Author: Dick Mangrum

Oconee County continues to lag behind both the state and the country when it comes to responding to the federal government’s requests to take part in the 2020 Census.  Over the weekend, the Oconee response rate was reported at 51.6%.  That compares with a state response of 52.2% and nationwide rate of 58.5%.

Fire fighters were called last night to a home near Seneca to put out a kitchen stove fire.  The call, to Chapman Pond Lane near the Singing Pines Road, came shortly before 8:30 last night.  According to a report, the fire was stopped before it could spread farther.

One additional South Carolina COVID-19 death reported yesterday brings the state’s toll to 331 dead from the virus.  The death was that of  an elderly person in Marion County.  DHEC added 113 new cases yesterday, which brings to 7,653 the total number statewide.  Sunday’s report included two new cases in Anderson County, five new cases in Pickens County, but no […]

Now that South Carolina restaurants may start to re-welcome inside diners at partial capacity, what’s next for the state that’s joining most of the rest of the country in loosening the COVID-19 lockdown?  Governor McMaster gave indications Friday that he’s working on an announcement for Monday that will cover such closed businesses as gymnasiums and hair-cutting and styling. Starting at […]

The number of new South Carolina COVID-19 cases ballooned yesterday to 238–including four Oconee County residents.  There were four new deaths of elderly people in Clarendon, Florence, and Greenville counties.  But, DHEC points out, as tests increase, there likely will be more lab-confirmed cases.  Based on available symptom onset data that DHEC have for about 5,000 individuals who have tested […]

According to the city of Clemson, its decision to cancel all spring sports was difficult, but made to align with instructions from the governor’s office and the guidelines from health authorities and the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Administration.  There will be no youth baseball, youth softball, youth spring soccer, and adult church softball.  If some restrictions are removed, however, […]

Yellow Branch waterfalls continue to receive high visitation, despite the limited parking options and narrow single-lane design. The trail to and from the falls does not allow for adequate social distancing according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines, and this past weekend, more people utilized the trail than there was room. When a high volume of people gather at the […]

A plea today from JoAnn Johnson, executive director of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce.  Johnson notes that with the opening of some restaurants that offer outside dining, along with the re-opening of other product retailers, things seem to be starting to more forward.  She requests, however, that Oconeeans keep in mind the many businesses that remain prohibited from making a […]