Daily Archives: 11/14/2012
SDPC earns ‘good’ score on annual report card
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County earned a “Good” rating on both Absolute and Growth categories on the 2012 South Carolina Annual School District Report Card. The rating is an improvement over the 2011 Absolute rating of “Average.”
Every SDPC school scored “Average” or better on both Absolute and Growth ratings. 12 schools were rated “Excellent,” nine were rated “Good,” and four were rated “Average.” No schools rated “Below Average” or “At-Risk” in any category.
“We are very proud of the hard work of our students and teachers and feel that our success is a direct result of their commitment to our schools,” said superintendent Dr. Kelly Pew. “We recognize that we must continue to provide support to our students and teachers as we implement new standards and assessments in our school district.”
Pickens man charged in indecent exposure cases at two post offices
COUNTY — An arrest has been made after postal workers and customers in Easley and Liberty reported seeing a man in see-through women’s clothes in several incidents over a four-month period.
According to a release from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, as a result of an investigagion that began in July, Douglas Dean Evans, 41, of 215 McDaniel Avenue in Pickens, was arrested last Thursday on three counts of indecent exposure.
Officers said a man believed to be Evans had been seen inside and around the Easley and Liberty Post Offices by both postal employees and Post Office customers wearing only ladies’ lingerie, high-heel shoes and a black wig. Witnesses claimed the outfits were sheer, revealing the man’s private areas.
According to the release, the witnesses, all women, were “shocked and appalled” by the man’s appearance, and each encountered him while they were alone and expressed fear because of the encounter.
County organizations team to provide low-cost transport for school, work
COUNTY — The United Way of Pickens County, in conjunction with Pickens County’s Dream Center, are partnering with Bowers Signature Services Waverider to provide transportation services to those who need them to gain or maintain employment.
The new program kicked off on Nov. 5, and transportation services, for the purposes of employment and (or) education are available to people in the greater Easley, Liberty, and Pickens communities.
For a relatively nominal cost of $50 a week, employees and students in the Easley, Pickens and Liberty areas of Pickens County can be transported, round-trip, to their schools or places of employment up to six times a week. The fee must be paid in advance no later than the first day of transportation. These transportation services will operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Employees and students will be picked up at their homes. Those being transported will arrive at their destination within a 30-minute window prior to the designated scheduled start time; they will then be picked up within 30 minutes of their scheduled finishing time.
Bowick to be grand marshal of Easley Christmas parade Dec. 1
By Ben Robisnon
For The Courier
EASLEY — Easley Mayor Larry Bagwell closed Monday night’s city council meeting with the announcement that retired doctor Herbert Bowick will be the grand marshal of the city’s 2012 Christmas parade.
“He’s served this community in so many ways over the years,” Bagwell said of Bowick, who he estimated to be “somewhere in his 90s.”
“He’ll certainly help Easley give the holiday season a good start,” Bagwell said.
The parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1, according to the city’s website. More details about the city’s Christmas celebration will be released in the coming weeks.
It’s a slow week
Life As I Know It
By Nicole Daughhetee
It is difficult to come up with something brilliant to write week after week. Both hyper critical and competitive (I mostly compete against my own personal best, which one might think makes the game a win-win every time. Alas. That is not the case.), I agonize over word choices, sentence variation, tone and cohesiveness.
Often times I desire to deliver a sagacious message — food for thought for my readers — that will inspire just one person to make the world a better place. Other times I think of writers like Dave Barry (I can remember reading him in the Miami Herald and thinking how cool it would be to write for the newspaper) and I want to be funny — to throw out some zinger that people talk about at the proverbial office water cooler.
This happens to be one of those weeks where the thoughts that will eventually translate into words on this page feel stifled — despite the fact that there is certainly a lot of fodder for conversational writing both nationally and in our community.
I don’t have much to say about the recent election.
Truth be told, I am one of the few in the Upstate who voted for Obama. That said, I also voted for many Republican candidates in Pickens County. As if I had a choice! (My editor has made me so paranoid about offending our readership that I have to add — People, that is supposed to be funny.)
While it is possible for me to maintain objectivity and a balance of voices when I write, I can’t help but shake my head and laugh about the recent dog debacle in Easley.
Seriously!?!?
I cannot wrap my brain around how surreally this entire ordeal continues to unfold right before my very eyes. I still don’t understand why, between law enforcement, magistrates, council members and the mayor, something cannot — has not — been done to return the dog to the family who unequivocally owns her, especially when that ownership has been publicly conceded by the people who refuse to return her.
Of course, I could also comment on the factions at war over the old, abandoned Doodle Line. Pickens and Easley would like to combine their efforts and turn the old rail line into a safe, aesthetically pleasing and pedestrian-friendly path where families can ride bicycles, run or walk and not only enjoy the out-of-doors but also reap some of the health benefits associated with physical activity.
As there is any time a current of change surges through the county, certain groups are appalled by the notion that taxpayer dollars would be used to groom Pickens and Easley into anything remotely resembling Greenville. Put in a pedestrian-friendly trail and what’s next?
Yep. This has definitely been one of those weeks when my thought well has been depleted and dehydrated. Here’s hoping something interesting happens so I have something to write about for next week!
Remembering a forgotten hero
All About Ben
By Ben Robinson
With Veteran’s Day Sunday, my thoughts could not help but turn to the only member of my family — at least as far back as I know — who ever died in the service.
We’ve had several who served, including my father, who used to repeat the military training chants when he and I walked up our driveway when I was a kid. (Apparently the drill instructor would shout “You had a good home but you left,” and the soldiers would shout back, “You’re right!”)
I also have seen photos of my uncle Farris from when he was in the service. But the one photo that stuck with me most was the one of my uncle J.B. Robinson, who died while serving the country during peacetime.
Six Mile Baptist Church hosting its fifth annual ‘Feast-O-Plenty’
SIX MILE — Six Mile Baptist Church is hosting the fifth Annual “Feast-O-Plenty” on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Last year, approximately 400 people attended the dinner, and this year organizers are hoping to share with even more.
The meal will be served in the Roper Building, located at 150 North Main Street in Six Mile, across the street from the church.
The event is a free Thanksgiving meal for anyone living in and around the town of Six Mile. A traditional holiday meal of turkey, dressing and gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, bread, desserts and drinks will be served dine-in.
Obituaries 11-14-12
Mark Brougham
Easley — Stephen Mark Brougham, 60, of 305 Mulberry Road, husband of Frances Childs Brougham, died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 at Greenville Memorial Medical Center.
Mark was born in Scotia, N.Y., a son of the late Robert Wayne and Dorothy Dafoe Brougham. He was retired as an ASE Certified Auto Technician having worked for Pickens Tire, Mike Johnson, as well as being self employed.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Frances, of the home, three sons, David A. Brougham (Melissa) of Dacusville, Jonathan M. Brougham of the home and Thomas W. Brougham of Easley and five grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters, Donna Brougham and Linda Brougham both of California and Marjorie Brougham of Oregon.
Funeral services were conducted 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Brougham family.
Courier Classified 11-14-12
Announcements
Foster Parents Needed! SAFY needs families for therapeutic foster youth. Training starts soon! Please call 864-250-1601 for more information.
Oct. 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14
—————————————
Do you own an antique or modern U.S. or foreign military vehicle? If so, “I WANT YOU” to join our veterans club, USMTM, please email for info: us.mtm66@yahoo.com. TFC
—————————————-
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS. WIN or Pay Nothing! Start Your Application In Under 60 Seconds. Call Today! Contact Disability Group, Inc. Licensed Attorneys & BBB Accredited. Call 888-431-6168. SW
—————————————-
AIRLINES ARE HIRING – Train for hands on Aviation Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified – Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-367-2513. SW
—————————————-
MEDICAL CAREERS begin here – Train ONLINE for Allied Health and Medical Management. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if
