Author: Dick Mangrum

A young woman was able to overcome health issues and the loss of a new job caused by the Seneca tornado to enroll in a Tri-County Technical College       program that will help her position herself to advance in the field of manufacturing.  Lizzy Warner came up with a plan in which she was able to earn a GED and eventually […]

Nature provided some good moments over the weekend to enjoy the many waters that make up Oconee County.  But Saturday night was an example of how fast the weather can change.  A Saturday night storm temporarily forced a group of Lake Keowee boaters to shelter on one of the islands.  To their predicament, came Oconee County rescuers.  Scott Krein, the […]

At 8 AM, Tropical Storm Isaias was 145 miles SSE of Beaufort tracking north at 13 mph. Maximum sustained winds are a recon aircraft estimated 70 mph with the highest winds in a small envelope on the eastern side of the storm.  The storm broadened overnight; however the wind field remains rather compact. Cloud top cooling, eye wall alignment and […]

Felines–cats and kittens–are meowing for adoption in Oconee.  The county shelter near Seneca is filled with them.  To help find a loving home, the Humane Society offers special adoption fees of $25.  This fee covers age-appropriate shots, spay=neuter, microchip and a free vet visit.  You can drive up to adopt between 10 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday and […]

Hopefuls for seats on the South Carolina Public Service Commission are advancing toward a September General Assembly election to fill seats on the regulatory board.  A legislative committee headed by two Oconee state lawmakers, Senator Alexander and Representative Sandifer, spent four days last week evaluating the candidates for PSC seats 1, 3, 5, and 7.  The individual who lands in […]

Five persons were reported hurt in a head-on 123 accident Saturday afternoon in rural Oconee County, about midway between Westminster and the Georgia line.  One of the injured required extrication and a medical helicopter flight to an out of county hospital.  The accident was logged by the state patrol at 2:37 at 123/the Toccoa Highway at Turpin Drive.  Trooper Brandon […]

The case of a Mountain Rest woman, last seen Thursday night, has been entered into the database of the National Crime Information Center.  Oconee Sheriff’s Office believes there’s no foul play associated in the case of the missing 39-year old Teresa Dawn Witt.  By the weekend, she had made no contact with her family and they want to be assured […]

Tests are underway to gauge the severity of a Saturday afternoon spill in the vicinity of Seneca’s Meadowbrook subdivision.  Around 2 pm, according to utilities director Bob Faires, a large tree fell and severely damaged a sanitary line, causing a sewer release into a tributary to Seneca Creek.  Crews responded.  Signs are in place at the spill location and stream […]

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Sunday announced 1,110 new confirmed cases and 1 new probable case of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, 27 additional confirmed deaths and no new probable deaths. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 91,257 probable cases to 531, confirmed deaths to 1,709, and 68 probable deaths.  Sunday’s report showed eight […]