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 »
The dangers of bagged greens
Sometimes we just want to take the easy path and quickly grab a few things for dinner. Bagged salad greens are often on our list — but it’s the last place we should be taking a 
shortcut in meal prep.
Between contaminated water in the fields and many people involved in the processing, handling and storage, food safety experts are pointing to bagged
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Courier Obituaries 7-2-25
JAMES ‘CECIL’ GILLESPIE
NORRIS — James “Cecil” Gillespie, 90, loving husband to Rose Marie Wardlaw Gillespie, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Pickens County on May 23, 1935, Cecil was the beloved son of the late Samuel Moser Gillespie and Elsie Lamelia Chastain. Cecil served as an elder at The Church of God at Rices Creek.
Cecil found great joy in growing his garden. Having grown up on a farm, he cherished the outdoors. He also loved singing and playing the guitar, and he even had the opportunity to sing on WGGS. Above all, Cecil loved his Lord Jesus.
Survivors include his children, Amanda Connell (Kenneth) of Greer, Nancy Hardy of Pickens, Mary McCall of Pickens, Mark Gillespie (Kelly) of Pickens and John Gillespie
Local municipalities plan Fourth of July events
COUNTY — With the nation getting ready to observe its 249th Independence Day, people from around Pickens County will have plenty of places to celebrate over the next few days.
EASLEY
The city of Easley will host the Historic Easley 4th of July Festival for two days of excitement and fun on July 3-4.
The celebration kicks off Thursday, July 3, and continues through Friday, July 4, at Old Market Square. Admission is free, and the event will feature carnival rides, local vendors, food trucks and a fireworks finale.
The July 3 lineup includes performances by Luke Deuce at 4 p.m., Eaglewing at 5:30 p.m., and Jake Crutchfield at 7:30 p.m. Music will run until 9 p.m.
The festivities on July 4 begin at 4 p.m. with Commodore Fox, followed by a joint performance from Joe Lasher and Kaitlyn Baker at 5:30 p.m. Country artist Tyler Farr will headline the evening at 7:30 p.m., with a fireworks display to follow his set.
Th event will also have offerings from food trucks serving various options to satisfy every craving, and visitors are encouraged to check out downtown businesses as they enjoy all the festival has to offer.
LIBERTY
Elsewhere, The City of Liberty is set to host its annual “Love My Liberty” Independence Day celebration on July 4 with an evening of family-friendly festivities, live music, and a fireworks show — all free to the public.
The event will take place at the Liberty Rec stadium, where gates will open to community members for a night of patriotic fun. Admission is free, and complimentary bottled water will be provided courtesy of Liberty Mortuary.
Highlights of the celebration include a kids’ area featuring bounce houses, water slides, inflatable games, a dunk tank and a train ride sponsored by Potters Clay Fellowship. Free games for all ages will be available throughout the venue, including cornhole, bucket golf and Jazzminton.
Live music will be performed by local group Songband, followed by a fireworks show to cap off the evening.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and money for food and beverage trucks that will be on site.
PICKENS
The City of Pickens will continue the Independence Day the following day with a free, family-friendly event on Saturday, July 5, at the Pickens Amphitheater, featuring live music, food vendors, children’s activities and a fireworks display.
The event runs from 4 to 9 p.m. at 114 W. Main St., and is open to the public. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of community entertainment.
The live music lineup includes performances by Whiskey Mountain Band, SongBand and Split Shot. Food vendors will offer a variety of savory and sweet options throughout the event.
Children can enjoy the free Kids Zone, which will feature games, inflatables and other activities from 4 to 9 p.m.
The evening will conclude with a fireworks show, launched from Bruce Field and visible from the amphitheater and throughout downtown Pickens.
SIX MILE
That same night, the town of Six Mile will host its Independence Day celebration from 6-9:30 p.m. at Ponderosa Park.
The event will feature live music, inflatables, food vendors, face painting, balloon artists and fireworks after dark.
Vendors, inflatables, face painting and balloon artists will be available to attendees starting at 6 p.m., and the fun will continue with a kids’ bike parade at 6:30 p.m.
Potato sack races will be open to those in attendance at 7:30 p.m. and The wiffle ball home run derby will begin at 8 p.m., with prizes being presented to winners in four different age groups.
Extra parking for the event will be available at Ridgeland Drive Baptist Church and a free, hayride shuttle is available to and from Ponderosa Park.
Banjo Extravaganza is July18-19
PICKENS — The Banjo Extravaganza Festival returns to the Hagood Mill Historic Site 
on Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19, offering a weekend of toe-tapping tunes, Appalachian heritage and traditional artistry.
The festival begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. with “Early Banjo History with Clifton Hicks.” Hicks, a well-known performer and historian, will lead a musical journey tracing the banjo’s roots from West Africa and the Caribbean to its rise in 19th-century American music.
Saturday, July 19 – A Full Day of Music and Heritage
The celebration continues Saturday with a full lineup of old-time musicians honoring
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Community Calendar 7-2-25
• Legion Post 67 seeks members
American Legion Post 67 in Liberty is accepting applications for membership from all U.S. military wartime veterans. For more information, call (864) 787-2322.
• ‘Night of Nature’ to be held July 15-17
North Anderson Community Church- Presbyterian located at 4200 Liberty Hwy. will be presenting Three Nights of Nature on July 15, 16, and 17 starting at 7 p.m. each night.
On July 15, Dr. Mike Ferro will talk about Arthropods found in your backyard then on July 16, Melissa Fuentes will discuss a variety of vertebrates, complete with plenty of
Courier Classifieds 7-2-15
Announcements
DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS. Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Cars, Trucks and Vans. Fast Free Pickup – Running or Not – Tax Donation – Call (888) 515-3810. SW
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DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance – NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-397-7030 www.dental50plus.com/60 #6258. SW
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Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 833-230-8692. SW
Help Wanted
DUMP TRUCK DRIVER WANTED. Must have clear MVR. Class A or B. 864-230-4162.
Trespass Notices 7-2-25
In the state of South Carolina, trespass after notice is a misdemeanor criminal offense prohibited by section 16-11-620 for the South Carolina Code.
Those who enter upon the lands of others without the permission of the owner or manager shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor trespassing. All persons are hereby notified and warned not to hunt, fish, cut timber or trespass in any manner whatsoever upon the lands of the undersigned:
Kevin Hardin Sept. 2025
Greg & Rosemarie D’Ginto Sept. 2025
Thomas and
Mary Ann Shivers Sept. 2025
Treadwell and Erica Zeigler Oct. 2025
Courier Notice to Creditors 7-2-25
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
OF ESTATES
All persons having claims against the following estates MUST file their claims on Form #371ES with the Probate Court of PICKENS COUNTY, the address of which is 222 MCDANIEL AVE., B-16 PICKENS, SC 29671, within eight (8) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from date of death, whichever is earlier (SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such persons shall be forever barred as to their claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements on the prescribed form (FORM #371ES) indicating the name and address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the claim, and a description of any uncertainty as to the claim, and a description of any security as to the claim.
Estate: Joseph Walter Grant
Date of Death: 04/13/2025
