Daily Archives: 04/22/2015
Legislators ask SC officials to nullify county GOP convention
COUNTY — The South Carolina Republican Party is considering a request to nullify last week’s Pickens County GOP Convention after political infighting marred the event, leaving dozens of potential delegates disenfranchised, according to local lawmakers.
In a formal protest letter addressed to the state party’s executive committee and chairman Matt Moore, Sen. Larry Martin, Rep. Neal Collins, Rep. Gary Clary and Rep. Davey Hiott allege the convention, held last Thursday at Liberty High School, was marked by “misapplications of state party rules and gross errors of judgment.”
Among the issues listed in the letter, “the most important error was disenfranchising 52 certified
County weighing taking legal action against reporter, newspaper group
SLED opens preliminary investigation into Delk issue
COUNTY — Pickens County Council is considering taking legal action against a local reporter and newspaper chain as a result of a series of articles concerning the departure of former county administrator Matthew Delk.
After discussing the issue in an executive session at a special called meeting Monday night, council emerged and voted unanimously to direct county attorney Ken Roper to investigate whether legal action can be taken against David C. Moody and Civitas Media, a North Carolina-based company that owns The Pickens Sentinel and The Easley Progress.
In the motion, council instructed Roper to obtain the services of other special legal counsel if
Housing charge for prisoners increases
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — When Pickens city police officers make an arrest, they may have to start being more lenient on who they send to jail, as Pickens County’s fee for use of cells in the law enforcement center has increased from $24 a night to $65 a night.
Pickens police chief Rodney Gregory reported the new pricing during Pickens City Council’s work session Monday night.
“I’m not real happy about it,” Gregory said. “The only police departments it affects are Liberty
All Aboard For Fun – Central Railroad Festival is Saturday!
The festivities literally get a running start at 8:30 a.m. with the “Keep it Movin’ 5K Run,” sponsored by Central Elementary School. The Railroad Festival is proud to partner with our elementary school for this annual event to promote exercise, learning, and healthy lifestyles!
The Festival officially opens at 10 a.m., with the Southern Wesleyan Jazz Band filling Main Street with bright tunes for the occasion. The street will be closed to traffic, but plenty of parking will be provided with free shuttle bus rides, courtesy of Clemson Area Transit (CATBus). Please check the maps in this newspaper flyer for more information.
FREE ENTERTAINMENT continues all day on both our Main Stage and Kids’ Stage down the street. On the main Stage we are excited to welcome back the fabulous Flying Saucers good-time
Man brings water complaints to city
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Pickens resident William Barber brought his stormwater complaints to the city Monday night during city council’s monthly work session meeting at Pickens City Hall.
Barber reported that lack of drainage around a ditch was causing large puddles of water in his yard.
“You have to change shoes just to go to the car because the yard’s so full of water,” Barber said. “All that water is coming across the road, coming in the yard.”
The problem is that Barber’s home is in city limits, but the roads draining into his yard are not.
Looper added to Robinson’s staff
EASLEY — On Monday, the Robinson Funeral Home staff was happy to welcome David Looper to their team.
David Looper
Looper is a licensed funeral director who has assisted families in Pickens County since 1996. A native of Pickens County, Looper graduated from Easley High School in 1981.
“We are fortunate to have David Looper with us,” owner Chris Robinson said. “He has many strengths and deep roots in Pickens County. David and his father worked with Robinson Funeral Home, and we are glad that David is back home with our family-owned firms. Our top priority is serving families and taking care of every detail. David’s focus mirrors our mission of helping families at a very difficult time. He is very compassionate, as well as thorough, and he knows how to serve families well. We are delighted that he brings so
Liberty honor wrestlers
The City of Liberty recently honored the Liberty wrestling team, which went 29-4 on the way to being named Pickens County champions, Region I-AA champions and Upper State champions this season. Pictured are Liberty Mayor Eric Boughman with coach Dale Burrell, assistant coach Jacob Leslie, wrestlers Devin Johnston, Jacob Rogers, Matt Frey, Kyle Chrzanowski, Cole Murphy, Dylan Riddle, Kris Murphy, Cameron Garrison, Sam Vidal, Lucas Bates, Breck Dismukes, Seth Scruggs, Dee Mansell, Gatlin Bell, Noah Kelly, Caleb White, John Michael McGaha, Brandon Vega-Monroy and Dylan Phillips and trainers Emily Gibson, Ivy Grace Gibson, Victoria Black and Susie Whitmire.
Balawi signs with Mercer University
LIBERTY — Liberty High School’s Abraham Balawi recently signed a national letter of intent with Mercer University to run cross-country.
Liberty High School’s Abe Balawi recently signed his national letter of intent to continue his running career at Mercer University. Pictured are Mismeh Balawi, Adam Balawi, Hanan Balawi, Tim Powell, Abdallah Balawi, Coach Patrick Canterbury, Maleah Balawi, Brenda Powell, Abraham Balawi, Gabriel Balawi and Shannon Balawi.
Balawi was a five-year letter winner in both cross-country and track at LHS. For cross-country, he received All Region honors during the 2011 season and was named Region Runner of the Year in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Balawi was also the 2012, 2013 and 2014 AA Upper State cross-country champion, and received All-State honors for those years as well.
Balawi has also had a stellar track career, being named to the All-Region team in 2011, and then being named the region runner of the year in the 800m, 1600 and 3200m in 2014.
Balawi’s crowning achievement was winning the AA state championship in 2014 in the 1600m run with a time of 4:28.04.
“Abe is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete to coach,” Liberty coach Patrick Canterbury said. “He is
Ayers signs as long jumper with SWU
LIBERTY — Liberty High School’s Amber Ayers recently signed a national letter of intent with Southern Wesleyan University, where she will be competing in the long jump.
Not only has Ayers received three varsity letters and two most valuable player awards in track, she has received four letters in both volleyball and basketball. During volleyball season, Liberty placed second in the state. Her personal record for long jump is 16’ 3″, and last year she placed
Amber Ayers recently signed her national letter of intent to participate in track and field at Southern Wesleyan University. Pictured are Ken Ayers, Bobby Carver, Vicky Ayers, Amber Ayers and Shirley Carver.
sixth in the state.
Ayers, dedicated to her performance on the field, is very involved in extracurricular activities and has managed to be a member of the National Honors Society and Beta Club. Her leadership skills have allowed her to be a Palmetto Girls State alternate, a member of Pickens County Youth Court, FCA leader, treasurer and an active member of the Liberty’s chorus program.
“I am so proud of the young leader I have seen Amber develop into the past few months,” Liberty girls’ track coach Stefanie Wagner said. “She has always been dedicated to the sport of jumping, but this year she opened up to others on the team to share her wealth of knowledge. It takes a true
