Author: Dick Mangrum

A Wednesday afternoon car accident took the life of a 62-year old man, about two miles from his home.  John Charles Papendick was at the wheel of a 2007 Toyota 4 Runner and driving alone when the accident occurred at 3:35 on Choehee Valley Road near White Oak Farms Road.  Coroner Karl Addis said Papendick died at the scene of […]

The Oconee Public Library has taken possession of a new bookmobile.  Blair Hinson, branch services librarian, says, “Everything passed our inspection this time. It is at Vehicle Maintenance now, awaiting the date for getting the vinyl ‘wrap’ (graphics) done at Diamond-T in Fair Play, which should be Wednesday of next week, if not before.”  

An Oconee County man has been charged in a federal indictment alleging possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  According to the U-S Attorney’s Office, the case against Howard Eugene Johnson was investigated by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms .  

  Walhalla Toastmasters will host an open house at 11:30 am Wednesday, March 1 for those interested in joining the organization. The open house will be held at Oconee Heritage Center at Brown’s Square, Walhalla.  Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. The organization has more than 345,000 memberships. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending […]

A Seneca official says 69 acres near the South Cove Road won’t be re-zoned until information is received to resolve concerns that were raised during this week’s hearing at City Hall.  On behalf of Crescent Communities, Hank Higgins requested the city planning commission to move 69 acres from the category of PDU, planned development undeveloped, to residential-20. Seneca’s Ed Halbig […]

Walhalla will pay public defenders $65 dollars a case to represent defendants who request them in the municipal court.  The city council last night accepted a contract recommended by Judge Jim Williams that is acceptable to the attorneys who provide defense for defendants who can’t afford private attorneys.  The council is capping the arrangement at 20 cases, or no more […]

The contractor Hutch ‘N Son has been awarded a contract to make a de-celeration lane on highway 28 in Walhalla to accommodate a new restaurant. The city council last night designated $46,200 dollars to pay for the project. Anew Zaxby’s is planned for highway 28 near Scenic Chevrolet.

  Walhalla City Council gave its blessing last night to the Kelly Hardy family of Westminster to sponsor organized cruising in the downtown.  The council looks forward to once-a-week cutting town events during warm weather months, with the first cruising to take place Saturday, March 18.  They expect the visitors that the Hardys bring to town will make gasoline purchases […]

The governing body of Oconee County wants the state to go farther to reduce in-attentive driving.  The county council instructed its attorney last night to draft a letter to the county’s state delegation requesting legislation to outlaw the use of cell phones while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.  Councilman Wayne McCall believes talking on the phone while driving […]