Daily Archives: 06/17/2015
Pickens PD chief stepping down
PICKENS — After nearly 18 years on the force, Pickens police chief Rodney Gregory announced Monday night that he will be stepping down from his position next month.
Gregory, who said he began his law enforcement career at the Pickens Police Department in July 1997 under chief Wendell Jenkins, worked his way through the ranks, from road patrol officer to chief.
“I made Pickens my home back many years ago and will continue to live, shop and be a part of the community,” he told Pickens officials at Monday night’s
The pen is mightier…
With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Nikki Haley signed a domestic violence reform bill into law earlier this month, stiffening penalties for offenders and implementing different degrees of punishment to correspond with the severity of the crime. Above, Haley presents the bill’s primary sponsor, Pickens County Sen. Larry Martin, with the pen used to sign the bill into law. Martin is also the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Also pictured to Martin’s right is Rep. Shannon Erickson, the House subcommittee chiar, while Miss Liberty Teen Rachel Garcia is pictured at far right standing beside House Speaker Jay Lucas.
Man arrested after drug investigation
CENTRAL — A Central man is being held without bond on numerous felony drug and weapons charges after a six-month investigation, according to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.
Anthony “Tony” Ray Whitfield, 47, of 109 Oak Grove Road in Central, is charged with two counts of third-offense methamphetamine trafficking, two counts of receiving stolen goods, possession of morphine, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and unlawful possession of a sawed-off shotgun.
According to sheriff’s office chief deputy Creed Hashe, Whitfield’s arrest was the result of a six-month joint investigation with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division into alleged drug
Liberty High School wrestler fares well at national event
YORK, Pa. — Rising Liberty High School junior Dylan Riddle won half of the matches he wrestled and collected three forfeits at the team dual meet cadet nationals sponsored by USA Wrestling.
Riddle, a member of Berkshire-Pickens Wrestling Club, handled being the “swing” man for the team, splitting his time between the 145-pound and 152-pound weight classes. Riddle got the first takedown in all 10 of his matches.
“Dylan needs to work on his cardio in order to maintain a high level of energy
Jocassee Gorges office dedicated in honor of ‘living legend’ Sam Stokes
State Rep. Davey Hiott of Pickens, left, stands with Tunkie and Sam Stokes in front of the Sam W. Stokes Work Center after it was formally dedicated on Friday. The facility, in the Eastatoee Valley in northern Pickens County, serves as a field office for the Jocassee Gorges region.
SUNSET — The Jocassee Gorges field office in northern Pickens County was dedicated Friday as the Sam W. Stokes Work Center in honor of retired wildlife biologist Sam W. Stokes Sr.
“Sam Stokes is truly a living legend among wildlife biologists in the Palmetto State and also among everyone in the South Carolina conservation community,” S.C. Department of Natural Resources director Alvin Taylor said
City of Easley prepares for largest event of year
EASLEY — The city of Easley and Dunburks Premier Events are busy finalizing plans for the Gilstrap Family Dealerships Celebrate America Festival July 3 and 4. The festival has become the largest and most popular event of the year, with crowds growing into the thousands.
Beginning on Friday, July 3, the celebration will kick off with amusement rides, craft vendors, food vendors and music. The main stage will present The Jamie Wrights Experience from 7-10 p.m. Wrights is a well known local
Marines scheduled to visit Upstate for rest, relaxation
UPSTATE — The public is invited to participate in a welcoming patriotic parade on Monday, June 22, held to honor visiting Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., as well as a group from the Marine Corps’ South Carolina Wounded Warrior Regiment. Around 40 Marines are expected for the event.
Individuals and businesses are asked to help line the parade route with signs, flag-waving, and expressions of thanks as the motorcade moves from Easley to
County council discusses public information position
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — As Pickens County Council discussed its fiscal year 2015-16 proposed budget on Monday night, councilman Neil Smith proposed that funding be set for a proposed position of public information officer.
Councilman Trey Whitehurst objected to the new position.
“I feel that public relations is the job of council,” Whitehurst said. “We have to deal with criticism every day. I am not in favor of bringing in a public
Pair of escaped inmates caught
PICKENS — Two inmates who walked away from the Pickens County Stockade last week are now back behind bars.
On Tuesday, June 9, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office began assisting authorities from the Pickens County Stockade in the search for two inmates who walked away from the facility at approximately 2 p.m. A routine headcount at around 6 p.m. prompted stockade authorities to notify the sheriff’s office of the escapees.
The inmates, Dustin Ryan Floyd, 28, of Greenville, and Jeffrey Shane
Courier Letters to the Editor 6-17-15
Gillespie continues
Dear Editor,
There are several funds or budgets within the school district. These funds can’t be intermixed. The two largest are operations and capital improvements.
The goal of the administration is to raise taxes for operations. The school board presently has three members who won’t vote to raise taxes. That leaves two strategies for the liberals in Pickens County: pick out one board member and smear him till he resigns or add a liberal spender to the board.
When Danny Merck said in his newspaper interview that taxes hadn’t been
