COUNTY — On the agenda at Monday’s school board meeting was the renewal of Pickens County School District Superintendent Dr. Henry Hunt. In a 3-2 vote (board member Jim Shelton was absent during the vote), board trustees elected to extend Hunt’s contract with the district.
School board new comers Ben Trotter and Jimmy Gillespie both voted in opposition to the renewal of Dr. Hunt’s contract.

The first State historical marker in the City of Pickens and immediate area was unveiled Saturday to the sounds of cannon and rifle fire and violins. Honoring the Hagood-Mauldin House Museum and the people who lived there, the marker was officially revealed by Pickens County Historical Society President Ken Nabors following remarks by Pickens Mayor David Owens, Senator Larry Martin, and, representing the Hagood, Mauldin, and Robinson families, William M. Hagood III and Alfred Robinson. More than 100 people turned out for the ceremony that featured an array of historical flags, a Confederate color guard, and baskets of magnolia blooms amid the flowering gardens of the ancestral home. Above local dignitaries pose with the marker.

The legendary Chubby Checker came to Pickens last Friday night at the annual Blue Ridge Fest to entertain all in attendance. Above a fan got the once in a lifetime opportunity to actually do the dance, “The Twist” that made Checker famous along side the music icon. The Blue Ridge Fest offered area residents the chance to take part the cooperatives annual fund rasing event. Besides great music, the event had a bike run and a car show.

SIX MILE — Main Street in Six Mile, from Liberty Highway to Six Mile Baptist Church will be closed on Saturday, May 21 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m for this year’s Issaqueena Festival.
Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy live music and entertainment, a car show, arts and crafts vendors, tasty treats and more.

PICKENS – At a special called meeting Monday night, Pickens City Council made it clear that no form of harassment or discrimination from its employees will be tolerated.
Clarification of the language that is currently utilized in the employee handbooks concerning harassment and discrimination policies will reflect a standard of zero tolerance for any employees that violate these guidelines.

COUNTY — The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Education, has honored Tina Kelly with its 2011 HEART Award for excellence in elementary school counseling. Kelly is a counselor at Ambler Elementary School in Pickens.

EASLEY — This fall, Tri-County Technical College will add first-semester Industrial Electronics Technology (IET) and Licensed Practical Nursing classes to its program offerings at the Easley Campus.
The College is hosting an event to showcase these signature programs, along with the University Transfer program, Thursday, May 26, from 2 – 6 p.m. College representatives from admissions, financial aid and more will be on hand to answer questions.

PICKENS — One day a month at the Pickens Senior Center, lunch will be sponsored by Happy Gifts Corporation. Kimberly Snide, Executive Director of Pickens County Seniors Unlimited, said that a donation from Happy Gifts will cover donations for all those that regularly participate in the lunch program at the center and through the home-delivery program on the designated day each month.