Author: Dick Mangrum

Ground has been broken for Oconee County’s long-awaited remembrance to the attacks against three United States locations on September 11, 2001. Brandy Shirley of the citizens committee that has been planning the memorial for years says the groundbreaking was three weeks ago. Since then, erosion control and drainage features are being worked on at the location near Walhalla Middle School […]

An Oconee County man, found guilty by a General Session jury, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. The two-day trial finished today, and defendant Clifton Eugene Smith did not testify in his defense. Smith’s lawyer tried to make the case for self defense. But the jury heard prosecution […]

After the Timothy Phillips autopsy, the Oconee Sheriff’s Office announced an upgrade to murder in its charge against Marshall Lee Rogers. Phillips was found last summer with head injuries near Seneca, and investigators learned from medical personnel that he had been shot. He survived several months, but died last week at a long-term care facility. According to the Sheriff’s Office, […]

Louis Batson Jr., 91, trustee emeritus of Clemson University and Greenville businessman, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Greenville. Batson was elected to Clemson’s board of trustees in 1979 and served the maximum of three consecutive terms as chairman from 1985 to 1991. In 1987, Batson was selected to be a Successor Member of the board. Batson was the recipient […]

A photograph text to 101.7/WGOG NEWS showed Walhalla’s David Underwood under a tent in front of the City Hall this morning, ready to collect signatures from water customers who want a lower re-connection fee.  In the photo, the councilman appears alone and ready to take signatures.  His plan is to press his council colleagues tonight to lower the fee from […]

On a weekend a year ago this month, someone calmly walked up to an entrance door at the Oconee DSS office and set the door afire. The police know this from video surveillance of the scene around 5 am on a Sunday. The Walhalla police released still photographs of the arsonist in the hope someone could identify him. That didn’t […]

According to an Oconee sheriff’s officer, defendant Clifton Eugene Smith said at the crime scene, “I did it. I’d do it again.” Officer Clay Sheriff testified this morning at the start day of Smith’s second day on trial. He’s charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. The jury has heard prosecution testimony to indicate that while […]

Some parents withdrew their children from Walhalla High School this morning—out of concern over a post on social media last night. However, a school district administrator says there’s no threat and the school is deemed safe for classes to continue. Steve Hanvey, associate superintendent, says sheriff’s officers responded to the incident last night, and the principal followed up with a […]

The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into the death of Kylee Dawn Woods, 11 YOA, after a weekend shooting incident. The incident occurred at 587 Shady Grove Road, Pickens, South Carolina. Sheriff’s deputies were notified on 11/16/19 and responded to the residence. Upon their arrival, they found out that the victim had been transported to AnMed […]