Category Archives: News
On a roll
Daniel drops Pickens in five innings
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — In a battle of county foes, the Pickens High School baseball team travelled to Daniel on Thursday night to take on the Lions.
The Lions had won five straight games coming into the contest, while Pickens had dropped four in a row but both sides looked capable of pulling it out in the early innings. However, a six-run fourth inning for Daniel was enough to get the Lions over
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Downtown Pickens planters now have a fresh new look
PICKENS — After years of sitting plain and gray, the concrete planters along Main 
Street in downtown Pickens have finally received a much-needed makeover just in time for this week’s 41st annual Azalea Festival.
Thanks to the leadership of Councilman Ray Wilson and his wife Stephanie, the planters were recently painted and adorned with vibrant flowers by the dedicated members of the Pickens Garden Club.
But the beautification doesn’t stop there next up, talented students from the Pickens High School Art Department will be adding their artistic touch by painting beautiful, original artwork on each planter. This exciting collaboration is a testament to Community spirit and creative pride, making downtown Pickens more colorful and welcoming than ever before.
The Pickens Garden Club is a small group of amateur gardeners that promote the love of gardening through service. Service projects include maintaining the rose garden at Hagood Mauldin House, sponsoring campers at Camp Wildwood, participating in the annual Scouting for Food drive benefiting Gleaning House, and Village Branch Library Advocates. Pickens Garden Club is funded by selling plants at the Pickens Azalea Festival. PGC will celebrate our 100 year Centennial in 2026.
Making their cases
The Pickens County Courier asked the candidates for the upcoming Pickens County Veteran Affairs Director election to give readers a chance to get to know them a little better with responses to four questions.
Their answers, which were limited to 150 words each, begin below.
Interim Veterans Affairs director Walt Carter and local veteran John P. Hembree are set to face off in the upcoming Veterans Affairs advisory election. Voting for the advisory election will run from noon on Monday, April 28, to noon on Friday, May 9. Voting will take place at the Pickens County Elections Office, located at 222 McDaniel Ave., B-9, in Pickens.
Voting is restricted to Pickens County veterans honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States. Dependents of veterans are not entitled to vote in the election, according to the website. The election has no age limit, and voters are not required to be a registered voter, but must present proof of honorable discharge from military service to the satisfaction of the poll manager.
- Why do you want to serve the veterans of Pickens County?
Walt Carter
1.
It is a way to continue to serve and to help veterans. I have been working to help veterans as the Commander of American Legion Post 52 in Easley for the past 3 years.
I have been volunteering to help veterans long before being asked to step in as the Interim Veteran Affairs Officer.
Working to help veterans isn’t a job. It’s a calling to assist them.
John P. Hembree
1.
Serving as the Veterans Service Officer isn’t just a new chapter — it’s a continuation of my lifelong commitment to service. After 26 years in uniform, including time as a Command Sergeant Major, I’ve led in combat zones, training environments, and the most important of all — family life. I’ve stood the watch, carried the weight of leadership, and walked beside those bearing burdens few will ever know.
I want to serve the veterans of Pickens County because I believe, as President Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” Those who wore the uniform did so out of duty, not for recognition. They deserve support, respect, and a system that works for them.
I see this role as an honor and a responsibility — to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten, not just in words, but through relentless advocacy and dependable service that makes a real difference.
- Compare what you know about the Veterans Affairs Director position with your own knowledge and skill. In what areas do you feel you already excel? What areas do you feel you would need to develop?
Family Promise gets $20K grant to fight homelessness
COUNTY — Family Promise of Pickens County recently received a $20,000 grant from Clayton, ensuring that families in Pickens County receive the support they need to stay
safely housed.
The grant is a portion of the $1.5 million Clayton is dispersing to the Family Promise national network. The funds are a result of the recently announced partnership extension between Family Promise and Clayton. A Future Begins at Home, the initiative born from the collaboration, is dedicated to
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Pickens to host 41st Azalea Festival
PICKENS — The beloved Pickens Azalea Festival is back for its 41st year, welcoming visitors to downtown Pickens next weekend.
The festival will run from April 25–26 for a weekend packed with artisan vendors, live music, food trucks and family fun—all while supporting local nonprofits and 
community causes.
This year’s festival is partnered with the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame, showcasing four Hall of Fame inductees as part of the entertainment lineup. On Friday, April 25, the festival kicks off at 6 p.m. with the fan-favorite cruise-in, featuring
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Tetter named new Liberty police chief
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — The officer who has been serving as the city of Liberty’s police chief for the past several months officially got the job Monday evening.
“We’ve got a lot of people here tonightm and I thank you so much for coming out and supporting this special event,” Mayor Erica Romo Woods said to the audience at the
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Veterans to help pick VA officer in advisory election
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Beginning later this month, the county’s veterans will help select a 
department head for the Pickens County Veterans Affairs Office.
Amy Sams, executive director of the Pickens County Board of Voter Registrations and Elections, discussed the upcoming Veterans Affairs advisory election during the March 31 Pickens United meeting.
Voting for the advisory election will run from
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