Daily Archives: 07/09/2014
Pickens administrator resigns
Evilsizor named as interim replacement
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — After five years on the job, Pickens city administrator Katherine Brackett announced her resignation at a special called city council meeting last week.
Brackett has accepted a new position as assistant town administrator in Mount Pleasant.
Pickens officials moved quickly to name a temporary replacement for Brackett, as Bruce Evilsizor was named interim city administrator at Monday night’s city council meeting.
Evilsizor, who has served as clerk to council and administrative assistant with the city since October 2012, said he had 30 years of experience in local government in Ohio before he and his wife moved to Pickens County “to enjoy
Police: Man had child porn
CLEMSON — Clemson police arrested a man last week after they allegedly found child pornography on his computer.
On June 29, the Clemson Police Department received a complaint of a person possibly in possession of child pornography, according to a release from police chief Jimmy Dixon. Based on the complaint, investigators were granted a search warrant for the man’s computer and bedroom.
According to Dixon, the search revealed child pornographic videos stored on the man’s computer. In addition, police seized 14 DVDs from the man’s bedroom.
Although the investigation is still ongoing, police charged 21-year-old Kenneth David Parker, of Clemson, with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Parker was also charged with simple possession of marijuana.
Officers look for escaped convict
PICKENS — Authorities are on the lookout for an inmate who went missing from the Pickens County Stockade last week.
According to a release from Pickens County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Creed Hashe, James Christopher Townsend, 41, was last seen wearing a red shirt with the word “inmate” on the front and back, as well as blue jeans with a white stripe on each leg and black boots.
Townsend, described as a 5-foot-11 white male weighing approximately 210 pounds, with close-cut black hair and hazel eyes, was last seen at 2:30 p.m. on July 3 performing work on the facility grounds at the stockade, officials said. He was discovered missing during a routine count at 7 p.m. that evening.
Townsend, a convicted felon who has a lengthy criminal record for various types of crimes, was serving time for
Pickens council asked to continue support for seniors
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — John Howard, who is working with the remodeling of the Pickens Senior Center at the former Hagood Elementary building, asked Pickens City Council for continued support during its meeting Monday night.
Howard said much of the success of the remodeling project came because Seniors Unlimited, the City of Pickens and the Pickens Revitalization Association has been working together to apply for grants. Matching funds have already been raised through donations.
For the next grant, the city faces a deadline of July 25.
Mayor David Owens said the funding would be the discussed at an upcoming city work session and should be
Riggs honored for service
Pickens Police Department assistant chief Travis Riggs was honored during Monday’s Pickens City Council meeting for his 15 years of service to the city. Mayor David Owens, left, presented a plaque to Riggs and said he hopes Riggs will choose to stay with the city for another 15 years.
Schedule set for new Fiber Arts Center at Hagood Center
By Lucy Harward
For The Courier
news@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The Pickens Senior Center’s Fiber Arts Center has opened its doors and is now offering activities five days a week.
Activities take place at the Pickens Hagood Community Center at 129 School House St. in Pickens from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment in the evenings and on weekends.
Groups which meet vary in skill level like those in an old-fashioned, one-room school house — a real mixture of beginner through master levels depending on the activity. But one thing is sure — each of them is interested in passing on the art of handwork, whether with fiber or cane, not only to future generations, but also among
Baptist Easley Foundation awards Gettys scholarships
Pictured are Roddey E. Gettys III, Erin Reid, Shiela Miller, Amy Phillips and Tom O’Hanlan.
EASLEY — Three recipients were recently awarded the first annual Roddey E. Gettys III Clinical Scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year.
This year’s winners were Shiela Miller, Erin Reid and Amy Phillips.
The applicants were evaluated on their applications, essays, letters of recommendations, and transcripts. Eligible applicants had to fulfill five requirements:
1. Demonstrate a commitment to pursue a career in healthcare by completing at least one full academic year (30 semester credits) in a healthcare-related discipline.
2. Be in good academic standing at the time of application and on track to graduate in a healthcare related discipline.
3. Be enrolled in an accredited associate degree program, four-year degree program or a postgraduate program in a healthcare-related discipline.
4. Demonstrate a commitment to community service.
5. Be a full-time permanent resident of Pickens, Anderson, Greenville, or Oconee Counties in South Carolina.
Miller is a student in the physical therapy assistant program at Greenville Tech. Last year, she self-published a book, “Memoirs of a Miracle Baby: A Testimony of God’s Love.”
“Over the course of my life, I’ve come to realize that I survived for a reason and I have a purpose on this earth,” Miller said. “My purpose is to bless others with my own God-given talents and abilities.”
Reid is a student in the nursing program at Anderson University.
“As a nurse, I will be able to meet the physical needs of patients as well as assist them on a more intimate level,” she said. “I am thankful for the opportunity to pursue a career seemingly tailored for my strengths as an individual.”
Phillips is a medical student at USC School of Medicine-Greenville. She has volunteered more than 150 hours for Access Health, a nonprofit organization focused on providing healthcare for low-income, uninsured patients. She received a 4.0 in her first year of medical school.
“I am becoming a doctor because I want to provide exceptional care to my patients,” Phillips said. “My desire to help others motivates me to take the time needed to develop relationships that enable me to understand each patient’s individual needs.”
The Roddey E. Gettys III Clinical Scholarship Endowment Fund offers those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare the opportunity to perpetuate Gettys’ legacy of clinical excellence and patient-focused service. It is administered through the Baptist Easley Hospital Foundation. Interested students are welcome to apply for next year’s awards. Call the Foundation office at (864) 442-7617 for more information.
Maggs named DAR Oustanding Junior Member
Pictured are Lauren Maggs, Mari Noorai and Dr. Rooche Field.
WASHINGTON, D.C — Lauren MacKenzie Maggs, a 2013 graduate of Clemson University, was named the 2014 South Carolina State Outstanding Junior Member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Maggs attended Continental Congress, where she was honored to carry the S.C. State flag during the reading of the S.C. State Regent’s report, presented on the stage during Education night, and to be recognized at the Junior Membership Luncheon, where President General Lynn Forney Young presented her with a special certificate marking her achievement.
Maggs has been a member of the Andrew Pickens Chapter in Clemson for two years.
SWU establishes scholarship in memory of Harold Waters
CENTRAL — Southern Wesleyan University is establishing a new education scholarship in memory of Harold Waters, who passed away June 20.
Dr. Waters
“Dr. Waters loved Southern Wesleyan University and the education students,” said Sandra McLendon, dean of the university’s School of Education. “He always strived to represent our principles of ‘a Christian Ethic of Care’ toward self, toward colleagues, toward community and toward the students and worked diligently to instill our graduates with these values.”
In addition to his years of service to Southern Wesleyan, Waters devoted 33 years of his career to the public schools of South Carolina, serving as a regular education teacher, special education teacher and an administrator during those years. In April of 2009, he was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award by Southern Wesleyan.
McLendon added that since Waters generously supported Southern Wesleyan with his time, his loyalty, and his financial gifts, the scholarship would be “an amazing tribute” that will carry on his legacy at the university.
The Dr. Harold M. Waters Memorial Endowed Education Scholarship would support a special education major who is already admitted into Lock I and has a designated grade point average of 2.75.
Baptist Easley wins Studer Group’s Excellence in Patient Care Award
EASLEY — Baptist Easley Hospital has been chosen to receive an Excellence in Patient Care award given by outcomes firm Studer Group.
The organization will receive the award at Studer Group’s 12th annual What’s Right in Health Care conference for its exemplary “Room was always clean” results on the HCAHPS patient survey.
The Excellence in Patient Care awards are given to select organizations that are coached by Studer Group based on various categories. To be eligible for an award, an organization must demonstrate outstanding performance in patient
