Daily Archives: 05/13/2015
3 arrested in suspected stolen property, drug ring
PICKENS — Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputies broke up what they believe to be a local dump site where stolen property was exchanged for drugs last week, according to chief deputy Creed Hashe.
Hashe said sheriff’s office detectives executed a search warrant for suspected stolen property at 294 Hidden Valley Road in Pickens just after daybreak last Tuesday.
Over the next three days, Hashe said, detectives recovered more than 60 guns, a stolen boat, a stolen four-wheeler, a stolen motorcycle, a stolen go-kart and multiple tools.
Four of the guns were listed on the National Crime Information Center as stolen from
Doodle Trail opening planned
Meeting set for May 26
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — With the trail scheduled to open later this month, residents wondering about progress on the Doodle Trail project are also invited to attend a public meeting at 6 p.m. May 26 at the Dream Center in Easley.
Easley city councilman Chris Mann announced the meeting during Monday night’s meeting of Easley City Council.
“We’ve got people from Easley and people from Pickens working on this, and quite
County plans Medal of Honor Dedication Day
By Olivia Fowler
For The Journal
ofowler@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Saturday, June 6, has been set aside as a county-wide Congressional Medal of Honor Dedication Day.
The two-hour event will begin at 10 a.m. in the newly renovated Liberty Civic Auditorium, where the families of Pickens County’s four Medal of Honor recipients will be recognized and a biographical video “The Life of Four Heroes” will be shown.
The short film chronicles the lives of Furman Smith and William A. McWhorter, who
Gravely sworn in
Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Perry Gravely of Pickens was sworn in as the newest 13th Circuit judge during a special investiture ceremony held Friday at the Pickens County Courthouse. The Honorable judg Victor Pyle, right, administered the oath of office, while Gravely’s wife, Kathryn, held the Bible as he recited the oath.
School district works to improve meals
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
COUNTY — Grousing over new federal guidelines regarding school meals is nothing new. However, increased complaints, especially regarding food being wasted by students, continue to lead those in charge to come up with ideas for improvement.
Sally Nicholson, nutritional services director for the School District of Pickens County, said the district served 782,927 breakfasts and 1,774,084 lunches last year for a total of 2,557,001 meals. She added the average percentage of participation for breakfast and
Southern as G.R.I.T.S.
Local Biz Buzz
By Steve Lorch
For The Courier
slorch@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — “Classy, sassy, and southern” is the style of the day at Southern Girl Market.
The boutique emporium is the West Main Street storefront of owner Melissa Aiken in Pickens.
Steve Lorch/Courier
Boutique owner Melissa Aiken poses with some of the items available at the Southern Girl Market in Pickens
Born and raised in Pickens, Aiken is as southern as they come.
“It’s all about faith and family,” she said. “I’m just a hometown girl catering to other hometown girls in Pickens County.”
Southern Girl Market primarily deals in ladies’ clothing and accessories with a southern flare.
“Clothes and handbags are our biggest sellers,” Aiken said. “We carry uniquely southern brands like ‘Mudpie’ and ‘Simply Southern.’”
Still working as a school nurse at Pickens Elementary, Aiken started Southern Girl as a side job.
“I began selling door-to-door in doctors’ offices and among friends,” she said. “As
Easley officials hold hearing for budget
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Easley City Council opened its May 11 meeting with a public hearing for its proposed budget for fiscal year 2015-16.
Each councilman seemed satisfied with the budget of just more than $13 million.
Local business owner Vicki Ciplickas complained about the large amount listed under “miscellaneous.”
“In a corporate world, that would never be allowed,” Ciplickas said.
Various council members offered guesses as to where the “miscellaneous” fund were
Amphitheater show planned for Saturday
PICKENS — This Saturday, the Pickens Amphitheater will present Itchy and The Chiggers, who claim to be from a time when rock and roll was fun, but not silly, and rhythm and blues was cool, but not cold.
The show is set to run from 7-10 p.m., and admission is free.
EHS Spanish students earn national honors
EASLEY — Several world language students from Easley High School attained national recognition for excellent performance on the 2015 National Spanish Examinations.
Students from Easley High School earned a total of one gold, five silver and three bronze medals, along with 14 honorable mentions.
“Attaining a medal or honorable mention for any student on the National Spanish
