Category Archives: News
Speedway development voted down by planning commission
By Mike Pulley
Special to the Courier
news@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The Pickens County Planning Commission unanimously voted down a huge development project Monday night that would potentially replace the historic Greenville-Pickens Racetrack.
The “no” vote gave hope to racetrack supporters who are negotiating a $4 million purchase deal with RealtyLink, the developer, that transfers ownership of the Speedway portion of the project and allows it to reopen for racing.
The vote allows the developer to resubmit the last three phases of its five-phase project, the Speedway Business & Technology Park, at a future date with a more comprehensive 
traffic study and project terms more in line with the county’s land-use plan. Before the vote, several Commissioners cited an insufficient traffic study and failure of project plans to align with the county’s land-use plan as reasoning for their decision.
RealtyLink vowed to come back with the required changes for a project that would encompass more than 200 acres of the huge 500-acre speedway site at the intersection of Highway 123 and Highway 124. At full buildout in the next few years, the five phases of the Park would include about 4 million square feet of industrial and retail uses and employ about 4,000 workers, according to RealtyLink.
Jackie Manley, a former local driver and leader of the group trying to buy and reopen the 26-acre speedway along more than two dozen supporters, loudly applauded after
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Woman found guilty in 2022 Easley shooting
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — A Greenville woman has been sentenced to two decades behind bars after 
being convicted last month in connection with a 2022 shooting near Easley.
On Feb. 26, a Pickens County jury convicted 58-year-old Renee Lavonne Simon of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, 13th Circuit Solicitor
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Mauldin, Nimmons honored by SC Press Association
COLUMBIA — Two Pickens County Courier staff members were honored recently by the South Carolina Press Association for their work in 2025-26.
In the SCPA’s annual news contest, Courier Sports Editor Bru Nimmons and Editor Zack Mauldin received awards judged by peers in the newspaper industry. The awards were presented at the association’s annual meeting last Friday in Columbia.
Nimmons and Mauldin truly have ink in their blood. Mauldin has been a key part of the Courier from the beginning, designing the paper’s look and shaping its content since its inception in 2007.
After his years as a student at Clemson University, Nimmons returned to the Courier
Translating Holy Word into reality
‘‘It is incumbent upon everyone to observe God’s holy commandments, inasmuch they are the wellspring of life unto the world.” Baha’i Scripture
In Psalm 19:7-11, we see the preciousness of God’s teachings: “The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul…the precepts of the Lord are right and rejoice the soul. The commandment of the Lord shines clear and gives light to the eyes. The Lord’s decrees are true and righteous every one, more to be desired than gold,
pure gold in plenty, sweeter than syrup or honey from
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Hagood Mill Foundation announces spring fundraiser
PICKENS — The Hagood Mill Foundation invites the community to an elegant evening of fellowship and purpose at its annual spring fundraiser, Preserving the Past and 
Funding the Future, on Saturday, April 11, at the Heritage Pavilion at Hagood Mill.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by dinner and live entertainment at 7 p.m.
The fundraiser will be held at Heritage Pavilion at Hagood
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County library director fired
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Just four months before her firing last week, Pickens County Library 
System director Stephanie Howard was honored by a statewide library group for her “leadership and commitment to protecting the right of all individuals to read, learn and think freely.”
The South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) awarded Howard with the Intellectual Freedom Award, which “honors those who have advanced awareness and defense of the right to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction through advocacy, education
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Hinton to succeed Lovinggood as Blue Ridge President, CEO
PICKENS — The Blue Ridge Electric Co-op announced last week that President and 
CEO Jim Lovinggood is set to retire at the end of 2026 after more than four decades of distinguished service, but a familiar, local face is set to succeed the respected CEO.
The Blue Ridge Board of Trustees unanimously named Zachary Hinton as Lovinggood’s successor — only the fourth in the cooperative’s history, a testament to the organization’s long-standing stability. Hinton will step into his new role in January 2027.
“This is the right time for my family and me to enter into this next phase of life, and it’s hard to put into words just how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to work with so many great people,” Lovinggood said. “I will have more
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