Author: Dick Mangrum

For the latest 24-counting period, 425 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Carolina, eight in Oconee County.  Statewide there were three new deaths.  Of 12,678 test results, South Carolina positivity:  4.7%.

Change may be in store in the city of Clemson where some believe there’s already too much development…and too much large development.  The city council this month will invite public comment on a proposed text amendment which is explained this way:  “The proposed text amendment will ban new mixed-use buildings, multi-family buildings, and townhomes by amending Chapter 19 (Zoning) of […]

The overall winner of this year’s Tornado Safety Poster contest in Oconee County is Bailey Moore, a 2nd grade student at Ravenel Elementary School.  Bailey’s entry really stood out, according to a spokesman for  the county Emergency Preparedness.  Her winning poster, along with the rest of the individual grade winners, will be displayed in the hallways of the county’s Pine […]

The Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest resumes its prescribed burn schedule today.  To lower the hazardous fuels that lead to wildfire and improve wildlife habitat, a total of 1,004 acres are to be burned today at Crooked Creek–between the Cassidy Bridge Road and the Chauga River, north and east of the Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp.  That’s […]

Josh Holliday, the principal at Keowee Elementary School, introduced one of his school’s talented students last night to the county board of trustees.  Tate Caigle led last night’s meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  Tate is an athlete who also has shown a skill in writing.  Holliday announced Tate is a district essay winner.

An official of Oconee NAACP sought assurance last night that the county schools will carefully and actively consider all applicants for teaching jobs, especially those of color.  The NAACP’s George Anderson said minority members of a teaching force can serve as incentive to students of color to someday want to enter the profession, and Superintendent Thorsland was quick to agree.  […]

Fire broke out at two homes in the northeast quadrant of Oconee County.  No injuries reported in either of last night’s fires, although EMS was called to check the occupants at one of the homes near Salem.  The fires occurred around 11:30 on the Shack Hollow Road near Salem, not far from U-S Forest Service property; and just before 3 […]

After the first day for Oconee school staff to be vaccinated, the district superintendent has changed his tune when it comes to protecting his teachers from the spread of COVID-19 in school settings.  Previously, Dr. Michael Thorsland registered his disappointment that vaccine providers would not agree to conduct mass vaccinations for school personnel.  But, after got to roll of up […]

Already the federal government has poured millions of dollars into the Oconee public schools in the form of relief from the world pandemic.  The total figure is likely to increase four times over, provided President Biden gets to sign the latest relief bill.  Dr. Michael Thorsland, district superintendent, learned during a superintendents’ meeting last week with Molly Spearman, the state […]

  Gas pump prices continue their upward climb, and motorists across the Carolinas are paying it.  The states’ average price is now the most expensive daily average price since April of 2019.  According to the motor club AAA, pump prices are increasing as refinery utilization is at an all-time low and on Friday crude oil prices surged.