Category Archives: News
Merry Christmas
Mountain View Funerals and Cremations owner Wes Hiott, along with Santa Greg, delivered Christmas gift baskets last week to the Pickens Police Department and the Pickens Fire Department. The gifts were a small way for the Mountain View staff to thank first responders for the dedication, sacrifice and care they show the community every day. “We are truly grateful for all you do to keep Pickens safe and strong, especially during the holiday season,” Hiott said.
Upcountry Fiber gives $27.5K to local nonprofits
PICKENS — Upcountry Fiber Foundation, the philanthropic arm and permanent endowment of internet service provider Upcountry Fiber, announced that it has donated $27,500 to seven Upstate nonprofit organizations to help them deliver on their missions to help those in need and to support 
cultural enrichment opportunities for our community.
Created in September 2022, the Upcountry Fiber Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Anderson, Northern Greenville, Oconee and Pickens that serve the community
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
“We are very proud to support these seven amazing nonprofits that work hard every day to strengthen the communities we all share,” said Chris Townson, CEO of West Carolina and co-chair of Upcountry Fiber Foundation. “Upcountry Fiber Foundation’s goal has always been to give responsibility, support impactful philanthropy, and help create lasting change in the communities we serve.”
“We could not be prouder to have these charitable organizations be our grant recipients,” said Jim Lovinggood, president and CEO of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and co-chair of the Upcountry Fiber Foundation. “We know they will make an immediate and direct impact on the people they serve with these grant awards.”
For more information about Upcountry Fiber Foundation, visit upcountryfiber.com/foundation
Run, run as fast as you can
Butterfly Wellness spreads holiday cheer across Pickens
PICKENS — The Butterfly Wellness Yoga team faced a choice this Christmas season — enjoy a traditional company dinner or invest in six towering seven‑foot gingerbread costumes.
They chose the latter — and with the help of Pickens Police Chief Randal Beach, they launched a holiday
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Clemson alum donates kidney to stranger
By Ken Scar
Clemson News
news@thepccourier.com
Two men spent years as strangers only miles removed from one another. A life-saving medical 
procedure connected them forever. In this season of selfless giving, here is a story about giving of oneself — literally.
When Jim Westerhold ‘97 announced, he was going to donate one of his kidneys to a stranger earlier this year, many of his friends asked him why. Donating a kidney is a serious procedure, and if he didn’t even know who would receive it, what was in it for him? He says it’s hard to pinpoint, because countless meaningful moments accumulated over his lifetime leading up to the decision, but in the end, it all boiled down to one thing:
“I’ve just been overly blessed, and I couldn’t come up with a
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Jones appointed interim Clemson president
CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, Dec. 10, to approve the appointment of an interim president, establish the presidential search committee and begin the process 
to hire a national search firm.
As the board formalized next steps in the process to identify Clemson’s 16th president, board chair Kim Wilkerson also recognized and celebrated the retirement of president Jim Clements following 12 years of service.
“Though we will miss Jim’s leadership dearly, Clemson stands in one of its strongest positions ever,” Wilkerson said. “His legacy will serve as a foundation for the next
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Bobcats come back to top Easley
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Easley High School boys’ basketball team went big game hunting on Dec. 9, looking to 
pick up a second straight win as they hosted fourth-ranked Seneca on Friday night.
The Wave played lights out for the first half of action, building
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Guild presents quilts to Bravo Battery troops
EASLEY – The Upcountry Quilt Guild presented 83 Quilts of Valor to members of the Easley National Guard on November 22 at the Easley Armory.
Each Quilt of Valor must meet specific size requirements, include a Quilts of Valor label with required 
information, be formally awarded (not given as a gift), and be recorded in the national database. As the quilts were presented, service members saw a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns—some featuring panels, others without—each stitched with care and meaning.
Quilts of Valor is a non-profit organization
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
