County library director fired
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com COUNTY — Just four months before her firing last week, Pickens County Library System More »
Hinton to succeed Lovinggood as Blue Ridge President, CEO
PICKENS — The Blue Ridge Electric Co-op announced last week that President and CEO Jim Lovinggood is set to retire More »
Hagood Mill Foundation asks county to continue support
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com COUNTY — Members of the Hagood Mill Foundation are asking Pickens County Council to More »
Liberty wrestlers win state titles
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com FLORENCE — Nearly two dozen wrestlers from around Pickens County descended upon on the More »
Daniel boys ousted by Lancaster in round 3
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com CENTRAL — Having watched a double-digit second half lead slip away, the Daniel High More »
County library director fired
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Just four months before her firing last week, Pickens County Library 
System director Stephanie Howard was honored by a statewide library group for her “leadership and commitment to protecting the right of all individuals to read, learn and think freely.”
The South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) awarded Howard with the Intellectual Freedom Award, which “honors those who have advanced awareness and defense of the right to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction through advocacy, education
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Public speak out on firing
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Following the start of a lengthy book review and the firing of Pickens 
County Library System director Stephanie Howard, more than a dozen local residents spoke up during Monday’s Pickens County Council meeting.
Comments were divided, as some lauded the Pickens County Library Board of Trustees’ recent 5-2 decision to alter the library’s collection policy, while others believed
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Hinton to succeed Lovinggood as Blue Ridge President, CEO
PICKENS — The Blue Ridge Electric Co-op announced last week that President and 
CEO Jim Lovinggood is set to retire at the end of 2026 after more than four decades of distinguished service, but a familiar, local face is set to succeed the respected CEO.
The Blue Ridge Board of Trustees unanimously named Zachary Hinton as Lovinggood’s successor — only the fourth in the cooperative’s history, a testament to the organization’s long-standing stability. Hinton will step into his new role in January 2027.
“This is the right time for my family and me to enter into this next phase of life, and it’s hard to put into words just how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to work with so many great people,” Lovinggood said. “I will have more
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Chastain to be remembered at Six Mile event
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
SIX MILE — A nature walk is a fitting place to remember and celebrate the work and legacy of writer, educator, conservationist and historian Dennis Chastain.
The man once called “a modern-day Daniel Boone” by the Greenville News died at age 73 in November.
A “Remembering Dennis Chastain” program will be held from 2-2:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the Bryson’s Children Nature Walk in Six Mile.
In the event of rain, the program, sponsored by the town of Six Mile and Pickens County 250, will be held in the Six Mile Community Room.
Memories of Chastain will be shared by representatives
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Coroner IDs body found in Dec. fire
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — The Pickens County Coroner’s Office has identified a man found dead after 
a structure fire in Liberty last year.
At 5:45 p.m. Dec. 15, Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson and deputy coroner Marsha Alexander responded to 316 Spring Valley Road in Liberty after a person was
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Hagood Mill Foundation asks county to continue support
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Members of the Hagood Mill Foundation are asking Pickens County Council to continue to fund the Hagood Mill Historic Site, but the council’s chairman says such funding to private organizations is based on need.
In a press release issued Feb. 27, the foundation urged continued funding for the site, “a County-owned historic property and public asset managed by the Hagood Mill
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Economist: Data shows growth, but also concerns
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — There are many positive signs that the nation’s economy is doing well, but the average consumer may not be getting that message, according to Clemson 
University economist Scott Baier.
“Consumers are healthy, but it looks a little bit uneven,” he said.
The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce held its annual State of the Economy
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Who said retirement ends our calling?
As days pass, we can complain about time flying or rejoice in our blessings. I never thought much about retirement when I was younger, but as the saying goes, it’s never 
too late to be what you might have been. Had anyone told me I’d be a school teacher later in life, I would have been surprised. Now, as a teacher, I can honestly say it’s the most exciting and satisfying profession I could have imagined. Teaching is a labor of love, and helping children with their education is among our highest priorities. Yes,
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Letters to the Editor
EMS Upgrades
Dear Editor,
For years the Pickens EMS station (Medic 1) was located behind the library on N. Catherine Street in Pickens. Twenty-five years ago it was supposed to be a temporary home, the one-time morgue at the old funeral home. A couple of years ago, the sewer problems caught up with it and that metal shack was shut down. Since then, the Medic
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What leads to fear?
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you 
go”.
Some men fear death! Some fear life. Some fear other men while others fear pain and many fear uncertainty. Fear of disease or fear of poverty may be the summit of the fears of many and fear of the
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