Category Archives: News
Keeping the dream alive
Community celebrates MLK Day
Despite bitter cold temperatures, the members of Pickens 
Presbyterian Church and Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church joined hands for their 13th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. Although the event traditionally features a unity walk from Pickens Presbyterian to the Pickens County Courthouse, the cold weather led organizers to instead hold the celebration in the church’s sanctuary. The event featured words from local religious leaders, a moment of silence in memory of the 
late Rev. C.L. Cruell, the former pastor at Griffin Ebenezer, the recitation of the Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Rev. Carl Allmond and musical selections by a combined community choir. A community service cleanup day planned for Monday has been rescheduled for Feb. 16, according to organizers. To read more about Dr. King and his legacy, turn to page B1.
Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Meals on Wheels celebrates Bowers’ ‘crazy passion’
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — Pickens County Meals on Wheels said goodbye this week to former executive director Meta Bowers, who left recently to be the executive director of the Meyer Center for Children in Greenville.
“It’s been a big decision, leaving Meals on Wheels,” Bowers said.
She said her tenure at the organization “has been the best time of my life.”
“I have left my mark on Meals on Wheels, and it has left its mark on me — I dye my hair now,” Bowers said.
A going-away party was held for Bowers at the McKissick Center for Senior Wellness in Liberty on Saturday evening.
Pickens County Meals on Wheels board chairman Craig Ragsdale
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Whitehurst focusing on budget, roads this year
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The county budget, roads and fire service are among Pickens County Councilman Trey Whitehurst’s priorities for this year.
Whitehurst, who represents the Central and Six Mile areas, was sworn in earlier this month after winning re-election to his seat in November.
“I think our budget’s going to be a big thing for this year,” Whitehurst said. “I’ve already been talking to the chairman (Roy Costner). We
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Learning more about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Well respected, honored and appreciated for his civil rights activism, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. rightfully earned his place as one of the most influential figures in American and world history. Through his 
religious teachings and social activism, Dr. King played a key role in the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
While Dr. King lived a good portion of his life in the public eye, many facts of his life are not widely known. In honor of his birthday and
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Pickens Rec recognized twice by SCRPA institute
PICKENS — The city of Pickens Recreation Department was recently recognized twice at the 2018 SCRPA Sports Management Insitute’s luncheon on Dec. 7 in Myrtle Beach.
The SCAP Branch, which is an acronym for the South Carolina Athletic Program, is a branch of the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association. Seven awards are given annually.
This year, a Pickens Recreation Department coach, John Tollison Belt, was awarded the SCAP Youth Coach of the Year Award for volunteer services and dedication to athletic programs in the state of South Carolina.
The Pickens Recreation Department was awarded the 2018 S.C. Athletic Programs Branch Athletic Department of the Year Class I.
Hearty beef dishes warm up winter nights
By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com
My family is a fan of red meat. Although they’ll eat vegetarian dishes, they really enjoy beef, and these recipes get away from the same old 
same old and bring a little more variety to the table.
Although I like all of these, the beef stroganoff is one of my favorites. It’s real comfort food, so when it’s cold outside and you’re chilled to the bone, try one of these recipes. These will really stick to your ribs.
Pair charged in church burglaries
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A Travelers Rest man and a Greenville teen have been arrested in connection with two church burglaries in the Dacusville area.
Jordan Allen Mason, 20, was arrested without incident on Jan. 2, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Creed Hashe said. He is
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New name for Easley’s post office?
Duncan’s bill would honor
Capt. Kimberly Hampton
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan would like to see Easley’s post office renamed in honor of Capt. Kimberly Hampton.
Duncan, who represents South Carolina’s Third District in the House, filed the “Captain Kimberly Hampton Post Office Act” on Jan. 3.
The bill would designate the post office facility located at 810 S. Pendleton St. as the “Captain Kimberly Nicole Hampton Post Building.”
The bill stipulates that any reference to the facility “in a law, map, regulation, document, paper or other record of the United States” shall refer to it as the “Captain Kimberly Nicole Hampton Post Office Building.”
The bill was one of eight filed by Duncan during the first day of the 116th Congress.
Duncan filed the bill the day after the 15th anniversary of Hampton’s
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MLK celebration planned Monday
PICKENS — The city of Pickens will once again celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this Sunday and Monday with joint 
church services, a unity walk and community service projects.
On Sunday, a 10 a.m. joint worship service is planned at Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church, located at 450 Garvin St. The guest preacher for the service will be the Rev. Nath Briley, pastor of Pickens Presbyterian Church. A covered-dish fellowship luncheon will be held after the service, and all churches are invited.
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration Monday will begin with a meet and greet at Pickens Presbyterian Church, located at 311 W. Main St., beginning at 10 a.m. The meet and greet will feature a light breakfast brunch, pastries, juice and coffee. The annual unity walk from the church to the front lawn of the Pickens County Courthouse will begin at 10:40 a.m. Guest speaker for the memorial celebration on the courthouse steps will be the Rev. James Pitts, pastor of Zion Circle Baptist Church in Central.
Following the celebration, MLK Day community service projects will be held around the city from 1:30-3:30 p.m., sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 51, the Pickens Lions Club and AFTA. Volunteers will meet at Legacy Square at 1 p.m. for coordination of teams. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves and trash pickers — all other supplies will be provided.
Projects will include litter pickup on S.C. Highway 8 and the Doodle Trail, among others.
Legislators asked about plastic bag bill
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — Two local legislators agree that pollution is an ongoing issue in South Carolina, but they aren’t sure that allowing municipalities to regulate plastics is the answer.
During the Pickens County Legislative Delegation’s annual meeting lats week, resident Kate Byrd told Sen. Thomas Alexander and Sen. Rex Rice that she understood that House Bill 3529 would likely come before the Senate during this term.
The bill would prohibit local governments from regulating the use of plastic bags or other auxiliary containers by retail or food establishments.
The bill states that any regulation regarding the use, disposition, sale
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