Author: Dick Mangrum

When a train carrying the then-President George H-W Bush approached Seneca during the 1992 campaign, the train slowed but never stopped.  And that surprised people who gathered near the Seneca Depot.  Devoe Blackston, mayor at the time, believes it had to do with concerns on the part of the president’s security team.  And it had something to do with a […]

Health reasons have forced history buff Luther Lyle of Oconee to resign as the county’s representative to SC250 — the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission.  And yesterday, without luck, Lyle tried to persuade Phil Shirley of Oconee PRT to take his place.  However, Shirley says, he simply is too busy with his many responsibilities.  But Shirley told 101.7/WGOG NEWS […]

A zoning change will allow a dog day care business to locate on Seneca’s Frontage Road.  The city planning commission last night recommended 2.4 acres be changed from PD-U to general commercial.  The property owner is Sandell Inc. of Simpsonville and the rezoning applicants are Leigh and Wesley Stephens of Clemson.

A planned 122-home development is recommended to be annexed to Seneca, in a vote last night by the city planning commission.  For zoning purposes, the planning commissioners also approved Kenneth Jeffcoat’s request that the property between Wells Highway and the new middle school be designated Planned Development-Residential.  The city council will have final say in two meetings starting next month.  […]

Walhalla Water Department has lifted the boil advisory directed at customers on n. highway 11 and vicinity.  Bacteria samples indicate the water is safe for use.  The city apologizes for the inconvenience caused by Saturday’s line break.  

A Florida-based school for children with special needs is coming to Seneca, according to one of its founders, Dr. Esther Berry.  She’s in Seneca conducting interviews and meeting with parents of special needs children.  Berry tells 101.7/WGOG NEWS arrangements have been made to rent space in the Blue Ridge Community Center for enough classrooms to accommodate up to 150 children […]

The seven-year-old civil case of Stokes vs. Oconee apparently has been settled, just prior to its scheduled trial date of today.  However, when contacted, Amanda Brock, Oconee County administrator, said, “It is not ‘officially’ settled and at present there are no terms to disclose.  We are in process,” Brock said.  

Drug cases resulting from state grand jury indictments are docketed this week in the Oconee County General Sessions Court at Walhalla.  The day will be Thursday, and that’s when spokesman Robert Kittle of the Attorney’s General Office says defendants snared in two drug investigations — Rocket Fuel and Prison Empire — will be heard in the Oconee County courtroom.

A South Carolina grant of $15,750 dollars has been approved for Walhalla solid waste purposes.  The money comes from the Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling and  to be allocated toward three initiatives:  new trash and recycling containers; support of professional development; and part of the grant toward public education efforts on the importance of recycling and proper waste […]

What might have been a two or three-day Oconee civil trial this week will, after all, not take place.  Clerk of Court Lisa Burton this morning explained that word has been received of an agreement in Stokes v. Oconee and, as a result, a 175 jury pool has been told not to report.