Author: Dick Mangrum

Americans crave poultry, but the idea of as many as one dozen new chicken houses in rural Stephens County, Georgia did not sit well with several residents.  Yet the county commissioners approved six of the houses with stipulations, in a vote of 4-1.  The commissioners listened for two hours to opponents who believe the smell will be detrimental to their […]

Mayor Robert Halfacre of Clemson says the city engineer has reviewed the most current inspection report of the 123 bridge connecting his city with Oconee County and did not see anything alarming.  The inspection, involving a Jon Boat which included a look at the bridge under the water, was conducted on a June day last summer.  Halfacre points out the […]

The 3rd District’s member to congress, Republican Representative Jeff Duncan, points to bi-partisan support in his chamber and the passage of a measure titled, “Lower Energy Costs Act.”  Duncan, chairman of the House Energy, Climate and Grid Security Committee, says lowering energy costs is a leading priority because of what Americans have to pay.  And, he says, H.R. 1 would […]

At its meeting on Monday, Clemson City Council will consider a resolution in support a House bill, whose origins arise from racist-inspired killings in a Charleston church.  The city council will consider a resolution urging the House of Representatives in Columbia to adopt H. 3014, the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act.  Along with other worshippers, Pinckney, a state senator […]

The approximate 11-month suspension of the Oconee County councilman Matthew Durham is rescinded by order of the governor.  Henry McMaster, the governor, and Mark Hammond, the secretary of state, affixed their signatures yesterday to an executive order that lifts Durham’s suspension immediately.  It has the effect of restoring the county council to full membership and lessens the chance for deadlock […]

The following announcement provided by Karl Addis, the Oconee coroner: “Human remains were discovered Wednesday afternoon at approximately 4:45 pm in proximity of Whitewater Falls Road and Cannon Road near Salem. Oconee County Sheriff’s Department deputies were dispatched to 250 Whitewater Falls Road after the property owner found a human forearm and hand apparently brought onto the property by a […]

Now that Matthew Durham looks forward to rejoining Oconee County Council, one question that arises is whether there could be movement in the philosophical clout that, for years, has divided those who serve as the county’s elected leaders.  At least one close watcher of the council foresees a change.  Home builder Tom Markovich is a regular, front-row observer of the […]

“I am innocent, the charges against me have been dropped and I look forward to getting back to work.”  That’s the start of a just-released statement from Matthew Durham, on the disclosure of a court document showing the dismissal of unlawful neglect of a child and domestic violence second degree charges.  Those charges about a year ago led to his […]

101.7/WGOG NEWS has received a court document that shows the criminal indictments against Matthew M. Durham have been nol prossed (dismissed). We await a statement from the suspended Oconee County councilman.

U-S Senator Lindsey Graham was in the minority when he voted against the repeal of the 2002 Authorization of Use of Military Force in Iraq.  The measure passed 66-30 and now goes to the House of Representatives.  On the Senate floor, the South Carolina Republican expressed worry for the safety of remaining U-S troops in the Mideast and said, “The […]