Author: Dick Mangrum

Late in the last century, Westminster lost its high school to a rural location beyond the city limits.  The mayor doesn’t want to lose the city’s middle school on SC 183/the Walhalla-Westminster Highway.  Because the idea is being floated within Oconee public schools to build a new middle school possibly on SC 24 near the West-Oak High School, Mayor Brian […]

A home builder is anxious to start the construction of 133 single-family homes near Westminster, on the Seed Farm Road.  And Westminster city council was told last night the builder would like the property to be annexed.  Kevin Bronson, city administrator, predicts the new homes will be larger than those that are being built on at Cooper’s Mill on the […]

Boxes of various packaged foods — frozen meat and fresh fruit — are being promised today at a Walhalla church.  The free distribution from the pantry of St. Luke Methodist is 4:30 to 5:30 this afternoon at the E. Main Street church.

In the woods near the Seneca Wal-Mart a body is found.  Coroner Karl Addis says he started an investigation last evening and, by late last night, was notifying family members.  The body is that of an adult Caucasian male.  Along with the coroner’s office, the sheriff’ office is investigating. An autopsy is scheduled this morning.

In his seat as a subcommittee chairman, the 3rd District’s Jeff Duncan commended Chairman Phillips of “FERC” — the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — for re-setting priorities to focus on affordability and reliability.  But during today’s Washington hearing, Rep. Duncan said the regulators need to do more to ensure the affordability and the reliability of the country’s energy system.  According […]

Grant funding from Dabo’s All In Team Foundation and the Mary Lohr Foundation is supporting the local health initiatives at Seneca’s Blue Ridge Community Center.  During Clemson’s spring semester, students who took a community health promotion class partnered with Clemson Rural Health to plan and implement a bi-weekly lunch and learn series for community members of all ages, along with […]

A dumpster fire along with damage to the HVAC system at a business near Seneca led the sheriff’s office to the arrest of a 24-year old man.  The Oconee Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of Austin Stephen Lawless Saturday on the charge of arson second degree.  According to a deputy’s account of the investigation, Lawless was located and questioned at […]

Retired Seneca educator Helen Rosemond Saunders has the honor of being the recipient of the state’s Order of the Silver Crescent.  It goes to those who’ve made significant contributions through leadership and volunteerism and have been a lifelong influence on a region or community.  Rosemond-Saunders was feted yesterday during a luncheon at Tri-County Technical College, where she serves as a […]

A businessman in Seneca sought last night to develop what he called an upscale home development around existing neighborhoods, but those who live nearby are taking issue.  And the opponents to Dan Freeman’s plans for 16 acres at Dalton Road, Queen Street, and Rocky Ridge Circle won a unanimous vote of the city planning commissioners.  Dalton Road resident Tim Bowen […]