Author Archives: rnimmons
Clemson names new president
CLEMSON — For the 16th time in 136 years and only the second time in the past 27 years, Clemson University’s Board of Trustees selected the next president of Clemson
University.
Following a national search, Kevin Guskiewicz was named as the unanimous selection as Clemson University’s next president last week.
A neuroscientist and higher education leader, Guskiewicz
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Easley man struck, killed
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Pickens County Coroner’s Office has identified a man killed after being
struck by a vehicle in Easley last week.
The Easley Police Department announced in a release issued May 27 that EPD officers, along with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the Easley Fire Department, responded to a
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Liberty proclamation encourages water conservation
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — A recent proclamation signed by Liberty Mayor Andrea Wagner encourages “all residents, businesses and organizations to participate in immediate
water conservation efforts.”
The proclamation, signed by Wagner on May 26, states drought conditions have “impacted water supplies and increased demand for available water resources” and declares a Severe Drought Alert Phase within the city.
“Severe drought conditions require immediate community awareness and conservation efforts to protect public health, safety and the long-term sustainability of water resources,” the proclamation said. “The City of Liberty recognizes the importance of proactive measures to preserve water resources and ensure adequate supply for residents, businesses, agriculture and essential services.”
Per the proclamation, the city requests the following conservation measures.
For agricultural, irrigation and livestock uses, conservation techniques should be implemented, and water-saving methods and alternative water sources should be explored.
Irrigation use should be restricted between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Commercial, industrial and institutional uses should eliminate aesthetic water use where possible, reduce water use to minimum levels necessary to maintain health and safety, limit water-based recreational activities requiring new filling of facilities such as pools and water attractions and use low-volume handheld watering methods only (sprinklers and broadcast watering devices should not be used), the proclamation states.
Landscape watering should occur only on Wednesday and Saturday for odd-numbered addresses and Thursday and Sunday for even-numbered addresses.
Regarding water use, residences should limit water consumption to conservation levels whenever possible, limit water-based recreational activities requiring new filling of pools and similar facilities, and use handheld watering methods only, avoiding sprinkler systems and runoff, the proclamation states.
Landscape watering should occur only on Wednesday and Saturday for odd-numbered addresses and Thursday and Sunday for even-numbered addresses for residences as well.
“Be it further proclaimed that the City of Liberty encourages all residents and businesses to work together to reduce water consumption and support conservation efforts throughout the duration of this Severe Drought Alert Phase,” the proclamation concludes.
SDPC approves budget with no tax increase
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County has approved a $195.3 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year that includes pay raises for all employees, new educational programs and no increase in the district’s operating tax rate.
The district’s Board of Trustees approved the budget on third reading May 26.
According to superintendent Danny Merck, the balanced $195,283,145 budget
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Upcountry Fiber celebrates 5 years
UPSTATE — Five years ago, Upstate S.C. utility cooperatives Blue Ridge Electric Co-op and West Carolina announced their partnership to create Upcountry Fiber, a broadband internet service provider that brings high-speed fiber internet access to
households and businesses within Blue Ridge Electric’s service area to help bridge the “digital divide” where little to no access existed. Five years later, the promise to bring the digital age to those in unserved and underserved areas is
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A best friend is a gift you give yourself
I was thinking the other day about how wonderful it is to have friends. Last week I went to lunch with my best friend, and we always have a great time sharing our
thoughts about life. Most of us have acquaintances, but we can usually count on one hand those who are trustworthy and loyal. These special friends are always ready to celebrate our victories and console us when we are going through a difficult time. The bottom line: we can trust them with everything, and we know that if anything serious were to happen, they would be by our side all the way to the end. In this day and age of electronic relationships, it’s refreshing to have those we can
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Courier Letters to the Editor 6-3-26
Something different
Dear Editor,
Here’s something different for a change.
I love old movies from the thirties to the fifties. One thing I love to do is look in the background and see what I can spot. Not bloopers I mean things that at the time which were of very little value then. Now these items are worth a fortune! Things like old radios such as Waterport Kent or Crosley. Some of these go for hundreds or even thousands today! Check it out and see on the Internet if you want. Then there are old cars some of which the company no longer exists.
The Three Stooges had an episode where they are taking their wives camping. They buy
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FBI reports large-scale senior losses from scams
This is painful to write: The FBI’s 2025 report says that seniors lost over $7.7 billion to scams — in one year. Complaints to their Internet Crime Complaint Center (also called
IC3) showed losses had increased by 59% — again, in one year.
The information was grim. Where IC3 used to get a few thousand complaints per month, they were seeing 3,000 per day. Over the course of the year, seniors logged over
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Courier Obituaries 6-3-26
DONNA CHAPMAN
EASLEY — Donna Chapman, 57, of Easley, passed away at her home on Wednesday,
May 27, 2026.
Born on Aug. 26, 1968, Donna was the daughter of the late Marvin Lollis and Martha (Crawford) Lollis. She was preceded in death by her sister, Sondrea Smith, and brothers, Mike Swafford and Don Swafford.
She is survived by her sisters, Sherry Powell, Cathy Lollis and Karen Simmons; her children, Zack Mauldin (Jennifer), Josh Cox (Shannon) and Valarie Buchanan (Raul); and her grandchildren, Lily, Max, Matthew, Kaitlyn, Aubrey, Cayden, and Carmen.
A family gathering will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Glassy Mountain View Church in Pickens.
The family appreciates the thoughts and prayers extended during this time.
CAROLYN MCCOY WHITTED
EASLEY — Carolyn McCoy Whitted, 80, loving wife of Johnny Whitted, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Born on April 29, 1946, in Pelzer, Carolyn was the cherished daughter of the late Lewis
SDPC unveils plaques to preserve legacy of county’s Medal of Honor recipients
On the day after Memorial Day 2026, our School District of Pickens County held a ceremony at LHS to honor our 4 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from Pickens
County.
These four men gave their lives to preserve our freedoms and they are our heroes. I visited and talked with 3 of these families and the common request from each one was, “Please don’t forget their sacrifice”.
For those who do not know, our county has 4 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and per capita, we have more than any county in the United States of America.
Our students and citizens need to know who these men were and why they are revered



































