Daily Archives: 05/14/2025
Monument to Vietnam vets rolls into Pickens County
LIBERTY — The wait is finally over this week, as the Pickens County Veterans Affairs office welcomed the Wall That Heals to Pickens County on Tuesday.
The traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica arrived in Easley on Tuesday, May 13, with an official escort from Rock Springs Baptist Church.
The escort traveled down U.S. Highway 123 to Deer Wood Farms, located at 765 Breazeale Road in Liberty. Community members and local businesses were encouraged
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Issaqueena Festival set for Saturday
SIX MILE — The Issaqueena Festival will return to downtown Six Mile this Saturday, May 17, promising a full day of entertainment, fitness and family-friendly fun.
Running from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the annual event will take place along Main Street and will highlight local Native American history and folklore. Festivalgoers can enjoy storytelling, traditional foods and children’s activities,
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Coming home
Rising country music star Whiten returns to Six Mile to perform at Issaqueena Festival
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
SIX MILE — After going viral on the internet and moving to Nashville, Tenn., a musician from Six Mile will be returning for a hometown show this weekend.
Blake Whiten will be headlining the Issaqueena Festival on Saturday, May 17.
The Courier spoke with his parents, Windi and Matthew Whiten, on May 8.
Blake’s mother said they bought him “his first little junior guitar” when he was 4 years old.
“By 12 or 13, he was pretty good,” Windi said.
As a kid, Blake tried to jump start his musical career.
“He tried to drop out of middle school to go to Nashville,” Windi said. ‘I wouldn’t let
him. I just laughed it off. I guess he really knew what he was going to do.”
She said her son “got all that talent from his daddy.”
“My dad, my aunts all sang and played instruments,” Matthew said. “I play
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Carter wins VA director election
COUNTY — After a two-week voting period, the results from the advisory election to 
select the next Pickens County Veterans Affairs Officer finished up on Friday.
Interim Veterans Affairs director Walt Carter bested local veteran John P. Hembree by a razor-thin margin, taking
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Easley woman charged with forgery, fraud
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — An Easley woman faces multiple charges following an investigation by the 
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Jakena Edreka Barton, 47, is charged with two counts of forgery with a value less than $10,000 and presenting a false
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Pickens County Council approves ‘25-26 tax cut
By Evan Smoak
Courtesy The Journal
evan@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — Pickens County Council voted on a tax cut last week as part of the 
upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
The council approved the second reading of the budget during its regularly scheduled council meeting last
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
