Author: Dick Mangrum

Former Oconee library director Phil Cheney has new political aspirations.  He’s announcing an effort to land the nomination to run next year for South Carolina governor, and he’ll base that campaign from Oconee County where he has a home at Fair Play.  Cheney told 101.7/WGOG NEWS he hopes to run as a Democrat “if they’ll have me.”  One of Cheney’s […]

The Pioneer trial reached the defense side today with Terry Pruitt, water district general manager, completing his testimony just before the break for lunch.  The trial at the Oconee Courthouse resumes at 2:30.  Defense lawyer Troy Tessier told Judge McIntosh his side will call two more witnesses.  Pruitt testified today the district has invested $7 million so far toward the […]

The hospital in Toccoa, Georgia moved yesterday to eliminate 61 positions and implement an additional hiring freeze.  The actions reflect the plight of small, independent hospitals in the 21st century climate of health care. Lynn Anderson, administrator for Stephens County Hospital, says of the 61 positions, 34 are actual employees who will lose jobs.  Twenty-seven are vacant jobs that have not […]

West Union Fire Department is collecting items for the victims of the Texas flooding.  Drop-off point is the Town Hall on Main Street.  During the holiday weekend, Walhalla Fire Department will serve as the drop-off point.  West Union Mayor Linda Oliver says items gathered will be sent Tuesday morning.

The Rock in upper Oconee and Fall Creek Landings One and Two make up three of the more popular recreation areas in Oconee County.  Occasionally, however, they are the scenes for unlawful activity, including indiscriminate littering.  Last Saturday a litter pickup effort netted nearly 1,000 pounds of trash.  The lifting was accomplished by individuals who, to fulfill their sentences, reported […]

To what extent, if at all, has Pioneer Rural Water factored the potential for foul taste and odor to creep into the water it would treat from Lake Hartwell?  A plaintiffs’ witness this morning felt compelled to clarify earlier testimony that suggested the possibility that, while not harmful to human health, Pioneer customers might have to do deal with taste […]

A 38-year old man from the Pickens County town of Central pleaded guilty this week in federal court to the charge of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine.  U-S District Judge Tim Cain accepted the plea offered by David Lee Cook and will impose sentence once he reviews a pre-sentence report to […]

“With this being the final holiday of the summer and with Clemson opening up their 2017 season against Kent State Saturday in Death Valley, we expect traffic to be heavy from time to time from Friday thru Monday,” says Oconee Sheriff Mike Crenshaw.  The Sheriff’s Marine Unit will be present on the waterways.  At the county parks and recreation area, […]

The police in Salem are teaming with Grace’s Closet at the NEXT School Eagle Ridge to collect essential items for students in need.  During September, the police are hold a show drive.  Chief Dave Poulson said, “We are trying to collect as many NEW shoes as possible during the month of September to fill the room.  This program helps all […]

The costs of properly disposing of the trash created by Oconee County residents face the county’s leaders during their meeting next week in Walhalla.  Two big ticket items are on the agenda for the first September county council meeting.  The council members are scheduled to consider staff recommendations that they award a $107 thousand contract to Smith Gardner of Raleigh, […]