Author: Dick Mangrum

Maybe you saw something – or maybe you’ve overheard something — that could help the Oconee Sheriff’s Office in its inquiry into the death Friday of Kendall Hawkins. His remains were found around 5 pm in a wooded area near the former Covidien plant off Highway 28, Bountyland Community. The body was less than one half-mile from where Hawkins was […]

If nothing more than causing inconvenience, the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 affects everyone in Westminster and the surrounding community. Jennifer Adams, clerk-treasurer, says, the City listens to the statewide briefings held daily and especially recommends this website be visited regularly: https://www.scdhec.gov/infectiousdiseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19. Two new terms we have all learned in the past week are “community spread” and “social distancing”. Social […]

This afternoon’s special Westminster City Council meeting has been cancelled, the city announced today.

The City of Walhalla will be modifying operations city-wide in response to the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). This is to minimize the risk of transmission and for the general well-being of the public and city employees. The following will take effect immediately and remain until March 31, 2020. City Hall- Business offices will be closed to the […]

In the following announcement Billy Birdwell of the U-S Army Corps of Engineers addresses rumors: “Consistent rumors abound concerning access to Thurmond Lake, Russell Lake and Hartwell Lake on the upper Savannah River for boating and fishing. Boating and fishing remain OPEN. Campgrounds and day-use areas at Thurmond and Hartwell lakes operated by the Corps of Engineers are closed until […]

After the autopsy, the Oconee coroner says no obvious injuries or other definitive cause of death was found in the case of Kendall Todd Hawkins. The remains of the missing 47-year old Westminster man were found late last week near Seneca. Coroner Karl Addis says, based on the condition of the remains, the manner of death is undetermined.

Like other funeral providers in Oconee, Keowee Funeral Services in Seneca is conducting services but limiting crowds to 50 people or fewer.   Keowee Funeral Services is also video-taping services.

The current map published by South Carolina DHEC shows Oconee County with its first two cases of COVID-19 coronavirus.  While there are two cases of Oconeeans, there are no deaths from the disease.

COVID-19 and the crude price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia continue to push crude prices down.  And, according to spokeswoman Tiffany Wright of AAA, this parlays into a continuing drop in gas pump prices in the Carolinas.  South Carolina’s $1.86 average is 11 cents cheaper on the week.  Wright says, “We are seeing less traffic on the roadways which […]

The executive director of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the times are tough.  But JoAnn Johnson believes we will get through this together.  The chamber’s top priority is to protect the health and well-being of its members, as well as the community.  She is hopeful the curve will be flattened.  Meantime, she stresses the importance of all businesses and […]