Author: Dick Mangrum

Two Westminster area residents remained in jail today, charged with safecracking at Fair Play. Warrants against the defendants identify Oconee County Parks, Recreation and Tourism as the victim of the crime.  According to the Sheriff’s Office, Sally Ruth Duncan and James Russell McCurley were arrested yesterday.  A deputy spoke to a PRT employee about the theft of money safes, called […]

Westminster plans to join the Great Oconee Cleanup effort this weekend with a litter pickup this weekend.  Volunteers are asked to gather at the Methodist Church on E. Main Street.  From there, according to Mildred Spearman, they’ll start to pick up litter between the backs of the E. Main Street and the railroad.  How far they’ll get will depend, in part, […]

From within the Oconee Public Library System, the trustees found their replacement for Phil Cheney, who resigned.  Alisa Suddeth, board chairman, said, “We received applications from all over the country, and our selection committee worked diligently to find the candidate who would best develop and guide our library system into the future.”  Blair Hinson has an undergraduate degree and a […]

An amendment to repeal Obamacare, known as the Rand Paul amendment, failed in the Senate 55-45.  Sen. Lindsey Graham cast his vote with the minority in favor of dismantling the national health care law and giving Congress two years to present a replacement.  Graham repeated his stance:  “As for a replacement, the solution I supported is very simple — send […]

Oconee Sheriff’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol are handling law enforcement calls in West Union–in the aftermath of the death of the small town’s police chief, Charles Sanders.  Sheriff Crenshaw announced West Union residents and the business community in need of assistance can call 863/638-4111 or, in an emergency, 9-1-1.  “Our officers stand ready to respond,” Crenshaw said.  Capt. Jeff […]

State troopers report the death of a motorcyclist after an accident last night near Seneca.  Patrol spokesman Bill Ryne says a motorcycle around 8:30 left Return Church Road, crossed the center line, and hit a mailbox.  The helmeted rider was ejected.  The accident scene near Oconee’s sewer treatment plant.  Coroner Karl Addis says the victim was Jason Andrew Harbin, 24-year […]

An Anderson man walked into a Seneca bank and walked out accused of forgery.  The police announced the charge of forgery was place yesterday afternoon against Travis Jermain Williams, 29 years old.  The police approached Williams at the counter of United Community Bank.  A warrant signed by Officer Ragsdale alleges fraud by presenting a fake check in the amount of $917.50 […]

A tone of optimism was sounded last night at Seneca City Hall that the “City of Smiles, City with Style” will be a location to premiere that Burt Reynolds-starring movie “Elbow Grease”–perhaps in September.  City museum official Shelby Henderson said she has been in touch with Seneca Cinemas to push for the By-Pass 123 theatre to be the premier location.  […]