Daily Archives: 09/06/2016
Man sent to prison for abusing newborn
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A Pickens man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for abusing an infant.
Matthew Steven Pillon, 25, was convicted by a Pickens County jury last week on charges of unlawful neglect of a child, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and child abuse with great bodily injury.
Thirteenth Circuit solicitor Walt Wilkins announced the conviction and sentence in a news release issued Thursday.
During the trial, assistant solicitors Doug Richardson and Brandi Hinton presented evidence that established that Pillon abuse the baby between June 6 and June 7, 2013, when the victim was only 10 days old.
Due to the severity of the injuries, the infant was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at a Greenville Health System hospital, where he was treated for bruising all over his body, scratches on his face and a puncture to his throat that required a feeding tube.
Pillon was arrested on June 12, 2013, records show.
Judge Robin Stilwell handed down the sentence.
Pillon must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he will become eligible for parole, Wilkins said.
Lt. Jan Kelly and Capt. Marvin Nix of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Connected Classrooms
Samsung, AT&T providing tablets, internet to Pickens County middle schoolers
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Pickens County sixth and seventh graders are now able to bring the connected classrooms of today home with them.
Last Wednesday, the School District of Pickens County announced a partnership that will connect Pickens County middle school students.
AT&T is providing free 4G internet to sixth and seventh graders in the district at all five of its middle schools — Dacusville, Edwards, Gettys, Liberty and Pickens.
Samsung will donate 2,500 Galaxy tablets to those middle school students and their teachers.
The announcement was held at Gettys Middle School.
“This is a great day in Pickens County,” Gettys principal Mike Cory said. “Today is the most exciting announcement and business partnership that I have ever seen.”
Work has been going on behind the scenes for the last several years to secure the partnership, officials said.
“It took a lot of folks on the ground level to make this happen,” said Ted Creech, director of external affairs for AT&T South Carolina. “A lot of people have been working toward this day for a long time.”
The school district’s mission is to provide “a quality, 21st-century education for all of you,” Cory told his students. “We are taking a great step forward toward that vision today.”
Valued at more than $5 million over three years, the contribution is part of AT&T’s national commitment to the White House ConnectED initiative.
Creech had some questions for the students gathered at the announcement assembly.
“Are you ready to be the best sixth-grade class to ever be at Gettys, ever?” he asked. “Seventh graders, are you ready to show the eighth-graders who’s boss?”
“AT&T is excited about the future because we are excited about you as students,” Creech said. “And we are committed to you as students. More now than at any time in history, it is critical that we invest in young people to develop a diverse talent pipeline of young people with the skills to help our society prosper.”
It has been estimated that by 2020, there will be a “global shortage of approximately 40 million high-skilled workers and 45 million medium-skilled workers,” Creech said.
“To me, that says to all of you students, the stronger, the better the education you receive, the greater the opportunities for you going forward into the future,” he said, adding technologies are “fundamentally altering education.”
“Especially where and when learning happens,” Creech said. “AT&T decided that we want to be a part of that change, to leverage technology, relationships, social innovation, to help all students make their biggest dreams become reality.”
In 2008, AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature philanthropic initiative, was launched. AT&T Aspire’s focus is “helping students succeed in school and beyond,” Creech said.
“Through Aspire, we have passed the $250 million dollar mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education between 2008 and 2017,” he said. “We’ve impacted more than one million students across all 50 states.”
Mobile internet needs to be utilized more effectively to help teachers and students learn “wherever they are,” Creech said.
In 2014, AT&T committed, as part of the national ConnectED initiative, to provide connectivity for more than 50,000 students across the country.
“Proposals came from schools and school districts all over the country, including Pickens County” Creech said. “The competition was fierce — but I am here today with very, very good news. We’re thrilled to be able to make the announcement.”
Ted Brodheim, vice president of vertical business at Samsung Electronics America, ran technology for New York City Public Schools, one of the first school districts in the nation to put tablets in the classrooms.
“I’ve seen firsthand how much of a positive impact those tablets can have, in terms of the teaching and learning environment,” he said. “I’m sure in Pickens County you’re going to see the same results, and I can’t wait to see they look like.”
He said Samsung was very excited to be working with AT&T as part of the ConnectED initiative. Brodheim said his company is committed to education. Samsung runs a program called Hope for Children, which focuses on education, healthcare and sustainability for children.
“We believe that success goes hand-in-hand with good corporate citizenship,” Brodheim said.
He told the audience that the tablets will “completely change the game.”
He asked the students if they liked to use the latest technology — a question that was met with a resounding “Yes!”
“These are going to open up a whole new world of opportunity to you,” Brodheim told teachers and students. “You’re going to have access to all kinds of new information. And no matter where your careers take you, you’re going to be able to use these things to explore all kinds of new opportunities, to learn about the world, to make decisions going forward.”
School District of Pickens County superintendent Danny Merck thanked everyone who worked to secure the grant that makes the new tech in the classrooms possible.
“It is appreciated more than you will ever know,” he said. “Today is a great day in Pickens County.”
After a quick starter lesson on digital citizenship, the students began receiving their new tablets.
“I feel like Santa Claus,” Gettys teacher Christie Vaughn said as she handed out the new tech to her students.
Officials hailed the partnership and what it will do for Pickens County schools.
“This project will help students set goals and pursue dreams which may be far beyond any they previously imagined,” U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said. “It is truly an investment in our students and in South Carolina’s future.”
Merck read from a letter from Gov. Nikki Haley, congratulating the district for being selected for the national award.
“Our state is competing in the 21st-century economy, and investing in technology both in and outside the classroom will play a vital role in ensuring we’re teaching children for the future and not the past,” Haley wrote.
In addition to providing the internet access and tablets, the partner companies have also committed to provide the schools with tech support, device management, filtering software and professional development training for teachers.
“We’re looking forward to the great things teachers will be able to do with this connectivity, that students will be able to do with the connectivity, to enhance learning in the classroom, and to extend that experience well beyond the schoolhouse walls,” Creech said.
Officials with both companies said they look forward to coming back to Pickens County in about a year to see firsthand the progress that’s been made.
“We’re excited about how this project is going to impact students and their families in the classroom, in the school and beyond the school walls,” Creech said.
“It will be so much more than a device,” Cory said.
on the farm
Huge crowds flocked to Dacusville over the weekend for the fourth annual Dacusville Farm Days celebration Saturday and Sunday at Tom Turner’s farm on Earls Bridge Road. The event featured arts and crafts, live music, food, antique tractors and farm equipment and the ever-popular parade of power. Left, Turner interviews Jacob Medlin during the parade. Rocky Nimmons/Courier
School board tables prayer motion
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — The issue of prayer at Pickens County School Board meetings has been discussed and debated a number of times in recent years, and that continued again during its Aug. 22 regular monthly meeting.
Recently, trustee Alex Saitta said he disagrees with the school board’s prayer policy, as well as the opinion rendered by the school board attorney.
“The school board’s prayer policy says prayers given by board members must be non-sectarian, such as God, Father and Lord, and cannot be sectarian, such as to Jesus or Moses or whomever, and the district’s lawyer stands by the policy,” Saitta said. “But I have argued since the Supreme Court ruling in Galloway vs. Greece, N.Y., the non-sectarian requirement of the board policy is unconstitutional.
“The Supreme Court said in its opinion, over and over, that the government doesn’t have the right to judge or edit prayers. That’s exactly what the school board policy requires, though. That is, the collective board requires the individual board member whose turn it is to give the prayers, his prayer must be non-sectarian. I believe that violates the free exercise clause in the First Amendment.”
Saitta said because most board members heed the advice of school board attorney Bic Halligan “without question,” the sentiment for striking the non-sectarian requirement from the policy “is lacking.”
For a number of years, the school board meetings were led in prayer by students. However, after receiving a letter in 2012 from the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation threatening legal action, the board ended that practice.
In March 2015, the board deadlocked 3-3 on a motion made by Saitta that would have allowed religious congregations in the county to give sectarian prayers — with the tie vote being basically the same as a “no” vote as far as passage is concerned.
The prayer is now led before each meeting by various board members, from the chaplain’s prayer book used for the South Carolina General Assembly.
The public is still allowed to and has participated in offering prayers that are Christian during the public comment portion of the meeting.
But Saitta continues to say that the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in May 2014 to uphold the practice of public prayer before local government meetings was “a game changer.” In addition, Saitta said the state senate modified the state prayer law, and Gov. Nikki Haley signed it into law in June.
“It is siding with my interpretation — that is, the law clearly states government bodies can’t require prayers to be non-sectarian,” Saitta said.
As a result, Saitta said he is renewing efforts to strike the nonsectarian requirement from the school board’s public prayer policy.
Trustee Henry Wilson said he chooses not to participate in board prayers rather than adhere to the nonsectarian requirement.
“I will pray the way I want to,” Wilson said. “If you decide you want to fight the law, that’s your own personal decision. I don’t think we have to have a fistfight over this.”
Board chairperson Judy Edwards said the board has given the chair the right to contact an attorney and spend the money involved in dealing with the issue. But Halligan has requested to wait until after the November general election to advise the board.
The board voted 4-1 to table Saitta’s motion to take up the issue at its Sept. 26 meeting and will instead await advice from Halligan regarding the issue.
Touchdown club plans luncheons
PICKENS — The Pickens Touchdown Club will host community luncheons again this season at the Gatehouse Restaurant on Fridays of PHS home football games.
The luncheons will run from noon-1 p.m. and offer an opportunity to enjoy lunch, meet Blue Flame players of the week, watch highlights from the previous weeks’ games and hear from a guest speaker.
The first community luncheon of the 2016 season will be held this Friday, Sept. 9, with Clemson assistant coach Brad Scott as guest speaker.
The community is also invited to join the Blue Flame football team for breakfast this Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Gatehouse Restaurant. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-10 a.m. The breakfast will include eggs. grits, sausage, bacon, pancakes and drinks with the Blue Flame before fans head to Tigertown or Columbia for the afternoon’s games. Tickets are $10 and available from any football player or coach, or you can pay at the door.
Final ‘Beverly Hillbillies’ shows planned at Foothills Playhouse
EASLEY — The Clampetts will be back at the Foothills Playhouse in Easley this weekend.
After its first shows last weekend, the playhouse’s season-opening production of “The Beverly Hillbillies” will have three final performances this weekend.
The hilarious comedy is based on the TV show created by Paul Henning that aired from 1962-1971. David Rogers, an author and Broadway playwright, wrote the script for the stage production.
Jennifer Ouellette is making her directorial debut at Foothills Playhouse with the production.
The story begins at the Clampetts’ mountain cabin, where Jed (played by Jonathan Houston), the patriarch of the family, is approached by a couple of “big wheels” from Brewster Oil Company who offer to buy the “slew” that is running rampant through their property. The family instantly becomes millionaires and decides to move to Beverly Hills to be among the movie stars.
The Clampetts meet many new folks in Beverly Hills, including the uptight Mrs. Pennyweather (Sheri Taylor) and their new neighbors, the Drysdales (played by Maurice Reed and Lynne Gibson).
Hillarity, new romances and interesting events occur as Jed, Ellie Mae (Jillana Darby), Jethro (Tim Spears), and Granny (Anne Robards) try to adjust to life in “Californey.”
Performances will be held at Foothills Playhouse in Easley, which is located in West End Hall. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets may be reserved by calling the box office at (864) 855-1817 or by visiting fhplayhouse.com.
Quilts of Valor
Four beautiful handmade quilts were raffled off during Dacusville Farm Days over the weekend to help area servicemen. The nonprofit Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded by Linda Hall, Teresa Lander, Marsha Given and Ronnie Hall two years ago in Pickens County as a way to help those serving in the United States military. The quilt pictured was given away on
Sunday and featured Wheel Horse, the tractor company chosen as the featured tractor during this year’s Farm Days celebration.
New event venue to open in Easley
EASLEY — Easley will soon be home to a new event venue.
Located downtown on the corner of South First Street and West First, South & West will open its doors late this fall to offer a warm, inviting space for wedding receptions and other special events.
“There is nothing like South & West in the area,” founder Chris Robinson said. “We offer indoor and outdoor spaces, a conference room and the convenience of the city center, all at a great value.”
Located in the former Southern Bank & Trust building across the street from Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, South & West will have a seating capacity of 100-plus people and will be available for weddings and family events, social gatherings and parties, and corporate gatherings and fundraisers.
Catering teams will have access to a large, modern kitchen, enabling them to accommodate a variety of events. In addition, South & West will be an ideal space for families to gather for food and fellowship as they celebrate the life of a loved one.
South & West’s other features include an open, well-lit floor plan with a state-of-the-art sound system, a coffered ceiling, a covered patio with an outdoor fireplace, a conference room and plenty of convenient parking for guests — a huge asset in the downtown area.
For more information about the venue and its capabilities, contact Robinson at (864) 859-3030 or info@thesouthandwest.com, or visit thesouthandwest.com.
South & West is currently accepting reservations for upcoming events.
Sarah Allison is a girl of many talents
Sarah Allison is a very friendly, exceptionally, multitalented 13-year-old girl. She was born July 1, 2003, and has always lived in Pickens. Her parents are David Allison, a lawyer, and Rhonda Allison, a secretary at Six Mile Elementary School.[cointent_lockedcontent]
Sarah is an eighth-grade student at Youth Leadership Academy, located between Pickens and Six Mile. She is an intelligent student, and is a member of the Beta Club there.
She has musical, acting and writing talents. In January 2016, she started taking guitar lessons from Joe Padgett. She enjoys the lessons and practices almost every day. By doing so, she has mastered the strings. She started taking mandolin lessons, and in three months she was playing like a pro.
She also sings. She has a remarkable, lovely voice. In August, she and her guitar teacher entertained the audience at the Pickens Senior Center for an hour. Joe played the guitar, and Sarah played the mandolin and sang. She likes all types of music, but said her favorite song is “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson.
Sarah also has the amazing talent to act. In September 2015, she made her debut in the Thornton Wilder play “Our Town” at Enrapt, located on West Main Street in Pickens. Breann Griffin Nicholson, the founder of Enrapt, directed the play. Sarah played the part of Si Crowell. In December 2015, Sarah performed in the play, “A Very Merry Entrap Christmas.”
In April and May, she was in the cast of Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible.” Her role in the play was Betty Parris.
She is currently working on a musical revue of “Annie” that will be performed in Easley.
Sarah also likes to write. She said she started writing at the age of 5. She has written short stories, plays and poems. She has also written a biography about her great grandmother, Bea
Davis.
Sarah enjoys spending time with her cousins. She also enjoys playing with and taking care of her two pet bunnies, Sonny and Thumper.
Once, she watched a television show about sign language and became so interested in it that she taught herself the alphabet, and from there she went on to learn how to message in sign language. She said one of her friends at school also knew how to sign. They sent messages to each other.
Sarah has a serious food allergy. Ever since she was 12 months old, she has been allergic to all varieties of nuts, milk and eggs. She is very careful about what she eats, but she never complains about her situation.
She will be attending Pickens High School next year. She said after she graduates, she plans to go to Erskine College in Due West and study arts. She wants to have a career as an arts director or an actress.
Sarah is proud to call herself a Christian. She has a social media account. She uses it to type and send Bible verses and devotions.
Easley resident Carol Baker highlights interesting local residents and helps us get to know more about the fascinating people who call Pickens County home. If you have someone somewhere who you think people should know about, contact us at news@thepccourier.com.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Our hero, the family caregiver
Caregiving is an act of love. You put so much of yourself in caring for your loved one, especially if he or she has dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the average span of the disease is seven years and it can go on as long as 20 years. The challenges only increase with time.
For most, the pro
gression of the disease is slow. In the beginning, it offers a time for shared laughter, intimacy and social experiences. You will have opportunities to manage legal and financial issues in advance, and to adjust to the diagnosis so that you can make the most of your time together.
This is also a good time to form a support team from your family, friends and perhaps professionals. Getting respite and taking care of yourself leads to being a good caregiver. Friends and family are glad to help if they help in a way that makes them feel comfortable.
Not everyone in your family will be good caregivers. However, everyone in your family can help when you need a break. Some members of your family may be financially fit and can help with expenses. Others may be great at doing research and helping you solve problems and find the resources you need. Everyone can certainly come, even if only a few times a year, and give you respite.
I was fortunate enough to take care of my dad in his last seven years of life. My brother and nieces each took turns spending a weekend with him. They got to spend quality time with their dad/grandfather. My family is small. Yet, I got away for a weekend break once a month. That was sufficient so that I could give my all to my dad when I returned home.
Friends, neighbors and my church family lived much closer to me than my biological family. They would bring dinners, run errands and visit when they had a chance. Many churches offer a ministry where they bring dinners on a regular basis.
In some instances you may also need to hire professional care. I did. I was still working while I took care of my dad. If you hire a trustworthy agency, they offer expertise that you may not have. Many agencies have certified nurse’s aides who have taken courses on dealing with clients who have dementia.
Caregiving is an act of love and a 24/7 commitment. You can heighten your experience if you form your support group early. People want to help. They just need to be asked and to give in a way they feel comfortable. It makes them feel good. It makes you and your loved one receiving care realize how much you both are loved.
So many people have asked if they can ask me questions or tell me concerns regarding dementia. The answer is yes. Please email them to me at askbonnie@outlook.com. While you remain anonymous, answers to your questions will be revealed in the newspaper so that you and others can benefit. I look forward to hearing from you.
Bonnie Holmes is president of Loving Health Care, Inc. Although the well qualified caregivers care for clients with many different types of needs, the specialty of this company is clients with dementia. For more information, call (864) 916-9204.
