Author: Dick Mangrum

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced four additional deaths related to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. This brings the state’s total number of deaths to 22. Three patients were elderly individuals who also had underlying health conditions, and one patient was a middle-aged individual who did not have underlying health conditions. They were residents of […]

Received late this afternoon is this announcement from Oconee County on behalf of the county courthouse in Walhalla:  “In order to continue to provide essential services to our citizens and protect the health and well-being of both citizens and staff, the Oconee County Clerk of Court’s Office has implemented the following precautionary measures:  Public access to the Oconee County […]

Spring Break Week for Oconee public school children will be Monday, April 6 to Monday, April 13.  New instructions and assignments will start on Tuesday, April 14.  Originally Friday, April 3 was scheduled as a weather make-up day, but now it will be a distance learning day.  Monday, April 13 is professional development and workday for teachers.  Meals will be […]

COVID-19 and its financial repercussions are scary enough for those who have enough savings to meet their costs during the pandemic. But imagine if you rely on government assistance for your day to day life. The non-profit South Carolina Thrive has a contact center where South Carolinians can apply for benefits such as Medicaid, “SNAP”—the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—and “TANF”—the […]

Because of COVID-19, Seneca will extend the 2020 business license due date from Thursday, April 30 to Monday, June 1.  If not paid by June 1, a five percent penalty a month will be added to the license fee.

A letter that arrived in Oconee County mailboxes within the last couple of weeks was a membership solicitation letter from the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association. And Oconee Sheriff Mike Crenshaw wants everyone to know that this is a legitimate letter and not a scam solicitation. “The Spring Honorary Membership Program letters were approved to be mailed out many months ago […]

As a general physician, Billy Campbell of Westminster has the duty to provide medical care. But if he had authority to make decisions on how to combat the virus spread, he’d require a lot more testing. Four Oconee County cases sounds low, but Dr. Campbell fears if more Oconeeans were tested that number would jump. “This business of not testing […]

The rush for items in a grocery store can be a frightening prospect for the elderly. A partnership, working on behalf of senior citizens, offers a free alternative to those 60 and older. It’s the home meal delivery program in Oconee County by Senior Solutions. Although many shelves in grocery stores are empty or thin, Senior Solutions has no shortage […]

Acting U.S. Attorney A. Lance Crick of the District of South Carolina today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address [email protected]. In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to […]

City of Seneca has extended to April 15 the closing of public buildings.  However, essential operations including the police, fire, and public works departments continue.  No decision has been made on whether the April meeting (the 14th) of city council will be held.  Entertainment events such as  Jazz on the Alley and Cruzin’ on Main are also cancelled through April […]