Author: Dick Mangrum

The final shape of an ordinance for a moratorium on Oconee County billboards hasn’t taken form yet, but county councilmen were advised last night that such a restriction is on solid legal ground. County attorney David Root said research shows courts support local authorities restricting billboards for either lessening driving distractions or for aesthetics, or for both. The key, Root […]

If Oconee County Council acts on the suggestion of a structural engineer, the county could see some limits on the use of some wood frame construction described as cheap and shoddy. Structural engineer Derek Hodgin, a former mayor of Westminster, and county resident John Agar, both recommended limitations on wood frame construction of buildings over three stories. They called attention […]

Home builder Sam Head announced at last night’s Walhalla City Council that he’s willing to downsize his Chestnut project to 10 homes only, and promised to return to city council with deed restrictions next month to back up the promise. As a result, the city council took no vote on a required zoning change. Not everyone was on board. There […]

Walhalla leaders could not agree on how much to lower a water re-connect fee. The city council mired itself in debate and attempts at vote to settle the controversy. In the end, a vote to lower the fee from $65 to $35 dollars tied at three yes votes and three no votes. Councilman Robbie Burrell was absent. Most disappointed was […]

The Seneca police say a suspect was in custody last night after a brief motorcycle chase in the vicinity of the middle school, WS 4th Street, and Perkins Creek Road. Chief John Covington said his officers responded to the report of a stolen motorcycle from Clemson.

Ground has been broken for Oconee County’s long-awaited remembrance to the attacks against three United States locations on September 11, 2001. Brandy Shirley of the citizens committee that has been planning the memorial for years says the groundbreaking was three weeks ago. Since then, erosion control and drainage features are being worked on at the location near Walhalla Middle School […]

An Oconee County man, found guilty by a General Session jury, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. The two-day trial finished today, and defendant Clifton Eugene Smith did not testify in his defense. Smith’s lawyer tried to make the case for self defense. But the jury heard prosecution […]

After the Timothy Phillips autopsy, the Oconee Sheriff’s Office announced an upgrade to murder in its charge against Marshall Lee Rogers. Phillips was found last summer with head injuries near Seneca, and investigators learned from medical personnel that he had been shot. He survived several months, but died last week at a long-term care facility. According to the Sheriff’s Office, […]

Louis Batson Jr., 91, trustee emeritus of Clemson University and Greenville businessman, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Greenville. Batson was elected to Clemson’s board of trustees in 1979 and served the maximum of three consecutive terms as chairman from 1985 to 1991. In 1987, Batson was selected to be a Successor Member of the board. Batson was the recipient […]