Author: Dick Mangrum

Native Americans lived for thousands of years in what today is Oconee County. They contributed to a rich legacy of names and history of the county.  And later this month Native American musicians will be featured during a special service at Walhalla’s St. Luke Methodist Church.  The group “Keepers of the Faith” will perform songs and drums at 10 o’clock […]

In the 2020 election, 73% of registered Oconee voters cast ballots.  Two groups believe the numbers can go higher.  Oconee Public Library and the League of Women Voters in Oconee-Pickens (LWV) have begun a countywide voter education and registration campaign to target the 27% who didn’t vote and the number of eligible county residents who are not registered.  Friday, October […]

Court officers say this was judgment day for a Piedmont, South Carolina man arrested last year after crimes were committed at Clemson University’s Peach Tree Farms in Oconee County’s Friendship community.  General Sessions Judge William McMaster suspended Donald Andrew New’s three-year term in prison to two years’ probation and the requirement that New reimburse Clemson $3 thousand.  The defendant was […]

Oconee’s state “C” Fund Committee can count on about $7 million dollars, to help various road needs inside the county’s five municipalities and across the unincorporated sections of the county.  Chairman Sam Dickson and committee member Tally Grant agree it’s good news.  Dickson made the $7 million announcement to start today’s committee meeting.  Dickson, Grant, and fellow committee member Dick […]

Oconee County and the county’s state “C” Fund Committee have opened talks on the extent to which state monies can be applied to a rural Oconee County-maintained bridge near Salem.  At the direction of County Council, Administrator Amanda Brock and county’s roads and bridges’ official Kyle Reid are scouring the landscape for grants or contributions to pay for a $253 […]

Like Oconee, Anderson County is seeing new home construction of units in the thousands.  And official from both city and the county of Anderson told state officials these new homes, in at least some instances, will require new roads.  The September meeting of the state DOT commissioners is being held today at Anderson University.  Among welcoming remarks Dr. Evans Whitaker, […]

An Oconeean answered her phone and heard the caller say he was from the FBI.  The phone call was a scam, according to the county sheriff’s office.  The scammer told the female that she was part of an investigation involving a cartel and that her social security number, credit card, and Apple card were compromised.  She was told to take […]

An elderly Arkansas man who inexplicably aimed his car at Oconee Nuclear security personnel has been ordered to serve six years in prison.  Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon in General Sessions Court at Walhalla to assault and battery first degree and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, suspended to six years active incarceration, to be followed by […]