Author: Dick Mangrum

The delay announced this week in the timetable to finally run piped sewer to I-85 in Oconee is not anticipated to jack up the multi-million dollar price of the project.  In fact, according to Oconee’s chief honcho of sewer, there might even be some savings to realize.  Chris Eleazer, executive director of the JRSA, said, “I just got off the […]

Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced that beginning Monday, February 8, any South Carolina resident aged 65 or older, regardless of health status or preexisting conditions, can begin scheduling their appointment to receive COVID-19 vaccine. DHEC’s online tool at scdhec.gov/vaxlocator shows locations currently accepting appointments for COVID-19 vaccine and provides […]

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and West Carolina Telephone Cooperative have sent a letter of intent to acquire the fiber and broadband network assets of One Tone Telecom.  Last October Blue Ridge and West Carolina Telephone entered a partnership to start high-speed internet across a five-county service territory.  Soon afterward, they started negotiations with One Tone to buy its assets that […]

Oconee County government announces it will help county residents, especially those 70 and older who are part of phase 1A, in setting up the necessary account with the federal government to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.  Help in setting up a “VAMS” account with the CDC is available by calling the Oconee History Museum/helpline number 864-638-2224 between Tuesdays and Saturdays, 11 […]

Walhalla officials are intent on seeing an idea for a community garden for the public becomes reality, but they aren’t quite sure about the best location.  Councilwoman Melendez last night proposed property at the W. Main Street city park that contains the municipal swimming pool.  Her idea is for the garden to be planted in place of volleyball area, but […]

The first month of 2021 was kind to Oconee Humane Society officials and to the pets housed in the county shelter.  For the first time, the shelter on the Sandifer Boulevard achieved the status as a no-kill shelter for one month.  National animal groups define no-kill as not euthanizing adoptable animals for overcrowding and reaching a 90% “save rate”, for […]

An Upstate South Carolina woman, at 111 years old, has been proclaimed as the oldest South Carolinian to have received the COVID-19 vaccine.  Maria Aulenbacher and her 70-plus daughter and son-in-law all got their vaccines together at Prisma Health.  For Maria Aulenbacher, this is her second pandemic.  She survived the 1919 Spanish flu.  Dr. Saccocio, Prisma Health’s chief medical officer, […]

South Carolina COVID tests now exceed five million, and DHEC says it shows that state residents are continuing to do their part and follow the recommended actions for protecting public health during the pandemic.  South Carolina test numbers are reported to be increasing significantly and include nearly 59% more people tested for the first time since November and 73% more […]

A change is ahead in downtown Walhalla designed to make life safer for vehicle traffic on a one-block stretch of S. Catherine Street.  Brent Taylor, city administrator, announced last night the DOT has permitted converting S. Catherine, between Main and S. Broad, from a two-way street to one-way.  But the change won’t be anywhere near immediate.  Taylor explained to the […]

A controversial resolution proposed by Oconee County Council’s newest member, Matthew Durham, failed last night in a council vote of 2-3.  Opponents on council say the measure is “divisive.”  It contained language that would have announced the designation on signs on highways entering the county.  Most who spoke during the council’s comment session opposed the resolution.  Their arguments include basic […]