Author: Dick Mangrum

As deaths, daily cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continue to increase at alarming rates in South Carolina and across the country, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reminds South Carolinians that staying home is the best way to stay safe this holiday season. “It’s not worth the risk,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, interim Public Health […]

A bi-partisan group of U-S senators, including South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham, is pushing legislation to bring awareness and action on the mounting problem of pollution in the oceans and marine environment.  They want the U-S government to work with international partners to finance projects for sustainable management of materials and reduce the plastic and other waste polluting the world’s oceans.  […]

Oconee’s chief recruiter of school teachers, Al LeRoy, can expect a call early in 2021 to assess how the pandemic affects teacher recruitment and retention efforts.  The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement at Rock Hill is out with a report showing that at the start of the current South Carolina school year, there were 700 positions still vacant.  […]

Davenport Funeral Home announces the death of long-time Walhallan Maxie Duke.  At 93 years old, Duke died Wednesday at her home.  A Highlands, North Carolina native, Duke was known in Oconee for many civic, professional and public service endeavors.  She taught at Walhalla High, served on the county board of trustees, and was a long time Democrat and party worker […]

The process change will be in place once the Christmas and New Year’s break is over.  Here’s the statement from the Oconee School District: “After feedback from parents and discussion with principals, the district has made revisions to the COVID-19 Notification Process.  These changes were made to help minimize the number of phone calls families receive.  Effective January 4th, the […]

The 33-year old man accused of stealing the Walhalla High School band trailer and musical equipment has run into additional trouble with the law.  A couple of weeks before the band trailer crime, the Seneca police say Jason Bradley Pierce allegedly was responsible for the theft of a Big Tex utility trailer from the parking lot of the Shaver Recreation […]

As the nation’s suffers from skyrocketing COVID-19 cases, the number of Oconee cases went from 33 yesterday to 70 today.  The statewide number was 2, 023 new confirmed cases, along with 39 more deaths.  Based on 8,357 tests evaluated, the positivity approaches one out of every four who are tested (24.2%).

Law enforcement is pinning responsibility on a young Seneca man for store burglary last summer near the city limits.  The sheriff’s office today announced charges against Skyland Drive resident Aundarius Rickshawn Lowery.  Eighteen-year old Lowery was arrested Wednesday and charged with second degree burglary, petty larceny, and malicious injury to real property early morning hours August 6 at the Dollar […]

Nearly 40 percent of opioid and stimulant overdose deaths occur while a bystander is present, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As our state enters a season historically marked by increased overdoses, the South Carolina Opioid Emergency Response Team is reinforcing the benefits of keeping opioid antidotes on hand for those who might be struggling […]

The Blood Connection urges all eligible blood donors who are healthy and well for their immediate gift of a blood donation for their local community.  TBC is the sole provider for more than 80 hospitals in the tri-states, include Prisma Health’s Oconee Memorial.  Its annual Holiday Blood Drive starts tomorrow and for those who donate thru Christmas Eve, they’ll receive […]