COUNTY — As folks prepare for massive sales and incredible deals during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Country Santa Program hopes the true spirit of Christmas — the spirit of giving to those less fortunate — will bring in a bounty of donations for the thousands of families they will help this year.

Buddy Cox, Pickens’ very own Country Santa, and his elaborate network of elves has been delivering toys and Christmas miracles to families in Pickens, Northern Anderson and Oconee Counties since 1978.

Had it not been for Country Santa, approximately 1,300 families, which Cox says translates into roughly 3,300 kids, would not have had any presents to open last Christmas morning.

EASLEY — A Greenville man was killed following a high-speed pursuit last Friday near Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley.

According to Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley, Gerald Edward Garraux, 52, of 1618 East Saluda Lake Road in Greenville, was killed when he lost control of the car he was driving and overturned.

Kelley said Garraux died from blunt force trauma after being ejected from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seat belt when the wreck occurred.
Officers from the Easley Police Department responded at approximately 1:15 p.m. to Powdersville Road and Mossie Smith Road to investigate an accident, according to a release from the department.

LIBERTY — The city of Liberty’s police chief resigned this week.

According to a release from Liberty mayor Michael Sheriff, Leland “Corky” Miller resigned as chief of the Liberty Police Department on Monday.

Sheriff appointed detective Adam Gilstrap as acting head of the department and said there are no immediate plans to replace Miller.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Staff Reporter

EASLEY — It seems as though neither the Blanton nor the Watson families will have their day in court anytime soon in the battle over custody of a chihuahua that has made headlines.

Local magistrate judge Michael Baker granted a change of venue motion in the case, as he and other area magistrates knew too much about the case because of all the publicity it has drawn.

The case was moved to the magistrate’s office in Liberty, where a magistrate from outside Pickens County would be brought in to hear the case.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Staff Reporter

COUNTY — December is just around the corner, and local municipalities throughout Pickens County will usher in the Christmas season with family-friendly annual parades and events.

Easley will host its Grand Illumination and Downtown Merchants Open House Christmas celebration on Friday, Nov. 30. Horse-drawn carriage rides (starting at the park at Pendleton Street) and live entertainment festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., and the tree-lighting ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. in front of city hall.
The following Saturday, Dec. 1, the Easley Christmas Parade, themed “Home for the Holidays” begins at 10 a.m. and will trace a new parade route. With the closing of the Easley High School on Pendleton Street, a new parade route has been designed.

PICKENS — Pickens County Seniors Unlimited is inviting the public to its third annual Holiday Craft Bazaar on Dec. 8.

The event will be held at the Easley Senior Center at 401 Blair Street in Easley from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Along with favorite crafters and local vendors, top name brands will also be for sale that day, including Tupperware, Paparazzi Jewelry, Avon, Mary Kay, Scentsy and Thirty-One Gifts just to name a few.

PICKENS — “Main Street was a lot different 25 years ago when I moved to Pickens,” said Jerry Black, Pickens’ ninth recipient of the I Fan The Flame award.

As co-owner of the historic Garren’s Café on Main Street, along with his wife and mother-in law, Jerry still greets and visits with new and long-time customers every day. As Pickens has grown and evolved, the cafe breakfast and lunch business is still good, but they are now closed for dinner. The building the café is in was built in 1898 to house the Keowee Bank. In 1928, the bank closed and it has been a café ever since. The Garren family has owned it since the mid 60s.

PICKENS — Each year, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative welcomes the holiday season with a tree-lighting celebration at its Pickens office on West Main Street.
The annual tradition of lighting the huge evergreen dates back to the early 1980s and represents the official beginning of the Christmas season for many area residents.

EASLEY — The Dream Center of Pickens County will benefit from the upcoming Michael’s Pizzeria Christmas Cruise 5K race in downtown Easley.

The Michael’s Pizzeria Christmas Cruise 5K race is in its fourth year and will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 in downtown Easley.

The biggest road race in Easley, the event is designed to give students and adults an affordable and exciting goal to promote health and fitness. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Dream Center of Pickens County.

Kim E. Masters

Easley — Kim Elaine Masters, 54, died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012 at Rainey Hospice House, Anderson.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of Martha Ann Berryhill Masters and the late Harold Beaman Masters, Kim was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving, in addition to her mother, are a sister, Rita Masters Dodgins of Easley; and a niece, Moriah Dodgins.

In addition to her father, Miss Masters was predeceased by a sister, Karen Ann Masters.

Funeral services were 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown with the Rev. Lewis Edwards officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.