Daily Archives: 05/27/2016
Runaway teen found in Georgia, man arrested
PICKENS — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia authorities joined forces last week to find a 14-year-old girl believed to have run away from a home in Pickens County.
Chief deputy Creed Hashe said Thursday that sheriff’s detectives contacted authorities in Columbia County after determining the man the girl reportedly left with was in the military and living within their jurisdiction. The girl was found unharmed at the home of Christopher Muse on May 17.
Georgia authorities have filed criminal charges against 31-year-old Muse, but Hashe said no charges are expected to be filed in Pickens County.
Hashe said Thursday that the sheriff’s office was notified of the girl’s disappearance by a family member late on the evening of May 16. Investigators quickly learned the incident did not involve foul play, as evidence discovered through social media confirmed that the missing girl had left the home voluntarily.
Upon further investigation, detectives learned the girl had been posing as a 19-year-old on various Internet dating sites, where she met and became engaged to a man later identified as Muse, who is from Evans, Ga. Hashe said the girl agreed to leave with the man, who drove to South Carolina on May 16 to meet her.
Hashe said the girl was turned over to family members after she was found.
“Preliminary investigation is that the decision to go to Georgia with Muse was completely voluntary,” Hashe said.
Issaqueena rides again
Main Street in Six Mile came alive with antique cars, food, live music, dancing, arts and crafts and fun for festivalgoers of all ages at the annual Issaqueena Festival on Saturday. The festival had gorgeous weather before an afternoon rain storm blew in and dampened the festivities.
Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Class of 2016 grads to walk
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
Ceremonies set for Saturday at high schools
PICKENS COUNTY — The four high schools in the School District of Pickens County will say goodbye and good luck to their classes of 2016 on Saturday.
Each high school plans to hold its graduation ceremony in its football stadium.
In the event of rain, the ceremonies will be moved into the school’s gymnasium, with overflow seating available in the school’s auditorium.
For parking and ticket information for each ceremony, visit either the high school’s website or the School District of Pickens County website.
Daniel High School’s graduation ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The DHS Class of 2016 numbers 261. Catherine Elena Howland is valedictorian, and salutatorian is Hana Bahiyyh Liebman. Jay Alexander Young will be recognized for having 12-year perfect attendance. The graduating class has received a total of $6,768,540 in scholarships.
Easley High School’s graduation ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. The EHS Class of 2016 numbers 425. Anisa Louise Young is valedictorian, while salutatorian is Shannon Elizabeth Duke. Jordan Craig Garrett will be recognized for having 12-year perfect attendance The graduating class has received a total of $9,876,035 in scholarships.
Liberty High School’s graduation ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. The LHS Class of 2016 has 149 members. Monica Joy Keever is valedictorian, while Samantha Noel Galloway is salutatorian. The school’s graduating class has received a total of $2,894,084 in scholarships.
Pickens High School’s graduation ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The PHS Class of 2016 has 299 members. Matthew John Martin is valedictorian, with Morgan Brantley Cox as salutatorian. The graduating class has received a total of $7,061,674 in scholarships.
Sheriff candidates to debate at Tri-County Easley campus
upstate — The candidates vying to lead the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office over the next four years will participate in a debate next week in Easley.
Memorial Day events planned
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Each year on the last Monday in May, the nation pauses to remember and honor the men and women who died serving their country.
A number of events are planned around Pickens County.
At 9 a.m. next Monday, May 30, members of the American Legion Pickens Post 11 and the Knights of Columbus will hold a ceremony at Sunrise Cemetery in Pickens.
A flag will be raised during the 30-minute ceremony, said Gary Parsons with the American Legion Pickens Post 11.
Rep. Davey Hiott will speak.
The Marine Corps League may also take part in the ceremony. Parsons said a local motorcycle group has also taken part in recent years.
Later that day, Pickens Post 11 members will travel to Hillcrest Cemetery for another ceremony. That ceremony is set to begin around 11:45 a.m., Parsons said. A wreath will be placed and flags will be raised on both sides of the highway. Another flag will be raised in the veterans section of the cemetery.
The flag-raising is set to take place at noon, Parsons said.
In Easley, members of the American Legion Post 52 will place flags in Westview Cemetery this Friday.
Also on Friday, Post 52 will begin its Memorial Day Poppy Sale at the Wal-Mart in Easley. Poppies will be sold from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday through Monday. The Memorial Day Poppy Sale is Post 52’s biggest fundraiser each year.
Aunt Sue’s Country Corner will also present its third annual Memorial Day Fest on Monday, featuring bluegrass music from Band Kelley, Balsam Range and Larry Sparks.
Tickets are $20. Barbecue and hot dogs will be available. Attendees are urged to bring a lawn chair.
For more information, contact Aunt Sue’s Country Corner at (864) 878-4366.
Clemson University will also honor fallen soldiers at a Memorial Day service at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Scroll of Honor Memorial.
The service will feature patriotic songs, a 21-gun salute and remarks by retired Lt. Col. Eric Turner. Turner, a chaplain and 1982 Clemson graduate, served tours of duty in Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired with 32 years of military service in the Army and National Guard.
“The men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives in defense of freedom traded their futures for our tomorrows,” said Lance Young, chairman of the Clemson Corps. “Their service should be remembered and honored by all of us who enjoy the freedom that is the legacy of their sacrifice.”
The Clemson Corps is coordinating the event at the Scroll of Honor Memorial on Williamson Road, directly across from Memorial Stadium. The public is invited. Parking will be available along the Avenue of Champions, immediately north of the stadium. Seating is limited, so people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In addition to the local Memorial Day events, Pickens County Veterans Affairs Officer Martha Dorset said a banner commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War is being displayed at the county administrative building in Pickens.
The banner can be seen as you come up the divided driveway of the administration building.
According to a proclamation issued by Governor Nikki Haley last year, the United States Vietnam War Commemoration “was established to thank and honor the veterans, including those held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, and their families for their service and sacrifice.”
SLED wraps probe into city’s finances
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — After nearly a year of investigation into the city of Liberty’s books, no criminal charges will be filed, officials announced last week.
Café Connections featuring work of Kathleen Campbell
PICKENS — Café Connections, located on Main Street in Pickens, has a new art exhibit called “A Journey to Paradise — Seascapes of Hawaii” now on display.
The artist is Kathleen Campbell, a new Pickens resident. Campbell is originally from Ohio, but spent the last five years living in Hawaii. She has only been painting for two years. All are invited to visit and take a look.
Appalachian Music Program enrollment now underway for first summer session
COUNTY — Would you like to learn how to play the guitar, banjo, fiddle or mandolin? Enrollment is now underway for the summer session of the Appalachian Music Program, which will begin the week of Monday, June 13, at various locations.
The enrollment period will run through Thursday, June 16. This 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 the 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.
Pickens: Monday & Thursday nights at the Pickens Community Center
Contact: Steve McGaha,
864-283-4871 or blindpunkin54@yahoo.com
Six Mile: Monday nights.
Contact: Jan Nations, 864-608-3171 or jhnations64@aol.com
The Evening Music Program is sponsored by Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music Inc. (POSAM), a charitable non-profit organization. For more information on the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program, visit www.YAMupstate.com, Facebook: “YAM (Young Appalachian Musicians),” or contact Betty McDaniel (director) at (864) 878-4257 or mcdanibw1@gmail.com.
Daniel’s Howard, Turner picked for annual honors
Dana Howard and Ute Turner
CENTRAL — Dana Howard and Ute Turner were recently chosen as Daniel High School’s 2016-2017 teacher of the year and support employee of the year, respectively.
Howard, a native of Charleston, is an English teacher at Daniel who is well-respected by both students and faculty. She has worked with the Broadcasting classes for many years, overseeing the production of the DWD TV episodes that are aired weekly during homeroom. This year, Howard also began working with the school’s Student Council, helping to organize a wide variety of activities that take place throughout the school year. Howard is married to fellow Daniel English teacher Todd Howard, and they have one young son.
Turner has been the bookkeeper at Daniel for more than 17 years. She is considered “one of the hardest working members of the school’s staff and has become the go-to person for anyone who has a question,” according to a nomination.
Turner is married to Daniel alumnus Eric Turner, and they have two daughters who are also Daniel graduates. In her free time, Turner enjoys bowling, painting, and creating crafts.
District teachers and support employees of the year will be honored at the School District of Pickens County’s “Welcome Back” meeting in August.
UDC chapter hosts meeting
The John C. Calhoun Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy recently hosted the Piedmont District Meeting with the James L. Orr Chapter at Lawrence Chapel United Methodist Church in Central. Pictured are Louise Alexander, SC Division Parliamentarian Jeannette Taylor, SC Division Chairman Marion Whitehurst, Barbara Clark, Shirley Carter, Caroline Morgan and Cornelia Barton.
