Author: Dick Mangrum

Residents of a Lake Keowee subdivision near Seneca were surprised yesterday to spot a bar in their midst.  They got over the shock enough to take some photographs that have circulated on social media.  The bear was reported along Watermark Court and seen taking a swim in the lake.

South Carolina Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced 556 new confirmed cases and 27 additional confirmed deaths from COVID-19. This brings the total number of SC confirmed cases to 148,334 confirmed deaths to 3,300. The total number of individual test results reported to DHEC yesterday statewide was 4,309 (not including antibody tests) and the percent positive was 12.9%.

Oconee County going forward will apply stronger health and sanitation rules governing recreation vehicle parks.  Existing R-V parks are granted an exception.  But, in the view of most of the county’s governing fathers, these rules will help protect public health and the environment.  But District Two’s Wayne McCall points out there are segments of the county’s population that because of […]

Oconee County has extended its emergency rule that, for public health, the county will continue to require those who visit and work inside county offices and facilities to wear facial coverings.  The county council approved the extension last night after its attorney discovered that the emergency ordinance would have lapsed prior to the next meeting.  David Root, the attorney, stressed […]

Eight separate sections of U-S Forest Service acreage in Oconee County are proposed for prescribed burning in the fiscal year 2021.  And the public’s comments are welcomed on the plans to conduct prescribed, controlled burns in blocks of properties known as Boatwright north, Crooked Creek, Moss Mill, Russell Mountain, State Park 107, Presbyterian Lake, Drummond Creek and the adjoining Joel’s […]

  A major way that Oconee gets into the spirit of the Christmas holidays is a parade.  The world pandemic, however, has thrown into doubt whether it’s safe to parade through the streets in front of crowds.  The town of Salem has decided it will go forward with its annual parade—to take place at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon, December 6.  […]

Up to ten, $500 dollar mini grants are being offered by the Oconee Arts and Historical Commission for applicants who will use the money to stimulate the local arts and historical community.  The grant money can be used for supplies or the promotion of a project, event or venue.  Applications should be emailed to [email protected]. Requests are to be considered […]

  Greenville’s version of a big dig was celebrated yesterday as invited guests, small numbers at a time, loaded onto a crane and were transported 120 feet down for a tour of the newly-completed tunnel.  Renewable Water Resources completed a wastewater conveyance designed to revitalize the city’s wastewater infra-structure by adding capacity for the future.  Workers spent nine months drilling […]

  A new supply of drinking water for Walhalla customers is nearly at hand.  Scott Parris, the utilities superintendent, last night announced that the city’s new treatment plant near Lake Keowee will undergo test runs and an operating permit from the state is close.  Once the plant is running for good, the city will switch its treatment of raw water […]