Category Archives: Local News
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
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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
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Rep. Collins to seek reelection
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Rep. Neal Collins recently announced plans to seek reelection to the State House of Representatives.
Collins’ District 5 seat is up for election on Nov. 9, 2026. He was first elected
to the seat in 2014 and ran unopposed in the November 2024 general election after defeating challenger Brandy Tarleton in the 2024 Republican primary.
In a Dec. 15 post on his “Rep. Neal Collins” Facebook page, Collins wrote that
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Six Mile holds Christmas awards dinner
SIX MILE — The town of Six Mile held its annual Christmas dinner on Dec. 5 at the Gap Hill Church of God’s Life Center on S.C. Highway 183. During the event, the town presented its annual awards to outstanding community members.
The 2025 Good Citizen of the Year Award was given to Coy Adkins in recognition of his dedication to
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Community Calendar
• 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 will be a family-friendly event and monetary prizes will be available. For more, contact Bob Spalding at (864) 430-0119 or bob@bobspalding.net.
• Sertoma Club invites locals to meet
The Clemson Sertoma Club invites all local residents to attend its meetings. The club meets at noon the
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Two die after 183 collision
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Two Inman residents died following a two-car collision on S.C. Highway 183 last week.
The wreck happened at 11:19 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at the intersection of S.C. 183 and Jameson Road in Easley, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway.
The collision occurred as a 2025 GMC pickup was traveling south on S.C.
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Body found after blaze in Liberty
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — Multiple agencies are investigating after a body was found following a fire in Liberty Monday.
Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson said in a news release that he and deputy coroner Marsha Alexander responded to 316 Spring Valley Road in Liberty at 5:45 p.m. Monday “in reference to a death in a
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Woman headed to prison for deadly shooting
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A Liberty woman has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison after fatally 
shooting her boyfriend three years ago.
In a release issued Dec. 9, 13th Circuit Solicitor Cindy Crick said Nicole Michelle Heape, 31, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter on Nov. 8, 2025.
Heape was initially charged with murder and possession of a weapon
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SDPC to buy West End Hall from the city of Easley
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Ownership of West End Hall in Easley will be changing hands after school district officials 
requested the building be sold back to the district.
The sale will benefit the continued and future growth of the district’s Adult Learning Center, according to officials.
In November, Mayor Lisa Talbert said the situation is an unusual one. The school district owns the grounds and gave the city the building.
“It was given to us for $1,” she said. “It’s just a part of our town and it belongs to the school.”
School District of Pickens County superintendent
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Remembering family
Kerry Gilstrap/Courier
Hundreds of families gathered at Hillcrest Memorial Park to light candles in honor of their loved ones during Dillard Memorial Funeral Home’s annual Service of Remembrance, held last Friday evening. Pictured here, Samantha Satterfield, Katherine White, Dean White, David Satterfield, Annabelle White and Brianna Satterfield take part in the emotional service..
