Author: Dick Mangrum

The food box program “Farmers to Families” of the USDA returns tomorrow to Westminster.  While supplies last, members of the public may drive up to the parking lot of the Westminster Depot at 129 Main Street beginning at 9:30 am.  One box per vehicle is the requirement.  Making possible tomorrow’s food giveaway is the city of Westminster and Oconee First […]

Because of increasing mortality reports for Pine Siskins and other species, the South Carolina DNR requests the public take down bird feeders until early spring.  While Pine Siskins are more susceptible than other species to getting sick from dirty bird feeders, there has been an increase in the last several weeks of reports DNR has from across the state. Those […]

A correction has been made to the phone number to make appointments for COVID-19 tests at the Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital.  Here’s the corrected phone number, as supplied this morning to 101.7/WGOG NEWS:  1/864-482-3701. Starting today, COVID tests at the hospital have switched to 105 Omni Drive, Suite B on the medical campus.  To now receive a test, an […]

The city of Walhalla marks another year today.  Calling attention to Walhalla’s 171st birthday is the retired newspaper editor, Ashton Hester.  On his Facebook page, Hester writes the city’s March 8 birthday means that “ONLY FOUR MORE YEARS TO THE BIG 1-7-5.”

Someone has been posing as a poll taker, claiming to be employed by Duke Energy.  The Oconee County sheriff, Mike Crenshaw, says it is a scam, and he is advising county residents to be aware for anyone who shows up at the door without verifying his or her identity or have not scheduled in advance any visit from a Duke […]

The state health agency report yesterday contained 732 new cases, 15 of which are in Oconee County.  DHEC confirmed 32 new deaths, including an elderly Oconee resident who died Thursday last week.  Of 24,261 total test results received, the South Carolina positivity was 4.4%.

Three people required a trip to the hospital at Lavonia, Georgia after the collision of a car and an 18-wheeler on I-85 just inside the South Carolina line.  The accident was reported at 11:45 Friday morning on the northbound side of the busy interstate.  Reaching the scene required patience on the part of Oconee County public safety responders.  Chief Larry […]

Prisma Health is making important COVID-19 announcements today.  One is that, on yesterday, Prisma received its first supply of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 660 doses.  The next shipment is to total 600 doses.  Also, Prisma is the designated COVID vaccine provider for six school districts, including the Oconee public school.  Starting Monday, teachers and other school staff are among the […]