Author: Dick Mangrum

In the 2020 election, 73% of registered Oconee voters cast ballots.  Two groups believe the numbers can go higher.  Oconee Public Library and the League of Women Voters in Oconee-Pickens (LWV) have begun a countywide voter education and registration campaign to target the 27% who didn’t vote and the number of eligible county residents who are not registered.  Friday, October […]

Court officers say this was judgment day for a Piedmont, South Carolina man arrested last year after crimes were committed at Clemson University’s Peach Tree Farms in Oconee County’s Friendship community.  General Sessions Judge William McMaster suspended Donald Andrew New’s three-year term in prison to two years’ probation and the requirement that New reimburse Clemson $3 thousand.  The defendant was […]

Oconee’s state “C” Fund Committee can count on about $7 million dollars, to help various road needs inside the county’s five municipalities and across the unincorporated sections of the county.  Chairman Sam Dickson and committee member Tally Grant agree it’s good news.  Dickson made the $7 million announcement to start today’s committee meeting.  Dickson, Grant, and fellow committee member Dick […]

Oconee County and the county’s state “C” Fund Committee have opened talks on the extent to which state monies can be applied to a rural Oconee County-maintained bridge near Salem.  At the direction of County Council, Administrator Amanda Brock and county’s roads and bridges’ official Kyle Reid are scouring the landscape for grants or contributions to pay for a $253 […]

Like Oconee, Anderson County is seeing new home construction of units in the thousands.  And official from both city and the county of Anderson told state officials these new homes, in at least some instances, will require new roads.  The September meeting of the state DOT commissioners is being held today at Anderson University.  Among welcoming remarks Dr. Evans Whitaker, […]

An Oconeean answered her phone and heard the caller say he was from the FBI.  The phone call was a scam, according to the county sheriff’s office.  The scammer told the female that she was part of an investigation involving a cartel and that her social security number, credit card, and Apple card were compromised.  She was told to take […]

An elderly Arkansas man who inexplicably aimed his car at Oconee Nuclear security personnel has been ordered to serve six years in prison.  Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon in General Sessions Court at Walhalla to assault and battery first degree and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, suspended to six years active incarceration, to be followed by […]

On the kickoff day for Walhalla Oktoberfest, an event helps create the mood for three days of fun to mark the city’s founding by German settlers.  It’s that luncheon under a large Sertoma Field tent.  Luncheon sponsor Walhalla Rotary Club announces the proceeds from this year’s $20 dollar a plate meal will go to O. A. R. S. (Oconee Addiction […]

Dot’s Kitchen, the United Way, and the Rosa Clark Medical Clinic are among local charities for which workers at the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative raised thousands of dollars.  In all, the Blue Ridge employee days of giving campaign raised $80 thousand for nine local charities.  They elected to make a one-time gift or contribute 12 working hours of pay.  Blue […]

Amanda Brock, Oconee County administrator, made good last night on an earlier promise.  At county council’s September 3rd meeting, District Three’s Don Mize asked for an accounting of what Oconee County has spent, so far, in defense of the lawsuit challenging the county’s $25 million bond issue.  And the response came last night when, at the starting of the meeting, […]