Category Archives: Local News
DEW: County unemployment rate on the rise
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COLUMBIA — The unemployment rate in Pickens County saw a sizable increase during the latest jobs report released last month.
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) reported that unemployment in the county went up from 4.6 percent in June to 5 percent in July.
The fall in unemployment comes just one month after Pickens County saw its jobless rate rise 0.7 percentage
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Wilson makes case for SC’s next governor
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is used to presenting evidence in court.
Last month, he presented his case to some Pickens County voters, urging them to elect him as the Palmetto State’s next governor.
Appearing at a Pickens County Republican Club event Aug. 23 at Mutt’s BBQ in Easley, Wilson said the values he learned from his parents “set me on a path to public service that led me to where I am today.”
“I don’t know where it’s going to lead me in the future, but it’s gotten
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Bob Fedder announces bid for Easley City Council Ward 6
EASLEY — For Bob Fedder, Easley isn’t just home – it’s a lifelong commitment.
Born and raised in Easley, Fedder graduated from Easley High School before earning his degree from Clemson University. The Fedder family roots run deep in the community with his grandparents having opened Fedder’s Fashion Shops 100 years ago.
For generations, the store became a reliable part of daily life, serving local families across the Upstate. Fedder’s father continued that legacy, and today, he carries it
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Semper Fi Barn to host Community Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony

SIX MILE — The Semper Fi Barn will host a community-wide Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony on September 11, offering area residents a meaningful opportunity to honor those lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks. The ceremony, themed “Remember • Reflect • Recommit” welcomes flexible participation to accommodate varying schedules.
The remembrance event begins at 8:30 a.m. with four distinct moments of silence timed to coincide with each attack 24 years ago. The ceremony allows community members to join for the full event, individual moments of silence, or the fellowship gathering that follows.
The ceremony will observe moments of silence at historically significant times: 8:46 a.m. for the World Trade Center North Tower, 9:03 a.m. for the South Tower, 9:37 a.m. for the Pentagon, and 10:03 a.m. for Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
Each moment will be marked by bell or chime signals. A narrative will be read preceding each moment of silence detailing the sequence of events of the hijacking of each aircraft and the destruction of each attack.
The ceremony takes place outdoors with the American flag at half-staff, weather permitting, with indoor accommodations available if needed. Children are welcome, and late arrivals or early departures will be respectfully accommodated.
“Whether someone can stay for two hours or two minutes, every form of participation honors the memory of September 11th,” said Joyce Hansel, Regent for the Fort Prince George Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). “This is about community, remembrance, and ensuring we never forget.”
The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at the Semper Fi Barn located at 314 Smith Memorial Highway, Central. For more information contact Tom von Kaenel, semperfibarn@gmail.com, 864-643-9197.
Keowee Vineyards make donation to help ‘Feed A Hungry Child’

On August 27, the Keowee Vineyards CRO Advisory Board proudly presented a check to their Fund the Need recipient, Feed a Hungry Child Pickens County, in loving memory of board member, Lori Primasing. Thanks to the generosity of community members, they raised $78,500 this year. Every dollar will go directly to providing weekend meals for more than 700 students in Pickens County, ensuring they have food from Friday afternoon through Monday morning. The Keowee Vineyards CRO Advisory Board is deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this important cause. Together, the Vineyards is making a difference in the lives of children in our community.
Sweet treats at PS Baked With Love
PS Baked With Love, the hot pink dessert trailer that’s been turning heads around Pickens held its formal grand opening and ribbon cutting on August 29. The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce asks all to give them a sweet welcome to the community. PS Baked With Love offers cannoli kits, fruit pies in a variety of flavors, classic chocolate chip cookies, decadent double fudge brownies and oatmeal cream pies. For location and offerings follow their facebook page or check out their website www.psbakedwithlove.com. Pictured are chamber member Denise Stone, City of Pickens Councilmen John McManus, Patricia Savino (owner), Jackie Savino (owner) , GPCOC Membership Director Lisa Turnick John Cassell (Jackie’s Husband), and their granddaughter Julianna.
Courier Community Calendar 9-10-25
•‘Hello Fall’ vendor fair set for Sept. 13
Summer is almost over, and everyone is about ready to say hello to fall. The United Wesleyan Church in Easley is doing it up right with a “Hello Fall” vendor fair.
The event will take place on Sept. 13 in The United Wesleyan Church Lifeline Building, located at 738 Rice Road in Easley. It will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Lunch will be available for purchase.
There will be a large group of local vendors, door prizes, silent auctions and bake sale.
The day of fun will help to benefit the Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry.
For more information about the event, email Rhonda Lance at dlance2723@charter.net.
• Widowed persons group meets monthly
Moving Forward, a widowed persons group meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of
Norris man dies in wreck
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — One man died Thursday after a single-vehicle crash.
Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson identified the victim as Robert Brett Bates, 58, of Norris.
The wreck happened at 10:51 a.m. Aug. 28 on U.S. Highway 123 near Adger Road, one mile south of Easley, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol Master
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One dead, one hurt in wreck
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — A Pickens woman was killed and another person was injured after a head-on collision near Six Mile on Aug. 25.
Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson identified the victim as 37-year-old Melody Willimon.
The wreck happened at 6:55 p.m. on Old Seneca Road
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Woman’s body found in Easley hospital bathroom
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Pickens County Coroner’s Office and the Easley Police Department are investigating after a woman was found dead in a hospital bathroom last week.
Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson said in a release
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