IT IS TIME TO VOTE IN THE PICKENS COUNTY COUNTY COURIER’S READERS CHOICE AWARDS
Everyone run out and grab this week’s Pickens County Courier and vote for your favorite businesses in Pickens — and More »
Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce celebrating 60 years
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com PICKENS — The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce uses a variety of tools to More »
PCSO lauds ‘Devil in Disguise’ guilty pleas, sentences
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com STATE — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office is hailing recent guilty pleas entered in More »
Lady Lions clinch third straight region title with win over Tigers
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com TIGERVILLE — The Daniel High School girls’ basketball team traveled to Blue Ridge on More »
Courier Letters to the Editor
Saitta gives update on road paving Dear Editor, Last month, I wrote the SCDOT had added repaving S.C. 183 from More »
Whiten takes the stage at the Opry
By Rocky Nimmons Publisher rnimmons@thepccourier.com NASHVILLE — What a week it has been for Six Mile native and up‑and‑coming country More »
Dream come true
YLA unveils wheelchair accessible swing in Pickens
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Almost a year removed from beginning work toward a fully wheelchair accessible swing at Pickens Doodle Park, law 
enforcement, elected officials, Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) students and staff, and other members of the community saw the fruit of the YLA’s labors at the ribbon-cutting for the swing last Friday.
“I’ve dreamed of this for a very long time,” wheelchair bound Pickens resident KG Powell said through tears. “I’m so thankful that it’s finally here and we get to
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Man rams barrier at nuclear station
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — An Arkansas man faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, after incidents at the Oconee Nuclear Station last week 
led to a manhunt and his arrest in Pickens County.
Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt, 66, of Lockesburg, Ark., was being held on a combined $320,500 surety bond at the Oconee County Detention Center at press time Tuesday after
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Courier Obituaries 11-8-23
DAVID ‘PAPA DAVID’ SMITH
LIBERTY — Mr. David “Papa David” Smith, 83, loving husband of Mrs. Lynda Crowe Smith, of Liberty, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 21, 
2023, at his residence.
Papa David was born in Six Mile, on Sept. 27, 1940, to the late Cliff and Ethel Towe Smith.
A true Giant of a man, he loved big and only wanted what was best for those he loved, which included his family, both near and far, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, close friends, camping buddies, church friends and daycare babies.
Papa David had the best sense of humor and he loved to joke and would take every opportunity to make people laugh and smile. A man with an infectious smile that would light up any room, he was a joy to all who knew him with his jokes, simple smile, and happy-go-lucky personality. Papa David was loved by so many people, and his memory will be cherished throughout the years to come.
Papa David could always be found in one of his woodworking or metal shops. A true handyman who could fix or make anything you asked for, he truly enjoyed crafting things by hand for his family and friends. In his later years, even though Papa David couldn’t work as well as he used to, he could surely supervise the work being done in his shop and give you constructive criticism on how to do the job correctly (just ask his son-in-law or grandson-in-law).
Papa David was always an adventure that was waiting to happen. He cherished the time he was able to spend with his family, which included many trips all over the Southeast, where they would listen to old country music while he
Military vets to be honored this weekend
COUNTY — The Pickens County Veterans Affairs Office, in collaboration with the community, is inviting all to join in on a weekend filled with gratitude, honor and celebration as they pay tribute to veterans.
On Nov. 11, the Pickens County Veterans Appreciation Dinner will be held at Golden Creek Baptist Church in Liberty from 4-6 p.m. According to the county Veterans Affairs office, the dinner will be an evening of camaraderie and reflection as locals come together to express deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice of local veterans. To RSVP, call (864) 898-5926 or (864) 898-5928. The Pickens County Veterans Day celebration will be held the next day on Nov. 12 at the Pickens County Performing Arts Center in Liberty. The event will start at 1 p.m., with vendors, food and a kid zone. There will be a parade at 3 p.m. and a show with live music and speakers beginning at 4:30 p.m. The event is open to every who wishes to remember and honor those who have served our country with dedication and bravery. For more info visit @pickenscountyveteransaffairs for details.
Officials excited about SC 183 grant
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY – Area officials are excited about the $95.2 million that will be going to improve and expand S.C. Highway 183 — and grateful for 
the collaborations that led to Pickens County being awarded the largest grant in its history.
Last month, the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank (STIB) approved
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Project Linus gives blankets to kids in need
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — A group that provides blankets to children in stressful situations has recently expanded into Pickens County.
Project Linus was created after a mother saw that a blanket given to her sick child made her feel better.
“She thought, ‘How would other kids in strenuous situations, sick, in domestic violence situations, how would they like blankets?” Maria Anderson said.
Anderson became the Project Linus coordinator for Anderson County about a
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County volleyball stars named all-state
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Four Pickens County volleyball stars were named to the South Carolina Coaches Association of Women’s Sports All-State volleyball squads last week.
Daniel High School and Pickens High School were both equally represented on their respective classes squads with two representatives each.
From Daniel, senior outside hitter Sydney Siders and senior setter Lilli Ward for the selected to Class 3A squad.
For Siders, it was her third consecutive selection to the squad making her the first Daniel volleyball player to make it in three straight seasons since Carley Hoover from 2010-2012.
On the season, Siders led the Lions with 384 kills and was second on the team in both aces and digs. Meanwhile, Ward made her presence felt setting the table for Daniel with a team-high 889 assists.
At Pickens, senior libero Hannah Campbell and sophomore outside hitter Ava Owens both earned spots on the Class 4A squad.
Campbell took over the libero role from the graduated Macie Gentry and flourished in her senior season leading the Blue Flame with nearly 400 digs. Owens, also rounded into form in her second varsity season picking up a team-high 290 kills for Pickens helping them to reach the third round of the playoffs.
Pickens High graduate Wierzbicki hits 1000 kills
CHARLESTON — This “Cougar” recorded her 1000th collegiate kill in volleyball to match the number she hit during stellar career at Pickens High School.
Lexi Wierzbicki, a 2019 graduate of Pickens High School and graduate student at the College of Charleston recorded her 1000th kill on Aug. 26, her mother’s birthday, and was presented with a commemorative volleyball for the event.
Wierzbicki made a name for herself at Pickens earning the Class 4A South Carolina Player of the Year as a senior after leading Pickens to a 29-2 record and a state runner-up finish
For her career, she was a three-time Region I-4A Player of the Year and three-time CAWS 4A All-State selection.
Wierzbicki began her collegiate career at Jacksonville University in 2019 and transferred to the College of Charleston the next year. At Charleston, she has been a key member of the Cougars squad and earned All-CAA First Team honors in 2021.
As of Nov. 5, Wierzbicki has 1183 kills with three more matches plus the CAA Championship and is ranked 16th on the CofC all-time leaderboard.
Pickens cross country teams to compete for state championship
NEWBERRY — The Pickens High School cross country teams competed in the state qualifier playoff races at the Newberry cross country course hosted by Newberry College.
The Blue Flame boys punched their ticket for the first time since 2007 to the state championship meet on Nov. 10 at Newberry College. The Blue Flame were paced by sophomore Chase Ashe (17:36), senior Jeremy Sisco (18:01), sophomore Adam Ellis (18:02), sophomore Liam McCall (18:16), and junior Parker Hendricks (18:56).
Wes Atkins and Kadan McSweeney will also be competing for the Blue Flame boys at state.
Meanwhile, the Lady Blue Flame punched their ticket for the second year in a row to the state championship meet. The Lady Blue Flame were paced by eighth grader Ella Tetor (21:07), junior Ella Harned (21:34), sophomore Emerson McCall (21:56), sophomore Grace Newman (22:11), and sophomore Lilly Kutilek (22:11).
Allie Kutilek and Emma Grace Kutilek will also be competing for the Lady Blue Flame at state.
Panthers’ Wiliams to host Thanksgiving dinner giveaway
CLEMSON — Former Clemson Football standout and current Carolina Panthers defensive tackle, DeShawn Willams, is set to host aheartwarming Thanksgiving dinner giveaway on Tuesday, November 14th, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Littlejohn
DeShawn Williams
Community Center, located at 644 Old Greenville Hwy, Clemson., SC 29631. This event is open to families in the SHARE Head Start-Clemson and Littlejohn Community Center Afterschool
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