Category Archives: Local News
Liberty Lion of the Year
President Clay Counts of the Liberty Lions Club recently recognized Lisa Cassidy, principal of Liberty Middle School, as the club’s 2021-22 Lion of the Year. Lions Club International is the world’s largest service organization focusing on assisting individuals with vision care needs. The Liberty Lions Club meets the second Thursday each month at 7 a.m. at The Grill in Liberty.
Member of the month
The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce recently named the Pickens Bargain Exchange Flea Market as the August Chamber Member of the Month. The Pickens Bargain Exchange Flea Market is located at 1449 Walhalla Highway just west of Pickens. The market is a great antique market sitting on more than 60 acres, with 2,000 spots for vendors. The market is open every Wednesday from 5 a.m.-1 p.m., with the market’s office opening each Tuesday for reservations and information. Pictured above are chamber executive director Bryan Owens, Bargain Exchange owners Elease Ellege, Haley and Trey Boggs, along with Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry. To find out more about the Pickens Bargain Exchange Flea Market, visit bargainexchangefleamarket.com or call (864) 878-4762.
Courier Community Calendar 8-24-22
• Anderson reunion set for this Sunday
The family of Joseph Rugless and Nancy “Nealy” Anderson will hold its annual reunion on Sunday, Aug. 28, at Mountain Grove Baptist Church. The church is located at 644 E. Preston McDaniel Road in Pickens. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m.
• Upstate Parkinson’s group hosts meetings
The Upstate Parkinson’s Society will host a Parkinson’s challenged/caregiver discussion group to be held monthly at the Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library, located at 304 Biltmore Road in Easley. Meeting time is every third Thursday of August through December from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Refreshments provided. For more information, contact Chuck Dooley at (864) 507-3034.
• Veterans invited to American Legion
Veterans in the Liberty area are invited to the next meeting of American Legion Post 67 in Liberty.
The Legion meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Scout Hut, circle off North Palmetto Street. All veterans are invited.
• Gilstrap reunion planned September 5
The annual Gilstrap reunion will be held on Sept. 5 at the Antioch Baptist Church fellowship building. Lunch will be around 1 p.m.
Kennel Club gives $1,500 to Pickens Police Department
The Clemson Kennel Club made a $1,500 donation to the Pickens Police Department last week for additions to the department’s K-9 unit. In addition to the donation, in conjunction with the CKC, the department was able to qualify for a grant of up to $7,500 from the American Kennel Club. “We sincerely hope that individuals and merchants in the city along with the service clubs will be inspired to get behind this fundraising effort and contribute to this very worthwhile cause,” the Clemson Kennel Club said in a news release. “The K-9 unit will be an invaluable asset for the Pickens Police Department and add a much-needed level of policing for the entire city. The club presented a check to the police department on Aug. 10 at the Central-Clemson Branch Library. The department recently acquired a new K-9, Duke, pictured at left with his handler, officer Braden Wimpey, to join K-9 officer Boss, pictured above at right with his handler, Caleb Cassell. Photos by Jessica Mackey/Courier
Easley appoints Holcombe interim city administrator
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — A familiar face around City Hall is serving as the city of Easley’s interim administrator.
During its Aug. 8 meeting, Easley City Council passed a resolution appointing Tommy Holcombe as interim administrator.
Holcombe has worked for the city for more than 40 years, the resolution said.
His roles have included finance director, business license manager and building
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National Gravely family reunion held at Looper’s barn in Pickens
PICKENS — In the late 1700s, as the Revolutionary War was drawing to a close, the Gravely (Gravlee) family moved from Virginia to what is now known as Holly Springs (Sunset community) in upper Pickens County, which was still under the control of Native Americans.
Many descendants of those early pioneers still live in the Sunset community area. Others have moved to Alabama,
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Courier Community Caledar 8-17-22
• Gilstrap reunion set for September 5
The annual Gilstrap reunion will be held on Sept. 5 at the Antioch Baptist Church fellowship building. Lunch will be around 1 p.m.
• Upstate Parkinson’s group hosts meetings
The Upstate Parkinson’s Society will host a Parkinson’s challenged/caregiver discussion group to be held monthly at the Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library, located at 304 Biltmore Road in Easley. Meeting time is every third Thursday of August through December from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Refreshments provided. For more information, contact Chuck Dooley at (864) 507-3034.
• Veterans invited to American Legion
Veterans in the Liberty area are invited to the next meeting of American Legion Post 67 in Liberty.
The Legion meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Scout Hut, circle off North Palmetto Street. All veterans are invited.
• Quilt Guild plans potluck dinner
The UpCountry Quilt Guild will have its annual summer potluck dinner Tuesday, Aug. 23. The meeting will be held at Pickens Presbyterian Church, located at 311 W. Main St. in Pickens.
Need for blood donors ‘critical’
Behavioral Health Services to host blood drive Monday
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — In June, officials with The Blood Connection and Upstate hospitals sounded the alarm about a lack of blood donors and said they feared the possibility of a blood shortage.
As summer winds down, the situation hasn’t improved, according to Katie Smithson, press and media coordinator with The Blood
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Duke seeking state approval for rate hikes
By Riley Morningstar
Courtesy The Journal
rmorningstar@upstatetoday.com
COLUMBIA — Duke Energy Carolinas is asking a state agency for its blessing to pass a rate increase that would 
increase the average residential customer’s bill by almost $16, saying fuel prices triggered the request.
The utility made its annual filing on July 29, with the Public
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County receives millions for airport expansion project
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — The Pickens County Airport will be expanding and is receiving some financial help from the South 
Carolina Aeronautics Commission.
“We’re building a lot of taxiway space, a lot of hangar space,” county administrator Ken Roper said during Pickens
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