Author: Dick Mangrum

Of 16 Oconee public schools, just one has been rated “excellent”, in the state school report cards issued by the South Carolina Department of Education.  Attaining the excellent rating was the Ravenel Elementary School, the building of which became a pawn in the 1960s when Oconee leaders tried to stop the annexation of Clemson into Pickens County.  22.5% of South […]

Sarai Melendez, chairwoman of Walhalla City Council’s fire committee, says the committee meeting broke up last evening without a formal vote on a city-county fire contract. Melendez comments:  “The fire committee provided guidance and action steps for City Administrator to do as well as a follow up with fire chief.”  Besides Melendez, committee members are Mayor Danny Edwards and Councilman  […]

In what’s likely to be the Salem area’s oldest commercial building, a celebration takes place Saturday to mark a business milestone.  Pat’s Cash and Carry at SC 130/Stamp Creek Road, and the Burnt Tanyard Road has reached 50 years in business – the business that’s run these days by the two granddaughters of the original operators.  We spoke there today […]

Oconee’s economic development recruiter is not worried that soon-to-be-higher sewer impact fees will kill the county’s chances to attract a large employer to the Golden Corner Commerce Park at Fair Play.  The project is code-named “Project Wash.” Out of concern over the impact fee increase, Jamie Gilbert of the Economic Alliance addressed the county’s Joint Regional Sewer Authority on October […]

South Carolina and Georgia drivers, among others, are keeping more green in their wallets.  Outlets across Oconee have been selling unleaded regular in the area of the $2.80s. Lake Hartwell Radio WLHR at Lavonia quotes a spokeswoman for AAA-The Auto Club Group as saying factors include slack demand, cheaper oil prices, and the Georgia governor’s suspension of that state’s gas […]

Former Oconee County resident Kristen Addis is the general manager of the new Olive Garden restaurant in Aiken.  She’s the daughter of Carolyn and Karl Addis of Walhalla.  Kristen is a graduate of the Oconee Christian Academy and attended Clemson University.

At their last meeting, Oconee planning commissioners engaged Kyle Reid, the county’s roads and bridges department head, about road improvements countywide.  Some of the commissioners’ questions pertained to state-maintained roads; so, at their next meeting on Monday they will welcome Frederick Thompson of the South Carolina DOT for a discussion about the many state-maintained roads and highways across Oconee.

The owner/operator of the swimming pool at a Clemson apartment complex has paid a $680 dollar fine to settle violations discovered by state inspectors during two visits during the last swimming season.  According to an announcement by South Carolina DHEC, violations were assessed to the Clemson Edge apartments on Berkeley Place Circle for failure to properly operate and maintain public […]

In separate judge’s rulings this afternoon, the Oconee Common Pleas Court closed out three cases – one of them alleging wrongful death and the two others alleging medical malpractice.  Taken together, the rulings by Judge Scott Sprouse set in motion settlements totaling $975 thousand dollars to be divided among three plaintiffs.  In the case of Sara Holbrooks for the estate […]