By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff

COUNTY — Daniel High School principal Dr. Danny Merck, a finalist for the superintendent’s job four years ago, has been hired to replace Dr. Kelly Pew as

MERCK

superintendent of Pickens County schools starting May 1.

The board voted unanimously to hire Merck after a brief executive session before a scheduled work session last Thursday. Pew was hired earlier this month as the new superintendent of Rock Hill schools.

Under the terms of the contract, which the board authorized chairman Alex Siatta to negotiate, the district will pay Merck an annual salary of $120,000.

“The Board is extremely pleased that Dr. Merck, a native of Pickens County and graduate of our

By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff

COUNTY — Helping the trustees of the School Board of Pickens County name Dr. Danny Merck as the new administrator were some actions made by former

Hunt

superintendent Dr. Henry Hunt.

Hunt remembered when Dr. Kelly Pew was moved into human resources after Brenda Turner left the district to become the superintendent of Orangeburg District 4. Hunt felt that the district also needed someone on the administrative side of things, though budget cuts had cost the district several district offices. So Hunt led the school board to move Merck to the lead administrative position of the district.

“We thought he needed some experience on the district level,” Hunt said. “He’s just a good person. He was a good fit in that position. Just a natural.”

When Pew was named superintendent, former Daniel High School principal

CLEMSON — A single-vehicle wreck Saturday evening near Clemson claimed a passenger’s life and sent two other men to the hospital.

Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley said Aaron Anthony Eskew, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma.

The driver of the vehicle, Raymond Hanks, 28, was listed in critical condition at Greenville Memorial Hospital Monday. Another passenger was transported

SIX MILE — Our Bank, a division of Carolina Premier Bank and the Town of Six Mile recently announced the grand opening of the bank’s offices in the refurbished historic bank building located at 115 N. Main Street, Six Mile.

To celebrate the official opening, Our Bank will be hosting a week-long celebration the week of April 28. Throughout the week, the community is invited to stop in for coffee and pastries in the morning or for afternoon treats. There will be drawings for a gift each day at 5 p.m.

DACUSVILLE — The Dacusville Community Club has been working feverishly for the past several months to make improvements and turn the former Dacusville Elementary School into a facility the community can use for many functions.

A Sign of Progress

The transformation has been remarkable. Hallways and rooms have been scrubbed and painted, floors stripped and polished, security enhancements have been installed, and beautification of the grounds has been done. The latest addition is the new Dacusville Community Center lighted sign, which was proudly erected last week.

“The sign gives us the ability

Ben Robinson/Courier

As his wife, Angela, holds the Bible, Terry Moore is sworn into his seat on Easley City Council at Monday night’s meeting.

By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff

EASLEY — Monday night’s meeting of Easley City Council began with the swearing-in ceremony for new council member Terry Moore.

Moore said he was already feeling the responsibility of the office.

“From the day I was elected, the phone has not stopped ringing,” he said.

Folks did not necessarily want to congratulate him for his successful

CENTRAL — The Clemson Sertoma Club invites all interested local residents to attend its meetings.

The club meets at noon the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Occasions at Wedgefield, located at 1551 Eighteen Mile Road in Central.

New visitors are always welcome.

Those interested are asked to call Randy Shaw at (864) 423-5469.