Author: Dick Mangrum

The Oconee County fire chief, Charlie King, is leaving for a job in the state capital.  King last night confirmed that effective December 31 he will become the executive director of the South Carolina Firefighters’ Association.  “I am excited, nervous and especially humbled to be able to support all 16,000 firefighters in SC. Oconee has been very good to me […]

Law enforcement authorities believe the Thanksgiving week fire that took the life of a 27-year old man in Utica was a case of manslaughter. The Oconee Sheriff’s Office announces the arrests of two persons—Karissa Jane Davis, no fixed address; and Daniel Falu, also known as Solomon Ezra and Solomon Kenzo. Both are charged with voluntary manslaughter. Falu also is accused […]

This announcement this afternoon from the Oconee Sheriff’s Office:  “On November 26, 2019, there was a structure fire in Seneca on 6 Lonsdale St. During the investigation Seneca Fire fighters discovered the remains of a male individual later identified as Seth Jacob Gaunt 27 of Seneca SC. On November 27th an autopsy confirmed Mr.Gaunt died of smoke and soot inhalation […]

Revised plans for the proposed Clemson Dockside project were discussed but no vote taken during a meeting last night of that city’s Board of Architectural Review.  Because of the size of the proposed mixed development, there have been complaints from, among others, residents of the adjoining Holiday West home development.  Last night board members were told the developers now propose […]

Empty houses in a former textile village that adjoins the Seneca corporate limits have become an issue—because of several recent fires, one of them fatal to a 27-year old man. Chief Richie Caudill of the Seneca Fire Department confirms to 101.7/WGOG NEWS that his fire fighters are in the process of counting empty Utica structures and marking them. Marking them, […]

A navy officer from Seneca is aboard an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic.  She’s Lt. Brooke Dorsey, and she was photographed last Saturday serving lunch to enlisted sailors in the forward galley of the carrier USS John C. Stennis.  At the time, the Stennis was conducting routine operations in support of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.

Whether old buildings are restored or torn down is an expensive undertaking for Seneca, as the city steps up its efforts to fill empty storefronts in the downtown. Last night the city leaders infused their improvements corporation with a transfer of $200 thousand. That transfer, on the recommendation of city administrator and corporation president Scott Moulder. It represents monies derived […]

A pair of rock pillars that serve as an entry way on EN 1st Street into Seneca’s downtown sport a cleaner and tidier look these days. The city has taken over maintenance of the pillars, with the consent of their owners, the Once-A-Week Club. The city also has become re-acquainted with the history. City administrator Scott Moulder says the civic […]

In an early morning accident on highway 11 below West Union, no one received major injury–but one of the cars caught fire.  According to Walhalla Fire Department, the car that caught fire was the one that wound up on its side after the 4:30 am accident on SC 11 in the vicinity of Hefner and Old House roads.

Seneca’s elected leaders cleared the way last night for a controversial small home development in a section of the city filled with larger, older homes. In a 6 to 2 vote, Season’s Building Company of West Union was approved for a planned development residential zone at ES 7th and Townville streets. Ten out of the 13 speakers from the audience […]