Daily Archives: 08/05/2026
Residents want more info on proposed lake overlays
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — A public hearing for an ordinance establishing an overlay district for Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee was on the agenda for Pickens County Council’s meeting on Monday night.
An overlay is intended to create “special areas where additional standards exists,” according to the county’s website. Within the overlay area, those standards may be more or less stringent on certain activities.
Development standards associated with lake overlays are intended to “reduce or
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Six Mile man charged with exploitation
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
SIX MILE — A Six Mile man and a Greenville man face charges related to the sexual 
exploitation of minors, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced last week.
Donald Joey Lesley, 39, of Six Mile was arrested on July 27, Wilson said in a release issued two days later.
Investigators received CyberTipline reports from the National
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DEW: County unemployment rate rises in June
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COLUMBIA — The unemployment rate in Pickens County saw an increase during the 
latest jobs report released in late July.
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) reported that unemployment in the county went up from 4 percent in May to 4.4 percent in June.
The rise in unemployment comes just one month after
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SC set for Tax Free Weekend
COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Retail Association (SCRA) is encouraging shoppers 
to take advantage of South Carolina’s annual Tax Free Weekend, returning this Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9, when eligible back-to-school purchases can be made free of the state’s 6 percent sales tax and all applicable local sales taxes.
The event begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and continues through midnight on Sunday.
“Tax Free Weekend is one of the biggest shopping events of the year for South Carolina
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Masquerade Ball to benefit United Christian Ministries
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — United Christian Ministries is preparing for its biggest fundraiser, to be held later this month.
United Christian Ministries third annual Masquerade Ball will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22, executive director Melanie Johnson told the Courier Monday.
The ball will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the Founders room at the Southern Wesleyan
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SDPC holds grand opening for Academy for Early Learner
School District of Pickens County leaders, board of trustees members, community partners, educators and guests celebrate the grand opening of the SDPC Academy for Early Learners with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Liberty Primary School. The event included a performance by Sweet Potato Pie Kids, remarks from district and project leaders and tours of the academy’s newly completed immersive classrooms. The academy provides experiential learning environments for Pre-K students at Six Mile Elementary, Hagood Elementary, East End Elementary and Liberty Primary, with all classrooms opening for the start of the new school year.
Special Republican Senate primary to be held next week
PICKENS — Voters in Pickens County who are eligible to participate in the Republican Party’s special primary for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Lindsey Graham will 
head to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The special primary will determine the Republican nominee for the 2026 general election. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25.
The election became necessary after the sudden death of Graham, the long-tenured
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The Beauty of God’s love and forgiveness
I remember when I was around 10 years old, there was a girl at school who was a couple of years older than me who was constantly being teased and treated harshly. I can see 
her clearly, as if it were yesterday, even though it was over 50 years ago. She was a stocky girl with tangled jet-black hair, and her clothes were often
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AnMed recovering from cyberattack
COUNTY — AnMed continues to make progress in restoring patient access to its services following a cyberattack last month.
A statement issued Sunday said that beginning Aug. 3, patients with questions for their doctors’ offices may call (864) 824-3850.
Staff will be available to answer questions about scheduling and appointments,
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