Author: Dick Mangrum

Financially, the government year 2020-21 was a good one for Oconee’s third largest municipality.  A representative of Westminster’s certified public accountant firm delivered the newest audit.  Cheryl Medders reported a “clear” or unmodified opinion of Westminster’s revenues and expenses covering a year in which the city received an infusion of monies, representing revenue sharing as a member of the Oconee […]

A letter goes today from Westminster to its electric power supplier to position the city for negotiations toward what happens should Westminster eventually enter the market for a new supplier.  At the recommendation of the city administrator, the city council authorized the letter to be sent to the “PMPA”—the group of upstate cities that bought into part of a nuclear […]

Community First Bancorporation, parent company for Community First Bank and Sea Trust Mortgage Company, announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2021.  Highlights include:  total consolidated earnings were $1,758,000 for the third quarter and $2,681,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021.  Net interest income grew by 23.2% year over year for the first nine months of […]

When the Rev. Clementa Pinckney was nine years old he joined a 4-H program; today the late Reverend-Senator Pinckney is a posthumous inductee into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.  And a former legislative colleague, Oconee-Pickens Senator Thomas Alexander, is pleased that Clemson University has drawn attention to the accomplishment.  As a nine-year old 4-Her, Pinckney focused on public speaking […]

A man in varying types of costumes is popping up on Walhalla’s Main Street downtown, with a smile on his face, trying to draw the attention of passersby.  This morning it looked like he was dressed as a Good Humor driver; this afternoon he wore a police officer’s cap.  The Walhalla police chief, Sean Brinson, says, “He is just someone […]

The South Carolina Department of Education invites the public to review textbooks and instructional materials that have been proposed for use in South Carolina’s public schools. The materials will be on display at fifteen locations as well as online from November 9 to December 9 with instructions for submitting comments available at each site. “South Carolina students, families, educators, and […]

Larry Hendrix has sold Davenport Funeral Home in West Union and the new owners intend to operate it as a new family-run funeral home.  As Hendrix moves into retirement, Terry Woodall and his family are the new owners, and Mr. Woodall is introducing himself today (through an interview airing on 101.7/WGOG NEWS) to the community. He’s being assisted by two […]

Pets and Patriots Week is underway at the Oconee Humane Society.  Between now and Sunday, November 14 veterans may  adopt a dog or a cat for $10 dollars.  A full-scale pet palooza with adoptable dogs and cats takes place on Saturday from 10-3 and on Sunday from 1-4.  All Oconee Humane Society pets are spayed or neutered, have a microchip, […]

Two women with banking backgrounds have joined Blue Ridge Bank.  Tara Adherold is a new customer service representative at Blue Ridge’s main office in Walhalla.  Tracy Cameron has joined the main office as operations specialist.  President/CEO Kyle Thomas says Adherold and Cameron have strong background in banking and bring a wealth of knowledge to Blue Ridge Bank.