Monthly Archives: June 2024
Blankenship wins sheriff’s race
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Going to the polls to select just the third sheriff in the county in more than half a
Tommy Blankenship
century, Pickens County voters picked Tommy Blankenship to fill the office on Tuesday.
A current Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Blankenship will replace Sheriff Rick Clark after defeating PCSO Chief Deputy Chuck James in Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff. Clark, who did not seek reelection and endorsed James in the race, has served as sheriff since taking office in 2013 after winning an election to succeed longtime Sheriff David Stone, who held the position for 44 years.
Blankenship, who had a 1,600-vote advantage over second-place James in the initial five-man primary election race on June 11, won by a similar vote count on Tuesday, taking 8,075 votes compared to James’ 6,518.
While the sheriff’s race was decided by a relatively wide margin, Pickens County Council chairman Chris Bowers found himself in a neck-and-neck battle to retain his seat in a runoff against local businessman Brandon Thomas that appears destined for a recount. After all the precincts had reported, Bowers ended the night with a 14-vote advantage over the challenger, 1,325 to 1,311. If any potential provisional/fail safe votes tallied before the race is certified Thursday push the margin between the two candidates above 1 percentage point, a recount will not be necessary, according to Pickens County elections director Amy Sams. Bowers’ lead is currently 0.54 percent of the vote.
In the only other primary contest on local voters’ ballots Tuesday, Mark Burns received Pickens County voters’ endorsement over Sheri Biggs in the race to replace District 3 U.S. House Rep. Jeff Duncan, taking 7,621 votes to Biggs’ 6,712. Districtwide, however, Biggs held a nearly 1,000-vote margin with about 90 percent of precincts reporting at press time Tuesday.
Construction begins on industrial park at Greenville-Pickens Speedway
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The first tenant of an industrial park at the site of the historic Greenville-Pickens Speedway officially broke ground Thursday morning.
Carolina Handling broke ground on a 267,000-square-foot facility at the newly-created Speedway Industrial & Technology Park.
The new facility will bring warehouse and office space from four area facilities together under one
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Easley lawyer disbarred for exploiting vets
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously agreed last week to disbar the former managing partner of an Easley-based law firm after she admitted last year to defrauding veterans 
and retirees of millions of dollars.
Justices released their opinion in the matter of respondent Candy M. Kern on June 20.
Last April, Kern pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her role “in a nationwide structured cash flow scheme that exploited military veterans in
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
German company plans to create hub in Easley
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Just days after the first tenant of the Speedway Industrial & Technology Park broke ground on its facility last week, another company announced it will be establishing operations 
there as well.
Before the economic development announcement event held Monday morning at the Alliance Pickens Office, Pickens County Council passed third reading of a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement with the company.
After the vote, the company referred to only as “Project Hydro” was officially announced
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Pickens County unemployment rate sees big increase in May
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COLUMBIA — The unemployment rate in Pickens County saw a big increase during in the latest 
jobs report released on Tuesday.
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) reported that unemployment went up over a full percentage point from 2.8 percent in April to 4 percent in May.
DEW also reported 1,715 county residents were unemployed at the end of April, compared to 2,443
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Shots fired at Dawson Park over weekend
By Evan Smoak
Courtesy The Journal
evan@upstatetoday.com
CLEMSON — No one was injured after shots were fired on Sunday in the city of Clemson, 
according to law enforcement.
At 7:08 p.m., the City of Clemson Police Department received a 911 call concerning shots being fired at Dawson Park in Clemson, according to a press release
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Free will and the enemy within
Receiving personal revelations of God’s Logos and Rhema word throughout our lives is critical to say the least. To be satisfied with a general knowledge of a few Bible stories is not what God had in 
mind for the victorious overcomer. Studying and rightly dividing the word is hard work and was intended to be practiced as a daily requirement for spiritual nourishment and development. To renew our mind and conscience is our responsibility that all
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
The art of war
John Trumbull understood the art of war. On June 17, 1775, Trumbull watched the black smoke 
rising from the chaos and confusion during the Battle of Bunker Hill. Trumbull, an artist and a Harvard grad, also served as George Washington’s aide-de-camp.
Trumbull’s painting “The Battle of Bunker Hill” immortalized the battle with dramatic majesty. It
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Letters to the Editor
Bowers says thank you
Dear Editor,
I sincerely thank conservative voters of Six Mile, Norris, Central and Clemson for their support in the Republican primary. Pickens County had the highest voter turnout of any Upstate county, so congratulations to voters for their engagement and concern for good government. My goal is to follow the Republican platform and effectively represent the people of the district.
This primary resulted in nearly 1,000 more votes than the previous primary when my opponent took the seat, so I
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Obituaries 6-24-26
AUDREY VAUGHN VICKERY
EASLEY — Audrey Vaughn Vickery, 90, of Easley, wife of the late Joseph William 
“Joe Bill” Vickery, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Born in Marion, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Thomas N. Vaughn and the late Eunice Smith Vaughn. Audrey was a member of Rockvale Baptist Church.
She was a beloved soul known for her meticulous bookkeeping skills. Audrey lived a life filled with grace and elegance that was evident not only in her work but also in her personal pursuits. Beyond her professional endeavors, Audrey was cherished for her warm personality and kind heart. She had a passion for sewing, creating beautiful pieces with skill and finesse. Known to be a classy and sophisticated lady, Audrey’s sense of style was admired by all who knew her. Her impeccable taste in fashion reflected her poise and refinement. Ms. Vickery will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, kindness and elegance.
Audrey is survived by a daughter, Maria Mathis Cox (James); eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a special friend, retired Rev. Gordon Moore; and brother, Tommy Vaughn.
Along with her late husband and parents, Audrey was predeceased by sons, Mark V. Holt (Dovie), Robert H. Holt and
