Category Archives: Local News
4-year-old’s death under investigation
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Pickens County Coroner’s Office are investigating after a 4-year-old child died after being found unresponsive at an Easley home Monday.
Coroner Kandy Kelley identified the child as Kason Stelling.
According to a news release from sheriff’s office Chief Deputy Chad Brooks, the child was found unresponsive
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County holds opioid summit
By Riley Morningstar
Courtesy The Journal
rmorningstar@upstatetoday.com
CLEMSON — More than 30 people have died from drug overdoses in Pickens County this year, setting an all-time high for the area, according to the county’s coroner.
The Pickens County Opioid Summit was held Wednesday at the Madren Center in Clemson, and Coroner Kandy Kelley told the audience of more than 100 people that 32 people had died from drug overdoses to date.
She said a spike in fentanyl use has been a factor in higher overdose numbers in recent years.
“I’m seeing fentanyl mixed in, and the people who are using the heroin think it’s safe because they’ve used it before, and when
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Town hall meetings to address opioid use
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The opioid problem in Pickens County will be discussed at an upcoming series of town hall meetings.
The meeting series is called “Unmasked: The Truth Behind the Opioid Crisis in Pickens County” and will be hosted at the branch libraries around the county. The first meeting is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Hampton Memorial Library in Easley. The Sarlin Branch library in Liberty will host a meeting at 5 p.m. Sept. 16. The Village Branch in Pickens will
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2 arrested after late-night chase
CLEMSON — Two men were arrested last week after police said they ran from officers on foot after speeding through downtown Clemson.
At 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Clemson police noticed a car being driven at a “high rate of speed through the downtown area of Clemson” and officers tried to stop the vehicle before the driver evaded a traffic stop, Clemson Police Chief Jimmy Dixon said in a news release.
Dixon said the vehicle was driven to a dead-end street, and one man was found “trying to swim from the shore within
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County administrator to explore Fort Prince George site options
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Acting Pickens County administrator Ken Roper will be exploring ways the county can assist with the reconstruction of Fort Prince George, a colonial-era fort and trading post along the Cherokee Path.
The original fort site now lies beneath the waters of Lake Keowee.
During county council’s Committee of the Whole meeting Monday evening, Roper asked for guidance from council on the project.
“I think Fort Prince George is one of the largest untapped historical and cultural ideas that we have in this county, but I need direction from you all,” he said.
Moving forward on Fort Prince George is on the county’s list of goals for the coming year, Roper said. But it has remained on the committee of the whole’s log.
“What I would like to do … is go out and gather
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‘Hee Haw’ to have final performance
PICKENS — The Hagood Community Center will present the final presentation of “Hee Haw” with local talent providing the laughs and “old time” country music for entertainment at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.
The show will be held in the Hagood Community Center auditorium at 129 Schoolhouse St. in Pickens. Tickets will be $5 at the door, and the doors will open at 6 p.m. No outiside food or drinks are allowed. There will be a spaghetti meal before the show from 4:45-6:45 p.m. The cost of the meal is also $5 at the door. All proceeds from the dinner and show will benefit the center.
Jimmy Davis seeking seat on Pickens City Council
PICKENS — Jimmy Davis has announced his candidacy for Pickens City Council. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Davis, a lifelong resident of Pickens, said he believes the primary issue every councilman must be aware of is the economic situation all citizens are facing with stagnant wages and rising prices for everything like food, medical and electricity.
“While most are working, everyone is being squeezed,” Davis said. “We don’t need the government making it any worse for residents and businesses. If elected, I’ll fight to make city government more efficient, end any wasteful spending and fight to keep taxes down. We all need to live within our means, and that includes government.”
Davis said he realizes the town is growing, but he doesn’t want to see it turn
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Hayes honored for 40 years of Lions service
The Pickens Lions Club celebrated one of its own at its July meeting. President Brian Siwicki presented Furman “Gabby” Hayes with an award honoring him for 40 years of service and dedication to the Pickens Lions Club. Hayes also received his 40-Year chevron pin from Lions Club International.
School district announces annual honorees
COUNTY — A teacher who endured the loss of her home and a cafeteria manager who goes the extra mile earned the School District of Pickens County’s top honors at its 2019 Back-to-School Celebration this week.
Gettys Middle School Project Lead the Way teacher Nicole Yemothy was named SDPC Teacher of the Year, and Sandy Crowe, food service manager at Ambler Elementary School,
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Pickens native Porter receives international agriculture award
ATHENS, Ga. — Pickens County native Dr. Wesley M. Porter, an assistant professor and Extension Precision Agriculture and Irrigation Specialist in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of 
Georgia, has received the PrecisionAg Award of Excellence in Education and Research from the PrecisionAg Institute, according to John W. Parris, director of the S.C. Agri-News Service.
“This award is an international recognition program honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the use and adoption of precision agriculture technologies and practices,” Parris said.
Porter is currently responsible for precision agriculture and irrigation education and research with the University of Georgia Extension Service. He
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