Author: Dick Mangrum

Oconee School District has confirmed an accident this afternoon involving a school bus on the grounds of the Walhalla Middle School.  There were no students on the bus. A spokeswoman said the accident involved a car waiting in the pickup line.  The polce are investigating.

An Oconee woman not seen since late last year was identified this afternoon as the one whose remains were found over the weekend in woods near Westminster.  Coroner Addis says dental records, x-rays, and a tattoo helped identify Renee Rowland King, although why she died remains pending investigation.  According to Addis, date of death is estimated to have been November […]

On today’s DHEC report, South Carolina’s latest test positivity dropped to an even 7%, based on 31,266 test results received from across the state.  The state health agency reports 1,510 new confirmed COVID cases, including 23 from Oconee County.  There were 34 additional deaths statewide, including three elderly Oconeeans who died January 31, February 2 and 4.

Ground-penetrating radar detected an additional 63 unmarked graves at Clemson University’s Woodland Cemetery.  The survey on about four and a half acres of previously un-mapped ground has raised to 667 the total number of gravesites.  Many of the unmarked graves are thought to be those of enslaved people who worked at the plantation and later as sharecroppers and black laborers.  […]

Oconee was treated to a pretty Sunday afternoon and its first snowfall of the year on Saturday night.  It was enough snow for Seneca and Walhalla to get a mention on the Weather Channel.  But it was one of those snows that was here today and gone tomorrow. Walhalla weather watcher Barbara Wilson measured 2″ of snow and with the […]

By rolling up his sleeve, the state’s new DHEC director believes he will be protected from COVID-19, and Dr. Edward Simmer urges everyone to get vaccinated.  Today is the start to vaccinate all South Carolinians 65 and older.  Simmer said, “Sadly, there’s a lot of vaccine misinformation out there that causes some people to be unsure about getting a vaccine.  […]

The Walhalla police have arrested an Anderson man who allegedly stole a woman’s car and her cell phone.  The police on Friday announced the charges against Joseph Gordon Thomas Jr., 22, as petty and grand larceny.  The crimes are alleged to have occurred at a Walhalla apartment on June 15, 2020.  

The police in Walhalla are getting complaints that dogs are running loose, in violation of the leash law.  The police say, “We do not want to see your pets get hurt or your pet hurt someone else.  Please restrain your dog within your property and when leaving the house with your dog, be sure to use a leash.”  

Over the weekend, South Carolina recorded test positivity percentages of below 10%.  For Saturday, it was 7.8%; for yesterday, 8.8%.  The percentages were based on test results statewide of 33,670 on Saturday; 35,718 yesterday.  On yesterday’s report there were 2,228 new confirmed COVID-19 cases.  Among them were 30 Oconee County residents.