And The Winner are… Courier Readers’ Choice Awards announced!
Simply the best Do you have a hankering for a big, juicy cheeseburger or some spicy, finger-licking chicken wings? Looking More »
Mayor, administrator give State of the Easley address
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com EASLEY — Easley officials say watching the city’s books has allowed the 2026-27 city More »
Pickens’ Dow commits to South Carolina
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com PICKENS — After picking up offers from Appalachian State and Charlotte University in the More »
Pickens budget passes first reading with no tax increases
PICKENS — Pickens City Council voted 5-2 Monday to pass first reading of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, a More »
Get in gear, boy
Proverbs 4:1-5 “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my 
father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.”
Daddy made statements that still ring in my ears and quickly get my attention. One was “I always know where to find my tools; they’re
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Courier Letters to the editor 6-24-26
Thoughts on dogs
Dear Editor,
Here are some thoughts on dogs.
Dogs don’t ask you why you look the way you do. Dogs don’t criticize you for your faults — they love you in spite of them. Dogs don’t take sides — they are faithful to you
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through good and bad.
Dogs follow no political party and don’t care who you support. Dogs ask only for you to accept their affection. Dogs appropriate any love shown to them, no matter how much or how little. Dogs would give their lives for you. Dogs’ love is unconditional.
Dogs listen when you speak, never carrying your words to others. To which I add to the little smart alecks out there I know they can’t talk! A man speaks because he has something to say. A fool speaks because they have to say something — Plato.
Dogs never laugh at you or your mistakes, never criticize you and truly care when you are hurting. Dogs are a blessing from God.
Dogs are happy when you are happy. Dogs grieve when you grieve. Even lick the tears from your eyes should you cry. Dogs stay closer than a family member.
Dogs, truly only God could love you more!
These are a few things that are the main differences between dogs and humans. Dogs also are a good thing to have if you live alone. They can hear things a human can’t. Dogs can detect evil. If you meet someone and your dog doesn’t want to have anything to do with them, beware! A person, especially a woman, who lives alone should have a small dog. They will growl if they hear someone or something outside.
Best to look out the window if they start growling. A barking dog, even a little one, can cause a crook to pause, because they know dogs no matter the size will bite! The best friend on earth that you will ever have.
Eddie Boggs
Westminster
Skimmer scams
Scammers are creative, you have to give them that. They come up with ways to steal from us that we’ve never thought about.
One new alleged scam involves a task we do frequently: pump gas into our car.
This scam has the thief inserting a tiny screw into the cradle where the nozzle rests on the pump. When you let go of the handle after pumping your gas and put it back
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Veteran discounts
A re you taking advantage of the discounts available to you as a veteran? Discounts let 
you keep cash in your wallet, and there are more deals out there than you might imagine.
One of my favorites is the 10 percent discount from Lowe’s and Home Depot. With summer, there are always projects, always a new hardware item or tool I need, and that discount helps. As an FYI, there’s no limit to how many discounts I can get at Lowe’s, but there is an annual limit at Home Depot. (I’ve
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Courier Obituaries 6-24-26
TEX LEVERNE OWENS
PICKENS — Tex Leverne Owens, husband of Suzann Owens, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Tex was born July 12, 1944, in Mullins. His father was Junior Owens, and his mother was Margaret Elizabeth Martin Owens. Tex has a brother, Steve Owens, who is four years younger. The family lived in Galivants Ferry before moving to Aynor when Tex was about eight years old. Tex graduated from Aynor High School, where he was active in the band, playing clarinet and saxophone. After graduating in 1963, Tex enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1963-69, which included two tours in Vietnam. After his service in the Marine Corps, Tex moved to Miami, Fla. He was employed with Eastern Airlines in Human Resources and Development and IT from 1970 to 1990. Tex met Suzann Thompson Georgianni in 1983. They were married in 1984. They have two children, Evan Ryan Owens and Jessica Elizabeth Owens. After much prayer, and God’s leading, they moved to Pickens in 1989. Tex was employed with Ryobi (TTI) in Pickens, retiring from the parent company (TTI) in 2016. They are very active at East Pickens Baptist Church. Tex served in leadership positions with Royal Ambassadors, Awana program and adult small group leader. Both Tex and Suzann have been members of Christian Motorcyclists Association since 1984, using their motorcycle as a ministry tool to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with bikers. They enjoyed going to many motorcycle rallies and especially to Myrtle Beach Bike Week in the spring and fall each year.
Tex is survived by his son, Evan Owens; daughter-in-law, Cassie Owens; granddaughter, Lily Owens; grandson, Luke Owens; grandson, Archer Owens; daughter, Jessica Owens Hall; granddaughter, Giuliana Hall; grandson, Kobe Hall; grandson, Kyler Hall; a brother and his wife, Steve and Miriam Owens; a niece, Joy Owens; and a nephew, David Owens.
A memorial service will be held on June 26 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home, located at 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway in Pickens.
The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30-2:50 p.m. in the Garden Room at Dillard Funeral Home.
Tex will be inurned at M.J. Dolly Cooper located in Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, Tex requested that donations be made to the Christian Motorcycle Association, P.O. Box 9, Hatfield, AR 71945, or East Pickens Baptist Church, 2244 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, SC 29671.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Owens family with their arrangements.
HAZEL MAE FINLEY MILLER
EASLEY — It is with love and fond memories that we celebrate the life of Hazel Mae
Reflections of the Jocassee Gorges
Memories of sawdust, rivers and a lifetime of wonder
Today I’m reminiscing. I do much of that now that I’m in my 80s.
These latest memories relate to my family’s move to Pickens in the mid 1960s. My wife and I had met at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky., at the beginning of our sophomore year. We married at the end of that sophomore year. I was Captain of the judo team, and she was
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Family Promise plans annual barn dance and silent auction Oct. 6
EASLEY — Family Promise of Pickens County is set to host its fifth annual Barn, Boots 
and Brew Barn Dance and Silent Auction on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Arabella Farms in Sunset.
The milestone event marks five years of community support for local families facing housing instability.
Attendees will enjoy an evening featuring
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Pickens County to celebrate Carolina Days this weekend
COUNTY — The Pickens County America 250 Committee invites the public to participate in two special events commemorating Carolina Day and South Carolina’s remarkable role in the American Revolution.
The celebration begins on Saturday, June 27, with Carolina Kid’s Day, a family-friendly event designed to introduce children to the Revolutionary era through hands-on activities, crafts, and fun.
Children and families are invited to enjoy simple colonial crafts, coloring activities, and the opportunity to create their own tri-corner hats. Young patriots are encouraged to wear period
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Courier Community Calendar 6-24-26
• Food pantry hours announced at PPC
The Food Pantry at Pickens Presbyterian Church is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To receive food, individuals must present a valid ID showing residency in Pickens County. Pickens Presbyterian Church is located at 311 W. Main St. in Pickens.
• Widowed persons group meets monthly
Moving Forward, a widowed persons group meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Silver Bay in Easley. For more, call Marian Huskins at (864) 270-6032.
• Dacusville Lions to host monthly bingo
The Dacusville Lions Club will be hosting Bingo night on the second Thursday of each month at the Lions Building in Dacusville, located at 1384 Thomas Mill Road. The next Bingo session will be Thursday, July 10. There are set to be 10 games beginning at 7
