Author: Dick Mangrum

In her capacity, JoAnn Johnson keeps a pulse on the Oconee County business community.  The executive director of the chamber of commerce describes business interests as “thrilled” and “overjoyed” as South Carolina begins to further ease the grip that the pandemic holds on everyone.  Gymnasiums and hair cutters are among those who are welcoming customers back to their premises this […]

  Swain Still, director of Oconee Solid Waste, has provided the following information to 101.7/WGOG NEWS: 1.       When will recycling at the recycle centers return to full operations? “Oconee County Solid Waste, along with Oconee County Administration and EOC, is working on a slow but methodical return to full recycling capacity. The recycling of materials that have the potential to […]

Any time on the highways speed can kill–especially so during the imminent and long Memorial Day weekend holiday.  State troopers are going to be out in full force this weekend, with an eye out and their radar on for speeding violators on I-85 and other highways.  Trooper Joe Hovis says speeding is just one of the many violations that drivers […]

An Oconeean this week received a call from someone purporting to represent herself as a pharmacy delivery service representative.  The Sheriff’s Office views what happened next as an attempt at scamming.  The caller wanted bank account and other personal information, she said, so she could set up a mail order delivery.  A deputy got hold of the caller’s number and […]

At the end of next week, Walhalla will take possession of downtown privately-owned property over which it’ll be able to dictate its future.  The official transaction to close the deal between the city and JKAT for 1.33 acres on Main Street, bordering S. College, is scheduled Friday, May 29.  The total bill will increase by $45 thousand, according to City […]

Walhalla is on the way to expanding the corporate limits on the north side of the city, thanks to the mayor’s late parents.  On the recommendation of Councilman Josh Roberts last night, the city council gave first reading to an ordinance to annex eight different pieces of properties that belonged to the late Bob and Ruth Edwards.  Their son, Mayor […]

As part of the move for the country to get back to normal, 101.7/WGOG’s Flea Market is returning to the air–at a new time.  This station’s long running swap shop returns Tuesday, May 26, and continues each weekday–Monday through Friday.  The Flea Market start time will be 9 o’clock in the morning, following the ABC News.  And you’ll have an […]

At election time next month, Wayne McCall is standing down from his service as an Oconee County councilman.  After three terms, he’s leaving office.  There are two men competing to succeed him.  What might life be like for him as a private citizen?  It likely won’t look a lot different from how he has comported himself the last 12 years.  […]

If a federal grant application is approved, Oconee County will have up to $600,000 to help fight the opioid addiction crisis.   The County Council Tuesday approved a grant application for Bureau of Justice Assistance program funding targeted on the opioid problem.   Any funding awarded will go toward an ongoing collaborative effort between the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and […]

Reduced airport traffic due to the Covid-19 pandemic has blown a hole in the revenues of the Oconee County Regional Airport, but county officials hope a federal relief grant will help offset the loss.   Tuesday the County Council approved authorization for the county administrator and county staff to apply for a CARES Act grant for $69,000, the maximum relief […]