Daily Archives: 10/27/2020
Roper: County virus cases at highest level yet
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Data released by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control 
late last week showed that Pickens County had “the most active cases we have had since this thing first started,” according to county administrator Ken Roper.
Thursday was “a grim day in the nation as whole,” Roper said in a Facebook Live video update posted Friday.
“Yesterday, we had more cases of COVID-19 reported in the nation than any other given day in this pandemic,” Roper said.
Many people, including Roper himself, have felt at times that the pandemic may have turned a corner or lightened, he said.
“The facts just do not support that,” Roper said. “We had more
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County incidence rate worst in SC
COUNTY — With two new confirmed and two more probable deaths since last week, Pickens County is continuing to see a steady number of cases and deaths in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported the probable COVID-19 death of two elderly Pickens County residents on Oct. 25 and Oct. 23, while also
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Positive cases down slightly in school district
COUNTY — Positive COVID-19 cases in the School District of Pickens County were down slightly last week from the previous week, though nearly 3 percent of all students attending in-person 
learning were quarantined.
In its weekly update issued Friday, the district said 24 students and nine staff members had tested positive over the week, down from 25 and 17, respectively, the previous week. The district also had 48 staff members and 349 students
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Blue Ridge takes first steps for high-speed
PICKENS — Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative will soon take its first steps toward supplying high-speed internet across its five-county service territory.
Blue Ridge president and CEO Jim Lovinggood announced this week that the cooperative has entered into a partnership with WCFIBER to proceed with the project.
“WCFIBER is a subsidiary of West Carolina Telephone Cooperative, headquartered in Abbeville,” Lovingggood said. “This co-op is already a well-established provider of broadband. Its employee team has a proven record of accomplishment in delivering high-speed internet service to rural areas,
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Absentee balloting still open as Nov. 3 election closes in
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — After one of the strangest election cycles in recent memory, Election Day is almost here, with November’s general election set for next Tuesday.
However, Pickens County voters still have a few more days to cast an absentee ballot if they don’t want to head to the polls on Election Day.
According to the Pickens County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, absentee voting is well underway. In-person absentee
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Easley coming back from impact of virus
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The city of Easley is recovering from the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to city administrator Stephen Steese.
Steese and other city officials spoke at the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce’s State of the City event, held virtually on Oct. 16.
The previous fiscal year “actually ended up being a really great year for the city,” Steese said.
“It was one of the best budget years we’ve ever had,” he said. “We saw lots of increases in revenues and growth throughout the city. All of that
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Clements: Clemson going online after Thanksgiving
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CLEMSON — The final two weeks of fall semester instruction at Clemson University will be online only.
University officials announced the decision Thursday following consultation with the university’s 
COVID-19 public health strategy team and external health consultants, president Jim Clements said in an update issued Friday.
“We will revert to online-only instruction following the Thanksgiving holiday for the final two weeks of the fall semester,” he said. “The final day of in-person
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Man dies weeks after Oct. 8 crash
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — A driver involved in a motorcycle accident earlier this month died last week, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Master Trooper Brandon Bolt said the collision happened at 8:15 p.m. Oct. 8 onYou must be logged in to view this content.
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Roll carts, training among Easley Public Works priorities
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Possibly converting the city’s garbage trucks to allow for roll carts is one project the Easley Public Works Department hopes to explore further this fiscal year.
Public works director Eddie Fortner gave an update on his department during the Greater Easley
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Shuckin’ Shack set to open next week
EASLEY — Seasoned restaurateur Don Marcum is set to open his second restaurant with Shuckin’ Shack, a 16-unit North Carolina-based oyster bar concept known for its fresh, delicious meals and 
creative cocktails in an environment that exudes relaxation, at 221 W. Main St. in downtown Easley next Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Marcum, who opened his Greenville location in 2015, has experienced an extremely successful business, year-over-year, since opening. Despite the pandemic-related challenges, the restaurant owner was able to recover quickly thanks to support from the community and plans to move forward with his Easley opening.
The Easley location will feature indoor seating, as well as an outdoor patio with seating for 50 people, and has been designed so that customers will be safely distanced from one another, while still being able to experience the coastal, laid-back vibes of Shuckin’ Shack. The restaurant will have its soft opening on Saturday and Sunday and
