Daily Archives: 06/30/2025
NASA: Fireball result of meteorite
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — A meteor that exploded over Georgia on Thursday afternoon was 
responsible for a bright “fireball” seen streaking across the skies in parts of the Southeastern United States, including Pickens County, according to NASA.
The fireball was first observed around 12:20 p.m., prompting more than 200
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‘Long overdue’
Monument to Andrew Pickens to highlight Legacy Square
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Those passing by Legacy Square in Pickens are sure to have noticed work being done where the fountain used to be.
A monument to General Andrew Pickens is being built there, a project that Pickens Historical Society President Wayne Kelley calls “long overdue.”
“There is no proper monument here to General Andrew Pickens, the namesake of our
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Easley thrift store aims to help others
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The operator of DH Tiny Homes Thrift Store hopes his small store can help fulfill a big purpose and assist the currently homeless while preventing others from becoming so in the future.
Dewight Crowley spoke with the Courier on June 25 about his purpose and that of the store, located at 319 Gentry Memorial Highway in Easley.
“I’m a lifelong drifter,” he said. “I started hitchhiking around the country at 14 years old.”
He traversed the country selling souvenirs at events.
“Back in the seventies and eighties we were called drifters,” Crowley said. “Now they’re just called homeless – completely two different things. Part of my ministry is determining the difference between homeless and drifters.”
He drifted again 8 years ago, following a divorce.
“I wanted to find a new life for me,” Crowley said.
That period, before he settled in the area, allowed him to “see the difference between
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America’s top chocolate shop has local roots
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
GREENVILLE — A business owned by a Pickens resident recently received national 
recognition.
Last month, USA Today named LaRue Fine Chocolate “Best Chocolate Shop in America.”
The store was nominated by a panel of experts and then voted upon by the national newspaper’s readers.
Elizabeth Logan McDaniel sat down with the Courier at the business’ location in West Greenville on June 20 to discuss the award.
McDaniel grew up in Easley and now lives in Pickens.
Working in the wine industry for more than 10 years, she began making chocolates with
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We hold these truths to be self-evident …
Editor’s note: The following text is a National Archives transcription of the stone engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence on display in the rotunda at the National Archives Museum. The spelling and punctuation reflects the original.
In Congress, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
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Muddy rabbit tracks
Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
This spring and early summer has been unusually rainy. The grass is growing to the point the mower is getting a more than normal workout and the string-line trimmer is well used.
The ponds are full and creeks are running full speed. Normally by this time of year they have ceased to flow
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Providing help for homeless vets
Organizations across the country that help homeless veterans are set to share in grants that total $42 million. Each grant, if approved, can be worth as much as $500,000 and will fund them for two years, beginning in October.
The grants, through the VA’s Legal Services for Veterans Grant Program, will help organizations that assist veterans with custody and child support problems, help veterans get their benefits, run interference with tenant-landlord issues and more. All
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The dangers of bagged greens
Sometimes we just want to take the easy path and quickly grab a few things for dinner. Bagged salad greens are often on our list — but it’s the last place we should be taking a 
shortcut in meal prep.
Between contaminated water in the fields and many people involved in the processing, handling and storage, food safety experts are pointing to bagged
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Courier Obituaries 7-2-25
JAMES ‘CECIL’ GILLESPIE
NORRIS — James “Cecil” Gillespie, 90, loving husband to Rose Marie Wardlaw Gillespie, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Pickens County on May 23, 1935, Cecil was the beloved son of the late Samuel Moser Gillespie and Elsie Lamelia Chastain. Cecil served as an elder at The Church of God at Rices Creek.
Cecil found great joy in growing his garden. Having grown up on a farm, he cherished the outdoors. He also loved singing and playing the guitar, and he even had the opportunity to sing on WGGS. Above all, Cecil loved his Lord Jesus.
Survivors include his children, Amanda Connell (Kenneth) of Greer, Nancy Hardy of Pickens, Mary McCall of Pickens, Mark Gillespie (Kelly) of Pickens and John Gillespie
Local municipalities plan Fourth of July events
COUNTY — With the nation getting ready to observe its 249th Independence Day, people from around Pickens County will have plenty of places to celebrate over the next few days.
EASLEY
The city of Easley will host the Historic Easley 4th of July Festival for two days of excitement and fun on July 3-4.
The celebration kicks off Thursday, July 3, and continues through Friday, July 4, at Old Market Square. Admission is free, and the event will feature carnival rides, local vendors, food trucks and a fireworks finale.
The July 3 lineup includes performances by Luke Deuce at 4 p.m., Eaglewing at 5:30 p.m., and Jake Crutchfield at 7:30 p.m. Music will run until 9 p.m.
The festivities on July 4 begin at 4 p.m. with Commodore Fox, followed by a joint performance from Joe Lasher and Kaitlyn Baker at 5:30 p.m. Country artist Tyler Farr will headline the evening at 7:30 p.m., with a fireworks display to follow his set.
Th event will also have offerings from food trucks serving various options to satisfy every craving, and visitors are encouraged to check out downtown businesses as they enjoy all the festival has to offer.
LIBERTY
Elsewhere, The City of Liberty is set to host its annual “Love My Liberty” Independence Day celebration on July 4 with an evening of family-friendly festivities, live music, and a fireworks show — all free to the public.
The event will take place at the Liberty Rec stadium, where gates will open to community members for a night of patriotic fun. Admission is free, and complimentary bottled water will be provided courtesy of Liberty Mortuary.
Highlights of the celebration include a kids’ area featuring bounce houses, water slides, inflatable games, a dunk tank and a train ride sponsored by Potters Clay Fellowship. Free games for all ages will be available throughout the venue, including cornhole, bucket golf and Jazzminton.
Live music will be performed by local group Songband, followed by a fireworks show to cap off the evening.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and money for food and beverage trucks that will be on site.
PICKENS
The City of Pickens will continue the Independence Day the following day with a free, family-friendly event on Saturday, July 5, at the Pickens Amphitheater, featuring live music, food vendors, children’s activities and a fireworks display.
The event runs from 4 to 9 p.m. at 114 W. Main St., and is open to the public. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of community entertainment.
The live music lineup includes performances by Whiskey Mountain Band, SongBand and Split Shot. Food vendors will offer a variety of savory and sweet options throughout the event.
Children can enjoy the free Kids Zone, which will feature games, inflatables and other activities from 4 to 9 p.m.
The evening will conclude with a fireworks show, launched from Bruce Field and visible from the amphitheater and throughout downtown Pickens.
SIX MILE
That same night, the town of Six Mile will host its Independence Day celebration from 6-9:30 p.m. at Ponderosa Park.
The event will feature live music, inflatables, food vendors, face painting, balloon artists and fireworks after dark.
Vendors, inflatables, face painting and balloon artists will be available to attendees starting at 6 p.m., and the fun will continue with a kids’ bike parade at 6:30 p.m.
Potato sack races will be open to those in attendance at 7:30 p.m. and The wiffle ball home run derby will begin at 8 p.m., with prizes being presented to winners in four different age groups.
Extra parking for the event will be available at Ridgeland Drive Baptist Church and a free, hayride shuttle is available to and from Ponderosa Park.
