Author: Dick Mangrum

The state police made this announcement this morning: “Agents of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division are investigating an incident from Tuesday night in which gunfire was exchanged during a confrontation between two suspects and deputies from Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. One male suspect was killed and one female suspect was injured. An Anderson County Sheriff K-9 was also injured during […]

A long-time city hall worker in Westminster has the job of interim administrator, as the city’s search for a permanent administrator enters a third month.  Mayor Ramey believes Rebecca Overton is well suited for the appointment, as in her long city career, she’s familiar with all city departments.  The city’s inability to land Chris Carter’s successor is a point of […]

An investment group wants to buy the remains of Utica’s former textile building and property, but the state’s environmental authorities want more testing as part of a voluntary cleanup of the property.  According to a legal advertisement, there’s concern that the use of the S. 6th Street property as a textile mill may have caused environmental pollution.  The prospective buyer […]

Three, first-year councilmen in Westminster bring with them strong personalities and strong opinions on how their city should progress.  That was so noted this morning in an interview with Brian Ramey, the city’s second-term mayor.  Ramey doesn’t always see eye to eye with council’s new faces, but he accepts the notion that sometimes an adjustment period is required for the […]

South Carolina DHEC announced 928 new cases yesterday of COVID-19, along with 45 more deaths–including one Oconee County elderly resident who died Saturday.  The new numbers propel total South Carolina pandemic cases more than 101 thousand; the latest death poll exceeds 2,000 (2,012.)  By Monday, nearly 854 thousand tests had been conducted statewide and the positivity percentage Monday was 20%.

In the aftermath of one of its distinguished citizens losing his utility service, Westminster City Council last night changed its disconnect policy in favor of a series robo calls that will alert a non-payer that he’s subject to being disconnected unless makes good on his debt.  Councilman Danny Duncan says utility customers should get “a courtesy call” 48 hours in […]

A series of exposes laid bare in the last week by The Journal helped create tension as Westminster’s city fathers gathered for their regular August meeting, in front of about 30 or more interested members of the public—an unusual show of interest in the small town’s affairs.  And some of that not previously transacted publicly came to light as members […]

Seneca has a verbal agreement for the sale of a former supermarket building in the downtown, but neither the sale price nor the identity of the prospective buyer was disclosed yesterday during a city hall meeting.  Seneca’s Improvements Corporation gave its chairman, Scott Moulder, the authority to negotiate a final price and report back to the corporation officers.  When asked […]

In about three weeks, a new factory will take shape on the 123 Seneca ByPass.  It’s called American Pharma Manufacturing and, from the former location of Saluda River Pet Center, will make masks and distribute them from the location.  Dorothy Wells, company president, says each month they expect to produce millions of masks, a variety of them, including the N-95s […]