Monthly Archives: September 2021
Jury finds man guilty in ‘19 killing
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — An Easley man was found guilty of a 2019 murder last week.
Jonathan Richard Rackley, 40, was charged with the murder of Jaime Lynn Piche Scruggs, 37.
In the early-morning hours of July 13, 2019, deputies responded to reports of a gunshot victim at a home on Ruby Drive in Easley.
Scruggs was found in an outbuilding behind the residence “with significant trauma to the head,” a news release issued shortly after the
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County reports 31 more COVID deaths
COLUMBIA — After a near record-high 19 COVID-19 deaths last week, Pickens County has set a new one-week record in death numbers 
this week, with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reporting 31 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths in the county over the past seven days.
According to DHEC, there were 27 confirmed and four probable deaths in the
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School board celebrates achievements
Easley High reaches record grad rate
EASLEY — Easley High School reached a 90 percent graduation rate in May for the first time in the school’s history.
Easley High was one of three schools the Pickens County School Board celebrated at its meeting Monday night.
School District of Pickens County assistant superintendent of administration Josh Young said it was a “tremendous accomplishment,” since eight years ago the graduation rate was
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Liberty man dies in car accident
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — A Liberty man died Friday in a wreck a short distance from his home.
Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley identified the victim as Billy Manley, 72, of Wyatt Stewart Road.
The collision occurred at 10:30 p.m. Friday on Wyatt Stewart Road, approximately two miles east of Liberty, according to Master Trooper
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Local businesses help fund app to alert users of nearby police chases
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Thanks to donations from local businesses, the Pickens Police Department will soon have a new way of warning the public that a pursuit is in progress.
“When a police car goes down the road, either dashing to help someone or
trying to apprehend someone, there are lights and sirens,” Pickens Police Chief Randal Beach said during city council’s Sept. 13 meeting.
In the digital age, a phone app is available that alerts those who have it that police are pursuing someone, Beach said.
One local business was recognized at the meeting.
“We have the devices, we have the WiFi in the cars and we have the laptops,” Beach said. “We just needed the money to jumpstart on this program.”
Joe Davis of Davis Brothers Grading and Hauling
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Lady Blue Flame take third in tourney, still unbeaten in region
SPARTANBURG — The Pickens High School Lady Blue Flame volleyball team placed third in the prestigious Tournament of Champions at Spartanburg’s Dorman High School over the weekend, taking down several 5A schools along the way.
The Pickens girls also defeated region foes Easley and Travelers Rest last week, remaining undefeated in Region I-4A play.
“What an amazing week Blue Flame volleyball had,” Pickens coach Rikki Owens said. “From the start of the week with sweeping wins over two region teams to facing amazing competition in the Tournament of Champions hosted by Dorman High School. Finishing third overall, we had the opportunity to face several top 5A schools, which allowed us to hone in on weaknesses to fix before we dive into the rest of our regular season and playoffs. We are so grateful for the opportunities and can’t wait to get back in the gym and get better.”
Junior setter/right-side hitter Lauren Dow, senior libero Bailee Earnhardt and senior middle Caroline Lucas were named to the All-Tournament Team at the Dorman tournament.
During the Dorman tournament, the Lady Blue Flame lost the opening match to 5A host Dorman High before running off a string of victories against 5A Rock Hill, Ashley Hall of Charleston, 5A Lexington High, St. Joseph’s of Greenville and 5A River Bluff High of Lexington before losing to 5A Mauldin High in the semifinals.
“We faced incredible competition, and our young ladies fought with much determination and heart as our only losses were to 5A Dorman and Mauldin,” Lady Blue Flame assistant coach Pamela Clarkson said. “This tournament was a valuable opportunity, as it has shown us specific areas to work on as we continue throughout the remainder of our season.”
The Pickens volleyball team downed cross-county rival and region foe Easley at home on Sept. 21 in straight sets. The Lady Blue Flame then traveled to region opponent Travelers Rest Sept. 23 and won another straight-set victory.
Pickens’ record stands at 22-3 on the season, with all three losses against 5A schools. The Flame are 3-0 in region play.
The Lady Blue Flame are scheduled to play two region matches this week at home in the friendly confines of Coach Peggy Harden Anthony Gymnasium. The first was Tuesday against region opponent Westside, with results too late for press time. The second region match of the week will be Thursday evening against Walhalla. The junior varsity match is set to begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity match.
Easley wins county cross-country title
PICKENS — Pickens High School hosted the Pickens County Cross-Country Championships on Thursday, and Easley High School came out as the big winner, with the Green Wave taking first place in both the boys’ and girls’ competitions.
Easley had the most all-county runners with five girls — Joby White, Acie Vincent, Leila Fortner, Maddy Capels and Emma Grace Hemphill — and five boys — Ethan Lee, Cale Sowles, Akira Ogawa, Brayden Contreras and Drayton Robbins
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BHSPC plans events to promote recovery from substance use
Free play scheduled, job readiness classes set to begin next week
COUNTY — After hosting its Race for Recovery 5K Walk/Run earlier this month on the Doodle Trail, the prevention department of Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County has other events and programs coming up aiming to reduce stigma and show that recovery 
from substance use disorder is possible.
Dale Savidge with the Applied Theater Center has been working with BHSPC clients, using their real-life experiences to develop a new play. “Circling Down” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at the Pickens County Performing Arts Center in Liberty. The play is free
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Annual Ripple of One gala next week set to showcase local chefs
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CLEMSON — A local nonprofit that helps its clients achieve financial independence is gearing up for its annual gala.
Ripple of One will hold its Star Chefs Tasting and Auction the night of Thursday, Oct. 7, at Lakeside Lodge in Clemson.
“We’re back in person, which we’re really excited about, because last year we were virtual,” said Julia Schaefer, mentor care and office manager for
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