Author: Dick Mangrum

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 […]

In the Crossroads Community south of Seneca and in the Anderson County community of Double Springs.  There, some customers of the Pioneer Rural Water District are complaining about the taste and smell of their drinking water.  This was a matter of discussion during a meeting this afternoon of the Pioneer Rural Water board.  It prompted Terry Pruitt, the district manager, […]

  The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced 934 new confirmed cases and no new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, 19 additional confirmed deaths and no new probable deaths. There are currently 1,324 hospital beds occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19. This brings the total […]

Even if there is no widely available vaccine for COVID-19 by next month, 41.3% of Oconee families surveyed say without doubt they’ll return their children to the county’s public schools.  But an equal number marked “maybe” and say it depends on case numbers close to the scheduled start of classes August 10.  Rounding out the response to that question, 17.7% […]