Category Archives: Local News
For the arts
The Sweet Potato Pie Kids, the YAM performing band, were invited by SC Arts Alliance to perform on the steps of the Statehouse in Columbia for SC Arts Day on Feb 13. State legislators, along with the general public, were set to be in attendance at this day of arts advocacy. Sadly, the Kids were not able to perform due to rain storms, but 18 kids, parents and grandparents went with Co-Director Betty McDaniel and Co-Assistant Director Logan Redding to the Statehouse anyway. Pictured above: Members of the Sweet Potato Kids and McDaniel meet with S.C. House Rep. Hiott and State Senator Rex Rice in the Speaker of the House’s beautiful office.
Roper set to lead Gettys Middle School
EASLEY — School District of Pickens County officials announced Monday that Dacusville Middle School principal Nate Roper has been hired as the next principal of Gettys Middle School.
Roper’s hiring, which was approved by school board trustees on Monday evening, will be effective July 1, following the transition of current Gettys principal Jacob Nelson to a new role as the district’s director of administrative support and non-traditional pathways. Nelson’s move was approved by the school board in January, and he will continue to lead
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Pick up a Pickens County Courier to vote in the Pickens County Courier’s Readers’ Choice Awards
Get this Week’s Courier and vote best that Pickens County has to offer, and you could win $50 in Pickens County Courier’s Readers’ Choice Awards!!
Ballot must come from a Newspaper printed copy of the Pickens County Courier and 15 categories must be selected. The Courier is available at over 100 locations county wide at most Convenient, Drug and Grocery Stores in Pickens County or simply come by our office at 109 Garvin Street in Pickens or any of the fine business with ads on the Ballot Pages below to cast you ballot free of charge.
Call us for more information 864-878-6391
Deadline for entries is March 7, 2025
Drone, K-9 used to catch wanted man
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputies used a drone and a K-9 to take a wanted man into custody earlier this month.
According to a sheriff’s office news release, deputies responded to a home on Archery Club Road in Central in an effort to locate Charles Rodney Caldwell on Feb 8.
Caldwell had an active warrant for first-degree assault and battery, the release said.
According to the release, Caldwell fled from the back of the home into
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KidsFest and YAMs coming to Hagood Mill on March 15
PICKENS — KidsFest is coming to Hagood Mill Historic Site on Saturday, March 15.
The event, held in partnership with the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAMs), is a family-friendly 
event featuring performances from local YAMs students, a traditional talent show and interactive games and activities.
Attendees can enjoy hands-on experiences like Paint the
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The Willows of Easley lauded in recent survey
EASLEY — The Willows of Easley recently announced its achievement of an outstanding overall 
resident satisfaction score in the most recent resident survey conducted toward the end of 2024.
The recognition highlights The Willows of Easley’s commitment to
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Ex-Liberty police chief joins PCSO
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — One of the latest hires at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office is a familiar face to Liberty 
residents and the area law enforcement community.
On Feb. 4, the sheriff’s office announced on Facebook that former Liberty Police Chief Adam Gilstrap had joined the agency as a deputy.
“Deputy Gilstrap comes to us with 18 years of prior law enforcement
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Former OCSO deputy charged in Pickens County
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
CLEMSON — A former Oconee County Sheriff’s Office deputy faces charges following an investigation 
requested by the Clemson Police Department.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged Justin Alan Pelfrey, 36, of Seneca, with misconduct in office and public official misconduct in office on Feb. 7, SLED spokeswoman Renée Wunderlich said in a release.
SLED’s investigation was requested by the Clemson Police Department, she said.
A warrant claims that Pelfrey, while acting in his official capacity as an Oconee County
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County Council set to receive funding to tackle opioid issues
By Evan Smoak
Courtesy The Journal
evan@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — Pickens County will soon see a funding boost for opioid use prevention measures.
Pickens County Council voted unanimously last week to accept money from the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF), which will be used to fund salaries of two community paramedics
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Giving back
Members of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) participated in the statewide packing event for Greg’s Groceries this past Friday in Columbia. Greg’s Groceries was founded in 2017 in honor of fallen officer Greg Alia. The organization provides food boxes to law enforcement, enabling positive interactions with the community when the opportunity arises to meet basic needs. PCSO was able to bring back 50 boxes to provide to our deputies for distribution. To learn more about this organization and what they are doing in our communities, visit serveandconnect.org
