Author: Dick Mangrum

Eight separate sections of U-S Forest Service acreage in Oconee County are proposed for prescribed burning in the fiscal year 2021.  And the public’s comments are welcomed on the plans to conduct prescribed, controlled burns in blocks of properties known as Boatwright north, Crooked Creek, Moss Mill, Russell Mountain, State Park 107, Presbyterian Lake, Drummond Creek and the adjoining Joel’s […]

  A major way that Oconee gets into the spirit of the Christmas holidays is a parade.  The world pandemic, however, has thrown into doubt whether it’s safe to parade through the streets in front of crowds.  The town of Salem has decided it will go forward with its annual parade—to take place at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon, December 6.  […]

Up to ten, $500 dollar mini grants are being offered by the Oconee Arts and Historical Commission for applicants who will use the money to stimulate the local arts and historical community.  The grant money can be used for supplies or the promotion of a project, event or venue.  Applications should be emailed to [email protected]. Requests are to be considered […]

  Greenville’s version of a big dig was celebrated yesterday as invited guests, small numbers at a time, loaded onto a crane and were transported 120 feet down for a tour of the newly-completed tunnel.  Renewable Water Resources completed a wastewater conveyance designed to revitalize the city’s wastewater infra-structure by adding capacity for the future.  Workers spent nine months drilling […]

  A new supply of drinking water for Walhalla customers is nearly at hand.  Scott Parris, the utilities superintendent, last night announced that the city’s new treatment plant near Lake Keowee will undergo test runs and an operating permit from the state is close.  Once the plant is running for good, the city will switch its treatment of raw water […]

For now, the idea of an ordinance that would give Walhalla’s elected leaders the authority to order curfews is off the table.  In the opinion of at least one councilman, the entire idea should be re-thought.  In the aftermath of about one week of civil unrest on Main Street, Last night Councilman Danny Woodward, chairman of the public safety committee, […]

In the view of the Walhalla mayor, the time could be right for his city to recruit a new supermarket.  That possibility arose last night as the city council discussed changes in its business license fees.  Mayor Edwards made reference to the shaping up of a sizable piece of property at the edge of the city limits as a possibility […]

The spokesman for the Oconee Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the charge of prostitution appears on a ticket issued to a 71-year old woman at Fair Play.  The accused is Sun Cha So Aldrich of Moore, Oklahoma.  According to a sheriff’s incident report, Aldrich was ticketed as the result of an undercover operation by the sheriff’s office narcotics unit Monday at […]

Here are South Carolina DHEC numbers in today’s report that tracks the spread of COVID-19.  New cases:  693; additional deaths:  17.  Also, 17 additional Oconee cases; but no new deaths from the county.  Since the count started, the number of confirmed virus cases in the state has reached 147,800; the death toll now 3.275.  Positivity test percentage was 12.9%.

This just off the press from the Oconee School District: “At a special called board meeting held on October 6th, the School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees voted to solicit applications to fill the current District I vacancy.  The Board will conduct interviews with qualified candidates before appointing someone to the position. Mr. Joe Rukat, acting chairman, said, […]