Author: Dick Mangrum

As the Omicron variant sweeps the country, the U-S Supreme Court says it will take up challenges to President Biden’s federal vaccine mandates for health workers and large businesses.  The court scheduled an expedited hearing for January 7.  In Oconee County, the chamber of commerce will keep an eye out for what, if anything, is done during the new state […]

Announcements are being made that an annual staple will help start 2022.  And, that is, Girl Scout cookies, and their cookie season in the upstate and midlands of South Carolina starts with pre-orders.  While there’s not enough time to place a box of Girl Scout cookies under the tree on Saturday, pre-orders are now being taken and deliveries are scheduled […]

Fire broke out early last night in the garage of a Seneca home.  That fire, at 515 S. Cherry Street, spread from the garage into the attic. No immediate cause known.  City fire fighters were alerted shortly after 7 and required two and a half hours before they returned to headquarters.

Seneca Light and Water has detected a scam now being perpetrated against its utility customers.  Someone is calling customers claiming their service is on a disconnect list and warning that unless the customers immediately pay over the phone, they will come out to disconnect.  The first thing that a Seneca Light and Water customer should keep in mind is that […]

The freshwater fisheries division of the South Carolina DNR has started the process to stock thousands of catchable-sized (8-11-inch) trout into the Lower Saluda River near Columbia.  These rainbow and brown trout are raised and transported from the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery in Oconee County will be delivered by trucking fish to multiple locations in the Lower Saluda.  Cold waters […]

The Walhalla desire for a hotel within walking distance of the downtown got a boost today as principals closed on a deal that will put an old building into the hands of a Georgia couple who plan to develop a boutique-style hotel in the building most recently used as a conservatory for the arts.  A member of the board at […]

What can you say about the year 2021 in Oconee County?  There was a lot to say about COVID-19 and its continuing impact on the health and other aspects of the lives of everyone.  2021 was a year that Oconee celebrated the opening of a memorial to the 9-11 attacks 20 years ago.  It was a difficult year for three […]

A forum on re-districting in Oconee County will be conducted as a virtual forum in which the public has an invitation to attend.  The sponsors—Oconee Branch of NAACP and the League of Women Voters of Oconee and Pickens, say the Monday, January 10 event, from 5 to 6:30 pm, will serve the dual purpose of raising awareness on the potential […]

The spacious auditorium of the Center for the Performing Arts was the place to be last night as Walhalla officially welcomed its newest city council members.  Political newcomers Tyler Jordan and Grant Keehn accepted the oath of office for their four-year terms, all of which are effective January 1.  They were joined by holdover Councilman Keith Pace.  City Judge Singleton […]