Author: Dick Mangrum

Monday is the day that, for reasons of safety and traffic movement, traffic lights will be changed at a downtown Seneca intersection.  It’s the one at E. Main and N. Townville, at the east entry to Ramcat Alley.  Riley Johnson, events coordinator, says the existing signals will be changed to flashing stop lights in front of traffic entering the intersection […]

South Carolina is marking an increase of initial claims for unemployment compensation for the claim week that ended June 6.  The number of first-time claims across the state rose by 22, 734.  That’s some 3,700 higher than the previous week.  With parts of the economy re-opening, there’s uncertainty as to why.  According to the Department of Employment and Workforce, “This […]

Julian Davis’s hold on the District Four seat on Oconee County Council appears secure.  Decisions made this morning by the county’s board of canvassers did not, in Joy Scharich’s estimation, change Davis’s winning margin on Tuesday enough for there to be a mandatory recount.  Davis was a spectator at this morning’s meeting; his opponent, Jack Collins, was not present.  This […]

The members of the Oconee County Council are to gather for special meeting and public hearings at 6 o’clock this evening in their chambers at the Pine Street administrative complex at Walhalla.  These hearings will cover new budgets for county government, for the public schools, and for the special tax district of the Keowee Fire Department.  The county fathers will […]

The mayor says Westminster has made no progress in filling to available two positions.  Mayor Ramey says the city continues to search for a city administrator and a utilities director.

An email has arrived at 101.7/WGOG announcing plans to stage another demonstration in Walhalla.  The sender says it is to be a peaceful demonstration to take place at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon outside the Oconee County Courthouse.  Further plans, including a way to enlist participation by Facebook, are expected to be announced, perhaps later today.  The front of the Walhalla […]

The Seneca-based Journal is out today with an apology to those offended by the paper’s printing of a cartoon editorial in yesterday’s paper.  The paper admits the cartoon’s depiction of an African American family was offensive and insensitive and promises steps in the future to ensure nothing like that is repeated.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Wednesday announced 528 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and 7 additional deaths. This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 15,759 and those who have died to 575. Five of the deaths occurred in elderly individuals from Chesterfield (1), Florence (1), Greenville […]

Two criminal charges were placed this week as the result of an Oconee Sheriff’s Office investigation this week into a car break-in incident on the Westminster Highway.  Three squad cars of Oconee officers arrived at a home to investigate.  According to authorities, charges of breaking into auto and malicious injury to property were filed against Jerry Lee Rogers, a 55-year […]

Social distancing will entail limited stadium seating Saturday, June 20 for Oconee’s three graduating ceremonies for the 2020 senior classes.  Those ceremonies, to be held in the football stadiums on the high school campuses, will be live-streamed.  The school district announces that the ceremonies will be live-streamed in partnership with the Bagby Group.  Links will be posted to the school […]