Daily Archives: 08/15/2017
Sheriff asks for SLED investigation
Man died after being placed in handcuffs in May
COUNTY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has asked for state authorities to investigate after an Easley man died in sheriff’s office custody in May.
According to a news release from chief deputy Creed Hashe, sheriff Rick Clark received documentation from Pickens County coroner Kandy Kelley’s office Monday afternoon about the death of 42-year-old Randall Dale Scruggs, who died on May 28.
Kelley ruled Scruggs died of “asphyxia from aspiration of hemorrhagic gastric contents from thoracic/abdominal compression while in law enforcement custody,” according to her report on the death. The report lists “homicide” as the type of accident that killed Scruggs.
Because of his agency’s involvement, Clark made an official request to the
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Newest addition to commerce park bringing 30 jobs
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — There will be a new neighbor in the global community that is 
the Pickens County Commerce Park.
County officials announced Tuesday morning that hydraulic hose protector manufacturer Safeplast NA will be locating its new facility in the park.
The $4.3 million investment is projected to create 30 new jobs. County council approved the final reading of a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement for the
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District names teacher, support employee of year
Rex Brown/Courtesy The Journal
School District of Pickens County superintendent Danny Merck presents West End Elementary School teacher Debra Harris with a $500 check after she was named the district’s teacher of the year on Monday.
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
EASLEY — Although teachers reported Thursday, the School District of Pickens County officially welcomed them back for a new school year Monday at Easley High School with words of encouragement from a state representative and the return of a former student who served as keynote speaker.
While State Rep. Neal Collins and former student Tommy Preston were
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Experts emphasize safety as US prepares for solar eclipse
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — As viewers look to the skies during Monday’s total solar eclipse, they should take steps to not do long-lasting damage to their eyes.
According to Prevent Blindness, “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns, also 
known as solar retinopathy, can result from exposing your eyes to the sun without proper protection during a solar eclipse. Unprotected exposure can cause damage or even destroy retinal cells that transmit what you see to your brain. Solar retinopathy occurs with no pain
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Officials expect large crowd at SWU event
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Pickens County falls within the path of totality of next Monday’s total solar eclipse.
That means visitors and tourism dollars.
Southern Wesleyan University and the county are teaming up for an eclipse
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Pickens Rotary Club ‘Ride to the Rock’ scheduled for next month
PICKENS — On Sept. 16, the Pickens Rotary Club will host the Ride to the Rock cycling event.
The ride begins in Pickens and challenges riders with three routes to choose from — 40K, 60K, and 100K rides.
The 2017 rides will leave from the Pickens Amphitheater, located at 114 W. Main St. in Pickens, and travel north to S.C. Highway 11, with beautiful
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Weather balloons to get view of eclipse 110K feet above Clemson
CLEMSON — The best view of next week’s solar eclipse over Clemson just might be from the stratosphere, 110,000 feet above campus, where two weather balloons from the University of Maine will float overhead and 
livestream the eclipse back to Earth.
The University of Maine contingent, including engineering professor Rick Eason and a dozen students, is part of the NASA-sponsored project “Great American Eclipse.” Students from 55 teams nationwide will share the aerial footage on NASA’s website.
Clemson University is in the center of the roughly 70-mile path of totality, meaning the eclipse will happen directly above campus, with the eclipse creating near-total darkness. UMaine is collaborating with Montana State University on the project.
Montana Space Grant Consortium director Angela Des Jardins said it’s
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Liberty Lion of the Year
At the August meeting of the Liberty Lions Club, president Jean Thomas, right, presented Liberty Lions Club’s Lion of the Year award to Lisa Carpenter for her outstanding service to the club and the community. Carpenter was was also presented with the 2017 Lions Clubs International Centennial Silver Dollar in celebration of the organization’s 100th year of existence. For more information about the Liberty Lions, contact Thomas at (864) 915-3471.
Cannon Memorial Auxiliary Spirit Night planned at Wendy’s
PICKENS — Cannon Memorial Auxiliary will hold a Wendy’s Spirit Night on Thursday, Aug. 31, from 5-8 p.m.
Wendy’s is located at 505 Ann St. in Pickens. Participants can pick up a flyer to present at Wendy’s in either the AnMed Health Cannon Auxiliary Shoppe or at the Outpatient Registration area prior to the Spirit Night.
Flyers will also be available at Wendy’s the night of event. Participants must present a flyer in order for the auxiliary to benefit. Wendy’s is donating a percentage of the proceeds to the auxiliary.
Culinary Club enjoys 2nd anniversary
The Culinary Club of Liberty’s Sarlin Community Library met recently to enjoy good food, fellowship and to learn a a safe way to infuse oil with fresh herbs in a presentation by Adair Hoover of the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service. The Culinary Club, which recently celebrated its second anniversary, is sponsored by Friends of the Sarlin Community Library. The group meets at the Sarlin Library the second Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. to enjoy food prepared from a selected cookbook or genres, and to learn from demonstrations and discussions. All are welcome. For more information, contact the Sarlin Community Library at (864) 843-5805. Pictured are, back row, from left, Adair Hoover, Faye Grooms, Gale Ashmore, Jean Thomas and Vaughn W. Front row, Mel Avery, Cheryl Foley, Lisa Carpenter and Ellen Williams.
