Monthly Archives: February 2016
Steppin’ It Up at forum
The week of Feb. 1-4, nine members of the Steppin’ It Up Coalition of Pickens County attended the CADCA National Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. Throughout the week, adult and youth representatives attended various classes to further educate themselves about issues such as marijuana, tobacco and other drugs as well as learning how to engage your audience in various ways such as through social media. There were five adults members and four youth members in attendance at the forum, including project director Cathy Breazeale, prevention specialist Jessica Gibson, Alexander Dukes of Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County, Rev. Charles Hendricks, representing the law enforcement sector, Kay Hendricks representing the school sector and Skylar Grant, Ashley Clark, Makenzye Patterson and Ivy Johnson representing the Pickens County Youth Board.
The conference is held every year at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md. For more information about Steppin’ It Up Coalition or how you can become involved, call Breazeale at (864) 898-5800.
Courier Trespass Notices 2-17-16
In the state of South Carolina, trespass after notice is a misdemeanor criminal offense prohibited by section 16-11-620 for the South Carolina Code.
Those who enter upon the lands of others without the permission of the owner or manager shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor trespassing.
All persons are hereby notified and warned not to hunt, fish, cut timber or trespass in any manner whatsoever upon the lands of the undersigned:
Barry and Rhonda Herd Feb. 2016
Harold Caddell Feb. 2016
Pamela Wilson Feb. 2016
Danny McCall March 2016
L.C. Russell March 2016
Joshua Daughety and
Sue Mittelstadt March 2016
Jim D. Kelly April 2016
The Echo Valley Land Trust June 2016
Frank M. and Marie M. Crane June 2016
Jimmy McGrew June 2016
Dwight C. and Thelma P. Thrift June 2016
Melvin Lamar and Catherine Gilstrap July 2016
Artistic Builders Inc. July 2016
Larry Gibson July2016
Greg M. Cadell and Mary E. Caddell. July 2016
John F. Hendricks July 2016
Doris and Waymon Aikens July 2016
Cecil and Ruby Reid Aug. 2016
Jerry Galbreath Aug. 2016
Glenn and Carolyn Sellers Oct. 2016
Carl W. Porter Nov. 2016
Charles M. Smith Dec. 2016
Dolly Morris Dec. 2016
John T. M. Tompkins Dec. 2016
Sarah Rampy Jan. 2017
Frances Mathis Jan. 2017
Betty McGrew Hill Jan. 2017
Mildred Rigdon Cobb Jan. 2017
James Dan and Avenelle Winchester Jan. 2017
Jessica Anderson Faus Jan. 2017
Deborah Lusk Young and Lola S Lusk Jan. 2017
Tredwell and Erica Zeigler Feb. 2017
Edward and Evinne Elrod July 2017
Randy and Lynn Griffin Aug. 2017
Jeffery D. and Sandra Couch Aug. 2017
Courier Classifieds 2-17-16
Announcements
MEDICAL BILLING SKILLS IN DEMAND! Become a Medical Office Assistant! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Online training can get you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & PC/Internet needed! 1-888-512-7118 8. SW
—————————————–
Struggling with DRUGS or ALCOHOL? Addicted to PILLS? Talk to someone who cares. Call The Addiction Hope & Help Line for a free assessment. 866-604-6857. SW
—————————————-
Xarelto users have you had complications due to internal bleeding (after January 2012)? If so, you MAY be due financial compensation. If you don’t have an attorney, CALL Injuryfone today! 1-800-457-3949 SW
—————————————-
APPLYING FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS? Call our nationwide firm 1-800-404-5928. Win or pay nothing (Exp. Incl.) Bill Gordon & Associates. Member TX/NM Bar, 1420 N Street NW #102, Washington DC 20005. SW
—————————————-
Sell your structured settlement or annuity payments for CASH NOW. You don’t have to wait for your future payments any longer! Call 1-800-446-9734. SW
—————————————
Tuesday, February 23, 2016 is the last day to redeem winning tickets in the following South Carolina Education Lottery Instant Game: (773) CLASSIC CASH. SW
Help Wanted
Dump TRUCK DRIVERs Wanted: Must have class A CDL and good driving record. Call 878-9502. TFC
—————————————–
Can You Dig It? Heavy Equipment Operator Career! We Offer Training and Certifications Running Bulldozers, Backhoes and Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-866-362-6497. SW
—————————————-
SPECIAL OPS U.S. Navy. Elite training. Daring missions. Generous pay/benefits. HS grads ages 17-30. Do you have what it takes? Call Mon-Fri 800-662-7419. SW
—————————————
Now Hiring Class A CDL Drivers! – Free Healthcare! Regional & OTR. Pay starting at 40cpm. 1yr. experience required. Call 864-649-2063 or visit Drive4JGR.com. EOE. SW
—————————————-
ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 107 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.3 million readers. Call Alanna Ritchie at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377. SW
For Sale
FOR SALE: 1989 Honda Accord. Auto. Runs good. Great fuel mileage $1300. Text or call Randy 864-230-4855. 2/17
—————————————-
AT&T U-Verse Internet starting at $15/month or TV & Internet starting at $49/month for 12 months with 1-year agreement. Call 1-800-618-2630 to learn more. SW
—————————————-
Switch to DIRECTV and get a FREE Whole-Home Genie HD/DVR upgrade. Starting at $19.99/mo. FREE 3 months of HBO, SHOWTIME & STARZ. New Customers Only. Don’t settle for cable. Call Now 1-800-291-6954 SW
—————————————-
Dish Network – Get MORE for LESS! Starting $19.99/month (for 12 months.) PLUS Bundle & SAVE (Fast Internet for $15 more/month.) CALL Now 1-800-635-0278. SW
Auctions
ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 107 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.3 million readers. Call Alanna Ritchie at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377. SW
—————————————-
CONSIGNMENT AUCTION – 29th Annual Farm & Equipment. 9 A.M, March 5, 2016. Clarendon Hall Academy, 11405 Duke St., Summerton, SC 29148. For more information visit auctionzip.com or contact Jimmy Blocker (843) 908-3866, Buddy Lewis (803) 983-5040, Robbie Murdaugh (843) 908-2235 or Billy Simpson (803) 255-0389. JG BLOCKER AUCTION & REALTY, Walterboro, SC. SCAL #110. (843) 538-2276. SW
Services
JC & Family Landscaping: Tree-trimming, landscape maintenance, irrigation, free quotes. 15 years experience! Contact (864)207-6046 Joey Ward/ owner. SW
Wanted
WANTED: Foreign Cars. Austin Healey, Triumph, Jaguar, Porsche, Mg, Aston Martin, Alfa, Olds Cutlass, Motorcycles, Airplanes. Retired, buying 1930 – 1976 foreign/domestic cars/parts any condition. Have cash & trailer. 404-234-5954. SW
For Rent
ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 2.3 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 107 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Alanna Ritchie at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377. SW
Homes For Sale
Mobile Homes with acreage. Ready to move in. Lots of room, 3Br 2Ba. Quick and easy owner financing (subject to credit approval). No renters. 803-454-2433 (DL35711) SW
Courier Legals 2-10-16
SPECIAL REFEREE’S SALE
CASE NO. 2015-CP-39-00803
BY VIRTUE of a decree heretofore granted in the case of FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY, INC. f/k/a FIRST CITIZENS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, INC. against SANDRA KNIGHT GARDNER, I, the Special Referee for Pickens County, will sell on Monday, March 7, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at the Pickens County Courthouse, 214 East Main Street, Pickens, SC, to the highest bidder:
All that certain piece, parcel or lot of land lying and being situate in the State of South Carolina, County of Pickens, on Campground Road (Highway No. S-39-222), and being known as Tract A containing 6.04 acres, including all r/w; Tract B containing 0.16 acres, including all r/w; and Tract C containing 0.79 acres, including all r/w, as shown on a plat entitled “Survey for Bertha H. Smith,” prepared by Robert R. Spearman, RLS #3615, dated December 13, 1984; reference to said plat is hereby made for a more complete and accurate description.
This being the same property conveyed to Sandra K. Gardner by General Warranty Deed from T. Bennett Bunton dated May 3, 2006 and recorded with the Pickens County ROD in Deed Book 1001 at Page 97 on May 5, 2006.
Property Address: 385 Campground Road, Liberty, SC 29657
TMS # 4088-14-34-9777
TERMS OF SALE: The successful bidder, other than the Plaintiff, will deposit with the Special Referee at conclusion of the bidding, five percent (5%) of the bid, in cash or equivalent, as evidence of good faith, same to be applied to the purchase price in case of compliance, but to be forfeited and applied first to costs and then to Plaintiff’s debt in the case of non-compliance. If the Plaintiff’s representative is not in attendance at the scheduled time of the sale, the sale shall be canceled and the property sold on some subsequent sales day after due advertisement. Should the last and highest bidder fail or refuse to make the required deposit at time of bid or comply with the other terms of the bid within thirty (30) days, then the Special Referee may re-sell the property on the same terms and conditions on some subsequent Sales Day (at the risk of the said highest bidder).
As a deficiency judgment is not being waived, the bidding will remain open thirty (30) days after the date of sale.
Purchaser to pay for preparation of deed, documentary stamps on the deed, and recording of the deed. The successful bidder will be required to pay interest on the amount of the bid from date of sale to date of compliance with the bid at the rate of 4.74% per annum. Subject to assessments, Pickens County taxes, easements, easements and restrictions of record, and other senior encumbrances.
- Murray Hughes, III,
Special Referee
for Pickens County
- Lee Prickett, III – Holder,
Padgett, Littlejohn + Prickett, LLC,
1204 A E. Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601 (864) 335-8808
Feb. 10, 17, 24
———————————————————————–
NOTICE
The Keowee Springs Fire Department will hold a Budget Review Meeting to review fire department activities in 2015 and the budget to be submitted to the Pickens County Commission for the fiscal year 2016-2017 at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the fire station located at 159 Keowee Baptist Church Road, Six Mile, SC.
Feb. 10, 17
———————————————————————–
NOTICE OF FILING OF COMPLAINT
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF PICKENS
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
C/A NO.: 2015-CP-39-1353
AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA, Plaintiff, v. Zeta Alyana Gardner; Zachariah Gardner; Jane Doe, representing the unknown heirs, devisees, distributees, personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and all other persons entitled to claim through Vivian H. Debnam, deceased; John Doe, representing the unknown heirs, devisees, distributees, personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and all other persons entitled to claim through Christopher J. Debnam, deceased; Richard Roe, representing any and all unknown, minors, incompetents, persons in the military service of the United States of America, persons imprisoned, and persons under a legal disability; Bank of America; Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC. Defendants.
TO: DEFENDANTS ZETA ALYANA GARDNER, ZACHARIAH GARDNER, JANE DOE, JOHN DOE AND RICHARD ROE
NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT the Lis Pendens, Summons and Complaint in the above-titled action were filed with the Clerk of Court for Pickens County, South Carolina on November 11, 2015. The object and prayer of which is set forth in the Complaint.
TURNER PADGET GRAHAM & LANEY, P.A.
Ian D. McVey (SC Bar No. 71196)
Post Office Box 1473
Columbia, South Carolina 29202
Telephone: 803-227-4267
Facsimile: 803-400-1564
E-mail: imcvey@turnerpadget.com
Attorneys for the Plaintiff
December, 2015
Columbia, South Carolina
Feb. 10, 17, 24
———————————————————————–
LIS PENDENS
(Suit on Note)
(Foreclosure of Mortgage)
(Deficiency Judgment Waived)
(Non-Jury)
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF PICKENS
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
C/A NO.: 2015-CP-39-1353
AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA, Plaintiff, v. Zeta Alyana Gardner; Zachariah Gardner; Jane Doe, representing the unknown heirs, devisees, distributees, personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and all other persons entitled to claim through Vivian H. Debnam, deceased; John Doe, representing the unknown heirs, devisees, distributees, personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and all other persons entitled to claim through Christopher J. Debnam, deceased; Richard Roe, representing any and all unknown, minors, incompetents, persons in the military service of the United States of America, persons imprisoned, and persons under a legal disability; Bank of America; Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC. Defendants.
TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE NAMED:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT an action is being commenced and is now pending in the Court of Common Pleas for Pickens County, South Carolina, upon a complaint of the above-named Plaintiff against the above-named Defendants for the purposes of foreclosing upon Plaintiff’s Mortgage by and between Christopher J. Debnam and Vivian H. Debnam and AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA, dated June 4, 2008, and recorded on June 5, 2008, in Book 3856 at Page 76 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Pickens County, in the below described real property which, at the time of the filing of this Notice, was situate in the County of Pickens, State of South Carolina, was more fully described as:
All that certain piece, parcel or lot of land lying and being situate in the State of South Carolina, County of Pickens, about seven miles Northeast of the Town of Pickens, on the South side of S.C. Road 109, (Connelly Road), and according to a plat of C.E. Shehan, Surveyor, dated May 24, 1982, of plat of John D. Smith, and containing 10 acres, more or less, reference to which is hereby made for a more complete and accurate description.
Beginning at a railroad spike in center of road at northwestern corner, and running thence along center of road N73-4E 700 feet to a point; thence continuing along center of road N66-3E 26.37 feet to a railroad spike; thence leaving center of road and running along property of Wilson and Kay Browning S20-58E 540.15 feet to a concrete monument; thence along property now or formerly of Medlin-Williams Estate S63-37W 737.5 feet to an iron pin’ thence N20-08W 657.7 feet to a railroad spike in center of road, the point of Beginning.
TMS No.: 5114-00-22-6871
TURNER PADGET GRAHAM & LANEY, P.A.
Ian D. McVey (SC Bar No. 71196)
Post Office Box 1473
Columbia, South Carolina 29202
Telephone: 803-227-4267
Facsimile: 803-400-1564
E-mail: imcvey@turnerpadget.com
Attorneys for the Plaintiff
November 2, 2015
Columbia, South Carolina
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Feb. 10, 17, 24
———————————————————————–
SUMMONS
(Suit on Note)
(Foreclosure of Mortgage)
(Deficiency Judgment Waived)
(Non-Jury)
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF PICKENS
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
C/A NO.: 2015-CP-39-1353
AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA, Plaintiff, v. Zeta Alyana Gardner; Zachariah Gardner; Jane Doe, representing the unknown heirs, devisees, distributees, personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and all other persons entitled to claim through Vivian H. Debnam, deceased; John Doe, representing the unknown heirs, devisees, distributees, personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and all other persons entitled to claim through Christopher J. Debnam, deceased; Richard Roe, representing any and all unknown, minors, incompetents, persons in the military service of the United States of America, persons imprisoned, and persons under a legal disability; Bank of America; Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC. Defendants.
TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE NAMED:
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to appear and defend by answering the Complaint in this action, of which a copy is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer on the subscribers at their offices, 1901 Main Street, 17th Floor, P.O. Box 1473, Columbia, South Carolina 29202, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, except that the United States of America, if named, shall have sixty (60) days to answer after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service; and if you fail to do so, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
YOU WILL ALSO TAKE NOTICE that Plaintiff(s) will move for an order of reference or that the Court may issue a general order of reference of this action to a Master in Equity/Special Referee, pursuant to Rule 53, of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.
TO MINOR(S) OVER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE, AND/OR TO MINOR(S) UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND THE PERSON WITH WHOM THE MINOR(S) RESIDES, AND/OR TO PERSONS UNDER SOME LEGAL DISABILITY:
YOU ARE FURTHER SUMMONED AND NOTIFIED to apply for the appointment of a guardian ad litem within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and Notice upon you. If you fail to do so, application for such appointment will be made by the Plaintiff(s).
TURNER PADGET GRAHAM & LANEY, P.A.
Ian D. McVey (SC Bar No. 71196)
Post Office Box 1473
Columbia, South Carolina 29202
Telephone: 803-227-4267
Facsimile: 803-400-1564
E-mail: imcvey@turnerpadget.com
Attorneys for the Plaintiff
November 2, 2015
Columbia, South Carolina
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Feb. 10, 17, 24
———————————————————————-
NOTICE
Shady Grove
The Shady Grove Fire District board will hold their budget meeting Tuesday February 23, 2016 at 7pm at the fire station located at 299 Pine Grove Church Road, Sunset, SC.
Feb. 10, 17
———————————————————————-
NOTICE
Pickens Rural
The Pickens Rural Fire District board will hold their budget meeting Thursday February 25, 2016 at 7pm at the fire station located at 756 Concord Church Road, Pickens, SC.
Feb. 10, 17, 24
———————————————————————-
Public meetings scheduled for Wednesday at Ambler, AR Lewis and Holly Springs
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — First, the good news for Pickens residents. The doors of Hagood Elementary School, subject of consolidation rumors in recent months, will remain open.
The bad news? Three Pickens County elementary schools apparently won’t be as fortunate, as the facilities committee of the school board of trustees voted 3-1 Monday night, with Henry Wilson opposed, to a consolidation plan that would close A.R. Lewis, Holly Springs and Ambler elementary schools instead of approving a tax increase.
Although a final decision won’t be made by the full school board until a special called meeting next Monday night, the consolidation plan allows Hagood Elementary to become a K-2 school that would also house students from A.R. Lewis and Holly Springs. Meanwhile, Ambler students would attend Dacusville, whose elementary school would house kindergarten through fourth grade, while Dacusville Middle would house students from fifth through eighth grade.
Both options, either of which would go into effect next academic year, were presented to the committee by Pickens County superintendent Danny Merck. At the conclusion of its special called meeting on Saturday, the facilities committee asked Merck to use the efficiency study information evaluated by the board and committee over the past eight months and present options. The options are to achieve the following objectives: a merger plan for Pickens-area elementary schools to increase student opportunities and reduce operating costs, implement a primary/intermediate format in the Pickens-area elementary schools and relocate the alternative education program from the Career and Technology Center to another facility, such as an unused portion of the food service building on Breazeale Road, near the school district office.
Merck told the committee he has worked feverishly on both options before presenting the final versions.
“At this point, I’ve changed it so much and listened so much, it gets hard to put more on or take more off,” Merck said. “No matter what happens, at the end, we have to agree on one of these two budgets.”
Under the five-year capital improvement plan proposing the consolidation option, no additional millage would be required with operations funds for 2016-17. The non-consolidation option would result in an additional 2.81 mills for that same period (the value of a mill is $444,448).
Facilities committee chairman Phillip Bowers acknowledged as much as $37 million could be required without consolidation. Bowers added that rumors regarding the closing of Hagood Elementary were just that and that the reconfiguration proposal proves that.
“It makes no sense to close Hagood, because you would be sending students up (U.S. Highway) 178 to Shady Grove Road,” Bowers said. “But it makes more sense to bring those students to Hagood.”
Bowers said the committee determined that school facilities and mergers were top priorities. But Wilson said he felt closing schools wasn’t the best solution.
“It’s a difficult thing to close schools,” Wilson said.
What bothered Wilson, as well as trustee Alex Saitta, is the timeline given to the board for making such a decision. Both feel that next Monday night isn’t ample enough time for an issue that will dramatically affect students from three elementary schools, as well as the schools the displaced students will attend.
“In one week, you’re going to ask parents to come and give their input,” Wilson said. “I think we could impact the community in a better way.”
Saitta agreed, adding, “I think one week is too short. A variety of things have been talked about, and one week is too short.”
But school board chair Judy Edwards disagreed.
“There is a timeline, and the senior leadership team has been working on this for months, trying to determine where teachers will go,” Edwards said. “It’s extra space we’re not using, and it’s draining our budget.”
The school district will hold meetings for public input on the merger proposal at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at A.R. Lewis Elementary School, Holly Springs Elementary School and Ambler Elementary School. Members of the school district administration and board of trustees will be present at each meeting to present details of the merger proposal and hear concerns from the public.
Burgess General Store now open in Pickens
PICKENS — The Burgess General Store celebrated its grand opening on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting event featuring Pickens mayor David Owens and store owners Mark and Krystal Burgess.
Mark Burgess’ parents, Jack and Juanita, were also on hand for the event, along with a crowd of anxiously awaiting customers.
Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Saturday marked the first chance for customers to get a look inside the Burgess General Store in Pickens.
For many years, the “big box” stores have pulled business away from small shop owners across America. This trend has resulted in countless family-run businesses closing their doors after decades of servicing their communities. Old-fashioned general stores were once where the locals traded everything from stories, eggs and rabbits to nails and fertilizer, and everything in between.
The general store business is a long-standing heritage for the Burgess family. Beginning in 1918, Mark’s great-grandfather, John Lawrence Burgess, opened the first “Burgess Store” in the Pumpkintown area. The original store was first located beside the old home place on Pleasant Grove Road and later moved to the intersection with S.C. Highway 11, where it remains today as “Cendy’s Grocery.” The original store had a large bell out front that customers would ring to bring John Burgess out of the field, where he was working. After he finished trading with them, he would again return to work in the fields, until the next customer repeated the process. The Pumpkintown General Store and Cafe was also bought in 1938, and is still owned and operated by the Burgess family. For almost a century, Burgess family members have owned and operated many general stores, restaurants and grocery stores in Pickens and surrounding counties.
There is much history tied to the Burgess family here in the Upstate. The first Burgess family member came to the United States in 1732. In 1789, Joshua Burgess was traveling with his family through the Matthews Creek area near Pickens and met a Cherokee Indian who wanted to trade Joshua 880 acres for his Appaloosa horse. Joshua did indeed make that trade, later marrying a young lady and this began the Burgess family in the Upstate.
Burgess family members have also fought for their country in every war since the Revolutionary War, including recipients with honors such as the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. There is a town in Virginia named for the participant of the Revolutionary War. Other Burgess family members have settled in states all across the country, such as Tennessee, Texas and even a small place in Wyoming called Burgess Junction.
Whatever your history, or your story, the Burgess General Store is sure to be a place where the Pickens community and even passers-by can return to that slower pace of by-gone years. Whether you want to sit in the store’s “book nook” and sip on a cup of one of their large selections of organic coffees, fill up a bag or two of non-GMO bulk foods, leisurely browse through the do-it-yourself section, or maybe you just want to satisfy that sweet tooth and pick up a pound or so of old-fashioned candies, there is a little something for everyone.
“We want to extend a warm welcome to The Burgess General Store,” Mark Burgess said.
Man arrested in Clemson thefts
CLEMSON — Clemson University announced Monday police arrested an Anderson man in connection with several thefts at R.M. Cooper Library on campus.
Garrison
Richard Todd Garrison, 41, was charged with five felony counts of financial transaction card theft and five counts of petit larceny less than $2,000. He is not a Clemson student or employee.
Police said items were taken from unsupervised backpacks owned by four victims and the desk of a fifth during the evening of Feb. 1 and the morning of Feb. 2. A purse, wallets with bank and ID cards and cash, an iPhone and other personal items were taken. Some of the bankcards were used at area stores.
Garrison was arraigned Friday and was being held on a $35,650 surety bond.
Coal ash meeting planned Thursday
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
LIBERTY — Residents upset over the possibility of coal ash being dumped in Pickens County will have an opportunity to let their voices be heard Thursday evening.
A forum titled “No Coal Ash” will take place from 6-8 p.m. in the Liberty Civic Auditorium, located at the site of the old Liberty High School at 310 W. Main St.
Local businesswoman Pree Hamilton said nearly 3,000 signatures in opposition have already been turned in to Pickens County Council, and another petition will also be on hand that evening to sign.
“We’re trying to bring more awareness to the issue,” Hamilton told The Journal this week. “I want the public to show up so we can show how united we are.”
Elected officials invited to attend and address the audience include South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Rep. Lindsey Graham, State Sen. Larry Martin and State Rep. Davey Hiott, as well as state Department of Health and Environmental Control director Catherine Heigel.
Hamilton said she is trying to get in touch with municipalities throughout Pickens County to see if they can set signs out in their communities opposing coal ash.
Late last year, the Pickens County Legislative Delegation sent a letter to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control expressing opposition to the application of a variance made in connection with an existing permit for a construction and debris landfill near Liberty. If approved, the variance would allow the permit holder to dispose of coal ash in the landfill.
The letter requested that DHEC deny the request, stating that Pickens County Council entered into an agreement with an out-of-state company to create a construction and debris landfill at the site in 2007.
But the letter also said county council “never contemplated that this company would attempt to convert the landfill for the disposal of coal ash as this toxic waste material is not produced in the county and is not a typical C and D material.”
The delegation added that the site is “much too close” to the city of Liberty and the Pickens County Industrial Park.
“We oppose Pickens County becoming a dumping ground for this out-of-state company,” it read.
Martin and Hiott have each introduced bills in their respective chambers in response to the issue. Senate Bill 1061, introduced last Thursday, would require any utility that disposes of coal ash in a South Carolina landfill to use a Class 3 landfill.
“It’s my understanding that South Carolina utilities are using Class 3 landfills, and there’s no reason why this out-of-state company can’t use a Class 3 landfill as well,” Martin said. “The legislation has one purpose — to keep the disposal of coal ash out of Pickens County, but also to keep it out of other communities.”
In his legislation, Martin included a five-year “sunset” provision that would require the Senate to go back and revisit when that time arrives.
“There’s a lot of technology when it comes to coal ash and recycling,” Martin said. “It might be easier to get through by having a sunset provision where it could be revisited.”
Martin said the bill would go to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, this week, and he hopes it will reach the Senate floor in about three weeks. While he feels the bill, if ultimately passed, will definitely keep coal ash out of Pickens and other counties throughout the state, the Senator said Pickens County Council also has some legal options it can explore.
Hiott characterized his bill as an effort to slow down the process, though he isn’t sure it will completely stop it.
“It’s the county’s problem, but it’s obviously our problem, too, as members of the delegation,” Hiott said. “We’re trying to make sure we do it the right way and do what’s best for the citizens of Pickens County and continue making the county the beautiful place it is.”
One thing is for sure — Martin said that as diverse as Pickens County is politically, the coal ash issue has united the county unlike anything he has ever seen before.
“No one wants coal ash in Pickens County, and we all need to do our respective part to keep it out,” Martin said. “But this is a good object lesson for other counties across the state in that while it may be economically advantageous to farm it (construction and debris disposal) out, you lose control over it. Once you make a contractual arrangement with someone like that, you start to lose control.”
goliver@upstatetoday.com | (864) 973-6687
Follow on Twitter @JournalGO
Rubio to appear in Easley Sunday
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican presidential candidate, will host a Town Hall event at Easley High School on Sunday.
Easley City Councilman Chris Mann made the announcement during Monday night’s meeting of Easley City Council.
The event will be held at the school’s gym from 1:30-2:45 p.m. Sunday, and a barbecue lunch will be provided. Guests must RSVP by visiting http://www.eventbrite.com/e/easley-town-hall-with-marco-rubio-tickets-21386597890. Those unable to RSVP online will be able to sign up at the door, depending on capacity.
Mann said he and Easley Mayor Larry Bagwell plan to attend.
Rubio is currently polling third in the race for the Republican nomination for U.S. president behind billionaire Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
The South Carolina Republican Primary is scheduled for Feb. 20.
Absentee voting is now underway for Pickens County voters, according to county officials. Voters may cast their ballots either in person at the county voter registration and elections office in Pickens or by mail. For more information about how to cast an absentee ballot, visit pickenselections.org or call (864) 898-5948.
If Rubio, who finished third in last week’s Iowa caucus, is successful in his campaign for the Republican nomination, he will face the Democratic candidate, either former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or Sen. Bernie Sanders, in the November general election.
Rubio was first elected as a city commissioner in Miami. In 2000, he was elected to the Florida State House, where he served for eight years. In 2010, he ran as a long-shot candidate for the U.S. Senate and upset Florida Gov. Charlie Crist for the seat.
Rubio’s wife, Jeanette, is a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader, and they have four children.
50 years of service
At a recent communication of Keowee Lodge No. 79, A.F.M., two local men were honored for having completed 50 years of membership. Tony H. Patterson and Doyle R. Peace were presented special awards from the Grand Lodge of South Carolina by Grand Master William B. Rogers of Easley.
Pictured, from left, are Patterson, Rogers, Peace and Doyle R. Black, Worshipful Master.
