Category Archives: Local News
Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Encourages Members to Prepare Now for Potential Ice Storm Outages
PICKENS — Blue Ridge Electric Co-op is urging members to prepare now for potential extended outages from an ice storm forecasted to hit the Upstate this weekend. Co-op leadership has secured multiple out-of-state crews to respond to any weather-related outages.
Blue Ridge always maintains a stock of poles, transformers and other equipment to repair damage. Although forecasts continue to change daily, now is the time to prepare for potential power outages, said Blue Ridge CEO/President Jim Lovinggood.
“Winter weather in our service area can be unpredictable, and ice storms have the potential to cause significant damage to our infrastructure,” he said. “That’s why we’re urging members to prepare now. Once the storm hits, it will be too late.”
If you or someone you care for depends on life-supporting medical devices, make plans now in case electrical service is interrupted. If necessary, contact your medical provider for backup equipment.
Best safety practices include having the following items on hand:
- Cash
- Non-perishable food; manual can opener
- Flashlights
- Batteries; portable chargers
- Fuel for Generators • Water
- First-Aid Kit and Prescriptions
Outage Reporting BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE | 734 W. Main Street, Pickens, S.C. 29671 Conveniently report outages by texting OUT to 800-240-3400, through the mobile app or by calling 888-258-3743. The co-op’s control center and member service representatives will remain available 24/7.
Members should bookmark the co-op’s online outage page and follow Blue Ridge across social media platforms for the latest information.
Body found in Pickens
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The Pickens County Coroner’s Office and the Pickens Police Department 
are investigating after a body was found Saturday.
Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson said Chief Deputy Coroner Tommy Page was notified at 3pm Saturday, Jan. 17 that a body had been discovered in the area of C. David Road
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Coroner: Fatal shooting was isolated incident
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — There was no threat to the public following a fatal shooting incident over the 
weekend, according to the investigating agencies.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call at 11:am Saturday, Jan. 17 “in reference to a possible shooting incident,” according to a PCSO release issued that same evening.
The location was a residence in the 400 block of Latham Road in Easley, the release said.
Deputies located a seriously injured adult male with
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SDPC announces leadership changes
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — The Pickens County School Board approved four leadership appointments during a called meeting Monday, naming new district-level administrators and a permanent principal for Central Academy of the Arts.
The appointments include Travis Chapman as director of assessment, Lauren Corn as executive director of secondary instruction, Tish Goode as director of elementary literacy, and Brittney Morgan as principal of Central Academy of the Arts. Chapman, Corn and Goode will assume their new roles July 1, following the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year.
TRAVIS CHAPMAN
Chapman, currently principal of Dacusville Elementary School, was named director of assessment. He has served as principal since 2018 and previously held principal and assistant principal positions in Pickens County and Anderson School District Five. In his new role, Chapman will oversee districtwide assessment programs, testing
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YMCA celebrates National Mentoring Month
EASLEY — January is National Mentoring Month, and the YMCA of Easley, Pickens and Powdersville is shining a light on the life-changing impact mentors have on young 
people while calling on the community to step forward and help close a critical need known as the mentoring gap.
According to the National Mentoring Project, one in three youths between the ages of 8 and 18 grows up
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Now open in Pickens
Table Rock Key and Lock celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 12, surrounded by friends, family, chamber members and community supporters. The event marked the beginning of a new year for the third-generation locksmith, which serves the Upstate with residential, commercial and automotive services. Table Rock Key and Lock offers lock installation and repair, rekeying, key cutting for most residential and office locks, select older automotive keys, and 24/7 assistance for opening homes, businesses and vehicles. The business is located at 104A Ann St. in Pickens.Table Rock Key and Lock celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 12, surrounded by friends, family, chamber members and community supporters. The event marked the beginning of a new year for the third-generation locksmith, which serves the Upstate with residential, commercial and automotive services. Table Rock Key and Lock offers lock installation and repair, rekeying, key cutting for most residential and office locks, select older automotive keys, and 24/7 assistance for opening homes, businesses and vehicles. The business is located at 104A Ann St. in Pickens.
Courier Community Calendar 1-21-26
• Food pantry hours announced at PPC
The Food Pantry at Pickens Presbyterian Church is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To receive food, individuals must present a valid ID showing residency in Pickens County. Pickens Presbyterian Church is located at 311 W. Main St. in Pickens.
• Pickens Rotary meets Wednesdays
The Rotary Club of Pickens meets at 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Pickens County Museum. Guests are invited to the meetings to learn the 20 reasons to join Rotary.
• Dacusville Lions to host monthly bingo
The Dacusville Lions Club will be hosting Bingo night on the second Thursday of each
Rice discusses legislators’ priorities for 2026
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Roads and bridges, the retirement system for state employees and abortion are among the topics Sen. Rex Rice believes state legislators will soon be discussing.
Rice was the speaker at a Pickens County Republican Club town hall held Jan. 8 at Mutt’s BBQ in Easley.
He touched on several topics that would be “dealt with” by
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Sheriff speaks on standoff at Pickens home
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office took a man into custody on Sunday 
after a standoff drew heavy law enforcement presence, including SLED officers, on Hollingsworth Drive in Pickens on Saturday night.
According to Sheriff Tommy Blankenship, the man involved in the scene on Saturday was known to law enforcement following a recent incident at East Pickens Baptist Church where the man had to be physically restrained by church security after trying to access a secure area of the church where children were present.
“Following that incident and contact from a family friend about his mental health and drug abuse, a judge signed an order of detention commanding law enforcement officers to take the individual into custody for a medical evaluation,” Blankenship said in a
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