Monthly Archives: May 2026
Demolitions to expand county courthouse parking
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Building demolitions in Pickens will allow more parking space to be created for the Pickens County Courthouse.
Last year, the county purchased the former Carolina Investors building on Garvin
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Now Open in Pickens
One of the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce’s newest members, The Backyard – A Community Destination, celebrated its official ribbon‑cutting ceremony on April 29, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter along the Doodle Trail. Founded by family and rooted in community, The Backyard was created with one goal in mind: to offer a safe, welcoming, and fun space for everyone right in the neighborhood. Visitors can enjoy rolled ice cream, an epic hot dog menu, pizza, and much more. The Backyard is located at 121 Railroad Street in Pickens. Pictured are City Councilman Jonathan Baker, Amber Baker, Devin Smith, Chef Stephanie Medlin, Pam Smith, Kevin Smith, daughters Natalie, Karson Capps and Peyton, owner Kayla Reid, Wayne Kelly, owner Mark Reid, Jerri Davis, Chamber President Dave Michel, and Chamber Ambassador Jeremy Price.
What is more important than the return of Christ?
Henry Allan “Harry” Ironside was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author who pastored Moody Church in Chicago from 1929 to 
1948. It is said that Harry Ironside was one of the most prolific Christian writers of the 20th Century and published more than 100 books, booklets, and pamphlets, many of which are still in print. He also wrote several hymns, including “Overshadowed,” “His Grace Proclaim,” and “The
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Who will fill their shoes?
Matthew 28: 18b-20 “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
There’s a country music song “Who’s Going to Fill Their Shoes?” The lyrics are words that strike the heart of not only country music lovers but also of those that proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The chorus of that song, written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes, can apply to
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Courier Letters to the Editor 5-13-26
Saitta responds to resignation requests
Dear Editor,
You may have heard or read the leaders of the Save The Greenville Pickens Speedway effort are demanding I resign from the county council. Simply put, Connie Johnson, Tasha Kummer and others are pushing for solutions to save the track that I can not support.
First, and everyone agreed, trying to find someone to buy the track was the best option. The owner lowered the price from $5.6 million to $4 million. The leaders said they had many buyers lined up, but when it came to someone putting down the $250,000 cash deposit due at signing, showing proof of the $3.75 million to get the deal to closing, and signing the contract the effort collapsed.
Plan B was to ask the county council to make it historical. I initially opposed this because it would not protect the site from demolition or pay to buy and restore it. But they insisted and in a 6 to 0 vote the council recognized the racetrack as a historical
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The Star Act
The Major Richard Star Act seeks to allow 55,000 combat-injured veterans (who have less than 20 years of service) to receive their full pay at the same time they get disability 
benefits. The explanation on the website for the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on the history of the act reads like a tennis match, and you could get whiplash watching the ball being volleyed back and
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Protecting against scams
The Federal Trade Commission has some great consumer advice about keeping your 
online information safe from scammers. With new breaches and thefts being reported all the time, we need to know as much as we can.
See consumer.ftc.gov/node/77479 for a detailed list of
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Courier Obituaries 5-13-26
DOROTHY MARTHA ‘DOT’ BATES
MONROE, N.C. — Dorothy “Dot” Martha Bates, 95, of Monroe, N.C., died Saturday, 
May 9, 2026, at her home.
Born in Pickens as a daughter of the late Clive and Anniebelle Henderson Bates, she was a graduate of Pickens High School and Draughon Business College. She retired with more than 40 years of service as an executive secretary at Blue Ridge Electric Co-op. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Easley, before moving to Monroe, where she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Monroe, N.C.
Surviving are one sister, Frances B. Vaughan of Monroe, N.C.; a nephew, Ray E. Vaughan Jr. (Sheri) of Troutdale,
