County staff still discussing Helene lessons
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com COUNTY — Pickens County staff are continuing to discuss ways the county can better More »
Lions’ Williams captures second XC state championship
By Eric Sprott Courtesy The Journal sports@upstatetoday.com NEWBERRY — With roughly 900 meters to go in the final cross-country meet More »
This week in FOOTBALL FRENZY only in PICKENES COUNTY COURIER
Lions outlast Richland Northeast behind Conn’s big day; Liberty, Pickens and Easley season in reviews’ Clemson clobbers the Citadel; all this More »
Red Devils win inaugural Liberty Tip-Off tourney
By Bru Nimmons Staff Reporter bnimmons@thepccourier.com LIBERTY — Trailing 25-19 at halftime of its Liberty Tip-Off tournament championship game with More »
God loves unity
When we read, in Matthew 22:36-40, about our Lord being questioned by the Pharisees as to which is the greatest More »
Blue Ridge Bank opens new Pickens branch
PICKENS — Blue Ridge Bank recently held the grand opening of its new branch at 628 Ann St. in Pickens. More »
County roads on DOT paving list
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — More than 15 miles of roads in Pickens County are slated to receive work from the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
On May 18, SCDOT’s Commission approved the agency’s 2024 Pavement Improvement Program.
The 2024 program adds another $775 million to the $2.8 billion previously invested in paving improvements across the state since the agency’s Strategic 10-Year Plan was implemented, according to a release from SCDOT.
“When we implemented the Strategic 10-Year Plan in 2018, we set out to make significant
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A time to remember and respect
This is a week when we honor those who died in battle for our country.
There was a time when society seemed to be more sensitive and compassionate about casualties of war, but today there are many distractions 
that cause the mind and conscience to skip over what is important. Another example is the neglect to teach young children about who God is. Nevertheless, some people might not realize there is a distinction between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the
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Putting my foot in my mouth
I have finally discovered something I am good at. No, not just good — I’m an expert. I’ve been doing it for years.
Whether attending conferences or cocktail parties, I am very skillful at putting my foot in my mouth. There is an old rhyme that says “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That is not true. Hurtful words can sting, injure, bruise and cause you to lose confidence. Hurtful words hurt.
The expression “put your foot in it” surfaced in Britain in the 1800s and meant that you had
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School communication accolades and actions
I was thrilled to read in the Courier that the School District of Pickens County won 22 (!) awards from the South Carolina chapter of the National School Public Relations Association earlier this month.
Many congratulations to Liberty Primary, McKissick Academy of Science & Technology, R.C. Edwards Middle and the SDPC Work-based Learning Program, as well as SDPC employees Darian Byrd, Anna Esuary, Caroline Fowler, Thomas Preisig and Andrew Shipman for being
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Courier Letters to the Editor
Remember those who paid price
Dear Editor,
As Memorial Day rolls around this year, I want to take a moment and remember all of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. More than 1.5 million men and women have died to provide our freedoms in our Constitutional Republic of our United States of America. I will not forget these brave patriots who believed in and died for our “One Nation under God.”
Pickens County has a rich heritage of military honor and patriotism, and that makes me proud to call Pickens my hometown. We have more
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Miracle Man
Mark Holliday strode casually to the pulpit at Mount Tabor Baptist Church last Sunday, and, amazingly, it seemed as though he had never been gone.
You never would’ve known by looking at him that Mark, a deacon at Mount Tabor and a high school teacher who coaches wrestling and 
football, had been walking through the valley of the shadow of death for nearly four months.
You never would have guessed that he had “died” (the term used by a hospital chaplain) seven times in 40 days. How’s that for a feat of biblical proportions!
It’s no wonder that many of the thousands of people who’ve been praying for him are calling him a Miracle Man.
This was his triumphant return to church after all that.
Based on what I’d heard, I half expected that his wife would wheel him out there, prop him up and let him wheeze out a
Courier Obituaries 5-31-23
RACHEL W. MASON
EASLEY — Rachel Wicker Mason, 88, daughter of Alton and Minnie Wicker, died on Monday, May 22, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital, surrounded by her family.
Rachel is survived by her daughters, Connie (Sid) Jenkins, Karen (Dale) Stephens and Amy Mason (Lynn Hendrix); a granddaughter, Jennifer (Rhett) Butler; great-grandchildren, Sidney Jenkins, Mason Butler, Ellie, Sam and Hosanna Broughton; her sister, Rebecca Clayton; sister-in-law, Kathleen Wicker; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and her best friend, Dot Crocker and “honorary daughter” Linda Lesley.
DAR holds annual Students Awards Day
COUNTY — The Fort Prince George Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gave out 11 awards to Pickens County students at its annual Student Awards Day.
More than 60 family members and friends of the award winners joined the chapter for the ceremony. East End Elementary fifth-grader Ava
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Pickens County Community Calendar 5-31-23
• Veterans invited to American Legion
Veterans in the Liberty area are invited to the next meeting of American Legion Post 67 in Liberty. The Legion meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Scout Hut, circle off North Palmetto Street. All veterans are invited.
• Nix reunion set for Sunday at Northside
The descendants of Ulysses and Lou Annie Monroe Nix will gather for the annual Nix reunion this Sunday, June 4.
The reunion is set to be held at Northside Baptist Church, located at 421 Sangamo Road in Pickens. Lunch will be at 1 p.m.
Plates, cups and ice will be furnished, and family members are asked to bring covered dishes, desserts and drinks.
