Author: Dick Mangrum

The current issue of National Geographic includes the Jocassee Gorges as one of the world’s 50 “last great places.” Ken Sloan, the executive director of Mountain Lakes CVB, says he had no idea the magazine was going to include the Blue Ridge foothills property as a great destination place but, in his opinion, it’s going to be a great help […]

Walhalla Fire Department is alerting home insurance policyholders of improved ISO ratings received by the city. According to Chief Doug Kelley, it sets the stage for a break to the homeowners in the cost of their policies. Inside the corporate limits, the Insured Services Office rating fell from a 4/9 to a 3/9 which means, Kelley said, anyone within 1,000 […]

Oconee County public schools are receiving their latest report cards, as part of an era of increasing accountability. And Dr. Mike Lucas, county superintendent, predicts that his employers, the county school trustees, will like what they see from the state Department of Education and the state Education Oversight Committee. Most county schools maintained or improved on their rating in 2011. […]

Exactly one week before Thanksgiving, Oconee County’s farm interests are going to gather for their annual celebration of agriculture. Eddie Martin, district manager for the Soil and Water Conservation District, says you do not have to be an active farmer to attend and enjoy the catered meal. The night begins at 6:30 Thursday at South Union Baptist Church Hall. Tickets […]

The cause for fire in two structures this morning near Westminster, on the Blackjack Road, is being investigated by Oconee Emergency Services and the county Sheriff’s Office. County Fire Chief Charlie King says, within six minutes of being called, fire fighters found the fires well underway. According to King, the home was unoccupied and is considered a “get away” home […]

A contractor is getting the go ahead to dismantle the old West Union school and clear the property. But where to put a marker depicting the history of the small town’s one and only public school? Alice Wald and Martha Moore, leaders of the former schoolhouse preservation group, appear at tonight’s 6 o’clock meeting of the West Union Town Council. […]

96.3./WGOG NEWS has learned of fires, apparently involving two structures, broke out this morning on the Blackjack Road near Westminster. At this time, no other details have been confirmed.

The Friends of the Walhalla Parks and Pool meet at 7 tonight at the City Hall. Everyone interested is invited.

The office of Oconee Veterans Affairs is closed this week, as the staff makes the move across town. The V-A is abandoning its offices in the county administrative complex on Walhalla’s S. Pine Street for a location inside the large DSS building on Kenneth Street. The plan is to open for business there on Monday next week, the 19th.

The $50 million estimate to build the new Walhalla High is likely to escalate by an amount yet to be determined. It’s called a guaranteed maximum price, and that figure is to be delivered early next year to the school district from Trehel, the project construction management company at risk. Dr. Michael Thorsland, assistant superintendent for operations, addressed the question […]