Author: Dick Mangrum

We are just getting word that Oconee County libraries are shutting down after business today.  We’re told the closing will be effective thru March 31.  Late fines will be suspended.  You can return books and other materials in the drop boxes.

Several Oconeeans were anxious to stake their claim to the elected offices they hold and, on the first day of candidate qualifying, they signed up for this year’s Republican primary scheduled for June.  They are all Republicans and include Mike Crenshaw for Sheriff; Thomas Alexander for State Senate, Bill Whitmire for House Districct One; Bill Sandifer for House District Two; […]

There will be no State of Oconee event on Thursday, April 23.  According to the Oconee Chamber of Commerce, the reason is the COVID-19 crisis.  The annual event is an effort to hear some of the county and municipal leaders talk about what’s going on inside their jurisdictions–the accomplishments, the disappointments, and the hopes.  Announcing the postponement of the event, […]

101.7/WGOG welcomed a new telephone system today.  The main phone number (864/638-3616) remains the same, and so does the number to call for Flea Market (638-6810.) But here is the big change, to play our weekday morning trivia contest, starting tomorrow morning (Tuesday, March 17,) the number to call for  Trivia will also be 864-638-6810.  Please make a note of […]

In a move unrelated to the spreading virus, a 100-year tradition is shutting down in Oconee County. It is the residential part of the Tamassee DAR School. School officials say the entire school is not closing, only the residential part. Which means the school will no longer accept children for residential purposes. The school, operated by the national Daughters of […]

“The City of Walhalla will be modifying operations city-wide in response to the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). This is to minimize the risk of transmission and for the general well-being of the public and city employees. The following will take effect immediately and remain until March 31, 2020. City Hall- Business offices will be closed to the […]

Westminster City Hall is closed to “all walk-in traffic.” Jennifer Adams, clerk-treasurer, says, “We encourage those who want to pay their utility bill to use the drop boxes or pay online.  We do not have a timeline on how long this will last.  I will be posting updates on our Facebook page.”

Here is an announcement from the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative: “Because we are a service provider for more than 67,000 members in the Upstate, our concern for our communities, our members and our employees is paramount in our decision process. We know that keeping our workforce healthy and ready to respond to any situation that arises on our system is […]

Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw announces some initial agency responses and adjustments today in regard to the  COVID-19 pandemic. “Yesterday evening, I issued some preliminary measures to our employees in regards to COVID-19 and the steps I feel our agency needs to take at this time,” says Sheriff Crenshaw. “The reasons for these measures is for the safety and health of […]

Here is a new announcement from Oconee public schools on distributing Chromebook to all 1st – 5th grade students to use during the extended school closure. As a reminder, all middle and high school students have already been issued a device. Elementary parents will pick up their child’s device at the school they attend. Please note that most assignments may […]