Author: Dick Mangrum

Oconee County lost a lot of its greenery overnight.  The storms brought down trees, lots of them, according to county dispatch.  Fallen trees and closed roads have forced Stephens County, Georgia public schools to cancel classes today.

An event that’ll play out Saturday in Westminster will be the 26th time for a Community Plant Exchange.  The exchange starts promptly at 9 o’clock Saturday morning in the parking lot of the Westminster Baptist Church on Windsor Street.  If you are going, please bring perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, houseplants, bulbs, and water garden plants.  Extra plants may be placed […]

A Seneca woman with an ascending judicial career goes before a group of evaluators this morning in Columbia. Letitia Hamilton Verdin is one of six hopefuls to land a seat on the state Supreme Court.  And, thus, Verdin, currently a judge on the state Appeals Court, will close out two days of hearings conducted by the state Judicial Merit Selection […]

“SLED” agents have arrested a 20-year-old man wanted by Oconee County in an armed robbery investigation.  The arrest of Emmanuel Onious Williams, Seneca and Anderson addresses, occurred Tuesday in Pendleton.  He has since been transferred to the custody of the Oconee Sheriff’s Office. According to the sheriff’s office, the following charges have been placed:  armed robbery, disorderly conduct, petty larceny, […]

For mental health awareness, each May is considered a cornerstone to address challenges faced by millions who live with mental health conditions.  Dari McBride, executive director of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce, is drawing attention to the importance of this month.  In a chamber post, McBride says, “As Gen Xer – I am usually one who ‘sucks it up’ and […]

Free food will be distributed this afternoon from the pantry of a Walhalla church.  The giveaway takes place 4:30 to 5:30 this afternoon at St. Luke Methodist on E. Main Street.

The wounded Oconee deputy sheriff, Lucas Watts, continues to progress in his recovery in Atlanta.  And, according to announcement by Sheriff Crenshaw last night, Watts’ progress will allow him to return home later this month.  Watts was seriously wounded by gunfire during a chase late last year in a rural part of the county south of Westminster.

Conservation-minded Oconeeans take encouragement in a new county planning commission recommendation that could have the effect of tamping down what they fear is out-of-control growth that threatens the county’s way of life.  That’s why Gary Owens, along with Lynne and Eddie Martin, and others last night touted the adoption of Ordinance 2024-18 – an amendment to the county code addressing […]

Tuesday, July 30 appears to be the day that voters inside the Corinth-Shiloh Volunteer Fire District will be asked to decide whether they will accept additional property taxes.  Oconee County Council last night passed a resolution that certifies a petition of 804 signatures to direct the elections office to schedule the special election to decide the question.  The resolution passed […]