Category Archives: Local News
Quilt fundraiser
A pieced fan quilt will be the prize for an upcoming Pickens Senior Center Fundraiser. A blue and off-white muslin quilt top with a classic fan pattern was donated to the Granger Fiber Arts Center at the Hagood Community Center. The quilt was hand-quilted on a traditional frame by the Granger Fiber Arts quilters. The beautiful 59-by-77-inch coverlet will fit a full-sized bed. Each pieced fan is intricately embellished with lace. The quilting patterns are traditional handwork. The backing is solid blue. Tickets for the drawing for the special quilt are available Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Pickens Senior Center, located 129 Schoolhouse St. in Pickens from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. until April 30. The winner will be drawn at the Will Brothers Early Spring Jam concert at the center. Ticket are $1 each, with all the proceeds going to the center. The winner does not have to be present to win.
Community Calendar
• Legion to host flag retirement April 16
The American Legion Post 52 in Easley will be performing a flag retirement ceremony at 11 a.m. on April 16. The ceremony will be at the Pope Field Recreation field in Easley.
• Open house set for McKinney Chapel
Everyone is invited to visit the historic McKinney Chapel at the Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, located at 655 Cleo Chapman Road in Pickens County.
An open house will be held on Saturday, May 14, from 1-3 p.m.
Repair and maintenance of the beloved chapel and graveyard are extensive and need immediate and costly attention.
Woman charged with murder
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — A Liberty woman is charged with murder after a shooting at her home last week.
Nicole Michelle Heape, 27, is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to a release from Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chad Brooks.
Pickens County deputy coroner Heather A. Harrison identified the victim as Kennedy Drayton, 31, who shared the home
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Candidate fields set for elections
COUNTY — Local voters will be faced with several contested races on the ballots for the upcoming Republican primary and November’s general election after 
filing closed last week.
The two-week filing period closed at noon March 30, with party primaries set for June 14 and the general election scheduled for Nov. 8.
Two seats are up for grabs on Pickens County Council this year after incumbents Ensley Feemster and Trey Whitehurst opted not to seek reelection.
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Man facing meth trafficking charges
LIBERTY — A local man is being held without bond at the Pickens County Detention Center after his arrest on multiple felony charges last week in Liberty.
According to a news release from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies executed a search warrant at 221 Freedom Forest Drive after multiple undercover operations conducted by the PCSO Special Operations Unit.
Authorities said the undercover investigations led to two warrants against Blitch for trafficking methamphetamine, and the search warrant led to half a dozen more charges against him.
In addition to two third-offense counts of trafficking between 10 and 28 grams of methamphetamine, Blitch is
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Lakes and Bridges Charter School celebrates 5 years
EASLEY — Five years ago — on April 6, 2017 — Lakes and Bridges Charter School was awarded its charter by the South Carolina Public Charter School District Board of Trustees.
The milestone came after almost three years of discussion, research and planning by the school’s charter committee, a group of nine passionate and devoted individuals who worked to improve
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DHEC urges second booster shot
COLUMBIA — A few different groups of people should receive a second COVID-19 booster shot, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental 
Control (DHEC) recommended in a news release Thursday.
The agency said people ages 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get a
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Pickens officials OK work on Legacy Square fountain
Renovation project to cost $134K, no timeline set yet
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Pickens officials have approved fixing and upgrading the fountain in Legacy Square, a project that will cost $134,000.
Last year, officials announced the fountain would be temporarily removed from its foundation, which is cracked.
City administrator Philip Trotter said officials last discussed the fountain in
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Jeep Explosion event scheduled for Sept. 24
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Jimmy Patten picked a good day to update Pickens City Council members about this year’s Pickens Jeep Explosion event.
Patten spoke at council’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, which just happened to be National Jeep 4×4 Day.
This year’s event is set for Sept. 24.
The 2021 Pickens Jeep Explosion was “a huge success,” he said.
“415 Jeeps went on the ride,” Patten said. “We had over 500 on Main Street
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Tri-County Tech freezes tuition for third straight year
PENDLETON — The Tri-County Technical College Commission has decided to freeze tuition for the third year in a row.
The commissioners unanimously approved the tuition freeze at a meeting Monday.
“Making education accessible and affordable has been TCTC’s mission since its inception,” commission
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