—-UPDATE—-

 PICKENS — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Pickens County Coroner’s Office are reporting the following information as an update into the investigation from yesterday’s incident at 307 Cherokee Trail.

Autopsies have been completed on the deceased this morning and have confirmed that both victims died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. Additional details surrounding the nature and/or number of those wounds will not be released pending trial.

Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this case but there is no additional information to be released at this time.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Simpson remain hospitalized and their expected date of release is unknown. The Sheriff’s Office cannot release any information concerning their medical condition and will not be releasing any information as to the nature of their injuries other than Mr. Simpson suffers from life-threatening wounds sustained from gunshots.

Simpson scheduled to close

as part of plan

COUNTY — Beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, the School District of Pickens County will begin C3, a new dropout prevention program for 8th-12th grade students.

The goal of C3 is to offer a safe, engaging learning environment to students who need an instructional approach that is different from traditional high school programs.

According to officials, it is a great place for students in middle and high school who feel that they can benefit from a smaller learning environment that offers hands-on learning activities that are connected to real-world applications.

SIX MILE — The 2013 Issaqueena Festival will be held this Saturday, May 18, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Six Mile.

Main Street will be closed from Liberty Highway to Six Mile Baptist Church during the festival.

There will be free entertainment provided by Providence Quartet, Mile Marker 0, Y.A.M.S./Sweet Potato Pie Kids, Mtn. View Baptist Quartet and the Daniel HS Band Ensemble. There will also be performances by The Hotfoot Cloggers and the Blue Ridge Mountain Cloggers. The Critter Keeper will also be on stage that morning with all kinds of creepers and crawlers. There will be plenty of room to sit down and enjoy the entertainment under canopies at both ends of Main Street.

PICKENS — In an effort to educate the community on the resources available to help them to live a healthier, safer lifestyle, Cannon Hospital, AnMed Health, Baptist Easley and Safe Kids Upstate have partnered to offer a health, wellness and safety fair this Saturday in Legacy Square from 8 a.m.-noon. 

The hospitals will be offering free testing such as blood pressure, bone density heel scans, PSA testing, heart rhythm and diabetes screenings, plus a full blood panel will be available at a drastically discounted price of $63. No appointments are necessary. 

SIX MILE — The Town of Six Mile will hold a Memorial Day Celebration at the Six Mile Town Hall on Monday, May 27 beginning at 10 a.m. to honor the four Medal of Honor Recipients from Pickens County. The medal is the highest military award in our nation and Pickens County has more Medal of Honor recipients per capita than any other county in the United States.

All four recipients were awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. All four men gave their lives carrying out amazing acts of bravery. Furman Smith, of Six Mile and William McWhorter of Liberty served during World War II:, Charles Barker, of Six Mile served during the Korean War and Donnie Howe of Six Mile served during the Vietnam War.

During the ceremony relatives of the recipients, Charles Barker, William McWhorter, Furman Smith and Donnie Howe, will be recognized and a wreath in remembrance will be placed at the Memorial Marker at Town Hall.

Major General Robert E. Livingston, Adjutant General of the State of South Carolina, a veteran of Afghanistan, will be the guest speaker. The Daniel High School band will perform, the Daniel High R.O.T.C. will present the colors and Boy Scout Troop #133 will be part of the ceremony.

Light refreshments will be served following the service.

The event is free and open to the public. Six Mile Town Hall is located at 106 S. Main Street in Six Mile. In case of inclement weather the event will be held indoors at Six Mile Baptist Church.

For additional information call Six Mile Town Hall at 868-2653.

By Nicole Daughhetee

Courier Staff

PICKENS — The City of Pickens Façade Improvement Grant Program is accepting applications from May 1 through July 1, 2013.

Established as part of the Pickens Revitalization Association (PRA), the Façade Improvement Grant Program (FIGP) supports revitalization of the city’s Overlay Districts by stimulating private investments in high-quality improvements that enhance the appearance of buildings and properties and eliminate blight and non-conforming design standards.

PICKENS­­­ — The name says it all. “Oh Joy!” is an eclectic mix of apparel, jewelry, shoes, accessories, home and garden décor, gifts, collectibles, antiques and retro candy. The owner, Joy King purchased the old general store on Railroad Street in Pickens in January, and along with her husband Richard, has renovated the 924 sq ft. building.

King said that during the renovations, several people stopped by to ask what was going to be in the building. After hearing many stories about folks who would go to the store to buy candy as children, she decided to add retro candy to her inventory.