Author: Dick Mangrum

Officially on the record now is a land transaction to allow Walhalla to build a community center.   The city acquires what are said to be nine acres on the Blue Ridge Boulevard to build a facility to accommodate the over-crowding from Walhalla’s existing recreation facilities.  City administrator Celia Myers has said the community center is expected to house gyms, conference […]

Bank manager Amy Whitfield cut a ribbon at the celebration today of the merger of Community First Bank and Dogwood State Bank.  The ceremony in front of Community First on the Blue Ridge Boulevard, Walhalla was led by Dari McBride of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce.  The merger has the good wishes of the chamber executive director.  Among those on […]

Manufacturing plant manager Elba Lizardi will send off the graduating students of Tri-County Tech during the college 2024 summer commencement ceremony on Monday at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum.  Lizardi of Seneca’s BASF ECMS is likely to offer advice to those graduates heading into the world of work.  She has nearly 30 years’ experience in manufacturing and operations.  Lizardi join BASF Environmental […]

Legislative measures announced by Senator Graham are directed at Iran and would hold the Mideast country accountable if Hezbollah attacks Israel.  In his news conference, the South Carolina Republican said Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran are one and the same.   One of the resolutions offered by Graham would authorize military force against Iran if the U-S president determines Iran is in […]

At its meeting next week, Walhalla city council members are to hear about the Bailey Bill – a state law that allows local government to offer a special tax assessment for rehabilitated historic buildings.  The Bailey bill is part of a two-page agenda that Walhalla’s elected leaders will face in committee form at 5:30 pm Tuesday at city hall.  

After each Seneca city council member had the chance to sound off on the end of bus passenger service, it felt as if everyone in the meeting room was looking at Mayor Dan Alexander for his take — considering the long-time mayor of Oconee’s largest municipality has been the leading advocate for free bus rides.  And Alexander rewarded them with […]

The chair of Oconee school trustees, Denise McCormick of Westminster, acknowledges that today, August 1, is an early date to start a new year of public education.  But that’s the reality.  McCormick says the academic calendar for 2024-’25 is arranged in a way that gives teachers and students additional days off during the year.  And that, she believes, will give […]

Repairs get underway today at a Clemson intersection — Cherry Road and Old Stone Church Road.  Crews expect that, depending on weather, they’ll need one week to mill the road to correct ride-ability and slope concerns, repaving, and re-striping.  Because of the potential for delays, drivers should use alternate routes when possible and exercise caution in the area.

Seneca has agreed to annex property southwest of the city that is to be home to a 122-home development and to zone the property (PDR) Planned Development-Residential.  But there are concerns, especially about density.  Scott Moulder, city administrator, told city council that the home development on Garrison Road near the city’s new middle school points up a need for the […]