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 More »
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 More »
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, More »
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 More »
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 More »
Homeless shelter served with eviction notice
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A shelter established to give those facing emergencies a place to stay is in danger of closing.
Pickens County Shelter of Hope is a passion project for Tracy and Sunshine Gantt, who added it to their ministry and worked for years to establish the shelter before it opened in April 2020. The shelter serves the homeless and struggling families.
In a post to her Facebook page on Sept. 17, Sunshine Gantt wrote that the shelter was served with a 30-day
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Blue Flame take region lead with win over Daniel
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — With region play entering full swing, longtime rivals Daniel and Pickens 
faced off on Sept. 16 with control of Region 2-4A on the line.
The Blue Flame fell to Daniel twice in the regular season last year, dropping the region title for the first time in more than a decade.
While Pickens ended up recovering from the losses last fall, taking down Daniel in the playoffs en route to its 17th state championship, the Blue Flame still felt they had unfinished business against the Lions and looked the part as they swept their cross-county foe in three straight sets.
“We came in here with a purpose,” Pickens
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This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
ROAD RALLEY
LIONS COME BACK FROM 10-POINT FOURTH QUARTER DEFICIT TO DOWN CLINTON 2B
EASLEY FALLS TO MANN ON FINAL PLAY; DEVILS SET SCORING RECORD AGAINST RAZORS; PICKENS LOSES CLOSE BATTLE TO BLUE RIDGE; TIGERS FALL TO 1-3 FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2004 all this and more in this week’s FOOTBALL FRENZY, sponsored by Mountain View Funerals and Cremations available only in the Pickens County Courier.
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Call us today at 864-878-6391 and get your subscription started and never miss any of the action in South Carolina’s best sports section!
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My friends, let’s choose joy today
I’m honored to have the opportunity to share my heart each week. The messages lately have given us some things to think about, as God’s word brings us into a reverential fear 
and awareness of His presence.
Many different types of people read faith columns, including some who are not openly religious, but are curious spectators. I respect your caution and where you are in your journey, and hope you will consider the Bible passages. For those who confess Christ as their Lord, our walks are at different levels of passion as the spiritual fires burn at various degrees within us. Some of you watch the news and browse the internet to see what’s happening in the world, while others have
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Were Adam and Eve the first?
John 21:25 “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the 
books that should be written. Amen.”
In many cases we must consider not only what the Bible says but also what it does not say. The Bible teaches that God created man in His image (Genesis 1:27).
The Bible very clearly tells us that God created Adam and Eve in His image but it does not say they were the first to
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Courier Letters to the Editor 9-24-25
County tax millage and more
Dear Editor,
In 2021, you may remember, the county council passed a 9.9-mil tax hike for roads. The state law capped the increase at 5.3 mils. The council majority at the time created a loophole or “dummy” road reserve to get around the state cap. I voted “No,” as it was a record tax hike and my oath was to follow the law, not concoct schemes to get around it.
Three months ago, I made a motion to lower the tax from 9.9 mils to the legal limit of 5.3 mils, putting the county back on the right side of the law without any doubt. It passed 4 to 2, with councilors Chris Lollis, Scott Lang and Dale Holloway voting for the tax cut.
The law allowed the 5.3-mil cap to be breached in emergency situations like an adverse
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Seniors and social media
The list of scams against seniors keeps getting longer and longer. Just when we have a 
handle on the various types of fraud, here come new ones. But there’s one area where we do have some control: social media.
One place I’ve always been concerned about (and therefore have never joined) is the small neighborhood social media chat groups. So much gets talked about, and people generally feel safe because, after all, they’re chatting with their neighbors. But you never
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Courier Obituaries 9-24-25
THOMAS EDWARD ‘TOM ED’ BREAZEALE
SIX MILE — Thomas Edward “Tom Ed” Breazeale, 81, loving husband of 61 years to Conice Mauldin Breazeale, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, at Oconee Memorial Hospital.
Born on Feb. 7, 1944, in Pickens, Tom Ed was the cherished son of the late Waddy Breazeale and Esther Steele Breazeale. He was a faithful member of Secona Baptist Church in Pickens.
Tom Ed had a love for traveling, camping and cooking, and he especially enjoyed his weekly trips to Rosman, N.C., to pick up fresh produce. He was honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Six Mile Water District, contributing to his community with dedication.
Above all, Tom Ed treasured his family, loving them deeply and wholeheartedly.
Survivors include his wife, Conice Breazeale of the home; daughter, Monica Paige Stevens (Scotty) of Greer; son, Chris Breazeale (Molly) of Boxford, Mass.; grandchildren, Aaron Banks, Joshua Banks, Cooper Joy Breazeale and Tommy Breazeale; siblings, David Brezeale (Rachel), Lynn Breazeale (Terri) and Kathy McDonald (Sam); as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Breazeale was predeceased by a sister, Nellie Jo Brewer.
Funeral services were held on Sept. 19 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens. Burial followed the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations in Tom Ed’s memory may be made to Secona Baptist Church, 234 Secona Road, Pickens, SC 29671.
Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Breazeale family.
DAVID R. HINKLE
SUNSET — David R. Hinkle, 64, loving husband to Cindy Hinkle, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family.
Born Feb. 26, 1961, David was the beloved son of the late Thomas “Buck” Hinkle and
Fresh updates welcome seniors back to Hagood
PICKENS — The Hagood Center (Pickens Senior) held its grand re-opening Wednesday. In attendance were city officials and Pickens County Council.
Renovations to the cafeteria and kitchen, which were make possible through recreation
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Free Easley Fair offers pathways to brighter futures
EASLEY — Students, parents, and community members are invited to attend the Future Forward College and Career Resource Fair on Saturday, September 27 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Dream Center of Easley, located at 111 Hillcrest Drive in Easley.
This free community event is designed to connect students and families with opportunities for higher education, military service, career pathways, and community
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