Author: Dick Mangrum

In their August meeting, Oconee school trustees received a report on gender sensitive issues that have been the subject of new state laws, directives from the federal government, as well as a Court of Appeals’ decision affecting South Carolina public education.  The comments of Dr. Thorsland, district superintendent, stretched in excess of six minutes and can be heard on playback […]

Five Oconee students were rewarded for their diligence to obtain their high school diplomas.  The school district held a summer graduation ceremony in which diplomas were awarded to Marianna Rosario Vivanco of Seneca High School, Dylan Walker Smith of Walhalla High School, Isaiah Glenn Brady of West-Oak High School, and Brady Austin Baltzegar and Naomi Destinee Noel of Adult Education.

While Oconee lawyers appeal, Circuit Judge McIntosh’s ruling is reaffirmed in a 28-page formal order that grants the temporary injunction and denies the county’s motion to dismiss the case.  The formal order, prepared by plaintiff’s attorney Carpenter above McIntosh’s signature, highlights Article X (10), Section 12 of the State Constitution:  “No law shall be enacted permitting the incurring of bonded […]

After closed-door deliberations, Oconee school trustees accepted a city of Seneca counteroffer to sell the former middle school.  Officials say the city’s counteroffer amounts to $200 thousand.  The board vote was 4-1, with Dr. Sandra Sloan opposed.  Sloan, the Seneca board member, did not explain her position – although it’s believed she felt there shouldn’t have been a financial consideration.  […]

A West Oak High student, DJ Holland, was among 57 South Carolina students representing electric cooperatives who spent six days in the nation’s capital area.  An article in the SC Living magazine tells of the experience of DJ and his fellow students visiting historic and educational sites, including the U-S Holocaust Memorial Museum.  And the students got to hear 87-year-old […]

An overturned car found down an embankment near Seneca – sheriff’s officers say – turned out to be the vehicle pursued last Friday morning.  Located nearby the driver, David Wayne Howard, 42, of the Brock Road, Westminster, was arrested on multiple charges:  trafficking     in methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance; failure to stop for a blue light; driving under suspension; […]

Oconee defense lawyers are challenging the temporary injunction ordered by a circuit judge in South Carolina Public Interest Foundation and others versus Oconee County.  It’s a court fight led by Greenville attorney James Carpenter’s Public Interest Foundation on behalf of 12 Oconee County residents in which the plaintiffs object to spending the proceeds from a $25 million dollar bond issue […]

A planning grant has come through, and it’s going to mean $1.7 million to pay for the early phases of project development for six bridges on I-85 between South Carolina and Georgia.  According to the U-S Department of Transportation announcement, the grant goes to the South Carolina DOT through the competitive Bridge Investment Program of the Federal Highway Administration, created […]