Author: Dick Mangrum

Oconee public schools are giving parents two options for the new school year starting August 10, and it’s incumbent to select their preferred option by early next week.  The options are traditional face-to-face, meaning in classroom teaching, or at home remote learning.  A pre-registration survey for each student must be completed by Tuesday, July 14.  The school district stresses that […]

A Seneca police officer was reported hurt in an incident this afternoon near the city limits.  We have a report that there was a joint city police/county sheriff’s office operation in or near Utica and the Shiloh Road.  Chief John Covington of the Seneca police said one of his officers was hurt, suffered a leg injury, and is in the […]

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced 1,537 new confirmed cases and no new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, 38 additional confirmed deaths* and no new probable deaths. *Today’s 38 deaths included some deaths of individuals that were delayed in being reported to DHEC since June 24. The agency is reiterating to healthcare facilities and providers […]

A water plane accident occurred early this afternoon in the waters of Lake Jocassee.  From first accounts, it’s unclear if it was a crash or a mishap connected with an attempt to take off from the water.  Officials say two people on board are safe and were rescued.

South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) agents today arrested a Pickens County independent contractor and charged her with seven counts of tax evasion. According to the arrest warrants, Julie Ann Scott, 63, of Central, failed to file Individual Income Tax returns from 2012 through 2018, during which she earned $1,321,344. Scott’s tax liability for those years totals $77,538, according to the […]

Clemson may need one or two more weeks to determine whether its mandatory mask law in public buildings and settings succeeds in pushing down case numbers in an area which the state regards as high incidence for COVID-19.  The city continues to analyze results from samples of the wastewater processed by its treatment facilities.  In a statement, the city says, […]

A new South Carolina DHEC map shows Oconee County with a moderately-high incidence of COVID-19 for a two-week period between June 23 and July 6.  Oconee’s running total of virus cases has reached 350 since the count started and it’s estimated, according to DHEC, the county’s possible total number is 2,500.  In its spot, Oconee appears between off than its […]

At least for now, Westminster likely won’t join Central and Clemson in mandating protective face coverings in public buildings.  But members of Westminster City Council want their attorney to prepare a resolution that, to protect against the spread of COVID-19, will encourage face masks.  Councilman Reid Adams suggested the resolution go as far as allowing business owners to deny service […]