Author: Dick Mangrum

A former pastry chef has had a connection with the Utica community for 20 years — back to the time when a stake was driven into the heart of that area with the closing of a 100-year old textile manufacturing plant.  Mary Beth Van Pelt quickly detected the problem of some pet dogs who, for whatever reasons, found themselves neglected […]

First day attendance across the Oconee School District was 9,691.  There were, according to Steve Hanvey, the associate superintendent, 510 students counted as absent.  Together those numbers indicate a total enrollment 10,161.  About those opening day absentees, Hanvey said, “That includes students who have moved, but we don’t have requests for their info or withdrawal forms.”  He says Monday’s numbers […]

Late last month the board of Oconee’s Library trustees adopted a strategic plan that sets in motion a framework for the system through the year 2025.  Preceding the adoption was a public comment period featuring a 12-question survey.  Interviewed yesterday Blair Hinson, director of the libraries, predicted that some improvements are likely to be in the offing to the Seneca […]

A resolution to combat child trafficking in South Carolina was approved yesterday during the Mountain Rest Republican Precinct’s monthly meeting at the Mountain Rest Community Center.  Doug Hedden, Matthew Durham, and Tate Rochester are among Mountain Rest Republicans speaking out against a crime that victimizes vulnerable members of society, and Rochester plans to present the resolution to the executive committee […]

Two men sought by the Oconee Sheriff’s Office in the investigation of a shooting of no known injuries Wednesday at a rural Oconee County address are in custody.  Word from the criminal investigation division of the sheriff’s office is that both Truett Gregory Brock, 18, and Anthony Michael Seagraves, 19, are in custody.  Brock and Seagraves are charged with attempted […]

The state police have arrested and charged a 25-year old Easley woman in the investigation of the death of a city policeman Wednesday when the officer was hit and killed by an oncoming train.  The state Law Enforcement Division announces the charge of aggravated breach of peace against Gabrielle Alexis Benites and adds the following comment, “As with any active […]

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office seeks the public’s help today to find two suspects wanted for Attempted Murder. 18-year-old Truett Gregory Brock of Seneca and 19-year-old Anthony Michael Seagraves, both of Seneca, have been charged with one count each of Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime and Discharging a Firearm into a Dwelling. The […]

Oconee Sheriff’s Office reports that a missing Asheville, North Carolina woman, Patricia Lusk Runion, has been located and is safe.

Seneca business leaders were told negotiations are in progress to allow a Spartanburg television station to mount a 24/7 camera atop a Ramcat Alley building.  Riley Johnson, city events coordinator, made the announcement yesterday to an informal meeting of the board of the Seneca Business Development Support Center.  Johnson also says his city looks forward to WSPA-TV’s zip trip to […]