Author: Dick Mangrum

The worsening mountain fire in Pickens County could produce a declaration of emergency in that county.  The Pickens County Council has called a special meeting at 11 this morning to consider an ordinance to declare the state of emergency.

The public has an invitation this morning to a groundbreaking event for Twelve Mile Recreation Park at Cateechee Beach in Pickens County.  A ceremony is planned for 11 o’clock at 1110 Norris Highway in Central.  For 20 years, the Twelve Mile River has been part of the Sangamo Weston/Lake Hartwell Superfund site.  During this time, according to a Pickens County […]

  Walhalla’s outside auditor has given the city a modified opinion of its financial accounting records for the year 2015-16.  Jason White told last night’s city council meeting that an unmodified opinion would have been the best the city could have attained, but that would have required the city to have gone to the expense and effort for a financial […]

A called meeting of Seneca City Council takes place at 5:30 tonight at City Hall.  On the agenda:  entertainment contracts for Seneca Fest.

A dispute between neighbors near West Union ended with a guilty verdict and the sentencing of the man who stood trial this week in the Oconee General Sessions Court.  After saying it’s lucky no one was killed, Judge Scott Sprouse ordered Robbie Franklin James to serve two years in prison with the conditions that he undergo anger management, substance abuse […]

Today’s air quality forecast once again shows the air we’ll breathe today is unhealthy, especially for those who are extra sensitive to the smoke from the region’s wildfires.  In Oconee County, a few brush fires occurred overnight.

South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved a $500 thousand grant for Oconee County water and sewer infrastructure.  According to Scott Moulder, county administrator, the money will be applied to the county’s share in preparing industrial park property for Tri-County Tech and Oconee School District buildings on highway 11.  The grant was part of more than $9 million in grant […]

Oconee school principals have been given guidance by the district administration to accommodate those students with respiratory or asthma conditions.  And Steve Hanvey, assistant superintendent for operations, says principals have been told to keep students inside who prefer not to risk exposure during outdoor recess.  “Obviously, if we get an unhealthy rating (air quality) then we’ll keeep everyone inside,” Hanvey […]

Judges and lawyers took time today at the Oconee Courthouse to remember a late colleague, Jerry Fedder.  He died in September.  Fedder practiced law in Seneca for 40 years–from 1955 to 1995.  He is remembered for a legal acumen, dedication to the profession, and for several years as attorney for the city of Seneca and the county of Oconee.  Today’s […]

South Carolina DOT has awarded two contracts to improve Clearmont Road near Westminster and Snead Road near Walhalla.  Josh Makison, resident construction engineer for the DOT in Oconee, says other work is slated for Old Salem Road, N. Little River Road, and Earlestead Road.  In future contract lettings, the state will seek bids for work on highway 11 north of […]