Duke grants for local recipients

Oconee County, along with the cities of Walhalla and Clemson, will share in grants announced by the Duke Energy Foundation.  The county of Oconee gets $20 thousand to buy inflatable rafts and swift water rescue equipment for emergency responders; the city of Walhalla receives $2 thousand for chainsaws, backpack blowers, hooks and chains for response to severe weather incidents; and the city of Clemson, $19 thousand for portable message board to announce evacuations when high water and storms hit.  In all, the Duke foundation is distributing $500 thousand to 33 organizations in South Carolina.