Author: Dick Mangrum

Weekend after weekend of rain has helped ease the area’s drought. The Keowee-Toxaway basin has recovered to Stage 1 drought, the second of five drought stages in the drought management plan low inflow protocol. Still, voluntary water conservation continues to be recommended throughout the basin. Today’s announcement by the Keowee-Toxaway Management Advisory Group requests neighbors on lakes Keowee and Jocassee […]

The arrests of two Seneca residents bring to 10 the number of arrests in “Operation Avalanche”—the effort by the Oconee Sheriff’s Office to stop the transport of methamphetamine into the county. Jerry Scott Gibson, 48, is charged with conspiracy to traffic in meth; Ricky Lee Addis Jr., 33, is charged with trafficking in meth. Meantime, the Sheriff’s Office continues to […]

Oconee Public Library is about to embark on a new strategic plan to guide it the next two to three years.  Blair Hinson, the director, says this plan is a way for the library system to keep being responsive and remain a center for the community.  The library wants your input, and you can give it by attending next week’s […]

The 13th of March will be this year’s municipal election in Seneca. Last night the five men and one woman contesting for the available four city council seats spoke at a chamber of commerce political forum which allowed them to explain why they are running along with their thoughts about some of the more important issues facing their city. There […]

Oconee Sheriff’s Office identified two people today who they consider major players in the importation of methamphetamine into Oconee County and other parts of the Carolinas. The Sheriff’s Office requests help in learning the whereabouts of Amy Deanna Cobb and Mickey Edward Cox.  Sheriff Crenshaw and his narcotics unit believe the sub group of a Mexican cartel in Atlanta has […]

Thirty Knox boxes, which serve as a lock box to a home, are now available to Oconee County senior citizens who live alone. Sheriff Mike Crenshaw this morning announced the criteria for seniors require they live alone and do not have in-county relatives who can check on their welfare. Sometimes, Crenshaw said, minutes can make the difference between life and […]

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative is one of the state’s 20 cooperatives with interest in bidding for the Santee Cooper utility in Moncks Corner, in the event the state deems it in the best interest to sell. The factor driving the possible sale of the utility that wholesales electric power is Santee Cooper’s failed part in building a nuclear plant. Jim […]

The Rock Crusher near Walhalla is a traditional money-maker for Oconee County, but if information given 101.7/WGOG NEWS proves true the county might soon change the operations. Word we are getting is that the county is giving thought to leasing the quarry operations to a private company. However, county administrator Scott Moulder, said last week, “No such formal proposal or […]

Around these parts it seems like rain falls every weekend and, by far, this past weekend was no exception.  Barbara Wilson, Official Walhalla Weather Observer, reports 2 1/2″ fell during the Friday-Sunday period, and more rain is expected to make its way today in the gauge kept by the weather watcher.  Yesterday’s official Walhalla high temperature reached 65; the low, […]

A child from the Midlands region of South Carolina died of complications associated with influenza infection.  DHEC counts the death as the first pediatric death reported this flu season.  The state’s health authority continues to encourage South Carolinians to get a flu shot.  Cost won’t be a factor.  DHEC recently started waiving administrative fees that some pay for a flu […]