Author: Dick Mangrum

Here are numbers from today’s South Carolina DHEC report: 181 new cases of COVID-119 confirmed statewide, including two in Oconee County. The names of 10 more South Carolinians go on the death list, including a middle-aged Anderson County resident who died last Saturday and an elderly Pickens County resident who died last Friday.  Of 7,148 test results, the new South […]

In another sign of a return to normal, the Oconee General Sessions Court will welcome a jury pool next week for the May term of criminal court.  Judge Scott Sprouse will preside.  The circuit solicitor’s office has announced a trial docket of five cases.  At the top of the docket is a case alleging breach of trust with fraudulent intent.  […]

A pair of assault charges has been placed against a 45-year old Oconee County man, in two separate investigations by the county sheriff’s office.  In one of the incidents, the victim walked through vines and briars to escape and wound up seeking help at the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department near Seneca.

Two people were placed under arrest today after the Walhalla police investigated a disturbance earlier at the Highland Glen apartments.  Charges of assault and battery were placed against a man and a woman.

A nursing home near Seneca was named defendant this week in two lawsuits alleging negligence and seeks $100 million in damages.  The lawsuit naming SSC Seneca Operating Company, doing business at Seneca Health and Rehabilitation, was filed in the Common Pleas Court by an Anderson attorney on behalf of Betty J. Hanvey, daughter of the late Maybell Webb.  Other defendants […]

Oconee County School District is spreading awareness of the following announcement today from the federal government: “The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible […]

Two principals at two Oconee County elementary schools are retiring at year’s end next month, and the district must find their replacements.  Sherrie McAlister will retire from Westminster Elementary School.  The man considered the dean of Oconee principals, Geoff Smith, leaves Seneca’s Northside Elementary School after 22 years.

  With a new treatment plant at Lake Keowee, Walhalla believes it can count on a new source of water well into the future.  But not all are happy.  Residents of a home development on the lake look out and see a large concrete structure, and they are hopeful the city will invest in plantings to hide their view.  Mayor […]

William Butler Addis died last month at the age of 60.  He is not forgotten by the Walhalla City Council.  Addis served as a city councilman for about 14 years.  He was also known as a volunteer in the city’s fire and recreation services.  Emotions spilled out when the city council passed a resolution in Addis’ honor and presented to […]

As COVID-19 numbers continue their slide, you no longer are required to cover your face in Oconee County government offices and buildings and in other county facilities.  An ordinance that required face coverings was repealed last night, with an amendment by John Elliott, the council chairman, to lift the mandate effective today.