Author: Dick Mangrum

Westminster City Council gave preliminary approval last night to an ordinance to welcome Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in an operation and management arrangement.  The city is a retail electric power customer of “PMPA” — a municipal electric wholesale consortium based in Greer.  As explained by city administrator Kevin Bronson, the deal with Blue Ridge is a year-to-year arrangement in which […]

According to one account, there are more than 150,000 churches fighting hunger with food banks.  One of them is Walhalla’s St. Luke Methodist.  Its pantry will operate one hour this afternoon, 4:30 to 5:30.  All are welcome to partake.

Westminster re-instated the business license for a Retreat Street coffee shop, an act of compassion for a young couple who violated business license provisions.  The city council acted unanimously after a contentious one-hour-plus hearing.  Council members, however, conceded although there were communication difficulties with the operators of Chatuga Ridge Coffee, city staff carried out their role in trying to ensure […]

Most of South Carolina is now free from drought as late-July rain and tropical storm Debby covered much of the state.  However, below-normal flows in the upper Savannah basin have contributed to declining lake levels for Hartwell and Thurmond has resulted in a Stage 1 drought level. Oconee, Anderson and Pickens remain in incipient drought.

“We are going to hold you accountable for doing the work.”  That is a statement made by Jennifer Crawford, the Walhalla High principal, as she explained to the county school board how her school is beginning a new program which targets on time graduation rates.  The program is called Flex, and it’s being implemented in the county’s two other high […]

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.  […]