Monthly Archives: March 2020
Election board, staff resign
PICKENS — Just less than two months before South Carolina’s crucial Republican primary election, the entire Pickens County Board of Voter Registration and Elections and the office’s staff have resigned in what county administrator Ken Roper said he fears is a “coordinated effort.”
In early March, county election director Rodney Allen submitted his resignation, which was effective on Tuesday. Allen’s resignation letter came just two days after longtime election board member June Bowers resigned her position.
County officials said two other election staff members indicated they would leave at the same time as Allen’s resignation.
“While I was not involved in any way with the decisions that led to Mr. Allen’s resignation, I was very disappointed in the operations of that office, particularly in the way they treated their volunteer poll workers,” Roper said. “Pickens County has invested a great deal of money in the voter registration office over the last several years, including staff salaries and expanding and remodeling their office suite. The taxpayers deserve good service in return for their investment.”
Although Allen’s resignation was expected on Tuesday, Roper said the county received a collective resignation letter signed by each of the election board members dated Tuesday to become effective the same day.
Field set for local races
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — After two weeks of filing, the fields were set Monday for June’s primary elections to prepare for this November’s general election in South Carolina.
While there are still many questions on the viability of holding the primary in June due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the following candidates will face off whenever it may be held.
In the State House, the race for District 3 will be hotly contested, with incumbent Gary Clary declining to run for re-election. Phillip Bowers, Jerry Carter and William Masters will face off for the Republican nomination, while Eunice Lehmacher has filed as a Democrat.
Elswhere in the S.C. House, District 4 incumbent Republican Davey Hiott will run unopposed, while District 5 incumbent Republican Neal Collins will try to retain his seat against two challengers, David Cox and Allan Quinn. Finally, in District 10, incumbent Republican West Cox will try to hold off the challenge of Mark Durham in the primary.
Governor orders closure of public lake, river access
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has ordered the closure of all public access points to the state beaches, as well as closure of all public boat ramps, landings and other access points on the state’s lakes, rivers and waterways.
McMaster, who limited gatherings of more than three people across the state last week in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, issued the executive order Monday.
“As a result of behavior observed this past weekend by the Department of Natural Resources and SLED, it was become necessary to close the public access to our state beaches, and to close boat ramps and landings on our state’s lakes rivers and waterways,” McMaster said in a release. “This is unfortunate for those who chose to responsibly follow the instructions of our public health officials, but it is a necessary action to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus.”
The executive order authorizes and instructed the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Attorney General’s office, to provide any necessary supplemental guidance.
“This section does not apply to individuals possessing a current, valid commercial fishing license or permit to the extent such individuals may seek to utilize or rely upon public piers, docks, wharfs, boat ramps or boat landings in connection with commercial fishing activities,” the governor’s order reads.
The order does not impact the rights of private property owners living on beaches, lakes, rivers or waterways in any way.
Local lawmakers ask McMaster to issue stay-at-home mandate
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
COLUMBIA — Two members of the Pickens County legislative delegation sent a letter to South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster last week asking him to impose a stay-at-home order for residents to combat the spread of COVID-19.
State Reps. Gary Clary of Clemson and Neal Collins of Easley said in a two-page letter sent March 24 that they applaud the governor’s decision to close schools March 15 when there were just 28 known positives. But the pair added that the 105 new positives on March 23 and 44 more on March 24 had resulted in “over 12 times the known positives than we did just nine days ago, totaling 342 known positive cases.”
The number has since grown to more than 900 cases across the state.
The representatives said in their letter that hospitals will be unable to handle “this exponential growth for too much longer” and asked that the governor act “with urgency.”
“We live in extreme times, and those extreme times require extreme measures,” Clary said Wednesday. “From where we are, we believe it would be a prudent course of action.”
Confirmed virus cases still rising
COUNTY — Pickens County was up to 13 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus early this week, according to figures released by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The latest numbers announced Tuesday were unavailable at press time, but Pickens County’s 13 cases were part of 925 cases of the virus confirmed in 41 counties across the state as of Monday.
In addition, officials unveiled a list Friday of the ZIP codes statewide that had reported at least one case of COVID-19. With 10 confirmed cases in Pickens County at the time of the release of that information, the ZIP codes where cases had been confirmed were the 29640 and 29642 codes in Easley and Six Mile’s 29682. Updated information on ZIP code breakdowns was unavailable at press time Tuesday.
On Monday, DHEC officials said 18 people had died of coronavirus-related conditions in the state, including the death of an elderly person from Anderson County with underlying health conditions.
Officials announced 151 new confirmed cases of the virus on Monday, and many more were expected on Tuesday. Experts estimated last week that the state could be up to more than 8,000 cases of the virus by May 2.
“We’re all in this together,” DHEC physician Dr. Brannon Traxler said. “Today’s announcement is a stark reminder of the serious threat that COVID-19 poses to our families, friends, and communities. We encourage all South Carolinians to continue to listen to the guidance of our public health professionals and to, when possible, stay home and limit your close contact with others.”
AnMed workers exposed to virus
By Riley Morningstar
Courtesy The Journal
rmorningstar@upstatetoday.com
ANDERSON — “Several” AnMed Health employees have been exposed to COVID-19 and are 
awaiting test results while quarantining at home, a health official confirmed Monday.
AnMed public relations coordinator Lizz Walker declined to say how many employees had been exposed and where the incident happened, citing federal law restricting release of medical information. AnMed’s campuses include AnMed Health Cannon hospital in Pickens. Walker said the health care provider was following the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s guidance on the matter.
“We take the safety of our patients and staff seriously,” she said in an email. “The employees are tested and quarantined at home for 14 days and required to meet certain requirements before returning to work. Per HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) requirements, providers are prohibited from sharing patient health information. We will continue to meet DHEC requirements specific to testing and reporting.”
Easley officials urge support for United Way, businesses
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Easley officials are encouraging residents to support local businesses, give to a new United Way fund and continue practicing social distancing to help lessen the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Mayor Butch Womack and several members of city council addressed residents during a Facebook Live video Friday afternoon.
Womack said the city is working with The Blood Connection to set up a blood drive this Thursday, April 2. The blood drive will be held from noon-5 p.m. at City Hall. Look for the big bus. Walk-ups will not be accepted for the blood drive — download the Blood Connection app or go online at thebloodconnection.org to make your appointment for Thursday.
Blood donation “is a very big need at this moment,” Womack said.
He also spoke about United Way of Pickens County’s COVID-19 Community Relief Fund.
“This campaign is money being raised to help those in need, whether it be food or shelter,” Womack said. “100 percent of your donations … will be given back out — 100 percent. That’s going to help everybody in Pickens County. It’s a clearinghouse where they’re actually giving money out to various organizations. Please keep that in mind. We want you to give to them.”
To learn more about the fund, visit uwpickens.org/covid19.
Councilman Jim Robinson said the city is “doing everything we can to support our local businesses.”
“We’re encouraging city employees and our citizens and our friends from surrounding areas to continue to use and support our local businesses,” he said. “We encourage you to use these businesses and do everything we can to keep them open and functioning.”
SDPC adjusts meal delivery schedule
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County has adjusted its schedule for providing meals to children out of school due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The reason for the change is that Wednesdays are now the designated days for district teachers and other staff members to enter buildings to take care of essential tasks, according to officials.
“It is very important for us to limit the number of people in our buildings at one time to lower the possibility of spreading coronavirus, so our food service staff will stay away from the buildings on Wednesday,” the district said on its website. “We are also putting a plan in place for thorough cleaning in between employee visits.”
Liberty declares state of emergency
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — Liberty officials have declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus.
In a Facebook Live video posted on March 21, Mayor Brian Peterson said he’d declared the state of emergency that day, effective immediately.
The declaration gives city government “the opportunity to operate in a state of emergency,” he said.
Should the situation escalate, the declaration gives officials more flexibility in making decisions “in uncustomary times, taking uncustomary actions to further protect you,” Petersen said.
“Things are operating as they were yesterday,” Petersen said. “We’re moving forward. We’re just taking precautionary measures, making sure we have the tools and resources to act accordingly, when and if needed, in whatever capacity.”
The city is taking steps to make sure city employees aren’t working in close proximity, as to maintain social distancing.
Easley fire chief sworn in
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Matthew Littleton officially began his tenure as Easley Fire Chief last week.
Littleton was sworn in March 9 during city council’s March meeting. He was appointed as fire chief in February.
Attorney Brian James administered the oath of office to Littleton. Prior to the swearing in, City Administrator Stephen Steese read a biography of Littleton.
Littleton is a lifelong resident of Pickens County, Steese said. The son of Pickens residents James and Gloria Littleton, he is married with three children.
“Chief Littleton began his public safety career as a
