EASLEY — Two Easley men are facing charges after an argument turned violent, with a lawnmower blade used as a weapon and a man shot in the arm.
According to warrants issued by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Billy Ernest Morris, Jr., 33, of 617 Anthony Road, has been charged with attempted murder. Another man involved, Matthew Paul Ferguson, 27, of 109 Avery Drive, faces charges of attempted burglary.

PICKENS — City of Pickens officials have agreed to meet with NAACP representatives to discuss the recent suspension of police chief Tommy Ellenburg, who has admitted to making “racially insensitive and derogatory remarks.”
NAACP officials will meet with Pickens City Council at 6 p.m. this Thursday, May 26, at City Hall.
In a statement Tuesday, Pickens City Administrator Katherine Brackett said she received the first and only complaint about Ellenburg’s use of racial slurs on April 22, during the course of a separate personnel matter involving former city police officer Matt Ward.

Rusty Elrod, youth director at Keowee Baptist Church, waits anxiously with a watergun in hand in a dunking booth sponsored by the church at Saturday’s Issaqueena Festival. Beautiful weather helped the festival attract hundreds to Main Street in Six Mile.

CENTRAL — “To live in Central was to know George. He will be missed.”
That one statement echoes the sentiment behind dozens of comments on the guest book of Robinson Funeral Home’s online obituary of George Thomas Reid, Sr.
Reid, 81, of Central, was killed Tuesday, May 17, after being struck by a car while picking up debris on U.S. 123. Owner and operator of George Reid Wrecking Service, Reid was making sure the highway was clear for motorists.

Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company recently continued its commitment to Tri-County Technical College and to the community by making a $50,000 gift to name the school’s Manufacturing Resource Center. Pictured from left are Michael R. Fee, vice president and owner of Reliable; John Lummus, vice president for institutional and economic advancement at Tri-County; and Courtney White, manager of donor relations for the college.

PICKENS — The Pickens High School band will celebrate the end of an era this Thursday when it presents a production entitled “Countdown to the End.”
The production, the final performance in the current PHS auditorium, will commemorate the last 50 years of music-making by the Pickens band program in the auditorium. It is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

EASLEY — During Hospital Week 2011, Baptist Easley CEO Roddey E. Gettys, III, announced Directors, Manger, Supervisor, and Employee of the year. Susan Shugart, Director of Business Development, and Gail VanEtten, Director of Environmental Services, were named Directors of the Year.

LIBERTY — Pet therapy usually includes trained dogs and cats that interact with older adults in order to foster socialization, increase alertness, and encourage physical movement.
Active Day of Liberty is bringing in a four-legged friend of a larger variety as a part of its therapeutic programming for the medical adult day care clients.
Supreme Dolly, a quarter horse from Dreamcatcher Foundation Quarter Horses visited Active Day of Liberty on May 17.

PICKENS — The American Red Cross, in conjunction with Boy Scout Troop 51 will host a fundraising/information sharing day, on May 28 at Legacy Square on Main Street in Pickens. This will be called “Red Cross May Day.”

LIBERTY — The sixth season of Liberty Idol is proving to be the biggest ever.
More than 3,000 have been in attendance each Saturday night since the contest started April 30, with the number reaching 4,000 on May 21. The second round of the competition begins this Saturday, and organizers only expect the crowds to increase.