Clemson Mulling Millage Increase for New Budget
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| PAGE LABEL EVEN | FOR ALL THE MARBLES T Vol. 117HE No. 109 JOURNALFriday, June 4, 2021 $100 West-Oak, Seneca T J survive to set up ‘LONG TIME COMING’: Arts center reopens after a year with its first show. B1 winner-take-all DONATING DOSES: United States to swiftly boost global vaccine sharing. D1 State finals. C1 CLEMSON Clemson mulling millage increase for new budget BY GREG OLIVER cilman Bob Brookover said additional $2 per month. “This is absolutely the year THE JOURNAL a 1.7-mill increase would Even if council decided to to raise the millage. It’s ‘I think we’d be missing be nearly cost-neutral to go with a 1-mill or 1.2-mill going to be a lot harder in CLEMSON — Faced with taxpayers in the county. increase, Brookover said the future.” an opportunity there where it the need for a balanced Brookover said taxpayers it would increase revenue Councilwoman Catherine budget and costly infra- would see an additional and bring the city closer to Watt and Councilman John structure improvements in cost of $13.60 per year, or a balanced budget. Fulmer agreed. could hurt worse in the future the coming years, Clemson a little more than a dollar “I think we’d be miss- “We have a lot of work City Council is considering per month for those owning ing an opportunity there before us and a lot of good if we don’t do it incrementally.’ a property tax increase. a $200,000 house. Commer- where it could hurt worse outcomes we’re going to be During a discussion cial property owners would in the future if we don’t do Bob Brookover meeting Wednesday, Coun- pay a little more than an it incrementally,” he said. SEE INCREASE, PAGE A6 Clemson city councilman WESTMINSTER CLEMSON University hires assistant solicitor, Bee former state rep as gone? municipal judges BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR Both Clary and Simmons THE JOURNAL are Clemson graduates. Exterminator set to Deborah Culler has CLEMSON — Two well- served the court for more known faces found in than 30 years and will be visit youth center local court- retiring in rooms over January. the years are infested with bees making the ‘ALWAYS AN jump to serve HONOR’ BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR in new roles Clary, a THE JOURNAL at Clemson 1970 Clemson University. grad, prac- WESTMINSTER — A self-proclaimed In a special Clary Simmons ticed law for animal lover, Oconee County admin- called Clem- years and istrator Amanda Brock made a tough son University Board of served as a South Caro- decision a week or so ago. Trustees meeting, trust- lina circuit judge from After an inspection of the former ees unanimously agreed 1992-2002 prior to his Oakway Intermediate School by local to appoint Gary Clary retirement. Representing experts, an exterminator has been and Lindsey Simmons the Clemson, Central, Six scheduled to visit the site later this to serve as the school’s month to prepare to rid the building of municipal court judges. SEE JUDGES, PAGE A6 an infestation of bees. PHOTOS BY JERRY BEARD | THE JOURNAL Brock said last week she had spoken Signs are posted outside the former Oakway Intermedi- with multiple beekeepers locally and ate School warning the public about a bee infestation at the facility. An exterminator is set to visit the site SEE BEES, PAGE A5 June 14 to plan a course of action. CLEMSON Clemson doc gives tips for staying healthy outdoors BY NORM CANNADA headed to the woods to THE JOURNAL be aware of their sur- roundings CLEMSON — With and check for sunny skies and warmer potential bug temperatures back for the and tick bites, summer, local residents along with are getting outdoors to contact with enjoy all types of activi- poison ivy. ties. A Prisma “Getting outside is Tolan Health news healthy. It’s good for release of- us,” Dr. Aaron Tolan, a fered tips to prevent bug pediatrician with Clem- bites: son Primary Care, told • Wear clothing with The Journal this week. sleeves, especially in “Being active is always heavily wooded areas, good for our heart and tall grass or when hiking. mental health, too. It’s a For an extra precaution, great time of the year to wear closed-toe shoes and do it around here.” Tolan encouraged those SEE DOC, PAGE A5 | INSIDE | | INFO | WILLIE SAYS: ARRESTS A6 COMICS B3 OPINION A4 DELIVERY (864) 882-2375 CALENDAR A2 ENTERTAINMENT B4 SPORTS C1 CLASSIFIEDS (864) 882-2375 Nobody has a CLASSIFIEDS D2 LIFESTYLE B1 STOCK REPORTS D4 ADVERTISING (864) 973-6305 COLUMNISTS B3 OBITUARIES B2 WORLD | NATION D1 crystal ball. B5 200 x 200 Mbps $50 Most Reliable Internet in the Area! UpcountryFiber.com | PAGE LABEL EVEN | A2 THE JOURNAL FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 Health officials expand homebound vaccination program to all SC counties THE JOURNAL STAFF bringing this opportunity to front every county in the state after the Thursday’s COVID-19 doors across South Carolina.” initiative. SENECA — The S.C. Department Welcome Pharmacy To schedule a homebound vac- numbers at a glance of Health and Environmental Con- and H&M Labs will cination, call DHEC’s Vaccine Confirmed Confirmed Percent trol (DHEC) expanded its home- provide free vaccina- Information Line at (866) 365-8110 cases deaths positive bound vaccination project to all 46 tions to homebound from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m., seven days a counties in the state earlier this residents who can’t week. An operator will connect the South Carolina 122 4 3.6% week. reach a doctor’s office or caller with a representative from Oconee County 0 0 2.9%* The statewide program launched a COVID-19 vaccination one of the vaccine providers who Pickens County 3 1 2.1%* June 1 and will run through Decem- facility due to health will reach out “within a few days” ber, a release from DHEC said. Traxler issues, age or other rea- to schedule the appointment, the * Seven-day moving average “We are incredibly excited to sons, according to the release said. Cumulative cases offer this service to the homebound release. One caregiver per provider After a shot is given, a vaccine members of our state,” DHEC is eligible for a free vaccination administrator will stay for a short South Carolina: 492,005 cases, 8,580 deaths public health director Dr. Brannon through the program. period to monitor the person who Oconee County: 9,028 cases, 128 deaths Traxler said in a news release. The Vaccine Homebound Project received the shot. The same person “Reaching herd immunity means follows a pilot program that kicked will help schedule a second shot Pickens County: 17,229 cases, 266 deaths removing any and all barriers off earlier this year for residents for those receiving the Moderna or between people and these lifesaving in Jasper and Hampton counties. Pfizer vaccine. More information on Oconee Memorial Hospital ICU occupancy vaccines. Our homebound program The state agency determined there the COVID-19 vaccines can be found Total ICU beds: 12 Beds occupied: 8 will help us accomplish that goal by was a demand on a larger scale for at scdhec.gov/vaxfacts. Beds occupied by COVID patients: 2 SOURCE: SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL Gas prices dip after Memorial Day holiday | CALENDAR | THE JOURNAL STAFF numbers,” AAA Caroli- average is 22 cents more expensive than a year ago. nas spokeswoman Tiffany than a month ago and May’s national gas price MONDAY SENECA — After Wright $1.07 more averaged $3 per gallon, OCONEE GOLD Prospectors Association of America will meet at 7 predicting gas could hit said. “In- than a according to AAA. That p.m. at the Hibachi Grill in Clemson. (864) 886-9619 as high as $3 per gallon creasing ‘Supply and year ago. price is 11 cents more in South Carolina for the demand The na- than the May 2018 and CHARLES MCGEE Post 120 of the American Legion will meet at 7 Memorial Day weekend, and de- demand levels tional gas 2019 national averages. p.m. at 575 N. Fairplay St., Seneca. AAA Carolinas said creasing price av- Crude prices are expect- average prices actually supply, are starting to look erage was ed to climb if the Energy WEDNESDAY decreased. combined recorded Information Administra- OCONEE COUNTY Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans South Carolina’s aver- with more more like typical at $3.04 tion’s upcoming weekly (DAV) has resumed processing VA disability claims on Wednesdays age price came in at $2.82 expensive per gallon, report shows a decline in from 1-5 p.m. at 575 N. Fairplay St., in Seneca. Bring DD214, medical this week for a gallon of crude oil summer numbers.’ increasing crude stocks. records and all VA correspondence. regular unleaded gaso- prices, only by “Last week’s price gains line, according to AAA means gas Tiffany Wright a penny were limited by market THURSDAY Carolinas. That average prices are leading up concerns that increasing OPCL FRIENDS of the Library book sale 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the AAA Carolinas spokeswoman is down 3 cents compared likely to to Memo- coronavirus infections basement of the Walhalla Library. No appointment necessary. If you to the week before, but is fluctuate rial Day around the world could re- have not been vaccinated, masks will be required. 22 cents more expensive throughout the month.” weekend. The average duce crude consumption than a month ago and North Carolina’s aver- is 15 cents more than a this year,” a release from $1.15 more expensive than age was reported at $2.89 month ago and $1.12 more AAA said.