Speedway development voted down by planning commission
By Mike Pulley Special to the Courier news@thepccourier.com PICKENS — The Pickens County Planning Commission unanimously voted down a huge More »
Woman found guilty in 2022 Easley shooting
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com COUNTY — A Greenville woman has been sentenced to two decades behind bars after More »
Mauldin, Nimmons honored by SC Press Association
COLUMBIA — Two Pickens County Courier staff members were honored recently by the South Carolina Press Association for their work More »
Translating Holy Word into reality
‘‘It is incumbent upon everyone to observe God’s holy commandments, inasmuch they are the wellspring of life unto the world.” More »
Hagood Mill Foundation announces spring fundraiser
PICKENS — The Hagood Mill Foundation invites the community to an elegant evening of fellowship and purpose at its annual More »
PC libraries to resume kid’s programs
COUNTY — Weeks after firing director Stephanie Howard, the Pickens County Library Board convened for a special-called meeting voting to resume previously cancelled 
children’s programs, while also pausing its controversial collection policy and recommending an interim director.
According to library officials last month, the cancellations were necessary due to the need to reallocate staff time to implement recent changes to the system’s collection development policy adopted
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Speedway development voted down by planning commission
By Mike Pulley
Special to the Courier
news@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The Pickens County Planning Commission unanimously voted down a huge development project Monday night that would potentially replace the historic 
Greenville-Pickens Racetrack.
The “no” vote gave hope to racetrack supporters who are negotiating a $4 million purchase deal with RealtyLink, the developer, that transfers ownership of the Speedway portion of the project and allows it to reopen for racing.
The vote allows the developer to resubmit the last three phases of its five-phase project, the Speedway Business & Technology Park, at a future date with a more comprehensive traffic study and project terms more in line with the county’s land-use plan. Before the vote, several Commissioners cited an insufficient traffic study and failure of project plans to align with the county’s land-use plan as reasoning for their decision.
RealtyLink vowed to come back with the required changes for a project that would encompass more than 200 acres of the huge 500-acre speedway site at the intersection of Highway 123 and Highway 124. At full buildout in the next few years, the five phases of the Park would include about 4 million square feet of industrial and retail uses and employ about 4,000 workers, according to RealtyLink.
Jackie Manley, a former local driver and leader of the group trying to buy and reopen the 26-acre speedway along more than two dozen supporters, loudly applauded after
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Easley man to serve one day in jail after plea
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — An Easley man was sentenced to just one day in jail after pleading guilty to 
assault.
Emmanuel Jahu Gilstrap was initially charged in 2023 with committing or attempting lewd act upon a child under 16, a charge stemming from incidents alleged to have occurred between Jan 1, 1991 and Dec 31, 1993, according to an Easley Police Department warrant.
The case was disposed last month.
Gilstrap pleaded guilty to assault and battery second degree. He entered an Alford plea. According to the
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Woman found guilty in 2022 Easley shooting
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — A Greenville woman has been sentenced to two decades behind bars after 
being convicted last month in connection with a 2022 shooting near Easley.
On Feb. 26, a Pickens County jury convicted 58-year-old Renee Lavonne Simon of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, 13th Circuit Solicitor
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Mauldin, Nimmons honored by SC Press Association
COLUMBIA — Two Pickens County Courier staff members were honored recently by the South Carolina Press Association for their work in 2025-26.
In the SCPA’s annual news contest, Courier Sports Editor Bru Nimmons and Editor Zack Mauldin received awards judged by peers in the newspaper industry. The awards were presented at the association’s annual meeting last Friday in Columbia.
Nimmons and Mauldin truly have ink in their blood. Mauldin has been a key part of the Courier from the beginning, designing the paper’s look and shaping its content since its inception in 2007.
After his years as a student at Clemson University, Nimmons returned to the Courier
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SDPC announces leadership changes
PICKENS — The School District of Pickens County has announced leadership changes that will take effect July 1, 2026, including a new district-level role and an interim 
principal appointment at McKissick Academy of Science and Technology (MAST).
Mrs. Heather Touchberry has been named Director of Innovative Services for the district, transitioning from her current role as principal of MAST at the conclusion of the 2025–26 school year. In conjunction with this transition, the district’s Board of Trustees approved the superintendent’s recommendation on February 23, 2026, to appoint Dr. Danny Hall, currently assistant principal at MAST, as
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SME named model school
SIX MILE — Six Mile Elementary has been named a 2026 Model School and will be recognized at the prestigious Model Schools Conference, hosted by the Center for 
Model Schools.
Six Mile Elementary was selected as one of only 10 elementary schools nationwide to
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Translating Holy Word into reality
‘‘It is incumbent upon everyone to observe God’s holy commandments, inasmuch they are the wellspring of life unto the world.” Baha’i Scripture
In Psalm 19:7-11, we see the preciousness of God’s teachings: “The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul…the precepts of the Lord are right and rejoice the soul. The commandment of the Lord shines clear and gives light to the eyes. The Lord’s decrees are true and righteous every one, more to be desired than gold,
pure gold in plenty, sweeter than syrup or honey from
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Standing strong with confidence
Fear and anxiety are negative byproducts of modern life, trying to influence us away from God.
Our jobs are often stressful, our relationships and finances, and even our children struggle with social pressures we hardly faced when we were their age. Some people turn to natural remedies, like the newly popular cannabidiol products, while others are absorbed in social media, but there is even better news that can give us peace in this troubled world. The Bible remains an unfailing source of hope and comfort in the seasons when we are
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