Daily Archives: 11/13/2013
13 arrested in ‘meth blitz’
COUNTY — Five law enforcement agencies teamed up to make a dent in the methamphetamine problem that affects Pickens and Greenville counties last week.
On Nov. 5 and 6, officers from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Easley Police Department and the Clemson Police Department joined together in a drug sweep that resulted in 13 arrests in Pickens County.
In addition to the arrests, officers checked 33 locations, seizing more than $2,000 and two guns and placing five children under emergency protective custody due to arrests or unsafe
Firetruck crashes en route to blaze
A Pumpkintown Fire Department truck was involved in an accident Monday morning en route to a fire on Pleasant Grove Road. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the driver swerved to avoid a deer and the truck rolled over off the side of the road. As of Tuesday morning, two of the three firefighters who had been in the truck had been treated and released from Greenville Memorial Hospital. A third firefighter remains in the hospital and is in stable condition. Pictured above, a pair of firefighters look at the truck after crews flipped it back over.
Students observe Veterans Day
Tribute to A Hero
Kerry Gilstrap/Courier
PFC Barrett Austin’s parents Curt and Yolanda Austin bow their heads in prayer at a monument dedicated in his memory at a Veterans Day ceremony at Pickens High School on Monday.
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
PICKENS — Pickens High School students heard inspirational words from an aging veteran and paid tribute to a local serviceman killed in defense of his country at a Veterans Day ceremony Monday.
The Rev. Ken Lawson reminded students that the county has a history of patriotism rarely found anywhere in the United States. Lawson, father of PHS principal Marion Lawson, said
Clemson picks new president
Craig Mahaffey/Clemson University
James P. Clements was announced Monday morning as Clemson University’s 15th president.
CLEMSON — James P. “Jim” Clements was selected Monday to be Clemson University’s 15th president. Clements currently serves as president of West Virginia University.
Clements was selected by the board of trustees to succeed James F. Barker, who announced plans to retire in April after serving 14 years as president. Barker will remain on the faculty of the School of Architecture.
“Dr. Clements is a distinguished scholar, a nationally recognized voice in higher education and a proven leader who understands the unique mission of land-grant universities. We are confident he is the right person to lead Clemson University to the next level as a great public
Schools letting out early Thursday
COUNTY — Schools in Pickens County will dismiss early Thursday because of anticipated traffic issues from Clemson’s home football game against Georgia Tech.
Elementary schools will dismiss at 1 p.m., while middle and high schools will dismiss at 2 p.m. Schools may continue after-school activities such as athletic practices at the principal’s discretion, but employees will still be required to work a full day.
“We anticipate that traffic in the Clemson area and around U.S. 123 in Easley would make it impossible for buses to take students home in a reasonable amount of time unless school is
Pickens volleyball wins AAA State championship
BoltonPhoto.com
Members of the Pickens High School volleyball team celebrate their State Championship victory over North Myrtle Beach on Saturday in Columbia.
COLUMBIA — The title came after months of preparation, a team determined to get back to the big stage.
Pickens High School won its first State championship since 2008 on Saturday at White Knoll High School in a rematch with the defending State champion North Myrtle Beach Chiefs, who defeated the Lady Blue Flame in last year’s State title match.
“Having the opportunity to recapture the trophy and bring the elusive 14th championship to Pickens was a season-long goal,” Blue Flame coach Jennifer Gravely said. “Facing the team that dashed our dream last year and beating them was super sweet. I like a rivalry. We don’t play a lot of common opponents, so it’s always hard to judge the level of competition
SDPC earns ‘Good’ Absolute Rating
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County received a “Good” absolute rating and a “Below Average” growth rating on the 2013 South Carolina School District Report Card.
The absolute rating judges the district against the state’s expectations, and the growth rating compares the district to its own performance in the previous year. The five categories of ratings are “Excellent,” “Good,” “Average,” “Below Average” and “At-risk,” with “Average” being the state’s expectation for performance.
“I’m glad that our teachers and students have once again surpassed the state’s requirements for academic performance, but our growth is an area of concern,” said Dr. Kelly Pew, superintendent. “Our goal is always to improve. Our students are clearly competitive in
Counselors, manufacturers work together to prepare students
COUNTY — Guidance counselors from all Pickens County schools recently collaborated with seven local manufacturing companies to learn about technology and job skill requirements by seven local manufacturing companies.
The guidance counselors gathered at the Pickens County Career and Technology Center on October 28 to hear about job outlooks, Career Center technology training programs, economic development benefits and strategy, and what skills sets local manufacturers look for and hire.
Amanda Blanton, of Tri-County Technical College, presented job outlooks and forecasts for the region and the nation. Ray Farley, Executive Director of Alliance Pickens, discussed how Pickens County markets itself to prospective companies, and how the “Scholar Technician”
Liberty to host holiday events starting Saturday
LIBERTY — Come shop local artisan merchants this Saturday in Liberty at the third annual Holiday Bazaar hosted by Liberty Festivals and Events.
Vendors will be present with gifts for just about everyone on your shopping list. Breakfast and lunch items will be available as well.
Admission is free with a new unwrapped toy to be donated to area children (in conjunction with the City of Liberty’s Toy’s for Tots campaign).
The event is will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Rosewood Center on Saturday. More
New bakery opens
Martha’s Marvelous Munchies
Martha’s Marvelous Munchies Bakery held its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday. After a 25-year career in medical technology Martha Ellenburg took a passion for baking and has turn it into a full time business. Ellenburg has been baking for a number of years for a loyal group of customers that come together at the Pickens Flea Market every Wednesday. Ellenburg would like to thank the many people that has help make this day possible from her husband Benny to her local customers. The Bakery located at 511 West Main Street in Pickens is opened Wednesday thru Friday from 6am -6pm and on Saturday from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pictured from left are Clark Purbaugh of the Pickens Chamber, Martha Ellenburg, Benny Ellenburg, PIckens Mayor David Owens, Pickens City Administrator Katherine Hendricks, Jessica Morris, and Bruce Evilsizor of the Pickens Chamber.
