Lauren Pierce

Seneca

Reporter at Upstate Lake Living Magazine

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Articles

Myers comes in as top Walhalla earner

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

Editor’s note: The following salaries are current as of Feb. 25, 2025. WALHALLA — Walhalla’s highest-paid employee rose to the top of the compensation list in her second year of serving the city, and in that time has put in work for multiple long-term projects. City administrator Celia Myers was in the city’s top five earners when she was hired in her current role in 2023 at $80,000 per year, and now makes $89,544.78 per year.
West Union discusses policy targeting vacant buildings

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

WEST UNION — In an effort to tackle the growing issue of vacant and deteriorating buildings in town, West Union Town Council may look into creating a new ordinance. An early draft, prepared by town attorney Mary McCormac, recently introduced a three-pronged approach involving vacant building registration, safety and maintenance requirements and enforcement of exterior nuisance conditions.
Walhalla holds budget workshop

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

WALHALLA — Walhalla City Council gathered Tuesday evening for a budget workshop to begin reviewing the city’s proposed financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26, which begins July 1. The overview, led by city administrator Celia Myers and Finance Committee chair and Councilman Josh Holliday, saw discussions on revenues, anticipated shortfalls and difficult choices ahead as the city looks to balance its budget while maintaining core services.
Walhalla hears clean audit report for last fiscal year

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

WALHALLA — Walhalla City Council received a clean audit opinion and financial feedback for fiscal year 2023-24 during its Tuesday meeting, delivered by Gary Bailey of Love Bailey & Associates.
Firefighters speak out, urge city to find solutions

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

WALHALLA — Walhalla city firefighters showed up at the Walhalla City Council meeting Tuesday to voice their concerns about budget cuts that would result from the end of the contract with Oconee County — and the implications for both their jobs and public safety. According to Fire Chief Terry Sanford, the fire department currently has three firefighters per shift.
Walhalla talks fire contract end

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

WALHALLA — Tensions were high Tuesday as Walhalla City Council grappled with the looming expiration of a $550,000 fire protection contract with Oconee County. The agreement, which has funded fire services to unincorporated areas outside the city limits, is set to end July 1 — and the city faces tough decisions for public safety and its upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 budget with possible cutbacks.
First Citizens Bank donates $10K to Habitat for Humanity

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

WEST UNION — First Citizens Bank has given a $10,000 boost to Oconee County Habitat for Humanity’s latest and most ambitious project to date: 27 homes for 27 dreams. Senior vice president Bill Harley and financial sales manager Nikki Carter of First Citizens presented the donation from the bank’s foundation on Monday at the future home site off Pointe Place in West Union — the second phase and expansion of the nonprofit’s earlier Eastpointe Drive project.
Construction soon to begin on $80M CU parking garage

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

CLEMSON — Clemson University will soon begin a major $80 million construction project that is expected to alleviate parking problems — the university’s first on-campus parking garage. The university’s Board of Trustees provided initial approval in October 2023 for the design and construction of a multi-level parking facility in the C-2 parking lot at the corner of Williamson and Perimeter roads.
Walhalla to discuss fire contract, budget during meeting tonight

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

WALHALLA — Walhalla City Council will meet today for its various committee meetings to discuss the soon-to-be-ending fire contract and the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 budget — and will welcome newly elected Councilwomen Jessie Bunning and Lynn McClain for their first meeting after being sworn into council last week.
CU trustees approve next phase of Douthit Hills expansion

1 month ago | upstatetoday.com | Lauren Pierce

CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Board of Trustees has approved Phase 2 of a major expansion to the Douthit Hills student housing complex, aiming to meet the growing demand for on-campus housing for first-year students and the aging of current housing facilities. The recent approval includes funding to construct a new residential building that will add 360 beds, a classroom, collaborative space and a faculty apartment to the Douthit Hills community.