Monthly Archives: November 2015
Easley pedestrian struck and killed
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS COUNTY — A 24-year-old Greenville man died Thursday evening after he was struck by a vehicle on Old Easley Highway.
Pickens County coroner Kandy Kelley said Brandon Charles Heaton, of Old Bent Bridge Road, was walking toward Easley on S.C. Highway 124 at approximately 6:15 p.m.
Kelley said Heaton was struck by a white van and pronounced dead at the scene 20 minutes later due to blunt-force trauma.
The accident is under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Lance Cpl. David Jones identified the vehicle that struck Heaton as a 2001 Ford van. Jones said Heaton was attempting to cross the roadway at the time he was struck.
The driver, according to Jones, was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.
Heaton’s death was the second pedestrian death in Pickens County this month.
Anthony Lemont Bowser, 22, of Bowen Road, Easley, died after he was struck by a Jeep a little more than two weeks ago after the coroner’s office said he was lying in the eastbound lane of the roadway at the time of the accident.
Pickens seeking EPA cleanup grant
PICKENS — The City of Pickens is asking for community leaders’ help in applying for an EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant to improve the Doodle Trail trailhead property at the corner of S.C. Highway 8 and Railroad Street.
The EPA recently permitted cleanup applications for the removal of asbestos and lead-based paint, which made Pickens eligible to apply for a grant to remove some or all of the old railroad buildings at the trailhead.
An email sent to leaders of area businesses and organizations by city administrator Bruce Evilsizor this week asked for help from “community partners” for the project.
As part of the brownfield application process, the city of Pickens must submit letters of support from community partners before Dec. 4.
A letter of support should try and address some or all of the following points, Evilsizor wrote in his email.
• The importance of removing asbestos and lead-based paint from a building that is near the downtown, Doodle Trail and some residential neighborhoods.
• Mention of the Pickens community not having a lot of money and financial help needed to cleanup this property.
• The community trying hard to revitalize the area and make the property a safe, clean and healthy connector between the bike trail and downtown.
• The cleanup removing blight in a key part of the city.
“When scoring the grant applications, the EPA places a high priority on the level of community partners for the project, and this is often the deciding factor on whether the application is funded or not,” Evilsizor wrote. “The EPA’s goal is to have community partners that have some active role in the local cleanup project. Since the cleanup effort is a part of the Doodle trailhead project, the partnership commitment can be related to both the cleanup and the end result of a trailhead that promotes active living, is environmentally safe, adds value to the community, etc.”
The email gave some ideas on how leaders could help show they are a “community partner” in their letters of support.
• Agree to help educate the community by distributing information about the project from the application phase to the finished product (we’ll keep you informed along the way).
• Offer in-kind support specific to your field of interest or expertise to the cleanup and end use of the project (e.g. healthy living, active living, environmental-friendly designing of the trailhead, historic education of rail yard).
• Financial support (sorry this was in the EPA document but you know we’ll always take it). This does not have to be anything large but could be a fundraiser that raises money but also educates the community.
• If the blight and safety concerns of the old buildings are a problem in your eyes, your letter can talk about this issue and how you support the effort to redevelop this property into something healthy, safe and good for the community.
• The EPA realizes there will be community organizations that cannot be an active partner and in these cases, they do appreciate a letter of support.
Along with a community partner support letter, Evilsizor asked member of the community to attend a public meeting for the brownfield project on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at City Hall and show support, because he said as part of the application, the city will need to show how many people attended the public meeting, along with the comments given.
Along with the Brownfield grant, the city is also applying for two other grants to extend the trail to Highway 8 downtown, construct restrooms, make green space and dress up the entrance at Highway 8. Letters are not needed for these two grants, but Evilsizor said officials appreciate community support.
He said the conceptual design of the trailhead will be coming soon.
“This design will get us started and as the grant funding develops, the final design will be configured,” Evilsizor wrote.
Report card shows graduation rate continues to climb
COUNTY — The South Carolina Department of Education has released its annual report cards on schools and districts, showing the School District of Pickens County’s on-time graduation rate hitting a new high of 82 percent in 2015. This is the[cointent_lockedcontent]seventh straight year of improvement for the district’s graduation rate.
“The graduation rate is a tremendous story of ongoing success for our district,” SDPC superintendent Dr. Danny Merck said. “In 2010, the board of trustees set a goal of reaching an 80 percent graduation rate by 2015. We met that goal a year early, and last year we just kept building on that success.”
Assistant superintendent of instructional services Sharon Huff pointed to several initiatives that contributed to the increase including graduation coaches and the Adult Learning Center’s summer program.
“We placed graduation coaches at each high school to identify students who are at risk of dropping out and to work with those students one-on-one to see them through their high school careers,” Huff said. “Also, the summer program at the Adult Learning Center has had a huge impact by helping students who are right on the bubble to be able to earn enough credits to graduate before the graduation deadline each summer.”
Much of the information contained in the report cards, such as SCPASS scores, was released earlier this fall. However, district administrators took note of two other new pieces of information released in the report. The report revealed that 64.3 percent of SDPC’s 2014 graduating class was pursuing two- and four-year degrees, compared to the statewide average of 70.3 percent. It also showed that 60.9 percent of the district seniors were eligible for the LIFE scholarship, higher than the state-wide percentage of 42.2 percent.
“Those numbers taken together show us that our students are being well-prepared to succeed in college, but that some of them may have chosen not to apply,” Huff said. ” We are going to work to determine the reason. It may be because of the quality of programs offered at our Career and Technology Center are allowing some students to skip straight to successful careers. But we also want to make sure that students who are prepared for college have the confidence and resources to apply.”
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Parades start next week across county
By Pamela Dodson
Staff Reporter
pdodson@thepccourier.com
Santa Claus will be coming to towns around the county as annual Christmas parades get started next week.
COUNTY — As many settle in this week to enjoy the festivities of Thanksgiving with their family and friends, thoughts of the Christmas season are bound to enter everyone’s minds.
With the week wrapping up with Black Friday sales and Small Business Saturday, Americans are beginning to turn their attention to the Christmas spirit.
Municipalities around the county are doing the same, as all are setting the stage for their annual Christmas parades.
The first to hold its event will be Clemson. Tigertown will come alive with the sights and sounds of the holidays on Dec. 1. The parade will begin on College Avenue at 6 p.m. This year’s theme will be “Winter Wonderland.” Visitors are invited to come early, as many pre-parade activities are planned for all to enjoy. In the event of rain, the parade will be moved to Dec. 3. For more information, contact the city’s parks and recreation department at (864) 624-1120 ext. 16002, email parade@cityofclemson.org or visit cityofclemson.org .
Next up will be the city of Easley, which has scheduled its parade for 10 a.m. Dec. 5. The parade will be on Main Street, and the theme is “Christmas: Past, Present, and Future.” The application fee is $25 for each entry, with a deadline of Nov. 27. There is no charge for school-related entries. Application forms are available at easleyevents.com/christmas. For more information, call Dunburks Premier Events at (864) 423-4344. Pre-parade activities are planned as well.
Six Mile is next in the lineup, as it has also scheduled its parade for Dec. 5, with a 10:30 a.m. start time. All entries must have a Christmas theme, and there is no entry fee. The parade route will be on Main Street. Parade organizer Dora Jane Duncan announced this week that Wallace Merck, a Six Mile native and actor who appeared in films such as “Fried Green Tomatoes, “Super Mario Bros.” and “RoboCop 2,” will be the grand marshal for the parade. For more information, contact Duncan at (864) 868-2349.
The annual Central parade is also planned for Dec. 5 and will start at 1:30 p.m. The parade will travel down S.C. Highway 93. There is free registration on the day of the event, beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Mt. Zion Cemetery. Call the Central Fire Department for more information at (864) 639-5608.
Liberty will hold an evening parade, also on Dec. 5, starting at 6 p.m. The parade will be downtown, with the theme “Light my Liberty.” Registration is free, with forms available at libertysc.com. Contact Jamie Burns for more information by calling (864) 843-3177 ext. 6, or by email at jburns@libertysc.com. A tree-lighting ceremony is set to follow the parade.
Pickens will hold its Christmas parade on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. downtown. Applications are available online at historicpickens.com or cityofpickens.com under the community event calendar, at the PRA/Chamber office and at City Hall. Entry is $10 for nonprofit organizations, $20 for individuals or business and commercial entries and free for bands or dignitaries. Deadline for entry is Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m.
Norris will have its parade on Dec. 12, starting at 11 a.m. The parade route will be on S.C. 93. This year’s theme is “Old-Fashioned Christmas.” Registration is free. If you want your entry to be judged, the deadline to register is Dec. 9. Contact (864) 639-2033 for more information.
Dacusville will round out the Pickens County parade season on Dec. 12 as well. The event will start at 2 p.m., with a rain make-up date of Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. This year’s theme is “Christmas in the Country.” There is a $15 entry donation for registering in advance and a $20 entry donation on the day of the parade. For more information, contact Randy at (864) 270-1599, David at (864) 855-2920, Betty at (864) 201-5678 or Teresa at (864) 419-6621. The Dacusville tree-lighting ceremony is set for Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Dacusville Community Center.
Sheriff’s office chief detective earns Wilkins Award
Courtesy Photo
Flanked by Billy Wilkins, left, and Walt Wilkins, right, Sgt. Chuck James, who heads the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office detective division, holds the plaque he received as the recipient of the 2015 Billy Wilkins Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement presented last Wednesday at the Pickens County Courthouse.
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — Chuck James said he grew up as a military brat whose dad was a military police officer for 20 years. What he observed admittedly “piqued his interest” in law enforcement.
James has been with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office for the past eight years, and his contributions were recognized Wednesday as he was named the 2015 recipient of the Billy Wilkins Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement.
“When I left the Charleston Police Department in 2007 and came to Pickens County, I was welcomed and have been fortunate enough to work at an agency that allows me to do the things I want to do and pursue investigation with a team of professionals I am fortunate to work with,” James said in accepting the award from Billy Wilkins, who served as 13th Circuit solicitor from 1974-81 and later as a federal judge.
James was referred to in his award nomination as a “go-to guy” in the sheriff’s office, as someone who enthusiastically accepts all responsibilities, epitomizes a team leader and treats everyone — no matter their station in life — with respect and dignity. He was also described as soft spoken and humble and someone who represents the highest degree of experience in the law enforcement community.
“Detective James is one of our best,” Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark said. “His commitment to our office and the citizens of Pickens is outstanding. He’s a great officer, and we see a lot of potential from him in the future.”
Clark said James was recognized specifically for his work in the Dacusville homicide case in which Crystal Williams eventually pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy in the death of her husband, Shane Williams, in January 2014.
“He was a large part of this (case),” Clark said. “It was one of the first homicide cases with us as part of our team.”
James called receiving the award “a great privilege and a great honor,” but added that he was shocked to be this year’s recipient.
“Quite frankly, I’m not sure I have been in law enforcement long enough to receive this,” James said. “Some of the recipients have been 26-year veterans.”
When asked what he enjoys most about his job, James replied “the thrill of the chase.”
Seven detectives work with James, who said he is blessed to have such a great team that works hard at solving crimes.
“We really do have great camaraderie in the sheriff’s office right now, especially in the detective division,” James said. “I have full faith of putting anything in their hands.”
James said he doesn’t let the scrutiny law enforcement is under these days, locally as well as nationally, impact his work because to focus on it “makes it hard to do your job.”
He came to Pickens County after meeting girlfriend Kristy Leopard, who oversees the jail as lieutenant at the Pickens County Detention Center, at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 2007.
“It’s one of those things with the positions we have, not necessarily with law enforcement, but prisoner cases and things that law enforcement does that can be understood without even speaking because you understand what the other is going through,” James said.
Pickens outdoors store now open
Southern Appalachian Outdoors opened for business on Monday. The new store, located at 506 W. Main St. in Pickens, offers all you need to start your outdoor adventure. Pictured, from left, are store owner Marty Fields, staff member Pamela Smith, PRA director Allison Fowler, Pickens Chamber director Mike Parrott, Pickens mayor David Owens, and staff members Samual Smith and Alicia Fields.
PICKENS — Pickens has a new outdoors store open for business.
Southern Appalachian Outdoors, located at 506 W. Main St., offers families and individuals the equipment and information to create their own outdoor adventure.
Owned and operated by Marty Fields, the store has supplies for fly-fishing, conventional fishing, hiking, camping, biking and kayaking.
“We are planning to offer fly-casting classes as well as fly-tying classes in the future,” Fields told the Courier on Monday’s opening day. “Hiking and backpacking clinics are also something we would like to make available in the future. My hope is to encourage people to pursue a lifelong passion for an active lifestyle outdoors.”
Fields said his adventures began with several memorable camping trips with his family to Table Rock State Park and Keowee Toxaway State Park.
“We enjoyed the gorgeous lakes and variety of hiking trails,” he said. “My family and I moved from Florida to the Upstate in 2000. Being within a few miles of streams, trails and paths furthered my passion for the outdoors.”
Fields said he found while spending time in nature, his eyes were open to more of God’s beautiful creations.
In 2003, Fields began trying fly-fishing for trout in the mountains. He also began doing some hiking in the surrounding area beauty and later took up biking and kayaking.
“Being outdoors provided a wonderful opportunity to spend time with my family and share my love for nature,” he said. “I was overwhelmed with this desire to provide others with this same experience. After living here a little while, I saw the need for a store like this in our community.”
Southern Appalachian Outdoors is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The store is closed on Tuesdays and Sundays.
For more information, call (864) 507-2195. See Southern Appalachian Outdoors’ ad on the Courier’s Pickens Small Business Saturday page this week with specials for your outdoor adventures on page 8B.
Staying Prepared
With county schools closed for Thanksgiving, local emergency officials partnered Tuesday to conduct a joint training exercise involving an 
active shooter in a simulation at Liberty High School. The school was the site of a mock shooting exercise that lasted for two to three hours and involved 10 different agencies from throughout the county.
Steamboat to appear at Country Santa benefit
PICKENS — For the second year in a row, a WWE Hall of Famer will be on hand to help children in need this Christmas as 3Count Pro Wrestling hosts its annual Country Santa Clash on Dec. 5.
Steamboat
The event, the third to benefit Country Santa in as many years for the promotion, is planned at Pickens Middle School[cointent_lockedcontent]
and will feature a special appearance by WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat.
One of Steamboat’s greatest rivals, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, appeared at last year’s event.
Tickets for the event are available for as little as $4 with the donation of an unopened toy for Country Santa.
A limited number of exclusive VIP tickets, which include VIP seating, parking, an autograph and photo, are available. To reserve a VIP package, call (864) 346-3908.
The event will feature an action-packed lineup, with former TNA star Gunner set to take on Ring of Honor star Cedric Alexander, “Loaded Gunz” Ken Magnum battling former WCW performer Lodi for the 3County Heavyweight Championship, Ace Armstrong taking on “The Scottish Prince” Joshua O’Glesby, backed by The Highland Embassy, in a ladder match and much more.
Donations of unopened toys will be collected to benefit Country Santa, and doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Bell time is set for 7:30 p.m., and the card is subject to change.
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Cannon Auxiliary announces dates for holiday events
PICKENS — The Cannon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary invites local residents to enjoy holiday events.
The Festival of Wreaths Silent Auction will run from Dec. 1-14. The action ends at 1 p.m. on Dec. 14 in the Cannon front lobby.
The Festival of Wreaths open house is planned for Dec. 3 from 5-7 p.m. in the Cannon front lobby.
The Winterfest Christmas Craft Sale will be held on Dec. 10-11 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m
Courier Community Calendar 11-25-15
• Holy Trinty makes plans for Bazaar
The Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clemson announces that the 2015 Bazaar and Artisan Market will be held Saturday, December 5 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
New this year will be Vintage Clemson memorabilia.
The Bazaar and Artisan Market will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church located at 193 Old Greenville Highway in Clemson.
• Dacusville church schedules bazaar
Dacusville United Methodist Church will host an arts and craft bazaar for Saturday, Dec. 12.
The event, set to run from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., will feature food, fun, fellowship and shopping for handcrafted items.
A bake sale will begin at 8 a.m., with hot dog plates also available from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. A blood mobile will be on site from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. as well.
Proceeds from the sale will benefit the missions and ministries of the church, which is located at 1339 Thomas Mill Road in Easley.
• Steppin’ It Up Coalition to meet
The December meeting of the Steppin’ It Up Coalition is planned for Monday, Dec. 14, from 5:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. at Behavioral Health Services’ office at 303 E. Main St. in Pickens.
Meetings are open to anyone interested in educating local youth on the dangers and health implications of alcohol, tobacco and drug exposure and use. For more information about the Steppin’ It Up Coalition, contact Cathy Breazeale at (864) 898-5800 or visit steppinituppickens.org.
• Pickens Lions plan meetings each month
The Pickens Lions Club is in need of new members. The club meets the first and third Thursday of every month at Pizza Inn in Pickens.
Dinner begins at 6:40 p.m., and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to anyone interested in joining the club or simply finding out more about the club and how it serves Pickens.
• PCSC to host pancake breakfast
The Pickens Community Senior Center is hosting a breakfast fundraisers with vendor tables on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 7:30 – 11 a.m. There will be a cost of $6 per person to enjoy the food and shop the vendor tables. Tickets are available for a special drawing on a white lighted Christmas tree and a Christmas wreath. Each item will be raffled seperatly. Tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5. The Pickens Community Senior Center is located at 129 School House Street in Pickens. For more information call 864-878-6000.
• Legion Post 67 seeks members
American Legion Post 67 in Liberty is accepting applications for membership from all U.S. military wartime veterans. For more information, call (864) 787-2322.
• Sertoma Club invites locals to meet
The Clemson Sertoma Club invites all interested local residents to attend its meetings.
The club meets at noon the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Occasions at Wedgefield, located at 1551 Eighteen Mile Road in Central. New visitors are always welcome.
