Local councils take part in state leadership training
COLUMBIA — City council members from the City of Liberty and the City of Pickens spent last week in Columbia More »
Hot-shooting Hillcrest keeps Easley winless in region play
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com EASLEY — Holding a 60-57 lead entering the fourth quarter of their matchup against More »
LWVOP receives empowerment grant to expand local voter education efforts
UPSTATE — The League of Women Voters of Oconee and Pickens Counties (LWVOP) is excited to announce that it has More »
PC Native Plant Jubilee returns on May 2
LIBERTY — The Pickens County Native Plant Jubilee will return for its second year Saturday, May 2, bringing together gardeners, More »
More traffic troubles ahead for Easley?
Raise your hand if you think it’s a good idea to put an additional 1,000 cars on the roads in Easley during rush hour.
… I don’t see many hands.
Sorry, but that’s what’s going to happen.
More than 1,000 new homes are either under construction or are expected to begin construction within the next year in Easley. The city has approved 10 new subdivisions, ranging in size from 10 to 110 lots, totaling 867 units. Another 192 homes are expected to get the green light to begin construction within the next year.
Now, I know that “growth” is a golden word among city officials and business boosters in any small town, and it’s good to know that a lot of people are coming to see that this is a great place to live. Welcome to Easley.
But I’m concerned about how we’re going to deal with all the extra traffic, particularly on U.S. Highway 123, which already has as many cars and trucks rumbling down it every day as
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Local man heads to prison for tax evasion
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A Pickens County jury found a tax preparer guilty of tax evasion last week.
Sonny M. Ninan, 65, of Easley, was charged with multiple tax charges in January 2017, according to a release from the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
Ninan was tried last week on six counts of tax evasion. A jury convicted Ninan on each count of attempting to evade income tax from 2010 to 2015, the release said.
Judge Perry Gravely sentenced Ninan to five years in prison on the first count, suspended to service of 18 months, the release said.
Gravely sentenced Ninan to three years on the remaining counts, to run concurrent with the first, the release said.
Ninan must all pay the state $75,000 in restitution.
Ninan operated Global Consultants and Taxpayers Services
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County opioids summit scheduled for next week
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CLEMSON — A conference next week will discuss the opioids epidemic in South Carolina, including resources for support and treatment.
The Pickens County Opioid Summit will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Madren Center in Clemson.
As of Monday morning, there were only a few spots left for the conference, according to Michael Crouch, a
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West champion wins SLWS
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Senior League World Series came to an end Saturday, and for U.S. West champion Central East Maui from Hawaii, it was a walk in the park on their way to the tournament title.
Maui faced little opposition throughout the tournament, sweeping its regional in convincing fashion before making its way to Easley.
Maui continued its dominance in Easley, starting off the tournament with its toughest matchup, facing off against East regional champion Central Accomack (Va.) Little League on July 27. The West champions scored early and often, but still saw Accomack score the most runs they gave up all tournament in a 12-4 victory.
Maui decimated Central champ West Madison (Wisc.) Little League 14-1 on July 28 and shut out West University Little League of Houston 11-0 on July 30 to advance to the U.S. pool final against the host S.C. District 1 suqad on Friday, Aug. 2. However, multiple rain delays forced the game to move to Saturday morning. District 1, no stranger to rain delays and fierce competition, had high hopes. but Maui proved to be too much for the home team, as the West champions shut down the hosts’ bats and cruised to a 10-0 victory.
Maui couldn’t rest for long though, as the team took on the defending champion Liga Pariba Little League from Curacao on Saturday afternoon in the series’ finale. Lee Souza, a standout for the West champions all tournament, got the start and delivered a big performance. Souza pitched a six-inning gem for Maui, giving up only one hit, as the team shelled Pariba early to take an early advantage and eventual 11-0 win and the championship.
The tournament was also a successful one for the local team from District 1. The team made its deepest run ever in the tournament’s third year in Easley, going 3-2 with wins against the Central, Southeast and Southwest regional champions before falling to the eventual champions from the West.
For more information on the results of the 2019 Senior League World Series, visit littleleague.org/world-series/2019/slbws.
Do hummingbirds really hum?
Have you ever wondered why hummingbirds will fight over access to a feeder when there’s plenty to go 
around? It’s almost like humans. There’s a feeder right outside my kitchen window. To refill it, all it takes is to open the window, detach the feeder from its hook, clean it and refill it.
There are eight little openings in the feeder, and in theory eight hummingbirds could eat at a time.
But even if there are but two competing for the sweetened water, they will attack each other. I read that the red dye in hummingbird water can be hazardous, so I mix my own for the feeder. When there’s a crowd out ther I’ll mix four cups,. As the population declines the amount will be reduced
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House on the farm
The year was 1943, some two years before I showed my pretty little mischievous face in this world, when George and Dessie O’Shield bought and moved to a farm in northern Pickens County. They carried their 
brood of eight children with them to this farm called the Old Looper Place.
It was a rather large farm consisting of 111 acres. The farm had a couple of branches running through it and was bordered on the eastern side by Twelve Mile River. It was traversed by three roads. Shady Grove Road, the highway to Pickens, was the main highway, and it was paved. Meece Mill Road, bordering on the north and west, was also paved. Red Hill Road ran between the house and river, and it was unpaved.
I remember helping my older brothers wash their cars in the small branch that ran across Red Hill Road. The property extended across a hill to encompass what is now the county
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A loss of darkness
We are losing our dark skies! It won’t be long before only the moon will be visible in the Upstate night sky.
Excessive and inappropriate artificial light has been documented to have numerous negative effects. It is 
harmful to wildlife and the ecosystem.
Artificial light also negatively affects humans’ circadian rhythm. It wastes energy and thus indirectly is a contributor to global warning. Everywhere humans go, we install lights.
Some argue that lights prevent crime. There have been numerous studies that indicate the contrary. Yes, there are times to appropriately illuminate an area for safety and security.
It is time to preserve our night skies before they are lost forever. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) mission is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through
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When a veteran dies without family
When a veteran dies and there is no family to tend to the details, the cremated remains will sometimes stay in storage for years. They’re called Unclaimed Veterans. If the eventual burial takes place in a Department 
of Veterans Affairs cemetery, it’s called an Unattended Interment.
Sometimes these veterans are homeless; sometimes they’re in a care facility. Sometimes no one knows the whole truth unless VA paperwork is found in the veteran’s belongings.
I know of three situations in the past six months where veterans with no relatives were buried — yet hundreds and thousands showed up at their funerals. In
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Courier Obituaries 8-7-19
SHAKYRA IMARI JAMIA YOUNG
PICKENS — Shakyra Imari Jamia Young, 11, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in 
Greenville.
Born in Easley, she was the daughter of Latisha Wilson and Benjamin Young. Shakyra fully enjoyed life. She enjoyed dancing, singing, pranking, entertaining and bringing joy to all those around her. She was thoughtful and always concerned about others. Shakyra loved her sister, Shamari, and all her other siblings. She enjoyed her daily visits from Mr. Jim Little, who always made her laugh and smile. He was a very special part of her life. Shakyra lived out her remaining days through memorable experiences with Brian Forcier through the nonprofit organization skylastrong.org, which the family would like to give a special thanks. She took helicopter rides, went to Carowinds and Big Air, partying like a rock star “diva” complete with glitter.
Survivors include her parents; a brother, Shaquan Radcliff; three sisters, Shaniqua Aaliyah Martin, Sha-mari L’yon Young and Brianna; her grandmother, Ernestine Wilson; one uncle; four aunts; one special cousin, Jeemell; many other loving
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PHS gets underway with annual alumni volleyball match on Friday
PICKENS — The annual Pickens High School alumni volleyball match will be held from 6-8 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 9, at the Peggy Harden Anthony Gymnasium at Pickens High School, signaling the start of volleyball season.
Admission is free for the alumni scrimmage.
All former Pickens High players are encouraged to put on their spandex, lace up their shoes and show up to scrimmage the current Pickens High 2019 Lady Blue Flame, which will be named this week after tryouts Monday and Tuesday. Those who can’t play are still urged to show up to support the team.
“I always look forward to seeing everyone come together to support the program, meet the team and have fun,” Lady Blue Flame coach Rikki Owens said.
Pickens finished as Class 4A Upper State champions in 2017 and 2018. The team’s goal for 2019 is to win it
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