AdvertiseHereH

Category Archives: Local News

By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com

CENTRAL — About 40 to 50 people, some who have lived for years in a historically black area of Central known as “Head Town,” are worried about having to relocate as the owner of the property plans to sell.

However, Black Lives Collective and Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) officials are working with about 18 families and asking Central Town

You must be logged in to view this content.

Subscribe Today or Login

Central officials eye options for Head Town residents

By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com

CENTRAL — Addressing pleas by residents of a predominantly African American neighborhood fearing displacement as the property they live on is up for sale, Central Mayor Andrew Beckner and town council say they plan to do everything they can to help.

Beckner said he hasn’t received a formal proposal from Wayne Head, owner of the property known as “Head Town,” but is concerned.

“(Displacement) is the No. 1 thing I want to avoid,” Beckner said. “It gives me a pit in my stomach to think it would happen,

You must be logged in to view this content.

Subscribe Today or Login

Azalea Festival continues to grow

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — The 2022 Pickens Azalea Festival is set for Mother’s Day weekend.

Festival director Roy Costner IV spoke about the festival and requested $6,500 from hospitality taxes at a special called Pickens City Council meeting on March 21.

“We are extremely excited for the 2022 Pickens Azalea Festival,” Costner said. “We have moved

You must be logged in to view this content.

Subscribe Today or Login

‘For the Better of the World’ Upstate Conference April 1-3

GREENVILLE — As one of thousands of global conferences, the Baha’is of the Upstate of South Carolina, including Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, Greenville and Spartanburg counties, will host their local area conference the weekend of April 1-3 in Greenville.

The global conferences are bringing a hopeful direction to the world by inviting local action so together all “well-wishers of humanity” can help build vibrant communities that are a “haven of peace” and “may work for the betterment of the world and live together in concord and harmony.”

Attendees will examine Baha’u’llah’s vision for humanity and reflect on how that vision has, during the past century, inspired communities to work on building unity among the peoples of the world.

For more information about the conference and to register, call (864) 855-2072 or visit the Pickens County Baha’is and Friends Facebook page at facebook.com/pcbahaifriends.

Baptist Easley hosts diaper distribution

During a Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Diaper Bank distribution event in Easley on March 22, volunteers provided more than 16,500 diapers and pull-ups, totaling around 220 children served. Families also received giveaway bags from Healthy Blue South Carolina and Pampers, as well as information on where to get their car seat checked locally. Of those families, officials were also able to provide brand new car seats to two families who did not have children in car seats when they arrived. “We heard from the many families that we served how appreciative they were of our services,” said Candi Forester-Smith, manager of the Prisma Health Baptist Easley Foundation. Pictured, from left, are Prisma Health employees who volunteered their time to participate in last week’s diaper bank event at Baptist Easley — Forester-Smith, Lloyd Sarbacker, Dana Rutland, Mary Fields, Renee Hunter, Nancy Kendall and Andrea Stegall.

Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry graduates from Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute

PICKENS — Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry has graduated from the Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government.

Graduates received their certificates during the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Hometown Legislative Action Day in February.

The Municipal Association offers the Advanced Institute exclusively to graduates of the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government. Created in 2014, the Advanced Institute provides elected officials with continuing education through classroom instruction and interaction with experienced peers.

“The Advanced Institute allows mayors and councilmembers to explore in depth many governance topics that can make them more effective leaders for their cities and towns,” said Urica Floyd, staff associate for distance learning for the Municipal Association.

Graduating officials have participated in at least four of six courses to graduate from the Advanced Institute. Topics include public safety, budgeting, utilities, advocacy, economic development and governance.

The Advanced Institute draws its faculty from South Carolina and across the country, including recognized local government leaders, state officials, as well as college and university faculty.

Established in 1986, the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government is a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. It gives municipal officials a strong foundation in the operation of municipal government.

The Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government is one of many educational and training opportunities that the Municipal Association offers for the elected officials and staff serving cities and towns. Learn more at masc.sc (keyword: education and training).

Member of the Month

The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce recently named Holly Springs Country Store and Cafe as its Member of the Month. The business is located at the corner of S.C. Scenic Highway 11 and U.S. Highway 178. The store is open Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. The cafe offers a full country breakfast, lunch and more and is located inside the convenience store and gas station. Bill Rivers bought Holly Springs Country Store from Mendel Stewart in 1982 after retiring from the Air Force. In 2007, Cameron Rivers, Bill’s son, became the owner and operator of the store. Pictured are Paula Rivers, Cole Rivers, Marcell Harding, Cameron Rivers, Debbie Gravely and Bryan Owens.

Community Calendar 3-30-22

• Easley Museum to open on 1st Fridays

The Easley Area Museum has expanded hours of operation that will now include the first Friday of each month. Starting April 1, the museum will be open to the public from 1-5 p.m. Normal hours will continue for every Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p m. or by appointment.

• Hagood Center to host gospel singing

Hagood Community Center will hold its first musical fundraising concert of the year next month.
Will Brothers and Friends will be performing at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 30, in the auditorium. The event is called the Early Spring Jam and is set to feature a

You must be logged in to view this content.

Subscribe Today or Login

Who are they?

Officials at the Clayton Research Room at the Southern Wesleyan University Library have a collection of original pictures that they are attempting to identify. We at the Pickens County Courier thought our readers might be able to help. The two pictures include people from the Pickens County area. If you can identify any of these people, contact Mildred H. Brewer at wycar@aol.com or claytonroom@swu.edu with the name and image number under the picture.

Filing now open for November general election

By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — Incumbent State House Reps. Jerry Carter and Davey Hiott both filed for reelection last week in the first days of the two-week filing period for the November general election.

Carter represents District 3, which covers the Clemson, Central, Six Mile and Norris areas, while Hiott’s

You must be logged in to view this content.

Subscribe Today or Login