PICKENS — A Pickens man was killed last Thursday when his motorcycle struck a deer.

According to Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley, Hayne Christopher Sheppard II was traveling west on Fox Squirrel Ridge Road at about 6:40 p.m. when he struck a deer.

Sheppard, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma to the head.
The case is being investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Pickens County Coroner.

GREENVILLE — Dr. Clinton H. Whitehurst, Jr., of Central, received special recognition for his military service in both World War II and the Korean War during a historical evening event at the 116th South Carolina Division Convention of the United Daughters of the Confederacy at the Crowne Plaza in Greenville.

The South Carolina Division awarded Dr. Whitehurst with two honors during the convention. He received the Cross of Military Service for his actions in World War II. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Maritime Service after graduating from Augusta Military Academy in Staunton, Va. After completing basic seaman training, he was sent to radio officers school at Gallups Island, Mass. On Feb. 2, 1945, he was assigned to the liberty cargo ship S.S. David Hewes by the War Shipping Administration and later to the liberty troop ship S.S. James W. Fannin.

PICKENS — The Pickens Revitalization Association is giving local residents the chance to demonstrate their holiday creative talents by creating unique tree ornaments that express Christmas ideas. Ornaments can be created in any media but must be original handcrafted designs and be able to hang on the contest Christmas tree.

The PRA will present a first, second and third place award in each of four divisions — elementary school, middle school, high school and adult. The prizes will be $25 for first place, $15 for second place and $10 for third. Winners will also be announced in the newspaper.

The Pickens Fire Department was awarded a $10,448 grant from FEMA for Fire Prevention and Safety. The funds were used to purchase a live-fire fire extinguisher training prop. The prop simulates class A, B, and C fires and has four levels of difficulty. It emphasizes the importance of aiming at the base of the fire and sweeping from side to side. The training system will be used to train the community in the proper use of a fire extinguisher.

It can also be used to satisfy OSHA required fire extinguisher training for local businesses and organizations. Anyone interested in having the system brought to their business or organization should contact Chris Elrod at the Pickens Fire Department 878-2610.

PICKENS — The Pickens Revitalization Association, The City of Pickens and numerous city businesses and organizations have combined to help celebrate Christmas all through the month of December.

“Borrowing from the Dickens Christmas tradition, A Pickens Christmas simply brings together all the many free, family fun events and activities that will occur throughout the city,” said Doug Finney, PRA event chairman. “Adding a few new events, assisting with several existing ones and simply listing others has provided an impressive list of things to do throughout the month.”