Author: Dick Mangrum

Since Wednesday, drivers in South Carolina have been paying a two-cent increase in the state gas tax.  The DOT says it’s for a good cause:  road and bridge work.  Besides $1.3 billion of work already under contract, the latest increase makes possible an additional 661 miles of paving projects approved by the transportation commission in June.  “We encourage every citizen […]

Prisma Health has announced four additional COVID-19 community testing events next week.   The community testing, primarily done in partnership with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and state agencies, will reach populations who may not otherwise have access to traditional testing or online virtual visits.   Testing is a priority for Prisma Health, especially providing access […]

For many Americans, the holiday weekend has begun.  But South Carolina Highway Patrol wants to remind drivers in South Carolina to keep safe and pay attention to the good driving rules over July 4.  At the top of the list of things that can go wrong is driving too fast for conditions which doesn’t always mean speeding.  State troopers hope […]

Normally when you attend a meeting as a guest, you’ll listen to what the hosts have to say.  Not tonight in Walhalla.  At 6 o’clock at the Community Depot, the mayor and city council will open the meeting to Walhalla residents to express concerns, opinions, give perspectives on Walhalla life.  Tonight’s talks are aimed at diversity–ensuring that all Walhallans feel […]

The ranger and forest supervisor stations in the Sumter National Forest in Oconee will close tomorrow for the July 4 weekend.  Regular business hours resume on Monday.  If you are headed to the outdoors this weekend, there’s some good advice to keep in mind, besides all of the virus precautions.  Dead trees can fall any time; don’t park near dead, […]

Clemson University continues to test the levels of SARS-CoV-2 in the university and city wastewater treatment facilities.  Those facilities include the university plant, the Cochran Road plant, and the Pendleton plant.  In a statement yesterday, the city said, “Thus far, these results indicate the virus is being actively transmitted in the Clemson area.”  A mask law is now in effect […]

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Wednesday  announced 1,497 new confirmed cases and 6 new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, 24 additional confirmed deaths and 4 new probable deaths. There are currently 1,160 hospital beds occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19. This brings the total number of […]