COUNTY — After taking legal action to try to get himself placed on the November ballot as the Republican candidate for S.C. House District 3, B.R. Skelton has gotten his wish.

COUNTY — Following the removal of more than 200 candidates from ballots statewide before the June primary last month, many Pickens County candidates are now working to become petition candidates and get placed on the ballot in November.
Pickens County candidates who are currently seeking to be placed on the November ballot as petition candidates are Kevin Link (County Council District 3), Tim Morgan and Stan Whitten (Sheriff), Chris Bowers (County Council District 5), Rex Rice (S.C. Senate) and Ed Harris (S.C. House District 3).

Residents from around the county joined together last week to celebrate July 4. Both Pickens and Easley hosted family-friendly downtown events that provided fun, music, and entertainment, capped with dazzling fireworks displays.

DACUSVILLE — Dacusville is a close-knit, family community, so often a funeral becomes an emotional experience that touches the entire community, even those who claim no kinship with the deceased.
The community came together even more than normal last week at the graveside services for Sgt. 1st Class Brad Thomas, held at Nine Forks Baptist Church in Dacusville.

PICKENS — On September 22, Main Street will come alive with a celebration of Pickens’ music and cultural heritage.
The free event will begin at 10 a.m. and end around 8 p.m.
On that date, hundreds of roots musicians, including old-time, country, bluegrass and folk, will descend on Pickens. Eight bands, all with local ties, will be featured on center stage. “Open mic” times will allow individuals and groups to jam, at will, throughout the day. Early evening will bring all musicians together to set a record for the largest jam in Pickens’ (perhaps Upcountry) history. The event will conclude with contra dancing for everyone.

SUNSET — The late Franklin Gravely, called “as near to a perfect game warden” as ever existed, was honored July 9 with a monument in a scenic spot overlooking Jocassee Gorges in northern Pickens County.
Gravely spent most of his life patrolling the mountainous region now known as Jocassee Gorges, and his efforts to preserve and protect the area are still bearing fruit today. The Franklin L. Gravely Wildlife Management Area was named in his honor in 1980.

EASLEY — Easley police and the Pickens County Coroner’s Office are still investigating the June 30 death of an 84-year-old woman at Majesty Health and Rehab in Easley.
Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley said the death was possibly heat-related.