In today’s Seneca City Council election, you have the opportunity to make a difference with a simple vote.

Every couple years, we face the task of reviewing the actions of and interviewing the candidates for the coming election — be that county, city, state or beyond.

By now, you’ve no doubt read more than once about the potential annexation of Oconee County property by the city of Clemson.

Several times a week, we take this space in the paper to give you our view on what is happening and sometimes a little insight into what is going on behind the scenes that your local officials aren’t saying on the record.

It is easy to look at the numbers and see that economic development efforts in Oconee County are working.

One of the marks of a great community is its ability to come together to take care of those in need.

As the city of Clemson continues its planned march into Oconee County, there’s plenty of blame to go ‘round on how we got here.

On Wednesday afternoon, a 19-year-old former student pulled a fire alarm at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and began shooting students and staff as they came out into the hallways. By the end of the rampage, 17 people were dead, and more were injured.

We are accustomed to buying products that were made somewhere else — usually another country.

Monday, Jan. 29, marks the 150th birthdays for both Oconee and Pickens counties. The two counties were joined from 1826-1868 in the Pickens District of South Carolina. As work was done to rewrite the state …

Several years ago an unusual winter storm dumped 6 inches of snow on the Myrtle Beach area.

No doubt school officials in Oconee and Pickens have received some criticism for canceling school Monday because of the threat of icy conditions that didn’t materialize.

Unfortunately, following the Oconee County Council over the years has at times been akin to watching the soap operas on television.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster made a wise choice and validated a courageous December vote by Oconee County Council with his decision not to approve a request for $1.5 billion in hospital bonds to refinance debt of the Greenville and Palmetto health systems.

The S.C. General Assembly will go back into session next month, and legislators have another opportunity to do something simple and make mopeds more visible to other drivers.

Each year at this time, I feel compelled to thank so many people for their friendship and kindness, as well as the many public servants who work hard to make our lives better every day. It only seems appropriate to show gratitude for the rich blessings we receive from others throughout the year.

Duke Energy’s recently announced $3 billion investment over 10 years to improve and update its energy grid in South Carolina is good news for the state.

For most of us, it is almost impossible to imagine our own children waking up on Christmas morning without any gifts under the tree.