Daily Archives: 01/24/2023
Deliberating details amid the drama
What kind of person would steal a multimillion-dollar wrongful death settlement from the grieving family of one of his own longtime employees?
The same kind of person who would shoot and kill his own wife and son and stage it to look like a random attack, prosecutors are likely to argue in a murder trial starting this week in Colleton County.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know that I’m talking about Alex Murdaugh, whose trial will likely produce the most intensely watched courtroom drama in South Carolina since 1994, when Susan Smith rolled her car into a lake with her two young sons strapped inside.
My only connection to this twisted tale, other than knowing some of the reporters who’ve been covering it, is a certain lawyer who’s involved. He happens to be the one who “broke the dam” that spilled forth numerous other cases of fraud and embezzlement, setting in motion the downfall of the prominent attorney whose family name had been esteemed for more than a century in that neck of the Lowcountry.
My source is a lawyer named Eric Bland. I became acquainted with him when I covered the story of Zachary Hammond, a teenager who was shot and killed in 2015 by a Seneca police officer who claimed he believed the young man was trying
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Courier Letters to the Editor 1-25-23
Sugar-sweetened beverage tax
Dear Editor,
South Carolina ranks 42nd in the country when it comes to health outcomes. However, affording healthier options can be a barrier to one’s longevity since eating a healthier diet is more expensive and inconvenient.
A possible solution is reducing the cost of whole foods and broadening sin taxes from alcohol and cigarettes to include some junk foods. For example, in 2014, San Francisco taxed sugar-sweetened beverages an average of 47 percent. Soon, San Francisco saw a 21 percent reduction in the consumption of sodas.
As for various junk foods, Hungary imposed a 4 cent tax on packaged foods and drinks high in sugar, fat or salt, such as fruit jams and candies. According to WHO,
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Maybe we should let someone hold our mule
“Hold my mule” is a figurative expression from the American South that means when a person is leading a mule and they need to go somewhere or do something 
very important, they will ask someone to hold their mule.
Sometimes it meant they were going to enter into a confrontation, be it a verbal or physical one, but in church settings where the members were not embarrassed to express their emotions, the phrase meant they were getting happy and praising the Lord or spending time at the altar crying out to God. Do churches still use altars? Do people still get happy?
When it comes to people expressing their worship, I’ve been in a lot of assemblies over the years and witnessed several
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Courier Obituaries 1-25-23
Rev. Dr. Trenton L. Connelly
Williamston — Rev. Dr. Trenton Lavern Connelly, 81, passed away Jan. 22, 2023.
A native of Pickens, son of the late Ivy Lee and Addie Simmons Connelly, Mr. Connelly attended North Greenville College, where he received his associate degree in 1963, Furman University, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1965, New Orleans Baptist Seminary, receiving his Th.M. degree in 1969, and Luther Rice Seminary. receiving his D.Min. degree in 1981.
He ministered at West Union Baptist in West Union, Poe Baptist Church in Greenville, Clearview Baptist Church in Travelers Rest, Cashiers Baptist Church in Cashiers, N.C., Northwood Baptist Church in Greer, Westside Baptist Church in Union and Praters Creek Baptist Church in Pickens. He was a retired Baptist minister and a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. It is his greatest desire that everyone who reads this obituary will also know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior so that we can all be united together in Heaven eternally.
Surviving are his wife, Kay Cox Connelly of the home; two sons, Michael Lee Connelly (Joy) of Spartanburg and Steven Mark Connelly (Tamara) of Taylors; a daughter, Linda Connelly Matthews (Mark) of Lyman; a stepson, Daniel Fowler (Taylor) of Williamston; a stepdaughter, Dana Crawford of Pelzer; a brother, Rev. Randall Jack Connelly (Violet) of
Local nonprofit collecting Valentines for area seniors
COUNTY — A local nonprofit is seeking Valentine’s Day cards for area senior citizens.
Members of Warmth and Comfort for the Elderly in Upstate SC use their crochet skills to provide warm items for nursing home patients, hospice groups, home health patients and elderly people who live at home and can’t afford them.
They also hold regular donation drives.
“Our next drive is Valentine cards for each resident and our shut-ins,” said Tammy Ferguson, the group’s CEO. “Last year, we
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Ribbon cutting held
On Jan. 14, magician Donald Carpenter cut the ribbon on the only magic store in Pickens. Magic & Smiles is located inside the Market at the Mill at 225 Pumpkintown Highway in Pickens. On hand for the festivities were Don and Nancy Carpenter and their son, Randy, along with members of the local International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 63 — president Mike Noonan, Rhett Bryson, Paul DiLella Sr. and Edmund Apperson — Pickens Mayor Fletcher Perry, Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce executive director Bryan Owens and Beth Vlener. For more information, visit magicandsmiles.com or call (864) 999-4189.
Easley Parks and Rec to offer new art class
EASLEY — The Easley Parks and Recreation Department, located at 111 Walkers Way in Easley, has begun to offer art classes for all ages.
Classes in February will take place on Feb. 9, 16 and 23, with all classes starting at 4 p.m. Feb. 9 will be the first part of a two-part clay class where participants will create clay coil bowls (not food safe). Participants will be able to glaze their bowls during part two of the clay class, which will take place on Feb. 23.
The class on Feb. 16 will explore varying methods and techniques of using watercolor. There are no age restrictions for the courses, but officials do ask that any
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Soups to come home for
By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com
During winter months when the sky is that bleak winter grey, a nice comforting bowl of hot soup is just what the doctor ordered.
Perhaps that’s why January has been designated as National Soup Month.
These soups are enough for a meal, maybe with a small salad. And they’re not that much trouble to make.
You can always save the leftovers and have another meal ready to go. I hope you enjoy them.
Courier Classifieds 1-25-23
Announcements
Contents of storage units E, J, and L located on Massingale Lane, Easley, SC 29642, rented to Jeremiah Thompson will be disposed of if rent not paid by Feb. 3, 2023
1/25, 2/ 1
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DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS. Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Trucks, Motorcycles & RV’s , too! Fast Free Pickup – Running or Not – 24 Hour Response – Maximum Tax Donation – Call (888) 515-3810.
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DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance – NOT just a discount plan. Do not
