Daily Archives: 09/14/2021
Couple using daughter’s story to help other people
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — An Easley couple wants to tell the story of their late daughter’s struggles with drugs and mental health issues and help remove stigma that can prevent many people from getting the help they need.
“I just think the story has so many warnings for people,” Tammy Iffland said.
Tammy and her husband, Steven Iffland, say their daughter Rachel
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Man praised for helping Pickens officers in struggle
PICKENS — A local man was heralded Monday night for coming to the aid of Pickens police officers.
During Monday night’s Pickens City Council meeting, Pickens Police Chief Randal Beach lauded James Lamar Devlin.
“This gentleman recently came to the assistance of the police department in a way that was remarkable to
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County records 15 new COVID deaths
Hospitals overloaded, ICU beds full as local vax rate among worst in SC
COLUMBIA — Pickens County last week had one of its worst weeks on record since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reporting the virus-related deaths of 16 local residents over a seven-day stretch as local hospitals exceed capacity and vaccinations continue to lag behind most of the state.
According to DHEC, there were 15 confirmed deaths and one probable death in the one-week period from last Tuesday to Monday, when the latest numbers
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Motorcycle wreck kills 2
LIBERTY — Two people died after a motorcycle accident last week.
Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley identified the victims as 58-year-old Thomas Joe Hickey of Liberty and 54-year-old Stephanie Partridge of Woodruff.
The accident occurred around 9:50 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6, on S.C. 135
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Mill to host SC State Fiddling Championship
PICKENS — Old-Time musicians near and far are set to descend on the grounds of Hagood Mill this weekend to compete in the annual two-day S.C. State Fiddling Championship.
To kick off this year’s event, Golden Shoals and Carolina All-Star String Band will put on a concert Friday night beginning at 7 p.m.
The S.C. State Fiddling Championship will take place on Saturday, starting at 9:15 a.m. The competition has run
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Soapstone ending monthly fish frys
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A longstanding fundraiser that offers diners delicious food and stunning views will come to an end next month.
Monthly fish fry meals headed up by Mable Owens Clarke have been used to support Soapstone Baptist Church, a church founded by freed slaves in the Liberia community of northern Pickens County.
Last week, Clarke announced that the September and October events will be the last two fish frys.
“For 22 years, Soapstone Baptist Church has held a monthly fish fry for the community and folks who journeyed from far
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Lady Flame win tournament
SIMPSONVILLE — The Pickens High School volleyball team won a big tournament on Saturday at Hillcrest High School, taking down two 5A schools while never dropping a single set to win the overall title.
The team’s record now stands at 14-1, with its only loss coming to 5A powerhouse Mauldin High.
“I am so proud that the girls never gave up during fierce competition and showed mental toughness,” Lady Blue Flame coach Rikki Owens said. “Everyone
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Race for Recovery set for this weekend
COUNTY — September is National Recovery Month, and the prevention department of Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County has several events and 
programs coming up that aim to reduce stigma and show that recovery from substance use disorder is possible, beginning with a race this weekend.
The Race for Recovery 5K Walk/Run will be this Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Pickens end of the Doodle Trail. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Runners will start at 8 a.m., and walkers shortly afterward.
The walk/run is free, unless participants would like a race T-shirt, which are $25. Register by searching “Race for
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Personal perspective, part 2
Call me Jack.”
That’s what my cousin said after agreeing to talk with me on the record about his 35-year career in the CIA — or at least the parts of it he can tell without 
divulging any state secrets.
Having served under seven presidents, from Ronald Reagan to Joe Biden, he has, I would say, a pretty special vantage point on a lot of history. His best stories, I’m sure I’ll never get to hear.
But now, as a private citizen, Jack, while shielding his identity, can give his personal opinion on things. So, after
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The Labor Day Rule
Labor Day is supposed to be a holiday for the working man (or woman).
President Grover Cleveland said so in 1894. However, I spent Labor Day laboring over this column, and that is when it occurred to me that Labor Day is a 
marker. It marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall — even though fall doesn’t really arrive until Sept. 22.
Labor Day marks the time when trees begin turning red and orange and gold, and everyone looks forward to the
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