Author: Dick Mangrum

A publicly un-identified Oconee County project is on a fast track.  The county council met for about one minute at 10 this morning to adopt on second reading an ordinance that creates a fee-in-place-of-tax arrangement with a company code-named “Prepoly”.  Only ten hours or so prior, the council gave first reading.  This morning, after what the county administrator pronounced the […]

Blair Hinson, the Oconee library director, expressed hope this week that an access barrier faced by some of Seneca’s library patrons can be eliminated in the coming months by the construction of a ramp.  Automatic door openings are a feature of the S. 2nd Street library but, to reach the front door, library users have to negotiate a handful of […]

Walhalla has a practically new water treatment plant, but it can’t find replacement operators.  Scott Parris, the utilities director, told his mayor and council once the job responsibilities and the pay are explained to those who’ve answered job postings, they quickly lose interest.  As a result, partly due to retirements, the city’s staff of certified plant operators remains dangerously thin.  […]

Especially from newcomers, Walhalla gets compliments for being quaint and pretty.  The mayor, however, says if you look closely, you can find dilapidated houses and yards full of untagged vehicles.  It makes for a junk problem for the County Seat, and Mayor Danny Edwards last night addressed his comments to the city council and the administrator.  Edwards admitted he does […]

Chairman Danny Woodward of the Walhalla city council recreation committee wants to gauge interest in adding two programs to the city’s recreation offerings.  However, after hearing from recreation director John Galbreath, adding volleyball and flag football are easier said than done.  Galbreath says there are drawbacks, including the lack of adequate staff to make it happen.  The recreation department employs […]

At the 3 o’clock hour yesterday afternoon, a bevy of squad cars descended to the 123 ByPass Hardee’s in Seneca.  Police Chief Casey Bowling said an altercation at the restaurant involved four persons.  101.7/WGOG NEWS could not immediately determine if anyone was hurt.

On appeal, Michael Kenneth Cox of Walhalla returned with his attorney to court this afternoon, in the hope that Judge Lawton McIntosh would reduce the 65-year prison sentence issued last week for the crime of criminal sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 11 years old.  But, to no avail, McIntosh held firm to his original ruling.  Cox, […]

Clemson makes the following announcement on tonight’s Christmas parade:  “WE ARE PROCEEDING WITH PARADE TONIGHT @ 6PM.  Please dress for the weather and allow extra time for damp and roadways.”