Author: Dick Mangrum

South Union’s volunteer fire department, along with other resources, is battling a structure fire this morning in the vicinity of Mill Creek Road and Allen Drive.  No injuries are reported in what’s called a storage-type facility.  According to Oconee County dispatch, a lightning strike was reported in that area moments before the fire broke out.

A 20-year old woman in Westminster was shot dead last night.  One other, a 17-year old male, was wounded and airlifted to a hospital.  Coroner Addis says Annalyssa Marie Bionoilillo-Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene of a gunshot to the chest.  Police Chief Rory Jones said at 7:52 law enforcement went to the corner of Anderson Avenue and Lakeside […]

Clemson University researchers have been awarded funds from the National Park Service to continue an archaeological  and historical examination of Fort Rutledge on the university campus.  The South Carolina militia constructed the fort in 1776 following engagement with Loyalist forces and their Cherokee allies.  Faculty members David Markus and Joshua Catalano have worked together to uncover the history since 2018, […]

Oconee Sheriff’s Office has laid multiple charges against a Salem area man whose car was stopped by a deputy sheriff over the Labor Day weekend in Tamassee.  After the traffic stop on n. highway 11 near Flat Shoals Road, the sheriff’s office reports, the following charges against Jeremy David Larkin:  possession of a controlled substance and possession of a weapon […]

Friday, September 17 through Thursday, September 23 commemorates the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America.  You might have heard the phrase, “That’s unconstitutional” or “That’s my constitutional right?”  Many times, according to the DAR Wizard of Tamassee Chapter, Americans believe that sayings and phrases are in our Constitution, but they really aren’t.  The DAR Wizard of […]

In the last five days of reports, South Carolina DHEC reports test positivity percentages statewide as ranging from a low of 10.8% on Saturday to a high of 12.6% on Sunday.  That’s based on thousands of new test results processed by the state health agency.  Here are additions to the death toll:  31 deaths reported Wednesday; 26 deaths, Thursday; 53 […]

A 9-11 flag retirement ceremony takes place in Mountain Rest Saturday at the Hillbilly Day grounds.  Sponsored by the American Legion and Trail Life Troop SC-9915, the ceremony will start at 3:30.  Prior to, there will be hot dogs and activities.  Saturday will also serve as an open house for the Trail Life Troop, and anyone with boys 5-17 are […]

The day at Walhalla High School has gone uninterrupted, even though the water line break nearby did create a loss of pressure for the high school complex on n. highway 11.  Steve Hanvey, associate superintendent for education, concedes there was a loss of water pressure, but the repair of a pump allowed the school to plow on with its academic […]

Two people on a motorcycle were killed last night in a Pickens County accident.  According to the highway patrol, the two killed were the motorcycle operator and a passenger.  Their names this morning had yet to be announced by the county coroner’s office.  The accident occurred shortly before 10 last night on SC 135 at Flat Rock Road and involved […]

The Seneca Fire Department has welcomed two new fire fighters.–Hope Nichols and Daniel Cliburn.