Yearly Archives: 2020
County councilman suffers medical episode at meeting
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Monday evening’s Pickens County Council meeting ended abruptly after Councilman Carl Hudson suffered a medical episode during the meeting.
Toward the end of the livestream of the meeting, Hudson appeared uncomfortable.
After removing his jacket, Hudson asked council chairman Roy Costner for a recess.
After Costner called for the recess, Hudson left the room, followed
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Advocate Chapman mourned as McKinney Chapel marks 200 years
It was right before Christmas six years ago that Georgia Chapman and Dot Jackson gave me a personal tour of historic McKinney Chapel.
Georgia, who more than anyone else worked to make sure that McKinney Chapel still stands as testimony to the faith of the early settlers of the area, pointed out some of the residents of the cemetery surrounding the rustic structure that has served as a school and a community center as well as a church.
“That man up there on the hill, he used to go to school here, and
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Man facing heroin, meth charges
EASLEY — An Easley man faces multiple drug charges following an investigation by the Pickens 
County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Timothy James Colie Bowen, of Robert P. Jeanes Road, is charged with trafficking more than 28 grams of heroin, two counts of distribution of heroin, a third offense of possession with intent to
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School District data promising
COUNTY — Although there were 144 students and 22 staff members quarantined throughout the 
week, only three students and one staff member tested
positive for COVID-19 in the School District of Pickens County last week.
Only one of the positive cases attended school, according to district data.
The most affected school for the week was once again Liberty
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County COVID rates trending in wrong direction
COLUMBIA — South Carolina officials have reported two new COVID-19 deaths in Pickens County over the past week.
Both individuals, one elderly and one middle-aged, were confirmed to have died from the virus on Oct. 3.
Pickens County is currently trending in the wrong direction in transmission rate, with the 16th-lowest rate of South Carolina’s 46 counties. A six-spot change from last week, the county’s
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Clemson using less expensive, invasive test
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CLEMSON — As nearly 500 Clemson University students were quarantined last week, president 
Jim Clements announced that a test developed by South Carolina researchers will help the school continue to fight COVID-19.
Clements discussed the test in an update he issued Friday.
“As we’ve learned, the ability to test large numbers of individuals for COVID-19 on a regular basis and get results
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Man gets prison time for ‘19 bank robbery
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A Pickens man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to robbing a credit union last year.
Billy Joe Bush Sr., 38, pleaded guilty to entering a bank with intent to steal, 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins said in a news release Thursday.
Assistant solicitor Durham Hill presented evidence at the plea hearing establishing that Bush entered the Palmetto Health
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Program would allow some carts on Doodle Trail
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — A pilot program would allow some golf carts on the Doodle Trail, to allow people who would not otherwise be able to enjoy the amenity to do so.
Officials discussed the pilot program during Easley City Council’s work session Sept 14.
Officials from Easley and Pickens have been discussing coming up with a way to allow “elderly and disabled and those that normally
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Lady Blue Flame downs Easley, celebrates Gentry at Senior Night
**WEBSITE EXTRA**
PICKENS — The Pickens High School Lady Blue Flame volleyball team defeated region opponent
Pickens Senior Maddy Gentry
Easley last week in a five-set thriller and celebrated senior Maddy Gentry at Senior Night.
The Lady Blue Flame’s record currently stands at 9-4 overall, 6-0 in region play. All four of Pickens’ losses have come against 5A schools.
“I am very proud of the Lady Flame for competing so well this week both at home and away on the road,” said Lady Blue Flame Assistant Coach Pamela Clarkson. “This was an important week of strong competition as we have already passed the mid-season mark. We were 3-2 on the week, with our two losses
Teen dies at waterfall
SUNSET — A Florida teen died Monday evening after falling from a waterfall in Pickens County.
Isaiah Oertel, 14, of North Port, Fla,. fell from Laurel Fork Falls at about 6:30 p.m. Monday, according to Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley. She said Oertel died of blunt force trauma.
Several agencies were called to respond for a rescue operation after Oertel fell, and his body was found early Tuesday morning.
Kelley said the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are investigating the incident.
