Author: Dick Mangrum

Two people were wounded by gunfire early today near Walhalla. The Sheriff’s Office identifies one of the wounded as the homeowner, who is believed to have been held at gunpoint. The second wounded person is identified as the suspect in a report of trespassing at the scene—a home on Quarter Horse Trail near the Old House Road. The report of […]

The JROTC Razorback Rifle Team from Walhalla High shot a school record 2,150 and dominated the competition at the 4th Brigade “Best of the Best” Rifle Championships. The 4th brigade takes in competition from five states; Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The top twenty teams are invited to the championships. Walhalla was led by senior Matthew […]

Sheriff Mike Crenshaw was in the audience last night when Oconee County Council debated impact fees as a way for local government to offset the cost of providing services to new or proposed developments. The spread of student housing from Clemson University into parts of eastern Oconee are welcomed by the county from a tax standpoint, but a concern when […]

The utility billing department at Westminster has taken note of high consumption among its residential water accounts, and the city is worried that this winter’s cold has compromised home plumbing systems. Chris Carter, city administrator, says it’s the stress the cold has placed on the pipes. Westminster customers are urged to check for leaks. The city has placed a video […]

During a budget discussion, Oconee County council members found no clear avenue to being able to afford the construction of a new hangar at the airport. There’s now a waiting list of between 60 and 70 airplane owners to park their craft. But the council heard an estimate in the neighborhood of $1 million to build a 10-bay hangar. District […]

In executive session next week, Oconee County Council is scheduled to “receive legal advice regarding potential property purchase at Oconee County Rock Quarry.” That executive session is set at the tail end of council’s next regular meeting—Tuesday night, February 20. Last night worried contractors filled chairs in the meeting room for a meeting of council’s budget, finance and administration committee, […]

The Oconee County administrator and the county attorney went behind closed door last night to give advice to the county council on the prospects of losing a piece of county property to the city of Clemson. The council returned to open session about 40 minutes later, but took no action. At issue, is whether Lot #8 at Hartwell Village Shopping […]

Oconee School District announced the appointment this afternoon of Lisa Simmons, the Blue Ridge Elementary principal, as assistant superintendent of education. The appointment is effective July 1. In that capacity, Simmons replaces Ginger Hopkins. According to Dr. Michael Thorsland, district superintendent, Hopkins will transfer to another position in the district, not yet specified.

When it comes to a couple of Walhalla jobs, David Hubbard of Hubbard Paving and Grading is in the catbird’s seat. He left City Hall this afternoon, knowing that his company is the lowest and only bidder to pave a parking area at Stumphouuse Tunnel Park and to pave and stripe seven streets in the Mill Hill area of Walhalla. […]