Category Archives: Local News
New group aims to assist with veteran issues
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — The Pickens County Veterans Council seeks to help the other veteran groups in the area stay connected, while educating residents on veterans issues and the benefits of joining such groups.
Tom Smith is the interim chairman of the Pickens County Veterans Council. He spoke to the Courier about the council on Aug. 24.
“The purpose is to give a common spot for all the veterans groups — the American Legions, the Marine Corps League, all
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Central approves conditional zoning for five parcels
By Evan Smoak
Courtesy The Journal
evan@upstatetoday.com
CENTRAL — Central Town Council conditionally approved planned unit development residential (PUD-R) zoning for five parcels of land during a special-called meeting Tuesday night — immediately after its town planners voted against it.
The five parcels of land on Eighteen Mile Creek Road and M and M Road were categorized as the “18 Mile PUD plan.” The land is owned by Youngblood Land Co LLC of Easley.
The town Planning Commission met directly before council to discuss
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
PCAC helping survivors, despite financial challenges
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Federal spending cuts are impacting organizations that support survivors of crime, including the Pickens County Advocacy Center.
PCAC executive director Lou Anne Johnson recently spoke at a Pickens Rotary Club meeting about the center’s work in
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
SDPC celebrates recent successes at board meeting
At its regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting last week the School District of Pickens celebrated recent successes within the district. Above: Student Body Presidents from each of our four high schools were recognized for their outstanding leadership: Mahogany Cobb (Daniel), Anna Grace Rice (Easley), Will Tope (Liberty) and Sara Beth Brock (Pickens). Bottom right: Three of the SDPC’s Board of Trustees members were recognized for reaching one of the six levels of the South Carolina School Board Association’s Boardsmanship Institute: Mrs. Betty Garrison, Level 4, Mrs. Karla Kelley, Level 4 and Mr. Randy Robinson, Level 1. Bottom left: Caroline Morris, Char Burgner and Darian Byrd are recognized for the SDPC receiving a national award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). In July, NSPRA recognized SDPC as a recipient of a 2024 Golden Achievement Award for our 2023-28 Strategic Plan. This national-level award highlights excellence in all aspects of school public relations, communication, marketing, and community engagement. SDPC was the only district in South Carolina to earn this achievement.
Third annual Barn, Boots & Brew set for September 24
EASLEY — Family Promise of Pickens County will present its third annual Barn, Boots & Brew and Silent Auction on Septe. 24, 2024. The event will be held at Arabella Farm – 125 Buck Ridge Road – Sunset, South Carolina and is sponsored by 
Cornell Dubilier, Jack’s Parlour, and Sealevel Systems.
The event will include appetizers, pulled pork and brisket BBQ, small plate tapas, desserts, and beverages, including cash bar. Highlights of
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Eastatoee Bowie family plans 100-year reunion
The above photo was taken in 1924 at the home of Erskin Calhoun Bowie, which is in the Eastatoee Valley in Pickens County. This is a photo of Calhoun and his siblings, spouses and their children. A 100-year celebration for the descendants (grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. ) of the Eastatoee Bowie family is scheduled at the home on Saturday, Sept. 28. Notices will be mailed to all available addresses. Meat and drink will be provided, but family members are asked to bring a side dish or dessert, if possible. An RSVP is requested to determine headcount for the meal. Call Larry Bowie at (864) 878-0837 (leave message with info), text (864) 421-3705 or email larrybowie54@gmail. com. Pictured and numbered are 1. Zelotez Bowie, 2. Mrs. George Bowie, 3. Hank “Hinkle” Bowie, 4. George Bowie, 5. Dick Finley, 6. Hamp Bowie, 7. Paul Bowie, 8. Elizabeth Nimmons, 9. Mae Bowie, 10. Lorrise Nimmons, 11. Sue Lewis, 12. Bessie Finley, 13. Clecia Adair, 14. James Adair, 15. lva Bowie, 16. Kate Lewis, 17. Beth Lewis, 18. Lila Lee Robertson, 19. Margery Lewis, 20. Mrs. Erskin Finley, 21. Hattie Adair, 22. Rosalie Lewis, 23. Cleo Bowie, 24. Jessie C. Bowie, 25. Mrs. Henry Bowie, 26. Pearl Bowie, 27. Mrs. Calhoun Bowie, 28. Clarence Cartee, 29. Calhoun Bowie, 30. Mrs. Margie Lewis, 31. Barbara Lewis, 32. Mrs. Bill Stewart, 33. Miss Elsie Burgess, 34. Maude Bowie, 35. Mrs. Harriet, Bowie (Grandma), 36. Ruby Bowie, 37. Glenn Bowie (Baby), 38. Mrs. Loyde Finley, 39. Miss Janie Nimmons, 40. Earnest Cartee, 41. Mrs. Lilly Finley, 42. Isaac Nimmons, 43. Herman Robertson, 44. Mrs. Kitty Robertson, 45. James Robertson, 46. Tom Robertson, 47. Bill Stewart, 48. Loyde Finley, 49. Brown Bowie, 50. Mrs. Guy Bowie, 51. Babe Bowie, 52. Guy Bowie, 53. Arnette Finley, 54. Olar Chapman, 55. Tom Robertson, 56. Erskine Finley, 57. George F. Bowie, Jr. , 58. Dwain Bowie, 59. Fletch Finley, 60. Brunner Bowie, 61. George Robertson, 62. Pete Lewis, 63. Lindsey Nimmons, 64. Bill Bowie, 65. Ben Robertson, 66. Lewis Nimmons, 67. Kizzie Nimmons, 68. Henry Bowie, 69. Rev. Jim George (no kin), 70. Mrs. Jim George (no kin) and 71. Rev. Glen Stewart (no kin). Not Present were J. B. (Jay) Robertson, Henry Finley, Wade Lewis, Hermie Lewis, Lillian Lewis and Lois Finley.
Courier Community Calendar 9-4-24
• 100th annual Fisher reunion is Saturday
The 100th annual Fisher reunion will be held at Lake Toxaway Baptist Church on U.S. 64 just above Toxaway Falls on Saturday, Sept. 7.
The business meeting will begin at 10 a.m., and lunch will follows in the picnic area at noon.
Please bring a covered dish or two and your lawn chair. All paper goods will be provided. All descendants, collateral lines and friends are heartily welcome to attend. Organizers encourage attendee families to bring poster boards with pictures for display. Your last name may not be Fisher, but your mother’s, grandmothers or great-grandmother’s — or a grandpa on your mother’s side — might have been. Come and learn about your rich heritage. Many Fisher descendants are buried in the Lake Toxaway Baptist Church cemetery. Fishers have been in Transylvania County since the early 1840s.
• Keowee Charity Golf Classic planned
The Keowee Charity Golf Classic Sunday, Sept. 15, starting at 2 p.m. The event will be played at The Rock Golf Course and Resort, located at 171 Sliding Rock Road in Pickens.
The cost for the event is $70. Price includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart and lunch. Golf format is captain’s choice, with registration beginning at 1 p.m. and a shotgun start scheduled at 2 p.m.
There is a raffle planned, with tickets on sale for $5 each or five for $20. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the local food bank, The Gleaning House and 10 Line Ministries 10LineMinistries.org).
For more information, call (864) 414-2054 or email keoweegolfclassic@gmail.com.
• Mt. Bethel UMC and Porter’s Chapel UMC plan revival
Believers are urged to enjoy the love, joy and peace of Jesus Christ during a joint “In the Grip” Revival on Sept. 15-18. The
PRJWS forging on without Pickens
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Following the decision by the city of Pickens to withdraw from the Pickens Regional Joint Water System, the remaining members remain committed to the project that will see a water treatment plant on Lake Keowee, PRJWS chairman Tom Ponder said last week.
The Six Mile Rural Water District, Easley-Central Water and the
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Easley Mayor reverses course on change in government form
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Easley Mayor Lisa Talbert says changing the city’s form of government is no longer one of her goals, despite it being an issue she raised during her campaign.
Shortly after she took office, Talbert told attendees at a Jan. 29 meeting of Pickens United that she wanted voters to decide via referendum if Easley’s government should change from mayor-council to council-manager.
“We have that underway as well,” Talbert said at the January meeting. “Our goal is to put that on the national election ballot coming up this
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
3 incumbents unopposed for school board
By Andrea Kelley
Courtesy The Journal
akelley@upstatetoday.com
EASLEY — All incumbents for three open seats on the Board of Trustees for the School District of Pickens County are 
running unopposed for re-election after filing closed Thursday.
Betty Bagley is running for her third term serving the Clemson area in District 1. Bagley is an educator of 55 years, including serving across three different districts as a teacher, director of student services, school psychologist, district administrator and superintendent.
A Liberty High School graduate, Bagley went on to earn her
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
