Editor Brett McLaughlin of Seneca chose this career because he 'was raised with an inherent appreciation of the written word'. He oversees the newsroom, pagination, content and presentation of the news, and sports to a lesser degree. He also edits all specials, including Lake Living Magazine. Though he's only been with this newspaper since September 2005, he's been in the business a total of 36 years. The things he most enjoys about his job is that no day is the same, not all questions are answered, staff development, and writing. When not in the office he spends time with his wife, Maureen, their two grown sons, and one granddaughter. Outside of them you can find him at the theater, traveling, or playing golf.

Recent Stories

• Brett McLaughlin: Putting a lock on my paranoia
  Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009
  One of my favorite movies is “Conspiracy Theory,” an action-packed drama featuring Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts. She’s a pretty woman, and he’s just a darned good actor who plays this incredibly paranoid character named Jerry. He’s convinced that powerful people are out to get him, so much so that he has padlocks on his refrigerator and a secret escape hatch built into his apartment.
  All of us have a little “Jerry” in us, and that’s probably not a bad thing. | Read more

• Oconee County ready for action on southern sewer plan
  Friday, Nov. 13, 2009
  The Oconee County Council and the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority (OJRSA) were singing from the same hymnal this week, and county residents should expect a similar refrain when the council convenes Tuesday night. | Read more

• Expert: U.S. losing nuclear energy race
  Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009
  Ellen Ruff’s message is one of urgency. | Read more

• Duke would be big winner in tax refund
  Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009
  For at least one Oconee County Council member, the issue of refunding tax dollars is not about whether Duke Energy or other major taxpayers would get two-thirds of any refund, as much as it is about the county not having excess funds. | Read more

• Hospital finishes tough year in black, ahead of budget
  Monday, Nov. 2, 2009
  Despite a bad economy and turmoil in the health care industry, Oconee Medical Center (OMC) finished its fiscal year in the black and ahead of budget. | Read more

• Taxes spiral up 47 percent in the past 5 years
  Friday, Oct. 23, 2009
  Taxation in Oconee County has been increasing at a rate nearly three times greater than inflation for the past five years. | Read more

• County had $15.2M extra in 2006-08
  Friday, Oct. 23, 2009
  From July 2006 – June 2008, Oconee County collected $15.2 million more in revenue than it spent. | Read more

• Inmate will not be charged
  Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009
  There will apparently be no charges filed as a result of a jailhouse beating that sent one inmate to Oconee Medical Center for four days.
  Walhalla Police Chief Tim Chastain said Tuesday that accused murderer David J. Chavez has chosen not to seek criminal charges against a fellow inmate who beat him last Thursday morning resulting in broken ribs and a deflated lung. | Read more

• Local industries salute their own
  Monday, Oct. 19, 2009
  Oconee County’s retail and industrial leaders broke bread, shared conversation and launched a new initiative of cooperation last week. | Read more

• Governor candidate Grooms combs Upstate for votes
  Friday, Oct. 16, 2009
  Charleston-based state Senator Larry Grooms brought his campaign for the Republican nomination as governor to the backyard of one of his principle foes this week. | Read more