Author: Dick Mangrum

State lawmakers and representatives of the private workforce have high hopes for the success of a showcase for the availability of good manufacturing jobs through training at local technical colleges.  Tri-County Technical College at Pendleton is at the forefront of introducing students to a 53-foot, double expandable 18 wheeler with education simulators.  Tech took the lead today by positioning the […]

Inspectors from the federal government are in Oconee this week for a look at the county rock quarry near Walhalla.  The inspection by the Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration is an annual inspection, according to Amanda Brock, county administrator.  The federal inspectors have responsibility to inspect all U-S mines, including the Oconee quarry that churns out tons […]

One of the first things that a South Carolina DNR worker noticed when he transferred from a Columbia office to one at Clemson was that he could look forward to an office window.  And from that window Greg Lucas could see birds and boats and the beauty of Lake Hartwell.  Over the years, Lucas has not confined his enjoyment to […]

Oconee Sheriff’s Office has been awarded for its effort to reduce traffic deaths.  The South Carolina Law Enforcement Network presented a Target Silver Award to the sheriff’s office.  According to Lt. Tommy Crompton, a grant enabled his office to conduct traffic enforcement activities–including safety checkpoints.  The traffic safety campaigns included the Sober or Slammer and Buckle Up campaigns.  The ultimate […]

COVID-19 South Carolina case and death numbers today are similar to yesterday.  An identical 755 cases were reported.  There were six Oconee cases on today’s report. There were 12 new Oconee cases reported Monday. South Carolina deaths were 19, one fewer than reported yesterday.  Total test results reported to DHEC Monday were 5,570 and the positivity was 13.1%

State troopers are attempting to learn who drove a vehicle that left the scene of a fatal accident this morning on I-85 in Greenville County.  Trooper Brandon Bolt says the accident, fatal to the driver and sole occupant of a Honda Civic, was clocked at 6:47 this morning on 85 northbound near the 44 mile marker.  An unknown vehicle struck […]

A Seneca regulatory board stamped its approval last night on a certificate of appropriateness for changes to a downtown building to allow for a new restaurant and bar.  The location is 106 E. North First Street, a building that once housed offices for the Homebuilders Association of Oconee.  Certificate applicants last night were Kim and Drue Yates.  Changes proposed for […]

An outside consultant has concluded that the Seneca police department can benefit from additional sensitivity training.  And the consultant, Loretta Smith, also found that a re-examination of hiring practices is in order.  Scott Moulder, city administrator, says Smith’s work has been completed and will be factored in as the city goes about finding a permanent successor to retired chief John […]

South Carolina DHEC credits state firefighters with a significant impact in the battle against opioid overdose deaths by administering antidotes. A milestone number of 200 naloxone administrations for suspected overdoses was achieved last week. The Reducing Opioid Loss of Life (ROLL) program is voluntary and trains any fire department to administer the opioid antidote naloxone, including departments not staffed with […]