Author: Dick Mangrum

Fair Play businesswoman Terry Swain gets political.  Swain has qualified to run in November for a seat on the county school board. She will pursue the District Five seat being vacated by trustee Buddy Herring.  

A break from the taxman this weekend in South Carolina.  For a 72-hour period, through Sunday, shoppers may buy computers, clothes, school supplies, and other school-year essentials without paying sales tax either in-store or online.

A new year of public schooling started yesterday in Oconee County.  Here’s the first-day enrollment districtwide, as reported by the school district’s Steve Hanvey:  10,146 students.  

Three of four dogs in the category of urgent status at the Oconee Animal Shelter are reported safe, as adopters came forward.  That leaves Bubba, the one-year-old Cattle Dog mix.  He is described as a sturdy, athletic type who is up for any adventure as long as it is with people.  He can be a “Velcro dog” wanting to engage […]

Candidate qualifying at Clemson ended yesterday, with a large field of candidates who make the ballot for the city’s municipal election November 5. Three candidates will compete for the mayor:  Jim Borick, Councilwoman Catherine Watt, and incumbent Mayor Robert Halfacre.  For three council seats, the candidates are John Crolley, Nanda Edgerton, Alma Evans, Adam Jones, Donna London, Windsor Sheriff, and […]

The Oconee Chamber of Commerce and the Oconee Economic Alliance have arranged a community breakfast meeting this morning at the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative offices where the focus will be higher education.  Each of the presenters this morning will share how their organization contributes to higher education.  Speakers include Dr. Galen DeHay of Tri-County Technical College, Dr. Kristin Gehsmann of […]

The Itron technology plant at West Union has a new man-in-charge.  Randy Dunn has been promoted to the position of director of operations.  After having joined the company in January, Dunn is credited with an instrumental role in driving continuous improvement with Itron’s electricity product lines.  Previously, he managed the Auriga Polymers plant.

A Walhalla water line on Medlin Street has been repaired and service restored.  However, there is a boil advisory in place.  Customers are requested to vigorously boil water 3 to 5 minutes before drinking or cooking purposes if you live on the following streets and sections:  Medlin Street, Walhalla Gardens, N. Laurel Street, Frank Martin Street, Bonnie Brae, and surroundings.  […]

Seneca’s Lindsay Road in the vicinity of Fair Oak apartments was closed last night as city crews worked to restore electric power lost as the result of a traffic accident.  The driver, with non-life-threatening injuries, was sent to the hospital.  In the accident, two power poles were toppled and electric power lines fell.  Public safety responders were alerted to the […]

Apart from staying inside and enjoying a working air conditioner, how do you stay comfortable during these hot summer months?  Visit Oconee has a number of suggestions:  go swimming; spend the day at the river; explore Sumter National Forest; lounge at the lake; get ice cream; breeze through the trees; and unwind with an ice-cold beverage.