Category Archives: Local News
Tax season now underway in SC
COLUMBIA — Income tax season is officially open after the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) started accepting 2022 individual returns on Monday.
Income tax season is officially open after the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) started accepting 2022 individual returns on Monday.
SCDOR will begin processing returns on Feb. 6 to allow employers time to meet the Jan. 31 W-2 submission deadline, a news release from the agency said. The filing date for both state and federal returns
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CU expands dementia prevention research
CLEMSON — Clemson University and healthy older adult volunteers from Upstate South Carolina will play an increasingly crucial role in the landmark Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study.
The study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, examines whether computerized brain training exercises can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. Additional funding awarded earlier this
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Signups open for 2023 SC New and Beginner Farmer Program
CLEMSON — South Carolinians looking to launch or grow a farm business have access to comprehensive entrepreneurial education and business training, thanks in part to a $600,000 federal grant.
The grant was awarded in 2022 from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) and supports Clemson University’s South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP) through 2024.
SCNBFP is a Clemson Extension Agribusiness public education program focused on enabling new and beginning farmers to be
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Local nonprofit collecting Valentines for area seniors
COUNTY — A local nonprofit is seeking Valentine’s Day cards for area senior citizens.
Members of Warmth and Comfort for the Elderly in Upstate SC use their crochet skills to provide warm items for nursing home patients, hospice groups, home health patients and elderly people who live at home and can’t afford them.
They also hold regular donation drives.
“Our next drive is Valentine cards for each resident and our shut-ins,” said Tammy Ferguson, the group’s CEO. “Last year, we
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Ribbon cutting held
On Jan. 14, magician Donald Carpenter cut the ribbon on the only magic store in Pickens. Magic & Smiles is located inside the Market at the Mill at 225 Pumpkintown Highway in Pickens. On hand for the festivities were Don and Nancy Carpenter and their son, Randy, along with members of the local International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 63 — president Mike Noonan, Rhett Bryson, Paul DiLella Sr. and Edmund Apperson — Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry, Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce executive director Bryan Owens and Beth Vlener. For more information, visit magicandsmiles.com or call (864) 999-4189.
Easley Parks and Rec to offer new art class
EASLEY — The Easley Parks and Recreation Department, located at 111 Walkers Way in Easley, has begun to offer art classes for all ages.
Classes in February will take place on Feb. 9, 16 and 23, with all classes starting at 4 p.m. Feb. 9 will be the first part of a two-part clay class where participants will create clay coil bowls (not food safe). Participants will be able to glaze their bowls during part two of the clay class, which will take place on Feb. 23.
The class on Feb. 16 will explore varying methods and techniques of using watercolor. There are no age restrictions for the courses, but officials do ask that any
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Mexican cartel probe based in Pickens Co.
Dozens indicted on 170 charges so far in wide-ranging ‘Las Señoritas’ investigation of prison drug trafficking
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — Inmates continue to use contraband cellphones inside S.C. Department of Corrections prisons to “structure, coordinate and finance” high-level drug 
trafficking operations involving a Mexican drug cartel, according to releases from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the
S.C. Attorney General’s Office.
During the first week of 2023, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, along with the South
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Volunteer fair planned to help local nonprofits
COUNTY — Local nonprofits are in dire need of volunteers, according to a news release from the Pickens County Library System, so a volunteer fair is planned next 
week to help connect those looking to get involved with organizations who can use the manpower.
The volunteer fair is planned from 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in
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Tri-County police earn accreditation
By Riley Morningstar
Courtesy The Journal
rmorningstar@upstatetoday.com
PENDLETON — The Tri-County Technical College campus police force is now the first technical college system in the state to become accredited.
A special event was held at the Pendleton campus on Friday morning, marked with a visit and kudos from South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation (SCLEA) chairman John Tucker. The SCELA has been the official accrediting body in the state since 1999, requiring departments to go through a multi-layered process to meet the high standards of
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SC Human Trafficking Task Force releases annual report
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — The South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force’s 2022 annual report contains some grim statistics.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, the task force’s chair, released the report earlier this month.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor or services against their will, the report said. Inducing a minor into commercial sex is considered human trafficking regardless of
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