Monthly Archives: April 2020
SDPC officials make plans for graduation
COUNTY — Although students will not return to the classroom this spring, School District of 
Pickens County officials have developed a tentative plan for graduation for the Class of 2020.
The plans would be dependent on the lifting of state restrictions on social distancing, according to officials.
According to an email sent to parents last week, pending the lifting of social distancing restrictions, graduation ceremonies for Daniel, Easley, Liberty and Pickens seniors will be help no earlier than May 22 and no later than June 20. The
COUNTY KICKSTART?
Officials discussing phased reopening
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Pickens County Council is considering plans to slowly reopen county offices to the public and to kickstart the local economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roper discussed the plans during a called county council meeting Monday night.
“I wanted to give you an update a little bit on where we stand and where we are headed,” he said.
Earlier that day, Gov. Henry McMaster extended South Carolina’s State of Emergency declaration another 15 days.
“Because of that and as we keep watching what the governor is doing, we have tried to look at what
County up to more than 50 COVID cases
COLUMBIA — The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pickens County was up to 53 on Monday, according to figures released by the South Carolina Department of Health and 
Environmental Control, though the county still has one of the lowest rates of spread in the state.
The county had four new cases announced Monday as part of 142 new cases revealed across South Carolina. The total number of people confirmed to have the disease in the state was 5,613 as of Monday afternoon, with 177 virus-related deaths reported.
No deaths have been reported in Pickens
FY ‘21 budget proposal has no tax, fee hike
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Pickens County’s proposed fiscal year 2021 budget is balanced and contains no tax increase.
Meeting virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, county council members held a budget work session Monday, April 20. That meeting can be viewed on the “Pickens County SC” YouTube channel.
Maintaining a conservative budget was one of the goals county council outlined for staff last year,
AnMed using survivor plasma to battle virus
PICKENS — The blood of COVID-19 survivors may be able to help those battling the disease recover more quickly, and the health system that operates Cannon Hospital in Pickens is among those using 
the technique as the pandemic continues across America.
AnMed Health is part of the Mayo Clinic-led national Convalescent Expanded Access Program to use plasma from COVID-19 survivors to help critically ill COVID-19
Central ends its recycling program
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — The town of Central is suspending its recycling program.
Mayor Mac Martin announced the suspension of the town’s recycling program in a letter to residents issued April 21.
“After much discussion and review of recycling costs and industry changes, we are suspending the Town of Central Recycling Program effective April 28,” Martin wrote. “Most of these circumstances are market driven and out of our control.”
The last pickup of recycling was set to occur on Monday, with
Easley reopens some buildings to public
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The city of Easley has reopened some government offices to the public, but officials urge residents to continue taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks 
inside the re-opened offices.
The re-openings became effective Monday, according to a news release issued Friday.
“The City of Easley will modify services until further notice to protect citizens and minimize opportunities to spread COVID-19 in our community while reopening some operations,” the release said. “The City still encourages business to be conducted through phones, email or other electronic means as much as possible.”
Access to public buildings will be restricted as deemed
Recollections and ruminations
Before I go into my weekly coronavirus commentary, I want to pay homage to a man named Percy Sledge, whom I was fortunate enough to have worked for briefly back in the day. This month marks 
the five-year anniversary of his death.
Some of you Millennials and Gen Z’ers out there may not have any idea who I’m talking about, but I’m guessing that most of you remember a song called “When a Man Loves a Woman.” That was Percy’s biggest hit — and really his only one — but it was a classic. He was able to make a career out of that one song, which is pretty fascinating to me.
It rose to the top of the charts worldwide in 1966, and by the time I crossed paths with him 10 years later, he was still singing it with as much passion as ever. He
Coronavirus doesn’t quarantine scammers
It doesn’t take much for scammers to find new ways of conning us. Now, with the country on edge fighting this invisible virus enemy, the thieves have gotten even more creative and the scams are 
more targeted.
What they want most from us is what they always want: personal information and money.
With relief checks going out to millions of Americans, the crooks are cashing in by sending email or calling to say you qualify for a coronavirus grant, and that they can help you get it. What they want
The lord of the harvest
As this year has been different than any we have known, I hope you have found a way to make it one of the most meaningful and personal spiritual experiences with God ever.
As the darkness of winter fades and the light of spring emerges, we miss our time of being together, but we can still read, study and worship God, as we take advantage of this time to enjoy His presence.
We recently remembered Good Friday as the day our Lord was scourged, tortured, humiliated and was crucified for those who would believe. What a demonstration of love, as His sacrifice became the only
