Daily Archives: 02/19/2014
Woman arrested for failure to return rented movie in 2005
FINLEY
PICKENS — A Pickens woman has made international news headlines after she spent a night in jail last week following her arrest for failure to return a rented video cassette in 2005.
Kayla Finley, 27, had gone to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office to speak with a deputy regarding a domestic dispute last Thursday when officers discovered a warrant for her arrest had been issued in 2005.
The warrant, charging her with petit larceny, alleges that Finley rented the movie “Monster-In-Law,” starring Jennifer Lopez, from Dalton’s Video in 2005 and failed to return it within 72 hours after the rental agreement expired. According to the warrant, Finley was sent a certified letter on Sept. 12, 2005, to return the video, but never responded.
Finley was arrested and spent the night in jail before being released on a
No damage in wake of earthquake
COUNTY — Many Pickens County residents got a jolt Friday night as a 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Edgefield, sending vibrations throughout the state.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Friday night’s quake occurred at 10:23 p.m. and was epicentered about 7 miles northwest of Edgefield, or 60 miles southwest of Columbia.
A second quake, considered an aftershock epicentered in the same area, was
Weathering the storm
Baptist Easley chief medical officer Dr. George Helmrich makes biscuits for staff during last week’s winter storm.
Teamwork propels Baptist Easley staff through snow, ice
EASLEY — Last week’s winter storm may have stalled many in their tracks, but Baptist Easley Hospital didn’t miss a beat.
In preparation for the inclement weather, the hospital housed 103 staff members for a total 141 accommodations for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Along with local first responders, Baptist Easley staff ran a total of 27 transport missions as of Friday morning to pick up staff.
“It has truly been a team effort with everyone pitching in to help,” said Richard Collins, the hospital’s manager of safety, security and emergency management. “The front line staff has been unbelievable, displaying dedication and a positive and caring attitude toward our patients.”
Mike Smith, director of supply chain management, assumed the additional
Small Business Resource Fair set for Monday
PICKENS — The Pickens Revitalization Association (PRA) has scheduled its 2014 Pickens Small Business Resource Fair for next Monday, Feb. 24.
The fair comes about as part of the entrepreneur-friendly toolkit process Pickens was chosen for in late 2013. The Appalachian Council of Governments received a federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to build an online “entrepreneur-friendly toolkit,” and Pickens was chosen as a pilot community for the project.
The Small Business Resource Fair will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 113 West
School calendar gets board OK
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County’s Board of Trustees approved the calendar for the 2014-15 school year last week.
School will begin Aug. 19 and end June 3 if no days are needed to make up for inclement weather.
April 6 will also be used to make up any day lost due to inclement weather. Holidays include Sept. 1 for Labor Day, Nov. 4 for Election day, Nov. 26-28 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 22-Jan. 2 for Christmas, Jan. 18 for Martin Luther King’s birthday, March 30-April 3 for Spring break and May 25 for Memorial Day.
School will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7 and Feb. 3 for teacher professional development days, while half-days are scheduled for Dec. 19,
School board clears up officers’ elections
By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County’s Board of Trustees changed the wording on its rules for electing officers recently, clearing up some confusion that came when then-chairman Ben Trotter resigned last month.
The rule now says that in the event of the chairman’s resignation, the board’s vice-chairman would step into the role of chairman, the secretary would then
Blue Ridge Electric crews assist other cooperatives in SC after winter storm
Blue Ridge Electric employees help their counterparts at the Coastal Electric Cooperative in the wake of last week’s winter storm.
STATE — Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative employees and contractors spent about 18 hours last Wednesday and Thursday repairing outages resulting from the massive snow and ice storm that assaulted the Southeast.
By Thursday afternoon, stability had returned to the Blue Ridge system. After their enjoying a few hours of rest, 79 workers were then dispatched to assist electric co-ops in lower South Carolina that were hit very hard by the weather event.
The co-ops who were recipients of the aid included Berkeley Electric (Moncks
World of Energy to host 5th annual orchid show
UPSTATE — The World of Energy at Oconee Nuclear Station will host a free orchid show and sale this Friday and Saturday. The annual event is a partnership with the Blue Ridge Orchid Society of South Carolina.
This year’s show will feature beautiful displays of orchids of all shapes, sizes and varieties. Society members will be available to answer questions about growing and caring for orchids. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn how easy orchids can be to grow, discover why our local climate is perfect for orchids, learn about the orchid’s history, and join the Blue Ridge Orchid
St. Michael’s Episcopal to hold Oyster Roast fundraiser March 1
EASLEY — Oyster season is in full swing, and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church will host its sixth annual Oyster Roast on Saturday, March 1, from 3-6 p.m. Enjoy all the oysters, Brunswick stew, and side dishes that you can eat at this fundraiser to benefit the church and its outreach programs, including multiple Pickens County charities.
Oyster shucking happens outdoors and all should dress accordingly. Personal oyster knives and gloves are recommended. Beverages are included and the cost is $30 for adults, $10 for children 6-12, and children 5 and under are free.
Tickets may be purchased at the church office, Monday–Thursday, 8:30 am-
Exercise problems
Ben Robinson
All About Ben
By Ben Robinson
It’s February, and I need to exercise some to avoid the “fat guy in summer” syndrome. For the past few weeks my exercise has been kind either “shiver” or simply avoid falling down in the snow. Sounds exciting, but it burns very few calories.
Today at lunch I did the “stare at attractive girl” exercise, which did not burn off any calories, though the guy she was with looked ready to attempt the “beat up fat guy maneuver.”
