Daily Archives: 06/12/2013
City officials excited about future of new joint venture
By Nicole Daughhetee, Courier Staff
COUNTY — Monday night’s Pickens and Easley City Council meetings signified a huge step forward, as both councils unanimously voted to purchase the Doodle Line (the former Pickens Railway line) to create and develop a trail project that will link the two cities.
“People think that Pickens and Easley don’t have a good working relationship, but we do,” Easley mayor Larry Bagwell said. “We hoped that the county would take the lead on this project, but they didn’t, so Pickens and Easley took steps to purchase the land and move forward on this project that will be beneficial to so many people.”
Similar to Greenville’s Swamp Rabbit Trail, the 8.5-mile stretch of railroad trail will be developed into a pedestrian-friendly walking and cycling trail for individuals and families to enjoy recreation and a bridge between the two municipalities.
Community fights to keep second Easley middle school
By Nicole Daughhetee, Courier Staff
EASLEY — The School District of Pickens County board of trustees decided in a May 28 meeting to alter the district’s building program plan, scrapping plans for a second Easley middle school.
Instead, board trustees voted 5-1, with Easley-area trustee Judy Edwards casting the lone dissenting vote, to retain one middle school in the city, making it large enough to house roughly 1,400 students.
Many people in the Easley area have expressed outrage at the board’s decision, with Easley mayor Larry Bagwell even saying during a special called board meeting last week that he thinks the city should create its own district so it will be fairly represented.
Simpson transferred out of Pickens County
SUZANNA BROWN SIMPSON
GREENVILLE — Suzanna Brown Simpson, the Dacusville woman arrested May 20 and charged in the murders of her two children and attempted murder of her husband, was transferred last week to the Greenville County Detention Center after a request from the 13th Circuit Public Defender’s office.
According to Pickens County Chief Deputy Creed Hashe, Simpson was transported from the Pickens County Law Enforcement Center and turned over to Greenville authorities on June 6.
Hester Store added to national registry
DACUSVILLE — Since 1893, the Old Hester Store has stood against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Table Rock in Dacusville.
As the story goes, Mr. William Hester accidentally signed the property title over to a neighbor shortly before his death in 1981. The building remained in limbo and without care for nearly 30 years, subject to fire, termite and structural damage. Eventually the title made its way into the hands of local developers in 2008, who in turn released control of the property to the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation and Pickens County Historical Society.
Going hog wild
Motorcycles of all kinds lined the streets of Pickens Saturday night as the city hosted the second week of its Cruise-In & Music on Main event, sponsored by the Pickens Revitalization Association and featuring music from The Sideman. The series will continue this Saturday with a cruise-in open to all vehicles and a performance by the Marvin King Band. (Rocky Nimmons/Courier)
SDPC offering free summer meals
COUNTY — Do you know a child in need of meals during the summer?
Through its Summer Food Service Program, the School District of Pickens County will once again offer free, healthy meals to Pickens County children who are 18 and younger.
Free breakfast and lunch will be served at Pickens Elementary, West End Elementary, and Central Elementary, Monday through Friday from June 13 through August 9. The program will be closed July 4 in recognition of Independence Day.
The program provides children in Pickens County the foods they need to continue to learn, play and grow when school is out for the summer.
Monroe gets scholarship
Maris Monroe, daughter of Max and Melissa Monroe, recently received the Beverly M. Smith Scholarship presented by the Pickens Women Association (PWA). Maris is a Pickens High School senior who has excelled in academics and civic endeavors throughout her high school career. Pictured above, Maris receives the scholarship from PWA President Margaret Collins and PWA member Sharon Whitworth.
Pickens Senior Center to host breakfast fundraiser
PICKENS — Pickens Senior Center will have a breakfast fundraiser Saturday, June 22, from 8-11 a.m. at the center at 129 Schoolhouse St. in Pickens. The cost is $5 per person, payable at the door.
All money profited will help to complete renovations at the center.
Music will be provided by Lib Porter.
The menu is as follows: Pancakes, grits, eggs, bacon or sausage. Drinks will be provided.
Liberty High alumni reunion set to be held this Saturday
LIBERTY — A Liberty High alumni reunion “tailgate” will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the old Liberty High School Stadium.
All Liberty High graduates are invited. All alumni, teachers and staff are welcomed to bring chairs, tables, tents and food, tailgating games, etc.
There will be a few food vendors, but attendees are welcome to bring grills and tailgating food. Music will be provided.
It will be an alcohol-free event.
For more information, contact Linda Jones at (864) 633-8667 or joneslinda600@yahoo.com or Chris Hansen at (803) 297-6305 or wbts.rebel@yahoo.com.
‘One Voice’ to perform at Easley First Baptist Church this weekend
EASLEY — The “One Voice” youth choir from First Baptist Church in Easley will present a musical entitled “His Love Flowing” at Easley First Baptist Church this weekend.
The musical will be presented as a dinner theater on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m.
The cost of the tickets for the dinner theater on Saturday night are as follows: Adults and Youth (over 16) — $7 and Children — $5.
