Monthly Archives: February 2025
Pickens recognizes residents for service
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The Feb. 10 meeting of Pickens City Council included a special recognition of several residents.
Hard work, dedication and unity “abounds” in Pickens, Mayor Isaiah Scipio said.
“There’s something special about this little town of Pickens,” he said.
Rep. Davey Hiott was the first person recognized during the mayor’s special presentation.
“He made the announcement that he’s going to be retiring real soon,” Scipio said of Hiott. “Look at this
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Drone, K-9 used to catch wanted man
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputies used a drone and a K-9 to take a wanted man into custody earlier this month.
According to a sheriff’s office news release, deputies responded to a home on Archery Club Road in Central in an effort to locate Charles Rodney Caldwell on Feb 8.
Caldwell had an active warrant for first-degree assault and battery, the release said.
According to the release, Caldwell fled from the back of the home into
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Devils clinch playoff spot with win over BMC
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — Down leading scorer Kendrick Jackson, the Liberty High School boys’ basketball team hosted Brashier Middle College last Tuesday for Senior Night looking to bounce back after two 
consecutive losses and clinch a playoff spot.
While the Devils had some early issues initiating offense against the Bengal zone, senior Logan Smith (14 points) and junior Chris Mable (17 points) provided enough offense to help the Red Devils pull out a 55-49 win.
“I think we compete in the toughest region in 2A,” Liberty head coach Brenden Marcell said. “Any time you can come away with a win, no matter how many points it is, it’s a good win.”
After a tight first quarter that saw the Devils jump out to an 11-8 lead, the Bengals managed to battle back and the game with a pair of free throws from Andrew Hutchens. Mable took over from there for the Red Devils scoring seven straight points to help the Red Devils take a 24-14 lead at halftime.
“My thought process was to let the team do what they’re doing well and just play my part when they needed me to,” Mable said.
Mable and Smith continued to power the Red Devil attack keeping the Bengals at bay, but seven third quarter points from Hutchens cut the lead to 42-35 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Bengal cut the lead back down to one in the final quarter only for Mable, Smith and Zachary Welborn to lead an 8-0 that helped put enough distance between the two teams leading to a 55-49 Liberty win.
“Winning short-handed definitely speaks volumes to our bench, depth and team character,” Marcell said. “I’m super proud of our group for getting this accomplished.”
The Red Devils were set to open the Class 2A playoffs on Tuesday at Fairfield Central with results unavailable at press time.
Liberty girls fall short against BMC
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — Down nine points entering the fourth quarter, the Liberty High School girls’ basketball team looked to Natalie White to lead a furious comeback on Senior Night against Brashier Middle 
College.
White answered the call scoring nine points in the final frame, including the game-tying basket with 1:07 left in the contest. Those proved to be final points scored in the
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Love that cares enough to get involved
We do not have to look very far to find someone who is struggling.
Many are suffering from a crisis of health problems, their children, grieving over a loss, financial worries, marriage issues, and the list goes on. When difficult situations are presented, we become sympathetic, but how often do we consider that God may have brought these individuals to our attention so that we can not only pray but actually
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Movers and shakers change the world
In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 11: 24-26 says “Of the Jews five times received I forty lashes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in 
the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.”
In the New Testament, especially during the week before the crucifixion, the Pharisees and Romans saw Jesus as a troublemaker. Throughout history, it has been nothing uncommon for many to see
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Letters to the Editor
Truth, honor, integrity
Dear Editor,
Truth, honor, integrity … these and others like them are valued qualities. Rather, they used to be, and maybe they still are among a few … a dwindling few. I suppose throughout history their value has risen and fallen, or been treasured by one group while being despised another.
The knights of middle-age Europe had their code of conduct. They valued such. But then along came the pirates on the high seas, and they had an opposing kind of code. In China, it was Confucians versus Khans … truth, honor, integrity opposing wealth, power, influence. Perhaps that has always been the
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Seniors going back to work?
A small recent survey revealed that 51 percent of the retired senior respondents are considering going back to work, also known as “unretiring.” The reason, of course, won’t be a great surprise: They need to 
go back to work because the cost of everything is going up. The amount of money they’re trying to earn is $500 per month on average.
To be considered before you rush into unretirement:
— If you’re collecting Social Security and are under full retirement age, your benefit amount might be reduced while
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Create your own Veterans Legacy Memorial page
The Department of Veterans Affairs has just expanded the use of the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) — the online digital platform dedicated to the memory of veterans who have passed away. Until now, a 
page for a veteran was created, usually by family, after that veteran died. Now the new feature — “Your Story, Your Legacy” — means that living veterans can create their own
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Obituaries 2-19-25
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ C. FORTNER JR.
EASLEY — William “Bill” C. Fortner Jr. of Easley, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, with his wife Norma by his side.
Born in Greenville, on March 8, 1951, Bill was the son of the late Carl “Skeet” and Florence “Tick” Fortner, who supported him throughout his Little League games, Boy Scouts, school sports and various activities. He was a proud member of Landmark Baptist Church.
A proud 1969 graduate of Easley High School, Bill was especially honored to have been part of the state champion football team. He was a proud Air Force veteran. Following his service in the Air Force, Bill worked for AT&T for more than 40 years, from which he later retired.
Bill was also one of Clemson’s most devoted fans. He loved BBQ, camping, fishing, attending bluegrass festivals and taking care of his wife, Norma. Bill preferred watching war movies, documentaries and shows like “Mountain Men,” “Barnwood Builders,” “Building Off the Grid” and anything related to fishing.
A die-hard Southern rock fan, Bill had a special fondness for the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. However, his love for music deepened when he discovered bluegrass, particularly the music of Tony Rice.
He enjoyed a good cup of coffee or a Coke Zero and had an immense love for Breyers chocolate ice cream — he probably ate enough to feed all of Pickens County!
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Norma Brooks Fortner; four sons, Ben Fortner (Stacey) and Scott Fortner (Lynn), Justin Chappell (Cassie) and Devin Chappell (Rebecca); one daughter, Amber Sheriff (Brian); grandchildren, William Fortner, Mia Fortner, Jackson Chappell, Nellie Ray Chappell, Lynlee Marie Chappell, Mason Sheriff and Sawyer Sheriff; and one sister, Cathy Pittman (Don).
Funeral services were conducted Feb. 16 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home.
In honor of Bill, those who were in attendance were encouraged to wear Clemson colors.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
CLEONE BREAZEALE HAYES
PICKENS — Cleone Breazeale Hayes, 92, of Pickens, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
Ms. Hayes was born in Pickens, on Jan. 28, 1933, to the late William
