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 »
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 boys’ 
basketball team needed a win to keep its dreams of clinching a top two seed in Region 1-2A alive.
The Red Devils defended the top-ranked Grizzlies well early on but a dismal shooting display made sure they
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Is resilience the answer to climate change?
Maryland unveiled an agricultural climate plan for the state on Jan. 15. The plan was 
initiated by a senator who sponsored a grant for $500,000 to the University of Maryland to develop the plan to provide for food security for the state and the nation and help Maryland farmers to adapt to and mitigate climate change.
The study found springs have been wetter, more false springs, summers drier, storms more extreme, droughts longer, and more pests and invasive species moving into the state associated with changing USDA growth zones. All of the above impact both animal and crop producers. Further saltwater intrusion is destroying crop land in Maryland and in the Carolinas with rising sea levels.
Maryland documents 19,000 acres lost. Study has developed programs to teach farmers resilience and regenerative methods of farming, increasing productivity and incomes.
So … what is resilience? It is being the ability to adapt, recover and return to where the
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Courier Letters to the Editor 2-11-26
When ‘blame’ is a good word
Dear Editor,
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. Why is it I speak against this administration? Why does my skin crawl when I read about the Epstein files? Why does my heart drop when I hear about shootings of innocent protesters and mistreatment of immigrants?
Why is my heart so heavy with grief and disbelief? Why am I willing to lose friends for my beliefs?
I blame the church where I grew up.
I blame Joe and Eleanor, who led our youth group and kept us safe on our retreats, and day trips. I blame them for letting me ride with them in their RV when I felt too shy to be part of the young people. I felt like royalty
I blame them for never calling on me to pray out loud til I was ready.
I blame Jolly and Sue for their kindness and faithfulness to the young people, for their
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Courier Obituaries 2-11-26
LAVANT PADGETT
LIBERTY — Houston Lavant Padgett, 78, of Liberty, passed away on Feb. 4, 2026. 
Lavant was born on Jan. 8, 1948, in Walhalla, to Joe and Edith Padgett.
Along with his family, Lavant moved to Pickens, in sixth grade, where he graduated from Pickens High School in 1967. He began working for Winn-Dixie as a teenager and, after 30 years of service, he retired in 2004. Lavant returned to work at Duke Power. Years later, he began attending Tri-County Technical College in pursuit of an associates degree.
Lavant is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay Padgett; two sons, Steve Padgett (Michelle) and Nick Padgett (Brittany); and his brother, Joe Padgett (Faye). Lavant was a dedicated grandfather to Bailey, Riley, Ella and Beau. He was predeceased by two sisters, Patsy Connelly and Faye Durham.
Lavant was loved by all; his light touched many lives. He was a man of God who befriended and mentored many. He served as a city of Liberty councilman for 11 years. Lavant strived to do the best for Liberty and wanted to see the city prosper. Lavant was a faithful member of East Side Baptist Church, serving as a former deacon, usher and security member.
The family hosted a memorial service on Feb. 8 at East Side Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Side Baptist Church Capital Improvement Fund, 920 Anderson Drive, Liberty SC 29657.
To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, please visit libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
GARY WHITLOCK
LIBERTY — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gary Franklin Whitlock, 84, of Liberty, who departed this life on Feb. 4, 2026.
Born on Jan. 31, 1942, in Liberty, he was a son of the late Marion and Inez Gaines
Easley students advance in Legion oratorical competition
EASLEY — The American Legion Post 52 of Easley and Post 67 of Liberty jointly sponsored two students to participate in the American Legion Oratorical Scholarship 
program.
Members of the posts heard speeches on Jan. 24 at Geer Memorial Baptist Church from Julia Menendez and Connor Sparks. Both are sophomore students at Easley High School.
Beginning in 1938, the purpose of
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Deep Winter Blues Festival returns
PICKENS — The soulful sounds of the blues will once again echo through the hills of 
the Upstate as the 2026 Deep Winter Blues Festival returns to Hagood Mill Historic Site on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Now a beloved winter tradition, the Deep Winter Blues Festival celebrates the rich roots
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Business of the month
Unique Finds, a vintage variety store was recently named as the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce’s February Business of the Month. If you love discovering one-of-a-kind treasures, this is a must-visit shop. Located in downtown Pickens at 213 E Main St., Unique Finds is bringing vintage to a whole new level. They are open Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Pictured from L-R: Meechi Green (Board Member), David Michel (Chamber President), Bryan Owens (Chamber Executive Director), Cristine Wilkinson (Owner), Samantha Scott (Board Member), and Ivy Michel (Chamber Ambassador).
Community Calendar 2-11-26
• 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.
• Pickens Rotary meets Wednesdays
The Rotary Club of Pickens meets at 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Pickens County
