Daily Archives: 11/26/2024
County staff still discussing Helene lessons
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Pickens County staff are continuing to discuss ways the county can better respond to future emergency situations, six weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall.
County administrator Ken Roper discussed that and a couple of other hurricane-related topics during a Facebook Live video update Friday morning.
On Monday, Nov. 18, county staff and outside partners held a meeting at the county’s emergency operations center to go
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DEW: County jobless rate rises
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COLUMBIA — The unemployment rate in Pickens County saw an increase during in the latest jobs report released last week.
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) reported that unemployment went up from 4.3 percent in September to 4.9 percent in October.
The rise in unemployment comes just one month after Pickens County saw its jobless rate drop one full percentage point from
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Lions’ Williams captures second XC state championship
By Eric Sprott
Courtesy The Journal
sports@upstatetoday.com
NEWBERRY — With roughly 900 meters to go in the final cross-country meet of her high school career, Ashby Williams assumed she was in a race for second place Friday morning.
As it turns out, the day ultimately belonged to the Daniel High School senior.
After seemingly jockeying for second place with Nora Brahim of Bishop England, Williams quickly made up ground against frontrunner Daya Ross of Wren at the Class 4A State championship meet at The Farm at Newberry College.
Ferociously closing the gap in the final 400 meters, Williams passed Ross as they neared the finish line, as the Lions’ senior
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This week in FOOTBALL FRENZY only in PICKENES COUNTY COURIER
Lions outlast Richland Northeast behind Conn’s big day; Liberty, Pickens and Easley season in reviews’ Clemson clobbers the Citadel; 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 $36 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!
CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE THE COMPLETE FOOTBALL FRENZY
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Red Devils win inaugural Liberty Tip-Off tourney
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — Trailing 25-19 at halftime of its Liberty Tip-Off tournament championship game with Greer Middle College, the Liberty High School boys’ basketball team knew there was still a battle ahead if they wanted to win the tournament’s inaugural crown, with Red Devil head coach Brenden Marcell preaching the importance of playing under control as they prepared to come out of the locker room.
“I told them that the team with the most composure is going to win this game,” Marcell said. “I felt like in the first half we
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Taking a moment to appreciate our blessings
The year has flown by, and now Thanksgiving is here. I hope you have a meaningful Thanksgiving with family and friends.
The election is over, basketball is starting, and the sentimental feelings of fall have turned into the blah of winter. Many 
already have their Christmas trees up, and this week delicious turkeys will be the centerpiece of our tables. Actually, our celebration to give thanks was
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Courier Letters to the Editor
Thank you for a well-run election
Dear Editor,
Now that the election dust has pretty much settled and Thanksgiving is here, a big thank you to Pickens County Election Commission personnel and volunteers for a well-run election. According to scvotes.gov, an 80 percent voter turnout in Pickens County was above the statewide figure of 77 percent.
Thanks as well to everyone who helped with voter registration and education (candidate forum sponsors, Pickens County Courier reporting, meet-and-greets and so forth). Major attention was on the national candidates, but we elected a
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The Cherokee Path
As I write this, Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and we anticipate the joy of being with friends and family to celebrate life’s blessings.
Native Americans celebrated Mother Earth’s abundance long before the settlers arrived, so it is appropriate that we also celebrate Native American Heritage month in November.
Native American history can be told through the intricate patterns the Cherokee would weave into their baskets and blankets. The Cherokee knew a
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God loves unity
When we read, in Matthew 22:36-40, about our Lord being questioned by the Pharisees as to which is the greatest commandment in the law, He answers, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your 
mind. It comes first. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Everything in the Law and the prophets hangs on these two commandments.”
So, Christ is telling us, that if all God’s laws had to be summarized and if He had only one commandment, it would be this: that we are to love God and each
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Courier Obituaries 11-27-24
RUTH STEWART
LIBERTY — Ruth Mae Stewart, 94, formerly of Liberty, passed away Nov. 24, 2024, at the Rainey Hospice House.
Born on Oct. 2, 1930, in Easley, she was the widow of William Dyre “Junior” Stewart Jr. and a daughter to the late Guffie and Lillian Davis McCall.
Ruth was a devoted homemaker who found joy in decorating her home for every season and preserving her garden harvests. She was always very generous to provide their garden harvest with everyone.
Ruth’s caring spirit extended beyond her household, as she dedicated her time to serving others and embodying a servant’s heart alongside her late husband. Her selflessness shone through in her role as a caregiver and her involvement in teaching Sunday school, where she shared her love for the Lord and touched the lives of many.
A hard worker in all aspects of her life, Ruth also found joy in the simple pleasures, such as watching wrestling matches and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid Clemson football fan, but enjoyed going to anything her children and grandchildren were involved with. Ruth’s dedication to her family and community will be remembered fondly by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
Ruth is survived by her loving son, Tony Stewart (Janet); three grandchildren, Bryan Bagwell, Hilary S. Joseph (Elijah) and Natalie S. Barrow (Chad); and four great-grandchildren, Ryan and Reagan Joseph and Lilly and Cason Barrow.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a daughter, Vikki Bagwell; a sister, Gladys Thomas; and three brothers, Jake, Charles and Kenneth McCall.
A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Liberty Mortuary is handling arrange
MICHAEL BRUCE DOVER
LIBERTY — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of Michael Bruce Dover on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at his residence.
Born on Dec. 8, 1956, in Easley, to the late Horace E. and Iris McKinney Dover, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Mike was a proud U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam era in Germany as a mechanic. He
