Monthly Archives: September 2024
New group aims to assist with veteran issues
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — The Pickens County Veterans Council seeks to help the other veteran groups in the area stay connected, while educating residents on veterans issues and the benefits of joining such groups.
Tom Smith is the interim chairman of the Pickens County Veterans Council. He spoke to the Courier about the council on Aug. 24.
“The purpose is to give a common spot for all the veterans groups — the American Legions, the Marine Corps League, all
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Central approves conditional zoning for five parcels
By Evan Smoak
Courtesy The Journal
evan@upstatetoday.com
CENTRAL — Central Town Council conditionally approved planned unit development residential (PUD-R) zoning for five parcels of land during a special-called meeting Tuesday night — immediately after its town planners voted against it.
The five parcels of land on Eighteen Mile Creek Road and M and M Road were categorized as the “18 Mile PUD plan.” The land is owned by Youngblood Land Co LLC of Easley.
The town Planning Commission met directly before council to discuss
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PCAC helping survivors, despite financial challenges
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Federal spending cuts are impacting organizations that support survivors of crime, including the Pickens County Advocacy Center.
PCAC executive director Lou Anne Johnson recently spoke at a Pickens Rotary Club meeting about the center’s work in
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SDPC celebrates recent successes at board meeting
At its regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting last week the School District of Pickens celebrated recent successes within the district. Above: Student Body Presidents from each of our four high schools were recognized for their outstanding leadership: Mahogany Cobb (Daniel), Anna Grace Rice (Easley), Will Tope (Liberty) and Sara Beth Brock (Pickens). Bottom right: Three of the SDPC’s Board of Trustees members were recognized for reaching one of the six levels of the South Carolina School Board Association’s Boardsmanship Institute: Mrs. Betty Garrison, Level 4, Mrs. Karla Kelley, Level 4 and Mr. Randy Robinson, Level 1. Bottom left: Caroline Morris, Char Burgner and Darian Byrd are recognized for the SDPC receiving a national award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). In July, NSPRA recognized SDPC as a recipient of a 2024 Golden Achievement Award for our 2023-28 Strategic Plan. This national-level award highlights excellence in all aspects of school public relations, communication, marketing, and community engagement. SDPC was the only district in South Carolina to earn this achievement.
Third annual Barn, Boots & Brew set for September 24
EASLEY — Family Promise of Pickens County will present its third annual Barn, Boots & Brew and Silent Auction on Septe. 24, 2024. The event will be held at Arabella Farm – 125 Buck Ridge Road – Sunset, South Carolina and is sponsored by 
Cornell Dubilier, Jack’s Parlour, and Sealevel Systems.
The event will include appetizers, pulled pork and brisket BBQ, small plate tapas, desserts, and beverages, including cash bar. Highlights of
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Faithfulness and hard work are appreciated
As the calendar eases out of August into September, we thank God for our blessings and will soon see the return of colorful leaves on trees, football season, and bonfires.
The unofficial end of summer also means Labor Day is here. Whether you are retired or still laboring in your career, we congratulate all of you on a job well done! This week many of us will travel, go out to eat, shop, have a cookout, or
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Courier Letters to the Editor
Councilman weighs in on gov change
Dear Editor,
In reference to your article “Mayor Talbert no longer urging change in government form.”
An election to change the form of municipal government can be called for by:
- A certified petition of 15 percent of the qualified electors; orYou must be logged in to view this content.
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Facing fallout from massive data breach
The word going around is that hackers have stolen 2.9 billion Social Security numbers, which means everyone. And now it 
appears all that information, including other personal information, has been released on the internet. That batch of data can include not only Social Security numbers, but names, phone numbers, current and former
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K2 presumptives — too late for too many
Sixteen thousand veterans who served at K2 are now eligible for expanded Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. This 
will be welcome (and overdue) news for many.
K2, also known as Karshi-Khanabad and Camp Stronghold Freedom, was an Uzbekistan airbase used from 2001 to 2005 during Operation Enduring Freedom after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The VA is now making Gulf War illnesses a presumptive in those who
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Courier Obituaries 9-4-24
JACKSON WARNER DUNCAN SR.
PICKENS — Jackson Warner “Jack” Duncan Sr., 85, passed away Aug. 27, 2024, at Baptist Easley Hospital.
Mr. Duncan was born in Sept. 24, 1938, to the late Furman and Winnie Duncan. He was retired as owner and operator of Duncan Grading. Mr. Duncan was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was a lifelong resident of Pickens. Mr. Duncan loved to be outdoors, hunting, racing, football and working.
Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Mary Anna Duncan; three sons and their wives, Jack Duncan Jr. (Rachel), Freddie Duncan (Wanda) and Eddie Duncan (Teresa), all of Pickens; nine grandchildren, Jessica Worthington (Harris), Shane Duncan (Becca), Kayce Owen (Matthan), Richard Duncan, Brandon Duncan (Charlesie) and Bryson Duncan (Ashley), all of Pickens, Rebekah Rice (Logan), Andrew Simmons (Erin) and Paige Ellison (Rylee); 15 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Shelby Crowe.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Duncan was preceded in death by his six siblings, Robert, Jerry, Billy and Mickey Duncan, Loretta Ellenburg and Kathy Lackey Putnam; and an infant granddaughter, Anna Duncan.
Graveside services were conducted at Hillcrest Memorial Park on Aug. 30. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting dillardfunerals.com.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
GALE ELIZABETH HARBIN
EASLEY — Gale Elizabeth Harbin (Beth), 74, of Easley, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024.
Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Geraldine Royster.
Beth was born July 9, 1950 in Anderson and grew up in Pendleton. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and wife who
