Author: Dick Mangrum

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 […]

A missing Oconee County girl was found Saturday night.  The sheriff’s office announces that 13-year old Ariel Ray Underwood has been turned over to a legal guardian.  Deputies followed a tip Saturday night to a highway 11 business near I-85 and found Ariel.  But a second teenager, Bryson Joe Perry, fled on foot and, according to this morning’s latest, the […]

Mother’s Day gunfire in Westminster…The police chief said two people were shot in the area of Park Avenue and Pritchard Street.  Chief Rory Jones says they were both shot in the legs.  Taken to the hospital were a 47-year old woman and a 38-year old man.  Jones says what happened appears to have been an isolated incident and not connected […]

South Carolina DHEC confirmed 378 new cases of COVID-19 in a report issued yesterday.  Nine of those cases were in Oconee County.  Statewide, eight people were added to the virus death toll.  Of 14,965 test results, the positivity was 5.7%.  These numbers are data reflecting the 24-hour count that ended at 11:59 Friday night.  On the state health agency report […]

On today’s report from the state health agency:  451 new cases of COID-19.  Seventeen of those cases are in Oconee.  Statewide, two people have been added to the death toll.  Of 15,661 test results, the new South Carolina positivity is 4%.

The owner of a painting company in Easley, Daniel Mark East, has been arrested and charged with failing to pay over withholding tax.  According to arrest warrants quoted by the state Department of Revenue, 59-year old East, owner of DME Painting, collected nearly $40 thousand in withholding tax from employees, but failed to pay it over to the revenue department […]

Oconee Sheriff’s Office reports a 13-year old girl who lives in the Poplar Springs area has been missing from her home for the last couple of days, and an appeal is made to the public for information about her whereabouts.  Ariel Ray Underwood is 5’2”, 128 pounds, black hair, hazel eyes.  A description of what she was wearing when she […]