Monthly Archives: June 2021
Library getting $3.4M in budget
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Pickens County Council members voted Monday night to locally fund the Pickens County Library System at $3.4 million in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget.
That money is less than library officials had asked for from the county, but when combined with state funding and other sources adds up to the amount the budget originally called for, officials said.
Councilman Alex Saitta moved for the county to fund the
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Pickens family recognized for long history of military service
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — The combined 100 years of military service of a local family was honored during Monday’s Pickens County Council Meeting.
The Hendricks brothers — Floyd, Alfred, Donnie, Michael, Gregory and Charles — were recognized during the meeting. Four of the brothers were present at the meeting and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
County council chairman Chris Bowers told the crowd of
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School board awards Merck extension, raise
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — School District of Pickens County superintendent Danny Merck, who has been in his current position since 2014, is set to remain in place for at least five more years, with a salary increase to boot.
Following a positive evaluation, school board trustees voted unanimously Friday to extend Merck’s contract through June 30, 2026, and approved a salary increase to $168,000. The previous contract Merck was working
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DHEC expands homebound vaccination program to all South Carolina counties
COLUMBIA — The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) expanded its homebound vaccination project to all 46 counties in the state last week.
The statewide program launched June 1 and will run through December, a release from DHEC said.
“We are incredibly excited to offer this service to the homebound members of our state,” DHEC public health director Dr. Brannon Traxler said in a news release. “Reaching herd immunity means removing any and all
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Blondeau gets top Clemson job
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
CLEMSON — After spending the past 17 months as acting city administrator, Andy Blondeau will now be able to remove the “acting” portion of his title.
Following executive session Monday night, city council unanimously voted to select Blondeau for the permanent position. Council also authorized Mayor Robert Halfacre and city attorney Mary McCormac to enter into contract negotiations with Blondeau.
Council gave a round of applause to Blondeau, who emerged as the top choice over Greer chief financial officer David Seifert and Jonathan N. Rorie, city manager for Peachtree City, Ga.
“Congratulations — well deserved,” Halfacre told Blondeau.
“Thank you for the honor,” Blondeau told council after its decision.
After serving as assistant city administrator for more than a decade, Blondeau was thrust into the role of acting administrator after Rick Cotton
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SC 7 expedition to visit Pickens County again
COUNTY — A campaign highlighting South Carolina’s natural wonders will continue this year after launching last summer.
Two of the seven wonders of South Carolina spotlighted in the S.C. National Heritage Corridor’s campaign are in Pickens County. County administrator Ken Roper discussed the South Carolina 7 campaign during a recent Facebook Live update video.
“The South Carolina 7 is an expedition that’s going on for the second year,” Roper said. “It follows the Palmetto Trail roughly and visits
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Pickens Presbyterian dedicates memorial to founding members
PICKENS — Pickens Presbyterian Church dedicated the Hollingsworth Memorial on May 15 to commemorate the vital role of Columbus Lafayette Hollingsworth and his wife Malinda McWhorter in the founding of the church in the new
town of Pickens right after the Civil War.
C.L. Hollingsworth gave 2.4 acres for the church yard and was one of the three ruling elders. As a widow, Malinda, in her will, endowed a fund to maintain the church building and
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‘Fire’ golf tourney a success
PICKENS — The Carolina One Volleyball Club 16 Elite Pickens “Fire” Golf Tournament was a hit, according to organizers.
Eleven teams competed in the event, held June 5 at the Rock Golf Course and Resort. Team parent Steve Campbell organized the event, which raised around $3,000 for the team’s trip to the AAU Junior Volleyball Championship, which will be
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Pickens Recreation plans baseball camp
PICKENS — The Pickens Recreation Department is partnering with Total Game Preparation Baseball Academy to offer a 
summer baseball camp from 6-9 p.m. June 28-30.
The camp is for ages 7-12, and the cost is $70 per participant. The fee includes a camp T-shirt. Gregg Powell is the camp director.
Campers will receive instruction on hitting, fielding, base running, pitching and catching. For more information, contact Powell at (864) 419-9793 or the Pickens Recreation Department at (864) 878-2296.
All payment must be made at the Pickens Recreation Department, located at 545 Sangamo Road in Pickens. The camp will only be held if at least 30 campers register, according to officials.
Courier Obituaries 6-9-21
SHIRLEY ADAMS ABERCROMBIE
PICKENS — Mrs. Shirley Adams Abercrombie, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 6, 2021.
Mrs. Abercrombie was born in Pickens County and was the daughter of the late Cecil C. Adams and Viola Willimon Gantt, stepdaughter to the late Woodrow Gantt and wife for 66 years to Charles W. Abercrombie.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, include a son, Chuck Abercrombie (Jeannie) of Pickens; daughter, Scarlot Abercrombie Hawkins of Pickens; three loving grandchildren, Travis Allen Cassell (Tori) and Zachary and Stephanie
