Category Archives: Community
PCSO Explorers bring home top honors at SC SCALE Competition
COUNTY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post No. 138 was named the state’s 2016 Explorer Post of the Year and earned first place overall during the recent South Carolina Association of Law Enforcement Explorers (SCALE) competition.[cointent_lockedcontent]
Pictured, back row, from left, are Deputy Brandon Brewer, Deputy 1st Class Elijah Chapman, Deputy 1st Class Michael Torres and Sergeant Robert Porter. Front row: Explorer Captain Brandon Smith, Explorer 1st Class Kaleb Grant, Explorer Lieutenant Tyler Brown, Explorer Lt. Caleb Cassell, Explorer Sergeant Maddy Blanton, Explorer Deandre Mansell, Explorer Sergeant Alex Harbin and Explorer 1st Class Eli Harbin.
The annual event was held July 18-22 in North Charleston and is the focal point of the organization’s summer conference, where Explorer posts come together to test their skills and knowledge in pursuit of one day becoming law enforcement officers.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office enjoys a strong and dedicated group of Explorers who attend several meetings each month and vigorously train to become first responders in years to come. Eight Explorers from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post No. 138 were in attendance at this year’s SCALE competition.
The 2016 competition was attended by 14 teams of Explorers that were sponsored by 11 different law enforcement agencies.
“Our Explorer program is a reflection of our entire agency in that we strive to serve as a model for other programs to follow,” Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark said. “The future for law enforcement in Pickens County has never been brighter with the quality of young men and women that are already experiencing the calling to serve others through public service. I am so very proud of our Explorer post and of our deputies that graciously devote so much of their personal time to this program.”
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Explorers won first place in the highly sought after award for being named the SCALE Post of the Year 2016 — an award given to the group with outstanding community service and superior leadership.
The 2016 First Place Overall Award was also brought home by the Pickens County Explorers after achieving the highest average score accumulated from team events.
The Pickens County team also finished first in the domestiv violence, armed robbery and open door/burglary competitions.
Local Explorer Captain Brandon Smith and Explorer First Class Kaleb Grant also took first place in the individual pistol and male physical agility competitions, respectively.
The Explorer program is a nationally recognized program among law enforcement agencies. Candidates must meet certain criteria to become a member. Participants must be between the ages of 14 to 21, and anyone under the age of 18 must have the consent and approval from their parent or legal guardian. Candidates must maintain a “C” average in school and must have completed the eighth grade upon being selected for the program.
Pickens County Sheriff’s Explorers often give back to the community through volunteering at large public events, fundraisers and ride-alongs with the sheriff’s deputies.
For more information, contact Pickens County Deputy 1st Class Elijah Chapman at (864) 898-5539 or by email at elijahc@co.pickens.sc.us.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Workshop for 50-plus job seekers planned for Aug. 4
UPSTATE — Tri-County Technical College’s Anderson QuickJobs Center will host a free Smart Strategies workshop for 50-plus job seekers Thursday, Aug. 4.[cointent_lockedcontent]
The workshop will be held from 2-4 p.m. and is offered at no charge. Participants will learn about the seven Smart Strategies needed to get back into the workforce and will have the opportunity to apply for the Back To Work 50-plus Coaching and Training Program. They also will receive the AARP Foundation’s free job search guide.
Tri-County’s Back To Work 50-plus team can help individuals update job search strategies, practice for interviewing and networking, and assist with enrollment in training programs that employers value.
To register or to learn more, visit aarp.org/backtowork50plus or call (855) 850–2525.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Courier Community Calendar 8-3-16
• ‘Venture Outdoors’ set for Pickens Aug. 27
The city of Pickens will host an outdoor event — Venture Outdoors — on Aug. 27. This is an all-day event which will highlight the many outdoor activities the area has to offer. Venture Outdoors will feature workshops on fly-fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, bee keeping and kayaking at
Café Connections to host breakfast and prayer rally for area first responders
PICKENS — First responders in the Pickens area are invited to Café Connections for a special appreciation breakfast on Aug. 4. The event is a way to show the community’s appreciation for the service they provide and to set the stage for a public prayer rally.
Courier Community Calendar 7-20-16
• Café Connections to host prayer rally
First responders in the Pickens area are invited to Café Connections for a special appreciation breakfast on Aug. 4. The event is a way to show the community’s appreciation for the service they provide and to set the stage for a public prayer rally.
Blue/White game rescheduled for Monday
PICKENS — Pickens High School football will make its return to historic Bruce Field as the Blue Flame’s annual Blue/White game is scheduled for Monday May 23, at 6 p.m.
Courier Community Calendar 5-18-16
• Soapstone set to host fundraiser
Soapstone Church invites everyone to a special fundraiser at the church, located at 296 Liberia Road in Pickens, this Saturday, May 21.
Courier Community Calendar 5-11-16
• New Granger Fiber art activities set
Granger Fiber Arts meets in the Pickens Community Center, 129 Schoolhouse St., Pickens. The goal of Granger Fiber Arts is to bring together those who wish to learn or improve skills in a particular area with those who have knowledge in that area of interest. Granger Fiber
Alliance Pickens to host STEM Celebration Award Scholar Technician of the Year
FREE TO READ, CLICK READ MORE BELOW!
On Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 6:00 p.m., Alliance Pickens will host a STEM “Evening of Celebration” at the Pickens County Career and Technology Center (CTC) in Liberty to celebrate students who have distinguished themselves in the subject areas of STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Pickens County Career and Technology Center Graduates Working in Pickens County
FREE TO READ! CLICK READ MORE BELOW
Alliance Pickens developed the Scholar Technician® initiative to encourage students to consider STEM manufacturing technical careers and to create a highly-skilled, technically trained workforce that would both support existing companies and attract top-notch manufacturing firms to Pickens County. This initiative has been very successful, and Pickens County industry and students are benefiting from the applied technical training students are receiving at a young age.
