LEXINGTON — Former Lt. Gov. Earle E. Morris Jr. was laid to rest Monday with full military honors.
The Pickens native died Feb. 11 following a period of declining health.
At the funeral service, Morris was remembered as a kind, compassionate, caring, giving, public servant.
His son, Earle III (Butch), eulogized his father as someone who never saw another in need that he didn’t try to help.

CLEMSON — Clemson University police are looking for a man who they say may have been armed as he robbed a pharmacy on campus Monday morning.
Officers said the man walked into the pharmacy at Redfern Health Center Monday at 8:24 a.m. and handed a note to pharmacists ordering them to give him drugs.
Police said he did not show a weapon, but held his hand inside a dark tote bag as though he had one. He left the health center on foot with two bottles of pills, officers said.
The man is described as white, about 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 175 pounds. He was wearing sunglasses and a gray hooded jacket with orange Clemson letters.
Anyone who has information about the robbery is asked to contact Clemson University police at (864) 656-2222.

GREENVILLE — An Easley woman was arrested last Tuesday, Feb. 8, after police found a newborn baby abandoned in a toilet at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenivlle.
Jessica Blackham, 24, of 529 Odom Road in Easley, was charged with two counts of felony child abuse and one count of unlawful neglect toward a child.
Police believe Blackham gave birth to a baby boy at Greenville arena on Friday, Feb. 4, and left him in the toilet.
Blackham was released last Wednesday on a $30,000 bond.
Officers said Blackham is believed to have been attending the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Bi-Lo Center when the birth occurred.
According to reports, two Bi-Lo Center employees found the baby in the toilet while cleaning following the circus.
The baby was hospitalized following the rescue but is reportedly in good condition.

Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Mike Wilson of Duke Energy (left) presents the 2011 Citizen of the Year Award to local historian Wayne Kelley at last week’s Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce banquet.

Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Chamber director Mike Parrott (left) presents the 2011 Chamber Member of the Year plaque to Donna Hendricks and Linda Cassell of Cassell and Hendricks CPA PA at last week’s Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce banquet.

Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Rotary representative Jeannie Gilstrap, right, recognizes Pickens High School student Megan Thomas as the winner of the annual Azalea Festival Art contest at last week’s Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce banquet. Thomas’ art will grace all official 2011 Azalea Festival items.

Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Chamber director Mike Parrott (left) presents the 2011 Chamber Business of the Year plaque to Angie and George Case of Case Interior Design Group at last week’s Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce banquet.

SIX MILE — More than 100 people showed up to eat a lasagna dinner, listen to country music and bid on silent auction items at the Community Library of Six Mile fundraiser Saturday evening.
“We raised $2,126 for our library,” said Brenda Rippy, chairwoman of the library. “The community came out and supported our event, and we’re so thankful.”
The funds will be used for the library’s monthly expenses. Rippy expects the library to be open to the public in a few weeks.
J.D. Brown and his Rowdy Friends band with Alda Smith entertained the crowd for the evening.
Rippy thanked all the businesses and individuals who donated items for the event, the Six Mile Lions Club for cooking and serving the lasagna dinner and the J.D. Brown band for keeping the entertainement going through the night.
“I also want to thank all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make this event a success,” she said.
Rippy said the need for funds is an ongoing process. If anyone would like to make a donation, Rippy asks that it be sent to P.O. Box 71, Six Mile, SC 29682.
For more information, contact Rippy at (864) 506-0225.

LIBERTY— Drake Curry of Curry and Associates gave Liberty city council the chance to hear the city’s annual audit report Monday night during council’s monthly meeting at the Rosewood Center.
Curry told council that the city had done an exceptional job.
“It has been an exciting year, and for a town at this time to do this well, I think my hat’s off to you,” Curry said.
Mayor Brian Deese asked that all council members review the report and if questions arose to contact Curry.
In other business, council voted to approve the financing terms for two new police vehicles. The purchase is part of a plan that will see the police department add new cars every other year. The vehicle payments will not show until next year’s budget.
Council also voted to pass an ordinance that will allow the purchase of a new victims advocate vehicle. The funds to purchase the vehicle will come directly from a portion of fines collected in the city.
Liberty City Clerk Sue Woods also announced that a special called Liberty city council meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 21, beginning at 5:45 p.m. at the Rosewood Center.

PICKENS — In its continuing effort to properly care for residents during times of emergencies and transport calls, Pickens County EMS has purchased equipment designed to assist paramedics while caring for patients.
Pickens County has purchased 10 Stryker power stretchers which allow workers to easily move patients up and down by using hydraulically powered controls. Not only is this safer for the EMS crew, the patient has a smoother transition when the stretcher is being lowered and raised. The stretchers also create an additional safety measure for the patient when the stretcher is being loaded into the ambulance since both crew members are free to support the weight of the stretcher, equipment and patient.
To further enhance the movement of patients, ten state-of-the-art stair chairs were also purchased in order to assist paramedics when responding to calls where a person needs to be transported up or down stairs. These chairs allow a slow, safe descent and a more ergonomic stance while lifting.
Additionally, a bariatric stretcher was purchased in order to safely transport individuals with bariatric needs.
Fred Anthony, Director of Pickens County EMS, said the purchase would serve two important purposes.
“With the new equipment, the EMS crew is better equipped to care for individuals with various bariatric needs,” Anthony said. “By implementing this new state-of-the-art equipment, we are also protecting the well-being of our paramedics by lessening the likelihood of injury caused by lifting patients.”
The equipment was distributed to all eight EMS stations across Pickens County.

EASLEY — Easley area community leaders will strut their stuff as the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce honors them on Saturday.
The annual chamber gala is themed “Proud as Peacocks” and will honor business and community leaders who have made an impact on the greater Easley area during the past year.
“We are so pleased to invite the public to attend our annual Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce celebration,” said Kent Dykes, chamber director. “We really are as proud as peacocks of the accomplishments of our local business and community members. This has been a challenging economy during the past year, but we have many local heroes who have forged success.”
The Proud as Peacocks Gala will begin with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar at 6 p.m. at Tri-County Technical College’s brand-new campus in Easley. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., followed by the chamber’s awards presentations.
“We’ve planned an elegant and delicious meal, as well as wonderful entertainment for the evening,” Dykes said.
Awards will include: Distinguished Leadership Recognition, Chamber Ambassador of the Year, Chamber Director of the Year, Business of the Year and the Citizenship and Service Award.
Emcee for the evening will be Lauren Aiken Morris, a multi-talented broadcast personality and model. She grew up in front of the camera beginning her career in commercials at the age of 3. Morris has been a child co-host on an NBC affiliate, and a morning TV news reporter on a CBS affiliate.
On the #1 top 40 radio station in this market, Morris has appeared many times on the morning show and was an afternoon co-host.
The featured speaker and entertainment for the gala is humorist Ralph Hood. Oprah Winfrey has called him “a funny man.”
Hood grew up among the marshes and beaches of coastal Georgia before becoming a commercial pilot and aircraft salesman/sales manager in Alabama.
“My columns,” he says, “are widely read by my wife.”
Today, Hood is a full-time professional speaker and award-winning writer. He writes several regular columns for nationwide trade magazines.
Along the way, he graduated from Clemson University, where he wrote for “The Tiger” student newspaper, and where, he says, “Through grit, determination and superior intelligence, I was able to cram four years of college into only five years.”
His books, “The Truth & Other Lies,” “Southern Raised in the Fifties,” and “Ground Clutter — The Book,” have sold from Australia to England and across the U.S.A.
Sponsorships are available for the event. Individual tickets are $60. Please RSVP to (864) 859-2693 or e-mail Fran Cape at ecc@easleychamber.org. The event is black tie optional.

COUNTY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has a new public online inmate search program that was activated this week.
The system allows people to search for inmates currently or formerly housed at the Pickens County Detention Center. The information will include pictures, charges, bonds and release dates, and is automatically updated every 15 minutes with real-time information. There is a link to the “Pickens County Detention Public Inmate Search” on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.pickenscosheriff.org.
“This will be a great tool for the media, the public, and law-enforcement,” said Sheriff C. David Stone. “ We are very proud of it and the employees that made it happen. It will make our operation more efficient and will save time for everyone needing information related to inmates housed at the Detention Center.”

PICKENS — Mozelle Barber and Bonita Holland, chairpersons, along with the Cold Spring Baptist Church family of Pickens recently honored Loree Hightower after 44 years for her many wonderful years of dedicated service as the church clerk and her inspiration to many in the Pickens community.
Pickens city councilman J. Fletcher Perry presented her with the Citizenship Award. A special song entitled “It’s Your Time” was dedicated by The Talley Family.
Reflections were given by many friends of Hightower as follows:
Bertha Pitts — She always kept a “shiny” car, very hard worker and is devoted to church.
Geneva Robinson — Loree brought things of importance when death was in my family. She taught me how to do things of importance.
Chrislyn Hallums — During the last 10 years, she is very supportive, beautiful smile, my grandchild often helps her to the car. She shows love to everyone, teaches through her look, smile, such a drawing love.
The Rev. James Hallums — A lady of virtue, she represents Pickens.
Luther Johnson — She always took care of the association. She is a wonderful worker. She have demonstrated how the church secretary has to be accurate.
Melinda Pitts — She was always in attendance wherever the choir was. She would always show up at the church when I was working pretending to be there for another reason but really she was there to be my protector when I was by myself.
Deacon Thomas Gowens — It has been a pleasure and honor to work with Mrs. Loree. She is always precise and to the point. She is always giving good advice.
Rev. Blake — Loree means “crown.” She use her knowledge that God gave to encourage one another.
Louise Willis — She is my friend. She is beautiful inside and out. She encouraged me to be the president of the Women’s Missionary and I have learned some wonderful traits.
Tony Rogers — Beautiful Black Woman.
Councilmen J. Fletcher Perry — Presented the Citizens Award Plaque. She has set the stage for everyone with her knowledge and beautiful smile.
Deacon Barber — I have worked with her for 37 years. The fruit of her tree was to work and build treasures here for preparation for her journey to heaven.
Juanita Patterson (former owner of LeJuan’s) — She has been there to help my two children for marriage, she worked one day a week. She never complains nor gossips. A very honest young lady. She has truly been missed by me and my family.
Frances Holley — She is a excellent member of WMWA and was the Secretary for many years.
Bernice Wakefield — Presented the certificate of Eastern Stars.
Mrs. Garrett (Byrd Garrett) — Read a poem spelling Loree. Mrs. Loree made a statement one time, “If you Got It, Show It”. She is a very caring, kind, faithful and loves the Lord and church very much.
Eloise Russell & April Blythe — Always helps with the Youth with donations and is very supportive.
Clifton Brown — She works diligently with the Food Bank at Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church. She is a hard worker in church and with the Oolenoy River Baptist Association.