Author: Dick Mangrum

The Seneca-based Journal is out today with an apology to those offended by the paper’s printing of a cartoon editorial in yesterday’s paper.  The paper admits the cartoon’s depiction of an African American family was offensive and insensitive and promises steps in the future to ensure nothing like that is repeated.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Wednesday announced 528 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and 7 additional deaths. This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 15,759 and those who have died to 575. Five of the deaths occurred in elderly individuals from Chesterfield (1), Florence (1), Greenville […]

Two criminal charges were placed this week as the result of an Oconee Sheriff’s Office investigation this week into a car break-in incident on the Westminster Highway.  Three squad cars of Oconee officers arrived at a home to investigate.  According to authorities, charges of breaking into auto and malicious injury to property were filed against Jerry Lee Rogers, a 55-year […]

Social distancing will entail limited stadium seating Saturday, June 20 for Oconee’s three graduating ceremonies for the 2020 senior classes.  Those ceremonies, to be held in the football stadiums on the high school campuses, will be live-streamed.  The school district announces that the ceremonies will be live-streamed in partnership with the Bagby Group.  Links will be posted to the school […]

The board that governs Oconee elections convenes at 9 in the morning to evaluate challenged ballots. The board, chaired by Jim Murray, will have the duty to accept or reject ballots cast as provisional votes in the primaries.   And the outcome of those provisionals for one race, according to elections director Joy Scharich, will determine if there shall be a […]

By proclamation, Seneca has gone on record with the city’s remorse and upset over the death in Minnesota of George Floyd while in police custody.  A proclamation was read into the record last night by City Administrator Scott Moulder.  Mayor Alexander requested Moulder to articulate city government’s feelings and attitudes about the injustice to Floyd, as well as what other […]

Scott Moulder, Seneca city administrator, feels compelled to backtrack on his earlier position that the city can make another year without raising its property tax rate.  Last night Moulder blamed rising health insurance costs and the financial impact to city government by the EF3 tornado for causing what appears to be a decline in $800 thousand worth of revenue.  The […]

U.S. Senator and Oconee County resident Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) claims an overwhelming victory in the Republican Primary against challengers whose names are unknown to many voters.  Graham credits his victory to months of hard work and support from a dedicated staff and a massive grassroots army of volunteers and donors. “I am deeply grateful and humbled by the trust […]

Two Oconee County councilmen who often disagree were the choices of their district voters in the Republican primary.  District Five’s Glenn Hart turned back a challenge from Les Richardson (1,099-969) and District Four’s Julian Davis emerged with a skinny, 37-vote margin over Jack Collins (1,129-1,092).  That tight race prompted questions of whether there will be a vote re-count.  Not so […]

Julian Davis survived a close battle with Jack Collins to win unofficially re-nomination as the Republican candidate for Oconee County Council 4.  So did fellow Republican Glenn Hart, the unofficial winner tonight over Lee Richardson.  The District Two seat goes to Matthew Durham, who bested Josh Roberts.  With about 80% of the vote, Sheriff Crenshaw wins re-nomination as the November […]