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Daily Archives: 11/18/2015

County hires new admin

PICKENS — County council members voted Monday night to hire a new Pickens County administrator.

admiin2David Allen McNeill will begin the job on Jan. 4, according to a news release.

McNeill, who is currently the county operations manager for Transylvania County, N.C., comes to Pickens County with 27 years of experience, with 19 of those years in administrative management.

McNeill has spent the majority of his public service with Transylvania County, where he is directly responsible for emergency medical, emergency management, addressing, communications, building and grounds maintenance, animal control and the office of fire marshal.

Prior to joining Transylvania County, McNeill worked in Montgomery County, Guilford County and Moore County in North Carolina.

He holds a Bachelor’s of Science and a Master’s of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University. McNeill is married to Sandra Greene McNeill, and they have three children — Allen, Nathan and Makayla.

The county has been without a full-time administrator since February, when the county and former administrator Matthew Delk parted ways after Delk was on the job for less than six months.

Delk’s departure eventually led to a S.C. Law Enforcement Division investigation after councilman Neil Smith alleged via an email sent by clerk to council Donna Owen that Delk had used county resources illegally. No charges were ever filed, however.

 

Former local man accused of attacking television star

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The homeless man accused of attacking a television star outside her home in Hollywood last week is a former Pickens County resident who had been out of contact with family for more than decade, according to his brother.

David Merck, 45, pleaded not guilty to felony criminal threats and imprisonment by violence during a preliminary arraignment hearing Monday in connection with an alleged attack on “NCIS” actress Pauley Perrette.

Merck, who grew up in Six Mile and still has relatives in the area, has not been seen by family members in at least 15 years, his brother, Dean Merck, told The Courier on Tuesday.

Merck is being held on $100,000 bail and faces up to four years in prison if convicted, according to reports.

Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Bob Ward told reporters Merck has a lengthy criminal history.

Pauley_Perrette_2014 Wiki PhotoThe case drew international headlines after Perrette, who plays forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on the hit CBS show, issued a post on Twitter shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Friday.

“Tonight was an awful night,” Perrette wrote.

The 46-year-old actress said she was walking across the street near her home when she “was jumped by a VERY psychotic homeless man.”

Perrette said the man grabbed her, pinned her arm and punched her in the nose and forehead, threatening her life.

“Then he showed me how he was going to kill me,” she wrote.

Perrette claimed the man told her repeatedly that his name was William.

“I prayed my heart out an (sic) then finally said, ‘William is a beautiful name, I have a little nephew named William,’” she wrote.

She said the man started to punch her again, then told her to “get the —- out of here.”

Perrette said she collapsed on the sidewalk, where a man on his phone walked past her, before contacting friends and drawing a sketch of the man, who she said left headed toward Hollywood Boulevard “with murder in his eyes.”

She said a friend took a picture of her sketch, found Merck and watched him until police came and arrested him.

“I am shaken and traumatized,” wrote Perrette, an advocate for civil rights and the homeless.

“My life changed tonight,” she later wrote, adding that full mental health care, housing and help for the homeless and support for police are all needed. “We need to not walk alone. I need to heal.”

Perrette, who according to LAPD spokesman Ricardo Hernandez complained of pain and redness in her nose area, finished her Twitter statement with four dramatic words — “I almost died tonight.”

 

Police: Liberty man injured toddler

PICKENS — A Liberty man is behind bars after police believe he caused severe injuries to a 2-year-old child.

David Keith Fink Jr., 24, of 112 Effie Court in Liberty was arrested on Thursday and charged with abuse resulting in great bodily injury. He was being held at the Pickens County Detention Center Tuesday on a $75,000 surety bond.

According to a statement issued by Pickens County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Creed Hashe, a 2-year-old child was taken by ambulance to a hospital after an alleged fall inside a bathroom at Fink’s home.

Hashe said the sheriff’s office was notified that morning and launched an investigation into multiple injuries found on the child that were inconsistent with a fall.

Fink is not related to the child, but was the sole caretaker on the morning of the incident, Hashe said. The child was still hospitalized at the end of last week and continues to be treated for traumatic head injuries, according to Hashe.

 

Pickens students raise $8K for MOW

PICKENS — For the seventh time in eight years, Pickens High emerged as the winner of the Ultimate Food Fight Trophy as the top fundraising school in the Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl.

Pickens students raised a total of $8,625 during this year’s competition. Over the last eight years, PHS students have raised a total of $22,387 in support of Pickens County Meals on Wheels.

The results of the competition were announced at halftime of the Blue Flame’s final regular-season football game against Belton-Honea Path on Oct. 30, when student council advisor Brittany Reid and student council members raised the trophy in victory for a job well done.

“The student council and I would like to thank the community and the faculty and staff at Pickens High School for giving to such a worthy cause,” Reid said. “The students worked extremely hard this year to raise money for Meals on Wheels. It’s great to see young people work together for a cause, and they are true leaders in the school.”

The Ultimate Food Fight is a fundraising competition between all four county high schools, and one component of the annual Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl. For a second straight year, students from Daniel, Easley, Liberty and Pickens competed for the Ultimate Food Fight trophy by seeing who could raise the most money for Meals on Wheels. Students earned credit toward their goal by collecting donations, holding special events and volunteering in PCMOW programs. Combined, the schools raised an incredible $17,883.

Presenting sponsor Save-A-Lot of Pickens has supported the students’ fundraising efforts and Meals on Wheels. For a third straight year, Save-A-Lot contributed $5,000 to kickstart the students’ fundraising efforts. During a special check presentation at halftime of Pickens’ game on Oct. 30, Jayne Kloth of Save-A-Lot presented a $5,000 donation to Pickens County Meals on Wheels.

The annual Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl was created in 2008 with the idea of harnessing the fierce rivalry between Pickens and Easley into a signature fundraising event to help Pickens County Meals on Wheels feed the community’s homebound elderly.

The Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl has grown to be the largest fundraising event for Pickens County Meals on Wheels, having raised a total of $206,701, the equivalent of 41,340 meals over the past eight years.

“We are so proud of what each school accomplished and thankful for the community’s support of this event,” PCMOW director Meta Bowers said. “Each contribution assists our organization in providing a cure for hunger, loneliness and isolation for over 550 seniors across Pickens County.”

 

Rock the Fall Ball

By Pamela Dodson
Staff Reporter

pdodson@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — The sound of country music filled the air around Pickens Friday night as fans from around the area came together to enjoy the Rock the Fall Ball.

The event, which was organized by the Pickens Azalea Festival Committee, gave country music fans the chance to enjoy name-brand talent in a hometown setting. The concert was held at Pickens’ historic Bruce field to benefit Upstate Warrior Solution.

J. Adam Broome

Pamela Dodson/Courier J. Adam Broome

Those in attendance were on their feet the entire night enjoying music from headliners Confederate Railroad and “America’s Got Talent” star Benton Blount. Other local artists Matt Tucker and J. Adam Broome also wowed the crowd with their performances.

One of the highlights of the evening was a special raffle held by the organizers giving those attending the concert a chance to win a patriotic guitar with a

Benton Blount

Pamela Dodson/ Courier Benton Blount

hard case and other extras donated by Art Maco, owner of Cornerstone Christian and Music Store in Pickens. The guitar was signed by all of the artists who performed at the event.

After Blount’s performance, Derrick Popham, an organizer of the event, joined both Tucker and Broome on stage before the winning ticket was pulled to serenade the crowd with a Luke Bryan hit.

Susan Stansell and Art Maco announce the winner of the guitar raffle

Pamela Dodson/ Pickens County Courier  Stansell, Maco announcing raffle winner

The guitar was presented to local resident Tammy Anderson by Maco and Azalea Festival committee member Susan Stansell.

After each performance, Popham, who works with Upstate Warrior Solution, took the stage along with fellow Veterans to explain how the nonprofit organization assists local servicemen and women with community-based solutions right here in our neighborhood. Their programs help restore a sense of purpose by offering outreach, healthcare, education, housing and family support for local warriors.

According to event officials, advance ticket sales contributed $102, and raffle ticket sales brought in $580 to benefit Upstate Warrior Solution.

 

Local churches acting as relay centers for Christmas shoeboxes

Children from Clemson Presbyterian Church have fun at a recent packing party for Operation Christmas Child.

COUNTY — It’s that time of year again when several churches in Pickens County will serve as drop-off sites for collection of gift-filled shoeboxes.

Operation Christmas Child, a division of Samaritan’ s Purse, is the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The gift-filled shoe boxes are a tangible way to demonstrate God’s love to needy children around the world.[cointent_lockedcontent]

Carol Avery helps load shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Carol Avery helps load shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 124 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in over 150 countries. Last year, the United States collected 10 million shoe boxes, a huge jump from the 28,000 collected in 1993. The Upstate packed more than 53,000 shoeboxes last year, and of that amount, Pickens county contributed 11,000.

It’s not too late too late to pack a shoebox for this year. Items in the shoeboxes usually include toys, school supplies non-liquid hygiene items and personal items, hard candy and notes of encouragement. A donation of $7 per box is requested for shipping. More information for packing a shoebox can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org and click on Operation Christmas Child. In 2015, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 11 million children. Any of the following Relay centers will be open during National Collection Week and will have volunteers ready to accept the shoeboxes.

Clemson – Clemson Presbyterian Church, 346 Old Greenville Highway, Clemson, SC 29631

Mon, Nov. 16: 10 a.m. -12 p.m., 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Tue, Nov. 17: 11 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Wed, Nov. 18: 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Thu, Nov. 19: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Fri, Nov. 20: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Sat, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Sun, Nov. 22: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Mon, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Easley Rock Springs Baptist Church, 201 Rock Springs Road, Easley, SC 29642

Mon, Nov. 16: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Tue, Nov. 17: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Wed, Nov. 18: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Thu, Nov. 19: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Fri, Nov. 20: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Sat, Nov. 21: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sun, Nov. 22: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Easley – Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 1621 Hester Store Road, Easley, SC 29640

Mon, Nov. 16: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Tue, Nov. 17: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Wed, Nov. 18: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Thu, Nov. 19: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Fri, Nov. 20: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Sat, Nov. 21: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Sun, Nov. 22: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Mon, Nov. 23: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Easley – Siloam Baptist Church, 229 Siloam Road, Easley, SC 29642

Mon, Nov. 16: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Tue, Nov. 17: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Wed, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Thu, Nov. 19: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Fri, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sat, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sun, Nov. 22: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Mon, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

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Cannon Auxiliary names Mary Hull as volunteer of the month

Pickens — Cannon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recently announced Mary Hull as the hospital’s volunteer of the month.

Visitors to Cannon in the past 16 years have seen one smiling volunteer face in particular — Hull’s.[cointent_lockedcontent]

Mary Hull

Mary Hull

Hull started teaching in a three-room high school in Spartanburg. She and her husband, W.L. Hull, met at Winthrop College. They moved to Pickens, where she taught high school until she retired in 1988.

She began volunteering at Cannon in 1999. In those 16 years, Hull has served in just about every capacity imaginable with the auxiliary. She currently serves as co-chair for the projects committee and serves on several other committees as well.

The Cannon Auxiliary is taking applications for new volunteers. To apply, you must be 18 years of age or older, able to work 20 hours annually and interested in helping Cannon Hospital and its commitment to provide quality healthcare in a safe, competent and compassionate manner. Applications can be obtained from the front lobby of Cannon, or by contacting the community relations department at (864) 898-1252.

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Appalachian Evening Music winter program enrollment is now underway

UPSTATE — Would you like to learn how to play the guitar, banjo, fiddle or mandolin? Enrollment is now underway for the Appalachian Evening Music Program. The winter session will begin the week of Monday, Dec. 7, at various locations. The enrollment period is open now and will run through Thursday, Dec. 10.

The program is open to students from third grade through adults of all ages. It is designed to teach students to play Appalachian music with the guitar, banjo, fiddle or mandolin. The cost is $60 for a six-week session and $25 for instrument rental, if needed.

Anyone interested in signing up for this new session should contact one of the following program directors:

Easley: Tuesday nights at the First Baptist Church. Contact: Susan Ware-Snow, 864-979-9188 or susu9196@gmail.com.

Greenville (downtown): Thursday nights at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Contact: Susan Ware-Snow, 864-979-9188 or susu9196@gmail.com.

Pickens: Monday & Thursday nights at the Pickens Community Center. Contact: Steve McGaha, 864-283-4871 or blindpunkin54@yahoo.com.

Salem: Monday nights at the Blue Ridge Mountain Cloggers Studio. Contact: Sharon Payne, 864-888-7916 or kendallsharon@bellsouth.net

Six Mile: Monday nights. Contact: Jan Nations, 864-608-3171 or jhnations64@aol.com.

Walhalla: Various nights at the Oconee Heritage Center. Contact: Jennifer Moss, 864-638-2224 or moss@oconee@heritagecenter.org

The Evening Music Program is sponsored by Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music Inc. (POSAM), a charitable non-profit organization.

 

Small paws making big impressions

PICKENS — On Friday, Nov. 13, students at Holly Springs Elementary packed 100 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is a Samaritan’s Purse project that sends shoeboxes full of small toys and necessities to needy children all over the world.[cointent_lockedcontent]

Pickens football players Ridge Clark and Dawson Lovell help kids at Holly Springs prepare shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Pickens football players Ridge Clark and Dawson Lovell help kids at Holly Springs prepare shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

The school collected donations for two weeks. Parents, students and teachers brought in items and also donated $700 to cover the cost of shipping the boxes. On Friday, Pickens High School football players came to help the third-grade students pack the boxes and made sure every box contained the necessary items.

This annual service learning project teaches Holly Springs students the importance of giving and helping others. Packing and sending 100 boxes is an amazing donation from the small school. The students continue to show how special they truly are. As Holly Springs’ Bears, they certainly are “small paws making big impressions.”

The school would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Dan Hinton, Dr. Elizabeth Armstrong and Dr. Don Marler of Pickens Dental Associates for donating toothbrushes and toothpaste.

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