Letter: Pickens admin fired ‘for cause’
PICKENS — The Pickens County Courier has obtained a copy of a letter to former Pickens city administrator Tim O’Briant More »
SDPC celebrates 2026 report card results
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County earned strong marks in the 2025-26 South Carolina School Report Cards released More »
Two area men convicted on drug charges
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com COUNTY — Two Pickens County men were convicted last week on multiple charges, including More »
This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
COLLISION COURSE Daniel, Pickens both unbeaten heading into top 10 battle Blue Flame gash Easley in lightning plagued contest, set More »
Bowers announces $3.6 million in funding for five local projects
PICKENS COUNTY — Five local projects will receive more than $3.6 million in state funding for recreation and public safety, More »
Golden Creek Veterans car show set for Oct. 17
LIBERTY — Golden Creek Veterans will host a car show, craft bazaar and food event Saturday, Oct. 17, at Golden More »
This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
UNCAGED
LIONS DISMANTLE WALHALLA IN FIRST GAME SINCE SEPT. 11
Also inside:
- Wave drop Region Opener to Eagles
- Liberty runs all over West-Oak
- Pickens plasters Berea
- Hurricanes blow by Clemson
All this and more in this week’s FOOTBALL FRENZY, sponsored by Mountain View Funerals and Cremations available only in the Pickens County Courier.
Do not miss a single issue by grabbing a copy at a convenience, grocery or drug store near you. You can also subscribe and have your Pickens County Courier delivered each week right to your mailbox for only $41 per year (in Pickens County).
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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PCSO investigating Easley stabbing
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a weekend stabbing at a party in Easley that led to a multi-county police chase.
Chief Deputy Brett Barwick said in a Sunday news release that deputies responded to a 911 call at 3:17 a.m. that morning in the 1300 block of Highland Road in Easley.
He said deputies made contact with a person who “appeared to have stab wounds to the upper torso area.”
EMS responded and the person was taken to Greenville
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One killed, two injured in house fire
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — An Easley woman died and two others were injured in a house fire Wednesday.
In a release issued Sept. 30, Easley Fire Department Battalion Chief Lee Kaiser said the 
department responded to a reported structure fire at 200 Le Ann Drive in Easley.
“Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a heavily involved structure fire and began fire suppression and search
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Pickens resident dies in fire
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The Pickens County Coroner’s Office has identified a person who died in a fire 
Monday.
Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson identified the victim as Kelley Leonard Owens, 63, of Pickens.
Wilson said deputy coroner Christian Jones and chief deputy
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Project GO honors late SRO Rackley with flag ceremony
PICKENS — Project GO students and staff gathered for a special flag ceremony honoring the life and legacy of School Resource Officer Deputy India Rackley, who died in February following a brief battle with cancer.
State Rep. Phillip Bowers presented Project GO with an American flag and South Carolina state
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AWL brings cage match, title matches to Pickens
PICKENS — A six-man steel cage match and two championship bouts will highlight AWL’s “Super Clash” wrestling event Saturday, Oct. 10, at The Market at the Mill.
Team AWL will face The Standard inside a steel cage, with three wrestlers on each side competing for the
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Courier Obituaries 10-7-26
SANDRA JANE ‘SANDY’ COPE
LIBERTY — It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sandra Jane Dickson Cope, affectionately known as Sandy, who left us peacefully on Sept. 28, 2026, at the age of 63.
Born on Aug. 13, 1963, in Greenville, she was the wife of Mitchell Ray Cope and a daughter of the late James Milton and Sandra Herbert Dickson. Sandy lived a life full of love, laughter and unforgettable memories, particularly in her cherished town of Liberty.
Sandy was the heart of her family, devoted wife to Mitchell for an incredible 42 years, and an
How sweet the sound
Anniversary concert planned to honor Grace’s United’s treasured pipe organ
PICKENS — To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the acquisition of their Moller pipe organ, the congregation of Grace United Methodist Church invites the community to a concert featuring six talented local musicians.
All are hoped to join the congregation the congregation on Sunday, October 18, at 4 p.m., for “Thunder and Whispers: The Power of the Pipe Organ.” A reception will follow in the Grace Fellowship Hall.
Gifted organists Ralph Boggess, Robin Cantrell, Rodney Cleveland, William Thomas Cleveland, Carolyn Hamlin, and Carla Padgett will present a program of sacred and traditional music showcasing this extraordinary instrument.
In 1981, the congregation of Grace decided to replace their sanctuary organ. After much prayer and deliberation, a fundraising campaign was launched, and a committee of members searched to find an organ to suit the needs of the church and to complement the sanctuary’s architecture. Their findings resulted in the purchase of a Moller pipe organ consisting of 876 pipes. Pipe organs have been part of worship since the 12th century and have a life expectancy of over 100 years.
The church is located at 309 East Cedar Rock Street, Pickens, SC. For more information, go to our website graceumcpickens.org, or call the church office 864-878-2161.
Appalachian Folk Festival is a month away in Pickens
PICKENS, S.C. — The fourth annual Pickens Appalachian Folk Festival will return Friday and Saturday, October 23–24, 2026, at the Heritage Pavilion at Hagood Mill. The two-day event will celebrate the music, dance, craftsmanship, foodways and community spirit that define the Appalachian heritage of Pickens and the surrounding region.
Friday’s festival hours are 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a full day of activities Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors can expect live entertainment, demonstrations, vendors and family-friendly opportunities to experience regional traditions in an authentic setting.
The festival brings together performers, artisans, food vendors and cultural interpreters to create an event that is both entertaining and educational. The Heritage Pavilion and neighboring Hagood Mill Historic Site provide a fitting backdrop, connecting today’s celebration with the Upcountry’s long history of work, music and community gathering.
The Heritage Pavilion is located at 129 Hagood Mill Road in Pickens. A complete entertainment schedule, vendor information and additional festival details will be posted at VisitPickens.org and through Explore Pickens social media channels.
Courier Community Calendar 10-7-26
• VOTE411 LIVE to host election event
The event will be held at the Seneca River Baptist Family Life Center, located at 298 S. Poplar St. in Seneca, and sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oconee and Pickens Counties and cosponsored by the NAACP’s Oconee County Branch.
At 6 p.m. Oct. 8, an event will be held with candidates for S.C. House of Representatives Districts 3, 4, 5 and 10 and Pickens County Council Districts 1 and 2. Candidates will respond to questions taken from the VOTE411.com website, with time for attendee questions and to meet candidates following the event, set to be held at the Clemson-Central Library at 105 Commons Way in Central, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oconee and Pickens Counties.
• Pickens Rotary meets Wednesdays
The Rotary Club of Pickens meets at 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Pickens County
