COUNTY — Police have arrested the fourth suspect in the drug-related home invasion, robbery and murder that claimed the life of a Clemson University student on Dec. 8.

Pickens County sheriff’s deputies, along with deputies from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Stephens County (Ga.) Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Fugitive Taskforce arrested Lester Devaria Mosley, Jr., 18, of 312 Watkins St. in Central, late Friday at a motel in Toccoa, Ga.

Information was developed that led investigators to the motel in Georgia. Mosley was under surveillance by law enforcement for a short time during the afternoon while other officers from the task force could get into place.

Mosley was taken into custody around 6:20 p.m. at the Budget Inn without incident.

Mosley was wanted for the murder of Clemson student Steven Grich on December 8. Mosley waived extradition to South Carolina and was returned back to the Pickens County Detention Center around 11 p.m. Friday night. Judge S. Michael Gillespie denied Mosley bond during an 11:30 a.m. hearing Saturday morning.

“This arrest is the result of outstanding cooperation among all the agencies involved with this joint effort to locate Mosley by agents with Pickens and Oconee Sheriff’s Offices, Clemson University PD, Clemson City PD and SLED and the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force,” assistant sheriff Tim Morgan said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Grich family this Christmas season.”
Three other suspects were arrested within two days of Grich’s murder.

On Sept. 10, Master Deputy Scott Ticknor of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office spotted a wanted man at a convenience store on U.S. 178 between Pickens and Liberty.

When Ticknor approached the suspect and attempted to serve him with a felony warrant, the man resisted arrest, pulled a gun, and shots were fired.

Two citizens, David Bryan Owens and Bobby Lee Laws, Jr., who were at the convenience store helped Ticknor apprehend the suspect during a struggle with little thought for their own safety.

They were honored at a luncheon on Dec. 19, where Sheriff C. David Stone honored the men with a plaque and expressed his sincere appreciation for their help.

CENTRAL — The Pickens County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual public meeting at the Central Town Hall Court Room at 1067 W. Main Street in Central on Jan. 3.

Reports from organizations and boards will be heard starting at 5:30 p.m. The floor will be opened for public comments at 6 p.m.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. Citizens will have an opportunity to ask questions of and make comments to members of the Pickens County Legislative Delegation, and members of the delegation will comment on various issues that may be introduced in the upcoming session of the General Assembly, which convenes on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

The legislative delegation consists of Senators Thomas C. Alexander and Larry A. Martin, and Representatives Joshua Putnam, Davey Hiott, Phillip Owens, and B. R. Skelton.

For further information, please contact the delegation office at 850-7070.

Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff

As I researched New Year’s traditions for this week’s Lifestyles page, I came across one that I plan to implement in my home this year because I love the idea and its simplicity. At the moment I cannot offer credit for my source because I’ve read so many blogs that I can’t recall where this particular idea came from; thankfully the idea stuck.

Sometimes it is easy to get mired down in our problems — those unexpected obstacles life seems to throw in our path — character-builders my Mom has always called these stumbling blocks. Speaking for myself, it is easy to focus on the negative, and I have the tendency to lose sight of the positive things for which I should be thankful.

The tradition I am going to start involves a container, a pen or pencil and a few scrap slips of paper. Simple as that!

Beginning on the 1st of the year, the idea is to write down on a scrap of paper every good thing that happens — big or small. Your child might get an ‘A’ on a big test at school. Maybe your boss compliments you on a job well done at work. What individuals choose to write down is entirely up to them.

Over the year, you will fill your container with these little slips of paper, on which you’ve written down good things, positive moments, little things in life worth celebrating.

As the New Year rolls around next year, you and your family (whoever is participating and contributing to your good things jar) can spend an afternoon or evening going through your container remembering and giving thanks for all the good things that happened over the past year.

A proponent of the power of positive thinking, I enjoy the idea of starting out a new year by focusing and being thankful for all things positive in the previous year.

If you are at all like me, someone who longs to be a positive and optimistic spirit who can easily be bogged down or lose your footing when confronted with negativity, this seems like a great way to stay tuned into life’s blessings and to celebrate them with people you love.

By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff

PICKENS — There are currently two published fiction authors gracing the halls of Pickens High School. Small-town celebrities, Elaine Cantrell and Jennifer Gravely started writing together some time ago.

In a world where becoming a renowned published author might be as difficult as becoming a famous actor, instead of being competitive in their field, these two women have decide to work together and be a source of support for one another in their craft.

“I have had so much encouragement from Elaine,” said Gravely. “She had continued to encourage me. While each of us may be competitive, writing is not about knocking the other person.”

Working together has proved to be successful for both of the PHS teachers, but writing was a passion for each woman before they ever knew or worked with one another.

CLEMSON — The Pickens/Oconee/Anderson Master Gardener Program will begin Monday, Feb. 11 and last until June 3, with weekly meetings taking place on Mondays from 9 a.m.-noon.

The meeting place will be at the SC DNR Building in Clemson near Twin Lakes, with some classes at the Hayden Conference Center at the SC Botanical Garden.

Clemson Extension Agents, Clemson University professors, and Master Gardeners will serve as weekly instructors. This class offers research-based horticultural information in an exciting and educational format. Participants use this new knowledge to serve the local communities by educating others. A Master Gardener is defined as an individual who learns about the art and science of horticulture and shares that information with others.

Jamie Graves was recognized with The ‘Exceptional Father’ Award at the Cheer For Children Holiday Gala on Saturday, Dec. 8. He was recognized because of his dedication as a young father to his 1-year-old son. 

Jamie works two jobs to support his family and is involved in every aspect of his young son’s life. He has studied and monitors his child’s developmental progress. “Somehow, even with all of the demands of his time, Jamie has chosen to give back to The Parenting Place, Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County by spending countless hours helping to establish our website,” said Gloria Morris, Executive Director of The Parenting Place. 

The Parenting Place staff is proud of the accomplishments of young parents that have recognized there is hope for a brighter future. It takes believing in yourself, determination and taking one step at a time for a better tomorrow.

PICKENS — Pickens Savings and Loan recently hired Rod Gettys as its senior vice president in charge of credit administration.

Gettys has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. Prior to his employment with Pickens Savings and Loan, Gettys was a federal bank examiner with the office of thrift supervision and subsequently the office of the comptroller of the currency.

“We have the utmost confidence in Rod’s abilities and the experience he brings to Pickens Savings and Loan, to insure that our bank meets all of the regulatory requirements and continues to serve the local community,” PS&L board chairman Billy Singleton.

Stock Up: You should stock up on food and money. Cupboards and refrigerators should be full of food, so you won’t go hungry in the New Year. Additionally, every person should have money on their person, whether in a wallet or pocket. This is obviously to ensure you have some paper for the rest of the year.

Resolve Debts: Similarly, all household debt and personal debts should be paid off before January 1. If not, you’ll be paying back debts all year long.

But Not On New Year’s Day: We all have bills to pay, but don’t pay back loans or bills on New Year’s Day. And don’t lend money or other precious items either because, if you do, you’ll be paying out all year long.

As we prepare to usher in 2013, no doubt many of us have compiled a list of New Year’s Resolutions that we plan to enact the moment we open our eyes and our feet hit the floor on January 1.
Losing weight, getting in shape, quitting smoking, saving money, organizing and decluttering are all timeless, popular and laudable resolutions. The reason so many people give up on their resolutions is simple: change is difficult, and it requires constant practice.
Rome, as they say, was not built in a day. If you are serious about making lasting changes in your life this year, experts offer advice toward achieving your goals – whatever they might be.