***ONLINE EXCLUSIVE *** Blue Flame head to Columbia in quest for 17th State Championship
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com PICKENS — For the first time since 2021, the Pickens High School volleyball team More »
Prisma to build hospital in Easley
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com EASLEY — Prisma Health plans to build a new $138 million inpatient behavioral health More »
Blue Flame roll past rival Daniel to advance in Class 4A playoffs
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com CENTRAL — After dropping two five set battles to rival Daniel in the regular More »
Swearing in
Members of the Pickens County’s Legislative Delegation take the oath of office on the Pickens County Courthouse steps in Pickens More »
This week in FOOTBALL FRENZY only in PICKENES COUNTY COURIER
LIONS OVERCOME SLOW START AGAINST SENECA TO WIN SIXTH STRAIGHT REGION TITLE; EASLEY DROPS FINALE TO GREENVILLE; RED DEVILS FALL More »
Selugadu set for this weekend at mill
PICKENS — Every November, the Hagood Mill Historic Site observes Native American Heritage Month by holding the Native American Celebration. More »
Local residents, businesses provide aid to neighbors, WNC after Helene
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Following the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene, many people in the Pickens County area have stepped up and offered a helping hand to their neighbors.
In addition to county and municipal responses to the storm and its aftermath, individuals, businesses, organizations and churches have been offering their assistance.
Social media has been a boon in the days since Helene made landfall late last month, helping people
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This WEEK in FOOTBALL FRENZY
Swinney becomes ACC’s winningest coach in road victory over FSU; Wave announce 2024 Hall of Fame class and Red Devils elect four for Athletic HOF all this in this week’s FOOTBALL FRENZY, sponsored by Mountain View Funerals and Cremations available only in the Pickens County Courier.
Do not miss a single issue by grabbing a copy at a convenience, grocery or drug store near you. You can also subscribe and have your Pickens County Courier delivered each week right to your mailbox for only $36 per year (in Pickens County).
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SCHSL approves changes to prep sports calendar
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COLUMBIA — With high school sports around the state thrown into disarray over the last two weeks due to Hurricane Helene, the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) Executive Committee met 
on Tuesday to determine its course of action for the final two months of the fall athletics season.
After debate over how many weeks could be added to the schedule and whether the number of playoff rounds should be affected, the
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Power restored to 97 percent of county residents
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — As of Monday evening, power had been restored to 97 percent of Pickens County following 
the destruction brought by Hurricane Helene.
The aftermath and recovery from the storm was the focus of county administrator Ken Roper’s report to council during its meeting Monday night.
More than 200 county roads have been cleared, he said.
“To some degree, cleared means open. Open — one lane, two lanes,” Roper said. “In some cases now, we’re able to go back and actually not just cut and toss to
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Jessica Merrill is seeking seat on Pickens City Council
PICKENS — Jessica Merrill is seeking a position on the Pickens City Council, recognizing it as a 
significant undertaking that requires determination, diligence, and a profound understanding of the city and its residents.
Possessing these crucial qualities and knowledge, Jessica is running for the 36-month seat. “As a councilwoman, I understand the importance of
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Don’t mess with Mother Nature
Don’t mess with Mother Nature — and never underestimate the power of a hurricane. By the time Hurricane Helene hit the Upstate, although downgraded to a tropical storm, she was still 
powerful enough to cause flooding and take down trees and power lines, making us powerless.
Scientists have been trying to control the weather for centuries. Everything from rain making to lightning squelching, hurricane snuffing, fog lifting, frost smothering and hail pelting. Melt that
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Courier Letters to the Editor 10-9-24
Hurricane help from local citizens
Dear Editor,
Since early last Friday morning, I have seen some of the best from our Pickens County residents. As I traveled to work through many detours, I saw local heroes out cutting trees and placing warning cones at intersections without power. Highway 123 coming out of Clemson was at a standstill, with a pine tree that had fallen over the entire eastbound lane. I was heading toward Clemson and was getting ready to stop and offer help when I saw a man cutting up the tree as his truck was pulled into the median with hazard lights on. I was stopping to get out and help remove the sections of the tree from the highway when I saw four or five people getting out of their cars that were eastbound to offer assistance.
On Sunday, I took some gas to a friend in the Dacusville area for their generator and saw a
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The dynamic relationship between love and prayer
Last Sunday, I was asked to bring the morning sermon for a wonderful church in the country called Mt. Lebanon Methodist.
I had a dream recently about delivering a message and when I awoke, I went I into my office and asked God to please not let it dissipate before I could write down as much of it as I could remember. Dreams are like the morning fog that fades when the sun comes out. I was noticeably rattled and was typing feverishly. How many know
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Courier Obituaries 10-9-24
KATHLEEN GILLESPIE WATSON
SIX MILE — Kathleen Gillespie Watson, 94, died peacefully at home on Oct. 3, 2024, 
surrounded by her loving family.
She joined C. E. (Ed) Watson, her husband of 73 years, her parents, Janie Walker Gillespie and Lawrence Eugene Gillespie, and her six older siblings, who were all waiting for her in heaven.
She is survived by her children, Carolyn (Ralph) Bolding, Cindy (Garnett) Watson and Steve Watson; her grandchildren, Katie (Geoff) McDowell, Brian (Jamey) Bolding, Gabe (Aleesha) Bolding, Jessica (Tyeler) Prater, Jon (Lauren) Bolding, Jahanna (Tim) Schwab, Josiah Bolding, Walker (Caitlin) Watson, Meggie (Josh) Roseborough, Jordan and Justice Harrison; 18 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Doris (Boyce) Whitman, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kathleen was a lifelong member of Praters Creek Baptist Church, where she was a constant, faithful witness within the church community. She taught Sunday school, initiated the senior
