Author: Dick Mangrum

An air-conditioning/water leak in the council chambers at the Seneca City Hall could force the city planning commission to re-locate its meeting. Right now the meeting, which will involve a pair of re-zoning requests, is set for 6 o’clock Monday night at City Hall. But Seneca’s Ed Halbig says, as a backup, the planning commission has reserved the South Room […]

January is the target date to open a new Oconee emergency shelter to relieve homelessness as well as help those addicted overcome their substance habits. It’s the project by Christ Central Ministries underway in the former jail section of the Oconee Law Enforcement Center that has the endorsement of Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. Christ Central Ministries’ Ashley Williams says the shelter […]

A car crashed yesterday afternoon into an attached garage at a Walhalla home at 300 Freedom Drive, near SC 183/the Pickens Highway.  The fire department reports neither the two occupants of the car, nor anyone inside the home, were hurt, but there was significant structural damage.  Chief Brandon Burton says fire fighters installed shoring to mitigate a potential collapse.  City […]

Law enforcement records show that a former Westminster policeman was charged yesterday with breach of peace, aggravated in nature; and the use of firearm while under the influence. Warrants released by the Oconee Sheriff’s Office, the arresting agency, allege that Andrew Major Rankin, 27, “repeatedly discharged a shotgun on his property at approximately 12:44 am, within fifty (50) feet of […]

Tuesday, November 5 isn’t the only day you can cast a ballot in your 2019 municipal election in Oconee County. Absentee voting is underway in advance of Election Day and, if you qualify, all you have to do to vote early is to get in touch with the office of Registration and Elections in Walhalla. This time there are four […]

Blue Ridge Bank announces that Stephanie Barker has been hired as Teller for the Westminster Office. Barker joins Blue Ridge Bank with over 8 years of retail management experience and one year of banking experience in Oconee County. C. Kyle Thomas, President and CEO, stated, “We are truly fortunate to have Stephanie join Blue Ridge Bank. Stephanie has worked in […]

Duke Energy announces that starting Oct. 27, Fall Creek Access Area (South) will temporarily close to install fencing to prevent pedestrian access to the peninsula from the main access area parking lot and to support shoreline stabilization work. Over the past several years, drownings in the vicinity of the Fall Creek Access Area have occurred from individuals accessing the Fall […]

Most members of Oconee’s policy-making board for sewer operations work day time. And, in an effort to cut down on night-time meetings, the Joint Regional Sewer Authority board voted to start first Monday of the month commission meetings at 4 o’clock in the afternoon instead of 6 o’clock at night. But member city Walhalla doesn’t think that’s a good idea. […]

Deputies confiscated a rifle and arrested a West Union man last weekend on three charges. After a 9-1-1 call to a home on Fernwood Drive, the following charges were filed against Donald Clontz, 65 years old: common law breach of peace, malicious injury to personal property, and presenting firearms at a person. A warrant issued by Magistrate Norton alleges Clontz […]

One of the four candidates for Walhalla mayor says that, at times, his city’s closed-door meetings drift the wrong way and, if he’s elected, he’ll police them so that the press and public don’t miss matters they deserve to know. Councilman Tjay Bagwell, in his campaign for mayor November 5, made a Facebook post in which he said this about […]