Author: Dick Mangrum

The Oconee County public school days of Monday and Tuesday, December 21 and 22 have been re-scheduled as eLearning days.  The school district this afternoon gave the following explanation:  “Factors leading to this decision included difficulty in finding substitutes to cover both COVID-19 related absences and normal requests for leave on those two days, along with conflicts with some events […]

For the sixth consecutive reporting day, South Carolina DHEC counts in excess of 2,000 COVID-19 cases.  Today’s number:  2,139, along with 26 additional deaths.  Of the new confirmed cases, 48 from Oconee County.  Total test results received:  10,411; the positivity was 20.5%.

From Washington, Senator Graham is announcing money from the FCC in the amount of $121 million is to be spent to expand rural broadband in South Carolina.  The funding is to go toward more than 100 thousand under-served homes and businesses.  Last summer Graham, with South Carolina’s Tim Scott and Virginia’s Mark Warner, offered the “Governors’ Broadband Development Fund” to […]

The Westminster announcement reads:  “Out of an abundance of caution for citizens, the city of Westminster Christmas Parade is cancelled.”  The parade had been scheduled for Friday night.  Instead, the city pledges to work in a collaborative effort with local organizations and businesses to host a parade and festive holiday market next year.  According to the announcement, COVID-19 infection rates, […]

A 35-year career is coming to an end in Oconee County with the retirement of Steve Hunt, a registered engineer and environmental operator at the Joint Regional Sewer Authority.  Since 2016, Hunt served the JRSA as operations director.  He was commended Monday in a resolution passed by the JRSA commissioners.  That resolution expressed appreciation to Hunt for his years of […]

With leaves fallen from trees, the naked eye can gain a greater appreciation of the severe damage wrought by the EF3 tornado in Seneca and surrounding area.  Some of that debris remains eight months later.  Scott Moulder, city administrator, admitted last night the cleanup effort continues, but there are reasons for that.  They include the failure of some equipment.  The […]

To the dismay of the South Carolina 3rd District member, the House passed a wide-ranging defense bill, in spite of a veto threat by the president.  Republican Jeff Duncan of Laurens accuses the Democrat-controlled chamber of abandoning bi-partisanship in setting            the next military spending.  Duncan accused House Democrats of failing to protect the Marine Corps […]

BASF is recruiting to fill 65 jobs in the Upstate, including 50 positions at its plant near Seneca.  The company promises a solid career path, pay raises, learning and development opportunities.  Starting pay was recently raised to $18.50 an hour.  Most of the open jobs do not require a college degree and seek applicants with a high school diploma or […]

New COVID testing hours start today at Clemson University.  The university is now offering PCR saliva tests to anyone who registers prior to arrival between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm weekdays thru December 18 and an additional window from 7 am to 10 am Friday. The online registration portal, along with additional information, is available at tig.rs/community-testing.  […]

An abandoned house went up in flames last night near Seneca.  Fire fighters report no injuries in the fire around 8:30 at Goddard Avenue and E. Gammell streets in the Utica Community.