Monthly Archives: January 2015
Proposed bill could cap business license fees
STATE — South Carolina Rep. Rick Quinn (R-Lexington County) announced recently he’s filing new legislation to reform laws on business license fees and cap the amount cities and towns can charge. Quinn called the present system “grossly unfair and an outrageous assault on small business.”
Under the current system, cities and towns across South Carolina collect more than $300 million annually in business license fees. Every business pays a unique license fee based on a percentage of the gross income of that business. Quinn said calculating fees on the basis of gross
Area students named to Dean’s List at NGU
UPSTATE — North Greenville University has recognized area students for academic accomplishments by naming them to the Dean’s List for the fall 2014 semester.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must maintain a 3.5 grade point average while taking a minimum of 12 hours.
Easley: Hannah Leigh Billingsley, Jessica Danielle Bowers, Hannah Elizabeth Bridges, William Benjamin Caapell, Richard Alexander Chapman, Zachary Hall Conn, Kendra Sherry Freeman, Andrew James Gilstrap, Aldea Danieyl Goodson, William Richard Goubert, Kaleh Hunter
Pastels class begins January 28 at the Pickens County Museum
PICKENS — The Pickens County Museum of Art and History has opened registration for Erin Cronin-Webb’s “Introduction to Pastels” classes.
“Portrait of a Girl,” pastel by Erin Webb
The classes will be held on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. starting on Jan. 28, and then again on Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 and March 4.
The six-week session being held in the Liz Smith-Cox Educational Studio will cover a discussion of different types of pastels and their uses, composition and understanding how the use of values can create drama and visual excitement. Students will work on different textured surfaces, explore different methods of underpainting and receive tips on framing and sources for the best supplies for the pastel artists.
For Webb, it is the journey that has made the artist. Like her Celtic ancestors, she has wandered much, always exploring new ideas, new images and new passions. As
It could never happen today
During the 1990s, a documentary titled “Uprising” about efforts by workers in the South to unionize textile mills was made. It was a factual account about events taking place in 1934 at a 
textile mill in Honea Path.
There was so much concern about having the film aired on SCETV, a decision was made not to air it. This was 20 years ago. But it happened.
Despite the resistance by the powers-that-be, the documentary was shown at the Easley Library on a rainy night with perhaps a dozen people in attendance, counting the team from Columbia that presented it.
Why was the film so controversial?
In September 1934, textile workers at the mill in
The moral test of government in SC
Last week, Gov. Nikki Haley was sworn in for her second four-year term and a new legislature 
convened in the Statehouse. This seems like an appropriate time to look back on their record over the last four years.
Gov. Haley delivered a short Inaugural Address in which she laid out her ideas for the next four years. This caused me to begin to think about the standards and measures we use to evaluate what government does and what it ought to do.
In short: What is the test by which we should judge what government should do?
In thinking about what would be a good standard, I began by Googling a number of terms, such
Courier Letters to the Editor
Saitta talks school taxes
Dear Editor,
When I read the letters of those advocating higher school taxes in Pickens County, I wondered if these individuals actually looked at the data. Responding point by point…
Academic performance is not falling in Pickens County, nor is it low. Pickens ranks seventh in the state out of 85 districts on the SAT. Our PASS ranking is 20th. The graduation rate has risen significantly from 71.2 percent in 2010 to 80.4 percent this past year.
It is also untrue starting teachers in Pickens make $3,000 less a year than teachers in surrounding districts. A first year teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Pickens earns $893 less
Courier Obits 1-21-15
Elizabeth Littleton
LIBERTY — Elizabeth Herd Littleton, 88, died Jan. 16, 2015, at her home, with her husband of 70 years, J.D. Littleton Sr., by her bedside. She retired from Sangamo Electric in 1989 and was a member of Smith Chapel Wesleyan Church.
Surviving in addition to her husband are three children, Brenda Robinson (Jack) of Easley; J.D. Littleton, Jr. (Gloria) of Taylors; and Paul Littleton of the home; three grandchildren, Lisa
Ready for a change? Use these tips to make 2015 healthier & happier
Easy ways to start living healthier every day
Contrary to popular belief, adopting a healthy lifestyle is not a difficult undertaking. In certain instances, convenience may need to be sacrificed in favor of nutrition, but many people find that living healthy is not nearly as difficult as they assumed it would be when they initially decided to make a change.
When men and women decide they want to start living healthier, many mistakenly assume they must abandon their existing habits entirely and start from scratch. But the following are some
World of Energy offers two science programs
UPSTATE — The World of Energy in Seneca will host two programs offered by the Roper Mountain Science Center.
The first program, called “Science Magic,” will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 12:30 p.m. in the World of Energy education center auditorium. The program is full of experiments that look like magic but are really all about science. Recommended for ages 5 and up, the program is free to the public.
The second program is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, in the World of Energy lobby area, with
Funding available for county tourism-related projects
COUNTY — Pickens County is now accepting accommodations tax funding applications for projects for the 2014-2015 fiscal year from organizations involved in tourism-related activities or projects.
These funds, collected from Pickens County Accommodations Tax, are intended to be used to further the growth of the tourism industry in Pickens County by attracting or providing for tourists. The distribution of these funds is approved by Pickens County Council, which receives recommendations from the Pickens County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee. The
