Pickens student killed in accident
PICKENS — The community is in mourning after a Pickens High School student lost his life in a utility terrain More »
This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
BLUE RIDGE BEATDOWN Blue Flame move to 5-0 after big win over tigers, best start since 2008 Also inside: Lions More »
Cannon Foundation Invests $35,000 in SBIRT Program
PICKENS — AnMed Cannon is expanding support for individuals affected by alcoholism and drug addiction through a $35,000 contribution from More »
Pumpkintown musician Lilly Anne makes her mark on bluegrass world
PUMPKINTOWN — A talented young Pickens County musician is enjoying her second consecutive week at the top of the bluegrass More »
Soapstone’s Singing on the Rock set for Saturday
PICKENS — Soapstone Baptist Church will host “Singing on the Rock,” a live gospel concert, from 4-8 p.m. this Saturday, More »
Courier Community Calendar 9-23-26
• Semper Fi Barn to hold Sunset event Semper Fi Barn will hold a Sunset Ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday, More »
Pickens student killed in accident
PICKENS — The community is in mourning after a Pickens High School student lost his life in a utility terrain vehicle accident on Sunday.
Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson identified the victim as 16-year-old Cruz Evatt Ellenburg of Marietta.
Wilson said he and chief deputy coroner Marsha Alexander responded to the area of 244 Dalton Road for a motor vehicle accident.
“The collision involved a UTV that went off the roadway on private property and rolled over,” Wilson said in a release.
The driver was unrestrained and pronounced dead at the
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Two charged in Pickens drug investigation
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — More than a dozen charges have been filed against two people following a monthslong drug investigation by the Pickens Police Department.
A department release issued Thursday said the Pickens Police Department Special Operations Unit concluded a four-month
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Search ongoing for Pickens man in Idaho backcountry
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
VALLEY COUNTY, Idaho — Efforts to find a Pickens man whose car was found abandoned in 
Idaho last month continue.
Solomon Wilkins, 27, was last seen leaving his home on Ponderosa Road in Pickens in his Toyota Corolla on the morning of Aug. 4.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office announced on Aug. 6 that Wilkins had been “located and identified at a location outside of Pickens County” and was no longer considered a missing person.
On Aug. 31, the Valley County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho issued
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Six Mile man charged with CSC with minor
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
OCONEE COUNTY — A Six Mile man was jailed last week after being charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
Christian Taylor Moon, 25, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, according to an Oconee County Sheriff’s Office release issued the following day.
The release said the OCSO began an investigation on Sept. 2 after a Department of Social Services employee filed a report about “allegations made of inappropriate conduct toward a child by an adult male identified as Moon in August of this year,” the release said.
The investigation was turned over to a violent crimes investigator assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the release said.
Based on evidence obtained during the investigation, and after consultations with a judge, an arrest warrant was obtained against Moon.
The arrest warrant alleges Moon engaged in sexual battery by placing his hand under an article of clothing the child was wearing, the release said.
The incident is alleged to have occurred in the Fair Play area on Aug. 14, the release said.
The OCSO investigation continues, the release said.
“In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, and that of the underage victim, the sheriff’s office will not release any information that could, either directly or indirectly, identify the minor victim,” the release said
This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
BLUE RIDGE BEATDOWN
Blue Flame move to 5-0 after big win over tigers, best start since 2008
Also inside:
- Lions head into open week
- Wave fall short against palmetto
- Razors stuns liberty after midnight
- Tigers win ACC opener
All this and more in this week’s FOOTBALL FRENZY, sponsored by Mountain View Funerals and Cremations available only in the Pickens County Courier.
Do not miss a single issue by grabbing a copy at a convenience, grocery or drug store near you. You can also subscribe and have your Pickens County Courier delivered each week right to your mailbox for only $41 per year (in Pickens County).
Call us today at 864-878-6391 and get your subscription started and never miss any of the action in South Carolina’s best sports section!
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Cannon Foundation Invests $35,000 in SBIRT Program
PICKENS — AnMed Cannon is expanding support for individuals affected by alcoholism and drug addiction through a $35,000 contribution from the Cannon Memorial Hospital 
Foundation to support the hospital’s SBIRT program.
SBIRT — Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment — is an evidence-based approach used within AnMed Cannon’s Emergency Department to identify patients who may be struggling with alcohol or drug use, provide timely intervention, and connect them with appropriate treatment and recovery resources.
The $35,000 investment will help AnMed Cannon continue meeting people where they are and connecting them with resources and support that can lead toward treatment and recovery.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Cannon Memorial Hospital Foundation for its continued investment in AnMed Cannon and the people we serve,” said Michael Cunningham, CEO of AnMed Cannon. “This gift helps our team connect with patients at a critical moment and assists them with finding resources that can make a meaningful difference in their lives. This partnership is an investment in the health and well-being of our entire community.”
Kent Crafton, SBIRT Program Coordinator at AnMed Cannon said “Alcoholism and drug addiction affect real people and real families in our community every day. SBIRT gives us an opportunity to meet people where they are, have an honest conversation and help connect them with a path toward treatment and recovery.”
The AnMed Foundation received the contribution on behalf of AnMed Cannon and works with philanthropic partners to connect charitable resources with programs and services that advance AnMed’s mission.
“Alcoholism and drug addiction affect real people and real families in our community every day,” said Kent Crafton, SBIRT Program Coordinator at AnMed Cannon. “SBIRT gives us an opportunity to meet people where they are, have an honest conversation and help connect them with a path toward treatment and recovery.”
For more information on the Cannon Memorial Hospital Foundation, visit anmed.org/cannon-memorial-hospital-foundation
Devils take down West-Oak to remain unbeaten in region
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
WESTMINSTER — Dropping the opening set against West-Oak on Sept. 15, the Liberty High 
School volleyball team knew it had to lock in if it wanted to remain atop the Region 1-2A standings.
The Red Devils did just that, finding their groove defensively, controlling the net and rolling through the rest of the match as they pulled out a 3-1 win over the Warriors.
“These girls really just don’t have any quit to them,” Liberty head coach Carla Simpson said after the win. “They have set goals for themselves, and they’re going
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Pumpkintown musician Lilly Anne makes her mark on bluegrass world
PUMPKINTOWN — A talented young Pickens County musician is enjoying her second consecutive week at the top of the bluegrass charts.
Lilly Anne Svrlinga’s single “False Hearted Rose” remains the No. 1 song on David Pugh’s Mountain Bluegrass Top 12 Singles chart for the week of Sept. 14. The recording has spent five weeks on the chart and now holds the top position for a second straight week.
The accomplishment is another milestone in what has already been an impressive musical journey for the 16-year-old singer, songwriter, guitarist and banjo player from Pumpkintown.
Growing up in a small country community, Lilly Anne spends her days working in the garden,
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Soapstone’s Singing on the Rock set for Saturday
PICKENS — Soapstone Baptist Church will host “Singing on the Rock,” a live gospel concert, from 4-8 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 26.
The event will feature performances by Tracy Smith, Maxie Burton, the Henderson Brothers, James Hester, the Long Branch Easley Union Chorus, the Sweet Potato Pie Kids, Church With No Walls, the St. Marks Inspirational Choir and Cliff of Scenic Hill Baptist Church. Praise dancer Tracy Johnson will also perform. Food vendors will be on site throughout the event. A $20 donation is requested.
Soapstone Baptist Church is located at 296 Liberia Road in Pickens. For more, call (864) 607-3493.
Courier Community Calendar 9-23-26
• Semper Fi Barn to hold Sunset event
Semper Fi Barn will hold a Sunset Ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at 314 Smith Memorial Highway in Central, honoring 20 fallen service members and departed veterans. The event will be free and open to the public. To have someone you wish to remember included, call Tom von Kaenel at (864) 643-9197.
• PHS class of 1965 to hold 61st reunion
Members of the Pickens High School Class of 1965 are planning their 61-year class reunion for
