Author: Dick Mangrum

  The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced 825 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and 33 additional confirmed deaths.  Nine new Oconee County cases are reported, but no additional deaths. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 109,962, probable cases to 1,333, confirmed deaths to 2,372, and 121 probable deaths. As of yesterday, […]

Oconee County school children on Monday return to classroom buildings for the first time since March.  Most of them have opted for face-to-face instruction, while the rest will resume their studies virtually.  Because of COVID-19, this is a most anticipated start to a new year of academics and, with precautions against virus spread in place, the hope is that all […]

A “caravan for change” will organize tomorrow for a drive through Oconee County for two stated purposes.  They will gather at 6 o’clock tomorrow evening at the Westminster Depot to organize a motor vehicle caravan that is expected to go from Westminster to Walhalla and Seneca, in part, to draw attention to efforts to create an Oconee Commission on African-American […]

A purchase price has been agreed to in the still pending deal between Seneca and a local business owner for the sale of the former Hometown grocery store building on N. Walnut Street.  City Administrator Scott Moulder says a draft form of the purchase agreement was received yesterday and is to now be reviewed.  Without the required signatures, the deal […]

  Investigators were on Seneca’s Pleasant Drive (near Overbrook Drive) this morning to try to pinpoint the cause of the early morning fire that burned a home and took the life of occupant Wayne Roger Glenn, 70.  It’s routine for the arson team from the State Law Enforcement Division to respond to any fire-related fatality.  However, in this case, Seneca […]

According to South Carolina DHEC, the running total of Oconee County cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic counting began is now 904.  In the past two weeks, the health agency counted 115 cases.  Yesterday one dozen county cases were reported.  As the Oconee superintendent of education stressed earlier this week, the county remains in a level of moderate incidence.  That’s […]

A non-profit says it can offer immediate relief to South Carolinians struggling to pay rent during the pandemic.  SC Thrive is accepting rental assistance applications from households that previously collected Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).  Previously, the program was not available to renters who also received the now-expired $600 weekly benefit.  But now eligible households can receive up to $1,500 for […]

A tractor-trailer accident this morning on I-85 at the 6 mile marker has closed the interstate for northbound traffic.  And, within the last moments, a report from Fair Play Volunteer Fire Department indicates uncertainty over how long a section of 85 will be closed.  Northbound motorists are meeting the detour at the 4 mile marker.  We’ve heard from one motorist […]

The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed that a bat found near Townville on Smith Farm Road and Crick Hill Road has tested positive for rabies. One pet was potentially exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The bat was submitted to DHEC’s laboratory for testing Monday and was confirmed to […]

The coroner has announced the death of Wayne Roger Glenn in this morning’s home fire at 103 Pleasant Drive, Seneca.  Mr. Glenn was 70.