Author: Dick Mangrum

Oconee’s seven-month economic development director ventured a thought last night as to the job-creation implications in today’s elections. To the annual meeting of Walhalla Partners for Progress, Richard Blackwell indicated that moneyed people are waiting to see how the election goes before they commit to investments. Notwithstanding, Blackwell said he thinks 2013 will be special in Oconee because of strides […]

These are anxious times for all of the candidates in this year’s elections, but you need only turn the calendar back one year to imagine the nerves and apprehension that car dealer Danny Edwards experienced as he ran for Walhalla mayor. Speaking at last night’s Partners for Progress annual meeting, Edwards touched on what year one has been like for […]

Tangy chili on a fall night wasn’t all it took to warm the hearts for the faithful of Walhalla’s Partners for Progress. They are encouraged for the future and the change it will bring to a town known as a gateway to the mountains. After hearing the mayor say streetscape is on the way, Partners for Progress members heard realtor […]

A light rain or, in some cases a sprinkle, has arrived in time for Election Day 2012. Apparently, however, neither rain, nor a recent hurricane, will stop the nation’s voters from their duty to elect a president. Nor will Oconee voters be stopped from finally deciding the office of county Sheriff. General Election Day is at hand, and already nearly seven […]

From Pine Street to a location across Walhalla is the path that the Oconee Veterans Affairs Office will take this month. Beginning the week of Monday, November 12, the V-A Office will occupy 223 Kenneth Street (the Oconee DSS State office complex.) Jerry Dyar, V-A director, said, “We ask for patience and understanding.” According to Dyar, the new location will […]

Walhalla native Kimberly Blackwell has joined First Citizens as vice-president and relationship manager at the bank branch in Clemson. Blackwell holds a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and a master’s degree from Southern Wesleyan University. She is also a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School.

The multi-million dollar fundraising arm of Oconee Medical Center has a new leader. Its new chairperson is Lorraine Harding, who succeeded Kyle Thomas on October 1. Harding has served on the board since 2006 and, most recently, as vice chair and chairperson of the nominations committee. She has been in the real estate business in the tri-county area since 1970, […]

Another line snaked its way around the chairs inside the County Council chambers as Oconeeans waited their turn to vote absentee, in advance of tomorrow’s election. The in-office deadline to cast an absentee ballot is 5 o’clock today. It’s more and more evident that that this year’s absentee count will approach 7,000 and rival the election of four years ago.

A poultry house at Foster Farms on the Armstrong Road was destroyed in a Saturday night fire. Some 29 thousand chickens perished in that fire, according to Oakway Fire Chief Tracy Sanders. He says they were able to stop the fire before it could spread to a pair of Foster Farms’ chicken houses that contained a similar number of chickens. […]

Seneca Light and Water will be closed tomorrow for voting day. To make payments, customers may use the night deposit which is open 24 hours. In an emergency involving your service, you should call 885-2723.