Author: Dick Mangrum

An application for a large acreage re-zoning goes before Seneca Planning Commission, during its next meeting.  Crescent Communities requests a residential-20 zone for 70 acres near Indian Oaks Road.  Ed Halbig, planning and community development director, says the property is currently zoned planned development undeveloped. The commissioners have scheduled a public hearing at 6 pm Monday, February 20 at City […]

A car driver was hurt near Seneca today when he tried to avoid as many as three deer crossing the W. Reedy Fork Road.  The accident occurred around 4 this morning.  Although hurt, the driver escaped serious injuries.

The U-S Forest Service stages a prescribed burn today for the purpose of fire fuel reduction at Long Creek.  The prescribed burn will involve 180 acres near Pine Mountain.  The expectation is that there will be minimal smoke impact for Walhalla and Westminster.

A judge has ordered an expedited hearing next week to allow lawyers for a Salem couple to argue for a restraining order against the NEXT charter school.  The couple is contesting the school’s decision to expel their son who was arrested and charged with sexual misconduct.  The parents want their son to be able to complete his course work at […]

“Math and Science Night” drew 350 people to the Fair-Oak Elementary School.  A recent top ten list of growing occupations revealed eight of those were “STEM” occupations.  Jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.  According to the Oconee School District, STEM is the future for the U-S and provides the best career options for local students.  

A nursing program is being expanded in Greenville—a collaborative that Greenville Health System and Clemson University see as a way to help meet the nursing shortage locally and across the country.  The plan is to increase over the next six years Clemson’s traditional Bachelor of Science in nursing degree program from 352 students to an anticipated 800 students.  According to […]

The office of 13th Circuit Solicitor in Pickens and Greenville counties announces that a judge has ordered a three-year prison term for an Easley woman who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence resulting in death.  Judge Letitia Verdin handed down a sentence that requires 20-year old Sydnee Adora Jones to serve three years, followed by three years’ probation and […]

At their work meeting tonight, Seneca City Council takes up matters related to their downtown and their hopes for further re-vitalization.  The mayor and council will hear about a market study for the downtown, as well as a contractor’s bid for roof work at the recently-acquired former Hometown Grocery Store building.  The work session takes place at 6 at City […]

Hikers, campers, and kayakers were the victims of weekend thievery alongside the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River.  Oconee sheriff’s officers investigated a rash of vehicle break-ins in the vicinity of two popular spots:  Bull’s Sluice and Woodall Shoals.  Several pieces of outdoorsmen’s gear were stolen.  In a couple of instances, the thieves made off with car batteries and gasoline containers.  […]

On average, “Dot’s Kitchen” in Westminster feeds lunch to between 65 and 75 people a day, in the volunteer effort to help eliminate that city’s hunger.  Now in year number seven, the soup kitchen counts between 16 thousand and 17 and a half thousand meals in each of the last three years.  Today the Walhalla Rotary Club gave Truman Holbrooks, soup kitchen […]