Author: Dick Mangrum

Indications this morning that Walhalla will back off its mandatory mask law.  The agenda for tomorrow’s city council meeting includes items to end the emergency ordinance and a resolution to encourage the wearing of masks or face coverings in public places and settings where there is risk of exposure.  On the public input part of the agenda are comments from […]

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced 515 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 AND  24 additional confirmed deaths, including one additional death of an Oconee County resident.  That Oconeean was elderly and died August 17. Yesterday’s report included 17 new cases of the virus among Oconeeans. This brings the total number of SC confirmed cases to 129,484 […]

A college educator living at Toccoa, Georgia died Saturday of complications from COVID-19. Dr. Mark Ivester was 57 years old and the president of North Georgia Technical College at Clarkesville, according to WNEG Toccoa.  The college released the following statement:  “With incredibly heavy hearts, we are so sad to say that Dr. Mark Ivester passed away around midnight (Saturday) after […]

A car driver near Seneca was charged last night with driving under the influence in an accident that involved a sheriff’s deputy.  According to law enforcement, the accident occurred as the deputy, Buddy Joe Duncan Jr., had slowed down his Chevy Tahoe to make a U-turn on the Sheep Farm Road. According to the highway patrol’s Matt Southern, a collision […]

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced 827 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and  17 additional confirmed deaths.  In today’s report, there are 17 new Oconee County cases, but no additional deaths. This brings the total number of South Carolina confirmed cases to 127,646 and confirmed deaths to 2,891. The total number of individual test […]

The Seneca police say a person of interest has been determined and is being sought for questioning in the shooting death early today of a 35-year old man.  Coroner Addis says the victim at the Fair-Oak apartments was Charles Antonio Clark.  Shortly after 2 am, the police found Clark lying at the doorway to one of the units in the […]

Gunfire was fatal early today in Seneca to a 35-year old man.  The coroner plans to identify the victim once family members are notified.  The incident is believed to have occurred at or in the vicinity of a Lindsay Road apartment complex and was reported shortly after 2 o’clock this morning near Building 800 at 1200 Fair Oaks Circle.  Coroner […]

South Carolina DHEC announced today 951 new confirmed cases and 53 additional deaths from COVID-19. Three of those deaths were those of Oconee County residents.  Two died August 9 and one on August 30.  The new numbers bring the toll of dead to 2,877 and total cases statewide 126,792, which includes an additional 17 cases from Oconee.  The total number […]

If somehow you weren’t aware that this was the 19th year since the worst attacks ever on the U-S mainland, there was a reminder today high above the busiest traffic intersection in Oconee County.  The Seneca Fire Department used an extended ladder truck to mount a large American flag at Miracle Circle, to remind all of the cost in human […]

The 1050 average score by Oconee seniors who took the SAT for 2019-20 tops both the state and national averages by 20 and 30 points.  Dr. Thorsland, district superintendent, says, “We are excited.”  Oconee’s results were the 7th highest average total score among South Carolina districts.  The scholastic aptitude test consists of math and evidence-based reading and writing.  Optional for […]