Monthly Archives: January 2024
Clemson University student killed in Summerville accident
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CLEMSON — A Clemson University student from Summerville died in a wreck last week.
Pickens County chief deputy coroner Andrew Wilson identified the victim as 20-year-old Jacob Walter Noack.
According to a release from Clemson University Public Safety, a
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Historical Legacy Unveiled for the 150th Anniversary: Easley Area Museum welcomes remarkable oil paintings
Courtesy the Easley Area Museum
news@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — In a momentous occasion, the Easley Area Museum proudly unveiled two exquisite oil paintings generously acquired from the City of Easley. These paintings not only showcase the 
artistic heritage of the region but also commemorate two influential figures integral to the city’s
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The mountains of smoke and music
Just as the sun began to rise, a Cherokee brave moved swiftly, but silently, up the mountain path. A smoky mist cast a hazy glow over the pine tree-covered trail.
He stopped briefly by a rotting log to inspect the tracks he was following. The Cherokee hunted these “smoking mountains” for more than 1,000 years. They learned to listen to what the mountain told
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Good and bad of the YAM Winter Bluegrass Jubilee
When Ed and I arrived home last weekend from the most wonderful Winter Bluegrass Jubilee with a packed-to-the-ceiling van, we could hardly make it fast enough to the couch and recliner.
We talked for a bit of how we were bursting with pride and joy about our event, and then we fell in the bed. But, at 2:15, I woke up — my head and
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‘We are doomed!’
Starting a conversation with my granddaughter on Christmas morning 2023, I asked about her thoughts on global warming after asking her parents if I could.
She mumbled something. I am hard of hearing, so I asked her to repeat it. She said, “We are doomed.” Not wanting to believe what I heard or hoping I misheard, I asked again, and mom, dad and daughter
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Do we love sin more than God?
A few weeks ago, we talked about a man named Achan and how his secret sin was not a secret to God.
The book of Joshua in chapters 6 and 7 reveals this was not a situation where a person steals something and they alone are punished for it. Since he and his
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Courier Letters to the Editor 1-24-24
Controversy over books in libraries
Dear Editor,
At the first library board meeting of the year on Jan. 18, it became clear there is a controversy.
Usually when there is a controversy over an “idea,” one who wants to debate their “idea” needs to
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Courier Obituaries 1-24-24
NELL THOMAS
CARROLLTON, Ga. — Mrs. Avenell “Nell” Stephens Thomas, 83 of Carrollton, Ga., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. She was born in Pickens County on Aug. 8, 1940, to the late Albert 
Stephens and Hester Rachel Durham Stephens.
Mrs. Thomas was retired from PEDS Hosiery and was a devoted Christian. Her love for the Lord was profound, and her favorite saying was, “Lord willing, I’ll be there.” She was a loving wife, mother and Nana, but her greatest joy came from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Thomas loved celebrating birthdays and sending birthday cards to her family and friends. She also had a collection of bunny rabbits.
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, OL Thomas; her son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Christy Thomas; her daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Anthony Hill and Jean and Hal Knott; her grandchildren, Rick and Chasidy Thomas, Lori and Tanner Roach, Jack Thomas, Chris Thomas, Ben Hill, Rachel Hill, Katie and Christopher Lanier, Amy and Cody Daniel, Rebekah Knott, Thomas and Caroline Knott, Elizabeth Knott and Anna Knott; and her great-grandchildren, Hunter, Cameron, Audrey, Ansley, Caden, Bentley, Bella, McKenna, Tripp and Lily. She is also survived by her sisters, Frances Cromer, Sue Gilstrap, Ruby Duncan and Rosalee Britton. Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by
Flame down unbeaten Greenwood
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Hosting the second-ranked and unbeaten Greenwood Eagles, the third-ranked 
Pickens girls’ basketball team knew they were in must-win territory if they wanted to stay in contention for their second consecutive region championship.
Ahead 37-36 in the final minute, the
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Liberty wins Pickens County duals wrestling championship
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — A little over two weeks before they start their state championship defense, the Liberty Red Devils took to the mat last Friday for the Pickens County duals wrestling championship and earned a big victory over their three county foes.
“I was proud of the way our guys wrestled,” Liberty head coach Derek Harris said. “We used a lot of guys tonight so everyone that we brought got to wrestle. We’re winding down our season and I feel like we’re starting to peak at the right time.”
The Red Devils dominated the day picking up a 65-12 win over Daniel, a 59-22 victory over Pickens and a 62-15 win over Easley on their way to the championship.
Ian Valllecillo, JT Spence, Jonah Pierce, Brian Reed and Isaac Reece, all major contributors from the 2023 Class 2A state champion Red Devils picked up pins as the Red Devils completed the clean sweep of their county foes.
The victory was the first Pickens County championship for Harris after taking over for former Liberty head coach Dale Burrell this season. According to Harris, he’s been happy to see the team grow throughout the season.
“We started off in December with a lot of sickness and a lot of injuries,” Harris said. “We were battling that into early January, but I felt the later we have gotten into January, we’re really starting to be where we want to be.”
The championship win also proved to be a nice response after the Red Devils fell in a close region match earlier in the week to top-ranked Chesnee. However, Liberty knows it will see the Eagles down the line in the playoffs with a chance to avenge the loss.
“We came out of that match and felt like we were the better team,” Harris said. “Three points decided it, but that’s wrestling. It made the kids understand that every point matters and tonight, I saw them fighting for that last takedown for the major (decision) when they’re up by six. So, I can see it’s really starting to resonate with the kids and they’re starting to understand why we push them so hard.”
The Red Devils will begin their title defense when the Class 2A playoffs begin on Feb. 3.
