Author: Dick Mangrum

A tactic used by a Gulf Coast, Florida police department appears to hold promise for West Union, South Carolina and, perhaps, Oconee’s unincorporated properties policed by the Oconee Sheriff’s Office.  Ben Hailey, West Union police chief, says a tactic used when he was a Clearwater police officer is now employed by the small Oconee town.  It’s referred to as an […]

The members of the profession who have the responsibility to keep the community safe often work long hours and take home pay that many believe is not commensurate with the danger that’s involved. But Seneca Police Chief Casey Bowling today delivered a special message during this morning’s community breakfast devoted to law enforcement and public safety:  “I want you to […]

Yellow Branch Trail north of Walhalla is closed today.  The U-S Forest Service is undertaking a controlled burn of 213 acres at Yellow Branch, inside the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest.

South Carolina’s junior U-S senator, Tim Scott, believes a new administration brings hope and opportunity to help more Americans attain home ownership.  Scott is hopeful that the nomination of Scott Turner as the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will lead to less bureaucratic red tape and advance common sense housing solutions.

Yale educated and Little River, South Carolina reared, Scott Bessent is the nominee to be the new U-S Treasurer.  And, yesterday, the state’s senior senator, Lindsey Graham, introduced Bessent before the Senate Finance Committee nomination hearing.  Bessent is the founder and CEO of Key Square Group and has spent more than 35 years in the business of investment management.

West Union offers a safe way to rid yourself of old checks and registers, old medical records, newspapers, etc.  The town’s next Shred Day will be Friday, February 21 at the West Union Town Park, 222 N. Hwy. 11, from 9 am to noon. Putting items in a box is easier than opening a trash bag.

A 35-year-old Oconee man has been arrested in the sheriff’s office investigation of a sex crime against a minor.  Christopher Mathis McConnell was jailed Wednesday, charged with criminal sexual conduct first degree.  According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation started January 8 when a school resource officer met with school employees and the victim, a teenager.  The offense is alleged […]

All branches of Oconee Public Library are closed on Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.  A number of services, however, will be available:  the virtual branch, oconeelibrary.org, for e-book and audiobook downloads, and for streaming through Hoopla.  All library branches re-open Tuesday at normal times.