Author: Dick Mangrum

From Columbia to Walhalla will come a multi-million dollar grant to enable the Oconee city to build a community center.  It’s seen as the vehicle for Walhalla to get a much needed recreation facility and one that will better accommodate community meetings.  But a city councilman, critical of city spending practices, said the $5.6 million grant is a surprise to […]

As another South Carolina summer begins, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reminds parents and caregivers of lifesaving steps they can build into their daily routines to help prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke, commonly referred to as “hot car deaths.” Heatstroke can occur throughout the year as temperatures inside a vehicle can reach life threatening levels even […]

Seneca’s Board of Architectural Review is to decide the appropriateness of a 16′ statue at 402 S. Fairplay.  Property owner Jim Rowe of Betty’s Cafe LLC goes before the board tonight seeking a certificate.  The city hall hearing is scheduled for 6 o’clock.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help this morning in regards to locating a missing Seneca teenager. 14 year old Kylie Grace Jones was reported missing by the Seneca police. Kylie was last seen at an address on N. Crestview Drive, which is near Radisson Road and Highway 59 in the Seneca area. Kylie is 5’4” tall […]

Matthew Durham says a new pay structure known as “step and scale” has merit, but if it were enacted by Oconee government it would fall short of satisfactory.  In the county council chairman’s latest newsletter, Durham said this about step and scale:  “If enacted as written, it would’ve resulted in $20k plus in raises for some department heads while many […]

Fire fighters were attending to a home fire at the 6 o’clock hour this morning on Fire Tower Road near Seneca.  No injuries reported.

The West Union police announce the arrest of a suspect in a case alleging human trafficking.  Twenty-nine year old Jaime Mamian Motta is charged with human trafficking, kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct, and assault and battery second degree, according to Police Chief Jeff Richardson.  The charges arise, Richardson says, after West Union officers went to Foothills Center Friday for a woman […]

At their rare Friday afternoon meeting, the Oconee County Council removed the one and only discussion item from its agenda.  Under discussion items, at the county attorney’s request, the council deleted discussion of grant and performance agreements benefiting Akasol Inc. (Borg Warner acquired) “Project EVPack-Oconee.”  The councilmen later convened a private meeting for the following four items:  1. Receive legal […]