Daily Archives: 11/26/2019
Saying goodbye to Browning Bryant
Saying goodbye to Browning Bryant
The last time I talked with Browning Bryant, I didn’t know it would be the last time I ever talked with my old friend.
He told me he was dealing with some very serious health issues, and by his tone, it sounded like the situation was dire. But I hoped we would be able to get together eventually and play some music and reminisce about old times. And that maybe I could get a story out of him for my new gig with the Pickens County Courier.
So I was saddened, but not entirely surprised, when I heard that he had left this old world behind last weekend.
It was back in February when I got Browning on the phone that last time. Wayne Kelley of the Pickens County Historical Society had suggested that we do a story about him, considering that 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of
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Wreck claims girl, 12
EASLEY — The Dacusville Middle School family is mourning the loss of a student for the second time in as many weeks after a 12-year-old girl died in a single-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon.
Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley identified the victim as Kelsi L
. Merck, of Clark Lane in Easley.
The accident occurred at 3 p.m. Saturday on S.C. Highway 135 at Little Pond Road.
Merck was a passenger in a vehicle that ran off the side of the left side of the road, Kelley said.
She was pronounced dead at the scene and died of blunt force trauma, Kelley said.
Merck was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the vehicle was airlifted to the hospital with life-threatening
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New nonprofit aiming to help elderly this winter
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A new nonprofit group aims to make the winter a little warmer for the elderly.
Tammy Ferguson said Warmth and Comfort for the Elderly, Upstate, SC grew out of a conversation she had with her friend Danielle Parker, a registered nurse.
“I said ‘I’d love to help the elderly with some of my crochet,’” Ferguson said. “And Danielle said ‘Me too.’”
Deciding to move forward with the idea, the two friends applied for nonprofit status, which they received last week.
“It’s really taken off well,” Ferguson said. “We
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Six Mile residents not sold on tiny homes proposal
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
SIX MILE — A local man hopes to build a tiny home community in Six Mile, but some residents are concerned about the potential impact on the town.
The Six Mile Planning Commission held a public hearing Thursday night on Seneca resident Tim Roberson’s application to build at most 44 tiny homes on 16 acres of land near the intersection of North Main Street and Old Seneca Road.
“Our position is to be your voice,” planning commission chair Kayla Holtzclaw told the nearly full house.
A market for tiny homes has begun developing around the country,
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Breazeale, Webb win Easley seats
EASLEY — Easley voters went to the polls last week to fill the final two open seats on city council after the Nov. 5 elections failed to produce definitive winners.
With a 9 percent turnout in the Nov. 19 runoff election, voters selected Patricia Webb to fill the Ward 3 and Nancy Breazeale to fill the Ward 5 seat.
Webb, a member of the Easley Planning Commission, defeated local businessman and Pickens County Republican Party chairman Rick Webb 139-100 votes.
Meanwhile, Breazeale, a former School District of Pickens County employee, held off local realtor Bob Fedder, 146 votes to 77 votes.
The Pickens County Board of Voter Registration and Elections met on Thursday to certify the results of the election.
County ponders new perspective on budget
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Pickens County Council members are already thinking about the next budget year.
Council members discussed budget planning during a workshop held at the Hampton Memorial Library in Easley on Nov. 11.
The workshop was intended to be “a conversation,” council chairman Roy Costner said.
“This is so we can hopefully come up with some specific challenges, opportunities or projects to give (staff) direction as they begin the budgeting
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Red Devils sign with colleges
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — The early signing period is here, and for six Liberty High School athletes, the future is bright as they prepare to continue their athletic efforts at the next level.
Colin Finster, Alexis Holliday, Hannah Johnson, Nick Miller, Carter Smith and Bailey Watkins all signed at a ceremony at LHS on Friday.
Finster, a three-time all-region and two-time all-state athlete, signed with Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Fla., to continue his baseball career.
Also from the baseball team, Miller, a three-year member of the LHS team and Diamond prospects all-star, will
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Mill gets $50K PRT grant
The Hagood Mill Foundation has received $50,000 from the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The check was presented recently by State Rep. Davey Hiott. The money will be used to build bathrooms for the new Heritage Pavilion, located across the road from the Hagood Mill Historic Site. The Heritage Pavilion was the location of the first-ever fall fundraiser for the Hagood Mill Foundation in October, where approximately 160 people attended to enjoy an evening of dinner and music, along with a silent auction. The pavilion was also the site of a lecture by local historian Dennis Chastain, who presented a slideshow on the Cherokee Path of Pickens and Oconee counties. Approximately 150 people attended that event. The Heritage Pavilion is available to rent for special events, in addition to other buildings at the historic site. Pictured, from left, are Hagood site director Billy Crawford, Hiott, Hagood Mill Foundation secretary Larry Wagoner, foundation chair Robert Sams, foundation vice chair Betty McDaniel and acting Pickens County administrator Ken Roper.
‘Thankful for You’
The annual “Thankful for You” celebration luncheon was held at Rock Springs Baptist Church on Nov. 25 to honor the Liberty Community Scholarship Board members, hosted by board chair Lisa Carpenter. The honored guest at the luncheon was South Carolina House Rep. Davey Hiott, who presented each board member with a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution of the United States with accompanying remarks of support and encouragement for the work they do. Pictured, standing from left, are Kathlyn Albertson, Bobby Albertson, Shirley Bowman, Hiott, Tracy Morgan, Karin Shore and Mel Avery. In front are Joy Gibson, Martha Nalley and Carpenter.
Now open in Pickens
Pop Up Pickens is an artisan studio rental venue offering space for local artisans to sell their wares in Pickens, operating with the motto “small businesses create new growth.” Call (864) 414-5084 to reserve your space. Vendors are wanted. Pop Up Pickens is located at 111 W. Main St. in Pickens. Pictured during the ribbon cutting Nov. 15 are Margaret Collins, Pickens Police Chief Travis Riggs, Lisa Turnick, Donald Collins, Joy Evans, Paul West, owners Doug Tate and Louise Hope, Pickens Mayor-elect Fletcher Perry, Troy Plumer, Tina LaFoy, Sandy Voskan, Pickens Chamber director Kim Smagala, Emily LaFoy and Aaron.
