Within these walls
Historic schoolhouse restored, marker unveiled at Soapstone By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com PICKENS — A historical marker on the More »
This week in the PICKENS COUNTY COURIER’s FOOTBALL FRENZY Sponsored by MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS
ON A ROLL!! LIBERTY OVERCOMES SLOW START FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WIN LIONS LOOKING TOWARDS CLINTON; GREEN WAVE PREPARE FOR MANN; More »
Pickens Lip Sync Battle sparks community unity
PICKENS — The second annual Lip Sync Battle was held at the Pickens Amphitheater on Saturday, bringing music, laughter and More »
Grand opening held for Hagood Mill Pavilion
The grand opening of the Heritage Pavilion at Hagood Mill Historic Site was held on Friday at a free community More »
PC Habitat for Humanity to host dinner next week
COUNTY Pickens County Habitat for Humanity (PCHFH) invites neighbors, supporters, and community partners to gather for the Have a Heart More »
4th annual Barns, Boots, Brew and Silent Auction set for Oct. 7
EASLEY — Family Promise of Pickens County is excited to present its 4th Annual Barn, Boots Brew and Silent Auction More »
Federal money helps county forgive $103K loan
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Pickens County Council is using a portion of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to assist a local nonprofit that has done “extraordinary things” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last month, county council voted to approve using ARPA funds to forgive the loan that Pickens County Meals on Wheels has with the county.
Council members discussed the matter during their Dec. 6 meeting.
“This is a unique one, out of all the ARPA funding requests that we’ve received,” county council chairman
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Jocassee Gorges roads reopen after winter weather
COUNTY — Most year-round roads within the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges in northern Pickens County have been reopened by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).
The year-round roads include Horsepasture Road from the Laurel Valley entrance on U.S. Highway 178 to Jumping Off Rock. Shooting-Tree Ridge Road, from
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Agencies warn against tax scams
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — With the Internal Revenue Service and the S.C. Department of Revenue now accepting tax returns, state agencies are warning residents to guard against tax-related identity theft.
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs and the South Carolina Department of Revenue issued a release this week about identity theft.
The IRS began accepting returns on Monday, and the W-2 tax form deadline is Jan. 31.
“Scammers know that tax time is around the corner,” the release said. “Tax fraud was the number
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Avian influenza confirmed in SC
STATE — A wild duck harvested by a hunter in Colleton County has become the first wild bird since 2016 to be found infected in the United States with the Eurasian H5 type of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), officials announced this month.
The bird, an American wigeon, was tested by the Clemson University Veterinary Diagnostic Center in Columbia, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).
This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people, but it can be a danger to the poultry
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Easley girls come back to beat Flame
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Falling in a 9-0 hole from the opening tip, the Easley High School girls’ basketball team appeared to have their work cut out for them against 
county rival Pickens on Thursday night.
The Green Wave cut into the lead as the first half wore on, but still trailed 21-16 going into halftime, before a huge third quarter run gave them a lead heading into the fourth.
In the final quarter, the Blue Flame fought hard to come back, but missed opportunities at the free
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SCFCA honors trio of Daniel High seniors
QB, DE, K earn awards
CENTRAL — More than a month after winning its second straight Class 3A state championship, the honors continue to roll in for the Daniel High School football team.
Last Tuesday, the South Carolina Football Coaches Association unveiled its 2021 Palmetto Champions All-Star Football Team, and three senior Lions were recognized for their roles in helping Daniel win back-to-back state titles for just the
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Beware, they’re out to get us
Sometimes an email appears in your inbox from someone you do not know.
I’d advise not opening it. It may appear to be a legitimate message, but looks can be deceiving. It could very well be a hacker who does not wish you well.
This is why in recent months I’ve been contacted by my financial institution to verify an unusual request for fund withdrawal, by an alleged government agency advising that I’m now on a government watch list and by various friends letting me know they have been contacted with requests for money as I’m stranded in a foreign country and have lost my passport.
There’s also been another problem with email legitimately sent by me that mysteriously displays a false return
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Resisting temptation to be discouraged
Recently, I had an opportunity to chat with a wonderful lady as she shared with me about her health issues and other concerns.
Suddenly she stopped and wanted to know if she could ask me a serious question. I said of course, and she proceeded to relay that she felt silly asking me about 
salvation, especially with her being a church member since she was a child.
She wanted to know how she can know that she is going to heaven. I do not believe this is anything to be embarrassed about — in fact, it’s rather common as I examine my own heart and soul often.
I could sense the heaviness of doubt was stealing her spiritual joy, and this stress can escalate into fear and
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Looking behind rising food costs
It’s not over yet. Rising food prices, that is.
The best guess of experts is that food prices are likely to rise 5 percent in the first half of 2022. This is on top of the average 6.8 percent rise for all items, as reported by the Consumer Price Index in November for the previous 12 months. That report cited increases for foods such as eggs, meat, poultry and fish topping the list at 12.8 percent, the highest since 1982.
Which food items do experts point to as likely to see additional price increases? Nearly everything. And what are the reasons for all the increases? That depends on
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The VA vs. COVID
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs has been battling COVID-19 from the very beginning of the pandemic. The recently released Coronavirus Disease 2019 Response Report Annex B tells just how they’ve done. The facts are impressive.
So far they’ve vaccinated 4.3 million people.
The VA was the first federal agency to issue a mandate requiring all VA employees who work in health care to be vaccinated. They beefed up telehealth for veterans at home and those who live in rural areas. This resulted in 2,500 percent increase of telehealth care visits.
The VA carried out 43 Fourth Mission assignments, improving preparedness on the
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