Category Archives: News
Pickens volleyball receives state rings
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Just a few months removed from their Class 4A state championship win over Aiken, the Pickens Blue Flame volleyball team received their state
championship rings in a ceremony at Pickens High School on Thursday afternoon.
The 2021 state championBlue Flame were the first Pickens team to win state since 2014, and the first to win a
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Pickens PD honors K-9 officer with retirement celebration
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A member of the Pickens Police Department began a new life Monday afternoon.
The department held a retirement ceremony in front of Pickens City Hall for K-9 officer Xenia.
A Belgian Malinois, Xenia joined the department in 2017, when she was 15 months old.
At the start of the ceremony, Pickens Police Chief Randal Beach asked the K-9 handlers in the crowd
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
County plans litter program
COUNTY — A soon-to-be-launched initiative aims to tackle the litter problem in Pickens County.
In a Facebook Live video posted Saturday and during his report to county council during its April 4 meeting, county administrator Ken Roper discussed some facets of the “Pickens Proud” program, which will be fully unveiled at a press
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Pickens robotics duo makes world championships
PICKENS — In its first season of competition, a two-girl robotics team from Pickens Middle School has accomplished something no other team in school history has been able to do — qualify for the world championships.
Pickens Middle Sparks VEX Team 98791C, made up of Cassidy Riddle and Zoe Morris, was one of three teams from the school who qualified for last month’s South Carolina VEX Robotics tournament. The duo placed third overall in the tournament and won the state Design award, double qualifying them to attend
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Courier Obituaries 4-13-22
STACY L. SIMMONS
CENTRAL — Mrs. Stacy Longmeyer Simmons, 60, wife of Robert “Squirrel” Vincent Simmons, passed away on Monday, April 4, 2022.
Born in Anderson County, a daughter of Elizabeth Goforth Longmeyer of Easley and the late Robert Duane Longmeyer, Mrs. Simmons was a graduate of Travelers Rest High School, a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. Stacy was a true friend to all. She loved riding motorcycles, but her greatest love was for
Thornall’s arm, bat help lead Flame to third straight win against Liberty
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Coming off two straight region wins, the Pickens Blue Flame softball team hosted county foe Liberty on Monday and kept the momentum going in a 7-2 win.
The Blue Flame win was made possible by a strong day from freshman Kylie Thornall, both in the circle and in the batter’s box.
“She played awesome,” Pickens head coach Lizzie Fela said. “She’s just a freshman, so her coming in
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Paying Tribute
Blue Flame douse Green Wave on Military Appreciation Night
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Hosting Military and First Responders Appreciation Night last Tuesday, the Pickens Blue Flame held off a late Easley rally to capture a 7-5 win on the softball diamond.
“It was a tremendous team effort,” Pickens head coach Lizzie Fela said. “Our defense was able to come together and support our senior pitcher, Autumn Barnhardt. Every single player contributed to this win, whether on the field, through hitting or pumping us up from the bench. I am so proud of them.”
After an early Easley run on an RBI single by Maggie Spence, the Blue Flame took control of the action, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second on RBI singles from Kylie Meece, Ella Grace Lawton and Ashlyn Knight.
The Blue Flame lead continued to grow in the fourth, starting with an RBI double by Knight that brought home Emma Mitchell. Amber Clark and Kaylee Bolding brought home two more runs in the inning to increase the lead to 6-1 heading to the fifth.
The bleeding continued for the Green Wave in the fifth as Kylie Thornall scored on an error for Pickens.
While the Blue Flame lead was growing in the middle innings, Easley struggled to get on the board, with Barnhardt keeping the Wave bats in check.
Heading into the top of the seventh up 7-1, Pickens seemed to be in a safe spot, with Barhardt giving up just five hits and one run through the first six innings.
However, the Green Wave finally got going in the batter’s box with a Rylee Saxon single to lead off the inning. An error allowed Spence to reach base, and a single for Maddie Haynes loaded the bases for Easley and they managed to get on the board for the first time since the second inning on an Emily Morgan single.
A sacrifice fly from Emily Faasse cut the lead to 7-3, but Barnhardt got a much-needed strikeout against College of Charleston softball commitment MK Scott.
Needing just one out for the win, the Blue Flame were bit by two errors, allowing two more runs to score, before picking up the final out to secure the 7-5 victory.
For her efforts on the night, Barnhardt picked up the win and finished the night with just two earned runs and four strikeouts in the complete-game effort.
While happy with the result for her team in the rivalry matchup, Fela also made sure to stress the meaning of the night after the game.
“We want to thank all the military and first responders who came out to the game,” Fela said. “This game was meant to honor and recognize them for their amazing service to our country and community.”
Pickens 7, Easley 5
EHS 010 000 4 5 8 2
PHS 030 310 X 7 13 3
WP: Barnhardt 7 IP, 8H, 2ER, 4K
LP: Haynes 6 IP, 13H, 7ER, BB, 4K
PHS: Knight 3-3, 2 RBI, R; Thornall 3-3, 2R.
EHS: Morgan 2-4, RBI, R; Saxon 2-3, R.
Pickens city administrator Trotter resigns
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Pickens city administrator Philip Trotter has announced his resignation.
Philip Trotter
Trotter turned in his letter of resignation on Monday, following an executive session meeting of Pickens City Council.
Trotter said his last day will be May 31.
In his resignation letter, addressed to Mayor Fletcher Perry and city council, Trotter wrote “it has been my honor to serve you, our
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
