Author: Dick Mangrum

A homicide with ties to both Oconee and Pickens counties more than 30 years ago sent chills to much of the local and area population.  It was June 1992 and, to this date, the stabbing of a Clemson graduate student remains unsolved, a cold case.  The victim was Malaysia resident Norsaadah Husain.  Oconee Sheriff Mike Crenshaw remembers a bloody scene […]

Underway in Columbia, a state Public Service Commission hearing to consider the request of one utility to buy another.  The South Carolina Public Service Authority (“Santee Cooper”) seeks to buy the Cherokee County Cogeneration Plant.  It’s a 98 MW natural gas fired combined cycle cogeneration facility in Gaffney.  The parties have agreed on a $17M purchase price.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has confirmed two positive rabies cases in animals in two different counties: A bat found near Queens Drive and Rocky Gap Road in Mountain Rest, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. Three cats were exposed and will be quarantined […]

The group Oconee County Conservatives has a new leader.  Roel Cruz has been appointed president of the group, a unanimous choice by the board, according to the announcement.  The announcement from Matthew Durham, board chairman, states, “Cruz, a dedicated member of the OCC since its inception, has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the principles that guide the organization.  His […]

At its meeting next week, the Clemson Planning Commission is to learn about “The Station at Clemson”.  The planning commissioners are to review an application by an Athens, Georgia firm to develop the former Bi-Lo shopping center, nine acres in size, on the Old Greenville Highway into a planned development of residential and commercial units.  If the applicant’s plans go […]

Customers of Seneca Light and Water are being alerted to changes in their utility bills, including notice that sewer charges are headed upward.  “In the past, charges for sewer services have been shown as one amount which included (1) services provided to you by the City of Seneca’s wastewater collection system; and (2) services provided to you by the Oconee […]

At its meeting tomorrow night, the Oconee County Council will consider first and final reading of a resolution to establish an Oconee Opioid Response Task Force.  Elsewhere on the council’s agenda:  discussion and approval of an RFP–request for proposals–to renovate the old courthouse.  Among the matters reserved for discussion during tomorrow’s executive session:  an economic development matter “Utica Mill Project” […]

A Walhalla area man remained in jail today, after his arrested yesterday on charges of kidnapping and domestic violence – high and aggravated.  Oconee Sheriff’s Office identified the accused, Thomas Gregory Lockridge Jr., having been arrested during an investigation of a complaint at a Rocky Knoll Road address, offenses that are alleged to have occurred between Monday, August 18 and […]