Category Archives: Local News
DHEC: Omicron strain brings new subvariant of COVID-19
By Andrea Kelley
Courtesy The Journal
akelley@upstatetoday.com
STATE — Omicron has made a reappearance for the summer holidays, and it has brought a new subvariant along with it.
Omicron is the only strain of COVID-19 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had listed as a variant of concern as of Friday.
The CDC said it was of concern because of its potential for increased transmissibility and
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Banjo Extravaganza is this Saturday
PICKENS — Hagood Mill will host a Banjo Extravaganza this Saturday, July 16.
The educational event will trace the long history of the banjo from its earliest beginnings as a gourd instrument in Africa to today’s modern-day cousin, which is well recognized. Witness the rich history of sounds, songs and playing styles that have evolved along with the instrument for hundreds of years. If
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Community Calendar 7-13-22
• Fleet Reserve set to meet on July 16
Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 15, will meet this Saturday, July 16, at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast followed by a business meeting at 9 a.m. at Chicopee United Methodist Church, 403 S. Catherine St., Walhalla.
Open to all enlisted former and active duty U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard personnel. Contact
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Greenville man dies after Easley shooting
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — A Greenville man died after a shooting in Easley on Saturday.
Pickens County deputy coroner Heather Harrison identified the victim as Bishardd Gray, 49, of Laurel Drive.
According to a release from Chief Deputy Chuck James, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at 4:48 p.m. Saturday about a shooting that left a
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Pickens man still missing
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — After nearly a week of searching, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office is still on the lookout for Francis 
Alward, an 80-year-old Pickens resident with dementia who walked away from his home.
Alward was last seen at his home in the Pumpkintown Highway area of Pickens at around 1 p.m. June 29. According to police, Alward is believed to have left home on foot wearing a dark blue shirt, khaki pants and black shoes. Alward is 5 foot 8 inches
Easley approves 2022-23 budget
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Easley City Council passed second reading of its FY 2022-23 budget during a special called meeting last week.
City administrator Shannon Baldwin said at the June 28 meeting the budget is $26,950,140.
The budget “moves the city forward on multiple fronts,”
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Clemson’s OLLI back and as strong as ever
CLEMSON — Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is back and as strong as ever.
After COVID forced Zoom meetings over the past year, everyone is glad to be back in person, according to officials.
More than 60 members were at OLLI’s annual membership meeting June 15 at Kite Hill Brewing Company in the
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Nonprofit collecting sunglasses for seniors
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — A local nonprofit is collecting sunglasses to give to 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.
The July drive aims to provide “fun in the sun” for its recipients, according to Tammy Ferguson, the group’s CEO.
“We are collecting new pairs of sunglasses for those who go outside,” she said. “We’re also promoting a movie night or movie day with popcorn, those individual plastic popcorn containers and a can of Coke, Sprite or Pepsi.
“If you have any old movies — DVDs or VHS — you would like to get rid of, we can use those,” Ferguson continued.
Items can be dropped off at the YMCA in Pickens, in Easley at Under the Carolina Moon, Integrated Yoga Therapy and Earthworks and in Powdersville at Front Porch Fixins.
“Thank you from all of us at Warmth and Comfort for your continued support,” Ferguson said.
For more information about the group, email warmthandcomfort@gmx.com or call (864) 668-1021.
Learn more about the group at its Facebook page.
Sailor’s service to youth earns award, regional recognition
By Ulysses R. Grisette IV
Courtesy US Navy
news@thepccourier.com
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Originally from Clemson, U.S. Navy Air Traffic Controller First Class Austin Holliday was 
introduced to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida after graduating high school.
Through his dedication and volunteering, he was recently awarded the Ron Mobayed Military Big of the Year Award for 2022. Holliday earned the award through mentorship and care for his little brother,
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