Author: Dick Mangrum

Illegal tire dumps are the target of a new statewide initiative by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), PalmettoPride and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). “While advancements in the management of scrap tires continue, we recognize that there is more to be done,” said DHEC Environmental Affairs Director Myra Reece. “The ‘See It, Report It’ […]

Oconee and Pickens are among 14 South Carolina counties removed from incipient status–the first level of drought–as conditions have improved,  in the estimation of the state Drought Response Committee.  According to Hope Mizzell, state climatologist, most of South Carolina received normal to above normal rainfall over the last 60 days.  The marketing specialist for the agriculture department, Katherine Helms, reports […]

A new organization that is striving to erase the hopelessness that has befallen the once proud Utica Community near Seneca has announced a major accomplishment. At a luncheon meeting, Phillip Kalchthaler announced that 18 acres of land are under contract for a future youth center that will specialize in tutoring, mentoring, Bible study, life skills, and community outreach. The $62 […]

The Oconee Economic Alliance’s Morgan Holcomb was one of 49 state and community leaders to graduate from a statewide economic development training program. A collaborative effort between the South Carolina Commerce Department and the state Economic Developers Association, the program is designed to arm participants with innovative development approaches to implement in local communities. Attendees gained insight into issues relating […]

The Oconee Economic Alliance’s Morgan Holcomb was one of 49 state and community leaders to graduate from a statewide economic development training program.  A collaborative efforts between the South Carolina Commerce Department and the state Economic Developers Association, the program is designed to arm participants with innovative development approaches to implement in local communities.  Attendees gained insight into issues relating […]

Social Security offices across the country, including those in Anderson, South Carolina and Toccoa, Georgia, will open to the public on Wednesday afternoons.  The change, effective January 8, restores Wednesday public service hours that were last in place in late 2012.  “I don’t want someone to come to our office at 2:30 on a Wednesday only to find our doors […]

In recent years, Westminster’s over-worked electric power infrastructure has caused multiple trips and, at times, long outages—both in winter and summer. But, of late, according to the city’s outside consultant, Westminster and its leaders are to be commended for investing in much needed maintenance that includes tree-trimming to keep limbs and trees from dropping on overhead lines. Richard Tucker of […]

The Salem branch of the Oconee Public Library will be closed tomorrow for building maintenance. The work will take place in the lobby and the restrooms of the Town Hall building, which doubles as town offices and the public library. The Salem library branch will return to normal hours on Friday. Other library branches will be open as normal, except […]

Work is scheduled to start in Clemson next week to replace the drinking water system used by customers on three streets.  The project is projected to continue through the holidays into January.  Affected will be Creekview Drive, Cottonwood Lane, and Shadowood Drive.  Motorists are urged to find alternate routes, use caution when driving near the work area, and expect minor […]

Westminster leaders reached a preliminary decision on how to allocate their share of the city’s refund from the Joint Regional Sewer Authority. In a special meeting, the city council reserved about one-half of the $800 thousand dollars for what the city administrator described as a much needed contingency account. The rest is to be applied for water and sewer purposes, […]