Author: Dick Mangrum

Clemson voters may start the process this month to ask for absentee ballots, ahead of their special city council election in March.  On the 23rd of March, Clemson city voters are requested to choose among three candidates to fill an unexpired term on the city council.  There are three candidates in this non-partisan election:  Jim Borick, John Fulmer, and Greg […]

Looking further at the state’s numbers for virus infections among Oconee County residents, numbers show that in the two-weeks between January 17 and February 1, there were 20 Oconee County deaths related to COVID-19.  Oconee started the new month with a total of 101 COVID deaths. South Carolina DHEC will hold another of its three-times-a-week briefings with media to provide […]

During the last week of January, 65 Oconeeans place first time unemployment claims with the state Department of Employment and Workforce.  In its two neighboring South Carolina counties, the numbers were 93 new claims in Pickens County and 179 in Anderson.  Oconee finished 2020 with an unemployment percentage of 3.8%.

Of 10 applicants for two openings on the Walhalla police force, five hopefuls will be interviewed.  Chief Sean Brinson says the city has received interest from some good applicants.  Checks for physical and aptitude testing have been completed.  Now the interviews take place.

Individual honors and a virtual breakfast are in the city of Clemson plans for its Black History Month.  The Pickens County city is basing its theme for the observance as “Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Present, and Planning Our Future.”  This month current and past members of the Clemson community will be honored for contributions to the betterment of Clemson […]

South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall has signed a document for the DOT’s new “Complete Streets” policy.  The policy requires SCDOT to work with the state’s regional transportation planning partners and regional transit providers to identify and include walking, bicycling and transit needs as part of their regional visioning plans.  The plans are to be tailored to the unique […]

At their meeting Monday night, Oconee school trustees are to receive the latest timeline for the district’s top building priority—the replacement Seneca Middle School to be built on the Wells Highway.  A year and a half ago the trustees were told of a 2023 timeline, but that projection preceded the COVID-19 outbreak.  The county school district designated $1.7 million dollars […]

As the calendar turned from January to February, the state health agency had documented a total of 101 Oconeeans who’ve lost their lives since the declaration 11 months ago of the pandemic. DHEC’s expectations are that the numbers are going to increase, even though there is now a rollout of protective vaccines.  By yesterday, DHEC had counted a total of […]

Senator Lindsey Graham believes his colleagues have made a blunder by failing to keep  intact a Donald Trump policy that has eased the pressure on the U-S southern border.  There was a split vote of 50-50 on a Graham resolution that would restrict thousands of asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their applications are processed.  The Republican from Oconee […]

Something looked out of place this afternoon in Oconee County, as Governor Henry McMaster stood on an outdoor stage holding a hockey stick and a University of Minnesota jacket.  But there’s an easy explanation.  McMaster joined Chairman John Elliott of the Oconee County Council to officially welcome a Minnesota-based company and its first Oconee County manufacturing plant.  For several months, […]