Author: Dick Mangrum

The South Carolina Drought Response Committee, in a meeting yesterday, declared the entire state drought-free, thanks to a recent active weather pattern, including the rain from Tropical System Claudette.  After reviewing conditions, the committee removed a drought declaration for six downstate counties:  Clarendon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion and Williamsburg.  Most agriculture producers are said to be happy with field conditions, […]

This afternoon’s report contained 68 new COVID-19 cases across South Carolina, one in Oconee County.  Statewide, one new death–an elderly Williamsburg County resident.  Of 5,196 test results received, positivity was 2.3%.  The numbers are data that account for the 24-hour period ending 11:59 Monday night.

A chase by law enforcement that started this morning in Franklin County, Georgia eventually crossed into Oconee County, South Carolina, but the driver apparently got away.  Word from Georgia is that the chase started on 85 southbound.  At exit 164 Carnesville, the driver crossed back over and headed northbound, eventually across the bridge into South Carolina.

Following the CDC’s announcement that the COVID-19 B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant has been classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC), the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is doubling down on its call for all eligible people to get vaccinated. This is especially important for young adults, who are part of the most unvaccinated age group nationwide and […]

Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced today that, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2020 Elder Fraud Report, 1,350 South Carolinians aged 60 or over fell victim to cyber scammers.  The report states that these South Carolinians reported losses of nearly $10 million in 2020. Across the nation, there was over $1 billion in losses by victims […]

Six days after a traffic stop in rural Oconee, a 34-year old county resident has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses.  Law enforcement records show the arrest early Tuesday of Timothy Corey Lear on charges of possession of a stolen pickup truck, home burglary first degree, and grand larceny.  At night on June 14, a sheriff’s officer stopped a […]

An elderly man missing in Pickens County is safe and back with his family.  A Pickens sheriff’s officer says Merrill Arlin Owens was located safely this morning and has been reunited with his family.  

Senator Lindsey Graham calls the voting rights act For the People Act the biggest power grab in modern American history.  Graham voted with his fellow Republicans as the Senate voted 50-50 on party lines.  Democrats could not muster the 60 votes needed to avoid a Republican filibuster on the procedural vote to open debate on the bill.  Graham complained, “S. […]

Oconee County has new budgets for a new government year that starts at the end of next week.  But the final vote required a two-and-a-half hour meeting, two cost-cutting amendments, and a great deal of back-and-forth with county council’s most vocal spending critics.  On some key issues, the five-member council remains in a three-two divide.  Paul Cain was able to […]

An 81-year old man is missing in Pickens.  His family is concerned because he’s been diagnosed with dementia and is an insulin-dependent diabetic.  Pickens County Sheriff’s Office during the night began actively searching for Merrill Arlin Owens, missing from the vicinity of Williams Drive and Gravely Road in Pickens.  Owens was last seen walking on Gravely Road around 3:30 yesterday […]