Category Archives: Local News
County officials talk future of road funds
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — County officials discussed how to ensure that future county councils can only use millage added earlier this year for its 
intended purpose — roads.
Council voted in September to set millage that would generate $6 million to be used to move the county from a 75-year paving cycle to a 25-year paving cycle.
During council’s Dec. 6 meeting, Councilman Trey Whitehurst asked county administrator
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
A special Christmas tree tribute
This holiday season, the city of Pickens has a new Christmas tree in town at the intersection of Main Street and North Catherine Street. Pace and Reeves Service Station has a very unique and symbolic tree. The tree, a rare Italian spruce, was planted on the property by Sharon Thomas when it was only about two feet tall and now towers an estimated 45 feet in the air. The tree was not meant for this climate, but has flourished over the years. Pace and Reeves owner John Reeves was asked by the Pickens Women’s Association if he would mind if they had lights put on the tall, thin tree for the holidays. Reeves agreed if he could place two stars on the tree. One atop the tree represents his late partner, Dennis, Pace who passed away in 2003, and the other represents longtime Pace and Reeves employee Andy “Big’un” Reynolds, who died last year. Pictured with the tree are Joe Pilgrim, Reeves and Brandon Pilgrim of Pace and Reeves. The stars were designed and made by Karen Cisson.
Roper: Council ‘seeking to be transparent’ on millage hike
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — Pickens County administrator Ken Roper understands residents are unhappy with county council’s approval earlier this fall of a 9.9-mill tax increase to repair existing roads and a reserve fund for future road improvements.
But he said the state Supreme Court’s ruling last summer made the action necessary.
“We’ve been very, very frugal with the taxpayers’ money over the last 10 or 15 years,” Roper said. “County council wants to be transparent about this, because the Supreme Court case leaves us very little choice if we want to keep maintaining our roads.”
Roper told residents on a video featured on the Pickens County Council website that every county in
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Jeep auction to benefit children’s hospital
The Upstate Legends Jeep Club has received donations of around 10 kids’ Jeeps that have been outfitted like Hinkle’s Jeeps in honor of local Jeep legend Larry Hinkle. The Jeeps will be auctioned off to raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at 2:30 p.m. tihs Sunday, Dec. 19, at Legacy Square in downtown Pickens. Hinkle and his wife, Mary, rode in Sunday’s Pickens Christmas parade along with some of the Jeeps to be auctioned off. For more information about the event, email camalanhinkle@gmail.com.
New business cuts ribbon
Elevated Auction and Resale is now open in Pickens. Owner Lisa Pocobello cut the ribbon on her new store, located at 404 Johnson St., on Dec. 2. Elevated Auction and Resale is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Elevated Auction and Resale’s collection is made up of hand-selected items to fit any budget. Pictured at the ribbon cutting, from left, are Mary Frye, Joann Hicks, Chuck Kayse, Anna Chastain, Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry, Brenda Kayse, Lisa and Todd Pocobello, Linda Hammond and Bryan Owens
Pickens scholar-athletes
Pickens High School recently announced its winter sports scholar-athletes of the week. The female recipient is Hannah Roper. Roper is a senior member of the varsity basketball team and the daughter of Corey and Shannan Roper. She was nominated by Dr. Angela Lucas. The male recipient is Jacob Santeler, a junior member of the wrestling team and the son of Shauna and Chris Henson. He was nominated by Denise Hodges.
Shop Small Winner
The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Saturday Shop Small, Shop Local winner was Brenda Gatlin. Gatlin received a prize bag from chamber president Bryan Owens and membership director Lisa Turnick. The chamber would like to thank all local residents for shopping small on Saturday, Nov. 27.
DAR brings holiday joy
ANDERSON — Christmas gifts came early this year to the 197 veterans at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home.
The Daughters of Fort Prince George Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution prepared bags for all veterans living at the home. Chapter regent Carolyn Nations, her husband and another chapter member
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Community Calendar
• Legion Post 52 plans events for holidays
American Legion Post 52 will present the Wreaths Across America program at Robinson Memorial Garden at 10 a.m. Dec. 18. Anyone wishing to lay a wreath at the ceremony or just support the program is asked to send a check of $15 for each wreath to American Legion Post 52, 118A Legion St., Easley, SC 29642.
American Legion Post 52 sells American flags and South Carolina flags, all made in the USA. Everyone is invited.
To submit your event, send an email to news@thepccourier.com.
• 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 beginning Monday, Dec. 13. Social time is 10 a.m. Business meeting is at 10:30 a.m.
The group will be having a Christmas event and gift exchange with lunch following.
For more information, contact Barbara Cunningham at (864) 855-9570.
To submit your event, send an email to news@thepccourier.com.
Picture Perfect
The Daniel Lions pulled away in the second half to beat Camden 45-20 on Friday and wrap up their second consecutive
state championship and second perfect season in a row. The victory marked the first time the Lions had taken back-to-back state titles since 1991-92. Above, Daniel defenders Carson Chasteen, left, and Brodey Conn celebrate after a big play against the Bulldogs. At right, Daniel coach Jeff Fruster holds up the championship trophy after the victory. To read more about the game and see more photos scroll down to the Courier’s final Football Frenzy section of the season. Photos by Carl Ackerman/Courtesy The Journal
