Daily Archives: 01/13/2026
Ballenger reflects on his career, legacy at Blue Ridge Electric
By Riley Morningstar
Special to The Courier
PICKENS — After 55 years of dedicated service, Terry Ballenger retired as the Senior Vice President of Communications of the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op at the end of December.
Born and raised in Pickens County, Ballenger began part-time work in high school and through college as a summer employee in the early 1960s. He credits getting his foot in the door of the co-op by being a neighbor of A.J. Hurt, Blue Ridge’s first CEO.
After graduating from the University of Georgia, Ballenger began as a full-time staff
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There is no substitute for perseverance
When it comes to finding our place in this world, let’s consider two categories.
The first one, let’s call “floating down the river.” Imagine someone napping in a small 
boat without a compass or a paddle and not caring about where they are going. Having a spectator mentality, they have yet to understand the importance of having an intentional direction and instead settle for just hoping for the best. They are comfortable with what they do not know, and
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Jesus was bivocational
Matthew 9:35: “Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and 
every sickness among the people.”
A very difficult goal to achieve with young people is to persuade them to look farther into their future than short term. A goal of many educators is to help students realize and plan for an inevitable future.
When teaching secondary industrial arts, a part
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Courier Letters to the Editor 1-14-26
Burden on taxpayers
Dear Editor,
In 2007, the school board passed the Greenville Plan and borrowed nearly $400 million to build and renovate schools. The school bond millage rate skyrocketed from 19 mills to 58 mills.
I voted “No” on the plan, thought it was excessive, and did an end run around the state constitution that states all that borrowing should go to voter referendum.
As more houses are built to fund that recurring fixed annual bond payment, the tax rate
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Avoiding the flu
There are some good tips out there for avoiding the flu this winter, and given the nature 
of the beast this time, it’s to our benefit to pay attention.
If you’ve listened on the news, you know that the flu this year is worse than usual, arriving a month early and launching like a rocket. This one is an influenza A virus, but not the one they
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Expanding vet cemeteries
The VA awarded $77 million in grants for 20 veteran cemeteries across the country during fiscal year 2025. These grants will allow the establishment of the first state 
veterans cemetery in Alaska (to serve 12,000 veterans) and the expansion of 19 others.
Besides the establishment of a veterans cemetery in Alaska, the grants will allow
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Courier Obituaries 1-14-26
JONI LYNN PARRIS
LIBERTY — Joni Lynn Parris, 62, loving wife of more than 30 years to Tommy Dean Parris, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at her residence.
Born on May 5, 1963, Joni was the beloved daughter of the late Darryl Medlin and Nellie Duncan. A devoted Clemson Tigers fan, she enjoyed cheering on her team and sharing that passion with those around her. Joni had a special love for animals, especially her dogs, and treasured the companionship of her beloved pets. Above all, she loved her family deeply, finding her greatest joy in time spent with her grandchildren, who held a very special place in her heart.
Joni is survived by her husband, Tommy Parris; grandchildren, Chase Crenshaw (Brooklyn) and Addyson Crenshaw; brothers, Jody Medlin (Ruby) and Jay Medlin
Sunset Ceremony honors departed veterans
SIX MILE — As light winter rain fell at 5 p.m. on December 28, families, veterans, and community members gathered at Semper Fi Barn for a poignant Sunset Ceremony honoring 22 local veterans who passed away in 2025. Loved ones came forward one by one to hang dog tags bearing the names of fathers, brothers, husbands, and friends who
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