Author: Dick Mangrum

Here are new numbers reported today by South Carolina DHEC:  1,410 new COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths.  Three of the deaths are Anderson County residents; two others, Pickens County residents.  All five are elderly individuals.  New Oconee cases were 32.  The total test results reported to DHEC Wednesday were 9,729; the positivity was 14.5%.

The registrar in Stephens County, Georgia, Eureka Gober rejects the accusation that her office violated guidelines by using poll workers to complete the recent audit of the November 3rd Election.  According to Toccoa WNEG News, Georgia GOP Monitor for Stephens County Rebeckah Bennett says the audit should have been completed using volunteers representing the Democratic and Republican Parties. However, Gober says […]

One of two young men arrested during investigation of a Seneca homicide has pleaded guilty and will await sentencing, perhaps not until early next year.  There were indications this afternoon in the General Sessions Court that defendant Hunter Lee Hunnicutt will cooperate with the prosecution as it plans a trial for Hunnicutt’s co-defendant.  Judge McIntosh was told by prosecutor Alderman […]

“District leadership is closely monitoring the spike in COVID-19 cases  at a national, state, and local level, particularly with the approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  It continues to be our goal to provide face-to-face instruction for as many students as possible while protecting the health and safety of our staff and students. Through the first 12 weeks of school, the […]

Six new COVID-19 cases have been detected within the Oconee School District, including an employee at the district headquarters on S. Pine Street, Walhalla.  The others are students at four schools:  two at Seneca Middle School, one at Seneca High, one at Walhalla High School, and one at West-Oak High School.

Oconee County Councilman John Elliott is a supporter of the Second Amendment, but he raised questions this week as to whether a planned gun range near Salem is compatible to residential and farmland interests.  And, during a committee meeting this week, Elliott offered a motion which he later tabled.  But there was lots of discussion by Elliott, fellow committee members […]

The Liberty-based King Asphalt is in position to be awarded state contracts that’ll entail three packages of road improvements in the 2021 paving season.  For King Asphalt, the work will encompass $8 million dollars of improvements on primary and secondary roads across Oconee County, including a lengthy section of SC 11 from Critter Road north to Collins Road in the […]

The annual Ballenger award, named for a pioneer of Seneca’s business community, goes this year to the couple who own and operate two businesses.  Seneca Rotary Club announces Tim and Barbara Moore as the Grady Ballenger Award recipients.  They own and run Emily’s and VIP Cleaners.  Both businesses have been generous in support of the community and those who are […]

The South Carolina Election Commission has passed a resolution of thanks and appreciation to voters for their patience and enthusiasm and to county and state election officials and volunteers for what the five election commissioners call an unwavering commitment to creating and enacting plans to provide safe and accessible registration and voting opportunities for all.  The COVID-19 pandemic created special […]

The broken line is repaired and test samples reveal no contamination.  The boil water advisory for a large segment of Walhalla customers in the vicinity of Halfway Branch was lifted late yesterday afternoon.   Scott Parris, utilities superintendent, says customers may resume their normal use of water.