Author: Dick Mangrum

An eternal flame has been lighted as Oconee’s long-awaited 9-11 memorial and park was dedicated exactly 20 years after airplanes were commandeered and deliberately crashed, costing thousands of lives.  As the leader of the county’s 9-11 memorial and park committee, Brandon Shirley thanked the many individuals, groups, and government bodies to thank for their help in seeing to it that […]

Major repaving project is underway on a stretch of s. highway 11, from I-85 to the area of the South Union Volunteer Fire Department, and motorists are being reminded to keep everyone safe, it’s wise to reduce speed at the work zone.  Friday afternoon, before the contractor, closed down one lane of the highway, there was an accident that resulted […]

The numbers reported today by South Carolina DHEC reflect the case count on Wednesday.  Across the state, there were 2,299 new COVID-19 cases (99 in Oconee County).  New deaths recorded statewide:  82.  Among them, one in Oconee County, three in Pickens County; and 11 in Anderson County.  Of 25,558 test results received, the positivity was 12%.

A master plan for Oconee County’s Fair Play community will be a prime topic for a meeting this month, and all Fair Play residents are invited.  Fair Play’s Tim Mays announces the agenda for the 6:30 Thursday night, September 23 meeting at the Beaverdam Baptist Church:  a Fair Play master plan, update on sewer for Fair Play, and the possibility […]

From a small southwest Virginia locale (the town of Atkins), Walhalla’s Wayne Garland set out today to complete the last leg of his very long hike.  Garland set out earlier this summer from the Appalachian Trail end in Maine.  Near the North Carolina line, Garland will have three more states in front of him before he can celebrate the completion […]

Fire this morning damaged a mobile home near Seneca, in the Return Community.  Larry Greer, county fire chief, says there were no injuries, and the occupants of the single-wide on Michelle Lane will be able to salvage most of their belongings.

Sunny skies, low 80s make ideal the weather today and tomorrow for the bulk of South Carolina Apple Festival activities.  Considering there was no festival last year, Mayor Brian Ramey says his city is eager to welcome back crowds that’ll sample food and craft vendors, see the parade, watch a rodeo, and buy some apples.  While visitors will enjoy good […]

A limit on seating will be in effect for Monday night at the next meeting of Oconee school trustees.  The possibility that the public schools might attempt to require facial coverings in classrooms or re-institute virtual learning brought out a large crowd last month, and a number of the concerned have indicated they’ll return for the next meeting.  For Monday’s […]

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in a recent homicide that occurred on Padgett Street, which is on the Utica Mill Hill, near Seneca.   27 year old Braxton Earl of Scott Circle in Pendleton was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 1:12pm Thursday on a charge of Murder.  Earl was transported from the Anderson […]