In fact, several coffee drinkers on city council had frequented the coffee shop and regretted the circumstances that led to its closing.
New Royston City Manager Updates Council on First Four Weeks On the Job
New Royston City Manager Lanier Dunn has given his first report to the City Council and it’s clear he has a lot of ground he wants to cover. At their meeting Tuesday evening, Dunn outlined areas he’s started working on since he took over the office and projects he expects to address by the end of the year.
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