Daily Archives: 03/06/2013
FFRF still unhappy with school district’s decision
By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff
COUNTY — As people filed out of the School District of Pickens County’s board of trustees meeting following a controversial vote on prayer at meetings on Feb. 25, one member of the crowd yelled out “this isn’t the end.”
That person was right.
Despite the board passing the adoption of a new policy of non-sectarian prayer before SDPC meetings, a decision that upset the hundreds of Pickens County residents who spoke against the policy, the board’s vote is still under the scrutiny of the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) and its members.
Under an “Action Alert” header on the FFRF’s website, the foundation is asking for help in persuading the School District of Pickens County’s board of trustees to drop prayers to begin its monthly meetings.
Longtime Liberty councilman dies
Walt McJunkin
By Ben Robinson
Courier
LIBERTY — The city of Liberty is mourning the death of longtime councilman Walt McJunkin, who passed away Saturday at age 88.
“He was probably the councilman most in touch with the people,” Liberty Mayor Michael Sheriff said. “You could often find him at the post office, talking to people about their concerns.”
Police charge man in copper theft
James L. Chastain
CLEMSON — A 46-year-old Walhalla man was arrested Saturday in connection with the theft of copper from Clemson University property in Oconee County.
James L. Chastain was charged by Clemson University police with committing injury to real property, fixtures or improvements to obtain nonferrous metals, damage of $5,000 or more. He was arrested Saturday by Oconee County sheriff’s deputies.
Police said someone stole copper from transformers at the Clemson University impound lot in Oconee County Feb. 7. The damage to the transformers is estimated to be $11,000.
Chastain, who is not a Clemson student or employee, is being held at the Oconee County Detention Center pending a $10,000 surety bond.
Chihuahua court case dropped
By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff
LIBERTY — The lengthy battle between an Easley city councilman and his wife and an Easley family over custody of a chihuahua came to an end last Thursday in magistrate court.
Easley councilman Dave Watson and his wife, Trisha, were awarded possession of the dog when Liberty magistrate court judge Tommy Wall dismissed the case over the filing of incorrect paperwork.
The Blanton family, the original owners of the dog, had filed a claim and delivery case against the Watsons, but after numerous court dates that were either cancelled or postponed, the judge decided that the action was the incorrect one to take in this particular scenario.
Annual Reunion of Upcountry Families scheduled for April
The next Reunion of Upcountry Families is scheduled for April 25-27 and will include family history workshops, cemetery tours and historic family displays. Pictured is one of many historical family displays on the Southern Wesleyan University campus at last year’s event, which is like a “swap meet” where people share family information.
COUNTY — The public is invited to the Reunion of Upcountry Families April 25-27.
The free event will include cemetery tours, workshops devoted to family history and a large display of photos and other items from local families of the Old Pendleton District, which became present-day Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties.
The event kicks off April 25 at Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley with a workshop on computer research. Also planned that day is an open house at Mary Oates Gregorie Genealogy Research Room, as well as a seminar about historic newspapers on the Internet.
On April 26, there will be a tour of the Zion and Pickens Chapel cemeteries, as well as Carmel Presbyterian Church in Liberty and the Pendleton District Commission. At 6 p.m., there will be presentations about DNA research at Folger Fine Arts Auditorium on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University in Central and a presentation by Dr. Eric Emerson on History and Upcountry Research at South Carolina Dept. of Archives.
On April 27, Southern Wesleyan will host historic displays from area families as well as local genealogical and historical associations in The Founders, located on the lower level of the University Dining Commons. Also, historic Freedom’s Hill Church, located on the university campus, will be open for tours and a presentation, as will be the Faith Clayton Genealogical Collection at Rickman Library.
For details, contact the Birchwood Center at (864) 898-0840 or email claytonroom@swu.edu. Also, more information can be found online at www.100yearreunion.com or on the Reunion’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ReunionOfUpcountryFamilies.
School officials take precautions following meningitis diagnosis
By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff
LIBERTY — Last Friday, the School District of Pickens County was notified by the parent of a Liberty High School student that the student had been hospitalized with a diagnosis of meningitis.
Immediately, school district nursing coordinator Angela Watson and LHS Principal Lori Gwinn began to work with DHEC to make sure that the school district took necessary precautions to avoid the spread of the disease. Friday morning, the LHS custodial staff thoroughly cleaned surfaces and areas that the student may have come in contact with while at school.
Easley Town Center continues to expand
By Nicole Daughhetee
Courier Staff
EASLEY — Easley’s Town Center continues to grow, providing the community with job opportunities and a variety of restaurants and retail shops.
This Thursday, March 7, Marshalls will hold its grand opening. The national chain joins neighboring stores Kohls, Academy Sports, Tractor Supply, Petsmart, and of course, the Walmart Super Center which was the first retailer to open in the shopping plaza in 2011.
Walmart, Sam’s Club now hiring
COUNTY — With the opening of a new Walmart in Pickens and Sam’s Club in Easley in the coming months will come new jobs, and applications are now being accepted in both cities.
Walmart, which is slated to open next month in Pickens, plans to hire 150 workers for the new 90,000-square-foot supercenter, located on S.C. Highway 8 at the former site of Norris Ford.
The company has opened a temporary hiring center at 211 E. Main St. in Pickens.
“We welcome all candidates who are interested in joining our store in Pickens, and we are proud to bring good jobs with career opportunities to the area,” store manager Christopher Lee said in a press release.
Sam’s Club, meanwhile, has set up a hiring center at 5208 Calhoun Memorial Highway in Easley, open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays.
The new store, which will open this summer, will be located at 309 Rolling Hills Circle, inside the Easley Town Center.
Officials are looking to fill both full- and part-time positions, including cake decorators, night merchandisers and technology associates, among other jobs.
Blood drive scheduled in Easley
EASLEY — Countryside Village & Park is holding a blood drive on Thursday, March 14, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to help the Blood Connection replenish its supply for those in need.
Community members are encouraged to come and donate this valuable, life-saving resource. There are many benefits to donating.
The drive will be held at Emeritus at Countryside Village & Park, located at 706 Pelzer Highway in Easley.
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, please call (864) 859-0167.
2013 Youth Arts awards given by PC Cultural Commission
Katie Lowery
Self Portrait
COUNTY — The Pickens County Cultural Commission’s Youth Arts 2013 is in full swing. A March 2 kickoff reception at the Pickens County Museum was attended by more than 800 proud parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, and, of course, the talented young artists that created the 879 works of art that are on display at the museum through March 28.
