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 »
McManus, Wilson win Pickens runoffs
By Bru Nimmons Staff Reporter bnimmons@thepccourier.com PICKENS — Voters in the city of Pickens returned to the polls one final More »
A column in three parts
This will be a column in three parts, with three different kinds of news: personal, commercial and ornithological.
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The personal news is about my mom.
She had another stroke, and as I write this she’s at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
She had the first one three years ago, but this one was worse.
She’ll be 98 in June, although she never seemed old to me before.
But she’s a faith-filled lady and is keeping a positive attitude, as always.
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The rising cost of home insurance
When I got my home insurance bill and it showed a massive payment for my policy renewal, I actually laughed. I flipped the page over, 
believing I’d received someone else’s mail by mistake … probably a neighbor down the street. But when I saw my own name, I wasn’t laughing anymore when I grabbed my calculator and discovered that the new amount was a 45 percent increase over last year.
Still, ever hopeful, I called my insurance company, wondering if someone else’s home had been
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Will the return of Christ interfere with your plans?
Henry Allan “Harry” Ironside was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor and author who pastored Moody Church in Chicago from 1929 to 1948.
It is said that Harry Ironside was one of the most prolific Christian writers of the 20th century and published more than 100 books, booklets and pamphlets, many of which are still in print. He also wrote several hymns including “Overshadowed,” “His Grace Proclaim” and “The Wonder of His Love to Me.”
One editorial reviewer wrote in a 2005 republication that, “Ironside’s commentaries are a
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Courier Obituaries 4-19-23
Alex Mackey
ANDERSON — Alexander Thomas Mackey, 31, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023.
Born Feb. 4, 1992, Alex was a carefree, loving person who was an instant friend to everyone. He loved woodworking, grilling and being around family. Alex was always the life of the party. He would never leave anyone out and would make sure everyone was taken care of. He will be missed by so many.
He is survived by his parents, Robert and Jill Talbert Mackey of Anderson; the love of his life, Hannah Certain of Anderson; siblings, Heather (Brandon) of Simpsonville; Andrew (Jennifer) of Anderson, and Jessica (Bru) of Central; nieces, Emma and Olivia; grandmother, Elise Talbert of Anderson; and many loved family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Thomas and Uta Mackey; maternal grandfather, Herschel Talbert; and uncle, Steve Mackey.
The family is at the home of Rob and Jill, 1220 N. Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The Standard Cremation and Funeral Center is serving the Mackey family, and a message of condolence may be sent by visiting standardfuneralcenter.com.
AUSTIN MAULDIN
SIX MILE — James Austin Mauldin Jr., 59, died on Sunday, April 9, 2023, at AnMed Medical Center.
County squads on playoff push
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — With just two weeks until the start of the South Carolina High School League playoffs in baseball, soccer and softball, multiple 
county teams are battling for higher seeds and playoff spots down the stretch of the season.
On the baseball diamond, three county teams have clinched spots, while one will be fighting for its playoff life this week.
Near the top of their regions, Easley and Liberty both enter the week with
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Daniel gets crucial region win over Pendleton in extra innings
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — Down 4-3 with two outs in the 10th inning, Daniel High School freshman Aubrey Hedlund-Hoover stepped to the plate knowing she had to at least drive in Ally Grace Batson if the Lions’ softball team hoped to stay alive against Pendleton last week.
“I was trying not to swing at really bad pitches,” Hedlund-Hoover joked. “I wanted a base hit to make everyone proud.”
Hedlund-Hoover more than delivered, knocking a bloop single to right field that not only scored Batson, but brought Kurtlyn Alexander home from first after an error by Pendleton’s Addison Wilson to give Daniel a 5-4 comeback win on April 11.
Filling in for senior shortstop Kinsley Dunn, Hedlund-Hoover was admittedly nervous going into the game, but she impressed Daniel head coach Cora Downer with her play both in the field and the batter’s box.
“Kinsley’s been my senior leader and lead-off batter,” Downer said. “Aubrey had to come in and play short and bat, which she hadn’t done all year. She stepped up and she won us the game.”
The freshman wasn’t the only standout for Daniel, as Batson went the distance in the circle in the 10-inning contest, overcoming a tough first inning to strike out 14.
After facing an early deficit, Daniel worked to get back into the action starting with a sacrifice fly from Maddie Iams in the second to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Lions faced trouble again in the fourth as Pendleton loaded the bases with no outs. However, Batson masterfully worked her way out of the jam to keep Daniel in it.
“She 100 percent kept us in the game,” Downer said. “I expect nothing less from that kid.”
The Lions finally tied things up in the fifth on an RBI single from Alexander before the two teams’ bats went dry over the final two innings of regulation.
In extra innings, neither side was willing to give an inch, matching the other at every step, including one-run ninth innings from both sides.
An RBI double from Pendleton’s Ella Bryant gave the Bulldogs the advantage in the 10th, but the Lions were able to get runners on the corner with one out in their chance at the bat.
Batter interference on a bunt from Reese Livingston stunned the Lions before Hedlund-Hoover proved to be the hero in the 5-4 win.
The win put Daniel (7-3, 5-3 Western 3A) in prime position for a home playoff game with less than a two weeks left in the regular season.
“We’re sitting well,” Downer said. “If we win out, I love our chances.”
Daniel 5, Pendleton 4
PHS 200 000 001 1 4 9 1
DWD 010 010 001 2 5 7 1
WP: Batson, 10 IP, 2R, 8H, 14K
LP: Wright, 9.2 IP, 3R, 6H, 6BB, 6K
DWD — Hedlund-Hoover 3-4, RBI, BB; Alexander 1-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 R
PHS — Jennings 3-5, 2B, RBI; Beak 2-4, 2 RBI
Green Wave use strong sixth inning to take down Berea
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — After an over two-week layoff, the Easley Green Wave softball team returned to action on Monday against the Berea Bulldogs. 
Behind three late runs, Easley was able to pull out the much-needed region win, 6-3.
The Bulldogs entered the game winless in Region 1-4A, but that didn’t stop them shocking Easley with a first inning run to give them an early
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PYAC hosts second annual tournament
PICKENS —The Pickens Youth Athletic Corporation hosted their second annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 15, at The Rock Golf Club and Resort. 20 teams of 80 golfers enjoyed a 12 noon hotdog lunch and 1 p.m. shotgun start.
Winners from the day: First Place Team: David Coleman, Lem Blackwell, Matt Blackwell and Grady Norris; 2nd Place Team: Jeff Wood,
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Member of the Month
The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce recently named the Law Offices of R. Scott Dover as its April Member of the Month. The firm provides general litigation services to individuals in Pickens, Oconee, Greenville, Anderson and Spartanburg counties. Dover has spent more than 32 years as a litigator in South Carolina and has been recognized by “Best Lawyers in America” and “South Carolina Super Lawyers,” and has received a AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Pictured, from left, are chamber ambassador Hugh Latimer, R. Scott Dover and chamber board members Debbie Gravely and Bryan Owens.
‘Kreme’ of the crop
Miss Pickens County Teen Joanna Burton is all smiles as she sell Krispy Kreme doughnuts on April 8 at Market at the Mill in Pickens. A Pickens County native and the daughter of Shawn and Jenny Burton, Joanna was working to raise money to help raise fund her platform “Restart the Arts” as she prepares to represent Pickens County on her journey to the 2023 Miss South Carolina Teen Pageant, set for June 20-25. The competition will be held at the Township Auditorium in Columbia. The pageant gives young ladies ages 13 to 17 years of age from around the state a chance to compete to earn scholarship money. Anyone interested in helping Burton toward her goal of being named 2023 Miss South Carolina Teen is asked to contact theresa.woods1@aol.com or misspickenscountyteen2023@gmail.com. To purchase tickets for this year’s pageant, which go on sale May 5, call the box office of Township Auditorium in Columbia.
