Category Archives: Local News
Man charged in Easley killing
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — An Easley man is charged with murder after a woman was stabbed to death over the weekend.
Brandon Wayne Hopkins, 35, also faces a charge of possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection with the stabbing death of 41-year-old Crystal Lynn Pace of Easley.
Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brett Barwick said in a release issued Saturday, Dec. 6, that the PCSO Communications Center received a call at 8:19 a.m. that morning about a possible stabbing in
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Easley man charged with exploitation
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — An Easley man faces nearly a dozen charges connected to the sexual 
exploitation of minors, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson said last week.
Benjamin Hoyt Graham, 48, was arrested on Nov. 21, Wilson said in a release issued Dec. 2.
Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led them to Graham, he said.
Wilson said Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigators with the
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Pickens woman charged in alleged Medicaid scam
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A Pickens woman is one of two people facing charges for alleged Medicaid 
fraud, according to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.
In a release issued Dec. 2, Wilson said his office’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) arrested Tami Ferguson Stewart, 65, of Simpsonville, and Sydney R.
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Fourth annual Shop with a Hero held in Pickens
PICKENS — Fostering Love, a local nonprofit, hosted its fourth annual Shop With a 
Hero event on Dec. 1, bringing together first responders from across Pickens County to help provide children with a positive and memorable Christmas experience.
Children are recommended for the program by family liaisons with the Pickens County School District. Each selected child is paired with a first responder — including law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs — for a shopping trip at Walmart, where
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Festive Christmas Fun in Pickens County
Central
The Semper Fi Barn on will have photos with Santa on Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m. the public welcome. Bring your favorite first responder (Police, Firefighter, EMS, Dispatch, Veterans and Community). this a free event. The Semper Fi Barn is located at 314 Smith Memorial Highway, Central. For more info, email semperfibarn@gmail.com or call Tom @ 864-643-9197.
Pickens
Due to inclement weather, the Pickens Christmas Parade has been rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m.
Get ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year right here in Pickens.
This holiday season will be filled with community cheer, twinkling lights, and all the small-town Christmas magic you love. This year’s parade theme is “Christmas Traditions and Tales” — a celebration of the stories and customs that make the season bright, from timeless holiday tales to cherished family memories.
Easley
Visit Downtown Easley with family and loved ones on Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. for the Annual Easley Christmas Parade of Lights. The parade will be filled with floats and performances that will take over downtown Easley. To get the best view, get there early
Courier Community Calendar 12-10-25
• Liberty Scholarship fundraiser planned
Arnold’s of Liberty will host a fundraiser on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to show support for the Liberty Community Scholarship.
A percentage of all sales will be donated by owner Gary Durkee. Enjoy a great meal, snack or dessert and support Liberty High School and Liberty PCCTC youth. Arnold’s manager Michael Shore is in charge of the event.
• PPC invites all to holiday carols event
Pickens Presbyterian Church invites the community to a special Lessons and Carols Service on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m. The church ask you to join them at 311 West Main St. in Pickens for a beautiful morning of scripture readings and beloved Christmas carols, celebrating the story of Christ’s birth.
This year’s service will feature a live instrumental ensemble, and Pickens Presbyterian
Ethics board fines former Easley mayor
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — The S.C. Ethics Commission has found that former Easley Mayor Butch 
Womack violated portions of the Ethics Act while serving as mayor.
The Ethics Commission’s panel issued a public reprimand and ordered Womack to pay to the commission a reduced civil penalty of $2,000 ($1,000 for each count) and an administrative fee of $1,500 for a total of $3,500, according to a demand and order signed Nov. 11.
Womack was also ordered to reimburse the city of Easley $2,247.17 and to provide to the commission proof that payment has been made.
During an Oct. 16 hearing on the matter, the commission’s general counsel, Courtney Laster, said the claim centered on the contention that Womack, while mayor, used city resources to
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PC Municipal Association award winners named
CENTRAL — More than two dozen public safety workers across Pickens County were honored last month for their dedication and service to the community during the 
Pickens County Municipal Association’s annual banquet
The event, sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, was held Nov. 17 at Southern Wesleyan University. Association President and Clemson Mayor Robert Halfacre served as emcee, and South Carolina House Majority Leader Davey Hiott delivered the
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Family of late Easley Fire Captain named Easley Parade Grand Marshal
EASLEY — The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce announced last month that the family of retired Easley Fire Department Captain Barry Bridges has been selected as the 
Grand Marshals for the 2025 Easley Christmas Parade.
The honor was announced at the Easley Chamber of Commerce State of the County luncheon.
“Captain Bridges’ gave many years of dedicated service to the Easley community as a fireman” stated Dr. Brian Swords, Easley Chamber of Commerce President, but many never realized that Capt. Bridges also volunteered as Santa Claus for countless Easley Christmas parades
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