Author: Dick Mangrum

If the bill approved by the House of Representatives becomes law, South Carolina’s gas pump tax will increase gradually over five years.  And, for that, the state’s transportation chief will be grateful.  Christy Hall’s reaction to the approval of House Bill 3516 is that additional and re-curring money will be available for the state’s crumbing roads and bridges.  Deferred maintenance […]

Lightning is believed to have struck the remains of the former textile mill last night at Newry.  Oconee 9-1-1 reported the fire at the tail end of the storm and it attracted fire fighters from several county stations.  We have an unconfirmed report that the fire occurred in the elevator shaft of the old building last used as a textile […]

Lane closures are required the next three weeks at Clemson for the railroad bridge project for the purpose of placing drilled shafts.  Affected will be SC 133 traffic starting at Lakeview Circle toward U-S 123.

A “Taste of the World” event takes place tomorrow night at the Orchard Park Elementary School in Westminster.  Principal Josh Wittrock says this night is devoted to highlighting the elementary school’s instruction in multiple foreign languages, as well as sampling the taste of some international cuisines.  According to Wittrock, his school’s motivation reflects what the state wants in its “Profile […]

  The head of a Greenville-based public policy and communications group believes President Trump hit on the right message during the State of the Union address.  Presidential-sounding and on-message are some of the ways that Chip Felkel describes Trump’s talk to the Congress and the nation.  Felkel also gave out plaudits, during a 101.7/WGOG NEWS interview, to Senator Lindsey Graham […]

Westminster will open a new re-cycling center tomorrow on Riley Street, according to Mayor Brian Ramey.  Westminster residents are encouraged to do the environmental thing and re-cycle their trash where possible.  

A claim of medical malpractice occupies the number one position for trial during the last week this month in the Oconee Court of Common Pleas.  It’s the case pitting the estate of Ronald Hawkins versus Oconee Medical Center.  The case is docketed to be tried the week of Monday, March 27 at the Oconee Courthouse.  Meantime, the Court of Common […]

  Two young Oconee women are official ambassadors to the South Carolina beef industry.  What Lillie Nuttall and Tara Jenkins is no stretch for them, as they have backgrounds in agri business and active parts in their high school’s FFA chapter.  Lillie is a student now at West-Oak High School and Tara is a recent graduate.  We spoke to both […]

Here are some reactions this morning from members of the South Carolina delegation to Washington on President Trump’s first State of the Union message.  From Congressman Jeff Duncan:  For the first time since I have been in Congress, I feel like we have a President who talks to the American people instead of lecturing them.”  From Senator Tim Scott:  “I […]