Author: Dick Mangrum

South Carolina reports it worst day for COVID-19 spread.  One week ago, the state recorded its highest case number.  But that number was eclipsed today by more than 700.  The newest numbers are 3,127 confirmed and probable cases; 47 more deaths.  The South Carolina death toll is now 4,673 and the case count exceeds 245,000.  Dr. Brannon Traxler, the interim […]

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) will provide free COVID-19 testing to the community at Tri-County Technical College’s Pendleton Campus starting Tuesday, December 15.  Testing will be available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 915 S. Mechanic Street. Participants are asked to enter the parking lot near the Dollar General […]

Three offices at county’s Pine Street complex in Walhalla are scheduled to re-open at 2 this afternoon — following a deep clean of the facilities.  Because of COVID-19 positive cases on the part of “several” employees, the offices of the Auditor, the Tax Assessor, and the Treasurer were scheduled to close for two hours (between noon and 2 pm).

Just short of 1:30 this afternoon a car driver was seen making a u-turn on Walhalla’s Main Street — in front of the police station!

A prescribed burn, to be carried out by the U-S Forest Service, is scheduled this afternoon within the Andrew Pickens District of the Sumter National Forest in Oconee County.  The burn of 108 acres is planned in the Garland North Unit off Orchard Road and is being conducted for multi-purposes including wildlife habit improvement, research, and hazardous fuels reduction, according […]

The commissioners of Oconee Parks, Recreation and Tourism have approved mini grants to assist the local arts and historical community.  Each of the following organizations was approved for a $500 dollar grant:  Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail; Oconee Military Museum; Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina; Oconee Community Theatre; Foothills Farmstead; Lake and Mountain Quilters Guild; and Blue Ridge Arts […]

Walhalla’s customers have been switched to a new supply of potable water.  For the most part, according to information from the utilities superintendent, the switch means that for drinking and bathing purposes, Walhalla customers are now receiving water treated at the brand new Lake Keowee plant near West Union.  Scott Parris, utilities director, said, “We will still run the old […]

Westminster will look to a new set of tax professionals to ride herd on the city’s revenues and expenses.  Approved last night was a switch to the Greenville-based financial firm of McKinley, Cooper and Company.  Mayor Ramey says McKinley, Cooper will do the city’s next audit for $19 thousand, $2,500 less than the previous company’s charge. According to Ramey, the […]

Walhalla Fire Department has received a donation of carbon monoxide alarms and monitors.  Its personnel will help you install them if you need assistance.  The credit for the donation goes to the Jeffrey Lee Williams Foundation, partnering with the South Carolina State Fire-Community Risk Reduction section.  In excess of 400 deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning are reported each year.  The […]

The U-S Attorney in South Carolina, Peter McCoy Jr., announces a grand jury returned a 147-count superseding indictment against 40 defendants in what he calls the largest federal racketeering conspiracy in state history.  The allegations center on a criminal enterprise in which Department of Corrections’ inmates used contraband cell phones to orchestrate murder, kidnapping, firearms distribution, and an international drug […]