Daily Archives: 09/22/2026
Cannon Foundation Invests $35,000 in SBIRT Program
PICKENS — AnMed Cannon is expanding support for individuals affected by alcoholism and drug addiction through a $35,000 contribution from the Cannon Memorial Hospital 
Foundation to support the hospital’s SBIRT program.
SBIRT — Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment — is an evidence-based approach used within AnMed Cannon’s Emergency Department to identify patients who may be struggling with alcohol or drug use, provide timely intervention, and connect them with appropriate treatment and recovery resources.
The $35,000 investment will help AnMed Cannon continue meeting people where they are and connecting them with resources and support that can lead toward treatment and recovery.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Cannon Memorial Hospital Foundation for its continued investment in AnMed Cannon and the people we serve,” said Michael Cunningham, CEO of AnMed Cannon. “This gift helps our team connect with patients at a critical moment and assists them with finding resources that can make a meaningful difference in their lives. This partnership is an investment in the health and well-being of our entire community.”
Kent Crafton, SBIRT Program Coordinator at AnMed Cannon said “Alcoholism and drug addiction affect real people and real families in our community every day. SBIRT gives us an opportunity to meet people where they are, have an honest conversation and help connect them with a path toward treatment and recovery.”
The AnMed Foundation received the contribution on behalf of AnMed Cannon and works with philanthropic partners to connect charitable resources with programs and services that advance AnMed’s mission.
“Alcoholism and drug addiction affect real people and real families in our community every day,” said Kent Crafton, SBIRT Program Coordinator at AnMed Cannon. “SBIRT gives us an opportunity to meet people where they are, have an honest conversation and help connect them with a path toward treatment and recovery.”
For more information on the Cannon Memorial Hospital Foundation, visit anmed.org/cannon-memorial-hospital-foundation
Devils take down West-Oak to remain unbeaten in region
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
WESTMINSTER — Dropping the opening set against West-Oak on Sept. 15, the Liberty High 
School volleyball team knew it had to lock in if it wanted to remain atop the Region 1-2A standings.
The Red Devils did just that, finding their groove defensively, controlling the net and rolling through the rest of the match as they pulled out a 3-1 win over the Warriors.
“These girls really just don’t have any quit to them,” Liberty head coach Carla Simpson said after the win. “They have set goals for themselves, and they’re going
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Pumpkintown musician Lilly Anne makes her mark on bluegrass world
PUMPKINTOWN — A talented young Pickens County musician is enjoying her second consecutive week at the top of the bluegrass charts.
Lilly Anne Svrlinga’s single “False Hearted Rose” remains the No. 1 song on David Pugh’s Mountain Bluegrass Top 12 Singles chart for the week of Sept. 14. The recording has spent five weeks on the chart and now holds the top position for a second straight week.
The accomplishment is another milestone in what has already been an impressive musical journey for the 16-year-old singer, songwriter, guitarist and banjo player from Pumpkintown.
Growing up in a small country community, Lilly Anne spends her days working in the garden,
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Soapstone’s Singing on the Rock set for Saturday
PICKENS — Soapstone Baptist Church will host “Singing on the Rock,” a live gospel concert, from 4-8 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 26.
The event will feature performances by Tracy Smith, Maxie Burton, the Henderson Brothers, James Hester, the Long Branch Easley Union Chorus, the Sweet Potato Pie Kids, Church With No Walls, the St. Marks Inspirational Choir and Cliff of Scenic Hill Baptist Church. Praise dancer Tracy Johnson will also perform. Food vendors will be on site throughout the event. A $20 donation is requested.
Soapstone Baptist Church is located at 296 Liberia Road in Pickens. For more, call (864) 607-3493.
Courier Community Calendar 9-23-26
• Semper Fi Barn to hold Sunset event
Semper Fi Barn will hold a Sunset Ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at 314 Smith Memorial Highway in Central, honoring 20 fallen service members and departed veterans. The event will be free and open to the public. To have someone you wish to remember included, call Tom von Kaenel at (864) 643-9197.
• PHS class of 1965 to hold 61st reunion
Members of the Pickens High School Class of 1965 are planning their 61-year class reunion for
Do we see our need for God’s refining fire?
God has always been disappointed when someone is more concerned with what they want to do than what He requires of them. 
Since mankind fell in the garden, our carnal nature has been persuading and influencing our decisions and specializes in the skills of compromising and justifying. Self-deception is common, and only a few realize our highest responsibility is to obey Him. Many believe that God is real and accept His blessings of love and forgiveness,
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Letters to the Editor 9-23-26
Dear Editor,
I want to write and say how much I appreciate the Pickens County Courier. You have a good balance of news. Something for everyone, not just big-time world news.
Years ago, my late mother said of a local weekly newspaper that she liked it better than the big-city newspapers because it had what she wanted to read. Local news about the people she knew and wanted to hear about and local happenings. Believe it or not, many people still want that even today.
There is TV, radio and the internet, yet there is still just something about a hometown weekly newspaper that is appealing. We have to wait an entire week between events printed in the paper to get an answer, not immediate gratification like the internet.
Do you remember when you ordered an item out of a catalog and it said “allow six to eight weeks for delivery?” It usually took six weeks. You had time to wonder about when it would arrive and you’d be like a child on Christmas morning when opening up the package. I miss those days!
One thing I love about the paper is when there is a story that covers the page. I remember one about the book where a black couple escaped slavery. I ordered the book and read it. In a “hurry up and get it done yesterday” world, it’s nice to have something to look forward to each week.
Sometimes less is better
R searchers studying how the body responds to exercise had some very surprising results recently. While the study document was packed with medical terms and graphs, the end result was clear. In this case, when it came to one particular exercise, it turned out that less was better than more.
One group of participants completed six 30-second exercises called sprint interval training (SIT), working at maximum intense effort on an exercise bike. They rested for four minutes between each exercise. The other group of participants had a fairly leisurely experience on an exercise bike, pedaling at moderate speed for 90 minutes.
Blood samples were taken just before any exercise was started, when the exercise was finished
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Obituaries 9-23-26
PAUL MICHAEL ‘MIKE’ DURHAM
SIX MILE — Paul Michael “Mike” Durham, 73, loving husband of 14 years to Priscilla “Pat” Durham, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at Baptist Easley Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on Aug. 2, 1953, in Pickens County, Mike was the beloved son of the late Paul David Durham and Arglee Durham.
He loved his family dearly and especially cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mike enjoyed walking through the woods, where he would find limbs and carefully turn them into walking canes. His faith was an important part of his life, and he was grateful to have been saved. Mike was a faithful member of Crow Creek Church of God.
Survivors include his wife, Priscilla “Pat” Durham of the home; sons, Jason Durham and Justin
