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 »
Pickens boys fall against Westside
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Taking on seventh-ranked Westside on Jan. 10, the Pickens High School boys’ basketball team knew it would need an almost perfect effort, and after building a 12-6 lead early, it seemed like the Flame might get it.
However, the Blue Flame just couldn’t match the firepower of the Rams, with Westside pulling ahead in the second quarter and never looking back in a 65-49 win.
“We didn’t repeat the first quarter,” Pickens head coach Jeff Harrelson said. “We fell into playing their game and started
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SC Human Trafficking Task Force releases annual report
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
STATE — The South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force’s 2022 annual report contains some grim statistics.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, the task force’s chair, released the report earlier this month.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor or services against their will, the report said. Inducing a minor into commercial sex is considered human trafficking regardless of
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Library planning free legal clinics
COUNTY — The Pickens County Library System, in collaboration with the South Carolina Bar, is planning a series of free law talks beginning next Monday, Jan. 23.
The first session will take place at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley at 5:30 p.m. and will focus on family law including divorce, custody, visitation and support.
The free legal clinic will consist of a lecture presentation by a volunteer attorney followed by an open question-and-answer
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Clemson ROTC students commissioned
CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Army and Air Force ROTC units held a joint ceremony recently to commission 13 second lieutenants.
Four students received commissions into the U.S. Air Force, and nine were commissioned into the U.S. Army.
University president Jim Clements was a guest speaker at the ceremony, held late last month at Tillman Hall.
Newly commissioned
The commissioning candidates for the December ceremony were:
• United States Air Force
— Holly E. Clark of Kennett Square, Pa., majoring in civil engineering
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DHEC: 3 people exposed to rabid fox in Clemson
CLEMSON — Three people were exposed to a fox that tested positive for rabies late last week in Clemson, according to state officials.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed the fox found near Sherman Street and Daniel Drive was submitted to a laboratory for testing on Thursday and tested positive on Friday. No pets
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Not in fear, just thinking rationally
No fear.
It’s not just a brand of clothing or a statement of bravado.
It’s the normal way to live.
There are so many things we could be afraid of — being in a car crash, living to see a nuclear apocalypse, getting smashed by a meteor or coming down with one of a thousand different diseases — such as COVID-19.
The likelihood of most of these things happening within the next 24 hours is reasonably low — except for the latter.
Now, I’m just like everybody else: I’d prefer to not worry about COVID.
And I don’t.
I ain’t afraid of it.
So if you see me wearing a mask, it’s not because I’m scared.
It’s because I love my wife.
I’m thinking about putting a sign on my KN95 that says that.
Most people pretty much ignore me when they see me, the only person in the
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Courier Letters to the Editors 1-18-23
Fighting for our republic
Dear Editor,
Recently we watched as 20 courageous members of the House stood up and fought the leadership of the establishment Republicans. They used the slim Republican House majority as a lever to wrest concessions and bring them back to the floor — and so to the people. It was a fight worth having, and finally we had fighters!
However, prominent media conservatives supported the establishment and were relentless in their attack of these 20 patriots. The real issue here is not the 20, but
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They hear His voice and follow Him
Life is changing all around us. With technology providing an opportunity for every person on the planet to speak and listen, we are surrounded by so many opinions about everything, it’s becoming more difficult to discern what is right and wrong.
Not only is this massive amount of information chaotic and much of the time unnecessary, but it has reached a point where many people no longer think for themselves. It’s concerning when individuals become so addicted to the lives of
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Helping veterans in 2023
Recently retired or unemployed, at loose ends and wondering what your next steps should be? If you’re looking for ways to help other veterans in your area, this year 
could be your most meaningful.
- Is anyone building homes for veterans in your area? Are any organizations ready to break ground and start building in the spring? Do you have construction, plumbing or electrical skills? Even if you don’t, there are
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Courier Obituaries 1-18-23
JAMES D. ‘JIM’ MULLINS
PICKENS — Mr. James D. “Jim” Mullins, 87, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at his home.
JD was born in Pound, Va., on Feb. 17, 1935, to the late Chester and Ora Riggs Mullins. He was a man of many talents and was a medic in the Air Force while serving in Korea, a teacher at Easley Christian School, owned Mullins Masonry and was a Sunday School teacher at Jones Avenue Baptist Church. Above all else, he loved his Lord and his family and was known for cooking the best pancakes and grits.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Brenda Mullins; five children, Becky Bridgewater, Charla Compton (Charles), Mark Mullins (Rani), Debbie Sessin and Tiffany Lister (Joel); three bonus kids, Suzanne Bolding, Marie Bolding-Tyre (Dale) and Dena Recio (Ben); 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; one sister, Tish Thompson; one brother, Larry Mullins; and a very special fur-baby, Papa’s Puppy Greta.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by two daughters, Helen Heller and Kimberly Snedden; and six brothers and sisters.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Jones Avenue Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2-3:15 p.m.
Burial will take place at Mullins Family Cemetery in Pound, Va., on Friday, Jan. 20.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Victory Bible Camp, 64741 Victory Road, Sutton-Alpine, AK
