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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.
Yellow-legged hornets nests found, destroyed in South Carolina county
BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Clemson University Department of Plant Industry (DPI) officials found and destroyed multiple secondary nests of yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) in trees in South Carolina near Hilton Head Island. According to officials, they are the first secondary nests of the yellow-legged hornet found in the...
Crews repair water leak in Walhalla
WALHALLA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Crews from the city of Walhalla Water Department say that a leak has been repaired near Stribling Shoals Road in the area of Ramey Lane, Springbrook Road and Windy Knoll Drive. A Facebook post from the department says that water has been restored in the...
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%.
Westminster City Council Expands City Limits and Approves New Policies
The Westminster City Council annexed 12 properties during its Tuesday meeting, including sites on Dunlop Drive and Nina Circle, following a policy that requires new utility customers to agree to annexation when properties become contiguous. These properties will initially be zoned R-25 and later reviewed for rezoning by the Planning Commission. The council also approved mutual aid agreements with four local law enforcement agencies, a new policy for council members’ insurance access, and a preliminary ordinance for collaboration with Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative for operational support, while continuing its electricity arrangement with PMPA.
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.
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.
Seneca Acquires Former Middle School for Recreation Expansion
The City of Seneca has secured the former Seneca Middle School property for $200,000, a significant reduction from the original $500,000 asking price. This purchase, approved by the School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees, will enable the city to expand recreational facilities at the nearby Shaver Recreation Complex. The property, located on West South Fourth Street, will provide much-needed space for sports fields and activity areas. This acquisition follows years of planning and preparation, including a 2020 purchase of adjacent land for recreation, according to Mayor Dan Alexander…
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.
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