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 »
Highway 11 regulations approved
Ordinance establishes set of development standards
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Pickens County Council voted last week to approve an ordinance that aims to protect S.C. Highway 11 from unmanaged growth.
Third reading of the ordinance occurred at council’s Dec. 5 meeting, capping off more than a year of discussions and public meetings.
A moratorium on commercial development was placed on Highway 11 while the standards were
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Central narrowly OKs controversial noise ordinance
CENTRAL — As it did on first reading, Central Town Council narrowly approved in a 4-3 vote the final reading of a controversial building operations ordinance that 
allows construction sounds around town seven days a week.
Councilwoman Paige Bowers and Councilmen L.C. Hayes, Joe Moss and Ken Dill voted in favor of the second of three proposed options, while Mayor Andrew Beckner, Councilwoman Lynne O’Dell Chapman and Councilman Harry Holladay voted in
opposition. The new ordinance will go into effect immediately. The ordinance allows construction sounds to happen from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week.
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Blue Flame girls blast West-Oak
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Hoping to build on their best start in a decade, the Pickens Blue Flame girls’ basketball team hosted West-Oak last Thursday.
Behind a balanced effort and a big day on the boards, the Flame kept their momentum going in a 59-41 win over the Warriors.
“We wanted them to go all gas, and the girls stepped it up,” Pickens head coach Rikki Owens said. “The effort was there down the bench and on the court.”
That effort was apparent to Owens from the start, as the Blue Flame outscored West-Oak 16-6 in the opening quarter behind eight points from Sadie McKinney.
McKinney didn’t stop there, either, as the sophomore forward had a career night, putting up 21 points and
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Daniel boys hold off Hart County
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — After letting a 10-point fourth-quarter lead turn into a one-point deficit, the Daniel High School boys’ basketball team was in dire need of a basket with under two minutes to go against Hart County on Monday night.
Having been accustomed to All-State guard Bobby Taylor taking over in those situations over the past four years, the Lions needed a new face to step up with Taylor now at Newberry College. That face proved to be junior forward Hayden Anderson, as his tough finish with 1:31 left in the contest
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Lady Lions fall short to Bulldogs
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — Despite being down for more than 10 minutes, the Daniel High School girls’ basketball team kept its composure enough to cut the lead to five with just 
under four minutes left in the third quarter against Hart County on Monday.
However, the same mistakes that burned the Lions early on came back to bite them again, with turnovers and defensive lapses allowing the Bulldogs to quickly retake control and pull ahead for a 63-47 win.
With buckets from Ashlyn Land and Colleen Dimaio, the Lions felt good about cutting the deficit to 36-31 after trailing by 10 at the break, and Daniel head coach Cosandar Griffin called a timeout to get her team to settle in on the defensive end.
Instead, the Lions gave up back-to-back three-pointers, and by the end of the third they were still down 11
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Pickens boys fall to Warriors
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Things haven’t come easy for the Pickens Blue Flame boys’ basketball team so far this season, but it seemed they were ready to take a step in the right direction as they led 21-18 over West-Oak at halftime of Thursday’s contest.
Instead, a lack of offensive production held the Blue Flame back in a 49-34 loss to the Warriors.
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Grand opening
Dalton Jewelry & Co. LLC held its formal grand opening on Saturday. For almost 39 years, Spencer Dalton was the jeweler at the former Solid Gold. He has been blessed with clientele from many states in the U.S. Joel and Doris Dalton were the original owners. Spencer and his family want to carry on the legacy that his parents started. “I have been so humbled by the trust and loyalty from my customers,” Spencer said. “God has been so gracious to me and my family.” The store offers a beautiful selection of jewelry. Gift certificates are available. Dalton Jewelry’s hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The new location is at 1897C Gentry Memorial Highway in Easley. Pictured are, back row, from left, Jason Dalton, Clifton Welborn, Shana Dalton, Storie Welborn, Tracy Collier, Sami Turner and Sandy Anderson. In front are Braylon Edwards, Braxton Edwards, Madison Durham, Angela Dalton, Spencer Dalton, Libby Dalton and Charles Dalton.
Officials urge residents to get shots amid ‘worst flu season in 10 years’
COLUMBIA — As part of National Influenza Vaccination Week, which was last week, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encouraged residents to get their flu shots during what it termed the “worst flu season in 10 years.”
“South Carolina is currently having its most active flu season of the last decade, making it more important than usual to get a safe and effective flu shot,” the agency said in a news release.
DHEC urges eligible residents to get their annual shot as soon as possible.
“A high level of flu activity started much earlier this flu season than it usually does, and its impact on South Carolina communities has been compounded by the rise
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Celtic Christmas planned at Hagood Mill
PICKENS — The music of the Appalachian region was heavily influenced by the influx of Scotch and Irish immigrants, and this influence has been integral in the development of American folk music traditions.
With Christmas approaching and the New Year beckoning, it is time once again to honor the musical traditions of the area by listening to songs of the season. A local seasonal musical tradition is the Ed
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Saitta talks Highway 11 ordinance
As you may have read or saw on TV, there was a final vote on Scenic Highway 11.
I’m calling this plan passed by the council 5-to-1 (I voted “No”) “The Highway 11 Land Development Act of 2022.” Our section of Highway 11 will end up looking like 
Oconee’s Highway 11 in a matter of time, sad to say.
The council plan does very little to protect the beauty of the highway, as it allows manufacturing, commercial and subdivision development all along Highway 11. Really, it just controls the look of those things.
The dollar stores will be built; they’ll just have to look like a tree. The storage facilities, too; they’ll just have to look like the side of a mountain.
If you went to the public meetings or talked to those who live on the highway, an overwhelming majority oppose new
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