Carlos Galarza covers economic development, the courts, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Salem.

A native of Puerto Rico who graduated from City College of New York, Galarza has worked for various daily and weekly newspapers in Florida during the past 17 years.

He was a reporter with the Orlando Business Journal before moving to the Upstate, where he joined the Daily Journal/Messenger staff Nov. 13, 2006.

Recent Stories

• Sewer officials weigh options at Martin Creek
  Quick decision not expected on WestPoint sewer plant
  Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008
  The Oconee County Sewer Commission/Joint Regional Sewer Authority is expecting feedback from a consultant Friday that could help decide whether the use of a sewer plant at the Highpointe of Clemson development is a feasible alternative in proceeding with the nearly $6 million Martin Creek sewer project. | Read more

• Councilmen reject treasurer’s allegations
  State inquiry won’t delay new millage, tax bills, council says
  Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008
  County officials rejected Wednesday allegations that an assessment error led to taxpayers having been overcharged millions of dollars and said a state Department of Revenue (DOR) review of the matter would not cause a new millage rate to be set or tax bills sent out in the fall.
  | Read more

• Attorney: Treasurer compelled to speak up
  Counsel call on parties to ‘cool down’
  Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008
  An attorney advising Oconee Treasurer Greg Nowell said Tuesday his client is motivated by a duty to his constituents in pointing out a possible error that might have led taxpayers to be overcharged $72 million over a four-year span.
  | Read more

• Local housing sales drop 31 percent in July
  Analyst sees hope for rebound
  Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008
  The Tri-County area of Oconee, Pickens and Anderson counties are on pace to record its lowest number of home sales over the past five years, South Carolina Realtors (SCR) statistics show. | Read more

• Experts to explain new bad-check rules
  Recently enacted legislation stops ‘citizen-sworn’ warrants
  Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008
  Financial crime experts with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office will be at the H&R Block office in West Union today to explain to merchants and individuals new statewide procedures for dealing with bad checks. | Read more

• Oconee joins treasurer’s call for state inquiry
  County officials welcome a review of disputed millage rate
  Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008
  Oconee County Treasurer Greg Nowell said Monday he has requested an investigation by the state Department of Revenue (DOR) that county taxpayers have been overcharged millions of dollars during the past four years. | Read more

• Murder suspect’s competency issues continue
  Writes letters from jail rejecting defense attorney
  Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008
  Several hand-written letters sent this summer by double-murder suspect Jason Mark Carter from the Oconee County Detention Center to the Clerk of Court states he doesn’t want to be represented by a former 10th Circuit Public Defender. | Read more

• Oconee taxpayers overcharged $72 million?
  County treasurer to take concerns to state officials
  Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008
  “I cannot collect taxes that are not on our bill legally.”
  — Oconee Treasurer Greg Nowell | Read more

• New $10 million industrial expansion in the works
  Mystery company called Project Boomer to seek tax incentives
  Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008
  Oconee County officials are poised to hear a proposal next month from an unidentified industrial company looking to receive tax breaks for a $10 million expansion that would bring an undetermined number of new jobs, Economic Development Commission (EDC) members learned Friday. | Read more

• Pitt Bull attacks 4-year-old boy
  Injured child taken to Greenville hospital
  Friday, Aug. 22, 2008
  Oconee County Animal Control officials said Thursday that a 4-year-old boy attacked by a pit bull the day before was being treated at a Greenville hospital. | Read more