Category Archives: News
Sheriff discusses Flock cameras use
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship took to social media Sunday night to discuss the use of Flock Safety cameras by law enforcement.
Flock Safety cameras’ use by law enforcement in South Carolina has been in the news 
recently.
Earlier this month, the Greer Police Department announced two officers were terminated after evidence confirmed they
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Three charged in Clemson trafficking case
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CLEMSON — Three people were arrested on human trafficking charges last week after a Clemson Police Department investigation.
A Clemson Police Department news release issued Friday said the agency received allegations of human trafficking within the city in May.
“After confirming initial allegations, detectives opened an official investigation utilizing
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Wright, Courier recognized for excellence by SCPA
COLUMBIA — The Pickens County Courier is proud to announce that graphic designer Emily Wright has once again been recognized by the South Carolina Press Association 
(SCPA) for her outstanding work. Wright’s award-winning designs helped the Courier earn the 2026 President’s Award for Best Overall Advertising among weekly newspapers in this year’s South Carolina Palmy Awards competition.
The President’s Award is presented annually to one daily and one weekly newspaper based on the total number and ranking of advertising awards won, regardless of circulation.
A longtime graphic designer and advertising specialist who has been with the Courier since its founding, Wright captured an impressive eight first-place awards, five second-place awards, and three third-place awards in this year’s competition.
Wright earned first place in the Under 7,500 Circulation Division (Category K) for
Outdoors/Recreation with her advertisement for Durham’s Convenience Mart. Judges praised the piece, saying, “The ad was very clean with a clear message.” She also received third place in the same category for her advertisement for Waterboys Pools.
In the Automotive (Open Division) category, Wright received third place for her advertisement for Pickens Auto Repair.
She also excelled in the Restaurant/Nightlife (Division K) category, earning both first and second place honors. Her advertisement for Pete’s of Easley received second place, while her Readers’ Choice advertisement for The Open
PCSO launches check-in program for seniors
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has begun a program that will see its 
communications staff calling to check in on elderly or other vulnerable residents.
A July 15 agency release discussed the Silver Shield program.
“PCSO is proud to release a new program geared toward providing an extra layer of protection for our elderly and/or medically fragile citizens who live alone,” the release said. “Silver Shield is a program that will use our
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Quilt honors Central’s railroad heritage and the legacy of architect Rob Seel
CENTRAL — A new addition to the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail is celebrating the rich railroad history of Central while paying tribute to one of the community’s most dedicated historians and preservationists.
The quilt, “ALL ABOARD,” is Quilt No. 307 on the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. Its quilt tile display is prominently featured at the Historic Central Train Depot on Wood Street,
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Pickens celebrates ‘Day They Signed for Liberty’
PICKENS — Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of determined patriots stepped forward and placed their names on a document that would forever change the course of history. Their signatures on the Declaration of Independence represented more than ink on parchment—they were solemn pledges of courage, sacrifice and an unwavering belief in the promise of liberty.
On Sunday, Aug. 2, the Pickens community will
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U.S. Sen., Pickens County native Lindsey Graham dies suddenly
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Pickens County native, died unexpectedly Saturday evening, bringing a long political career to a close.
Graham’s office announced his death at age 71 in a statement early Sunday morning.
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” it read. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
Born in Central, Graham became his sister’s legal guardian in his early twenties after his parents died within 18 months of each other. He was the first member of his family to attend college, earning undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina.
Having joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp following high school, Graham was commissioned as an officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps in the United States Air Force in 1982, following his graduation from the USC School of Law.
He joined the South Carolina National Guard in 1989, serving until 1995. He then became a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Graham served one term in the S.C. House of Representatives after being elected to represent Oconee County’s District 2 in 1992, then ran for the U.S. House of Representatives Third District seat, defeating two primary challengers before winning 60 percent of the vote. His campaign was assisted by support from U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, the state’s longest-serving senator.
Upon Thurmond’s decision to retire from the Senate in 2002, Graham ran unopposed in the Republic primary to succeed Thurmond and won the general election with more than 54 percent of the vote.
He won reelection in 2008, 2014 and 2020.
At the time of his death, Graham was the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and served as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Graham was seeking reelection this year and defeated five challengers in the June Republican primary, capturing nearly 57 percent of the vote.
Following his primary win, Graham thanked his supporters, including one at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C.
“Thank you to the big guy, God,” Graham said in a statement. “Thank you to the Republican primary voters for your confidence in me and for rejecting
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Pickens PD responds to bomb scare
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A Pickens man faces multiple charges after a suspicious package at a gas station prompted a heavy police response on July 5.
According to a July 5 Pickens Police Department release, PPD officers responded at 5:13 p.m. that day to a report of a “suspicious package believed to be a pressure cooker” that had been placed atop a gas pump at the Xpress Mart on East Cedar Rock Street.
The Anderson County Bomb Squad was requested to respond to the scene, the release said.
During the investigation, officers determined the item was not an explosive device, the release said.
“However, officers determined the pressure cooker had been intentionally placed on top of the gas pump, prompting the emergency response and public safety precautions,” the release said.
A suspect identified as Alvin Dale Powell of Pickens was apprehended near the scene, the release said.
“During the investigation, officers gathered physical evidence and identified online content Powell had posted,” the release said.
Powell is charged with breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a hoax device or replica of a destructive device or detonator, the release said.
There was no ongoing threat to the public related to the incident, the release said.
All road closures due to the incident had been lifted at the time of the release.
“Because this remains an active criminal investigation, no additional information regarding the evidence or investigative findings will be released at this time,” the release said. “Additional information may be provided as it becomes available and when appropriate.
“The Pickens Police Department appreciates the assistance provided by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pickens County EMS, Pickens City Fire Department, and other responding public safety agencies,” the release concluded. “We also thank the public for their patience and cooperation during the incident.”
