Author: Dick Mangrum

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), City of Columbia, and the University of South Carolina (UofSC) today announced its surge testing efforts to expand access to free COVID-19 testing in Columbia, S.C. “‘I’m glad to be in Columbia to represent HHS as these testing […]

The counters at the state Employment and Workforce office are reporting a significant decline in the claim week between September 6 and 12.  Although numbers are double what they were pre-pandemic, they dropped 830 in one week’s time.  And Oconee first-time claims fell from 159 to 50.

  Walhalla Mayor Danny Edwards will approach the South Carolina Attorney General for an opinion to clear up questions raised Tuesday night by Councilman Dennis Owens about whether the imposition of a curfew could violate the rights of someone permitted to carry a gun.  Edwards directed the following announcement this afternoon to Walhallans:  “Today I plan to ask the South […]

Oconee County school enrollment this week is pegged at 10,209.  It’s a four percent decrease from the 2019-20.  But Dr. Michael Thorsland, superintendent, says it’s not a surprise.  “We anticipated a drop this year as parents considered other schooling options due to the virus.”  Enrollment this year is divided between face-to-face instruction and at-home instruction.  A total of 78% of […]

Like many parts of the Southeast, Oconee County has encountered trouble absorbing today’s drenching–thanks to the northerly path taken by Sally.  Some of the area’s most flood-prone areas include the parking lot at Yuseff’s in Westminster.  Walhalla has deployed men and trucks to low-lying Sertoma Field where the waters of Cane Creek far exceeded the banks.  Over a near five-hour […]

  The state’s chief justice has decreed it’s time for court administration to return to as normal a schedule as possible, and Oconee will comply by holding a General Sessions Court jury term the week of October 12.  Clerk of Court Beverly Whitfield confirms to 101.7/WGOG NEWS that preparations have begun including glass partitions for the 12-seat jury box, as […]

The forecast for heavy rain in the Upstate and Midlands means the cancellation of all Prisma Health hospital-based drive-thru COVID 19 tests today and tomorrow.  The cancelled testing sites include Prisma’s seven hospital-based drive-thru sites across the state, along with two community test sites in the Upstate and Midlands.

The faithful national weather watcher in Walhalla in the dark makes her way outside in the pouring rain to measure what Hurricane Sally has delivered to the Golden Corner.  By the 7 o’clock hour, it was 1.21″ and, as Barbara Wilson says, “more to come.”

The EF3 tornado was an eye-opener for Oconee County decision makers when it came to disseminating important information in a timely manner. It apparently is leading county government to re-evaluate its communications with the public.  County Administrator Amanda Brock and Council Chairman Julian Davis have thrown out the idea of the county designating someone to act as a public information […]