Author: Dick Mangrum

Attorneys in the prosecution and the defense of accused drug law violators are gathered at the Oconee Courthouse for a day of handling South Carolina state grand jury indictments.  The Attorney’s General spokesman says several cases are to be handled today that arose from two initiatives:  Rocket Fuel and Prison Empire.

Heavy fire damage to a parked car near Walhalla.  According to the city fire department, the fire burned a Cadillac parked yesterday on a Rock Crusher Road driveway.  A bystander required medical attention for smoke inhalation.

Duke Energy seeks a special exception to construct a new communications tower 60 feet higher than Oconee County rules.  At 7805 Rochester Highway, SC 130, Duke will ask the county board of zoning appeals for the exception during a 6 o’clock meeting Monday night at the county’s administrative offices in Walhalla.  Under Oconee rules, there is a 250-foot height limit […]

Northeast Georgia is considered in a moderate drought.  And one of its counties bordering Oconee — Franklin County — is asking its water customers to conserve.  The cut back through August 31 is directed at watering lawns, filling swimming pools, and washing cars.  Lake Hartwell Radio WLHR at Lavonia reports June was the 8th driest in Franklin County in 130 […]

Coroner Karl Addis has ruled the death of a Walhalla man an accidental drowning.  An autopsy took place yesterday. Divers on Tuesday pulled Scott Lamar Price from 12 to 15 feet of water from Lake Hartwell near the Hart’s Cove apartments.  At the time Price, according to Addis, was trying to swim across a cove, but went under.  Price was […]

The squabble over the proceeds from a $25M Oconee County general obligation bond issue is in the hands of a circuit judge, after attorneys for both sides made pre-trial motions this afternoon in in the Common Pleas Court.  Tenth Circuit Judge McIntosh intends to read a number of old cases that the attorneys cite in arguments for their positions.  On […]

Explanation is made as to why a beer truck was backed up yesterday to the Corinth-Shiloh Fire Station.  According to CSFD’s Facebook page, the department was awarded a grant that provides for a one-year supply of drinking water — courtesy of a partnership between Anheuser Busch and the National Volunteer Fire Council.  This is a seen as a way for […]

On one hand, to be regarded a fast-growing county in a state that still has pockets of poverty is seen as a good thing.  But when is fast growth a detriment? Growth issues were again front-and-center at the Oconee County Council.  When the council sat for its July meeting last night, the audience was filled with residents — many of […]

A long-time Oconee public school trustee will stand down at the November General Election and when he does, a 39-year education career will finish.  Buddy Herring of Fair Play has spent 16 years as the District Five trustee on the county board.  He has decided to not endorse anyone to succeed him but, as he explained in a 101.7/WGOG NEWS […]

Crimestoppers of Oconee has a new website and a new telephone number for easier access for those who anonymously submit tips and seek further information.  www.71crime.com is the new official website.  For crime tipsters, call 844/71-CRIME (27463).  You can still submit a tip by text by downloading the free P3 app.  A “Wanted Wednesday” video segment is featured each Wednesday […]