Daily Archives: 09/24/2014
Police: Student’s death ‘suspicious’
Wren graduate found in Hartwell near Clemson campus
CLEMSON — The body of a 19-year-old Clemson University fraternity member recovered from Lake Hartwell on Monday afternoon is being treated as a “suspicious death,” and national fraternity officials are addressing hazing rumors.
According to school officials, sophomore Tucker W. Hipps of Piedmont was participating in an early-morning group activity run with his Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity brothers on Monday and did not return.
When Hipps did not show up for breakfast and fraternity members couldn’t find him, they reported him missing,
School board approves prayer before meetings
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County’s board of trustees unanimously approved a new policy to allow prayer before its meetings on Monday night.
By the policy, the board will line up a rotation of local clergymen to pray at the beginning of meetings.
“The law is clearly on our side to invite in a private clergy and ask them to give a prayer according to the dictates of their own conscience,” board chair Alex Saitta said. “This policy is constitutional.”
Saitta shared his strong belief in prayer.
“I personally believe when a person says a prayer to Jesus, Jesus hears the prayer (and) bestows a blessing on the
Man guilty in 2012 murder
PICKENS — The man accused of killing a Clemson University student in 2012 was found guilty of the crime by a
Photo courtesy Rex Brown/The Journal
Lester Devaria Mosley Jr. was found guilty in the 2012 murder of a Clemson University student last week.
Pickens County jury last week.
Lester Devaria Mosley Jr. was found guilty of murder, first-degree burglary, two counts of attempted armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime on Wednesday to wrap up a three-day trial at the Pickens County Courthouse.
Mosley was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder charge, an additional 50 years for the burglary charge, 20 years for each of the attempted armed robbery charges and five years for the weapon charge. The sentences will
Liberty mill catches fire
The Liberty Fire Department was called to battle a blaze Monday at the old “Little Mill” located at 100 Maplecroft Street. The fire, which was ruled accidental, started when bales of cotton and polyester were ignited. The fire was centered around the loading dock area of the mill. The old mill at one time was a staple in the Liberty area, but has been in the process of being torn down in recent years. In addition to firefighters from the Liberty Fire Department, Easley and Norris firefighters assisted in fighting the fire.
Police ask for help identifying suspect in burglary, fraud cases
Clemson police say this woman is a suspect in a recent string of burglaries and frauds in the city.
CLEMSON — Clemson police are asking for the public’s help in solving a string of burglaries and financial card fraud incidents in the city over the past two months.
Since Aug. 1, there have been around 30 burglaries reported on the west side of the city, according to police chief Jimmy Dixon.
Dixon said credit cards and electronics have been the items primarily taken.
Police released a photo of a suspect they believe used a stolen credit card in a business in Clemson.
Dixon said the woman is a suspect in the recent burglaries and credit card fraud incidents.
Anyone with information on the woman’s identity is urged to call Clemson City Police Department at (864) 624-2000. Callers may remain anonymous.
Pickens Fire Department to add life support service
PICKENS — The Pickens Fire Department announced last week that it will add basic life support first-response capabilities to its range of services.
The agency’s fleet recently added emergency medical technicians, so the department will now be capable of delivering basic medical care prior to the arrival of transport ambulances at emergency scenes.
“We are extremely proud to announce the addition of basic life support services to the residents of Pickens,” chief Chris Elrod said. “The mission in the fire service is to protect property and save lives, and this one addition to the
PPCCD to host free fall festival Oct. 18
PICKENS — Pickens Presbyterian Church Child Development Center will host a free fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 311 West Main St. in Pickens.
Highlights of the day’s event will include bounce houses and games for the children, as well as performances by Out of the Blue, Sweet Potato Pie Kids La Dance Studio, A Tae Kwon Do Demonstration, Balloon art by Carl Woody and Face
PWA donates to local charities
The Pickens Women Association (PWA) presented checks to 8 local charities at their September meeting. These 8 charities included: Family Promise, Gleaning House, Meals on Wheels, Prevent Child Abuse, Feed a Hungry Child in Pickens County, Mary’s House, the Red Cross, and the Pickens County Museum. Representatives from each organization were present at the meeting and received checks for their organization. PWA was able to donate $6,000 among these charities this year. “A primary goal of PWA is to assist local charities that help improve the quality of life within our area”, stated PWA President Kathryn Gravely. “It is our privilege to be able to continue to assist these organizations in the critical work they do for the children and families within our community every day.” PWA’s main fundraiser is the annual Azalea Festival 5K Run/Walk. The continued success of this event has allowed the PWA to expand the number of charities to support as well as the amount of funding provided. PWA also provides an annual scholarship to a female Pickens High School senior each year.
Pickens Scout Troop 51 concludes busy summer
Scouts from Troop 51 take a break while riding the trails in DuPont Forest near Brevard, N.C.
PICKENS — As usual, Boy Scout Troop 51 of Pickens had an adventure-filled summer highlighted with three scouts receiving their Eagle Awards.
Scouts Receive Eagle
In June, the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting, was awarded to three outstanding young men from Troop 51 — Brandon Booty, Andrew Dyer and Kirk Alexander.
All three have been integral members of the troop for the past six to seven years, working hard to achieve the very
It’s Pumpkin Festival time again
PUMPKINTOWN — Fall is here again, and thousands of visitors will descend upon the 36th annual Pumpkin Festival in Pumpkintown on Saturday, October 11th. The festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on that day. This is the time of year to enjoy a wonderful Fall day in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains while taking advantage of some outstanding shopping, music and food. The festival will kick off at 9 a.m. with the parade from the Pumpkintown Fire Department and ends after passing the Oolenoy Community Building (5301 Dacusville Hwy – Hwy 135). The parade is always a treat to behold, you never know who or what will be in it. After the parade the Pickens High School ROTC will hold the flag raising ceremony and then the festival fun and games will begin and
