Category Archives: Local News
Sheriff discusses search for missing man found dead
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship recently addressed the search for a 27-year-old 
Central man whose body was found two weeks after he was last seen in December.
Last seen on Dec. 6, Swapnil Srivastava’s body was found submerged in Lake Hartwell on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Blankenship discussed the search in a Facebook Live video posted on the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 23. He praised those involved in the search and rebuked those who made critical and
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Prisma restricting visitation amid rising flu rates
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
GREENVILLE — Prisma Health announced last week that it is now restricting anyone age 15 and younger from visiting patients in its hospitals “due to increased rates of community influenza and other respiratory illnesses.”
Prisma said the temporary restrictions began Tuesday, Dec. 30, “to help protect patients and team
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
CU Facilities to tackle projects over Winter Break
CLEMSON — On Monday, Dec. 15, Clemson University Facilities began to take advantage of the quieter campus environment to work on several projects affecting buildings and roadways.
McMillan Road Crosswalk Safety Improvements
On Dec. 15, contractors began installing concrete crosswalk bulb outs to enhance pedestrian safety at the McMillan Road crosswalk between McAdams and Edwards Halls.
One lane of McMillan Road may be blocked and/or held while equipment and trucks are entering the area.
Work will begin on the McAdams side of the road first before crossing over to the Edwards side.
A temporary crosswalk will be in place near the work site, and the project is scheduled for completion in
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
LCS represents at FOT
The 40th annual Festival of Trees hosted by Bon Secours St. Francis Foundation has a lot of heart, especially this year, as fundraising through the leadership of St. Francis Foundation president Erik Whaley and the dedication of major gifts officer Susannah Pazdan Hogg, the William Carpenter Heart Fund will provide for a new cardiovascular iniative with vital equipment and diverse resources including new programs for heart patients across the Upstate. This year a heart-stopping, record-number 101 Christmas trees were on display at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville, with the nine-foot Liberty Community Scholarships tree shining brightly among them. Pictured with the LCS tree are the 2025 LCS Festival of Trees Committee. LCS secretary Tracy Morgan was honored at a Dec. 15 breakfast for her faithful work to benefit area youth. Tabitha Irby, general manager of 19 Great Clips stores, and her daughter, AJ Irby, enjoyed the display celebrating LCS recipients.
GSG strengthens ties with Clemson leaders
CLEMSON — Under the leadership of President Kazi Jewel Rana, Clemson University’s Graduate Student Government (GSG), which represents nearly 6,000 graduate students, has expanded its role 
beyond campus governance by strengthening collaboration between graduate students, university leadership and the city of Clemson.
One of the key efforts of Rana’s presidency has been bringing city leadership directly into graduate student discussions. Clemson Mayor Robert Halfacre and assistant city administrator Nathan Woods were invited to address the Graduate Senate, creating a forum for direct dialogue between graduate students and city officials. The discussions initiated conversations with the city of Clemson on improving access to affordable housing for Clemson students, particularly graduate students
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Nuclear siren testing scheduled for Jan. 7 around Oconee Nuclear Station
UPSTATE — Duke Energy and county officials will test the outdoor warning sirens around Oconee Nuclear Station between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.
To ensure they are functioning properly, sirens will sound for five to 30 seconds. Anyone who hears a siren during scheduled testing
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Now open in Pickens
Salvage Antiques and Uniques is now open, specializing in new and refined resale, antiques, home décor, furniture and more. The shop is located at 404 Johnson St. in Pickens and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Pictured are Sam Medoro, Evelyn Henderson, Kim Smagala, Rick Henderson, Mike and Lori Gould, and Donna Smagala.
Community Calendar 12-31-25
• 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.
• Dacusville Lions to host monthly bingo
The Dacusville Lions Club will be hosting Bingo night on the second Thursday of each month at the Lions Building in Dacusville, located at 1384 Thomas Mill Road. The next Bingo session will be Thursday, Jan. 8. There are set to be 10 games beginning at 7 p.m., and proceeds will go toward funding community event and other community needs. The games should conclude around 9 p.m. Bingo night
Authorities: Easley man threatened mass shooting
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
GREENVILLE — An Easley man faces federal charges after authorities allege he threatened to commit a mass shooting.
Lucas Brandon Rousso, 30, of Easley, is charged with making threatening communications online, according to a news release issued Dec. 17 by the United States Attorney’s Office.
Rousso made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge William Brown on Dec. 17, the release said.
Rousso was arrested by federal agents, the release said.
In addition to the Federal Bureau of Investigations Columbia Field Office, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the Easley Police
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Missing Central man’s body found
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — The body of a Central man missing for two weeks was found in Lake Hartwell Saturday.
In a release issued Saturday night, Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson identified the remains as 
those of Swapnil Srivastava, 27.
Srivastava was reported missing from his Central apartment on Dec. 6, according to Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brett Barwick.
At 2:25 p.m. Saturday, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
