Author: Dick Mangrum

Some of the approximately 50 applicants for Oconee County administrator are being granted interviews. After an executive session late last night, County Council approved a motion to schedule interviews with all candidates who are part of what’s called a “Tier One” set of applicants, along with candidate #9. According to David Root, county attorney, there are three tiers of candidates […]

Two business people who plan to open new businesses on opposite sides of a downtown Seneca intersection are getting a financial boost from city government. The city Improvements Corporation this morning approved incentives to both Mary Tannery and Alex Butterbaugh. To help turn 114 N. Walnut into a new commercial/residential business, Tannery will receive $60 thousand worth of building improvement […]

Walhalla has a plan to deal with the crowds that Oktoberfest brings to the downtown. Last night the city council adopted a plan that will close both the east and westbound lanes of Main Street, from College to Spring streets during Oktoberfest weekend. Catherine Street, a main thoroughfare to reach the Sertoma Field part of the celebration, will remain open […]

Provided the city planning commission agrees, the name of a Walhalla street will be changed to honor a couple who’ve been synonymous with public service since the last half of the last century. City Council last night agreed to request the planning commissioners to rename Chestnut Street to Bailes Street, to recognize Lamar and Rosemary Bailes. Mr. Bailes is a […]

The Walhalla mayor believes there’s a county department head who would be ideal to settle the ongoing dispute between the Fair-Oak Youth Center and the recreation departments in the county’s three largest municipalities. Last night Mayor Danny Edwards said he thinks Phil Shirley, director of Oconee PRT and a former Seneca employee, should help mediate the dispute over Fair-Oak’s inability […]

Walhalla’s 40th Oktoberfest is two months away, but city government apparently is re-examining its relationship with the committee that each year sponsors the celebration of the city’s German origins. At the end of city council’s regular meeting last night, Mayor Edwards called an executive session and said the city’s contract with the Oktoberfest Committee would be the topic. Preceding this […]

Management changes are in place at the Oconee County Detention Center in Walhalla. After 40 years with the Sheriff’s Office, Capt. Steve Pruitt retired last Friday as detention center director. Pruitt’s career included a long stint as chief deputy during James Singleton’s years as sheriff. Succeeding Pruitt as jail director is Lt. Gentry Hawk, who receives a promotion to captain. […]

An outside company has begun a study that will look long-range at Seneca’s recreation needs. It’s a project that Barry Duvall, the city planning commission chairman, talked about last night with some anticipation of what could lay ahead. Scott Moulder, city administrator, says the work by Greenville’s McMillan Pazdan Smith planning group will include a public comment component on how […]

For months, Walhalla has been kicking the tires on just how to generate the millions that’ll be needed to build its Lake Keowee water plant. Tonight the city council will be asked to consider first reading of an ordinance to issue revenue bonds to cover the project. Tjay Bagwell, who chairs the council’s finance and general government committee, says, “It’s […]