Author: Dick Mangrum

In last night’s budget workshop, Scott Moulder announced that, after further consultation with department heads, he no longer is recommending an increase in property tax rates in 2020-21.  However, a small water rate increase appears to be in the offing.  The recommendation is that the mayor and council add $1 dollar to a water customer’s bill, for both inside and […]

On his Facebook page, Walhalla Mayor Danny Edwards wrote:  “Tonight I want to thank the Walhalla Police Department and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Department for keeping Walhalla safe during tonight’s protest.  Excellent job!  This could have turned into a violent situation.  Please remember to pray for these folks as tomorrow could be difficult.  I’m also asking for prayers for our […]

Walhalla’s James Brown Elementary this weekend will be the location for another Prisma Health COVID-19 community tests for the virus which is spiking across South Carolina.  The Walhalla tests will be given between 10 am and 2 pm Saturday and are free to the public.  Prisma officials caution that the testing site is intended only for free tests.  Doctor-ordered tests […]

Things appeared quiet this morning in the area of Walhalla’s memorial to deceased Civil War soldiers.  However, the city last night enacted a 9 pm to 6 am curfew as a way to calm down an apparent escalation of words between protesters and counter protesters.  Brent Taylor, city administrator, explained why the city went to a curfew.  “It had to […]

The arrangement between Dr. Michael Thosland, superintendent for Oconee public schools, and his employer, the county board of trustees, is being extended five years.  Here’s an announcement from the school district:  “During Executive Session at a board meeting Monday, June 15, 2020, members of the school board voted to extend the contract of Dr. Michael Thorsland through June 30, 2025. […]

South Carolina Thrive’s COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program, which was designed to provide emergency rental assistance to South Carolinians facing financial hardships because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, still has funding available and is accepting applications. Launched in late May in cooperation with the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing), the program aims to lessen the economic […]

County administrative staff recommends the county put aside up to $150 thousand to buy 11.23 acres adjacent to the Oconee Regional Airport.  The recommendation is on the meeting agenda tomorrow for the county council.  The property deal is intended for future expansion of the airport apron and new airplane hangars.  The county aeronautics commission chairman, Randy Renz, believes that after […]

Law enforcement, community leaders and other Oconeeans are invited to a rally and unity walk tomorrow evening at Seneca.  Sheriff Crenshaw and other law enforcement officers will speak at the Norton-Thompson Park.  it’s a 2-hour event, to run 6 to 8 pm.  After the talking, those who would like to participate will be asked to take a unity walk around […]

799 new cases.  An ignominious, one-day record high for South Carolina.  DHEC reported one additional death—that of a middle aged person from Jasper County.  Dr. Linda Bell, the state’s epidemiologist, is worried that too many South Carolinians are ignoring the simple precautions against the spread of what is now a spiking case South Carolina case rate that has others worried […]