Culpepper named PHS principal
Neuner, Plyler named principals of DES, FAE By Bru Nimmons Staff Reporter bnimmons@thepccourier.com COUNTY — The School District of Pickens More »
SCDOT seeking comment on 183-178 intersection
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com PICKENS — Officials are seeking public comment on a proposed “road diet” along portions More »
Cannon Church breaks ground on new building
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com CENTRAL — Construction of a $2 million addition to the grounds of Cannon Church More »
Lady Lions take down county foe Pickens for 18th straight victory
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com CENTRAL — After blowing by county foe Pickens in their first matchup this season, More »
Red Devils go cold against top-ranked High Point
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com LIBERTY — Hosting top-ranked High Point on senior night, the sixth-ranked Liberty High School More »
Deep Winter Blues Festival returns
PICKENS — The soulful sounds of the blues will once again echo through the hills of the Upstate as the More »
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.
Floyd, Proctor earn Liberty Community Scholarships
LIBERTY — The Liberty Community Scholarship Board has named Nona Lee Floyd and
Isaac Proctor as the 2025 recipients of the Liberty Community Scholarships, awarded for academic excellence, leadership and commitment to community service.
Floyd, a Liberty High School senior, has been deeply involved in campus leadership, serving as student body secretary her junior year and president her senior year. She has also participated in Beta Club, 4-H, Junior Leadership of Pickens County and the Teacher Cadet program.
To continue her leadership journey, she will be attending the University of South
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On earth as it is in heaven
This week we continue with our discussion about heaven, and realize we’ve left many 
stones unturned. Even though our knowledge of the next life is sparse by design, our curiosity makes this a popular subject. There are countless speculations of what heaven will be like and like all of you I have my own thoughts. I appreciate all the emails about your thoughts and I agree
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Easter and the Crucifixtion
Matthew 27:35 “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it 
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.”
The New Testament does not give us much information
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Food recalls increasing
It seems that there’s one recall after the other lately, mostly for our foods. To stay safe with what we eat, we need to keep an eye on those recalls.
Some of them have been scarily bizarre. The latest ones include pieces of plastic in sausages, wood in frozen meals, stones in chocolate bars, botulism in juice and tree
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Courier Obituaries 4-23-25
ROGER HASKETT
BELTON — Roger Haskett, 70, loving husband to Diane Haskett, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025, at his home.
Born June 20, 1954, Roger was the middle son of Furman R. Haskett and Frances B. Haskett. He was blessed to grow up in Pickens in a loving family with two awesome brothers, Ray and Mark, whom he loved dearly.
Roger played sports from an early age with several coaches making great impressions on him. Those include Lee Patterson, Dieter Chappell and Andy Virgil. He was given
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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Business of the Month
The April Business of the Month for the Greater Champber of Commerce is the Youth Leadership Academy of South Carolina. Youth Leadership Academy is a public charter middle school serving 288 students in grades 6-8. Along with first class academics, students focus on leadership skills, health and wellness skills, and serving the local community. Through hands on learning, outside of classroom experiences, and mentorship from school staff, students learn how to communicate effectively, solve problems and work collaboratively. YLA encourages academic excellence, parental involvement, and a commitment to service to others, empowering students to make a difference. YLA helps to grow students into responsible, motivated leaders ready to make an impact in their schools and beyond. Pictured are in front Trish Morgan, the academy’s Director of School Based Programs and Community Outreach Sandee Blankenship, YLA head of special rojects Nathan Swords, YLA Principal Melissa Kennedy and Bryan Owens. In Back are Melisa Sedler, Jessica Callahan, Harold Alexander, Dave Michel, Debbie Gravely of the Pickens Chamber.
Liberty’s American Legion Post 67 selects four for Leadership Programs
LIBERTY — The American Legion Frank D. Callaham Post 67 recently announced the selection of four local students to attend two of South Carolina’s most esteemed 
leadership programs — the 2025 Palmetto Boys State and the Nathan M. Wolfe Law Cadet Academy.
After a highly competitive selection process, Liberty High School students Mac Bigbee
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