Author: Dick Mangrum

Another Oconeean’s death is reported from COVID-19.  The elderly person died on Tuesday.  The report from the state health agency notes 94 new confirmed cases of the virus in the county, for the latest 24-hour counting period.  Statewide, new cases totaled 4,869; deaths were 18.  Of 18,115 test results received statewide, the positivity was 26.5%.

The new Oconee County Council will reserve executive session time next week to exam the performance of their administrator, Amanda Brock.  A review of the administrator’s performance is one of two items scheduled for the private part of Tuesday night’s council meeting.  Earlier in the night, the council is scheduled to consider whether to request that J-Davis Construction re-assume work […]

Joy Scharich has a few months to go before she retires as the director of Oconee’s Registration and Voter office.  But, in front of her employers, she had a message that she would like to resonate with all who are entrusted with staging fair elections.  The conduct of elections in parts of the U-S came under attack last year, but […]

S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) issued a joint order today expanding the number of medical professionals who may administer COVID-19 vaccine. While the amount of COVID-19 vaccine is currently limited in South Carolina, as it is in all states, the purpose of the order is to ensure […]

Anderson and Greenville saw their county workforces shrink in the last seven days,  According to the state report for January 3-9, a total of 842 Greenville County residents applied for unemployment compensation; 713 in Anderson County.  Numbers for Oconee and Pickens were lower.  There were 173 first time claims from Oconee displaced workers and 324 from Pickens County.

Following the Christmas and New Year’s vacation, two schools in the Westminster area top the running count of COVID-19 cases.  Figures from the Oconee School District show that West-Oak Middle School, with 13 cases, and West-Oak High School, with 11 are the highest district-wide.  Tamassee-Salem Elementary, Orchard Park, Keowee, and Walhalla Elementary were the lowest in case numbers.  Only one […]

Residents of the Adams subdivision at Seneca can prepare for the removal of a landmark from their neighborhood.  The city administrator confirms that yesterday a pre-demolition conference took place at the former Kellett Elementary School building.  A crowd of around 50 or more is believed to have been present.  For many years, debate has ensued as to what’s the best […]

Sources have told 101.7/WGOG NEWS a handful of Oconeeans were part of the crowd last week at the U-S Capitol.  One of the participants says the Oconeeans were part of two groups who joined others in the protest.  Two of the local participants politely declined our invitations for on-air interviews.  A source sympathetic to them says one or more would […]

New homes will spring up along SC 59 not far from the Wells Highway.  The county planner says the project is in the advanced permit stage.  An engineer has indicated there will be 66 lots on 25 acres off 59 south of the Wells Highway intersection.  Property there has been cleared.

In this time of one COVID surge apparently on top of another, some people have forgotten about the importance of protecting against influenza.  DHEC announces a one-hour flu clinic will take place next week at the West-Oak Middle School in Westminster.  The clinic will be staged from 4 to 5 o’clock in the afternoon, and everyone is asked to enter […]