Hiott announces retirement, endorses Counts for ‘26 election
PICKENS — South Carolina House of Representatives Majority Leader and District 4 Representative Davey Hiott announced his decision to retire More »
Green Wave comeback comes up short against Greenwood
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com EASLEY — Jumping out to an early 17-7 lead, the Easley High School boys’ More »
Freedom to Read event sees large turnout
CENTRAL — Efforts to limit books that schools and libraries may include took center stage on Saturday, Jan. 25 at More »
Why is physical activity important?
Regular physical activity is important for good health, and it’s especially important if you’re trying to lose weight or to More »
Courier Letters to the Editor 1-29-25
Property values skewed
Dear Editor,
By state law every county must reassess the value of each property every 5 years. This year, 2025, is a reassessment year in Pickens County. Valuations change over time, so the purpose of a reassessment is to insure property valuations are in line with current property characteristics and market conditions.
Most properties rise in value over the 5 years. The law also forbids a county from gaining a tax revenue
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Activities for a long winter
It looks like we’re in for a long winter, with extremely cold temperatures in several places. Many of us 
are already realizing that we just don’t want to go out in that. But what shall we do to occupy ourselves while we’re at home?
I don’t know how it started, but in my neighborhood this
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VA adds new presumptives
In January the Department of Veterans Affairs added several illnesses to its list of presumptives, courtesy of the PACT Act. Done in two batches, the new additions to the list make it easier for veterans 
to get the care they need without the dragged-out process of proving that where they were stationed was the cause of their current condition. The illnesses are now considered service-
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Courier Obituaries 1-19-25
NANCY ELAINE CANTRELL
PICKENS — Nancy Elaine Cantrell, 73, of Pickens, passed away on Jan. 23, 2025, after a prolonged 
illness.
She was a lifelong resident of Pickens and was known as Elaine.
Elaine was born Jan. 12, 1952, at Cannon Memorial Hospital to David Perry Pace and Bobby Evelyn Trotter, also both lifelong residents of Pickens County. She attended Pickens High School and graduated as salutatorian in 1970. She would go on to attend Clemson University and graduate with honors in education in 1973. During this time, she met her future husband, Wallace Nathaniel Cantrell, while working a summer job at Sangamo in Pickens. They married shortly after graduation.
Elaine and Wallace would have two sons, Scott Michael Cantrell in 1974 and Steven Eric Cantrell in 1975. She would continue to attend Clemson University and attained her masters in personnel services (guidance) in 1983.
Elaine would teach both at Pickens Junior High and Pickens High School for 35 years, teaching thousands of Pickens County students before retiring in 2015.
Elaine was also a writer and published 18 novels. She read passionately, and in retirement donated generously to humane causes all over the U.S. She loved animals of all kinds and did everything she
Why is physical activity important?
Regular physical activity is important for good health, and it’s especially important if you’re trying to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight.
When losing weight, more physical activity increases the number of calories your body uses for energy or “burns off.” The burning of calories through physical activity, combined with reducing the number of 
calories you eat, creates a “calorie deficit” that results in weight loss. Most weight loss occurs
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Making Physical Activity a Part of a Child’s Life
Many physical activities fall under more than one type of activity. This makes it possible for your child to do two or even three types of physical activity in one day. For example, if your daughter is on a basketball team and practices with her teammates every day, she is not only doing vigorous-intensity aerobic activity but also bone-strengthening. Or, if your daughter takes gymnastics lessons, she is not only doing vigorous-intensity aerobic activity but also muscle- and bone-strengthening.
It’s easy to fit each type of activity into your child’s schedule — all it takes is being familiar with the Guidelines and finding activities that your child enjoys.
What can I do to get — and keep — my child active?
As a parent, you can help shape your child’s attitudes and behaviors toward physical activity, and knowing these guidelines is a great place to start. Throughout their lives, encourage young people to be
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Calories/Hour Expended in Common Physical Activities
At left are some examples of physical activities commonly engaged in and the average amount of calories a 154-pound individual will expend by engaging in each activity for one hour. The expenditure value encompasses both resting metabolic rate calories and activity expenditure. Some of the activities can constitute either moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity depending on the rate at which they are carried out (for walking and bicycling).
Inspirational quotes
“By exercise, I’ll tell you one thing, you don’t always have to be on the go. I sit around a lot, I read a lot, and I do watch television. But I also work out for two hours every day of my life, even when I’m on the road.” — Jack LaLanne
“The first wealth is health.” — Emerson
“Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.” — Earl of Derby
“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” — Plato
“The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.” — Anthony Robbins
