Author: Dick Mangrum

Wet conditions and yesterday afternoon’s storm prevented crews from working the Pinnacle Mountain firelines.  But if conditions allow, the fire fighters expect to return to work today.  With the passing of the cold front and the clearing of skies, incident command officials hope they’ll get an overnight infra-red flight.

The Westminster Christmas Parade is set to roll thru town at 6 o’clock tomorrow, and afterward the mayor says there will be a first time event to which everyone is invited.  Immediately after the parade, the city’s Christmas tree will be lighted in the Retreat Street Park.  Everyone is invited for the lighting, to hear carolers, to enjoy free hot […]

  Tourism expenditures for Oconee County reached an all-time high of $58.4 million in 2015. The report was released recently by South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism and is completed annually by the U.S. Travel Association. A summary of the report was released this afternoon by Oconee County. The report shows that tourism expenditures grew 3.94% from 2014 and that […]

Seneca has announced a special meeting of city council tomorrow for a contract to accept the donation by Blue Ridge Bank of a lot and building at 416 E. Main Street.  The building was described to 101.7/WGOG NEWS as the former Global Graphics building. The meeting is set for 5:30 at City Hall.

In a litigious environment, Seneca-sponsored mud runs are apt to become something of the past.  Mud runs test the runner’s physical endurance and, in the case of Seneca, have been staged as fundraisers for organizations, such as the Collins Children’s Home.  But the mayor and council are considering the city administrator’s recommendation that, because of the potential for personal injury […]

  Oconeeans who’ve been picking up their telephones are hearing individuals on the other end claim they are law enforcement and warn that jury duty has been missed or they face outstanding tickets and warrants.  It’s a scam, says Jimmy Watt, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office.  The scammers are trying to separate you from your money.  A caller […]

  The personnel director for Oconee public schools is making an earlier start to find enough teachers for the next school year—in 2017-18.  Earnestine Williams said she is recruiting new teachers and making an early start to secure commitments from existing teachers that they will sign new contracts.  Teachers now have a few extra weeks to make their decisions.  The […]

Trace amounts of rain overnight added to the already wet conditions and prevented any discernible spread of the Pinnacle Mountain fire and any significant firefighting efforts. Division supervisors are scouting the perimeter of the containment area this morning, but for the second straight day, crews are not being dispatched to the lines of concern for safety. Wet roads, slick terrain […]

  A report on the recently removed asbestos on Seneca’s Kellett property has been sent by the city to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, and utilities director Bob Faires says the city has been told the report will be filed and to expect no further followup from the health authorities.  The city hired a company to remove […]