Category Archives: News
Pickens water strife continues

Residents question Pickens officials’ choices on water
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Further discussion between Pickens city officials and representatives from the Pickens Joint Regional Water System may be on the table, following questions from residents posed to officials this week.
A public forum on the city’s water issues was held Monday evening at the Hagood Community Center.
According to distributed documents, questions related to Pickens City Council’s recent decision to
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County schools placed on lockdown

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Three Pickens County schools were placed into lockdowns or holds over the past week as tensions surrounding safety in schools continue to run high.
The first of the issues arose on Friday afternoon, when two people target practicing near Pickens High School inadvertently led to a lockdown at the school.
According to a media release from the Pickens Police Department, PHS school resource officer Allen
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This Week In FOOTBALL FRENZY!

Karim scores three touch downs as Sutherland picks up his 150th career win, Lions look to rebound against Clinton, Easley faces tough task with J.L. Mann, Missed opportunities haunt Pickens, all this 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 $36 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!
CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE THE COMPLETE FOOTBALL FRENZY
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Roper: Many radio towers see upgrade

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Work continues on a radio system that aims to allow the county’s first responders to better communicate between agencies and reduce response time in emergencies.
County administrator Ken Roper gave updates related to first responder issues during county council’s Sept. 9 meeting.
“You all have invested a great deal of time, energy and taxpayer dollars in upgrading our emergency services
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SDPC announces Teacher, Support Employee of the Year

COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County named its 2024-25 Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year at a banquet on Monday.
At the event, which recognized support employees and teachers of the year for each of the district’s 23 schools and the Pickens County Career and Technology Center, Pickens High School teacher Ashley Butler and Daniel High School bookkeeper and secretary Mou Rangaraju took the top countywide honors.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Butler, an English teacher at Pickens High School, was named the 2024 School District of Pickens County Teacher of the Year.
Butler has dedicated 27 years to teaching in the district, working with students across a variety of subjects, including Advanced Placement and honors english. She currently serves as the English department chair at Pickens High and has made a tremendous impact through her roles as graduation coach, assistant athletic director for academics and advisor for the school newspaper, The Sapphire.
Her students and colleagues consistently praise her dedication to building relationships and creating a supportive learning environment.
“It is my belief that today’s students have the ability to change the future of our world with proper direction, encouragement and support,” Butler said. “As a teacher, I want my students to feel valued, understood and challenged in my classroom.”
Butler’s influence extends beyond the classroom.
“Dr. Butler’s resolve and passion to provide successful
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Merck, SDPC put out statement after viral social media ‘threats’

By Zack Mauldin
Editor
zmauldin@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — After viral social media posts and rumors about potential school violence put a scare into many local students and parents over the weekend, School District of Pickens County superintendent Danny Merck sent out a message to families Monday afternoon to provide information about school safety measures and help prevent the spread of misinformation.
“Over the past several days, our community has been impacted by the circulation of
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Read all about how the Blue Flame gash Liberty on the ground to move to 2-1 in this week’s FOOTBALL FRENZY

Blue Flame gash Liberty on the ground to move to 2-1; Lions see streak end against J.L. Mann; Easley Picks up first win; Devils fall in close loss to Pickens and Clemson Tigers get back on track. All this and so much more in this week’s Football Frenzy 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 $36 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!
CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE THE COMPLETE FOOTBALL FRENZY
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S.C. Highway 183 bridge closures set to produce yearlong detours

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Local commuters will have to do some extra planning for the next year if their routes take them between Six Mile and Pickens on S.C. Highway 183.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation will soon begin work on two bridges along S.C. 183 in Pickens that will
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