Author: Dick Mangrum

During his life, Tom Brelsford became one of the most generous donors to the Oconee Medical Center Foundation and Hospice of the Foothills. And, now because of Brelsford’s thoughtfulness in his estate planning, the OMC foundation received a gift in excess of $138 thousand. “Mr Brelsford’s gift will never be spent but will be added to other gifts in our […]

Walhalla fire Department reports no determination yet as to why an empty house caught fire yesterday and burned to the ground. The fire, at 4 a-m, destroyed a two-story house on Thompson Street, which had been undergoing remodeling work.

What are described as fantastic old photographs are on display tonight at Duke’s World of Energy. Tyler Howe will lead a 6:30 forum on the Cherokee Indian heritage in the area. Howe serves as tribal historic preservation specialist for the Eastern Band of the Cherokees. Light refreshments will be offered at 6.

Steady growth and improvement by the Seneca High School Band is paying dividends this fall. By its 10th place finish last weekend at the upper state finals, the Seneca band competes this Saturday in the state finals. Sixteen years have passed since the Seneca band competed in the the Class 3-A finals. The band is directed by Matt Smith and […]

U-S Engine Valve/Nittan Valve made a $15 thousand donation to the Tri-County Technical College Foundation to purchase a milling machine for the Oconee Quick Jobs Center. The gift will support classes taught at the center. U-S Engine Valve has been a member of the college’s Center for Workforce Excellence since 1989 and a supporter of the college foundation, having endowed […]

A 26-year old rural Oconeean is behind bars  in Walhalla, charged with homicide by child abuse in the death of his seven-month old niece. Oconee Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of McKenzie Lee Turner, 26, of Hicks Lane, Seneca, uncle of the late Amy Genesis Stashluk. The brief announcement reads: “Further details regarding the case are not available for release […]

Walhalla is a city looking for a new drinking water source, along with raising money to reopen its swimming pool. Tonight the mayor and council received a pitch from officials of Foothills YMCA organization, who want to establish an indoor pool and other physical fitness facilities at a central location in Oconee County. The Y’s Fred Stutsman announced that he’s […]

A plea of guilt to burglary brought a 15-year sentence today in the Oconee General Sessions Court. A court officer said the judge ordered the prison term for Tommy Joe Cooper, who pleaded guilty to five instances of burglary.

Just after opening statements, a young Seneca man changed his plead. The judge in Oconee General Sessions accepted Tyson Tyrone Watt’s plea to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a weapon during a violent crime and handed down a sentence, sending Watt to prison for 15 years. The office of Solicitor Chrissy Adams released […]

Special efforts are made being in the Oconee School District to open some of the new Walhalla High School to smaller, local contractors. According to assistant superintendent for operations, Dr. Michael Thorsland, few local contractors have the resources to undertake a high school building as large as 250 thousand square feet, but four smaller buildings on the new school campus […]