Author: Dick Mangrum

It was evident last night at Seneca that Scott Moulder, the city administrator, embraces the spirit of Clark Griswold, the main character in the National Lampoon Christmas Vacation movie. It’s still weeks before Thanksgiving, but Moulder delighted the mayor and council when he announced that city crews this Friday, October 1 will start the task of installing the more than […]

Katie Smith has been a Seneca city employee only five weeks, but enough time to impress her superiors to award her increased job responsibilities.  In a ceremony last night at city hall, Smith took the oath as associate municipal judge.  Her boss, 23-year Judge Danny Singleton gave Smith the oath of office.  Smith, the former clerk to Oconee County Council, […]

A second person is under arrest in Oconee County, accused of culpability in a burglary in a rural part of the county.  The newest arrest, according to authorities, is that of Crystal Graham Bernard. The 45-year old Bernard was arrest yesterday and charged with first-degree burglary, petty larceny, and malicious injury to property on August 24 on Edgewood Drive.  The […]

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers in South Carolina, as reported today by the state health agency: New cases:  1,534 (25 in Oconee County) New deaths:  45 (including two Oconee County residents) Of 19,281 test results received, the new positivity:  11% (These are data counted by DHEC by the end of Sunday)  

The commissioners for Tri-County Technical College approved recommending an architect to undertake preliminary design work to expand Oconee Hall at the Pendleton campus.  The cost of the design work is estimated at $240 thousand.  A Tech spokeswoman says that’s roughly 1.5% of the total cost to renovate and expand Oconee Hall.  The next step is to request approval at the […]

The board of trustees for the Oconee Library System will meet at 5:30 this evening in the county council chambers at Pine Street.

Out of precautions, Westminster has closed its city hall, likely for a few days.  City officials announced that a city hall worker tested positive for COVID-19, and the remaining staff are being asked to take a test before they return to work.  Mayor Brian Ramey says it’s a precautionary move.  Ramey quotes Kevin Bronson, city administrator, as saying that anyone […]

If you’ve ever wondered about the size of Oconee County agriculture, take a ride some day on SC 182 from Oakway to Fair Play.  Any doubts will be erased.  Much of southern Oconee remain a strong agriculture base.  Andy Whitten is part of a working Oconee County farm family.  He has raised issues of safety involving the general motoring public […]

The newly-appointed hospital CEO in Toccoa, Georgia says the Stephens County Hospital is still there and open for business.  Recently, hospital CEO Van Loskoski sat down with Toccoa Radio WNEG and knocked down rumors that the hospital is closing.  He made this statement:  “Truth of the matter is any rural hospital could close pretty quickly if they are not supported […]

Gas prices in the Carolinas are still reflecting summertime levels when demand was higher, seeing a very small decline on the week. The big culprit being higher oil prices which is keeping the pressure on at the pump. “Motorists should soon see the usual relief at the pump that comes with the fall season,” said Tiffany Wright, spokesperson, AAA – […]