COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County has announced some slight changes to this week’s graduations, which have already been altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to an email sent to parents last week, district officials decided that in light of Gov. Henry McMaster’s loosening of restrictions on public gatherings and attractions across South Carolina, the limit of attendees per graduate was raised from two to four for the ceremonies, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Friday at each high school’s football stadium.

Each graduate will receive two tickets

By Jason Evans

Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

COUNTY — The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced area officials to delay, limit or cancel some events planned for this summer.

In a letter sent to town residents, Six Mile’s Independence Day Committee announced changes to this year’s 4th of July Celebration.

“Unfortunately, since our state and country are not yet fully opened due to COVID-19, we are going to have to limit this year’s event to a fireworks-only event,” the letter said. “This means we will not

COLUMBIA — Pickens County’s total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases grew by more than 30 over the past week, according to the latest figures released Monday by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

DHEC reported Monday afternoon that the county was up to 124 cases of the virus, a jump of 31 from 93 the previous Monday. Tuesday’s figures were unavailable at press time.

Statewide, 10,178 people had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon, and 440 people had died of related causes.

Pickens County’s rate of infection of 97.73 positive tests per 100,000 residents is eighth-lowest of South Carolina’s 46 counties. Neighboring Oconee County, which has had

By Greg Oliver

Courtesy The Journal

goliver@upstatetoday.com

PICKENS — New Pickens County voter registration and elections executive director Travis Alexander understands the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having statewide on the June 9 primary.

There will be an influx of absentee ballots as more voters are reluctant to participate in person due to the pandemic. Another challenge is finding poll workers and managers, since many longtime volunteers decided not to take part this election cycle for fear of exposure to COVID-19. Health and

By Greg Oliver

Courtesy The Journal

goliver@upstatetoday.com

CLEMSON — Outgoing Republican state Rep. Gary Clary has been named to a committee of fellow Republicans looking to defeat President Donalda Trump this year.

“When you have someone who is just a demagogue who wants to attack — whether it’s women, the press, minorities, the disabled — it’s just not something I believe that a president should be doing,” Clary said Thursday of his decision to serve as legislative outreach chairman for National Republicans.

Clary said he didn’t support Trump’s initial presidential bid in 2016, backing Ohio Gov. John Kasich instead. But when Trump received the Republican nomination and was eventually elected president, Clary said he tried to be supportive.

“Just like every other president I voted for or against, I have always

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped a local nonprofit from assisting the elderly.

Tammy Ferguson is co-chair of Warmth and Comfort for the Elderly – Upstate, SC.

Ferguson said the nonprofit combined its collections for March, April and May due to the pandemic.

The group collected large-print Bibles, coloring books, colored pencils, Kleenex, bed bags, masks, lotions, canned drinks and sketch pads during those months, she said.

“Activities directors asked for things they could use during bingo, and large-print Bibles were requested as something they needed during devotions,” Ferguson said. “We collected 60 Bibles, 36 masks, 40 sets of colored pencils, 96 packages of