Author: Dick Mangrum

Authorities say a 45-year old driver of a tractor-trailer truck met his death late yesterday afternoon on I-85 north, not far from mile marker 31 in Anderson County.  Coroner Greg Shore identified the deceased as Gilbert Ray Bennett Jr. of Vancouver, Washington.  According to Shore and the state patrol, Bennett apparently lost control of his rig in a tire blow-out […]

A 39-year old Seneca man sat in jail today charged, among other offenses, with attempted murder Monday at a home on the Mormon Church Road.  The Oconee Sheriff’s Office lists the following charges against Darrell Earl Maxwell Jr. of Brentwood Drive:  attempted murder; first degree burglary; petty larceny;  possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime; and […]

Here are numbers from this afternoon’s COVID-19 numbers from South Carolina DHEC: New cases across the state:  2,659 (37 in Oconee County) New confirmed deaths:  27 including two in Anderson County Of 18,736 test results received, the positivity was 18.6%.  

Dr. Michael Thorsland, Oconee superintendent of education, says the district is now facing more cases than it did at any time last year.  But he says the Oconee schools are focused on distancing and cleaning measures, co-horting of students at the elementary level, and encouraging masks for students and staff.  He also expressed gratitude to all of the school nurses […]

“The School District of Oconee County continues to face a steep rise in COVID-19 cases.  This rise in cases has resulted in a significant number of students being quarantined as well as the closure of many classes, sports teams, and extracurriculars. A COVID Data Dashboard  was developed to keep families and the community informed of cases and trends within the […]

Authorities have completed the extradition of a second suspect in the shooting of a man this month at his Holly Springs, Westminster area home.  The Oconee Sheriff’s Office announces Sayphonh Miranda Aquilla Xayachack was transported yesterday to the Oconee Detention Center from the Bay County, Florida Sheriff’s Office.  Twenty-five year old Xayachack was arrested in Panama City.  In Oconee, she […]

A state lawmaker says he has been informed by the DOT that, at least for now, the state can’t justify adding a set of traffic lights in front the car dealership that re-located to 123/the Clemson Boulevard.  The main entrance to the new Lake Keowee Ford ties into 123 directly across from Millbrook Way.  State Senator Thomas Alexander says the […]

A verdict in absentia was returned this week in the Oconee General Sessions Courtroom against a man charged with possession of meth/crack cocaine third offense.  Because the defendant did not show up for trial, Randy Lee Cantrell was tried in his absence and, according to Deputy Solicitor Alderman, the jury’s verdict will remain sealed until he is found and brought […]

“We are currently facing a steep rise in cases” is the notation on the COVID-19 tracking page kept by Oconee public schools.  In the last seven days, there have been a total of 163 cases in the county’s public schools. The notation reads, “We are working to add data as fast as possible but may be 3 to 4 days […]