Monthly Archives: May 2022
School district budget nearly stalls over millage proposal
By Andrea Kelley
Courtesy The Journal
akelley@upstatetoday.com
EASLEY — No one spoke up during a public hearing last week for the School District of Pickens County’s fiscal year 2023 budget, but the budget was only narrowly approved by the school board on second reading.
District chief financial officer Matt Owens presented the second reading of the budget, which included a few changes
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Organizers cancel Pumpkin Festival
PICKENS — Organizers of the annual Pumpkin Festival say the 2022 event has been canceled.
The announcement came in a post on the Oolenoy Community House Facebook page on May 24.
“With regret and great deliberation, we announce that the Pumpkin Festival will not take place this year,” the post began. “Due to recent changes in planning responsibilities, the level of effort in knowledge, skill and manpower is beyond what the current board can manage in successfully running the festival this
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PCSO: Woman made threats with machete
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — A woman is facing multiple charges after authorities allege she threatened Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputies with a machete last week.
Jessica Lane Townsend is charged with sale or possession with a first offense of intent to distribute methamphetamine,
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Legendary Green Wave coach Finley dies at 64
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — On Sunday, former Easley baseball coach Roger Finley — arguably one of the best baseball coaches in the history of the state of South Carolina — 
died at age 64, leaving behind a legacy of greatness in a more than 25-year coaching career.
Finley, a native of Pickens County, starred for the Pickens High School Blue Flame
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Local athletes take titles at state track championships
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COLUMBIA — On May 21, athletes from all four of Pickens County’s high schools took part in the state track and field championship meet for their respective classifications, and it proved to be a very fruitful day, with five teams placing among the top 10 and three county athletes winning individual state titles.
Two schools stood out above the rest, with Daniel and Liberty high schools placing both their boys’ and girls’ teams within the top 10
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Rogers golf tourney scheduled Saturday
PICKENS — The 18th annual Charles F. Rogers Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 4.
The tournament, which annually benefits a male and female senior basketball player from Pickens High School planning to attend a university, college or technical school, is set to kick off with a 2 p.m. shotgun start at Southern Oaks Golf Course in Easley.
The tournament will follow a captain’s choice format, and entry costs $75 per person or $300 per four-person
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Early voting now open for primaries
By Norm Cannada
Courtesy The Journal
ncannada@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — Balloting for the June 14 primary election has already begun in Pickens County after South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law earlier this month allowing early voting to replace in-person absentee voting.
“I have signed the election reform bill into law, marking a major victory for those who believe in free and fair elections,” McMaster said in a statement Friday
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Loftis looking for residents with unclaimed property
COLUMBIA — South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis may be looking for you. That’s because his office has more than $13.6 million in unclaimed funds that 
belongs to people living in Pickens County.
“An important part of our work at the state treasurer’s office is returning unclaimed property to its rightful owners, and it’s probably one of the most enjoyable parts of my job as your state treasurer,” Loftis said. “We know this money can make a meaningful impact on our citizens, local businesses, churches, schools
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Pickens K9, handler helps with Central theft arrests
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — Two people are facing larceny and drug charges after an incident in Central last week.
According to a release from the Central Police Department, Officer Jason Casey was patrolling during the early-morning hours of Monday, May 23, in a high-traffic residential community area “due to several recent auto break-ins and motorcycle thefts.”
Casey saw the driver of a vehicle pulling an enclosed trailer acting in a
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