Monthly Archives: October 2017
Fall has arrived
The annual Pumpkin Festival drew hundreds of people as it served as Pickens County’s unofficial kick-off of the fall season for the 39th year in a row on Saturday in Pumpkintown. The festival featured fun for the whole family in the form of arts and crafts, rides, games, 
vendors, live music, food and, of course, plenty of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Above, Nikki Wilson, Brentley Mauldin and Daniel Dexter pose near the pumpkin patch outside the Oolenoy Community Building at the festival. At right, Mable Clarke of Soapstone Baptist Church serves a fried fish plate at the festival. Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Trial opens in Liberty killing
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — The brother of a man shot to death in July 2015 told a jury on Monday the shooting should have never happened.
Jacob Kirk, who lived with John William McCarty and another man in a trailer on Watts Road in Liberty, told jurors during the opening day of McCarty’s murder trial that his brother, 22-year-old Mitchell Aaron Bradley of Duncan, had become frustrated because his belongings, including beer and cigarettes had been stolen on several occasions.
Kirk said Bradley and the third roommate had gone outside the trailer to fight on the night of July 15 when McCarty fired multiple shots from inside the trailer, with three striking Bradley in the upper body.
Paramedics arrived on the scene in less than 10 minutes, but Bradley died a short time later.
“It wasn’t necessary for a gun at all,” Kirk said. “I
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Man charged in bar assault
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
EASLEY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has charged a 46-year-old Greer man with assault in connection with an incident earlier this month in which authorities say he beat a 
man with a metal pipe.
Chief deputy Creed Hashe said Richard Stephen Roberts Jr. turned himself in at the Pickens County Law Enforcement Center on Oct. 11. Hashe said Roberts was released later that day after a Pickens County magistrate allowed him to sign a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.
A sheriff’s office incident report said officers responded to the Saluda River Yacht Club on Old Easley Highway in reference to an assault and battery that had taken place at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4. Arrest warrants claim Roberts struck the victim with an aluminum pipe on or about the right hip.
The sheriff’s office report said the victim, who identified himself as manager of the bar, told authorities he had accidentally written a check that bounced and asked to meet with the check
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Hope dwindling for Humane Society
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Pickens County Humane Society officials are focusing on finding forever homes for the animals still in their care while holding on to hope the facility will not be forced to close at the end of the year.
After losing funding from Pickens County government, officials with the Humane Society do not foresee having enough funds to remain open after this year.
A post to the PCHS’ Facebook page said while staff, volunteers and board members are not
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Pickens volleyball team finishes unbeaten in region play
PICKENS — In her first year as head coach of the Pickens High School Lady Flame volleyball team, Rikki Owens and first-year assistant coach Pamela Clarkson led the 2017 varsity squad to an undefeated Region I-4A championship.
This is the second year in a row that PHS has been undefeated in region play. Before moving to
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Lady Sparks capture 4th consecutive title, win streak reaches 59 matches
PICKENS — The Pickens Middle School volleyball team completed its fourth consecutive undefeated season by winning the AOP Conference Division II Tournament title under the 
direction of head coach Mellie Crumpton.
The Sparks won the regular-season title with a perfect record of 12-0 and received a first-round bye in the conference tournament, held Oct. 14 at Powdersville High School. The Sparks opened the tournament with a 25-8, 25-12 win over Walhalla and then defeated Powdersville twice, 25-5, 25-9 in the semifinals and 25-13, 25-14 in the finals, to claim its fifth end-of-year tournament championship in the last six years.
“There was no doubt our girls came to play ball Saturday,” Crumpton said. “I believe our
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UpCountry Quilters Guild to be at Hagood Mill event
PICKENS — The UpCountry Quilters Guild will be at the 16th annual Storytelling Festival at Historic Hagood Mill this Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The guild presentation quilt will be on display, and tickets will be available. The lucky ticket holder’s name will be drawn Nov. 4 at the UQG’s show that will be held at Pickens View Wesleyan Church, located at 744 Bethlehem Ridge Road in Pickens.
For more information about the UQG show or to purchase tickets for the quilt, call (864) 350-7515.
Faith plans Reformation celebration
PICKENS — All are invited to attend a special Reformation worship service at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 29 at Faith Lutheran Chapel in Pickens.
The church will open its doors to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Clusters for Kids
The Friends of Pickens County Guardian ad Litem hosted the annual Clusters for Kids Oyster Roast at Arran Farm in Easley on Saturday, raising more than $20,000 for the county Guardian ad Litem program. With the largest silent
auction in Pickens County, the event also served as a 15th anniversary celebration for the Friends organization. Pictured above, front row, from left, are Rep. Davey Hiott, board member Ann Fitzgerald, board chair Tammy Aiken-Clark, board member Adam Lambert and board member Stan Whitten. In back row are board secretary Baker Cleveland, Sen. Rex Rice, board member April Pretty, Rep. Neal Collins and board member Mary Ann Turner.
Dustin Kennedy and Associates opens new Keller Williams real estate office in Easley
EASLEY — Dustin Kennedy, one of South Carolina’s top-producing real estate professionals, with $21 million in closed volume in 2016, has completely renovated a historic building that 
will serve as a new office at 103 W. Main St. in downtown Easley.
“Keller Williams Western Upstate is proud to announce that we have expanded our footprint into the Easley market with the opening of our newest Mega Agent Office,” Keller Williams Western Upstate team leader Joe Tidwell said. “Dustin Kennedy and Associates have been operating in the area as our partners for years. This new office marks an exciting milestone for both D.K.A. and K.W.W.U., as they will be able to offer increased services to the area and help more families, businesses and investors with
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