Author: Dick Mangrum

“I’m just waiting day-to-day to see how what we’ll be told to do as far as closing.” That’s the reality facing some of Oconee County’s cosmetologists who’ve been trying to work and yet adjust to the guidelines for avoiding close contact with others during the COVID-19 spread. Gwen Owens has been in the business of cutting both men’s and women’s […]

The game of pickleball is a paddleball game for all ages, and soon Walhalla will have an official pickleball court.  There’s a crew at work now at the City Park on W. Main Street working on the project.  City councilman Josh Roberts is one of Walhalla’s biggest supporters to expand recreation offerings to those who like to play the game.

West Union will cut a break to those people who can’t meet the cost of a water service deposit because of the financial impact caused them by the COVID-19.  In a special telephone meeting, the council voted to new customers affected installment payments to meet the cost of a $125 deposit.  The emergency ordinance expires in 60 days.

South Carolina is one of many states going ahead with political qualifying in advance of both the primaries in June and the general election in November. But some states have stopped. What if the pandemic is still spreading by election time? How might that change the course of elective politics as we know them? A close follower of the country’s […]

Seneca Chick-fil-A announces that at 10:30 this morning, its drive-thru re-opens with a limited menu.  During the restaurant closing, a third-part professional cleaner disinfected and deep cleaned the building in accord with public health guidelines.  According to a statement from the company, the employee who experienced symptoms of COVID-19 and those in close contact with the worker are now self-quarantining […]

The spread of COVID-19 means neither Ronnie Millsap, nor Restless Heart, nor the Tams will take the stage in Pickens. The 23rd Annual Blue Ridge Fest has been cancelled, but the performers are being invited for next year’s. It’s with sadness that the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative must cancel the event, but the spirit behind why it’s held each year […]

The Oconee Probate Court encourages everyone who wishes to be married to now apply for a marriage license through the mail. The office at the county’s Pine Street complex will accept applications in person weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm. To find a marriage license application, couples are urged to go to the website oconeesc.com/probate-home. Complete the form and […]

Sheriff’s officers searched last night but could not find their suspect in a shooting in the Foxwood Hills subdivision. The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as Devan Chavis Bennett and said the 27-year old should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Crimestoppers is accepting tips on where Bennett might be found. Shortly after 2 pm deputies […]

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating 82 additional cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. This brings the total number statewide to 424 cases in 39 counties*.Two previously reported cases, one in Lexington County and one in Lancaster County, have been subtracted from the total case count as those individuals were determined, through further investigation, […]

For the most part, so far, Oconeeans seem to be abiding the rule that no one should gather in groups of three or people–as a way to protect against the spread of the global pandemic COVID-19.  That is the assessment given this afternoon by Sheriff Mike Crenshaw.  Asked if his officers have had to break up groups of three or […]