Author: Dick Mangrum

Law enforcement authorities say an electrical fire occurred in a Beech Drive home last night near Seneca’s S. 6th Street.  The fire caused smoke damage.  No other details available.

In a special meeting, Oconee County Council approved an emergency and disaster declaration that gives the county extraordinary authority in the aftermath of the damage caused by the EF3 tornado.  All five councilmen voted yes, and it is Glenn Hart’s impression that the main part of it is the authority to block roadways to protect and enhance the safety of […]

Seneca’s mayor pro-tem and his family are OK, but the properties of him and his neighbors in Thriftwood were among the hardest hit by the tornado. From what Ronnie O’Kelley can tell his subdivision and the Borg Warner manufacturing plant across the Wells Highway were at the center of the tornado, before it moved onto heavily damage the Adams subdivision. […]

Oconeeans impacted by the early Monday tornado can ask questions and, at the least, eventually get answers by calling phone numbers provided by county government.  Emergency Services personnel are manning two phone lines–864/364-5428 and 864/364-5436.  Staff are to respond 24/7 to questions about storm recovery, supplies, and available services.

At least some insurers who are often quick to disaster scenes are because of the pandemic resorting to remote inspection and other tools to facilitate settlements for the uninsured.  That’s what at least one roofer is telling clients who’ve been waiting to see and hear from their insurance companies.  One such company resorting to remote work is Nationwide.  That company […]

A disaster declaration covering Oconee County is to be addressed during an emergency meeting this morning of the Oconee County Council.  The meeting is planned for 10 o’clock in the council chambers, but will not be open to public attendance because of the pandemic.  Interested members of the public, however, may watch the meeting live on the county’s YouTube channel, […]

To get food to those who need it and to reduce traffic pouring in, the City of Seneca is offering a plan to local organizations that want to provide prepared food to residents in need of a good meal. Many calls from concerned groups have been made to City Hall asking how they can provide food to the people in […]

The School District of Oconee County has cancelled all distance learning through Friday, April 17th due to tornado damage. “Due to the incredible devastation that the tornado caused in our county, we are cancelling instruction in all of our schools for the remainder of this week. Teachers should treat the next three days as inclement weather days. The one exception […]