EASLEY — Parents were alerted Monday morning after a student found a dead bat in an East End Elementary School classroom.

The student notified a teacher, and the teacher immediately ensured all students washed their hands and used disinfectant wipes. Custodians disposed of the bat and disinfected the classroom.

A contractor was scheduled to examine the school Monday afternoon to prevent more bats from entering the school.

If additional steps or information is necessary, parents will be notified, district spokesman John Eby said.

Tracey Bolding Brock

PICKENS — Pickens Savings and Loan recently announced the promotion of Tracey Bolding Brock to Assistant Vice President of Loan Administration.  Her responsibilities include loan processing and servicing, along with all of the administrative functions of the loan department.  Tracey has been employed with Pickens Savings and Loan for over 6 years as a Loan Processor.  The new position is designed to provide increased efficiency in the loan department and enhanced customer service.

“Tracey is a dedicated employee who is a problem solver.  She is willing to accept challenges and adapts well to change. Those qualities coupled with her experience in the loan department make for a winning combination for both Pickens Savings and Loan and the customer,” said Rod Gettys, Senior Vice President in charge of Credit Administration.

EASLEY — The grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Born Learning Trail at the JB “Red” Owens Sports Complex in Easley will be held on Thursday, April 18, at 10 a.m.  The Trail is a service project of the Leadership Pickens County class of 2013.  The Trail is being opened during the national “Week of the Young Child”, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. 

PICKENS — The ninth annual Charles F. Rogers Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 18.

The tournament, which annually benefits a male and female senior basketball player from Pickens High School planning to attend a university, college or technical school, is set to kick off with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start at Pickens Country Club.

The tournament will follow a captain’s choice format, and entry costs $50 per person for a four-person team. Hole sponsorships are available for $50 as well, and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place teams, longest drive and closest to the pin.

PICKENS — With less than three weeks remaining before the Pickens Azalea Festival kicks off its 29th year, the committee responsible for the planning, organizing, and ensuring the two-day event runs smoothly continues to bring in new arts and crafts, and food vendors, and a variety of activities in hopes that each of the over 20,000 people expected to attend enjoy every moment they spend touring the fun-filled city streets.

According to Russ Gantt, coordinator of the festival, the family event will branch out again this year to offer visitors a unique opportunity to see another popular and historical site in Pickens County.