Author: Dick Mangrum

Charges of trafficking in methamphetamine and unlawful exposure of a child to meth have been laid against a 45-year-old Oconeean – the result of a Wednesday traffic stop in the Earles Grove Community.  The sheriff’s office identifies the man charged and arrested as Ernest Wayne Hippensteal of Pitts Road.  On routine patrol, a deputy from “PACE” – the Pro-Active Criminal […]

A gold standard for nursing excellence has been achieved at the Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital.  The hospital learned yesterday it has been awarded Magnet status, by having met rigorous standards set by the American Nurses Credentialing Committee.  It’s a sign that Oconee’s nurses take the lead in patient care and are considered drivers for change and innovation.  Connie Spykerman, […]

An attorney for Oconee County asked a judge this afternoon to throw out the last remaining part of a lawsuit that has remained at pre-trial stage for seven years.  If Judge McIntosh grants the county’s motion, the case of a former department head and his allegations against the county and two county council members will end, at least at the […]

Two days of ballot casting by customers in the multi-county Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative service territory have ended.  So, it’s now up to the ballot tabulations to determine the outcome of two contested seats on the board of directors, representing Pickens County.  And the announcement of the seat winners.

The Oconee Memorial Hospital Foundation announces the start of a $4.2 million capital campaign to expand cancer care locally.  The community funding, along with funding from Prisma Health, would double the footprint of the cancer institute at the front of the hospital campus.  The objective:  to serve more patients.  “Our community is growing by leaps and bounds, but unfortunately cancer […]

An Oconee woman has filed a lawsuit alleging a false accusation by a deputy sheriff led to the loss of her job and damage to reputation.  Greenville lawyer Jake Erwin yesterday entered a suit on behalf of Mary Alline Holland.  It alleges that on August 28, 2022, Holland, a then employee of Wal-Mart, sat in her car in the store […]

The South Carolina Welcome Center at Fair Play takes part next month in an annual event that offers a special welcome to visitors to the state.  Members of Oconee’s business community have an  invitation to display their wares by setting up tables at the I-85 welcome center.  Dawn Smith, welcome center director, says, “It is such a surprise to our […]

One person wounded by gunfire in Westminster is in a Greenville hospital, condition unknown.  And the Westminster police have arrested a 19-year-old man on multiple charges, including attempted murder.  The city police identify the arrested man as Westminster resident Anton Joseph Bertich.  Here is the police department’s further account: “On the evening of 04/09/2024 at approximately 6:50 PM, the Oconee […]