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Upcountry Fiber receives federal grant

Upcountry Fiber receives federal grant

By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com COUNTY – The future of a partnership between Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and WCFIBER More »

Easley YMCA open new facility

Easley YMCA open new facility

EASLEY — The Easley community came together last week for the grand opening of the new Easley YMCA, a state-of-the-art More »

Last chance!!!

Last chance!!!

This week marks the final chance for Pickens County Courier readers to cast their ballots for their favorite businesses from More »

Easley Rec recognized for excellence

Easley Rec recognized for excellence

EASLEY — The City of Easley Parks and Recreation department was celebrated earlier this month for bringing home multiple South More »

Christ is risen, and what it means for everyone

Christ is risen, and what it means for everyone

Throughout history, no one has made a greater impact than Jesus Christ. So who is this person called Jesus? He More »

Lions rally to defeat West-Oak

Lions rally to defeat West-Oak

By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com CENTRAL — Despite giving up zero hits in the early innings, a number of More »

 

Volunteers needed to help abused kids

PICKENS — The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy, is offering free virtual training beginning Monday, August 21, 2023, to those interested in becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Pickens County.  GALs advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children who are involved in family court legal proceedings through the

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Oconee Nuclear Station hits half a century

One Sunday afternoon in late 1967 or early ’68, my family went on an eventful outing to a spot just across the Keowee River from Pickens County.

“Someday,” my dad said, gazing prophetically across a graded red clay landscape, “they’ll be splitting atoms down there to make electricity.”

Duke Power had just broken ground on its first nuclear station. To my 14-year-old mind it seemed like an incredibly futuristic, fantastical undertaking.

Little did I know that I would someday go down inside one of the nuclear reactor buildings

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Courier Letters to the Editor 7-26-23

Why should we have to pay for it?

Dear Editor,
Should Pickens County be responsible for funding a political rally? Especially as the money is to be taken from the accommodations tax fund?
If the recent Trump rally is to be subsidized from the fund designated for the promotion and support of tourism to cultural, recreational and historic sites within Pickens County, it sets a dangerous precedent.
This decision puts the county into the position of assuming financial responsibility for the costs of any political rally that comes our way. It

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It’s hotter than blue blazes

My grandmother would sit on the porch, fanning herself, and say “It’s so hot you can fry an egg on the sidewalk.” Today, I think you could not only fry the egg, but the bacon, too, and boil up some water for the grits while you’re at it. I think by now, we all know exactly how hot it is.

Heat can be dangerous and lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Drink plenty of fluids (beer is

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Darkness can never overcome God’s light

There is a lot of talk today about the reality of a global system of organized evil that controls the governments and social politics of the world.

There are many different attitudes, from thinking this is silly to being consumed with anxiety and stress. Those who pay little attention to the news have learned that ignoring negativity makes them more calm. However, just because someone puts their head in the sand does not mean the problems are not real. For those who carry the heavy burden of worrying about the future and their own safety, fear can take a devastating physical, emotional and spiritual toll on our personal well-being.

In psychology, we know there are subconscious reflexes that cause us to reject information that challenges our worldviews. When certain information is just too overwhelming, we can build barriers to prevent knowledge from intruding into our thought processes and also develop a familiar internal security system that allows us to feel contentment by concluding it’s not true. In other words, hiding our heads in the sands of denial is the easy way to avoid dealing with uncomfortable knowledge.

On the other hand, truth seekers embrace all opinions because they want to research as much as they can to discover what is right and wrong. Even if it’s painful.

As Christians, the empowerment of being indwelt with the presence of God and having the opportunity to renew our minds can completely transform our attitude. Instead of thinking about how weak we are and submitting to the imagination that we are going to be devoured, Christians must realize they are in covenant with the God of all creation, and as a part of His family, nothing is more devastating to the forces of evil than His authority. In our daily lives, darkness is never confronted or cast out by those who are shaking in their boots. Faith is having confidence in who God is and who we are in Him.

When the Bible says the enemy roars like a lion, it means he likes to make a lot of noise, but if we study this closely, this is a scare tactic he uses to make people believe he is stronger and more fierce than he actually is. This is a common strategy used in the animal kingdom, where certain species will puff themselves up, spread their feathers or do a lot of screaming to make their opponent afraid. The old saying that a dog’s bark is worse than his bite applies here.

As we pray for spiritual wisdom and discernment, we understand the devil is not a carnivorous beast looking to literally eat humans. He is trying to persuade and deceive someone who does not comprehend spiritual truth, and because of a lack of understanding, he will harass and bully them until they learn how to stop him in the Name of Jesus.

When we realize that Satan is a faker and underneath the mask is a sniveling coward, we can walk in the revelation of spiritual victory. God says, “My people perish from the lack of knowledge,” and this explains the foundation of spiritual warfare. The devil is sneaky and can throw obstacles in our path and he can make things difficult by launching ambush attacks, but the dark side cannot separate us from the love of God or stop us from accomplishing God’s will. What the enemy is trying to do is convince us that we are a failure, our mission is impossible, no one cares about us and we might as well give up.

Of course, this is a lie and has no effect on anyone “until” someone believes it. It’s true that mountains are moved by positive faith, but negative faith can also steal our joy and crush us under the weight of pessimism and doubt. Believing is the fervent acceptance of something we accept as true and releases power into whatever we agree with. Why is this important? The attitude of our conscience is forming the basis of who we are and who we will become. I encourage you today to guard your thoughts and your words and remember that God never fails.

When a room is dark and you turn on the light, what happens? Darkness runs and hides. God is Omnipotent, and evil will always bow down to Him.

William F. Holland Jr. is a minister, chaplain, psalmist and author. As a freelance faith writer, his books and newspaper and magazine articles are enjoyed around the world. Dr. Holland’s weekly column, “Living On Purpose” is focused on bringing spiritual hope and encouragement through God’s Word. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.

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Courier Obituaries 5-26-23

VICKIE DARLENE LEDFORD SWAYNGHAM

EASLEY — Mrs. Vickie Darlene Ledford Swayngham, 68, wife of William Paul Swayngham Jr. (Bill) went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

Mrs. Swayngham was born in Easley, a daughter of the late Jack Ledford and the late Christine Painter-Watson. She was a graduate of Central Wesleyan University and was a retired accountant and a member of Hepsibah Baptist Church in Seneca.

Vickie loved her church kids and was a leader in several programs. She was Cubbie director and preschool choir director. She served in the

Go lemon all the way

Courier Comics, Puzzles and Games 7-26-23

Courier Classifieds 7-26-23

Announcements

DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS. Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Trucks, Motorcycles & RV’s , too! Fast Free Pickup – Running or Not – 24 Hour Response – Maximum Tax Donation – Call (888) 515-3810.
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DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance – NOT just a

Courier Trespass Notices 7-26-23

In the state of South Carolina, trespass after notice is a misdemeanor criminal offense prohibited by section 16-11-620 for the South Carolina Code.
Those who enter upon the lands of others without the permission of the owner or manager shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor trespassing. All persons are hereby notified and warned not to hunt, fish, cut timber or trespass in any manner whatsoever upon the lands of the undersigned:

James Dan Winchester Aug. 2023