Author: Dick Mangrum

As provided by Walhalla’s Official U-S Weather Observer, yesterday afternoon’s high temperature registered 82 degrees. The overnight low dipped to 62 and nearly one-half inch was added to the weekend’s rain totals. In the annals of Barbara Wilson, Saturday was an unforgettable day. The third Saturday in July measured nearly two inches of rain and a high temperature of just […]

Oconee County Administrator Scott Moulder calls attention to a decision by the rating service Standard and Poor’s to increase the county’s general obligation debt rating to “AA.” It indicates a “very strong capacity to meet financial commitments.” Previously, the county was assigned “AA-“—which indicated a “high probability of meeting financial commitments.”

Everyone is invited to Thursday night’s Seneca Tea Party meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Gignilliat Community Center. The Tea Party has extended a special invitation to county councilmen Wayne McCall and Paul Cain and councilwoman-elect Edda Cammick. A 40-minute video will be shown, followed by a question-answer session.

A federal grant awarded to the South Carolina State Firefighters Association is enabling Oconee County to attract volunteers willing to answer the call of a siren to help their community in times of need. Oconee, Newberry and Dorchester are three South Carolina counties benefiting from a $1.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Adequate Fire Management […]

Seneca planning commissioners will put on their thinking caps tonight. At City Hall, they’ll have a re-zoning application on Worth Street at Old Salem Road. The property owners—Kim and Lonnie Hammond—seek to change their property from R-10 to Residential-General. Tonight’s public hearing begins at 6 o’clock.

A spokesman for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control has confirmed that an inspection of Oconee Medical Center’s Lila Doyle nursing and rehabilitation facility turned up violations. In an email statement, DHEC’s Jim Beasley did not identify the violation. Beasley said, “The facility has requested, and been given, a review of the inspection findings. The regional office of […]

A pedestrian death late last night near Townville. So far, the victim has been identified as a 29-year old Seneca woman. Coroner Karl Addis says her name will be released this afternoon, to allow time to notify additional family members. The woman lost her life shortly after 11:30 p-m on South Carolina 24 near the Hunt and Coneross Creek roads. […]

At their quarterly meeting on campus, Clemson trustees approved a $956 million operating budget for the university.  The budget will cover 2014-15.  According to Brett Dalton, a Clemson vice president, nearly 35% of the budget is derived from tuition and fees.  The trustees also approved the design and construction budget to add 750 suites in Memorial Stadium and to renovate […]

A 7-year old boy lost his life in a boat accident Thursday on Lake Burton in Rabun County, Georgia. And that state’s Department of Natural Resources identified the boat operator as Seneca resident Dennis Ficarra. By yesterday, no charges had been filed, though the DNR was still investigating. Sky 104 Clayton quoted the DNR’s Mark McKinnon as saying, “The operator […]

Car accidents are occurring across the Upstate in this morning’s rain.  State troopers logged three Oconee County accidents during the 9 o’clock hour.  Two are on 123 between Seneca and Clemson in the vicinity of Watson Drive and the Foxnest animal hospital.  Anothers is on Oak Creek Road at Return Church Road.