Daily Archives: 05/20/2026
Target eyes Easley for new store
By Mike Pulley
Special to the Courier
news@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Last year, rumors circulated on social media in Pickens County that Target was eyeing Easley for one of its popular department stores.
On Friday, the whispering appeared to move a step closer to action when the city of Easley posted applications on its website seeking annexation and rezoning of several 
parcels within the county near the intersection of U.S. Highway 123 and Rock Springs Road.
Officials from Pickens County and the city of Easley, plus one area property owner, confirmed that the plan is to build a new Target on the property behind QuikTrip and Rock Springs Baptist Church. The Easley Planning Commission will consider the annexation and rezoning at its June 15 meeting, according to the applications and city officials.
The site, totaling more than 30 acres, has been owned for many years by members of
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LHS event set to honor Medal of Honor recipients
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — An upcoming special ceremony will highlight the bravery of Pickens County’s four Medal of Honor recipients and unveil a designation the School District of Pickens County has earned for serving military-connected families.
The “In Honor & Service” ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, in the Thorsland Auditorium at Liberty High School.
Jacob Nelson, the district’s director of administrative support and non-traditional
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Proposed Easley budget has no millage increase
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The proposed city of Easley 2026-27 operating budget does not contain a millage increase.
Easley City Council held a public hearing on the budget during its May 11 meeting. First reading of the budget was on the agenda for its May 11 work session.
Finance director Ralph Herden presented the budget during the
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SDPC graduation set for Saturday
CLEMSON — The School District of Pickens County has announced plans for its 2026 graduation ceremonies, which will be held Saturday, May 23, at Littlejohn Coliseum on 
the campus of Clemson University.
A total of 1,341 students are expected to graduate from the district’s four high schools. District officials estimated the Class of 2026 has earned more than $33.7 million in
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Sheriff to council: PCSO needs more deputies
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Staffing numbers and employee pay are among Pickens County Sheriff 
Tommy Blankenship’s concerns as the 2026-27 budget is developed.
Pickens County Council members heard from Blankenship during their May 18 work session.
Blankenship said he wanted to address “two significant issues.”
“The first is a continued understaffing at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and our detention facility,” he said. “Secondly is ensuring our current employees are placed
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Pickens woman charged with check forgery
PICKENS — A Pickens woman was arrested on May 7 on multiple counts of forgery 
following an investigation into alleged embezzlement involving a local pet grooming business, according to the Pickens Police Department.
Melisa Neal, 54, was taken into custody by Pickens police after
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Memorial Day services set for Saturday
SIX MILE — The Town of Six Mile, together with veterans’ organizations across Pickens County and the Pickens County Fire Service, will hold traditional Memorial Day services on Saturday, May 30, 2026, to honor those who gave their lives in service to the United States and to recognize all who have served.
The day will begin at 8 a.m. outside Six Mile Town Hall, where the American flag will be placed at half‑staff. The town’s traditional Memorial Day ceremony will follow at 11:35 a.m., featuring the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation, and remarks honoring fallen
Business of the Month
The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce recently named TD Bank as its May Business of the Month. Located right in the heart of Pickens, TD Bank has been a staple in the community for 16 years, offering a banking experience that feels like family and home.The bank is located at 333 E. Main Street in Pickens. Pictured are Bank Supervisor Karen Smith, Assistant Bank Manager Meechi Green, Bank Manager Adam Cantrell, Chamber Executive Director Bryan Owens, and Banking Associate Ronda Loukides.Not available for the photo was Teller Courtney Creel.
Pickens County students shine at annual DAR awards ceremony
By Lynda Abegg
Special to the Courier
news@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Parents, teachers, families, and friends swarmed to the Capt. Kimberly Hampton Library in Easley to see Pickens County students receive awards from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). These awards recognize Pickens County
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Courier Community Calendar 5-20-26
• Food pantry hours announced at PPC
The Food Pantry at Pickens Presbyterian Church is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To receive food, individuals must present a valid ID showing residency in Pickens County. Pickens Presbyterian Church is located at 311 W. Main St. in Pickens.
• H.O.P.E. meetings scheduled monthly
Dillard Memorial Funeral Home and Hillcrest Memorial Park have announced the renewal of the H.O.P.E Ministries program. The program, which helps others through programs and the exchange of ideas and information, will host its next meeting on May 26. “We are pleased to offer this as a support system for families in our community and
