Author: Dick Mangrum

This afternoon’s report from the state health agency contains 277 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across South Carolina.  Seven of those cases are Oconee County residents.  Four people are added to the statewide virus death toll.  Of 6,311 test results, the latest South Carolina positivity:  4%.  These numbers are the data effective with the 24-hour count that ended 11:50 pm […]

Everyone has an invitation to the Second Annual Community meeting, sponsored by the Walhalla Police Department.  This year’s event will be 8 o’clock Wednesday night, May 19 at the Performing Arts Center.  Police officers will lead a discussion on how to prevent internet and phone scams, as well as safety for children using the internet.

Oconeeans get the chance tonight to speak out or ask questions about their county school district’s plans for spending over a new 12 month period that will start July 1.  Public hearing on the $100 million dollar-plus budget for fiscal 2022 is part of tonight’s work session meeting for the board of trustees.  The meeting starts at 6 at district […]

On the May meeting agenda tomorrow of West Union Town Council, there is a matter of Duke Energy business.  Under new business:  the signing of a franchise agreement between West Union and the electric power supplier Duke Energy.

The police in Westminster say a suspect in yesterday afternoon’s double-shooting has been identified, and Chief Rory Jones believes, at this time, there’s no danger to the general public.  The shootings occurred outdoors.  “These folks had a disagreement,” Jones says.  And he’s confident they are the only ones involved.

According to Oconee School District, a school bus was involved in an accident this morning on the Shiloh Road.  The district spokeswoman said, “There were no injuries.  Another bus will transport students to school.  Highway patrol is on the scene.”

Crews continued to work Monday morning to clear a tanker that overturned Sunday on I-85 NB at the 160 Exit in Carnesville. According to Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas, it happened about 5pm Sunday. At first, it was thought the tanker was leaking fuel after employees at businesses said they smelled toxic fumes. A hazmat team was called in from […]

A volunteer for the Oconee Humane Society, Kris Morris, is telling fellow volunteers in the group that a damaging evaluation report on county animal control operations has been released and the society’s board of directors is working with the sheriff’s office and pressing for significant change.  Morris said, “As an Oconee Humane Society (OHS) volunteer, you know that we are […]

An early morning accident last week on 123 near the Georgia line resulted in the state patrol’s arrest of a 36-year old Westminster area man.  According to a patrol spokesman, the patrol arrested Scott Hamilton Harris on the charge of felony driving under the influence (bodily injury).  Troopers identified Harris as the driver of a Jeep that wrecked and resulted […]