Author: Dick Mangrum

Two pro-environmental groups are assuring that the Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve in Oconee County will triple in size.  Last Thursday the Nature Conservancy transferred 791 acres, known as “Turnip Top”, to the South Carolina DNR.  This after, TNC closed on 791 acres named for the 1,600-foot-high mountain preserve north of Walhalla.  The property is to be managed for public access, […]

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced that South Carolina received its first COVID-19 vaccine. Today through Wednesday, the state is receiving its first allocation of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; nearly 43,000 doses are anticipated by Wednesday. Several health care facilities in the state are receiving allocations directly from the federal government and may begin vaccinating […]

Law enforcement authorities have announced the arrest of a 28-year old Walhalla man on multiple charges.  It was an investigation that the city police say they began Thursday and led to the arrest the next morning of Michael Kenneth Cox.  According to law enforcement records, Cox is charged with incest and criminal sexual conduct with a minor.  Additionally, according to […]

Secretary of State Mark Hammond convened the 2020 Electoral College Monday, December 14, 2020 at 11:00 AM in Columbia.  Unanimously casting their votes for Presidential candidate Donald J. Trump of Florida, and Vice Presidential candidate Michael R. Pence of Indiana, were: Cindy Costa, At-large; Drew McKissick, At-large; Terry Hardesty, 1st Congressional District; James S. Ulmer, Jr., 2nd Congressional District; Cheryl […]

A confidential settlement is being entered to resolve the death more than seven years ago in what then was a rain-swollen Wild and Scenic Chattooga River in Oconee County.  The case was brought by the personal representative of a rafter who was part of an outing arranged by a pair of outfitters.  On behalf of Linda Hill, personal representative of […]

Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from South Carolina Highway Patrol, is currently investigating a motor vehicle collision.   At approximately 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, emergency personnel responded to White Street Extension near Shockley Ferry Road in Anderson for a collision involving a motorcycle. A preliminary investigation indicates the incident may have been an intentional hit-and-run. The investigation […]

An oak tree fell this morning in a Walhalla neighborhood–damaging a home and causing issues for Duke Energy.  The mishap occurred at 204 S. Lovingood Avenue, according to Fire chief Brandon Burton. No one was hurt, but there is damage to the home and a vehicle under a carport.

A look this morning at the COVID-19 tracking page of Oconee public schools reveals an additional 18 cases were recorded effective Friday, December 11.  The breakdown included five district employees and 13 students.  Two of the employees work at the Westminster Elementary School.

In Westminster today, it is far from business as usual.  Out of caution to the public and city government workers, City Hall has closed due to increasing rates of COVID-19 infection.  From the announcement:  “By closing City Hall to the public, employees will be able to limit exposure risks, but still be able to provide city services.  Customers can still […]