Category Archives: News
PCSO deputies fired after arrests
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Two Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputies were fired recently after being arrested in Tennessee.
Sheriff Tommy Blankenship announced the firings in a Facebook Live video posted on Sept. 24. Though Blankenship did not name the deputies, they have been publicly identified as former K-9 handlers Corey Baker and Nikki Holliday.
“Recently, two of our deputies were arrested and charged with public intoxication while outside of this state,” he said. “As soon as this information came to my attention, both deputies were placed on unpaid administrative suspension while our Office of Professional Standards conducted their internal investigation.”
That investigation was completed Sept. 23, Blankenship said.
“Based on those findings, I have made the decision to terminate both deputies’ employment
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Sunday fire burns Pickens store
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A Pickens convenience store is believed to a be a total loss following an early-morning fire on Sunday.
Pickens County Emergency Services director Billy Gibson said Tuesday the first call came in at
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SC250 invites fourth grade teachers to apply for Liberty Day at the Statehouse
COLUMBIA — Fourth grade teachers from public schools across South Carolina are invited to apply for the 2027 Liberty Day at the Statehouse, a one-of-a-kind educational experience that brings South Carolina history and civics to life for students from across the state.
The deadline for teacher applications is Friday, October 2, 2026.
Liberty Day will be held Friday, February 19, 2027, at the South Carolina Statehouse. As part of the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, 250 fourth grade students will spend the day learning about the people, places, and ideas that shaped
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American Pickers to film in SC
STATE — The American Pickers are excited to return to Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout the region in November 2026. American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled
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Pickens student killed in accident
PICKENS — The community is in mourning after a Pickens High School student lost his life in a utility terrain vehicle accident on Sunday.
Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson identified the victim as 16-year-old Cruz Evatt Ellenburg of Marietta.
Wilson said he and chief deputy coroner Marsha Alexander responded to the area of 244 Dalton Road for a motor vehicle accident.
“The collision involved a UTV that went off the roadway on private property and rolled over,” Wilson said in a release.
The driver was unrestrained and pronounced dead at the
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This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
BLUE RIDGE BEATDOWN
Blue Flame move to 5-0 after big win over tigers, best start since 2008
Also inside:
- Lions head into open week
- Wave fall short against palmetto
- Razors stuns liberty after midnight
- Tigers win ACC opener
All this and more in this week’s FOOTBALL FRENZY, sponsored by Mountain View Funerals and Cremations available only in the Pickens County Courier.
Do not miss a single issue by grabbing a copy at a convenience, grocery or drug store near you. You can also subscribe and have your Pickens County Courier delivered each week right to your mailbox for only $41 per year (in Pickens County).
Call us today at 864-878-6391 and get your subscription started and never miss any of the action in South Carolina’s best sports section!
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Cannon Foundation Invests $35,000 in SBIRT Program
PICKENS — AnMed Cannon is expanding support for individuals affected by alcoholism and drug addiction through a $35,000 contribution from the Cannon Memorial Hospital 
Foundation to support the hospital’s SBIRT program.
SBIRT — Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment — is an evidence-based approach used within AnMed Cannon’s Emergency Department to identify patients who may be struggling with alcohol or drug use, provide timely intervention, and connect them with appropriate treatment and recovery resources.
The $35,000 investment will help AnMed Cannon continue meeting people where they are and connecting them with resources and support that can lead toward treatment and recovery.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Cannon Memorial Hospital Foundation for its continued investment in AnMed Cannon and the people we serve,” said Michael Cunningham, CEO of AnMed Cannon. “This gift helps our team connect with patients at a critical moment and assists them with finding resources that can make a meaningful difference in their lives. This partnership is an investment in the health and well-being of our entire community.”
Kent Crafton, SBIRT Program Coordinator at AnMed Cannon said “Alcoholism and drug addiction affect real people and real families in our community every day. SBIRT gives us an opportunity to meet people where they are, have an honest conversation and help connect them with a path toward treatment and recovery.”
The AnMed Foundation received the contribution on behalf of AnMed Cannon and works with philanthropic partners to connect charitable resources with programs and services that advance AnMed’s mission.
“Alcoholism and drug addiction affect real people and real families in our community every day,” said Kent Crafton, SBIRT Program Coordinator at AnMed Cannon. “SBIRT gives us an opportunity to meet people where they are, have an honest conversation and help connect them with a path toward treatment and recovery.”
For more information on the Cannon Memorial Hospital Foundation, visit anmed.org/cannon-memorial-hospital-foundation
Pumpkintown musician Lilly Anne makes her mark on bluegrass world
PUMPKINTOWN — A talented young Pickens County musician is enjoying her second consecutive week at the top of the bluegrass charts.
Lilly Anne Svrlinga’s single “False Hearted Rose” remains the No. 1 song on David Pugh’s Mountain Bluegrass Top 12 Singles chart for the week of Sept. 14. The recording has spent five weeks on the chart and now holds the top position for a second straight week.
The accomplishment is another milestone in what has already been an impressive musical journey for the 16-year-old singer, songwriter, guitarist and banjo player from Pumpkintown.
Growing up in a small country community, Lilly Anne spends her days working in the garden,
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Soapstone’s Singing on the Rock set for Saturday
PICKENS — Soapstone Baptist Church will host “Singing on the Rock,” a live gospel concert, from 4-8 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 26.
The event will feature performances by Tracy Smith, Maxie Burton, the Henderson Brothers, James Hester, the Long Branch Easley Union Chorus, the Sweet Potato Pie Kids, Church With No Walls, the St. Marks Inspirational Choir and Cliff of Scenic Hill Baptist Church. Praise dancer Tracy Johnson will also perform. Food vendors will be on site throughout the event. A $20 donation is requested.
Soapstone Baptist Church is located at 296 Liberia Road in Pickens. For more, call (864) 607-3493.
