Daily Archives: 12/11/2013
Sheriff: County employee gave drugs, contraband to prisoners
COUNTY — A Pickens County employee was arrested last month after sheriff’s deputies received statements that he was “involved in the obtaining and furnishing of marijuana and other contraband into the Pickens County prison system.”
According to a release from sheriff Rick Clark, he and Captain Chad Brooks responded to the Pickens County administration building at the request of county administrator Chappell Hurst on Nov. 21 after Hurst said county staff had received a tip that an employee may be in possession of illegal drugs.
Clark said a county work truck was searched, and approximately 26 grams of
Parades continue this week
Emily Wright/Courier
Community members ride in the Easley Christmas parade on Saturday. Other towns will usher in the holidays with parades this week.
COUNTY — Central, Easley and Six Mile kicked off the yuletide season with their Christmas parades on Saturday, and other municipalities will follow suit this week.
The city of Pickens’ annual Christmas Parade, themed “Christmas Lights,” is set for this Friday at 7 p.m. For more information, call Pickens City Hall at (864) 878-6421.
Letters to Santa will be collected at the parade by Pickens Post Office employees. Children are asked to bring their letters addressed to Santa and hold them up as postal employees walk in the parade, and employees will collect them and get them to the North Pole. Letters need to have a return address, and children should not
District to allow students to bring electronic devices
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County will allow students to bring their own electronic devices to school beginning next year.
The use of these devices has already been tested with success in pilot programs at some of the schools.
The district is in the process of updating its network infrastructure to allow greater student access to technology.
Details will be released in January about when students will be allowed to bring their devices.
Devices approved for students to bring include laptops, netbooks, notebooks, iPads, e-readers (Kindle, Nook), iPod touch, Tablets/slates, Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. Cellphones and smart phones have been approved for non-elementary school students.
IOS (Apple), Windows and Android devices are recommended. Devices should have an Internet browser.
District officials wanted to get the word out about the bring-your-own-device program before Christmas so that parents would be able to purchase such devices as Christmas presents.
School board vice-chairman Alex Saitta said the bring your own device program has the potential to expand student learning without costing the district money.
“Bring your own device has the potential to save money and get students more jazzed up about learning using their own iPods or laptop computers,” Saitta said.
Clark declines to lower flag for Mandela’s death
COUNTY — The flag flying over the Pickens County Sheriff’s Department flew high Sunday despite an order by President Barack Obama that flags across the country be lowered to half-staff in honor of South African leader Nelson Mandela, who passed away Thursday.
Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark expressed admiration for Mandela but said he felt the honor of having the flag flown at half-staff should be reserved for Americans.
“”Mr. Mandela did great things for his country and was a brave man, but we need to
Liberty council picks new mayor pro tem
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
LIBERTY — Councilman Brian Petersen was elected as mayor pro tem by Liberty city council Monday night.
“I will do everything I can,” Petersen said after accepting his new position of leadership. Petersen said he now considers Liberty his hometown, having lived in the city longer than he has anywhere else in his life.
As mayor pro tem, Peterson will conduct meetings of the Liberty City Council on occasions when mayor Eric Boughman cannot be present. Other duties of the mayor pro tem will be determined in the coming weeks.
Council also heard from Chelsea Jackson, who rented council chambers in the Rosewood Center last year to teach Zumba classes. Jackson hoped to rent the
Duke supports Red Cross business disaster-preparation program
UPSTATE — The American Red Cross of the Western Carolinas announced today that Duke Energy has made a gift of $15,000 to the American Red Cross in support of the Ready 365 Giving Program. As a Ready 365 partner, Duke Energy stands with the American Red Cross in preparing the community to prevent and mitigate disasters and in providing relief and recovery to people who have been impacted by disasters.
Disasters are on the rise and with a growing population and infrastructure the public is more susceptible to being affected by these events. In fact, nearly 2.1 million American adults were affected by disasters between 2001 and 2012. That’s nearly five times more than in the prior decade. For every dollar spent in preparation, four to ten dollars is saved in recovery. This has huge implications for both the American
Pickens Chamber Member of the Month
The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce recently recognized the Pickens County YMCA as the Chamber member of the month. The various programs the Y offers have truly made a difference in the lives of others and the community. The YMCA’s leadership and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of others makes the Y a true leader in the community. Pictured are Brandon Callihan, Dennis Loftis, Amy Gantt and Ryan Smith.
Pickens YMCA to host Christmas Clothing Drive
PICKENS — The Pickens YMCA will host Kris Blackmon with Miracle Hill Children’s Home on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room for a Christmas clothing drive.
Clothes needed are for boys and girls size 4 to youth extra large with a special need for pajamas. The clothes can be used as long as they are clean and in good shape. However, they do prefer to have new pajamas for the children.
The YMCA will be serving holiday cookies and eggnog! Please stop by on the 19th and receive further information on how you can help the ministry of Miracle Hill with children in need.
McKissick informs Alice employees of progress
Smythe Mckissick poses with First Baptist Easley minister Dr. John Adams.
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
EASLEY — Smythe McKissick grew up in the Alice Manufacturing empire. Last Tuesday, he shared with Alice employees the latest news about moves the company has made during the past few years to make sure it is competitive for many more years to come.
McKissick spoke at the company’s dinner for members of its 25-year club. Hundreds of Alice employees gathered in the gymnasium of First Baptist Church Easley to celebrate the holiday season.
McKissick said when the textile industry faced tough times 20 years ago as foreign imports flooded the market, Alice leaders had to find a way to be competitive. A good part of that action involved the Ellison division of the company.
Six Mile Baptist launches Trail Life USA troop
SIX MILE — Six Mile Baptist Church proudly announces the launch of Troop 101 with Trail Life USA.
Trail Life USA is a new outdoor scouting-like program designed for boys, grades K5-12, focusing on adventure, character and leadership. The K5-12 program centers on outdoor experiences that build a young man’s skills and allow him to grow on a personal level and as a role model and leader for his peers. The effort is being led by Dr. George Kessler, former longtime Scoutmaster in Boys Scouts of America Troop 134 and the Men’s Ministries of Six Mile Baptist Church.
The new group has a strong inclusion policy for youth; all boys are welcome to the program regardless of religion, race, and national origin, economic or social status. However, adult leaders in the program will be Christian and must sign a statement of faith and submit to background checks. Both boys and adults will be required to
