Daily Archives: 07/22/2025
Crowe Creek Road bridge collapses
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
SIX MILE — The South Carolina Department of Transportation is working to learn
more about what caused a 57-year-old bridge to partially collapse Monday.
Law enforcement alerted SCDOT to severe damage to a bridge on Crowe Creek Road (S.C. Highway 133) Monday, a release said. Crews worked to install a closure and detour.
The bridge, built in 1968, was already scheduled for a replacement due to its age and design, SCDOT said Monday.
While the bridge was rated fair during
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Proud Partnership
City of Pickens turns on the tap with Greenville Water
PICKENS — Greenville Water and the City of Pickens held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning to celebrate Pickens’ official connection to Greenville Water’s supply.
Although Pickens began receiving water from Greenville Water in September 2024, the 
ceremony marked the formal recognition of a long-term partnership aimed at enhancing water quality, reliability and sustainability for Pickens residents and businesses.
“This partnership strengthens the
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Local woman sentenced on drug charges
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY – A Pickens County woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to several drug charges.
Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Cindy Crick said in a release issued July 22 that Stephanie Jean Pina pled guilty on July 21 to one count of trafficking methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of fentanyl.
Evidence presented by Assistant Solicitor Jake
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Locals indicted in tax credit fraud
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — Pickens County residents are among those indicted by grand juries in six counties regarding a pattern of fraud involving milk and ammonia tax credits, the South Carolina Department of Revenue announced last week.
After uncovering the fraud, the SCDOR presented evidence to grand juries over a two-month span, leading to the indictments against 31 people, the July 16 release said.
County grand juries handed down the indictments from June 5 to July 10, the release said.
The defendants claimed the refundable tax credits to which they were not entitled on
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Evans, Wright lauded by S.C. Press Association
Courier named among state’s best newspapers
COLUMBIA — The Pickens County Courier is proud to announce that two members of 
its staff have been recognized by the South Carolina Press Association (SCPA) for their outstanding work, and the newspaper was awarded third place in the state in the 2024–25 General Excellence category.
In both the SCPA’s Palmy Awards for advertising and its annual News Contest, Courier graphic artist Emily Wright and staff reporter Jason Evans received honors voted on by their peers in the newspaper industry.
Wright, a longtime ad designer and graphic artist who has been with the paper since its
Contraband phones remain a problem in SC prisons
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and other law enforcement officials continue to rail against the use of cell phones by inmates to commit further 
crimes.
On July 9, Wilson led a press conference that discussed the issue, using recent cases as examples of crimes allegedly committed by the already incarcerated
In addition to the update on the “Las Senoritas” drug trafficking case, as reported on by the
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CU Trustees approve budget, recognize Clary
CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Board of Trustees convened for its 2025 summer quarterly meetings and retreat this week at the Nieri Family Alumni and Visitor’s Center. Among a host of informational items, presentations and actions, the Board approved the FY26 budget, formalized an agreement with the Medical University of 
South Carolina to construct a new health facility and re-elected Kim Wilkerson ’80 to a third term as Board chair. Trustee John N. “Nicky” McCarter, Jr., ’80 was re-elected vice chair.
“It remains one of the honors of my lifetime to serve my alma mater as the chair of the Board of Trustees. Over the past four years, this Board has helped position Clemson for continued greatness, building on the proud history of our institution with a focus on the future, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue
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Rogers golf tourney set for this weekend
EASLEY — The 21st annual Charles F. Rogers Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament is scheduled is set to be held this weekend in Easley.
The tournament, which annually benefits a male and female senior basketball player from Pickens High School planning to attend a university, college or technical school, is set to kick off with a 9 a.m. shotgun
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Marking a faith writing milestone
I wanted to take a moment to say how much I appreciate you, the reader, for taking time each week to read “Living On Purpose.” I’ve written sermons, songs and books, for 
more than 40 years, but only started this faith column on January 2016.
Each of my columns have file numbers, and as several editors have noticed, this week is No. 500. It’s hard to believe that 10 years has gone by so quickly. We know that
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The Israel sequence
Matthew 27:24-25 “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I 
am innocent of the blood of this just person. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”
There seems to be a great deal of confusion in the world concerning Israel. Around five billion of the world’s population is dead set against Israel but
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Van Yandell is a retired industrial arts teacher, an ordained gospel evangelist and commissioned missionary. He can be reached at vmy2121@outlook.com.
