| PAGE LABEL EVEN | PROPERTY TRANSFERS $ 00 Who has been Vol. 117HE No. 79 OURNALThursday, April 22, 2021 1 T J buying and PALMETTO RIVALRY: Tigers win big in first game against South Carolina. C1 selling Oconee AMBITIOUS: Biden pushes for momentum as US returns to climate fight. D1 property? C2 CHAUVIN VERDICT OCONEE COUNTY No COVID-19 deaths in more than a month in Oconee County BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR reported by the S.C. country, including some THE JOURNAL Department of Health and of our neighboring states, OUR VIEW TO READ A RELATED Environmental Control are seeing an increase in SENECA — There EDITORIAL, TURN (DHEC). COVID-19 disease activ- haven’t been any “While South Carolina ity,” a DHEC official told TO PAGE A4. COVID-19-related deaths is currently experiencing The Journal on Wednes- ASSOCIATED PRESS in Oconee County since a plateau in regard to day. “Wearing a mask and In this image from video, former Minneapolis police mid-March, according to overall cases, and deaths continuing to practice officer Derek Chauvin listens as the verdict is read the state health depart- a resident between ages and hospitalizations physical distancing are in his trial for the 2020 death of George Floyd on ment. 35 and 64 was the most are declining from peak Tuesday in Minneapolis. The March 15 death of recent death in the county highs, some regions of our SEE DEATHS, PAGE A3 Oconee County SENECA leaders reflect on Chauvin verdict ‘True one-stop shop’ BY NORM CANNADA verdicts and their pos- THE JOURNAL sible future impact. A jury found Chauvin SENECA — With guilty of second-degree three guilty verdicts murder, third-degree New Lake Keowee Ford handed down Tuesday murder and second-de- to former Minneapolis gree manslaughter on police officer Derek Tuesday. eyes summer opening Chauvin in the death Seneca City Coun- of George Floyd in cilman and pastor WC BY LAUREN PIERCE General manager May 2020, local black THE JOURNAL Rodney Matthews leaders reflected on the SEE LEADERS, PAGE A5 said he doesn’t have SENECA — Lake an exact date for a Keowee Ford is aim- grand opening. ing to be completely “We don’t have one moved into its new, set yet, but I’m sure CLEMSON larger Seneca loca- tion by this summer. SEE FORD, PAGE A5 Free drive-thru vaccination clinic open in Clemson BY GREG OLIVER Clemson physicians THE JOURNAL Dr. Ted Swann and Dr. Alicia Tolbert are lead- CLEMSON — People ing the Clemson Area 18 and older can get Community Vaccine their COVID-19 vacci- Clinic. The clinic be- Lake Keowee Ford general nations without having gan Tuesday night and manager Rodney Matthews to leave their vehicles, will take place from said the dealership will open thanks to a free eve- 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tues- its new location this summer. ning clinic now open in PHOTOS BY JERRY BEARD | THE JOURNAL Clemson. SEE CLINIC, PAGE A3 OCONEE COUNTY Ordinance protecting monuments, memorials on tap soon Dozens of BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR Amanda Brock told The Jour- Another provision involves historic markers THE JOURNAL nal the exact penalty would be the Oconee County Arts and memorials left up to a magistrate judge and Historical Commission across Oconee WALHALLA — An ordi- after any offender was issued developing a “comprehensive County would nance protecting historic a ticket citation. list” of historical memorials be protect- monuments and memorials County attorney David on county or public property. ed under a in Oconee County could Root crafted the ordinance The list would also include a proposed come up for a first reading as after Councilman Matthew statement of criteria to deter- ordinance early as next month. Durham said last month, mine applicable memorials that could be At a Law Enforcement, Pub- “We need to make sure that and would be presented to voted on by lic Safety, Health and Welfare in Oconee County, we defend county council to review and Oconee County Councilman county council Committee meeting on Tues- our history.” later adopt as an appendix. Matthew Durham spoke at members next day, council members dis- The proposed ordinance Museum of the Cherokee Tuesday night’s Law Enforce- month. cussed a proposed ordinance includes a provision applying director Luther Lyle first ment, Public Safety, Health PHOTOS BY JERRY BEARD | that could land offenders a it to “property that is publicly reached out to Durham about and Welfare Committee meet- THE JOURNAL fine up to $500 and/or 30 days owned, operated or controlled, the legislative proposal and ing about protecting historic in prison for disturbing such including roadways and relat- monuments and memorials in sites. County administrator ed easement premises.” SEE ORDINANCE, PAGE A5 the county. | INSIDE | | INFO | WILLIE SAYS: ARRESTS A6 COMICS B3 OPINION A4 DELIVERY (864) 882-2375 CALENDAR A2 ENTERTAINMENT B4 SPORTS C1 CLASSIFIEDS (864) 882-2375 I like your CLASSIFIEDS D2 LIFESTYLE B1 STOCK REPORTS D4 ADVERTISING (864) 973-6305 COLUMNISTS B3 OBITUARIES B2 WORLD | NATION D1 suggestion. B5 Drive further. Ride higher. Live better. The 2021 GLA 250 SUV CARLTON MOTORCARS www.CarltonMB.com 2446 Laurens Road (864) 213-8000 Greenville, SC 29607 | PAGE LABEL EVEN | A2 THE JOURNAL THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 | CALENDAR | TODAY OCPL FRIENDS of the Library State bill would address book sale every Thursday in the Walhalla Library basement from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. No more than nine customers at a catalytic converter thefts time. Masks will be required. Wednesday’s COVID-19 NEWCOMER CLUB will BY NORM CANNADA (R-Seneca) said. “There was a truck partner with Jazz on the Alley numbers at a glance THE JOURNAL stopped in Lexington County several from 7-9 p.m., hosting a table Confirmed Confirmed Percent weeks ago, and they found 85 catalytic with information for outreach cases deaths positive COLUMBIA — A bill currently in the converters in that truck.” to new members and say hello South Carolina State Senate is designed State Rep. Bill Whitmire (R-Walhalla) to existing members. newcom- South Carolina 391 11 6.3% to address and set consequences for the said he is hopeful the Senate will pass erclub.com Oconee County 5 0 1.9%* growing theft of catalytic converters the bill before the end of the session this Pickens County 17 1 2.3%* across the state. year. SATURDAY State House Bill 3991 would amend “I would think the Senate would take WIDOWED PERSONS Moving * Seven-day moving average state law from 1976 dealing with permits it on and we’ll get a bill on that,” he said. Forward, Oconee County will Cumulative cases for purchasing, transporting and selling “Dealerships, at least in the meet for breakfast at 9 a.m. at nonferrous metals. The issue has come middle of the state, were Dimas Brothers, S. Fairplay St., South Carolina: 476,958 cases, 8,247 deaths up in recent years because of the grow- really being attacked, losing Seneca. For more information, Oconee County: 8,561 cases, 126 deaths ing trend of catalytic converters being them. It’s cost them a lot of call Rita at (864) 985-0542. stolen to resell for metals that are in the money to put those things Pickens County: 16,626 cases, 252 deaths converters. back on. WEDNESDAY It would make it illegal to possess or “I know I wouldn’t want ASK THE dementia expert Oconee Memorial Hospital ICU occupancy transport the metals in a ve- my catalytic converter on Zoom at 11:30 a.m. with Beds available: 12 Beds taken: 7 hicle unless the person had Whitmire stolen.” Eunice Lehmacher. For Zoom Beds occupied by COVID patients: 0 a valid permit, could present The bill is currently in the information, call 1-800-272- a valid bill of sale for the Senate Judiciary Committee, and State 3900. SOURCE: SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL metals or if the metals are Sen. Thomas Alexander (R-Walhalla) determined to not be stolen said he is hopeful the bill can OCONEE BOARD of Dis- by law enforcement. get approved by the commit- abilities and Special Needs Violators could get up to tee and full Senate by the will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the SC prison inmate died days after the Sandifer 30 days in jail or a $200 fine end of the term. administration building at the dies from injuries altercation with another for a first offense, a $500 fine “It certainly would be my Tribble Center. Open to the inmate at Broad River and/or one year in prison for a second vi- hope that we could take ac- general public. sustained in fight Correctional Institution, olation and a fine of $1,000 and/or three tion on it before we adjourn COLUMBIA (AP) — The State reported. years in prison for a third or subsequent for the year,” he said. “I’m APRIL 29 An inmate at a South Wheeler suffered offense. very supportive of that bill. Alexander OCPL FRIENDS of the Library Carolina prison died af- severe injuries to his The legislation was approved in the It kind of reminds you of the book sale every Thursday ter being injured during face and head on April 9 S.C. House of Representatives by a 94-0 same issue we had with the cutting off in the Walhalla Library a fight with another man and died on Monday, the vote and is now in the State Senate. of the air conditioner coils. People were basement from 10:30 a.m.- inside their cell, the De- Department of Correc- “This is an epidemic, and it’s impera- stealing them.” 3:30 p.m.