Daily Archives: 08/13/2014
2-county chase ends in arrest
Investigation continues after 1 suspect escapes
COUNTY — An investigation into drug complaints led to a two-county car chase and a man’s arrest last week.
According to a news release from Pickens County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Creed Hashe, deputies assigned to the office’s Community Action Team were in the Fish Trap Road area near Easley on Thursday evening investigating neighbors’ complaints of suspected drug activity.
When deputies tried to stop a suspicious Nissan Altima that appeared the be fleeing the area after seeing a patrol car, Hashe said, the driver ran a red light, refusing to yield to a deputy’s signal to stop, then proceeded into Greenville County on U.S. Highway 123.
The pursuit reached speeds of around 65 mph, according to Hashe, before the driver made his way to the intersection of South Washington and South Florida avenues in Greenville County.
The driver, later identified as James Allen Pope, 56, of 10 Old Anderson Road in
Clemson man faces murder charge after friend killed
CLEMSON — A 55-year-old Clemson man was charged with murder after the shooting death of a friend last week.
Police said Deby Lee Mark Burnside, of Summey Street, was arrested Wednesday evening after 52-year-old James Cherry, of Lincoln Drive in Clemson, was shot to death following an argument.
Clemson police chief Jimmy Dixon said the shooting appeared to have been the result of an argument about Burnside allegedly owing Cherry money.
The killing was the first homicide in Clemson in five years, according to Dixon.
Police: Man set string of fires
EASLEY — An Easley man faces multiple charges in connection with a string of fires set near his home over the weekend.
According to warrants, police believe Thomas Wayne Stinson, 23, of 200 South 2nd St., set fire to four buildings in the early morning hours Sunday.
Police said the fires were set at 206 South 2nd St., 503 South 2nd St., 207 West 2nd Ave. and 530 S. Pendleton St.
The buildings included two vacant homes, an outbuilding filled with a family’s keepsakes and a garage.
Police found Stinson less than 100 yards from one of the scenes and arrested him.
Stinson was charged with four counts of arson, four counts of second-degree burglary and giving false information. He is being held at the Pickens County Detention Center without bond.
High school jamboree season now in full swing
A pair of Easley defenders take down a Riverside ballcarrier during a recent scrimmage at Easley High School. The Green Wave will be in action twice this week, hosting their own jamboree Thursday and playing in the Pickens jamboree Friday.
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — School does not officially start until Aug. 19, but high school football has already kicked off for the 2014 preseason, and the action will continue to ramp up this week.
Although local teams have been hosting and traveling to scrimmages since opening practice on Aug. 1, fans got their first taste of jamboree action last Saturday night as the Foothills FCA jamboree was held at Liberty High School.
In the nightcap, defending Upper State champion Daniel dominated Greenville with a 27-0 victory in a half, one of four shutouts in five halves at the jamboree.
Other county teams in action were the homestanding Red Devils, who took a 14-0 win over West-Oak, and Pickens
Liberty weighs water rate hike
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — For the past decade, Liberty has had the same water rates. As costs continue to rise and new lines are needed, Liberty City Council is faced with the unpleasant task of raising the rates.
“We are in a desperate situation,” mayor Eric Boughman said at Monday night’s council meeting.
Boughman noted that he himself pays a water bill in Liberty, so he, too, will feel the cost of the increase.
“I don’t want to cause any undue stress on our citizens,” Boughman said. “But we also live in a real world
New state guidelines could affect schools’ fundraisers, canteens
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — School officials are anxiously awaiting word from state officials on the effect new nutritional guidelines will have on canteen sales at high schools.
An Aug. 4 memo received from the state board of education limits the amount of junk food that can be sold, either as a fundraiser or as a canteen item. The memo promised more details later.
District spokesman John Eby said at this point officials don’t know exactly what that means.
Pickens group gets $25,000 arts grant
PICKENS — The Pickens community is one of 66 recipients from around the country of Our Town grant money totaling $5.073 million and reaching 38 states, according to National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) chairman Jane Chu.
Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music (POSAM) will receive $25,000 to help plan and design a remodeled auditorium at the Hagood Community Center, also known as the Senior Center of Pickens. Programming in traditional arts and music will also be funded.
This year’s Our Town projects demonstrate again that excellent art is as fundamental to a community’s success as land-use, transportation, education, housing, infrastructure, and public safety, helping build stronger communities
Food Fight Bowl set for next week
PICKENS — The seventh annual Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl, presented by Save-A-Lot of Pickens, will take place at the Pickens High School stadium on Friday, Aug. 22, at 8 p.m.
Since 1923, Pickens and Easley have enjoyed a rivalry that is widely known as one of the fiercest high school rivalries in South Carolina. On the night of the big game, the football teams will compete for ownership of the coveted “Food Fight Bowl” trophy, a prestigious award made from the top of coach Sam Wyche’s 1988 NFL Coach of the Year trophy. Easley has proven itself a winner on the field over the last three years.
Last year, first-year Green Wave coach Grayson Howell secured his first win in the rivalry. Pickens and Easley are
Clemson field day brings crop, livestock info to Upstate farmers
CLEMSON — For South Carolina farmers, a new semester’s education starts even before classes begin.
Clemson University’s annual Livestock, Forage and Crops Field Day at the Simpson Experiment Station on Saturday, Aug. 23, will provide visitors an update on issues affecting agriculture in the Palmetto State as well as a firsthand look at Clemson research and Extension programs.
“We try to cover the breadth of work Clemson is doing at the Simpson Station and at the university to support the state’s agriculture industry,” said Matt Burns, an Extension beef specialist and among the organizers of the event.
Pickens Rescue 7 Rodeo rescheduled for Aug. 22-23
PICKENS — Heavy rains in the Pickens Area last Friday and Saturday forced the Pickens Rescue 7 Rodeo to be rescheduled. The event will now take place on Aug. 22 and 23.
Local barrel racer Holly Scruggs will be one of the area participants in the Pickens Rescue 7 Rodeo, to be held at the Pickens Bargain Exchange Flea Market on August 22 and 23
The Pickens Bargain Exchange Flea Market and Pickens Rescue 7 will host the rodeo.
The event will kick off both days at 8 p.m.
The rodeo will be a fundraiser for Pickens Rescue Squad 7 to help with operating expenses. Many local cowboys and cowgirls will participate in the rodeo..
Rodeo fans will also get the chance to see a special exhibition by nationally renowned roper Jack Fullbright. Fullbright specializes in trick and fancy roping. The Mountain View Baptist Church Youth will be selling concessions.
The rodeo will be produced by the Ernie Treadway Rodeo Company and will be great fun for the entire family.
