Daily Archives: 07/21/2020
School start pushed back 2 weeks
Masks to be required for students in grades 3-12
COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County announced Monday that it has pushed the start 
of the school year back two weeks and will require masks for all students in grades 3-12 when social distancing is not possible as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the community.
Originally scheduled to begin Aug. 10, the school year will now start Aug. 24 after the Pickens County School Board approved the change Tuesday morning. The district’s six-week plan for alternating face-to-face instruction and eLearning will remain in place with the new start date, according to officials.
“The past few weeks have been an enormous challenge for South Carolinians,
SC High School League passes updated schedule for fall sports
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — With less than a month until fall sports were set to begin, the South Carolina High School League announced widespread changes to the fall sports calendar on Wednesday in order to ensure that high school sports are played in South Carolina this fall.
The state’s governing body for high school athletics held an executive session on Wednesday in the hopes to come out with some clarity regarding fall athletics. After a nearly two-hour meeting with multiple proposals, the league approved an altered schedule by a 14-2 vote with continued flexibility
due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The proposal, presented by league commissioner Jerome Singleton, would see fall practice begin on Aug. 17 and allow teams up to four weeks to prepare for game action before a
County adds 5 more virus deaths
COLUMBIA — South Carolina officials have reported five new COVID-19 deaths in Pickens County over the past week as the virus continues to cause damage around the state, including a minor outbreak at a Pickens nursing home.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported the deaths of three elderly people and two middle-age people in the county, with two deaths reported Thursday, one Friday and two more Sunday.
The number of cases in the county have continued to rise steadily as well, as at least 27 new confirmed cases of the virus were reported each day from last Tuesday to Monday, when the county’s number of confirmed cases reached 1,428. The county has now had 14 confirmed COVID-19-related deaths. Tuesday’s numbers were unavailable at press time.
Pickens County has dropped in the statewide rankings for rate of transmission, as it now has 15th-lowest rate of South Carolina’s 46 counties,
Virtual COVID-19 town hall planned next week
PICKENS — Community members are invited to attend a virtual COVID-19 town hall next week.
At 6 p.m. Monday, July 27, a team of local experts will gather on Zoom to provide valuable information and answer participants’ questions about the virus.
The event will be hosted and moderated by local hospital social worker Eunice Lehmacher.
Central Town Councilman Rev. Joe Moss will be discussing how his town passed a mask ordinance
County library employees step up for elections
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The work of several Pickens County Library System employees has been instrumental 
in getting the county’s registrations and elections office back on track, following the resignations earlier this year of the county election director and the members of the board of voter registrations and elections.
County administrator Ken Roper praised those employees, as well as a public servant who has since passed away, during the July 13 county council meeting.
“I want to tell you a story, ladies and gentlemen,” Roper said during his report to council. “I want to
Scams targeting utility customers on the rise during COVID-19 pandemic
CHARLOTTE, N.C., — Scams targeting electric and natural gas customers are on the rise, with imposters implementing new tactics during the COVID-19 pandemic to trick utility customers out of 
money and personal information.
June 2020 was the highest single month on record for reported scam attempts targeting Duke Energy customers, hitting more than 4,000.
The total number of scam attempts reported by Duke Energy customers so far in 2020 — more than
Easley asking businesses to honor mask pledge
EASLEY — The city of Easley is asking all businesses within city limits to take the #MaskUPEasley 
Pledge in response to the city’s campaign encouraging social distancing, frequent washing of hands and face coverings when social distancing is not available.
When an establishment takes the pledge, they will be given material provided by the city encouraging all who step into their establishment to follow the guidelines set forth by city council in Resolution 2020-15, as well as all national and state guidelines as well.
“I pledge to make sure my establishment, to the best of my ability, will adhere to the #MaskUPEasley Guidelines that have been set forth by City Council, which reflect the CDC and
Blue Ridge distributes fest funds to nonprofits
PICKENS — Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative this week announced the distribution of $144,000 to 12 local nonprofit organizations in Greenville, Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties through Blue Ridge Fest despite its cancellation due to COVID-19.
Since the event’s inception, Blue Ridge Fest has raised nearly $3 million for local human help organizations that provide individuals with necessities such as food, shelter, clothing and health care.
The charities receiving funds in 2020 include A Child’s Haven, CFK Inc., Feed a Hungry Child, Foothills Alliance, Foothills Care Center, Golden Corner Food Pantry, Grace’s Closet, Hospice of the Upstate, North Greenville Crisis Ministry, Oconee Presbyterian Service Fund, Service Dogs for Veterans and United Christian Ministries. Check presentations took place in June.
“The 12 charities were selected last fall, and our employees remained committed to raising funds for them, especially during such a time of need,” Blue Ridge CEO Jim Lovinggood said. “This year was very different — no classic cars, music, food or crowds. However, it reaffirms our sponsors’ and community’s
Fall volleyball and soccer registration open at Pickens Rec
PICKENS — Fall soccer and volleyball registration are being taken now through July 24 at the Pickens Recreation Center on Sangamo Road in Pickens.
For soccer, the following coed age divisions are offered: 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-15.
Volleyball age divisions are 7-9, 10-12, 13-14 and 15-17.
Following registration, a skills/evaluation day will be held for each age division. The registration fee provides a jersey. The fee is $45 for in-city residents and $55 for out-of-city residents. Birth certificates are required at registration. Birthdate cut-off for each sport is Sept. 1, 2020.
Anyone interested in coaching or who needs more information is asked to call the recreation department at (864) 878-2296.
Easley’s Anna Kretzmer graduates from Harding
SEARCY, Ark. — Anna Kretzmer of Easley is one of more than 800 students who received their diploma and will be recognized as a Harding University graduate during a virtual ceremony on Aug. 15, 2020.
Kretzmer received a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering.
Graduates include students from the College of Allied Health, College of Arts and Humanities,
