Author: Dick Mangrum

Only hours remained this morning for any Walhallan to take the plunge to compete for an open seat on the six-member city council.  When we checked, no one had yet qualified, but we’re told in a phone call an individual was asking questions about what’s involved.  What’s involved is someone to run for the seat vacated by the Tyler Jordan […]

A motorcyclist, not yet publicly identified, was reported in serious condition after a chase yesterday afternoon by Georgia state troopers.  WLHR Lake Hartwell Radio in Lavonia received the following account from Sgt. Ray Dean of Post 52:  “At approximately 1:50p, Troopers from Post 52 (Hartwell) attempted to stop a blue motorcycle for speeding (91 mph in a 70 mph zone) […]

Public safety personnel often are called to Oconee County parks and lake access areas for one reason or another.  They now, on their off time, are being granted free day-use entry to the parks and access areas managed by the county Parks, Recreation and Tourism.  However, regular rates for facility rentals and camping still apply. Amanda Brock, county administrator, says […]

A Greenville County man remained jailed in Oconee yesterday after his arrest during a sex crime investigation at a rural home near Seneca.  According to the Oconee Sheriff’s Office, Taylors resident Tahrik Shalil Ellerbe is under arrest on charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor.  Deputies began an investigation at a Brown Farm Road home after a family member […]

On closer inspection, the dead animal beside the highway between Westminster and Toccoa was identified as a wild hog–estimated to have weighed 300 pounds.  The victim yesterday of an apparent motor vehicle strike, the wild hog bled out on U-S 123, the Westminster-Toccoa Highway.  Travis Collins of the Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department says the section of 123 between Arve’s Landing […]

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has worked with school district personnel to install biometric gun safes in each of the 18 schools in the School District of Oconee County. “During the January 2023 meeting of the School Board, the Sheriff’s Office made a presentation to the Board in regard to installing these biometric gun safes in each of the 18 […]

Because of the effect it has on communities, Salem’s Lynne Martin opposes school closings.  She has taken a look at the proposed Oconee School District long-range building plans.  For now, however, she has balked at choosing one plan over another.  That’s after discovering, she said, that a vote in favor of Plan A or Plan B would close both the […]

When it came to two applications aimed at building new housing in Westminster, the city planning commission approved one of the re-zoning applications.  On the second, the planning commissioners were divided 2-2.  A fifth member’s vote could have broken that tie, but Chairwoman Sandra Powell abstained due to a connection with the applicant.  Approved by the commission was an MFR […]

The plea deal for Hunter Biden fell apart in court.  ABC’s Steven Portnoy reports the judge voiced concern about the agreement.  The President’s son was to have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor tax charges, and expected to avoid prosecution on a felony gun charge.  The judge found the parties did not agree exactly on the terms, and requested additional briefings in […]

According to the National Weather Service, the majority of the U.S. will experience above-normal temperatures for as long as the next week. This summer is being recorded as the hottest ever and currently, nearly 80 million people are experiencing dangerously hot temperatures as a heatwave moves across the country. HEAT SAFETY TIPS The Red Cross offers steps you can take […]