Category Archives: Local News
State declared drought-free
COLUMBIA — After a dry autumn caused an uptick in wildfires, South Carolina has received much-needed rain.
The S.C. Drought Response Committee met Tuesday to update the drought status of each county in the state and announced the whole state is now drought-free.
The committee met Dec. 9 because of the surge in wildfires and placed 34 counties into incipient drought status.
South Carolina had twice the 10-year average of wildfires in the month of November and in the first week of December had already surpassed 1.5 times the
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Easley group donates ‘Tommy Moose’ toys for kids in need
EASLEY — On Jan 29, the Easley Moose Lodge and Easley Women of the Moose, came together with several community members and local businesses in the spirit of past president Don Harbin and donated “Tommy Moose” stuffed animals to Easley, Pickens and
Pickens County emergency responders.
“Tommy Moose” is a community service program that gives support and care to traumatized children in the event of an emergency situation. Officials gave many heartfelt thanks to Steddy’s, Taco Taco, Ironhorse Steamers, Tip Top Cake Shop, Butterbeans, The Hideout, the Main Street Pub, South Greenville Moose Lodge and the many members of the Easley Moose Lodge for contributing to the cause.
“It’s when a community comes together and supports each other that makes Pickens County a true gem that stands out and shines above all the rest,” a news release said.
Community Calendar
• Quilt of Valor set to go to Bob Cirkus
On Thursday, Feb. 10, immediately following the daily playing of the national anthem at noon, Robert “Bob” Cirkus will be honored with a presentation from Quilts of Valor.
Cirkus served 13 months in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 as a turret mechanic and member of the 25th Infantry Division.
Since 2003, Cirkus has sold military and veterans support items as a fundraiser for the National Guard Family Readiness group.
Upon relocating to Pickens from New Jersey, Cirkus set up his fundraising tables at the Market at the Mill, located ta 225 Pumpkintown Highway in Pickens.
Immediately following the Quilts of Valor presentation, Cirkus will be presenting his fundraising proceeds to a member of FRG (Family Readiness Group) to benefit families of deployed National Guard members.
• CRMHA Train Expo set for Feb. 18-19
The Central Railway Model and Historical Association will hold its annual train expo on Friday, Feb. 18, and Saturday, Feb. 19. The expo will run from noon-6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Impact Center at Rock Springs Baptist Church, located at 207 Rock Springs Road in Easley.
Admission is $8 for adults, good for both days. Children under 10 will be admitted free. The event will offer trains of all sizes, operating layouts, dealers, a kids’ zone and more. For more information, visit crmha.org.
• Local friends and newcomers to meet
The Tri-County Friends and Newcomers will meet the second Monday of each month through April 2022. The group has a new meeting location in the Powdersville Branch Library off S.C. Highway 81. Social time is 10 a.m. Business meeting is at 10:30 a.m.
This month’s meeting, set for Feb. 14, will feature guest speaker Ashley Williams, public information officer for the Easley Police Department. Lunch will follow the meeting.
For more information, contact Barbara Cunningham at (864) 855-9570.
SLED: Former deputy tased person 17 times
Man facing assault, misconduct charges
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — A former Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested last week after being accused of tasing a person 17 times last year.
James William Trotter is charged with two counts of misconduct in office and second-degree assault and battery, according to
a release from South Carolina Law Enforcement Division spokesman Ryan
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‘Two classes of students’: SDPC officials discuss quarantine rules
By Andrea Kelley
Courtesy The Journal
akelley@upstatetoday.com
LIBERTY — Three of the five public commenters at last week’s Pickens County School Board meeting were concerned over quarantine guidelines.
Toby King said the guidelines from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) are “ridiculous.”
“If a child comes to school and they have COVID, and you send them home, you don’t know how long they’ve been contagious,” he told the board. “You quarantine a couple of kids in the classroom. You deny those kids five, 10, 15 days of You must be logged in to view this content.
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Woman facing drug trafficking charges
LIBERTY — A Liberty woman is being held without bond at the Pickens County Detention Center after a two-month drug trafficking investigation, according to authorities.
According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies over the past two months conducted a multifaceted investigation into Barbara Ann Goodman. Deputies with the sheriff’s office’s Community Action Team (CAT) used drug interdiction techniques, in conjunction with a Special Operations undercover investigation of Goodman, to
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SWU opens success center for veterans
CENTRAL — A new center on the Southern Wesleyan University campus is designed to support the needs of students who are affiliated with the military.
Officials cut the ribbon on the Warriors CARE Center on Friday afternoon.
The veterans success center is housed on the first floor of Stuart-Bennett Hall.
Interim SWU president William Crothers welcomed the crowd to the ceremony.
“This is a very unique opportunity for us as a small college to have a veterans center,” he said.
For years, Southern Wesleyan University has been recognized as a Military-Friendly School, Crothers said.
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McKissick earns national honor
EASLEY — The McKissick Academy of Science & Technology (MAST) in Easley has been named a 2022 School of Excellence.
The School District of Pickens County announced Saturday the school received the distinction from Magnet Schools of America, which
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Rabid raccoon found in Six Mile
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
SIX MILE — A raccoon found in Six Mile last month tested positive for rabies, according to a release from the South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control.
The raccoon was the first animal in South Carolina to test positive for rabies in 2022, the release said.
The raccoon was found near Terrapin Crossing and Belle Shoals Road and was submitted to DHEC’s
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Wreaths Across America tour to stop in Clemson
Free mobile education exhibit helps honor local veterans
Clemson — Wreaths Across America (WAA) in Clemson has announced a local stop for the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) national tour.
The MEE started its tour at the WAA Headquarters in Maine and will be in the area for a Feb. 19 scheduled event that will last from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. that is both free and open to the public. The event will take place at Nettles Park, located at 102 Nettles Park Road in Clemson.
“The goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is
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