Category Archives: Local News
Local woman sentenced on drug charges
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY – A Pickens County woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to several drug charges.
Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Cindy Crick said in a release issued July 22 that Stephanie Jean Pina pled guilty on July 21 to one count of trafficking methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of fentanyl.
Evidence presented by Assistant Solicitor Jake
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Locals indicted in tax credit fraud
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — Pickens County residents are among those indicted by grand juries in six counties regarding a pattern of fraud involving milk and ammonia tax credits, the South Carolina Department of Revenue announced last week.
After uncovering the fraud, the SCDOR presented evidence to grand juries over a two-month span, leading to the indictments against 31 people, the July 16 release said.
County grand juries handed down the indictments from June 5 to July 10, the release said.
The defendants claimed the refundable tax credits to which they were not entitled on
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Contraband phones remain a problem in SC prisons
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and other law enforcement officials continue to rail against the use of cell phones by inmates to commit further 
crimes.
On July 9, Wilson led a press conference that discussed the issue, using recent cases as examples of crimes allegedly committed by the already incarcerated
In addition to the update on the “Las Senoritas” drug trafficking case, as reported on by the
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CU Trustees approve budget, recognize Clary
CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Board of Trustees convened for its 2025 summer quarterly meetings and retreat this week at the Nieri Family Alumni and Visitor’s Center. Among a host of informational items, presentations and actions, the Board approved the FY26 budget, formalized an agreement with the Medical University of 
South Carolina to construct a new health facility and re-elected Kim Wilkerson ’80 to a third term as Board chair. Trustee John N. “Nicky” McCarter, Jr., ’80 was re-elected vice chair.
“It remains one of the honors of my lifetime to serve my alma mater as the chair of the Board of Trustees. Over the past four years, this Board has helped position Clemson for continued greatness, building on the proud history of our institution with a focus on the future, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue
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Prisma launches liver transplant program
Addition of liver transplant services expands accessibility to treatment
UPSTATE — The Prisma Health Transplant Center has announced an expansion of services in Greenville, bringing a new option to South Carolina patients who may be 
candidates for liver transplant.
Patients who previously had to travel hours to other transplant centers in the region can now receive care much closer to home. The Prisma Health liver transplant program received approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in June, has already completed its first liver transplant procedure, and has listed additional
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Alzheimer’s group meets in Easley
EASLEY — The Easley Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group has changed its meeting day and time for the next few months.
The group will now meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. in the upstairs conference room at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in
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Business of the Month
Congratulations to The Porkette, which was recently named Business of the Month by the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce.The Porkette has been a staple in the Pickens community for more than 30 years, proudly serving authentic and flavorful barbecue. Owned by Chris Durham, The Porkette features skilled pitmasters and chefs who use only the finest ingredients and slow-smoke their meats to perfection. The culinary team brings expertise from a variety of cuisines, creating a menu that is both thoughtfully crafted and delicious. Their mouthwatering dishes are also available through catering, making them a great choice for any gathering or special occasion. The Porkette is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and reopens for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m. It is located at 103 W. Main St. in Pickens. Pictured from left: Melisa Sedler, Dave Michel, Chris Durham (owner), Brian Owens and Harold Alexander.
Community Calendar 7-23-25
• Legion Post 67 seeks members
American Legion Post 67 in Liberty is accepting applications for membership from all U.S. military wartime veterans. For more information, call (864) 787-2322.
• Legion Post 52 to meet on 4th Tuesday
American Legion Post 52 officials invite all military veterans to join them in Easley.
Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Post building at 310 Pope Field Road in Easley.
• H.O.P.E. meetings scheduled monthly
Dillard Memorial Funeral Home and Hillcrest Memorial Park have announced the
More convicted in ‘Las Senoritas’ trafficking case
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COLUMBIA — More convictions and guilty pleas have been obtained in an ongoing investigation into organized crime being run from within state prisons using 
contraband cell phones, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson announced last week.
The “Las Senoritas” case goes back to 2023, Wilson said at a July 9 press conference.
“This was a major meth trafficking investigation in the Upstate,” he said. “It involved targeting a cartel-supplied drug You must be logged in to view this content.
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Local man faces CSAM-related felony charges
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A Pickens man faces multiple charges connected to the sexual exploitation 
of minors, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson said Monday.
Dallon Christoper Barnwell, 22, of Pickens, was arrested on July 3, Wilson said in a news release.
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest, he said.
Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National
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