Category Archives: Local News
DEW: County unemployment rate sees big fall in December
COLUMBIA — The unemployment rate in Pickens County saw a big decrease during in the latest jobs 
report released in late January.
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) reported that unemployment went down from 4.8 percent in November to 3.9 percent in December.
The fall in unemployment comes just one month after Pickens County saw its jobless rate fall 0.1 percentage point from 4.9 percent in October.
DEW also reported 2,362 county residents were
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Now open in Pickens
The new Mommy To Bee and Nursery Time Furniture is now open at The Market at the Mill in Pickens. The new Boutique held its formal grand opening on Feb. 1. Owner Lorilee Davis invites the community to come visit Pickens’ newest business. Mommy To Bee and Nursery Time Furniture is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Pictured are Davis and Market at the Mill manager Benji Raines.
Pickens DUI suspect indicted for illegally entering country
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A man arrested in Pickens in December was indicted last month for unlawfully entering the United States after three previous deportations.
A federal grand jury in Greenville returned a single-count indictment against Sergio Ixtepan-Toto, 36, of Mexico, for unlawfully entering the United States, according to a release from
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Robbery suspect arrested earlier by Pickens PD
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A woman accused of stealing a convenience store employee’s car at gunpoint in Six Mile in 
January had been arrested the previous month after leading Pickens police on a high-speed chase that ended in her being shocked with a taser.
According to a Pickens Police Department incident report, Cpl. Austin Burton saw a blue Mitsubishi traveling at 54 mph in a 35
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Local domestic violence resource seeks support
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — While a local resource for survivors of domestic violence has been providing assistance using private donations, that is getting harder as the need grows and more victims become aware that it is available to them.
Joe Looper discussed Channel Missions and The Hiding Place, one of its programs, with local
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
SLED probing shooting of Pickens County suspect
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has confirmed it is investigating the Greenville County officer-involved shooting death of the suspect in a Pickens County armed robbery 
last month.
Sean Michael Scates, 45, of Mauldin was shot and killed by Greenville County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Jan. 23, according to authorities.
On Jan. 23, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brett
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
ECU’s Ellenburg receives districtwide honor
EASLEY — Easley Combined Utilities (ECU) announced that Water and Sewer Assistant 
Superintendent Brent Ellenburg has been recognized as the Blue Ridge Foothills District Operator of the Year by the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC) and the South Carolina Section of the American Water Works (SCAWWA) last week.
The award was presented during the WEASC Blue Ridge
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Herman to speak at SWU’s lecture series
CENTRAL — American painter and educator Bruce Herman will be on hand for Southern Wesleyan 
University’s first Faith and Learning Lecture Series of 2025 at 4 p.m. Feb. 12.
Herman will present a talk on the human capacity for creativity and the innate “itch” to make things. As he puts it, we are “made by a
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Grand opening
GG’s Embroidery is growing one stitch at a time. Owner Kathy Lum is shown cutting the ribbon of her new larger location. What started out as a hobby has grown into a full-time business and a success story for the city of Pickens. GG’s first location was at The Market at the Mill, then it moved to a small building on West Main Street in Pickens. The business now operates a larger location at 111 Railroad St. in Pickens. GG’s carries a wide variety of clothing and accessories that can be custom embroidered for babies, children, moms to be and brides to be, as well as housewares, candles, tableware, home decor and more. GG’s is open Tuesday 1-5 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pictured are Bryan Owens, Patricia Morgan, Rachel Lum, baby James Lum, Kathy Lum, Gregory Lum, Brittany Chapman and Harold Alexander.
Courier Community Calendar 2-5-25
• SMEC set to host annual oyster roast
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church will host its annual oyster roast from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at 1200 Powdersville Road in Easley.
Proceeds from the event benefit multiple charitable organizations in Pickens County. Attendees will be able to enjoy all-you-can-eat oysters, Brunswick stew, sides, and beverages (photo ID required). If oysters aren’t your favorite, the event offers many additional food options. Tickets are $45 for adults, $10 for children 6-11, and free for children 5 and under. Rain or shine, oyster-shucking takes place outdoors, so attendees should dress accordingly. Please also bring personal oyster knives and gloves.Tickets are available for purchase by mail or at the church office, and order forms are available at
