Author: Dick Mangrum

Walhalla state representative Bill Whitmire has worked with three South Carolina governors.  He says the easiest one to work with is the current governor, Henry McMaster.  And that’s partly why Whitmire supported McMaster’s request that the state apply some of the $60 million dollars of lottery proceeds to a taxpayer refund.  All South Carolina taxpayers can expected to receive checks […]

Oconee deputies went into the classroom this summer to improve their skills at interviews and interrogations. The advanced training was offered by Salem Training and Consultancy. The Sheriff’s Office explains the need for the training this way: “It is of utmost importance that for Oconee County deputies to receive the most intensive and up to date training possible, to ensure […]

A long-time Walhalla business is taking an old W. Main Street building and fixing it up…and adding color to it. And last night O’Kelley Heating and Air and its supporters received an apology from members of the city council for a city action that halted the painting of a mural on the side of the building. Someone had complained that […]

Questions and reactions to the postponement this week of a hearing to consider a proposed home development on Walhalla’s Tyre B. Mauldin Street. From his seat at the council meeting table, David Underwood asked why the hearing had been called off. The councilman took the position that it was a public hearing that should have taken place. He was told […]

Besides his political bombshell, David Underwood held court for much of the start of last night’s Walhalla City Hall meeting. Reading from a long, handwritten statement, Underwood deplored what he said is unruly behavior by a small number of disgruntled utility customers who come to City Hall to pay their bills. Yelling and cursing are uncalled for, he said. Bearing […]

Now that the construction of a new Walhalla water plant is in progress, a two-term member of the city council believes a political ambition of his from eight years ago has been reached. And, with that, David Underwood announced last night he will not be a candidate for a new term on the city council. Underwood’s decision was not the […]

On the one hand, Walhalla can use new housing, but some city residents don’t want anything that could de-value their properties. Mayor Edwards chimed in with the opinion today he’s confident meetings of all involved can temper the Tyre B. Mauldin Street controversy and settle the controversy for all to accept. The mayor today said he’s had meetings with developers […]

Walhalla seems to be moving in a new direction, and there’s no shortage of men who want to guide the city during the next four years. Mayor Danny Edwards made known this decision: “After a lot of thought, today I’m announcing that I will seek a 3rd term as mayor. If the voters of Walhalla agree, I hope to continue […]

The question that echoed inside an Oconee courtroom today was whether two county council members may be sued as individuals, as part of the slander and wrongful death claim filed by David Stokes, the former county building official. Judge Lawton McIntosh promised all sides his decision as soon as he can read certain written materials that have been submitted alongside […]

Thirty-six, 1st-year teachers are undergoing three days training to prepare for the new Oconee County public school year August 19. They are “fantastic” in the view of Al LeRoy, the director of human resources for the school district.  Among what’s being thrown at the new hires:  “the Induction Teacher year-long program, district instructional initiatives, resources, student data accessibility systems and […]