Daily Archives: 11/02/2021
Central, Liberty elect new mayors
COUNTY — Election Day has come and gone in Pickens County, with many of the county’s municipalities seeing a combination of new and familiar faces.
In perhaps the biggest upset of the day, Central Mayor Mac Martin was denied a fifth term in Tuesday’s vote, with newcomer Andrew Beckner pulling in 142 votes to Martin’s 127. Rosa Grayden came in third in the race with 82 votes.
Meanwhile, Central Town Council also saw the closest race of the night, as incumbents Ken Dill (197 votes) and
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Arrest made after police standoff
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — A man is charged with attempted murder following a standoff at an Easley home on Monday.
Matthew David Ragland is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
According to a release from Easley Police Department public information officer
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On The Cusp
The volleyball teams at both Pickens and Liberty high schools picked up big wins on the court last
week to move to within one win of a state championship appearance this week. Pickens traveled to Catawba Ridge for the Class 4A Upper State crown on Tuesday night, the same night Liberty hit the road to Greenville to take on St. Joseph’s with a trip to the 2A state championship on the line. Results from both Upper State matches were unavailable at press time, but to read more about last week’s victories for both squads. Above, Lady Blue Flame players Faith Clarkson, left, and Caroline Lucas set up a double block against Westwood on Thursday in the third round of the playoffs. Inset, Liberty girls celebrate a point during their win over Landrum in the third round Thursday.
Photos by Robert Bradley and Jessica Mackey
County reports 13 COVID-19 deaths
COLUMBIA — While case numbers continue to decline, Pickens County has once again reported a week of double-
digit deaths from COVID-19, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), with 13 reported deaths over the previous seven days.
According to DHEC, there were 10 confirmed and three probable deaths in
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SDPC officials celebrate recent district successes
By Andrea Kelley
Courtesy The Journal
akelley@upstatetoday.com
EASLEY — The Pickens County School Board recognized a district school and a local nonprofit at its meeting last week.
School district assistant superintendent of administration Josh Young celebrated Clemson Elementary School for 
receiving the National Blue Ribbon School award.
The U.S. Department of Education designated Clemson Elementary as a recipient in the Exemplary High Performing category, which Young said is measured by student performance on state and national tests.
The school was one of five state schools nominated by S.C.
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Work ongoing at old Central Train Depot
CENTRAL — Central town administrator Phillip Mishoe said renovations to the Central Train Depot are 
continuing, and a realistic timeframe for completion is “probably next year.”
“We’re getting the engineering work done for the property,” Mishoe said last week. “The next phase is getting it landscaped and getting the amphitheater done. But before we do any of that, we’ve got to get it engineered.”
Efforts to renovate the depot have taken place for several years, and a train depot
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Harbor Freight to hire 25-30 people for Easley store
EASLEY — Harbor Freight Tools, which bills itself as America’s go-to store for quality tools at the lowest prices, has announced that it will be opening a new store in Easley.
The new store will be located at 816 Saco Lowell Road and is expected to open this winter. An official opening date will be announced closer to opening. Construction has already begun at the location, using local
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Bestselling sci-fi author set to visit Hampton Library
EASLEY — Bestselling international science fiction author Orson Scott Card will visit the Hampton Memorial 
Library in Easley for a book signing and talk later this month.
At the event, set for 1 p.m. Nov. 20, Card will talk about his highly anticipated new book, “The Last Shadow,” which concludes both his Ender and Ender’s Shadow
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Clippings still an issue for Easley
EASLEY — Easley officials are still grappling with the issue of picking up grass clippings.
Earlier this year, citing the cost to repair the damage to city trucks caused by clippings, Easley
City Council passed a resolution announcing that the city would cease picking up grass clippings beginning Aug. 1.
During its Oct. 11 meeting, council passed first reading of an ordinance clarifying the issue after some said the ordinance was confusing following the resolution.
The ordinance states that increases in fine grass clippings, including
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PHS Scholar-Athletes
During Pickens High School’s home football game with Westside last Friday, the school announced its Scholar-Athletes of the Week. The female Scholar-Athlete of the Week is Freda Ruiz. Ruiz is a member of the Blue Flame cross-country team and is the daughter of Nazario and Rosario Ruiz. She was nominated by her English teacher, Christie Dunson. The male Scholar-Athlete of the Week is Clayton Payne. Payne is also a member of the cross-country team. He is the son of Westan and Jennifer Payne and was nominated by his Spanish teacher, Lisa Hiott. PHS Scholar-Athletes are nominated by their teachers for demonstrating academic excellence, a stellar work ethic and impressive leadership in the classroom. Teacher nominations are reviewed by a committee, and a male and female fall sports recipient were selected to be recognized at each home football game this season.
