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Monthly Archives: June 2024

Pickens Council considers pay study

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — Pickens City Council is set to vote this month on retaining a firm to conduct a compensation and classification study for city employee salaries.

Pickens City Council held a Committee of the Whole meeting on May 20.

On the agenda that evening was a proposal from Evergreen Solutions to conduct a

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Primary set for Tuesday

By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — With less than a week remaining until Tuesday’s statewide party primary elections, Pickens County voters still have time to make their mind up on races in the area.

Voters will have a big decision to make in the sheriff’s race with Rick Clark, who has served in the role since January 2013, not seeking re-election. Pickens County

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SDPC OKs pay raise for staff

By Andrea Kelley
Courtesy The Journal
akelley@upstatetoday.com

EASLEY — The School District of Pickens County’s fiscal year 2024-25 general fund budget was met with final approval Monday.

The state legislature hasn’t finalized its budget, chief financial officer Matt Owens told the Board of Trustees at its Monday meeting. State revenue makes up 67

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Monroe honored for 40 years of coaching

PICKENS — After four decades of serving Pickens Blue Flame athletics, long-time assistant Gary Monroe was recognized and presented with a trophy for his 40 years of service to the Blue Flame basketball program.

Monroe, who most recently served as an assistant in the Pickens girls basketball program, was lauded for

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PC 250 Committee hosting essay and poster contests

COUNTY — The Pickens County 250 Committee has a mission.

That mission is to celebrate and promote South Carolina’s part in the American Revolution by educating, engaging and inspiring students to tell the story of Pickens County.

To achieve that mission, Carolyn Nations, chairwoman of the Pickens County 250 Committee, is extending an invitation to students in Pickens County to honor Gen.

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A time for war and a time for peace

On June 6, 1944, America under the guidance of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and its allies engaged in one of the most significant military operations of the 20th century under the now legendary name of D-Day.

Codenamed Operation Neptune, this was the largest seaborne invasions in history with 160,000 Allied troops

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Courier Letters to the Editor 6-5-24

We die, but memories live forever

Dear Editor,

We take nothing to the grave with us. As we entered, so do we exit. All we leave behind us when we leave is the good or the bad we did while on the Earth and the memories of the good or bad we did with that time. Enjoy life, but don’t throw all

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The ‘first’ soldiers

During the Revolutionary War, the American army was made up of the men who served in the militias of the 13 colonies.

They were joined by farmers and store keepers, trappers and traders. They were inexperienced and poorly trained. Their commander, George Washington, had no previous military experience, although he had seen action in the French and Indian War. These “first soldiers” in America’s “first army” did not have uniforms and marched through the freezing snow at Valley Forge with no boots. They struggled with hunger and supplies and a lack of ammunition.

The British Army was one of the finest in the world. They had warm uniforms, were well-fed and had plenty of weapons and ammunition. The British Navy consisted of more than 250 ships, while the colonies had a total of 27 ships. Under Washington’s leadership, the colonists consistently held their own against the British. The colonists were fighting to create a nation “of the people, by the people, for the people.” Even though they came from diverse backgrounds and experiences, they joined together to put their lives on the line.

The Civil War was America’s bloodiest conflict. More than 600,000 lost their lives in the line of duty. More soldiers died in the Civil War than in World War I and World War II combined. Gen. James Garfield made the first Decoration Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868. A crowd of 5,000 gathered to remember those who gave their lives. Garfield was an Ohio congressman who had served as a major general during the Civil War. Garfield would become the 20th president of the United States.

The Medal of Honor is reserved for those soldiers who distinguish themselves by going above and beyond the call of duty. It can only be awarded with presidential approval. Of the 32 soldiers who have been awarded the Medal of Honor in South Carolina, four were from Pickens County.

 

U.S. Army Pvt. Charles H. Barker, Six Mile

During the Korean War, Barker and his company were surprised while digging emplacements at their “Pork Chop Outpost.” Totally unprepared for the attack, Barker laid down a base of fire and launched grenades until they could maneuver to a better vantage point. As enemy action increased in intensity, their ammunition was running low. They were ordered to withdraw. Barker maintained a defense that allowed his company to escape. Barker was last seen in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy.

 

U.S. Marine Cpl. James “Donnie” Howe, Six Mile

Howe, a rifleman, and two other Marines were occupying a defensive position in a sandy beach area in Vietnam. The enemy suddenly launched a grenade attack against their position. When a grenade landed in their midst, Howe shouted a warning and threw himself upon the grenade, saving the lives of his fellow Marines.

 

U.S. Army Pvt. Furman L. Smith, Six Mile

During WWII, while serving in Italy, Smith and his group came under an intense German attack. The squad leader and one other man were seriously wounded. The group had to withdraw, but Smith refused to leave his wounded comrades. Smith stood his ground, killing and wounding many of the enemy until he was shot and killed, rifle in hand.

 

U.S. Army Pvt. William McWhorter, Liberty

During WWII, McWhorter, a machine gunner, was killed at Leyte in the Philippines. The enemy threw an improvised fused explosive device into their entrenchment, and McWhorter picked it up without hesitation and held it close to his body, shielding another soldier from the blast.

Memorial Day is over, the flowers have wilted and the flags are drooping, but we must never forget the true cost of our freedom.

 

Thank you for your service. Lynda can be reached at lyndaabegg@charter.net.

 

Healthcare scams

It takes a lot of nerve to cook up a scheme to steal large amounts of money from government agencies such as the VA, especially since in the end the criminals get caught.

One thief tried to convince the VA that he

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Courier Obituaries 6-5-24

DERRILL EDWARD ‘BUDDY’ BOTTOMS

LIBERTY — Derrill Edward “Buddy” Bottoms, 85, loving husband of 63 years to Carolyn Chandler Bottoms, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, May 27, 2024, at his home.

Born March 3, 1939, in Oconee County, Buddy was the son of the late C.L. Bottoms and Ella Mae Henson Bottoms. Mr. Bottoms was of the Church of God faith. He built a successful business at Buddy’s Chainsaw in Pickens. He was a good, gentle person who loved his family and looked out for others. He enjoyed boating and fishing and loved flying his model airplanes.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Chandler Bottoms of the home; son, Mike Bottoms (Angie) of Liberty; grandchildren, Rebecca Addison (Ryan) of Clemson and Jared Bottoms (Shelby) of Liberty; and great-grandchildren, Elliott, Charlie and soon to be a third.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Bottoms was predeceased by a brother, Morris