Author: Dick Mangrum

Counting student noses across the Oconee School District, the week that classes resumed after the holidays.  Steve Hanvey, associate superintendent, says the current countywide enrollment of public school children is 10,214.

West Union Town Hall has been closed until Monday.  Mayor Oliver says one of the town’s employees tested positive for COVID-19.

An annual report by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control shows South Carolina’s 2020 infant mortality rate has decreased by 7% compared to the previous year but likely remains above the national average.  “Ideally, we want to see a decline in South Carolina’s infant mortality rate each year until that number is as small as possible – close […]

The Walhalla police chief, Sean Brinson, says he will have an announcement this morning on an assault incident investigated during the noon hour yesterday at the library on WS Broad Street.

The Walhalla police chief, Sean Brinson, confirms the police are investigating an assault incident reported during the noon hour today at the Oconee Library.  “Still under investigation,” Brinson said.  

Keowee Fire Department, based at Keowee Key, is confident that it will be able to build a landing area and platform for medical helicopters, and the chairman of the fire commission predicts that’s going to enhance how medical emergencies are responded to there.  Don Chamberlain, the chairman, reported the fire department is well on its way to have a medical […]

The newest COVID-19 report from the state health agency specifies six additional Oconee County deaths, the most for any one county in the state for the 24-hour period that ended at 11:59 on Monday night.  So far, total number of Oconee COVID deaths has reached 269, since the start of the pandemic.  Monday’s numbers also show that across the state, […]

The spread of COVID-19 is the reason that the Oconee County Probate Court has closed to the public.  The closing will be in effect until further notice.  According to Judge Ashley Rice, a limited number of staff remains available for emergencies, on a case-by-case basis.  Rice said, “We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.  Information about when offices […]

The Oconee County Attorney, David Root, was directed last night to work toward a settlement with an organization that was rebuffed in its attempts to open a treatment home for “sexually problematic youth” near West Union.  The project was rejected last year by county officials amid strong neighbor opposition.  But, last night, the county council returned from an executive session […]

A proceeding that might have settled a lawsuit over a fire at a Bountyland storage facility failed to materialize this morning when parties on both sides were not present in court when the clerk called the case.  As a result, Judge Sprouse cancelled a motion to enforce a settlement in the case of Clay Young versus Amanda Hartman and others.  […]