EASLEY — After an outpouring of support from community members to save a 1939 Easley High School building, the School District of Pickens County’s board of trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night on a revised construction plan that will do just that and more.

CENTRAL — A Central man is facing murder charges after police say they believe he stabbed a man in the neck during a fight in a Central home on last Thursday.
According to warrants, 55-year-old Gerald Wade Hicks of Central was charged with murder following an incident at 307 Watkins Street in Central.

Fifty years ago Tri-County Technical College made South Carolina history by becoming the first multi-county technical institute in the State. The college kicked off its golden anniversary celebration with a community reception January 26 on the Pendleton Campus. During the program, leaders from the three-county area talked about Tri-County’s important role in the community. Pictured from left are Clemson University President James F. Barker; George B. Patrick, III, deputy secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce; Senator Larry Martin, chair of the Pickens County Legislative Delegation; Senator Thomas Alexander, chair of the Oconee County Legislative Delegation; Rep. Mike Gambrell, chair of the Anderson County Legislative Delegation; and Tri-County Technical College President Ronnie L. Booth. Read more about the celebration on page 2B.

COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County called a special meeting of its board of trustees to convene Tuesday night, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m.
Paramount on the agenda was the renovation plan for the 1939 Easley High School building.

EASLEY — After a two-day manhunt involving agencies from three different counties, Pickens County law enforcement arrested two brothers Sunday accused of a crime spree that allegedly began with them robbing their own father at gunpoint and stealing his car.
According to the Greenville County Sheriff’s department, 19-year-old Mickey Mayberry and his brother James, 17, are accused of pointing a gun at their father, robbing him and fleeing in his Jeep.

STATE — Currently, it is technically illegal for South Carolina residents to prepare baked goods in their homes for sale.
South Carolina does not currently have a Cottage Food Law, but Liberty resident Debra Graybeal is working diligently to ensure one is established.

COLUMBIA — Last Thursday, the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association awarded the 2011 Medal of Valor to Lt. J.B. Kelley of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office for his successful resolution of two 2010 incidents involving armed subjects.

Editor’s Note: This is the second of a multi-part series of interviews conducted between Courier staff reporter Nicole Daughhetee and SDPC board trustee Jim Shelton, a former board chair.

By the time I started covering SDPC board meetings nearly two years ago, the building plan had been dissected and discussed, ad nauseum, funding had been secured and construction at several sites was well under way.

COUNTY — Pickens County Has Talent, a county-wide talent show that showcases the best of the best within Pickens County, held its first competition at Pickens High School this past Saturday.
More than a dozen acts competed, and four were chosen to compete in the finals on February 25.

PICKENS — When father and son Dean and Jeff Holder decided to renovate the old LeJuans building in downtown Pickens, little did they know today they would be restaurant owners.